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Science News Archive 2021 - Page 423


Page 423 of 510

Protein Science Best Papers for 2020

Yu-Ting Huang's unexpected finding that ATP can alter human protein folding through destabilization may be relevant in studying cancer cells. Samuel Junod and Joseph Kelich were recognized for their studies of intrinsically disordered proteins' transport routes through nuclear pore complexes.

Creamy or gritty?

Scientists at UC Santa Barbara found that fruit flies use a mechanosensory channel called TMEM63 to detect the gritty texture of their food. This discovery sheds light on how animals perceive food and may have implications for human taste perception.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalCurrent Biology·DateMar 2, 2021

Rice plant resists arsenic

A Chinese-German research team has identified a rice plant variant that can neutralize arsenic toxins, with grains containing less than half the amount of arsenic as conventional rice. The astol1 rice variant also exhibits an elevated content of essential trace element selenium.

SourceHeidelberg University·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 2, 2021

Ultra-fast electron measurement provides important findings for the solar industry

The study provides important findings for the solar industry by analyzing solar cell processes at an ultra-fast scale. The researchers used time-resolved X-ray photoemission spectroscopy to identify a previously unobserved channel for charge separation, revealing new insights into quantum efficiency and optimization possibilities.

SourceUniversity of Freiberg / TU Bergakademie Freiberg·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 2, 2021

Unusual earthquakes highlight central Utah volcanoes

Researchers have detected unusual earthquake sequences in central Utah's Black Rock Desert, highlighting the region's active volcanic system. The quakes were shallower and produced lower-frequency seismic energy than usual, suggesting a different origin than other Utah earthquakes.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateMar 2, 2021

'Fish DJ' tackles fish hearing

PhD candidate Rebecca Poulsen designed a speaker system to study brain networks and hearing in baby fish, finding they can hear high-frequency sounds. Whole-brain imaging revealed how larvae process different types of sounds, raising questions about their brain's interpretation.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalCurrent Biology·DateMar 2, 2021

Discovery of potential cosmic-ray accelerator in the galaxy opens window for PeV cosmic rays origin

The Tibet ASgamma experiment has discovered gamma rays beyond 100 TeV from a supernova remnant, suggesting that cosmic-ray nuclei are accelerated up to PeV energy and collide with a nearby molecular cloud. This discovery identifies the first candidate object in the Milky Way that can accelerate cosmic rays up to 1 PeV.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalNature Astronomy·DateMar 2, 2021

Hassles with child car seats linked to unsafe child passenger behaviors

A study published in Academic Pediatrics found that parents who reported more child car seat hassles were less likely to follow American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations on child passenger safety. Parents who identified more hassles were more likely to have their children travel unrestrained or not use a car seat consistently.

Willpower is the key to enhancing learning and memory: researchers uncover the mechanism

A study published in PNAS found that theta oscillations in the human brain, generated by the hippocampus, play a crucial role in active learning and memory formation. Active navigation improves learning efficiency, while two consecutive phenomena, encoding and retrieval, are facilitated by theta phase code.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 2, 2021

Chemistry goes under cover

Scientists have discovered that covering metal catalyst surfaces with thin two-dimensional oxide materials can significantly enhance chemical reactions. The new method uses partially covered palladium surfaces with silica films to boost carbon dioxide production by 20%. This approach allows for more efficient and effective catalytic co...

SourceDOE/Brookhaven National Laboratory·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateMar 2, 2021