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Science News Archive 2021 - Page 431


Page 431 of 510

Cellular seafood

Researchers detail nine steps for cell-based seafood to deliver environmental benefits, including developing a viable product and driving down demand for wild-caught seafood. However, achieving conservation outcomes is a complex process with many hurdles, including getting consumers to adopt the new product.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalFish and Fisheries·DateFeb 24, 2021

Study finds human-caused North Atlantic right whale deaths are being undercounted

A recent study published in Conservation Science and Practice found that known deaths of critically endangered North Atlantic right whales account for only 36% of the true death toll. The study analyzed data on whale encounters, animal health, serious injuries, and necropsies to determine undercounting of human-caused mortalities.

SourceNew England Aquarium·JournalConservation Science and Practice·DateFeb 24, 2021

Chimpanzees unite against a common enemy

Researchers at Kyoto University found that chimpanzees become more cohesive and engage in affiliative behaviors when threatened by out-groups, similar to humans. This suggests that intergroup competition may have led to the evolution of cooperation and tolerant relations in large groups.

SourceKyoto University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateFeb 24, 2021

New shape-changing 4D materials hold promise for morphodynamic tissue engineering

Researchers developed novel hydrogel-based 4D materials that can change shape in response to physiological stimuli, supporting high cell densities and mimicking natural tissue development. These materials have potential for bioengineering blood vessels, organs, and studying biological processes involved in early development.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Chicago·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·DateFeb 24, 2021

UM scientists achieve breakthrough in culturing corals and sea anemones cells

Researchers at the University of Miami have successfully cultured cells from coral and sea anemones for up to 12 days, opening new avenues for studying evolutionary biology and human health. The breakthrough uses antibiotic treatment to prime tissues before culture, allowing for longer and more robust cell cultures.

Childhood ADHD, risk of developing psychotic disorder

A comprehensive study combining data from 1.8 million participants found a significant association between childhood ADHD and the subsequent development of psychotic disorders. The research suggests that children with ADHD may be at higher risk of developing psychosis later in life.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Psychiatry·DateFeb 24, 2021

Research addresses the complex problems of malaria

Lauren Childs and her team have developed a mathematical model that shows providing multiple blood meals to female mosquitoes can increase the transmission of malaria. The study suggests reducing mosquito egg production could also accelerate parasite growth, shortening the incubation period.

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalPLOS Pathogens·DateFeb 24, 2021

Story tips from Johns Hopkins experts on Covid-19

A study published in JAMA Neurology suggests that large bone marrow cells called megakaryocytes may be responsible for the lingering aftereffects of severe COVID-19 cases, including brain fog. The researchers found evidence of megakaryocytes in the brains of patients who died from COVID-19 and believe they may reduce blood flow to the ...

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalJAMA Neurology·DateFeb 24, 2021

From melody to language

A study examining over 67,000 infant vocalisations found that babies as young as one month old produce complex melodies, laying the foundation for later speech. The research suggests that infants' brains mature rapidly and undergo 'preparatory' development before birth to enable melody production.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalScientific Reports·DateFeb 24, 2021

A gearbox for tumor cell identity changes

Researchers at Max Delbréck Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association have made significant findings on the role of chromatin modulators in tumor cell identity changes. By using a combination of CRISPR and molecular reporter technology, they found that chromatin proteins significantly influence how tumor cells change t...

Effects of face masks on speech recognition

Respirator and cloth masks increase difficulties in recognizing speech amidst background noise. Surgical masks have no negative effect on communication., Researchers found face masks negatively affect speech recognition in noisy settings.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateFeb 24, 2021

Captive chimpanzees may unite against a common enemy

Captive chimpanzees display cohesive behaviors such as physical closeness and play when exposed to recorded calls of unknown chimp species. This response indicates an innate ability to form alliances, suggesting a complex social structure in captive chimps.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateFeb 24, 2021

Optimality in self-organized molecular sorting

The study reveals that the propensity to molecular aggregation is the main control parameter of the sorting process, with an optimal value ensuring maximum speed. This finding has implications for understanding the origin of pathologies like cancer and developing targeted therapies.

SourcePolitecnico di Torino·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateFeb 24, 2021

Red light put moths in the mood

A new study published in Frontiers in Genetics shows that dim red light enhances the mating and egg-laying behaviors of yellow peach moths by selectively activating a genetic pathway related to olfaction. This increase in sensitivity is made possible due to the unique properties of odorant binding proteins secreted by auxiliary cells s...

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Genetics·DateFeb 24, 2021

Buckyballs on DNA for harvesting light

A novel type of organic light-harvesting supramolecule based on DNA is synthesized to improve the quantum efficiency of electron-hole pair production. The supramolecule's 3D structure persists in both liquid and solid phases, outperforming traditional electron donors and acceptors.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Chemistry·DateFeb 24, 2021

The risks of communicating extreme climate forecasts

A new study by Carnegie Mellon University researchers argues that extreme climate forecasts can be counterproductive, leading to public distrust in climate science. The study analyzed 79 climate-caused apocalypse predictions and found that many have expired without consequence, undermining the credibility of such forecasts.

SourceCollege of Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University·JournalInternational Journal of Global Warming·DateFeb 24, 2021