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Science News Archive 2021 - Page 9


Page 9 of 510

The language of holography: Problems and hints for solving them

The article examines the inconsistencies in holography's language and its evolution across diverse communities. The pioneers created a useful and accurate language, but much of it has been lost over time. A layman can describe a hologram as a window that transforms light into a different wave, enabling viewing of a 3D image.

Drinking in Mexico by Whites and Hispanics on California’s Border

A new study by the Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation found that those living near the border, Hispanic, and regular drinkers are more prone to heavy drinking in Mexico. Exposure to riskier environments increases heavy drinking, alcohol intoxication, and related problems like aggression and injuries.

SourcePacific Institute for Research and Evaluation·JournalJournal of Ethnicity in Substance Abuse·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateDec 19, 2021

Using videos and farmer-to-farmer learning to make agriculture more sustainable

A study by Göttingen University found that training methods combining farmer-to-farmer learning with educational videos significantly increased the use of productive practices among smallholder farmers in Ethiopia. This approach also promoted informal information transfer and improved adoption of complex technologies.

SourceUniversity of Göttingen·JournalThe World Bank Economic Review·TypeSurvey·DateDec 19, 2021

New biosensors measure toxic drugs in cancer, arthritis, and organ transplant patients

Researchers have developed new designer biosensors that can accurately measure immunosuppressant drugs and anticancer drugs using colour or electrical responses. The biosensors could enable sophisticated tests on cheaper lab equipment and point-of-care devices, potentially leading to faster diagnosis and treatment.

SourceQueensland University of Technology·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 19, 2021

Medicinal cannabis oil found effective for treating autism

Researchers at Tel Aviv University successfully treated autism in animal models with medical cannabis oil, improving behavioral and biochemical parameters. The treatment showed significant improvement in compulsive and anxious behaviors, and a decrease in the concentration of the arousing neurotransmitter glutamate.

SourceTel-Aviv University·JournalTranslational Psychiatry·DateDec 19, 2021

COVID-19 lockdowns hurt women more than men

A survey of 579 adults with chronic pain in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland found that COVID-19 lockdowns worsened pain severity in women, particularly due to increased caregiving responsibilities and emotional response. The study highlights the need for targeted pain management interventions specifically designed for women.

SourceThe European Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care (ESAIC)·JournalEuropean Journal of Anaesthesiology·DateDec 18, 2021

A more targeted therapy to treat inflammatory bowel disease

Researchers at UC Riverside have discovered that targeting the TNFR1 receptor may be a more effective approach to treating inflammatory bowel disease. By selectively blocking TNFR1, they found significant benefits in mice with Crohn's-like ileitis, suggesting this approach could offer a new opportunity for healing.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalJournal of Crohn s and Colitis·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 17, 2021

Testosterone drives the dark side of meerkat success

In meerkat societies, testosterone-driven aggression enables cooperative breeding by creating a hierarchy where subordinates help raise the matriarch's pups. Researchers found that matriarchs' high testosterone levels drive their aggressive behavior, which maintains group structure.

SourceDuke University·JournalNature Communications·TypeObservational study·DateDec 17, 2021

Major US electric utility companies may reduce power sector emissions by one-third, if they stick with their climate pledges

A recent study found that major US electric utility companies' voluntary climate pledges could lower net emissions by roughly 560 million metric tons of CO2 equivalent, an amount equal to one-third of 2018 US power sector emissions. This reduction is on top of existing policies and could play a vital role in climate change mitigation.

SourceCell Press·JournalOne Earth·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateDec 17, 2021

Inequities in use of diabetes medications

A study of 1.1 million patients with type 2 diabetes found disparities in the use of GLP-1 receptor agonists by racial and ethnic groups, as well as by sex and socioeconomic status. The findings highlight concerns about unequal access to effective diabetes care.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Health Forum·DateDec 17, 2021

Pioneering new technique to barcode cells

Scientists have developed a pioneering new technique to barcode individual cells more accurately and efficiently. The method combines artificial intelligence with microfluidics, allowing for real-time analysis of single cells and enabling the efficient sorting and counting of cells.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalAdvanced Materials Technologies·DateDec 17, 2021

Well insured: Forests with many tree species grow more consistently

Research found that forests with diverse tree species exhibit higher growth stability and biomass production under fluctuating climate conditions. This is due to the diversity of species characteristics, such as asynchrony in growth patterns and drought-tolerance strategies, which counterbalance negative impacts of extreme weather events.

SourceGerman Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig·JournalScience Advances·TypeObservational study·DateDec 17, 2021

General anaesthesia impacts brain functioning less than other patient risk factors, data spanning 12 years suggests

A Dutch study of over 1,800 adults found that repeated general anaesthetics have little impact on long-term cognitive decline compared to patient factors such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, smoking, and educational level. Cognitive decline was more strongly linked to these factors than to the number of surgeries under general...

SourceThe European Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care (ESAIC)·JournalEuropean Journal of Anaesthesiology·DateDec 17, 2021

h-BN/NiS2/NiS nanocatalysts for removing rhodamine B and Cr(VI) in wastewater

The h-BN/NiS2/NiS nanocatalyst exhibits high photocatalytic performance for removing Cr(VI) and rhodamine B from wastewater, with a synergistic effect enhancing its activity and stability. The composite material displays uniform dispersion of NiS2/NiS nanocrystals, increased specific surface area, and enhanced light absorption.

SourceHigher Education Press·JournalFrontiers of Chemical Science and Engineering·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 17, 2021

Unfolding the blindness proteins through fly eyes

Scientists have identified a crucial mechanism for Rhodopsin production in fruit flies, which may lead to a better understanding of retinitis pigmentosa and vision loss. The study reveals that the EMC protein complex is essential for the proper folding and insertion of Xport-A, a key chaperone of Rhodopsin.

Perovskite solar cell with ultra-long stability

Researchers from Forschungszentrum Jülich have developed a perovskite solar cell with exceptional stability, retaining 99% of its initial efficiency after 1450 hours of operation. The new design features a double-layer polymer structure that protects the contact point and ensures stable conductivity.

SourceForschungszentrum Juelich·JournalNature Energy·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 17, 2021

New autism marker discovered in kids

Scientists have discovered a brain protein, CNTNAP2, that quiets overactive brain cells and is at abnormally low levels in children with autism. The protein can be detected in cerebrospinal fluid, making it a potential biomarker for diagnosing autism and treating epilepsy.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalNeuron·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 17, 2021

Rollercoaster of emotions: Exploring emotions with virtual reality

A recent study at the Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences used virtual reality to simulate emotionally engaging situations, allowing researchers to measure brain activity and find a correlation between alpha oscillations and emotional arousal. This discovery has implications for psychological therapy and treatment.

SourceMax Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences·JournaleLife·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 17, 2021

Understanding cobalt’s human cost

Researchers studying cobalt mining in the DRC found associations with violence, substance abuse, and health challenges. The study highlights the need for social life cycle assessments to understand emerging technologies' impact on human well-being.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalOne Earth·TypeCase study·DateDec 17, 2021