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Science News Archive 2021 - Page 74


Page 74 of 510

Heparin dose capable of preventing COVID-19 deaths is four times higher than the dose recommended by WHO

A clinical trial of 465 patients found that administering heparin in therapeutic doses reduced mortality from COVID-19 by 78%, with benefits only observed when administered between seven and 14 days after symptom onset. The study suggests that timing is crucial for treatment efficacy.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateOct 29, 2021

Needle-free COVID-19 vaccine shows promise

Researchers at University of Queensland successfully protected mice from COVID-19 using a US-developed vaccine candidate delivered via a pocket-sized, pain-free applicator. The vaccine produced strong immune responses and neutralized multiple variants, including UK and South Africa variants.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalScience Advances·DateOct 29, 2021

Non-thermal atmospheric plasma stimulates new bone formation in critical bone defects of animal model

Researchers from Osaka City University found that non-thermal atmospheric pressure plasma (NTAPP) accelerates cell growth and promotes bone regeneration in animal models with critical bone defects. Micro-CT images showed a 1.51 times larger bone volume after 10-minute treatment, while histological analysis confirmed new bone formation ...

SourceOsaka City University·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 29, 2021

Dopamine’s many roles, explained

A new study by Vanessa Ruta and her team found that dopamine neurons in fruit flies correlate strongly with ongoing behavior, reflecting motivation or goal underlying actions. The activity of these neurons not only encode mechanics of movement but also provide moment-to-moment reinforcement, guiding beneficial actions.

SourceRockefeller University·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateOct 29, 2021

Detector advance could lead to cheaper, easier medical scans

Researchers have demonstrated a new technique for cross-sectional medical images without the need for tomography, enabling faster and more accurate imaging. The breakthrough is made possible by ultrafast photon detectors that can precisely determine the arrival times of photons, allowing for reconstruction-free positron emission imaging.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalNature Photonics·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 29, 2021

Ultra-broadband sound absorber

Researchers create ultra-broadband sound absorber with an average absorption coefficient of 0.93, surpassing previous limitations. The metamaterial's design utilizes near-field non-locality to suppress excessive response and achieve efficient impedance matching.

SourceScience China Press·JournalNational Science Review·DateOct 29, 2021

Differences in T cells’ functional state determine resistance to cancer therapy

Researchers found that certain T cells stop working before entering the tumor due to changes in gene expression, making ICB therapies less effective. Combining ICB with other forms of immunotherapy targeting different aspects of T cell function may improve response rates for non-small cell lung cancer patients.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology Department of Biology·JournalScience Immunology·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 29, 2021

New study shows environmental and social factors contribute to higher rates of pneumonia in children

A new study found that exposure to particulate matter pollution and social factors such as race and socioeconomic status contribute to higher rates of community acquired pneumonia in children. Researchers used satellite data to identify high- and low-risk areas for the disease, highlighting the need for policy adjustments.

SourceLouisiana State University·JournalExperimental Biology and Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 29, 2021

Lithium metal batteries with diluted high concentration electrolytes to power the future

Scientists have demonstrated that diluting high concentration electrolytes can improve the cycling abilities of lithium metal batteries over a wide range of temperatures. The study found that TTE dilution significantly improved Li+ ion transport and reduced dendritic Li plating, leading to better cycling stability.

SourceDGIST (Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology)·JournalChemical Engineering Journal·DateOct 29, 2021

This squirrel watches its neighbor's back

Researchers found that Barbary ground squirrels in the Canary Islands rely on synchronized vigilance as their main defense mechanism against predators. They spend a significant amount of time watching each other and scanning their surroundings to detect threats.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·JournalBehavioral Ecology and Sociobiology·TypeObservational study·DateOct 29, 2021

Blasting the zombie out of water-saving tech

A team of scientists found that technology adoption as a water-saving method for improving irrigation efficiency is ineffective and can worsen water scarcity. The study suggests that modern irrigation technologies may only achieve a 10-20% saving under ideal conditions.

SourceUniversity of Adelaide·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·TypeObservational study·DateOct 29, 2021

Hollings collaborates on two studies showing how to boost immunotherapy effectiveness for patients with oral-cavity squamous cell carcinoma

Researchers from MUSC Hollings Cancer Center, UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Winship Cancer Institute discovered that pre-surgical anti-PD-1 immunotherapy is safe and effective for OCSCC patients. The studies identified potential molecular biomarkers in blood and tumors to predict treatment response.

SourceMedical University of South Carolina·JournalCell Reports Medicine·DateOct 29, 2021

“Towards Straintronics: Guiding Excitons in 2D Materials” -- CCNY & partners make breakthrough

A team of physicists and their collaborators created an excitonic wire, a one-dimensional channel for electrically neutral quasiparticles called excitons. This breakthrough could lead to innovative devices that operate at room temperature and replace certain tasks performed by standard transistor technology.

SourceCity College of New York·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 29, 2021

Study of destructive California fire finds resilience planning must account for socially vulnerable

A recent study by Oregon State University researchers highlights the importance of considering the needs of socially vulnerable populations in disaster resilience planning. Schools and healthcare facilities play a crucial role in supporting student, teacher, and staff mental health, as well as providing essential services to the commun...

SourceOregon State University·JournalNatural Hazards·TypeCase study·DateOct 28, 2021

Scientists discover two coexisting pseudo-mirror heteromolecular telomeric g-quadruplexes differentially recognized by thioflavin T

Researchers describe two coexisting pseudomirror heteromolecular telomeric G-quadruplexes with distinct loop progressions differentially recognized by thioflavin T. The study highlights the impact of a single altered flanking base on mutual recognition between G-rich oligomers.

SourceHefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalNucleic Acids Research·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 28, 2021