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Science News Archive 2021 - Page 76


Page 76 of 510

Trapping molecules to find new physics

Researchers at the University of Groningen have successfully trapped molecules of strontium fluoride, setting a new record for molecular trapping. This achievement is significant because it allows scientists to investigate the fundamental laws of the universe, including the asymmetry between matter and anti-matter.

SourceUniversity of Groningen·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 28, 2021

New Curtin study solves energy storage and supply puzzle

A Curtin University study has found a simple and affordable way to test which chemicals are best used to store and supply energy, solving the puzzle of energy storage and supply. The breakthrough method can be performed in a basic lab with minimal equipment, producing full charges that last for at least four days.

SourceCurtin University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 28, 2021

How many children don’t eat lunch on school days in Canada? A new study documents the gaps of current school food programs

A recent study published by the University of Ottawa found that over 1 in 20 Canadian children do not eat lunch on school days, with older kids and those from food-insecure households being the most affected. The study also reveals that children living in food-insecure households are twice as likely to miss lunch compared to their peers.

SourceUniversity of Ottawa·JournalJournal of Hunger & Environmental Nutrition·DateOct 28, 2021

Technology’s impact on worker well-being

A new study by Georgia Institute of Technology researchers found that automation and AI may have a uniformly positive impact on worker well-being, but only partially. The results show that workers facing automation risk experience less stress but worse health and minimal job satisfaction. Notably, high-risk occupations like receptionis...

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·JournalTechnology in Society·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 28, 2021

Smartphone sensing platform provides early warning for lung cancer and ketosis/diabetes

A new smartphone-based platform detects biomarkers for lung cancer and ketosis/diabetes using fluorescent nanoprobes. The platform provides early warning and visual detection of biomarkers in exhaled breath or blood, offering a convenient and potential method for preliminary monitoring and clinical diagnosis.

Durable and yet degradable

A team of researchers at the University of Konstanz has developed a new method for producing polyethylene with added polar groups, which enhances its degradability while maintaining its durability. The new plastic exhibits slow chain degradation in simulated sunlight, unlike conventional polyethylenes.

SourceUniversity of Konstanz·JournalScience·DateOct 28, 2021

Specific form of autism identified, hallmarked by “neurons with too many synapses”

A study published in Nature Communications identifies a specific form of autism caused by an excessive number of synapses in the cerebral cortex, potentially guiding the development of future treatments. The research found that inhibiting mTOR protein activity can restore synaptic function and connectivity.

SourceIstituto Italiano di Tecnologia - IIT·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 28, 2021

New simulation model helps with COVID-19 planning in world’s largest refugee settlement

Academics developed an agent-based model to simulate COVID-19 spread in Cox's Bazar refugee settlement, finding mask-wearing highly effective in slowing the spread. The study suggests that handling positive cases in isolation has little impact compared to home isolation for individuals with mild symptoms.

SourceDurham University·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 28, 2021

Blue is the clue to evaluating diabetic retinopathy

Researchers from Tokyo Medical and Dental University have developed a non-invasive imaging technique using blue light to identify areas affected by diabetic retinopathy. The study found that blue images obtained through multicolor widefield scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (SLO) can reveal hyporeflective areas indicative of damage associa...

SourceTokyo Medical and Dental University·JournalAsia-Pacific Journal of Ophthalmology·DateOct 28, 2021

After California’s 3rd-largest wildfire, deer returned home while trees were ‘still smoldering’

Researchers tracked black-tailed deer before, during, and after the Mendocino Complex Fire, finding that all 18 deer survived. Despite burned areas with no vegetation, most deer returned home within hours, potentially due to their loyalty to habitat. However, some deer's body condition declined as they expanded their range.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalEcology and Evolution·TypeObservational study·DateOct 28, 2021

Increased cognitive demands offset low-back exoskeleton advantages, research finds

A new study published in Applied Ergonomics found that the cognitive demands of wearing a low-back exoskeleton can hinder its mechanical advantages, offsetting benefits in reducing spine loading. The researchers used ambulatory brain imaging and connectivity analysis to demonstrate how increased cognitive response to tasks can cancel o...

SourceTexas A&M University·JournalApplied Ergonomics·TypeNews article·DateOct 28, 2021

Survivor salmon that withstand drought and ocean warming provide a lifeline for California chinook

Late-migrating juvenile spring-run Chinook salmon of California’s Central Valley have a survival advantage during droughts and ocean warming due to their ability to grow in cool-water habitats. The study highlights the importance of secure habitats for fish to survive difficult conditions, emphasizing the need for reintroduction to sav...

SourceNOAA Fisheries West Coast Region·JournalNature Climate Change·TypeObservational study·DateOct 28, 2021

The GIST scientists confirm horse riding as a viable mobility treatment for cerebral palsy

A study by GIST scientists found that physical interaction between children with cerebral palsy and horses improves motor skills and balance. The research team recorded horse and child movements, tracking acceleration and angular velocity to quantify interactions, which were linked to improved outcomes.

SourceGIST (Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology)·JournalJournal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 28, 2021

Increasing sediment flux from rivers in High Mountain Asia poses regional risks

A new study reveals that rivers in High Mountain Asia have experienced significant increases in sediment flux over the past 60 years, with projected doubling of sediment flow by 2050 under extreme climate change. This change has far-reaching implications for hydropower generation and environmental security in the region.

An application to monitor people at risk of psychosis

A new application allows for daily monitoring of psychotic symptoms in people at risk, enabling adapted medical follow-up and identification of triggers. The study, published in Schizophrenia Research, used an app to assess 86 individuals with microdeletion of chromosome 22q11.2, finding it a reliable tool for monitoring symptoms.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalSchizophrenia Research·TypeNews article·DateOct 28, 2021

Postmenopausal women may benefit from estrogen compound research

Researchers have identified a novel estrogen compound that provides benefits similar to hormone replacement therapy but without the risk factors associated with it. The compound has been shown to reduce excess lipid deposition in the liver and prevent the progression of fibrosis, which can lead to liver failure and metabolic problems.

Effects of meteorological factors and airmass movements on airborne pollen in Betula wetland in Xinjiang

Airborne pollen concentrations in Betula microphylla-dominated wetland of Ebinur Lake, Xinjiang, are influenced by meteorological factors such as temperature, precipitation, wind speed, and direction. The study found that airborne pollen composition corresponds to local vegetation and reflects long-distance transported pollen taxa.

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience China Earth Sciences·DateOct 28, 2021

Countermarketing based on anti-smoking campaigns reduces buying of sugary ‘fruit’ drinks for children

A University of Washington study finds that countermarketing campaigns based on anti-smoking tactics decrease the buying of sugary 'fruit' drinks for children. The campaign effectively reduced virtual purchases by 31% and significantly lowered trust in fruit drink brands among participating Latinx parents.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateOct 28, 2021

Satellite images show positive impact of conservation efforts for China's coastal wetlands

Satellite images reveal a substantial increase in saltmarsh area and stable trends of tidal flat areas after 2012, driven by decreased anthropogenic activities and increased conservation and restoration efforts. Conservation efforts have positively impacted China's coastal wetlands, mitigating the loss of these important ecosystems.

SourceUniversity of Oklahoma·JournalNature Sustainability·DateOct 28, 2021

Brain monitoring suggests common link between electrical tremors and mental health disorders

A review of current literature found irregular brain responses to challenging tasks and mistakes may be key to understanding links between abnormal behaviors in mental illness and cognitive disorders. Studies suggest that people with conditions like anxiety, OCD, and ADHD have different brain waves following mistakes compared to health...

SourceKing's College London·JournalBiological Psychiatry·TypeLiterature review·DateOct 28, 2021

Pasqal announces new machine learning protocol for comparing complex graph-based data on quantum systems

Pasqal has published a paper in the APS Physics journal presenting a new machine learning protocol called Quantum Evolution Kernel (QEK) for measuring similarity between graph-structured data on quantum computers. QEK is stable against detection error and comparable to state-of-the-art graph kernels on classical systems.

SourceHKA Marketing Communications·JournalPhysical Review A·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 28, 2021

Potential new treatment for COVID-19 identified

Researchers have discovered a potential new treatment for COVID-19 by targeting the pentose phosphate pathway, which is necessary for SARS-CoV-2 replication. The study found that inhibiting this pathway with benfooxythiamine suppresses viral replication and reduces virus production.

SourceUniversity of Kent·JournalMetabolites·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 28, 2021

25 km high-resolution climate system model reproduces tropical cyclone activities better

A new high-resolution climate system model has improved the accuracy of simulating tropical cyclones, capturing more realistic features and reducing biases. The model's performance was evaluated using the CAS FGOALS-f3-H model, which showed excellent results in depicting global TC activities.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalGeoscientific Model Development·DateOct 28, 2021

Development of precision focused ultrasound surgery technology destructing only the desired tissues

Researchers have developed a new technique to precisely fractionate biological tissue using pressure-modulated shockwave histotripsy, overcoming the shock scattering effect in existing focused ultrasound technology. This technology enables real-time cavitation analysis and shorter treatment times.

SourceNational Research Council of Science & Technology·JournalUltrasonics Sonochemistry·DateOct 28, 2021

Dialysis patients benefit from a third Covid vaccination dose

A recent study suggests that dialysis patients can benefit from a third Covid-19 vaccination dose. Researchers examined 23 dialysis patients who had shown a reduced vaccination response after two doses and found that most developed high antibody titers and killer cell responses against the Sars-Cov-2 coronavirus after a third dose.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalKidney International·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 28, 2021