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Science News Archive 2021 - Page 52


Page 52 of 510

Study shows immune cells against COVID-19 stay high in number six months after vaccination

Researchers found that CD4+ T lymphocytes — immune system cells — produced by people who received COVID-19 vaccines persisted at high levels six months after vaccination, with a significant response against the delta variant. The study also showed that vaccine-elicited fighters recognize and help attack coronavirus delta variant.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalClinical Infectious Diseases·DateNov 16, 2021

Ever been lost in the grocery store? Researchers are closer to knowing why it happens

A new study suggests that the brain uses a mechanism called 'repulsion' to differentiate between similar environments. Researchers found that when participants were asked about stores shared between two cities, their brains showed surprisingly different patterns of activity, indicating that they were treating these familiar locations a...

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalNature Communications·TypeObservational study·DateNov 16, 2021

Georgia State researchers develop rapid computer software to track pandemics as they happen

A team of researchers at Georgia State University has created a lightning-fast computer software that can process over 200,000 novel virus genomes in under two hours. The software provides valuable information for countries making early decisions about lockdowns, quarantines, and testing during infectious disease outbreaks.

SourceGeorgia State University·JournalJournal of Computational Biology·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateNov 16, 2021

Studying the placenta to gain a better understanding of febrile seizures in children

A Québec research team studied the expression of three families of genes in the placenta and found associations with febrile seizure characteristics. The study, led by Professor Sarah Lippé, may help understand the underlying mechanisms of febrile seizures and their impact on children's cognitive development.

SourceInstitut national de la recherche scientifique - INRS·JournalJournal of Neuroendocrinology·DateNov 16, 2021

New study in JNCCN finds disturbing lack of key leukemia medication

A recent study published in JNCCN found that only 31% of hospitals have immediate availability of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA), a crucial blood cancer medication. This medication is essential for treating acute promyelocytic leukemia, which has a better prognosis when treated appropriately. The lack of ATRA availability poses a signi...

SourceNational Comprehensive Cancer Network·JournalJournal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network·TypeSurvey·DateNov 16, 2021

Cortex suppression resolves motivation conflict in favor of prosociality

Researchers suppressed cortical excitability to resolve self-interest vs. prosocial motivations in favor of cooperation, particularly in dictator games. In generosity games, no effect was observed. The study suggests the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex plays a key role in resolving conflicts between self-interest and prosociality.

Machine learning helps to locally restore wetlands for coastal protection

International researchers used machine learning to forecast marsh establishment under various environmental conditions, revealing that controllable local factors are more important than global climate change. The study suggests smart management of tidal flats can counteract threats and strengthen wetlands.

SourceRoyal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 16, 2021

Same day test identifies secondary infections in COVID-19 patients

A rapid same-day test has been developed to identify secondary infections in COVID-19 patients on intensive care, allowing for targeted antibiotic treatment and reduced risk of antimicrobial resistance. The test uses nanopore sequencing technology to analyze bacterial and fungal pathogens present in patient samples.

SourceNIHR Biomedical Research Centre at Guy’s and St Thomas’ and King’s College London·JournalGenome Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateNov 16, 2021

Trial stopped early: Giving immunotherapy before targeted therapy improves survival in advanced melanoma

A clinical trial found that giving immunotherapy before targeted therapy improves survival in advanced melanoma patients, with a two-year overall survival rate of 72% compared to 52%. The study suggests that immunotherapy should be the initial approach for treating metastatic melanoma patients, regardless of BRAF mutation status.

SourceGeorgetown University Medical Center·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateNov 15, 2021

Solo seniors with social support are less likely to need nursing home care

A new UCSF study shows that solo seniors with social support are less likely to need nursing home care. Older adults who said they could count on a friend or relative for assistance in the event of a health crisis reduced their risk of institutional care from 14.2% to 10.9%. The study found that many older adults can take care of thems...

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateNov 15, 2021

Liquid fuels from carbon dioxide

A team of Chinese researchers has developed an electrocatalyst that efficiently converts CO2 into liquid fuels with multiple carbon atoms. The primary products are ethanol, acetone, and n-butanol, which have high energy density and are safe to store and transport.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 15, 2021

Rice lab first to mimic molecule found in poppies

A Rice University undergraduate student and her mentor have synthesized the first molecule found in poppies, setigerumine I, using a three-step process at room temperature. The environmentally friendly method produced 20 milligrams of the rare extract, which could be a potential precursor for non-addictive painkillers.

SourceRice University·JournalAngewandte Chemie·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 15, 2021

Sierra Nevada range should celebrate two birthdays

The Sierra Nevada mountain range in California has a complex history, with two distinct periods of formation. The ancient range was formed around 100 million years ago as a volcanic chain, but was later dwarfed by a vast plateau. Volcanic activity around 40 million to 20 million years ago lifted the Earth's surface, forming new mountai...

SourceStanford University·JournalGeological Society of America Special Papers·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 15, 2021

Prions may channel RNA’s messages

Researchers at Rice University have discovered a new mechanism by which prions can regulate protein synthesis in cells. The model proposes that prion aggregates and their monomers play a role in channeling RNA messages into new proteins, forming organized protein synthesis factories. This discovery has implications for our understandin...

SourceRice University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateNov 15, 2021

Mount Sinai cardiologist develops new risk score to help predict possible contrast-associated kidney injury after percutaneous coronary intervention

A new risk score developed by Mount Sinai researchers can help predict possible contrast-associated acute kidney injury among patients undergoing PCI. The 'Mehran-2 CA-AKI Risk Score' enhances management of high-risk patients before, during, and after the procedure.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalThe Lancet·TypeObservational study·DateNov 15, 2021

Hubble tension: Showing the cracks in Gaussian Processes

Researchers Eoin Ó Colgáin and Mohammad Mehdi Sheikh-Jabbari found that the approach may not be universally applicable across all models. Their study evaluates Gaussian Processes using the Hubble constant, highlighting a mismatch between smaller-scale and overall measurements.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal C·DateNov 15, 2021

Keeping chocolate milk smooth, stable without carrageenan

A team of Penn State researchers used high-pressure jet technology to enhance the viscosity and stability of fat-free chocolate milk, eliminating the need for carrageenan. The study found that structural changes in casein micelles and new casein-cocoa interactions induced by the processing method increased cocoa stability.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of Dairy Science·DateNov 15, 2021

After 70 years, advanced carbon-based magnetic material finally synthesized

Osaka University researchers have successfully synthesized a stable, crystalline nanographene with predicted magnetic properties, opening the door to revolutionary advances in electronics and magnets. The breakthrough uses a simplified model system called triangulene, which has long been elusive due to polymerization issues.

SourceOsaka University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 15, 2021

Simple surgical technique associated with significant reduction in the risk of atrial fibrillation after cardiac surgery

A new study found that a simple surgical technique called posterior left pericardiotomy significantly reduces the risk of atrial fibrillation in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. The procedure, which involves draining excess fluid and small clots from the heart sac, was associated with a 56% lower incidence of irregular heart rhythm...

SourceWeill Cornell Medicine·JournalThe Lancet·DateNov 15, 2021

High impact climate events: Better adaptation through earlier prediction

A new prediction framework can forecast extreme climate events like floods and heatwaves up to two days in advance, allowing for crucial preparation time. This network-based approach analyzes large-scale connectivity patterns in observational data to improve forecasting accuracy.

SourcePotsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK)·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateNov 15, 2021

Tian & Wang to receive funding for project focused on securing multi-access edge computing using artificial intelligence

George Mason University researchers Zhi Tian and Yue Wang are securing $125,000 in funding from the Virginia Innovation Partnership Authority to develop an artificial intelligence-based solution for multi-access edge computing. The project aims to enhance network security and improve efficiency of collaborative machine learning.

Cannabis use during pregnancy impacts the placenta and may affect subsequent child development

Research conducted by Mount Sinai Hospital reveals that cannabis exposure in utero can lead to higher levels of anxiety, aggression, and hyperactivity in children. Placental gene expression also shows lower immune-activating genes, predicting these outcomes.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeObservational study·DateNov 15, 2021

Texas Heart Institute presents paradigm-shifting, late-breaking heart failure therapy research at the American Heart Association annual meeting

Researchers at the Texas Heart Institute have made significant breakthroughs in treating persistent heart failure with a novel stem cell therapy. The phase 3 clinical trial results show that this treatment has the potential to alter the natural history of heart disease, reducing hospitalizations and improving patient outcomes.

SourceTexas Heart Institute·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 15, 2021

Applying systems biology to aging research: AFAR recognizes Junyue Cao of Rockefeller University with 2021 Sagol Network Geromic Award for Junior Faculty

The American Federation for Aging Research (AFAR) has awarded the 2021 Sagol Network GerOmic Award to Junyue Cao, PhD, Assistant Professor at The Rockefeller University. Dr. Cao's project aims to profile single-cell molecular dynamics in aging tissues using high-throughput techniques.