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Science News Archive 2021 - Page 433


Page 433 of 510

Slutpage visits may be common among US college students

A survey of US college students found that one in three students may be viewing digital groups sharing nude or semi-nude photos without consent. The study suggests that university sexual violence prevention education should include discussions on these sites to address objectifying attitudes and justify sexual violence.

SourceSpringer·JournalArchives of Sexual Behavior·DateFeb 24, 2021

Most women receive inappropriate treatment for urinary tract infections

A study of private insurance claims data found nearly half of women with uncomplicated urinary tract infections received the wrong antibiotics and three-quarters received prescriptions for longer than necessary. Rural areas tend to have inappropriately long treatment durations, which can lead to adverse events and antibiotic resistance.

SourceSociety for Healthcare Epidemiology of America·JournalInfection Control and Hospital Epidemiology·DateFeb 24, 2021

Changes in writing style provide clues to group identity

A new study shows that people's writing styles reflect the norms of the social group they belong to. Researchers analyzed online forum posts from parents and feminists to demonstrate their method, finding an accuracy of 70% in detecting which group identity was active. This discovery has implications for understanding how people switch...

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalBehavior Research Methods·DateFeb 24, 2021

Sulfur: the consequences

A team of scientists found that sulfur metabolism plays a crucial role in the transition from single-celled to multicellular organisms. By manipulating sulfur levels, they were able to induce or prevent the formation of multicellular aggregates in the slime mold Dictyostelium discoideum. This discovery has significant implications for ...

Celebrating Black chemists and chemical engineers

The American Chemical Society highlights the achievements of Black scientists in chemistry and chemical engineering, including drug discovery, biomedical engineering, and sustainable energy. The special issue showcases their work and calls for greater recognition and inclusion in the science enterprise.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalChemical & Engineering News·DateFeb 24, 2021

Gut health and mood genetically entwined

A link between depression and stomach ulcers has been confirmed in the world's largest study of genetic factors in peptic ulcer disease, involving nearly half a million people. Genetic variations associated with an increased risk of peptic ulcer disease have also been identified.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 24, 2021

'Miracle poison' for novel therapeutics

A team of researchers from Harvard University has successfully evolved custom proteases that can target specific proteins with high selectivity, opening up new possibilities for neuroregeneration, growth hormone regulation, and cytokine storm treatment. The technology uses phage-assisted continuous evolution to generate bespoke protein...

SourceHarvard University·JournalScience·DateFeb 24, 2021

DV survivor elder abuse risk

A new study found that women who survived domestic violence are more vulnerable to elder abuse, with 6.4% reporting past experience and significantly poorer psychological wellbeing. This highlights the need for clinical monitoring and ongoing support for survivors as they age.

SourceFlinders University·JournalAmerican Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry·DateFeb 24, 2021

Reactivating aging stem cells in the brain

A study by University of Zurich researchers reveals that increasing lamin B1 levels in aging mice stem cell division improves, leading to increased new neurons. The findings offer hope for future therapies targeting neurogenesis in older individuals or those with degenerative diseases like Alzheimer's.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalCell Stem Cell·DateFeb 24, 2021

New discoveries on the containment of COVID-19 finds travel bans are of limited value

A new study published in the Journal of the Royal Society Interface suggests that reducing individual activity through social distancing is far superior in controlling the dissemination of Sars-CoV-2. The research found that limiting personal mobility through travel restrictions and similar tactics is effective only in the first phases...

SourceNYU Tandon School of Engineering·JournalJournal of The Royal Society Interface·DateFeb 24, 2021

Scientists map the brain of a nematode worm

Researchers created a detailed brain map of C. elegans, uncovering modular structure and variation in neural circuits that complement core circuitry found across animals. The study's findings suggest the worm's brain processes information through layers, with convergence of different neural circuits enabling integration and coordination.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalNature·DateFeb 24, 2021

What to do when a mammogram shows swollen lymph nodes in women just vaccinated for COVID

Radiologists at Massachusetts General Hospital have developed an approach to manage swollen lymph nodes on mammograms in women who have recently received COVID-19 vaccinations. The approach aims to reduce delays in vaccinations and breast cancer diagnoses while reassuring patients that the swelling is a normal response to vaccination.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalAmerican Journal of Roentgenology·DateFeb 24, 2021

Many genes associated with the risk of coronary artery disease act through the liver

A new study reveals that over one third of genetic variants associated with coronary artery disease regulate liver-specific genes involved in cholesterol metabolism. Researchers pinpoint the causal single nucleotide polymorphisms and target genes mediating the risk, expanding our understanding of the disease's mechanisms.

SourceUniversity of Eastern Finland·JournalAmerican Journal of Human Genetics·DateFeb 24, 2021

Abundance of iron drives cell death and could inform novel treatments for neuroblastoma

A recent study found that MYCN overexpression leads to increased iron levels, which induce ferroptosis, a type of cell death. This vulnerability can be exploited by drugs blocking ROS elimination, making cancer cells susceptible to treatment. The researchers plan to test FDA-approved rheumatoid arthritis drugs in preclinical models.

SourceVirginia Commonwealth University·JournalCancer Research·DateFeb 23, 2021

Alaska thunderstorms may triple with climate change

Researchers predict that Alaska will experience a significant increase in thunderstorms by the end of the century, with storms becoming more frequent and intense, especially in southern regions. This shift is driven by warming temperatures and ice-free waters around Alaska, which will fuel atmospheric moisture.

Losing Obamacare protections during pandemic could increase health disparities

A third of patients with COVID-19 did not have another health condition before contracting the virus, highlighting the need to protect those with pre-existing conditions. This study suggests that repealing Affordable Care Act protections for pre-existing conditions could further increase health disparities among people of color.

SourceOregon Health & Science University·JournalThe Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine·DateFeb 23, 2021

For selenium in rivers, timing matters

Research in the Lower Gunnison River Basin found that selenium concentrations in fish prey were highest in April and August due to snowmelt and irrigation. This study highlights the importance of considering the timing of exposure to selenium, which can impair development and survival in aquatic species.

SourceUniversity of Connecticut·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateFeb 23, 2021

Waitlist policies may contribute to racial disparities in kidney transplant access

A recent study found that enrolling Black patients on the waitlist with slightly better kidney function could reduce racial disparities in transplant access. This approach aims to bridge the gap between Black and white patients' wait times before kidney failure, ultimately promoting greater equality in transplantation.

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalJournal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateFeb 23, 2021