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Science News Archive 2021 - Page 401


Page 401 of 510

New imaging technology could help predict heart attacks

Researchers developed a new intravascular imaging technique, ILSI, which can detect unstable coronary plaques. The technique provides a direct assessment of mechanical stability, allowing for early detection and treatment of high-risk vulnerable plaques.

SourceOptica·JournalBiomedical Optics Express·DateMar 16, 2021

Soil microbes left behind during decades of corn breeding

A new study found that decades of corn breeding led to a degradation of sustainable nitrogen-fixing microbes in the soil, contributing to increased greenhouse gas emissions. The researchers recreated the history of corn breeding from 1949 to 1986 and found modern corn varieties recruit fewer beneficial microbes than earlier varieties.

How sperm remember

A new study at McGill University identifies a non-DNA based means by which sperm remember a father's environment and transmit that information to the embryo, affecting gene expression and leading to birth defects. The discovery opens new avenues for studying disease transmission and prevention.

SourceMcGill University·JournalDevelopmental Cell·DateMar 16, 2021

Tear glands in a dish can cry

Researchers have created stem-cell-derived organoids that can produce mature tear products, shedding light on the biology of crying and dry-eye disease. The organoids can be transplanted into mouse tear glands and form functional duct-like structures, revealing new insights into potential treatments for Sjögren's syndrome.

SourceCell Press·JournalCell Stem Cell·DateMar 16, 2021

Of mice and men and their different tolerance to pathogens

Researchers developed a mouse Intestine-on-Chip platform to study host-microbiome interactions, confirming that Enterococcus faecium promotes tolerance to S. typhimurium infection in mice. The technology mimics human Intestine Chips, enabling real-time analysis of normal and pathological processes.

SourceWyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard·JournalFrontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology·DateMar 15, 2021

Is there an association between a pregnant mother's diet and her child's weight?

Research suggests a mother's diet during pregnancy influences her child's BMI trajectory from birth to adolescence. A Mediterranean-style diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains may help prevent childhood obesity. Mothers' dietary habits during pregnancy are likely to shape their child's eating behaviors and food preferences.

SourceAmerican Society for Nutrition·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·DateMar 15, 2021

Study finds high tumor mutation burden predicts immunotherapy response in some, but not all, cancers

A new study found that a high rate of genetic mutations within a tumor (high tumor mutation burden) can predict clinical responses to immune checkpoint inhibitors in certain cancer types, such as melanoma, lung and bladder cancer. However, this was not the case for other cancers, including breast, prostate and brain cancers.

Lessons learned in Burkina Faso can contribute to a new decade of forest restoration

A study in Burkina Faso found that assisted natural regeneration, combined with tree planting and participatory approaches, is effective in restoring degraded landscapes. However, local communities, particularly women, face limited land-access rights, hindering their involvement in decision-making.

What happens in your brain when you 'lose yourself' in fiction

A study published in Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience found that highly identified fans of 'Game of Thrones' characters activate the ventral medial prefrontal cortex (vMPFC) when thinking about the characters, similar to how they think about themselves. The vMPFC is a brain area involved in self-referential processing.

SourceOhio State University·JournalSocial Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience·DateMar 15, 2021

Weed invaders are getting faster

A study by James Cook University found that invasive plants rapidly adapt to new regions, growing and reproducing faster in tropical environments. This trend suggests that global warming will increase invasive impacts in these areas.

SourceJames Cook University·JournalJournal of Ecology·DateMar 15, 2021