Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News Archive 2021 - Page 78


Page 78 of 510

New whale species named after Māori whale expert

A new beaked whale species has been discovered and named after Māori whale expert Ramari Stewart, highlighting the importance of Indigenous knowledge in scientific discovery. The species, Mesoplodon eueu, was found in South Africa and features a unique name that reflects its Indigenous roots.

SourceUniversity of Auckland·JournalProceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences·TypeObservational study·DateOct 27, 2021

Four commonly used medications reverse Alzheimer's disease in mice

Researchers have found four commonly used medications that can reverse Alzheimer's disease in mice by addressing the underlying causes of the condition. The study identifies non-steroidal anti-inflammatories and anti-hypertensives as effective treatments, paving the way for early diagnosis and potential therapy.

SourceInstitute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona)·JournalGenome Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 27, 2021

Immunotherapy for intractable mutant cancer using a statin, hyperlipidemia drug

Researchers have discovered a novel approach to treat intractable mutant cancer using statins, which selectively kill KRAS mutant cancer cells and activate the immune system. This breakthrough has significant implications for the treatment of cancers with limited options, and may lead to the development of new cancer immunotherapies.

SourceNational Research Council of Science & Technology·JournalJournal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer·DateOct 27, 2021

Serial radiation therapy is safe and effective as alternative treatment to systemic therapy for kidney cancer

Researchers at MD Anderson Cancer Center reported that serial stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) is a safe and effective treatment for oligometastatic renal cell carcinoma. The study showed promising results, with a median progression-free survival of 22.7 months and minimal toxicity.

SourceUniversity of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center·JournalThe Lancet Oncology·DateOct 27, 2021

All about Eve

Researchers developed AI tool EVE to analyze genetic variations, reclassifying 256,000 variants as benign or disease-causing. The tool enhances clinical methods for diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment choice.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalNature·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 27, 2021

Timing is everything: Stanford researchers reveal why the right sequence of policies is essential to slow deforestation

A new study by Stanford researchers provides a blueprint for public and private interventions to slow deforestation. The study reveals that the right sequence of policies, including disincentives, incentives, and enabling measures, can deliver conservation goals at lower cost across entire at-risk regions.

SourceStanford Woods Institute for the Environment·JournalGlobal Sustainability·DateOct 27, 2021

Genetic risk of mental health conditions may influence where people choose to live, study suggests

A new study suggests that genetic liability to various mental health conditions may affect an individual's choice of residence. The research found higher genetic risks for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder in those who moved from rural to urban areas, while lower genetic risk was seen for ADHD in those who remained in rural areas.

SourceKing's College London·JournalJAMA·TypeObservational study·DateOct 27, 2021

Scientists discover how forest fires influence rain cloud formation in the Amazon

A Brazilian study reveals that forest fires and wildfires modify the freezing process of cloud droplets, altering natural cloud functioning and potentially impacting precipitation. The research used a large dataset to show that aerosols emitted by fires can affect cloud formation in southern Amazonia during the rainy season.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalNature Communications·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 27, 2021

Systemic lupus erythematosus linked to altered gut microbiome

A recent study published in Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases reveals a link between systemic lupus erythematosus and an altered gut microbiome. Researchers at Osaka University identified two species of Streptococcus bacteria significantly increased in SLE patients, which can affect the body's functions by altering plasma metabolites. T...

SourceOsaka University·JournalAnnals of the Rheumatic Diseases·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 27, 2021

Survival similar for younger and older patients with metastatic colorectal cancer, study finds

A new study by Dana-Farber Cancer Institute found that younger patients with metastatic colorectal cancer have a similar overall survival time as older patients, defying expectations. The study included data from the CALGB/SWOG 80405 clinical trial and compared survival times in 514 younger patients under 50 with 1,812 older patients.

SourceDana-Farber Cancer Institute·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 27, 2021

Giving disadvantaged kids a sporting chance

A new study by Flinders University highlights the importance of organized activities for disadvantaged youth, finding they are almost three times more likely to miss out on such opportunities. Participation in these activities can help reduce socio-economic disparities by promoting better mental health and improved educational outcomes.

SourceFlinders University·TypeObservational study·DateOct 27, 2021

Making Martian rocket biofuel on Mars

Researchers at Georgia Tech have created a bioproduction process to produce rocket fuel on Mars, reducing mission cost and generating excess clean oxygen. The bio-ISRU strategy uses cyanobacteria to convert CO2 into sugars, which are then converted by E. coli into a Martian propellant.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·JournalNature Communications·TypeObservational study·DateOct 27, 2021

Researchers map best conditions for forage fishes in the Chesapeake

A new study by Virginia Institute of Marine Science researchers maps the conditions most suitable for key species of forage fishes in the Chesapeake Bay, offering guidance for protecting or restoring their habitats. The analysis reveals that factors such as water depth and temperature affect the abundance of forage fish, with some spec...

SourceVirginia Institute of Marine Science·JournalFrontiers in Marine Science·TypeObservational study·DateOct 27, 2021

Biodiversity collections address science workforce needs

A new module in biodiversity collections addresses the need for scientists to have both foundational biological skills and data acumen. The module was implemented in 10 courses across four universities and showed strong learning results, with students feeling well-prepared to collect and archive specimens, as well as deposit digital da...

SourceAmerican Institute of Biological Sciences·JournalBioScience·TypeObservational study·DateOct 27, 2021

An old drug saves lives of COVID-19 patients

A study co-led by McMaster University found that fluvoxamine can save the lives of COVID-19 patients and reduce hospital admissions by up to 30%. The treatment was effective in preventing COVID-19 from becoming a life-threatening illness when administered early.

SourceMcMaster University·JournalThe Lancet·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateOct 27, 2021

Researchers uncover new links between arts programming and social action

A study by NYU researchers reveals that participating in arts programming enhances critical consciousness among youth of color and white youth alike, promoting greater awareness of social inequity. This breakthrough finding highlights the significance of arts programming as a site for developing critical consciousness.

SourceNew York University·JournalJournal of Youth and Adolescence·TypeObservational study·DateOct 27, 2021

Tiny pterosaurs dominated Cretaceous skies

Researchers found that tiny pterosaur juveniles, known as flaplings, dominated the Late Cretaceous period due to their exceptional growth rates and feeding ecology. These findings suggest that the smaller species of pterosaurs were overshadowed by their giant parent's offspring.

SourceUniversity of Portsmouth·JournalCretaceous Research·DateOct 27, 2021

Exploiting cancer’s sweet tooth

Researchers discovered that acute myeloid leukemia (AML) depends on a transporter to bring in inositol, a sugar required for cells to survive. By blocking this transporter, cancer cells would starve without inositol. This method leaves normal cells unharmed as they can produce their own inositol.

SourceCold Spring Harbor Laboratory·JournalCancer Discovery·DateOct 27, 2021