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Science News Archive 2021 - Page 439


Page 439 of 510

A better tool for the job: Laser-based technique to elucidate the mysteries of exosomes

A team of undergraduate students from Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology developed a laser-based technique to measure protein-containing vessels released by cells. The technique, known as dynamic light scattering (DLS), is reliable, convenient, and inexpensive, making it an efficient tool for studying exosomes.

A speed limit also applies in the quantum world

Researchers at the University of Bonn have determined a minimum time for transporting cesium atoms using quantum mechanics. The study reveals that complex operations are limited by both energy uncertainty and the number of intermediate states, with implications for quantum computing.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalPhysical Review X·DateFeb 19, 2021

Symptoms months after COVID-19

Researchers analyzed persistent COVID-19 symptoms in adults for up to nine months after illness onset, finding that these symptoms can significantly impact daily life. The study suggests that ongoing health issues and limitations may persist even after the initial illness has resolved.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateFeb 19, 2021

Northern Hemisphere cold surges caused by Arctic and tropical Pacific synergistic effects

Researchers analyzed temperatures from Dec. 1, 2020, to mid-January 2021, finding that warming in the Arctic and cooling in the tropical Pacific contributed to record-breaking low temperatures across 58 cities in China. The synergistic effect intensified cold air intrusions into mid-high latitudes, influencing extreme cold conditions.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAdvances in Atmospheric Sciences·DateFeb 19, 2021

Good cop, bad cop

Researchers use zebrafish to study human cancer and discover that the innate immune system actively destroys cancer cells. However, tumor cells can adapt and evade immune detection through a process called 'Immunoediting', leading to immunotherapy resistance.

SourceChampalimaud Centre for the Unknown·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 19, 2021

Atomic nuclei in the quantum swing

Researchers have successfully controlled quantum jumps in atomic nuclei using X-ray light, enabling ultra-precise atomic clocks and potentially powerful nuclear batteries. The technique requires precise control of high-energy X-ray pulses to manipulate quantum dynamics.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalNature·DateFeb 19, 2021

42,000-year-old trees allow more accurate analysis of last Earth's magnetic field reversal

Researchers have found that 42,000-year-old New Zealand kauri trees can accurately analyze the last complete reversal of the Earth's magnetic field. The study's findings suggest that the weak magnetic field had a significant impact on the atmosphere, leading to increased cosmic radiation and changes in ozone levels.

Origin of life -- Did Darwinian evolution begin before life itself?

Researchers demonstrate that basic features of simple polymers and prebiotic environment can give rise to selection processes that reduce disorder. They identify specific base sequences that enable oligomers to fold into particular shapes, leading to the emergence of catalytically active complexes like ribozymes.

SourceLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 19, 2021