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Science News Archive 2021 - Page 494


Page 494 of 510

Towards applications: ultra-low-loss on-chip zero-index materials

Scientists have designed a zero-index material based on a purely dielectric photonic crystal slab that supports low-order mode-based design, reducing radiation loss. This design enables applications such as arbitrarily shaped waveguides, phase-mismatch-free nonlinear propagation, and extended super radiance with low propagation loss.

Scientists take important step toward using retinal cell transplants to treat blindness

Researchers successfully transplanted human cadaver-derived retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) into non-human primate models, showing promise for treating macular degeneration and blindness. The study demonstrates the safety and feasibility of this approach, paving the way for potential human clinical trials.

Moffitt researchers discover biochemical pathway that protects cells from ferroptosis

Researchers at Moffitt Cancer Center have identified a novel biochemical pathway that protects cells from ferroptosis, a type of cell death caused by oxidation imbalance. The discovery involves the activation of the protein GCLC, which leads to the production of gamma-glutamyl-peptides that shield cells against ferroptosis.

Lead poisoning of children

A new study by Stanford researchers and others finds that a relatively affordable remediation process can almost entirely remove lead from contaminated soil, but challenges persist due to ongoing sources of exposure. The study's results raise troubling questions about how to effectively eliminate the poison from children's bodies.

SourceStanford University·JournalEnvironmental Research·DateJan 14, 2021

Geologic history written in garnet sand

Researchers led by Syracuse University's Suzanne Baldwin deciphered the story of garnet sand, which holds secrets of its journey through the rock cycle. The findings indicate that the rock recycling process occurred in less than 10 million years, offering insights into geologic evolution and plate boundary dynamics.

SourceSyracuse University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 14, 2021

New state of matter in one-dimensional quantum gas

Researchers at Stanford University have developed a quantum Archimedes' screw that hails fragile gas atoms to higher energy states without collapsing. The discovery reveals the existence of scar states, rare trajectories in chaotic quantum systems offering protected refuge for information encoded in quantum systems.

SourceStanford University·JournalScience·DateJan 14, 2021

New perspectives in human behavior and culture

ASU researchers Kim Hill and Rob Boyd advocate for a new, fully integrated evolutionary theory of human behavior, combining adaptive behavioral ecology and cultural evolution approaches. Recent studies show that cultural history plays a significant role in shaping human behavioral variation, persisting for hundreds or thousands of years.

SourceArizona State University·JournalScience·DateJan 14, 2021

Algorithms designed to study language predict virus 'escape' mutations for SARS-CoV-2 and others

A new tool predicts viral escape mutations by analyzing the relationship between viruses and human immunity, as well as the structure of sentences in natural language. The algorithm achieves accurate results without prior training, identifying high-escape potential regions in SARS-CoV-2's Spike protein.

Water and gender equality

A Stanford study reveals that installing piped water closer to remote households in Zambia improves the lives of women and girls by reducing fetching time, increasing economic opportunities, and enhancing well-being. Households with piped water spend up to 80% less time fetching water, allowing for more time on productive activities li...

SourceStanford University·JournalSocial Science & Medicine·DateJan 14, 2021

Giving the hydrogen economy an acid test

Researchers at the University of Tsukuba have developed a method to produce acid-resistant catalysts using graphene, improving hydrogen gas production efficiency. The study shows that few layers of graphene allow protons to penetrate during hydrogen evolution reactions, crucial for maximizing efficiency.

SourceUniversity of Tsukuba·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 14, 2021

Human-induced climate change caused the northwestern Pacific warming record in August 2020

A new study reveals that human-induced climate changes have increased the occurrence probability of record-high SSTs in the northwestern Pacific Ocean from once-in-1000 years to once-in-15 years. The warming trend, accelerated since the 1980s, may intensify tropical cyclones and cause severe damages to East Asian countries.

SourceNational Institute for Environmental Studies·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateJan 14, 2021