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Science News Archive 2021 - Page 62


Page 62 of 510

Anthropogenic emissions and urbanization increase risks of compound hot extremes in cities

A new study reveals that compound hot extremes, where days and nights are simultaneously extreme, pose significant health risks, especially for female and older residents. Urban compound hot extremes have increased by 1.76 days per decade in eastern China, driven by anthropogenic emissions and urbanization.

Retinoid therapy may improve vision in people with rare genetic disorder, according to study in mice from University of Maryland School of Medicine and NIH

Researchers from the University of Maryland School of Medicine and NIH found that retinoid therapy improved vision in mice with Usher syndrome, a rare genetic disorder. The study identified key functions of protocadherin-15, which helps recycle molecules essential for eye tissue.

SourceUniversity of Maryland School of Medicine·JournaleLife·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 9, 2021

Going for gold to reduce antibiotic resistance

Research identifies way of using nanoparticles to target and disrupt bacterial cells, making them more susceptible to standard antibiotic treatments. Laboratory studies show a strong effect in killing a range of bacteria, including some linked to hospital-acquired infections.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalChemical Science·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 9, 2021

By capsule through the bloodstream: How intestinal bacteria communicate with the body

An international research team discovered that intestinal bacteria can distribute their metabolic products throughout the body via the bloodstream using membrane vesicles. The study found that these vesicles can overcome the blood-brain barrier and enter brain cells, suggesting a new method for delivering drugs or vaccines.

SourceGoethe University Frankfurt·JournalJournal of Extracellular Vesicles·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 9, 2021

Model predicts early response to cancer immunotherapy

Researchers developed a mathematical model that can predict the effectiveness of immunotherapy treatment for individual patients based on standard clinical measures. The model showed high sensitivity in predicting treatment response within two months, with minimal false-negative results.

SourceeLife·JournaleLife·DateNov 9, 2021

OHSU model reduces opioid prescribing

A review board comprising healthcare professionals from various disciplines has sharply reduced opioid prescribing at an OHSU internal medicine clinic. The clinic uses a systematic approach to review high-risk cases and coach primary care providers on tapering patients off opioids.

SourceOregon Health & Science University·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 9, 2021

Why teapots always drip

Researchers at TU Wien have successfully described the 'teapot effect' with a theoretical analysis and experiments. The effect occurs when a liquid is poured out of a teapot too slowly, causing it to dribble down the outside of the pot due to an interplay of inertia, viscous, and capillary forces.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalJournal of Fluid Mechanics·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 9, 2021

Service provides a lifeline for primary care providers amid a crisis in youth mental health made worse by the pandemic

The MC3 program provides a lifeline for primary care providers in Michigan, connecting them with psychiatrists and behavioral specialists for consultation and training. This has led to improved diagnosis and care for young people with mental health concerns, including those who express suicidal thoughts or have harmed themselves.

Who's the boss?

Researchers found that both male and female Guinea baboons initiate group departures and are equally successful in leading the group. The study's findings challenge the common assumption that only males lead groups, suggesting that social organization alone does not determine leadership roles.

SourceDeutsches Primatenzentrum (DPZ)/German Primate Center·JournalScientific Reports·TypeObservational study·DateNov 9, 2021

How to turn specific genes on and off

Researchers at McGill University developed a new technique to manipulate DNA methylation levels at specific genes using CRISPR/Cas9 technology. This approach enables targeted demethylation of genes associated with diseases, such as insulin gene dysregulation in diabetes.

SourceMcGill University·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 9, 2021

To persuade college students to practice social distancing, scaring them into action isn’t enough

Researchers investigated social distancing behavior among university students worldwide and found that confidence in one's ability to protect themselves and others was crucial for change. The most effective public health messaging emphasized the protection of social distancing as an action people could easily carry out.

SourceVirginia Commonwealth University·JournalGlobal Health Promotion·DateNov 9, 2021

Why did glacial cycles intensify a million years ago?

Researchers found that before the weakening of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation, ice sheets in the Northern Hemisphere began to stick to their bedrock more effectively, causing glaciers to grow thicker and disrupt global heat conveyor belts. This led to stronger ice ages and the observed climate pattern shift.

SourceColumbia Climate School·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 8, 2021

Stem cells do not (only) play dice

Researchers found that stem cell specialization is dependent on communication between cells through messenger substances like growth factors. Even manipulating the 'dice' by artificially increasing GATA did not lead to arbitrary increases in fruit bladder precursor cells, indicating a need for more than chance in development.

SourceMax Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology·JournalDevelopment·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 8, 2021

Swiss Trauma Registry - Survival of severe gunshot and stab injuries

Severely injured patients from gunshot and stab wounds show low survival rates in Switzerland, with only 1.6% of serious injuries caused by firearms and stabbing weapons. Immediate transport to trauma centers is crucial due to prolonged diagnostic procedures and treatment time.

SourceInselspital, Bern University Hospital·JournalEuropean Journal of Trauma and Emergency Surgery·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateNov 8, 2021

Despite understanding the concept of mindfulness, people are applying it incorrectly, research finds

A new study by researchers at the University of Waterloo found that most people misunderstand the concept of mindfulness, confusing it with passive acceptance rather than engaging with life's challenges. The study suggests that laypeople may understand awareness but struggle to grasp the importance of acceptance in mindfulness practices.

SourceUniversity of Waterloo·JournalClinical Psychology Review·DateNov 8, 2021

High cell membrane tension constrains the spread of cancer

Research reveals that cancer cells have softer membranes than normal cells, but stiffening them can prevent abnormal changes in structure and motility. Stiffened breast cancer cells lost the ability to spread to the lungs in mouse experiments, suggesting a potential strategy for cancer treatments.

SourceKobe University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 8, 2021

LSU Health rediscovers anatomy to correct “common knowledge” about hip muscles

Researchers at LSU Health have rediscovered the correct anatomy of the hip muscles, finding that they do not join into a single tendon but instead attach to different regions. This discovery has significant implications for understanding the evolution of human upright gait and bipedal locomotion.

SourceLouisiana State University Health Sciences Center·JournalThe Anatomical Record·TypeObservational study·DateNov 8, 2021

Study finds that PCI guided by FFR did not meet noninferiority for one-year outcomes compared to bypass surgery

A new study published in The New England Journal of Medicine found that percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) guided by fractional flow reserve (FFR) did not meet noninferiority for one-year outcomes compared to bypass surgery. However, FFR-guided PCI performed favorably in patients with low SYNTAX scores and less complex disease.

SourceCardiovascular Research Foundation·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateNov 8, 2021

Addressing racism in preventive services

The USPSTF report examines the intersection of racism and health inequity in preventive services, highlighting existing definitional and conceptual issues. The study aims to improve patient care by addressing these disparities, which have significant implications for health outcomes.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA·DateNov 8, 2021

Immunotherapy-chemotherapy treatment coupled with in-depth genomic analyses leads to improved survival for patients with mesothelioma

Researchers at Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center found a new treatment option for inoperable pleural mesothelioma using immunotherapy agent durvalumab combined with platinum-based chemotherapy. Patients with epithelioid tumors experienced higher survival rates, including some who remained tumor-free after completing the trial.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalNature Medicine·DateNov 8, 2021

New study pinpoints likely path of COVID-related plastic waste in the ocean

A new study projects that more than eight million tons of pandemic-associated plastic waste have been generated globally, with over 25,000 tons entering the global ocean. The research highlights the need for improved medical waste management in developing countries and calls for global action to reduce plastic pollution.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateNov 8, 2021

Younger generation eat climate-consciously

The study found that 29% of younger Germans eat a flexitarian diet and 17% follow a meat-free diet, demonstrating high levels of climate awareness. The results highlight the need for effective communication to promote climate-conscious eating habits among the undecided group.

SourceUniversity of Göttingen·JournalCleaner and Responsible Consumption·TypeSurvey·DateNov 8, 2021

Exposure to CO2 after a traumatic experience strengthens fearful memories in mice

Research suggests that inhaling carbon dioxide after a traumatic event makes fearful memories more resilient in mice. The study found that CO2 exposure strengthens fearful memories by activating ASIC1A protein in the brain. This discovery might lead to new therapeutic strategies for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in humans.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 8, 2021

An inflammation to remember

Researchers find that neurons in the insular cortex can induce inflammation in mice, suggesting a link between the brain and psychosomatic illnesses. The study suggests that 'remembering' an inflammatory response can reactivate it, opening new avenues for treating chronic inflammatory conditions.

Expert comment: How studying fossilized parasites can contribute to knowledge of infectious diseases

Researchers have developed a database of parasite-host interactions among ancient ocean animals, shedding light on the evolution of biodiversity and the impact of parasitism on ecosystems. The study suggests that parasites can positively stabilize coastal ecosystems, making them more stable despite individual harm to hosts.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalPhilosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 8, 2021

Researchers disentangle quantum machine learning

A recent study published in PRX Quantum reveals that quantum machine learning algorithms are hindered by excessive entanglement, leading to a phenomenon known as barren plateaus. By limiting depth and connectivity, researchers propose a solution to avoid these regimes and successfully train quantum neural networks.

SourceCentre for Quantum Computation & Communication Technology·JournalPRX Quantum·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateNov 8, 2021

Adding herbs and spices to meals may help lower blood pressure

A study found that consuming high amounts of herbs and spices daily can lead to significant reductions in systolic and diastolic blood pressure. The researchers discovered that adding just 1.3 teaspoons of herbs and spices a day to an average American diet resulted in lower blood pressure after four weeks.

SourcePenn State·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateNov 8, 2021