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Science News Archive April 2021 - Page 20


Page 20 of 46

Gold digger: Neural networks at the nexus of data science and electron microscopy

Researchers at Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience used machine learning to develop Gold Digger software that can accurately identify gold particles bound to specific proteins of interest. The software uses a deep learning approach to distinguish gold particles from shadow artifacts with near-human level accuracy.

SourceMax Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience·JournalScientific Reports·DateApr 20, 2021

Probiotic Lactobacillus acidophilus shows promise for treating inflammatory bowel disease and other intestinal inflammation disorders

Researchers found that probiotic Lactobacillus acidophilus strain LA1 generates a rapid and sustained enhancement of the intestinal barrier, effectively treating intestinal inflammation. The study also showed that LA1 can prevent colonic inflammation formation and promote healing in mice with induced colitis.

SourceElsevier·JournalAmerican Journal Of Pathology·DateApr 20, 2021

Specialized technique captures unique protein structures in neuropathy disorders

Researchers have developed a specialized technique to capture unique protein structures associated with neuropathy disorders, such as Charcot Marie Tooth and Dejerine-Sottas syndrome. The technique, ion mobility-mass spectrometry (IM-MS), reveals that an unstable mutant version of the PMP22 protein forms a stable complex called a dimer.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 20, 2021

Research brief: Improving drug efficacy against prostate cancer and related bone growths

Researchers developed a system to deliver nucleotide-based drugs more effectively into primary tumor tissue and bone metastases, improving their clinical efficacy. The study found that iRGD-liposomes significantly enhanced the ability of antisense oligonucleotides to inhibit prostate cancer growth and prolong tumor suppression.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·DateApr 20, 2021

Examining clinician burnout

Researchers investigated the association of clinician burnout with clinician type, sex, work culture and use of electronic health records. The study found that burnout is more prevalent among certain types of clinicians and in work cultures with heavy reliance on technology.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateApr 20, 2021

How the language you speak aligns to your genetic origins and may impact research on your health

A recent study has found that South-Eastern Bantu-speaking groups are genetically diverse, with distinct languages and histories, and cannot be treated as a single entity in disease research. This discovery may lead to more accurate genetic analysis and better understanding of complex diseases such as diabetes and hypertension.

SourceUniversity of the Witwatersrand·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 20, 2021

URI oceanographers reveal links between migrating Gulf Stream and warming ocean waters

A recent study by URI researchers shows that the Gulf Stream's position relative to the Grand Banks of Newfoundland can predict rapid warming of the Northwest Atlantic Shelf. The team used satellite data to observe the mechanism behind these changes, which block the southwestward transport of cold water and lead to marine heat waves.

SourceUniversity of Rhode Island·JournalCommunications Earth & Environment·DateApr 20, 2021

People have shaped Earth's ecology for at least 12,000 years, mostly sustainably

A new study reveals that most areas depicted as 'untouched' were actually inhabited and used by human societies for thousands of years, sustaining native biodiversity. The research supports empowering Indigenous peoples and local communities to promote long-term environmental stewardship and conservation.

SourceUniversity of Maryland Baltimore County·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 19, 2021

What does the study of domesticated birds tell us about the evolution of human language?

Research suggests that tolerance, cooperation, and reduced aggression in domesticated birds are linked to increased language complexity in humans. The study analyzed genomic, neurobiological differences between domesticated Bengalese finch and its wild relative, finding altered stress hormone balance and brain connectivity patterns.

SourceUniversity of Barcelona·JournalTrends in Cognitive Sciences·DateApr 19, 2021

Airbnb hosts in college towns hike up prices game days to deter rival fans

A new study by the University of California San Diego found that Airbnb hosts in college towns increase their listing prices during home football games against rival teams, resulting in a 78% reduction in rental income. This phenomenon is attributed to strong emotions involved in college football rivalries and financial constraints.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalReal Estate Economics·DateApr 19, 2021

Water muting with THz optoacoustics: A breakthrough for biomedical applications

Researchers have developed a novel method to detect and manipulate the terahertz optoacoustic signal of water, enabling sensitive detection of solutes like ions with an order of magnitude greater sensitivity than traditional spectroscopy. This breakthrough allows for nondestructive analysis of aqueous solutions and tissues, opening up ...

Paternal drinking before pregnancy, risk of birth defects

A recent study published in JAMA Pediatrics examined the association between paternal drinking before pregnancy and the risk of birth defects in Chinese children. The research found a significant correlation, suggesting that fathers' consumption of alcohol prior to conception may pose a potential threat to fetal development.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Pediatrics·DateApr 19, 2021

Science and need -- not wealth or nationality -- should guide vaccine allocation and prioritization

A recent study emphasizes the importance of science and need in guiding COVID-19 vaccine allocation and prioritization. The authors argue that legal status should have no place in decisions about vaccine access and that poorer countries may not be able to widely vaccinate their populations until 2023.

Opioid vaccine in the works

Researchers are developing an opioid vaccine that targets fentanyl, a potent synthetic opioid, to reduce respiratory depression. The vaccine stimulates the body to create powerful antibodies that bind to opioid molecules, preventing them from reaching the brain and reducing overdose risk.

COVID-19 News from Annals of Internal Medicine

A liver transplant recipient was reinfected with SARS-CoV-2 111 days after initial diagnosis, using genomic sequencing to distinguish relapse from reinfection. Additionally, a study found people of color have substantially higher risks for hospitalization and intensive-level care for COVID-19 compared to White persons

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateApr 19, 2021

Researchers find a way to mend a broken heart

A Monash University study has discovered a way to prevent and reverse the damage caused by broken-heart syndrome, also known as Takotsubo cardiomyopathy. The breakthrough uses Suberanilohydroxamic acid to target genes and improve cardiac health.

SourceMonash University·JournalSignal Transduction and Targeted Therapy·DateApr 19, 2021

Learning about system stability from ants

A new type of collective behaviour in ants has been revealed by an international team of scientists. The ants use scaffolds to ensure traffic flow on sloped surfaces, resulting from individual sensing and decision-making without group-level communication. This simple yet effective mechanism may inspire designs for artificial systems.

SourceUniversity of Konstanz·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 19, 2021