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Science News Archive August 2021 - Page 34


Page 34 of 38

Increase in extreme precipitation in the northeast caused by Atlantic variability and climate change

A recent study found that greenhouse gases from human activity and warmer North Atlantic Ocean temperatures contributed to the Northeast's increased extreme precipitation since 1996. The research used global climate model simulations and statistical methods to isolate the causes of the increase.

SourceDartmouth College·JournalWeather and Climate Extremes·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 4, 2021

’Til the cows come home

New research reveals Bronze Age farmers in China prioritized cattle for their diets, utilizing byproducts like millet stalks for feed. This approach differs from other regions, where cows were raised closer to human settlements.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalScientific Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 4, 2021

Researchers link neurodegenerative disease protein to defective cholesterol metabolism

A recent study discovered that brain cells cannot maintain the myelin sheath in the absence of the TDP-43 protein. Restoring cholesterol levels has been proposed as a potential therapeutic strategy for neurodegenerative diseases associated with TDP-43. The research found that oligodendrocytes, responsible for producing myelin, have def...

SourceRockefeller University Press·JournalJournal of Cell Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 4, 2021

Study links economic mobility to racial mortality gaps

A recent study by the American Cancer Society found a strong association between economic mobility and racial disparities in mortality in the US. The study suggests that structural racism has persisted with similar magnitude across generations, leading to increased death rates among Black individuals compared to their White counterparts.

SourceAmerican Cancer Society·JournalCancer Epidemiology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 4, 2021

Fine particulate air pollution associated with higher risk of dementia

Researchers from the University of Washington identified a strong link between fine particulate air pollution and an increased risk of dementia. A 1 microgram per cubic meter difference in PM2.5 pollution was associated with a 16% greater incidence of dementia, highlighting the potential neurodegenerative effects of air pollution.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalEnvironmental Health Perspectives·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 4, 2021

Arctic narwhals and beluga whales can be detected and monitored from space, using satellite orbiting 617km high

Researchers successfully detected and monitored Arctic narwhals and beluga whales using satellite orbiting 617km high, a breakthrough in cetacean tracking. This achievement demonstrates the potential of space-based monitoring for conservation efforts, providing valuable insights into these endangered species' habitats and behaviors.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 4, 2021

“Where does it hurt?” predicts chronic pain outcomes, study shows

A recent study published in PLOS ONE found that analyzing pain distribution can predict chronic pain outcomes. Researchers identified 9 distinct groupings of pain distribution, which varied significantly across subgroups in terms of demographic and medical characteristics, pain intensity, impact, and neuropathic pain quality. The study...

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeObservational study·DateAug 4, 2021

New study shows diabetes is associated with a significant increase in the risk of hospitalisation and mortality caused by infections

A new study found that individuals with diabetes are significantly more likely to be hospitalized and have a greater risk of dying from infections. The research showed that the risk was more pronounced in younger adults with diabetes and black people, with an increased likelihood of both common and rare infections. This association bet...

SourceDiabetologia·JournalDiabetologia·DateAug 4, 2021

Reducing antibiotic use in primary care may be insufficient alone to curtail antimicrobial resistance

Strategies to reduce antibiotic prescribing in primary care have been found to be insufficient on their own to tackle the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance. Despite a modest reduction in antibiotic-resistant infections from E. coli, the study highlights the need for a multi-sectoral approach to address this substantial health ...

SourceImperial College London·JournalThe Lancet Infectious Diseases·DateAug 4, 2021

Building blocks: New evidence-based system predicts element combination forming high entropy alloy

Researchers developed a novel evidence-based material recommender system that predicts high entropy alloy formation without data descriptors, overcomes data bias and poor availability. The method recommends an FeMnCoNi alloy as the most probable HEA and successfully synthesizes it, confirming its validity.

SourceJapan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology·JournalNature Computational Science·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 4, 2021

Illuminating tissue formation

Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed a multi-component molecule that interacts with collagen, allowing for the visualization of new tissue growth in the body. This breakthrough could have applications in oncology and wound healing, enabling surgeons to more accurately remove tumors and investigate tissue formation.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature Chemical Biology·DateAug 4, 2021

Research may lead to new insights on the genetics of height

A recent study published in Journal of Bone and Mineral Research has identified genes and gene pathways that influence the genetic regulation of human height. The research examined genome-wide association studies and assessed the expression of these genetic regions in different layers of the growth plate during childhood.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of Bone and Mineral Research·DateAug 4, 2021

CHOP researchers develop coating for endotracheal tubes that releases antimicrobial peptides

Researchers created a polymer coating that releases Lasioglossin-III, an AMP with broad-spectrum antibacterial activity, targeting specific infectious bacteria and preventing airway complications. The coating demonstrated significant antibacterial activity and prevented bacterial adherence to the tube.

SourceChildren's Hospital of Philadelphia·JournalThe Laryngoscope·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 4, 2021

Breakthrough in understanding genesis of fibroids

Researchers at the University of Helsinki have made a significant advance in fibroids research by identifying a new mechanism of tumorigenesis. Multiple tumors carried mutations in genes involved in histone trafficking, which affected gene expression levels and led to hereditary predisposition to the disease.

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalNature·DateAug 4, 2021

New 10-year patient safety analysis highlights areas for improvement in acute medical units

A new study analyzes 377 severe harm and death incidents in acute medical units across England and Wales between 2005-2015. The most common incident types were diagnostic errors, medication-related errors, and failures in monitoring patients. Implementing electronic prescribing systems and checklists can reduce diagnostic errors, while...

SourceSAGE·JournalJournal of the Royal Society of Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 4, 2021

Fat ‘shield’ protects immune cells—and some cancers—from destruction

A newly discovered fat 'shield' protects natural killer cells from their own deadly biological weapons, but also allows some cancer cells to evade an immune system attack. The shield is made of lipids and reinforces the cell membrane before an attack, preventing the toxic substances from penetrating the membrane.

SourceColumbia University Irving Medical Center·JournalPLOS Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 3, 2021

A machine learning approach for predicting risk of schizophrenia using a blood test

Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine developed a machine learning algorithm that analyzes DNA methylation patterns in blood samples to identify individuals with schizophrenia. The study achieved an 80% accuracy rate and identified epigenetic markers that differ between people diagnosed with the condition and those without it.

SourceBaylor College of Medicine·JournalTranslational Psychiatry·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 3, 2021

Researchers developed photoirradiation-based super-resolution gene analysis technology

Researchers developed a technology called Photo-Isolation Chemistry (PIC) to detect genes in very small cell populations and intracellular microstructures. This new method has high potential for applications in various fields, including cancer diagnosis, and requires only minimal cost compared to existing techniques.

SourceJapan Science and Technology Agency·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 3, 2021

Reducing COVID-19 risk during dentist appointments

New research found that using electric drills instead of air-driven drills reduces aerosol spray by 99.98%, creating a safer environment for patients and dental teams. This could lead to a significant increase in treatments carried out, addressing the growing backlog of patients waiting for dental care.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalJournal of Dental Research·DateAug 3, 2021