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Science News Archive 2021 - Page 377


Page 377 of 510

Algorithm-based music recommendations: Low accuracy for lovers of non-mainstream music

A study found that algorithm-generated music recommendations are less accurate for listeners of non-mainstream music compared to those who listen to mainstream music. The researchers identified four groups of non-mainstream music listeners based on their listening habits and found that users who listened to high-energy music received t...

SourceGraz University of Technology·JournalEPJ Data Science·DateMar 30, 2021

Researchers discover new type of ancient crater lake on Mars

Researchers from Brown University have discovered a previously unknown type of ancient crater lake on Mars that differs from other Martian crater lakes. The crater was likely fed by runoff from a long-lost Martian glacier, which suggests the planet's early climate may have been warmer and wetter than previously thought.

SourceBrown University·JournalThe Planetary Science Journal·DateMar 30, 2021

Urban squirrels, how much are we disturbing you?

Research finds that urban squirrels' success rates increase with repeated solving of a novel food-extraction task, suggesting adaptability to urban stressors. The study also reveals that direct human disturbance is a major stressor, while green coverage and squirrel population size have less impact on problem-solving performance.

High-fiber diet may play a role in controlling the inflammation associated with COVID-19

Researchers found that high-fiber compounds reduced the expression of a gene and cytokine receptor involved in viral cell entry and inflammation. The findings suggest that high-fiber diets may help control inflammation caused by COVID-19, which can lead to gastrointestinal symptoms and changes in gut microbiota.

Unique AI method for generating proteins will speed up drug development

Researchers from Chalmers University of Technology have developed an AI-based approach called ProteinGAN, which uses generative deep learning to create highly diverse protein variants with naturalistic-like physical properties. This method accelerates the rate of protein engineering, driving down development costs and enabling environm...

SourceChalmers University of Technology·JournalNature Machine Intelligence·DateMar 30, 2021

Architecture of Eolian successions under icehouse and greenhouse conditions

A new study analyzes thousands of geological features to quantify the response of ancient eolian systems to global climatic shifts. The results demonstrate that preserved sedimentary architectures developed under icehouse and greenhouse conditions are fundamentally different due to contrasting environmental conditions. This research ca...

SourceGeological Society of America·JournalGeological Society of America Bulletin·DateMar 30, 2021

Social media addiction linked to cyberbullying

A new study by the University of Georgia suggests that social media addiction is associated with an increased risk of cyberbullying behaviors among adolescents. Higher scores on social media addiction tests, more time spent online, and identifying as male were linked to a greater likelihood of perpetrating cyberbullying.

SourceUniversity of Georgia·JournalJournal of Child and Adolescent Counseling·DateMar 30, 2021

Salt substitution -- an effective way to reduce blood pressure in rural India

A new study by The George Institute for Global Health found that replacing regular salt with a reduced-sodium, added-potassium salt substitute significantly lowered systolic blood pressure in rural Indian hypertensive patients. The intervention was shown to be an effective and low-cost way to control blood pressure in these communities.

SourceGeorge Institute for Global Health·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·DateMar 30, 2021

Turning back the clock on a severe vision disorder

A new gene therapy approach has been successful in restoring both normal structure and function to the retina's cone photoreceptor cells in dogs with a severe form of Leber congenital amaurosis. The treatment, which delivered a normal copy of the NPHP5 gene, was tested in nine five-week-old dogs and showed promising results.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalMolecular Therapy·DateMar 30, 2021

Water splitting for solar energy conversion

Researchers have developed a highly-efficient water decomposition reaction using BaTaO2N photocatalyst, achieving nearly 100 times the efficiency of conventional methods. The new method involves sequential cocatalyst decoration on the surface of BaTaO2N particles, resulting in high dispersion and improved hydrogen production.

SourceShinshu University·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 30, 2021