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Science News Archive 2021 - Page 92


Page 92 of 510

The positive impact of sharing negative research results

Researchers highlight the importance of sharing well-conducted studies with negative or irreproducible results, even if they disprove a hypothesis. The Journal of Neuromuscular Diseases special issue on 'The Null Hypothesis' presents eight articles that contribute valuable information to the scientific record.

SourceIOS Press·JournalJournal of Neuromuscular Diseases·TypeMeta-analysis·DateOct 18, 2021

How marsh grass protects shorelines

A new MIT study provides detailed information on the wave-damping benefits of marsh plants, enabling coastal restoration planners to determine the area needed for mitigation. The analysis incorporates plant morphology and interactions with currents and waves, providing a more quantitative way to estimate the value provided by marshes.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalPhysical Review·DateOct 18, 2021

Researchers determine optimum pressure to improve the performance of lithium metal batteries

The study found that a stack pressure of 350 kilo Pascal increases lithium particle deposition in neat columns, improving stability and reducing the risk of short circuits. Additionally, partial discharge during cycling can also boost performance without affecting the solid electrolyte interphase structure.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalNature Energy·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 18, 2021

Developing a treatment for vision loss through transplant of photoreceptor precursors

Researchers at the National University of Singapore have developed a treatment for vision loss through the transplantation of photoreceptor precursors. This innovative approach holds great promise as an alternative to gene therapy, which has limited efficacy due to genetic heterogeneity and advanced retinal degeneration.

Patients hospitalized for COVID-19 this year could pay thousands of dollars, study suggests

A new study analyzed 4,000 COVID-related hospitalizations and found that patients with private insurance could face $3,800 bills, while those with Medicare Advantage plans might owe $1,500. The lack of waivers for hospitalization costs could lead to increased financial burden on patients.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 18, 2021

Study reconstructs 232-year history of prairie fire in Midwestern US

Researchers analyzed historical documents to understand the timing, causes, and consequences of prairie fires in the Midwest. The study reveals that Native Americans intentionally set fires for hunting and land management purposes, while Europeans feared fire but also cleared land using controlled burns.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalNatural Areas Journal·TypeLiterature review·DateOct 18, 2021

Sim City for food science takes on Listeria outbreaks

A new study from Cornell University uses digital twins to identify optimal times and locations for detecting Listeria bacteria in produce facilities, reducing the risk of contamination. The researchers' model provides a novel way for food safety managers to visualize microbial contamination risks and experiment with different sampling ...

SourceCornell University·JournalApplied and Environmental Microbiology·DateOct 18, 2021

Life’s a beach: Finding trends in marine debris across Australia

A UNSW-led study analyzing 10 years of citizen science data found that almost half of marine debris can be linked to land-based sources. Plastic accounts for 84% of the rubbish found on Australian beaches, with a significant portion coming from external sources such as stormwater drains near capital cities.

SourceUniversity of New South Wales·JournalThe Science of The Total Environment·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 18, 2021

New active agent against parasites

Researchers at the Paul Scherrer Institute have identified a chemical compound, parabulin, that can inhibit the protein tubulin in unicellular parasites, including those that cause malaria and toxoplasmosis. The substance blocks successful cell division by preventing tubulin from forming long, stable protein filaments.

SourcePaul Scherrer Institute·JournalEMBO Molecular Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 18, 2021

3D imaging study reveals how atoms are packed in amorphous materials UCLA-led research could revise a 70-year-old model of how the fundamental building blocks of substances are assembled

Researchers used 3D atomic imaging to directly observe atom packing in amorphous materials. The findings show that pentagonal bipyramids, not icosahedral groups of 13, are the most prevalent motif for atom arrangement.

SourceCalifornia NanoSystems Institute·JournalNature Materials·TypeImaging analysis·DateOct 18, 2021

Climate change and human pressure mean migration may be “no longer worth it”, say researchers

Researchers warn that climate change and human pressure have eroded benefits of long-distance migration for animals, leading to lower reproductive success and higher mortality. This has serious consequences for ecosystem structure and function, with many species unable to adapt to changing environmental conditions.

SourceUniversity of Bath·JournalTrends in Ecology & Evolution·TypeLiterature review·DateOct 18, 2021

Could computer games encourage people to adhere to COVID-19 measures?

A study from Lancaster University found that a serious game, 'Point of Contact', increased players' awareness of Covid-19 transmission risk and favorability towards health over livelihood. The game's impact was significant, with 87% of participants saying they would be more careful in following Covid-19 preventative guidance.

SourceLancaster University·JournalProceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 18, 2021

Depression history written in the reactions of the brain

Researchers found that patients with more severe depression histories showed less brain activity in areas processing emotions, while those who had remitted from depression showed a normal level of activity. This suggests that serious depression may change the way the brain responds to emotion over time, or that people with stronger emo...

SourceEuropean College of Neuropsychopharmacology·JournalBiological Psychiatry Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging·TypeObservational study·DateOct 18, 2021

Newspaper publishers rejoice! Paywalls and bundled pricing can help contribute a 7-12% boost in subscription revenues for newspapers

A new study in Management Science shows that newspapers offering free digital content to subscribers can lead to a significant increase in subscription retention and revenue. By activating paywall access, subscribers are less likely to cancel their subscriptions, contributing to higher subscription revenues.

SourceInstitute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences·JournalManagement Science·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 18, 2021

Weather to climate: More research needed to understand sea-air influences

A study published in Advances in Atmospheric Sciences reviews research on sea-air interactions, revealing a complex relationship between ocean currents and atmospheric circulation. The review suggests that eddies and fronts can drive changes to both weather and climate, but more investigation is needed to fully understand their impact.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAdvances in Atmospheric Sciences·DateOct 18, 2021

New COVID-19-discovery could predict patient death or hospitalization

Researchers from University of Copenhagen discover a protein analysis that can predict COVID-19 patient death or hospitalization with high accuracy, predicting 78.7% of hospitalizations and 93.9% of non-serious infections. This discovery has the potential to save lives by identifying high-risk individuals.

During COVID, majority of newly unemployed adults in NC did not receive Medicaid

A study by Boston University School of Medicine found that only 15% of North Carolina residents who became unemployed gained Medicaid coverage, with higher rates in socially vulnerable counties. The state's high uninsurance rate overall underscores the need for Medicaid expansion to ensure access to healthcare.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalHealth Affairs·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 18, 2021

Lavish wealth tolerated more for individuals than groups

A new study from Cornell University suggests that people are more willing to accept extreme wealth disparities when attributed to individual success rather than group outcomes. The researchers found that tolerance for inequality depends on who is considered at the top of the economic ladder, with individuals being seen as having intern...

SourceCornell University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 18, 2021

New solution for low cost, light-weight and compact wireless transfer devices

Researchers at Kobe University have developed a novel power control system for wireless power transfer, enabling precise and efficient energy transfer while reducing circuit components and costs. The system uses resonant frequency tracking and load impedance regulation to minimize power losses.

SourceKobe University·JournalIEEE Journal of Emerging and Selected Topics in Industrial Electronics·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 18, 2021

Epigenetics: Immunization is passed on to offspring

An international research team has demonstrated that adaptations to infections are passed on to offspring in mice, with improved immune responses and resistance to subsequent infections observed. This study provides new insights into the role of epigenetics in shaping the immune system across generations.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalNature Immunology·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 18, 2021

Cleaning the brain after ischemic stroke

Researchers from the University of Tsukuba found that blocking CD300a enhances efferocytosis and ameliorates neuronal deficits after ischemic stroke. This process involves the removal of damaged cells in the brain, reducing inflammation and neurological impairment.

SourceUniversity of Tsukuba·JournalScience Immunology·DateOct 17, 2021

COVID-19 lottery announcements, vaccinations

A study found that COVID-19 vaccination rates increased in states with cash drawing announcements compared to those without. The analysis suggests a positive association between these announcements and vaccine uptake, providing insight into innovative strategies for improving public health.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Health Forum·DateOct 15, 2021

Using AI for mental health assessment

Researchers used machine learning on UK Biobank data to create proxy measures for brain age, intelligence, and neuroticism traits. These indirect measurements strongly correlate with specific diseases or outcomes, offering a potential solution for mental health diagnoses.

SourceGigaScience·JournalGigaScience·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 15, 2021

Bimetallic catalysts for oil extraction

Researchers have developed bimetallic catalysts that enhance oil upgrading, decreasing heavy hydrocarbons and increasing light hydrocarbons. The test results showed positive influence on petroleum quality, transportation efficiency, and environmental impact.

SourceKazan Federal University·JournalJournal of Petroleum Exploration and Production Technology·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 15, 2021