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Science News Archive April 2021 - Page 16


Page 16 of 46

Silver ions hurry up, then wait as they disperse

Researchers at Rice University reveal a two-step process by which silver ions are released from nanoparticles, with the possibility of stabilizing the alloy through gold manipulation. The discovery could lead to the development of new catalysts and materials for various applications.

SourceRice University·JournalACS Nano·DateApr 22, 2021

Study: 'Fingerprint' for 3D printer accurate 92% of time

Researchers developed a unique identification system using a 3D printer's hot end, allowing for accurate tracking of intellectual property and security threats. The 'ThermoTag' method compares the printing process to a human fingerprint, enabling precise identification of printer models.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalIEEE Transactions on Information Forensics and Security·DateApr 21, 2021

Study explains 'cocktail party effect' in hearing impairment

New research reveals that people with hearing impairment experience abnormal binaural pitch fusion, which can lead to sound blending together and difficulties with understanding speech in noisy environments. This discovery suggests the possibility of targeted rehabilitation strategies to improve speech perception in noise.

SourceOregon Health & Science University·JournalJournal of the Association for Research in Otolaryngology·DateApr 21, 2021

Great white feeding ground

A new study found an aggregation site of great white sharks in the Gulf of California, with estimated mortality rates potentially three times higher than previously thought. This discovery raises concerns about conservation efforts and highlights opportunities for sustainable eco-tourism.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalConservation Letters·DateApr 21, 2021

Toward safer stem cell transplants

Researchers are developing new conditioning therapies with fewer side effects, targeting specific proteins on hematopoietic stem cells to make room for healthy ones. This could lead to more patients being able to safely undergo stem cell treatments, reducing complications and improving outcomes.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalChemical & Engineering News·DateApr 21, 2021

Genes linked to creativity were the "secret weapon" in the survival of Homo sapiens

An international team of scientists has identified 267 genes linked to creativity that differentiate Homo sapiens from Neanderthals, suggesting this genetic difference enabled humans to replace them. These genes are also associated with superior adaptation to the environment, resilience to ageing and disease, and greater physical fitness.

SourceUniversity of Granada·JournalMolecular Psychiatry·DateApr 21, 2021

Do school shootings have a copycat effect?

An analysis of US school shootings between 1990 and 2017 found that following a shooting, the risk of additional incidents in the same and neighboring states increases significantly. The study suggests that media coverage can minimize the risk of provoking further shootings by finding a balance between reporting on these events.

SourceWiley·JournalContemporary Economic Policy·DateApr 21, 2021

Pregnant women stressed, depressed and lonely during COVID-19 pandemic

A survey of 6,894 pregnant and postpartum women in 64 countries found that a substantial number scored high for symptoms of anxiety, depression, loneliness, and post-traumatic stress in relation to COVID-19. High information seeking from any source was associated with increased odds of elevated post-traumatic stress and anxiety/depress...

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateApr 21, 2021

A receptor that controls appetite presents a target for anorexia, suggests mouse study

Researchers have successfully altered feeding and anxiety-like behaviors linked to anorexia in mice by targeting the MC3R receptor. The study suggests that fine-tuning the receptor's activity could help change feeding habits and promote weight gain in patients with eating disorders, offering a potential new treatment for anorexia.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateApr 21, 2021

No-Cath forecast

Researchers at MUSC developed an AI software to predict CAD blockages' significance without catheterization. The software analyzes CT images of heart vessels and plaques, estimating blood flow and identifying high-risk features. This noninvasive method saves time, costs, and risks for patients and clinicians.

SourceMedical University of South Carolina·JournalInternational Journal of Cardiology·DateApr 21, 2021

Time seems to pass more slowly in the UK COVID-19 lockdown

During England's second national lockdown, people with depression experienced distorted perceptions of time, while those dissatisfied with social interactions also reported slower time passage. The findings suggest that mental health and social dissatisfaction play a significant role in how we experience time during isolation.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateApr 21, 2021

Direct observation of the ad- and desorption of guest atoms into a mesoporous host

Scientists have developed a new method to directly observe the filling and emptying of tiny pores in materials, revealing complex mechanisms behind guest-atom interactions. This breakthrough uses combined X-ray methods to provide empirical insights into confined matter in battery electrodes, catalysts, and hydrogen storage materials.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie·JournalThe Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters·DateApr 21, 2021

Music improves older adults' sleep quality

Listening to music before bed significantly improves sleep quality among older adults. Longer listening periods yield the most effective results. Music therapy is an easy-to-administer strategy that may become a first-line treatment option.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·DateApr 21, 2021

Stress and death in female baboons

A new study has found that female baboons with high levels of glucocorticoids, a hormone involved in the 'fight or flight' response, have a greater risk of dying. The research, which analyzed data from over 20 years, showed that females with higher levels of glucocorticoids tend to die younger than those with lower levels.

SourceDuke University·JournalScience Advances·DateApr 21, 2021

Pedram Hassanzadeh wins NSF CAREER Award

Pedram Hassanzadeh, a fluid dynamicist at Rice University, has been awarded a prestigious NSF CAREER grant to investigate the physics behind atmospheric blocking events that cause extreme weather. His research aims to improve climate modeling capabilities and predict how these events will change in the future.