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Science News Archive 2021 - Page 453


Page 453 of 510

Racial, ethnic differences in deceased organ donation

The study found significant racial and ethnic differences in deceased organ donation rates, with African Americans having lower rates of registration and procurement compared to whites. Additionally, the researchers identified a growing disparity between Hispanic and non-Hispanic white donors.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Surgery·DateFeb 10, 2021

Time perception and sense of touch: a new connection

Researchers at SISSA have discovered a new theory for how we perceive the passage of time in relation to sensory stimuli. The study proposes that the experience of elapsed time is generated when the neuronal representation of a stimulus is collected and summed by an accumulator, explaining why we feel longer vibrations as stronger ones.

SourceScuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateFeb 10, 2021

The chemistry lab inside cells

A team of scientists at Osaka University has discovered a new protein called QhpG that enables the conversion of amino acid residues on polypeptides into an enzyme cofactor. This finding may lead to the development of novel bioactive peptides and enzymes for bioremediation purposes.

SourceOsaka University·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 10, 2021

Heart disease deaths rising in young women

A nationwide US study found increasing death rates from heart disease in women under 65, with most deaths due to cancer and ischaemic heart disease. The study's authors warn that without intensive prevention efforts, heart disease mortality may surpass cancer to become the leading cause of death in young women.

SourceEuropean Society of Cardiology·JournalEuropean Heart Journal - Quality of Care and Clinical Outcomes·DateFeb 10, 2021

Flooding in the Columbia River basin expected to increase under climate change

The Columbia River basin is projected to experience a significant increase in flooding severity and expansion of the flood season due to climate change. The magnitude of one-, 10- and 100-year floods is likely to rise nearly everywhere in the region, with the largest increases expected for the Willamette River and its tributaries.

SourceOregon State University·JournalHydrology and Earth System Sciences·DateFeb 10, 2021

COVID-infected mothers separated from their babies affects breastfeeding outcomes

A study published in Breastfeeding Medicine found that separating COVID-infected mothers from their babies can cause significant maternal distress and negatively impact exclusive breastfeeding. The research suggests that skin-to-skin care, rooming-in within arms' reach, and direct breastfeeding may be safe for infected mothers.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalBreastfeeding Medicine·DateFeb 10, 2021

Origami powered by light

Pitt and CMU researchers create a high-torque light-powered actuator that can compete with electrical and pneumatic systems. By forming a polymer sheet into a curved shape, the bending action happens quickly and generates more torque.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalSoft Matter·DateFeb 10, 2021

A scalable method for the large-area integration of 2D materials

Researchers from Graphene Flagship report a new method to integrate graphene and 2D materials into semiconductor manufacturing lines, overcoming challenges such as transferring materials between growth substrates. The technique uses standard dielectric material BCB and conventional wafer bonding equipment, enabling high-quality integra...

SourceGraphene Flagship·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 10, 2021

Rapid ice retreat during last deglaciation parallels current melt rates

A new study shows that rapid ice melt in the Arctic during the last deglaciation parallels current melt rates, raising concerns about climate change. The research used marine sediment cores to reconstruct the state of the environment 20,000-10,000 years ago and found a consistent correlation between global warming and ice sheet retreat.

SourceUiT The Arctic University of Norway·JournalQuaternary Science Advances·DateFeb 10, 2021

Quantum effects help minimise communication flaws

Researchers at the University of Vienna demonstrated a new approach to reduce noise in quantum communication schemes by sending particles along multiple paths simultaneously. This method, which utilizes quantum superposition, offers improved noise reduction and has been experimentally confirmed.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalPhysical Review Research·DateFeb 10, 2021

Definitely not the flu: risk of death from COVID-19 3.5 times higher than from flu

A new study published in CMAJ found that COVID-19 is significantly more severe than seasonal influenza, with patients admitted to hospital for COVID-19 having a 3.5 times greater risk of death and longer hospital stays. Younger adults also accounted for a significant proportion of hospitalizations and ICU admissions.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateFeb 10, 2021

Rabies treatment demonstrated as safe and effective for use in children in first pediatric trial

Researchers have demonstrated a new treatment called KEDRAB to be safe and effective for use in children with rabies, marking the first pediatric trial of any human rabies immunoglobulin currently available in the US. The study found no deaths or serious adverse events among participants, and most side effects were mild.

SourceTaylor & Francis Group·JournalHuman Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics·DateFeb 10, 2021

Vitamin D supplementation: possible gain in life years combined with cost savings

Researchers found that vitamin D supplementation could reduce cancer mortality rates by around 13 percent, resulting in potential savings of €254 million per year. The study suggests that widespread vitamin D supplementation among Germans over 50 could prevent up to 30,000 cancer deaths annually and gain more than 300,000 years of life.

Lessons from the flu season

Researchers found that early antiviral treatment reduces 30-day readmissions and length of hospital stay. Troponin studies identify patients at higher risk of mortality due to underlying cardiovascular disease issues.

SourceFlinders University·JournalInternational Journal of Infectious Diseases·DateFeb 10, 2021

Ancient seashell resonates after 18,000 years

A multidisciplinary team from CNRS and other institutions studied a large seashell found in the Marsoulas Cave in the Pyrenees, dating back around 18,000 years. The shell is believed to be the oldest known wind instrument of its type, with researchers able to produce sounds similar to those on a modern conch.

SourceCNRS·JournalScience Advances·DateFeb 10, 2021

Neurons from blood cells enable researchers to test treatments for genetic brain disease

A new study provides insights into the treatment of Christianson syndrome, a genetic brain disease characterized by reduced brain growth and intellectual disability. Researchers successfully tested two main forms of treatment on stem-cell-derived neurons, finding that gene transfer was effective in neurons with nonsense mutations, whil...

SourceBrown University·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateFeb 10, 2021

Creating more sustainable fragrances with biotech

Companies are pivoting to biotechnology to manufacture scents and flavors using fermented microbes, which are more sustainable than traditional methods. This approach allows for the creation of new fragrance molecules with consistent flavor and smell, meeting consumer demand and reducing environmental impact.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalChemical & Engineering News·DateFeb 10, 2021

Industrial compound gets eco-friendly reaction

Researchers at Nagoya University have found catalysts that improve an important industrial reaction, producing high yields of a compound used in various industries without toxic compounds or high temperatures. The approach offers a practical and sustainable solution for industrial (meth)acrylate ester synthesis.

SourceNagoya University·JournalACS Catalysis·DateFeb 10, 2021