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Science News Archive 2021 - Page 99


Page 99 of 510

Sex matters when it comes to immune responses against infection and disease, study shows

A University of Alberta-led study found that anemia can generate different immune responses in males versus females, making females more prone to infections. The research highlights the importance of considering sex as a variable in prevention, diagnostic, and therapeutic strategies for immune-related conditions.

SourceUniversity of Alberta Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry·JournalFrontiers in Immunology·DateOct 12, 2021

More effective cell studies using new AI method

A new study from the University of Gothenburg introduces an AI-based method to develop faster, cheaper, and more reliable information about cells using microscopy. This approach eliminates the drawbacks of traditional fluorescence microscopy by providing accurate results without damaging cells or inhibiting processes.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalBiophysics Reviews·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 12, 2021

Baycrest-developed at-home cognitive assessment performs as well as widely used, clinician-led test

The Baycrest-developed Cogniciti Brain Health Assessment is as accurate as the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) in identifying problems with memory and attention, but outperforms MoCA in detecting subtle cognitive decline. The self-administered online assessment can provide important information for clinical assessment of memory an...

SourceBaycrest Centre for Geriatric Care·JournalThe Journals of Gerontology Series B·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 12, 2021

Brain damage from long stays in space

A study published in JAMA Neurology found that long-term exposure to space can cause brain damage in cosmonauts. The research analyzed five Russian male cosmonauts who spent an average of 169 days in space, showing significant increases in biomarkers for brain cell damage upon their return to Earth.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalJAMA Neurology·TypeCase study·DateOct 12, 2021

The future of neuroimaging is “lit”: PET-based technique aids better live visualization

A novel neuroimaging technique using bacterial enzymes and inhibitors enables better live visualization of brain circuitry. The technique facilitates in vivo imaging without disrupting the blood-brain barrier, allowing for the detection of undetectable tau protein assemblies in neurodegenerative diseases.

Radiationless anapole states in on-chip photonics

A team of researchers has discovered radiationless anapole states in on-chip photonics, which enable the creation of highly sensitive biosensors and nonlinear signal processing systems. The discovery allows for tunability of anapole states within a wide wavelength range, with enhanced energy concentration inside nanoparticles.

Mindful breathing for pain control: Like yin and yang

Researchers found that mindful breathing can reduce pain by modulating the somatosensory cortex, a region responsible for processing pain. The study compared two types of meditation: traditional mindful breathing and virtual reality guided breathing, which used immersive visual and audio stimuli to decrease pain sensitivity.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalJournal of Medical Internet Research·DateOct 12, 2021

Patients’ referral to primary care after COVID-19 hospitalization varied widely during the pandemic

Researchers found that only a quarter of patients were scheduled for primary care follow-up prior to discharge during the second wave, highlighting the need for improved healthcare system navigation. Outpatient care can help screen for physical and emotional impairments common among COVID and sepsis patients.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·DateOct 12, 2021

Insects in the light of land use and climate

A new study published in Nature Communications finds that insect biomass is higher in warmer temperatures, while diversity declines in agricultural environments compared to semi-natural habitats. Researchers recommend increasing green spaces in urban areas and promoting forest habitats to mitigate climate change.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalNature Communications·TypeObservational study·DateOct 12, 2021

Contributing to solve the heat concentration problem in power semiconductors

Developed a highly efficient boiling immersion cooler using lotus metals, increasing critical heat flux from 200 W/cm² to 530 W/cm² or more. The technology is expected to solve the heat concentration problem of in-vehicle power semiconductors and be applied to CPUs for workstations and large-scale servers.

SourceJapan Science and Technology Agency·JournalInternational Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 12, 2021

Expanded lung screening rules provide more equitable care

A Kaiser Permanente study found that the 2021 USPSTF guidelines will likely increase lung cancer screening of women, racial and ethnic minority groups, and individuals with lower socioeconomic status. This is expected to lead to an estimated 30% increase in lung cancer diagnoses compared to the 2013 recommendations.

SourceKaiser Permanente·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateOct 12, 2021

New strategy achieves efficient and stable carbon dioxide electrolysis in solid oxide electrolysis cell

Researchers developed a new strategy to achieve efficient and stable CO2 electrolysis in solid oxide electrolysis cells. They found that redox cycle manipulations promoted the exsolution of high-density metal/perovskite interfaces, improving performance and stability.

SourceDalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy Sciences·JournalNature Communications·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateOct 12, 2021

Clarification on diabetes and dementia risk

Researchers found that poorly controlled type 2 diabetes is associated with an increased risk of developing preclinical dementia, which can progress to full-blown dementia. The study also suggests that controlling blood glucose levels may be key to preventing cognitive decline.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalAlzheimer s & Dementia·TypeObservational study·DateOct 12, 2021

Desert locusts remain a serious threat to Pakistan

A severe upsurge of desert locusts in 2019-2020 caused $3.4 billion to $10.21 billion in monetary losses and severe acute food insecurity for over 3 million people in Pakistan. The authors suggest improving the prevention system, developing compensatory measures, and increasing the use of alternative pesticides.

SourcePensoft Publishers·JournalJournal of Orthoptera Research·DateOct 12, 2021

Toward accurate modeling of power MOSFET electrical characteristics

A team of scientists at NAIST successfully used automatic differentiation to accelerate calculations of model parameter extraction, reducing computation time by 3.5 times compared to conventional methods. This breakthrough enables the design of more efficient power converters with increased performance and reduced energy consumption.

SourceNara Institute of Science and Technology·JournalIEEE Transactions on Power Electronics·DateOct 12, 2021

Electronic health record messaging during pandemic

During the COVID-19 pandemic, patient electronic health record inbox message volume increased significantly in an ambulatory practice network in New England. The study compared pre-pandemic and pandemic levels to understand the impact of the outbreak on healthcare communication.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateOct 12, 2021

Scientists discover a highly potent antibody against SARS-CoV-2

Researchers have identified a highly potent antibody that effectively blocks the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2, halting viral replication and enabling the immune system to eliminate the virus. This breakthrough discovery offers a potential preventive-treatment option for unvaccinated individuals or those with weakened immune systems.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalCell Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 12, 2021

Researcher discovers key gene responsible for cancer drug resistance

A researcher at the University of Missouri-Columbia has discovered a protein called USP15 that protects cancer cells from destruction by removing ubiquitin tags placed on them by immunomodulatory drugs. Testing patients for USP15 may help determine resistance to these therapies, paving the way for more precise and customized treatments.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 12, 2021