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Science News Archive 2021 - Page 499


Page 499 of 510

SARS-CoV-2 can infect neurons and damage brain tissue, study indicates

A recent study published in the Journal of Experimental Medicine found that SARS-CoV-2 can directly infect brain cells, leading to devastating consequences such as localized ischemia and cell death. The researchers also discovered that the virus's ability to invade the central nervous system may be related to its neurological symptoms.

SourceRockefeller University Press·JournalJournal of Experimental Medicine·DateJan 12, 2021

Scientists have synthesized an unusual superconducting barium superhydride

Researchers from Russia, China, and the US have synthesized a new superconducting compound, BaH12, with an unusually high hydrogen content. The compound exhibits room-temperature superconductivity due to its molecular structure, marking significant progress in understanding potential room-temperature superconductors.

Master designers: Architects of the brain revealed

Researchers at Kanazawa University have made significant discoveries about the mechanisms behind brain column formation. They found that planar cell polarity (PCP) and Wnt signaling pathways play key roles in creating these three-dimensional structures, which are essential for proper brain development.

SourceKanazawa University·JournalCell Reports·DateJan 12, 2021

Spatial distribution of planktonic ciliates in the western Pacific Ocean: Along the transect from Shenzhen (China) to Pohnpei (Micronesia)

The study examines the spatial distribution of planktonic ciliates in the western Pacific Ocean, focusing on a transect from Shenzhen to Pohnpei. Ciliate abundance is positively correlated with phosphate and pico-sized pigmented eukaryotes, while biomass is related to heterotrophic nanoflagellates and chlorophytes.

SourceCompuscript Ltd·JournalMarine Life Science & Technology·DateJan 12, 2021

Hospitals must help their own COVID long-haulers recover, experts argue

A multidisciplinary team of experts calls for medical institutions to support and promote the safe return to work for all health care workers disabled from lingering COVID-19 symptoms. Current national guidelines focus on infection status, leaving institutions to establish their own policies or for employees to opt for medical leave.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalThe Lancet Respiratory Medicine·DateJan 12, 2021

North Carolina simplifies medicaid enrollment, improves coverage for pregnant women

After simplifying full Medicaid enrollment under the ACA standards, North Carolina saw a doubling of low-income women qualifying for full Medicaid during pregnancy. The state's changes led to a decrease in Medicaid enrollment for Pregnant Women program, highlighting the importance of streamlined access to crucial health services.

SourceAmerican Academy of Family Physicians·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateJan 12, 2021

New technology reveals fast and slow twitch muscle fibers respond differently to exercise

Scientists at the University of Copenhagen have developed a new technology that allows researchers to study muscle biology on a detailed level. The study found that fast and slow twitch muscle fibers respond differently to exercise training, with hundreds of proteins expressed uniquely in each type. This discovery has implications for ...

No-till practices in vulnerable areas significantly reduce soil erosion

Researchers at the University of Illinois developed a modeling framework to estimate soil erosion in the Drummer Creek watershed. The study found that even partial changes in tilling practices can have significant results, with vulnerable areas seeing a near-70% reduction in soil loss and sediment yield.

No disassembly required: Non-destructive method to measure carrier lifetime in SiC

Researchers at Nagoya Institute of Technology have developed a new non-destructive method to measure carrier lifetime in SiC, allowing for the study and adoption of SiC in ultrahigh-voltage applications. This technique enables the measurement of carrier lifetimes within thick voltage blocking layers without destroying the sample.

SourceNagoya Institute of Technology·JournalReview of Scientific Instruments·DateJan 12, 2021

No limit to cardiovascular benefits of exercise, study finds

A new study published in PLOS Medicine found a significant inverse association between physical activity and the occurrence of cardiovascular disease, with participants in highest quartiles showing substantial risk reduction. The study used data from 90,211 UK Biobank participants and found no threshold for this association.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateJan 12, 2021

Tweaking AI software to function like a human brain improves computer's learning ability

Artificial intelligence can learn new visual concepts faster using a technique that mirrors human visual learning, improving its ability to quickly recognize objects from sparse data. The approach enables computers to leverage prior learning and simplify complex visual concept representations, leading to improved learning efficiency.

SourceGeorgetown University Medical Center·JournalFrontiers in Computational Neuroscience·DateJan 12, 2021

Healthcare Nutrition Council leads the way on medical food discussions

A recent publication in Current Developments in Nutrition shares the historical and regulatory context of medical foods and perspectives on their role in the future. The Healthcare Nutrition Council's Medical Foods Workshop highlighted key considerations for patient access and product innovation, driving consensus on terms and definiti...

SourceKellen Communications - NY·JournalCurrent Developments in Nutrition·DateJan 12, 2021