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Science News Archive 2021 - Page 365


Page 365 of 510

Comfort care beneficial for hospitalized stroke patients, yet disparities in use persist

Hospitalized ischemic stroke patients who received palliative or hospice care experienced improved quality of life. However, disparities persist in comfort care utilization, particularly among non-white patients. Factors associated with higher comfort care utilization included older age, female sex, and private health insurance.

SourceAmerican Heart Association·JournalJournal of the American Heart Association·DateApr 7, 2021

The science of turning milk into cheese

Researchers at the UCO Dairy Laboratory found a link between milk pH and cheese-making capacity in Churra sheep, suggesting genetic selection can improve yield. The study analyzed over 1,000 sheep samples to identify optimal parameters for increasing cheese production efficiency.

SourceUniversity of Córdoba·JournalJournal of Dairy Science·DateApr 7, 2021

Visionary bone damage study

A novel technique using an ancient inorganic salt-based material has been developed to pinpoint and illuminate bone damage, potentially leading to more efficient X-ray diagnostics and treatment. The new method could also be used for advanced applications such as bioimaging and optogenetics.

SourceFlinders University·JournalAggregate·DateApr 7, 2021

The structure and function of cortical brain cells modulated by attention

A recent study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences reveals how cognitive control and sensory information relate to cortical machinery. Researchers found that signal propagation between cortical areas V1 and V4 is modulated by attention, challenging previous theories about parallel processing flows.

SourceUniversitat Pompeu Fabra - Barcelona·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 7, 2021

Crunching on coral

Researchers at UC Santa Barbara found that coral predators have a significant impact on young coral growth and survival, even when protected by fish. The study suggests that density has little effect on predation, as corals are vulnerable to predators regardless of group size or protection.

Fungi are present in your lungs

Researchers discovered fungi present in both healthy and diseased lungs, with no difference in composition between individuals with COPD using or not using inhaled steroids. The unique lung environment is dominated by the fungus Candida, which can cause disease when outcompeted.

SourceThe University of Bergen·JournalPLOS ONE·DateApr 7, 2021

Measuring space-time 'entanglement' of electromagnetic waves

Scientists quantify space-time nonseparability of electromagnetic pulses using quantum state tomography and calculate fidelity, concurrence, and entanglement. They propose novel concepts for measuring space-time entanglement in structured light, opening new avenues for ultrahigh-capacity communication and high-security encryption.

Society is not ready to make human brains

A new paper by Kyoto University researchers highlights the ethical implications of brain organoid research, which could lead to breakthroughs in treating diseases like dementia or schizophrenia. However, transplanting brain organoids raises concerns about consciousness, morality, and potential risks to patients.

SourceKyoto University·JournalAJOB Neuroscience·DateApr 7, 2021

Story tips from Johns Hopkins experts on COVID-19

A recent Johns Hopkins Medicine study compared inpatient and outpatient surgical volumes during the pandemic and found significant declines, especially in regions hardest hit. Outpatient volumes recovered quickly, while inpatient volumes improved to near-pre-pandemic levels by September 2020.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalOpen Forum Infectious Diseases·DateApr 7, 2021

Manual workers face twice the risk of developing ALS

Researchers found that manual workers are twice as likely to develop ALS, with close to two-thirds of patients reporting a blue-collar job. The study also discovered that jobs involving sustained physical exertion, such as construction and carpentry, were associated with a higher risk of bulbar-onset ALS.

SourceUniversity of Malta·JournalAmyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Degeneration·DateApr 7, 2021

NIH-funded researchers develop language test for people with Down syndrome

A new test has been developed to evaluate expressive language skills in individuals with Down syndrome, offering a more effective approach than current methods. The test was found to be reliable and consistent across different versions, making it suitable for most individuals between the ages of 6 and 23.

High index surfaces-exposed PtCu3@Pt3Cu@Pt nanodendrites as ORR electrocatalyst

Researchers designed a nanodendrite Pt-Cu alloy electrocatalyst with high-index surfaces and graded composition, achieving excellent mass and area activities for oxygen reduction reaction. The catalyst's unique morphology and composition provide a high specific surface area to improve Pt utilization and enhance ORR activity.

SourceDalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy Sciences·JournalChinese Journal of Catalysis·DateApr 7, 2021