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Science News Archive 2021 - Page 399


Page 399 of 510

It's snowing plastic

A new technique developed by McGill University scientists can detect ultra-trace quantities of plastics in various environmental samples, including snow, water, and soil. The technique allows for more accurate analysis of micro- and nano-plastics, shedding light on the widespread impact of plastic pollution on human health.

SourceMcGill University·JournalEnvironmental Pollution·DateMar 17, 2021

New quantum algorithm surpasses the QPE norm

Researchers at Osaka City University have developed a new quantum algorithm, BxB, which calculates energy differences directly to predict electronic states of atoms and molecules with chemical precision. The algorithm achieves this with half the number of qubits required by the existing Quantum Phase Estimation (QPE) method.

SourceOsaka City University·JournalThe Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters·DateMar 17, 2021

Losing rivers

Researchers found nearly two-thirds of wells have water levels below nearest stream, indicating rivers are leaking into aquifers. The phenomenon, exacerbated by human activity, may worsen in decades, with some rivers potentially disappearing, impacting downstream communities and ecosystems.

'We marry disorder with order'

Researchers at Leipzig University have developed a new model that enables precise determination of the features in complex pore networks, revealing potential applications in drug release, sensor technology and energy storage.

SourceUniversität Leipzig·JournalLangmuir·DateMar 17, 2021

Arctic was once lush and green, could be again, new research shows

Scientists analyzed ancient lake sediment in the Arctic Ocean and found evidence of a shrub native to northern Canadian ecosystems that was once widespread. The findings may provide insight into the potential future of the Arctic's vegetation as it warms due to climate change, with implications for thawing permafrost and sea level rise.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 17, 2021

Can crops become more efficient?

Researchers at Michigan State University are exploring the impact of climate change on plants' efficiency, focusing on photorespiration, a process that reduces plant productivity. By understanding this phenomenon better, they hope to develop new breeding techniques and improve crop yields.

The fitter you are the better you burn fat - new research

New research from the University of Bath found that females who are physically fitter burn fat more efficiently when exercising compared to males. The study analyzed factors influencing body fat burning during endurance sports and explored molecular mechanisms behind sex differences in fuel use.

SourceUniversity of Bath·JournalInternational Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism·DateMar 16, 2021

New study points to novel drug target for treating COVID-19

Researchers at Cleveland Clinic Florida have identified a novel mechanism that leads to MDA5 activation during virus infection, and found that inhibiting the PLpro enzyme may help strengthen the human immune response against SARS-CoV-2. This could potentially lead to new anti-COVID-19 therapeutics targeting the PLpro enzyme.

SourceCleveland Clinic·JournalNature Microbiology·DateMar 16, 2021

The city formula

Urban scaling laws, observed in cities worldwide, can be explained by the spatial geometry of a city. Researchers mapped building heights and assigned dots to people living in buildings to determine fractal dimensions, revealing a constant sublinear scaling exponent that determines city growth rates.

SourceComplexity Science Hub·JournalJournal of The Royal Society Interface·DateMar 16, 2021

Crying human tear glands grown in the lab

Scientists have successfully grown miniature human tear glands in a lab, allowing them to study how cells produce tears and what goes wrong. The model has promise for identifying new treatments for patients with tear gland disorders, such as dry eye disease.

SourceHubrecht Institute·JournalCell Stem Cell·DateMar 16, 2021

How hummingbirds hum

Researchers from Eindhoven University of Technology used a high-speed camera and 2176 microphones to measure the precise origin of the hummingbird's sound. The team found that the wing's pressure difference generates the hum, which is essential for lift-off and hovering.

HKUST researchers unlock the micro-molecular physiochemical mechanism of dental plaque formation

The research findings reveal that a novel microbial small molecule from Streptococcus mutans promotes biofilm formation via an unprecedented physicochemical mechanism. This discovery highlights the significance of secondary metabolism in mediating critical processes related to dental caries development.

SourceHong Kong University of Science and Technology·JournalNature Chemical Biology·DateMar 16, 2021

Sleep troubles may complicate the grieving process

A new study by University of Arizona researcher Mary-Frances O'Connor found that people with persistent sleep challenges before losing someone are at higher risk for developing complicated grief. Complicated grief is characterized by an intense and persistent yearning for the lost loved one, disrupting daily functioning.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalJournal of Psychiatric Research·DateMar 16, 2021

Standing out from the crowd

A study by researchers from the Universities of Göttingen and Groningen found that companies' investors significantly impact the uniqueness of their chosen strategies. Dedicated investors, such as pension funds, can resolve the 'uniqueness paradox' by recognizing the value of unique strategies for long-term corporate development.

SourceUniversity of Göttingen·JournalStrategic Management Journal·DateMar 16, 2021