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Science News Archive 2021 - Page 86


Page 86 of 510

Under arrest: Using nanofibers to stop brain tumor cells from spreading

A team of researchers from Japan has developed a platform using nanofibers to capture and control the migration of brain tumor cells, including glioblastoma multiforme. The study found that varying fiber densities can slow or speed up cell movement, leading to the creation of 'cell traps' that can restrict tumor cell growth.

SourceUniversity of Fukui·JournalACS Applied Bio Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 21, 2021

How pearls achieve nanoscale precision

A University of Michigan-led team discovered how mollusks build pearls with precise symmetry and layers, governed by the phenomenon of 1/f noise. The study found that pearls lack true long-range order but exhibit medium-range order, maintaining consistency and durability.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 21, 2021

Common antidepressant should no longer be used to treat people with dementia, study says

A new study has shown that a commonly prescribed antidepressant for agitation in people with dementia is no more effective than a placebo and may even increase mortality. The research found no improvement in agitation symptoms among those taking mirtazapine, a drug previously thought to be beneficial.

SourceUniversity of Plymouth·JournalThe Lancet·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateOct 21, 2021

Mandates likely work to increase vaccine uptake

Research from University of Pennsylvania team shows that vaccine mandates have positive effects on vaccination intentions, particularly for those who oppose forced behavior. Mandates strengthen vaccination intentions, regardless of racial or ethnic group, and for individuals with a disposition towards psychological reactance.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalScientific Reports·DateOct 21, 2021

International team of researchers discover first dinosaur era crab fully preserved in amber

A team of scientists has discovered the oldest modern-looking crab, Cretapsara athanata, preserved in 100-million-year-old amber. The fossil is remarkably complete, including delicate tissues and well-developed gills, revealing an aquatic to semi-aquatic animal that defies explanation for its preservation in tree resin.

Changing ocean currents are driving extreme winter weather

New research from the University of Arizona suggests that a slowdown in the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) will intensify extreme cold weather in the US. The study found that without the AMOC, extremely cold winter weather would become more frequent and severe.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalCommunications Earth & Environment·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 20, 2021

How retirement impacts social support and wellbeing

A new study found that most people maintain their pre-retirement level of social support after retirement, with women and those with high social support experiencing an improvement in mental wellbeing. The research also shows an increase in life satisfaction for couples where either the man or woman retired.

SourceUniversity of Technology Sydney·JournalThe European Journal of Health Economics·TypeSurvey·DateOct 20, 2021

A breakdown in communication -- mitochondria of diabetic patients can’t keep time

A team of international scientists has shown that skeletal muscle cells from people with type 2 diabetes have a different circadian rhythm, leading to altered mitochondrial metabolism. The study suggests that considering cellular rhythms when prescribing treatments for type 2 diabetes could optimize their effectiveness.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - The Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 20, 2021

Lifetime excess weight linked to subclinical heart injury

A study of 9,739 adults found that those with stable overweight and obesity had elevated cardiac troponin I levels, a marker of subclinical heart injury. Long-standing obesity is associated with injurious effects on cardiac health before symptoms occur.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of Internal Medicine·DateOct 20, 2021

BBQ lighter, combined with microneedles, sparks breakthrough in COVID-19 vaccine delivery

Researchers at Georgia Tech and Emory University have developed an innovative method for delivering vaccines, including those for COVID-19, using a handheld electroporator. The device is powered by a BBQ lighter and uses microneedle technology to reduce the complexity and cost of vaccine delivery.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 20, 2021

Machine learning can be fair and accurate

A recent study published in Nature Machine Intelligence challenges the long-held assumption that accuracy and fairness are mutually exclusive in machine learning. Researchers found that optimizing models for accuracy does not necessarily compromise fairness, particularly when adjustments are made to data, labels, and scoring systems.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·JournalNature Machine Intelligence·DateOct 20, 2021

No silver bullet

Researchers challenge long-held notion that humans are bad for ecosystems, finding no correlation between remoteness and coral reef resilience. Instead, areas with higher human influence may recover faster from disturbances due to shifts in coral population dynamics.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalGlobal Change Biology·DateOct 20, 2021

Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology scientists shine light to measure blood flow in the brain in real time

Researchers at GIST create an optical technique called optical speckle image velocimetry that can image dynamic changes in cerebral blood flow, allowing for the diagnosis of brain health. The technique provides high-time resolution and measures both speed and direction of blood flow.

SourceGIST (Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology)·JournalOptica·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 20, 2021

How diet affects tumors

A new study from MIT reveals that calorie-restricted diets slow tumor growth in mice by reducing fatty acid availability, while ketogenic diets have limited effect. The findings offer insight into how dietary interventions might be combined with existing or emerging drugs to help patients with cancer.