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Science News Archive August 2021 - Page 36


Page 36 of 38

Cancer treatments didn’t falter in Australia during 2020 COVID-19 lockdowns

A big data study from UNSW Sydney found that Australian cancer patients kept up their pharmaceutical treatments during last year's COVID-19 lockdowns. The researchers attribute the good news to relatively low rates of COVID-19 infections in Australia, which minimally impacted cancer treatment patterns.

SourceUniversity of New South Wales·JournalThe Lancet Regional Health - Western Pacific·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 3, 2021

High-dose gait training with robotic exoskeleton may improve function after acute stroke

Researchers found that high-dose gait training using a robotic exoskeleton can restore functional ambulation in individuals with moderate to severe hemiplegia caused by stroke. The study showed improvements in walking distance, speed, balance, and endurance, with no complications or falls reported.

SourceKessler Foundation·JournalNeuroRehabilitation An International Interdisciplinary Journal·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 3, 2021

More variants TLR7 gene found in young healthy men with severe Covid-19

Researchers found two new TLR7 gene variants in young, healthy men with severe Covid-19, highlighting the importance of genetic screenings for early intervention. These variants were associated with impaired immune response and increased risk of serious illness, emphasizing the need for preventive vaccination strategies.

SourceRadboud University Medical Center·JournalFrontiers in Immunology·TypeCase study·DateAug 3, 2021

Polymeric nanomicelles improve internalization of lipid metabolism modulators in brain cells

Researchers have developed poly-ion complex (PIC) nanomicelles loaded with CPT1A inhibitors to deliver drugs into brain cells, reducing fatty acid oxidation and improving treatment for glioblastoma. The delivery system successfully increased cellular concentration of the cargo and biological activity.

SourceInnovation Center of NanoMedicine·JournalBiomaterials Science·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 3, 2021

Indigenous fire stewardship promotes global biodiversity

A new study by researchers at the University of Waterloo found that Indigenous fire stewardship increases biodiversity and ecosystem heterogeneity across all major terrestrial biomes. Cultural burning reduces risks of interface fires and has important cultural practices for resource management, community protection, and cultural purposes.

SourceUniversity of Waterloo·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 3, 2021

Barriers to voting in elections linked to increased odds of being uninsured

A study by Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health found that voting restrictions are associated with an increased risk of being uninsured. The study analyzed data from 242,727 adults in the US and found that those who face barriers to voting are also less likely to have health insurance.

SourceColumbia University's Mailman School of Public Health·JournalThe Lancet Regional Health - Americas·DateAug 3, 2021

Trains in the brain -- Scientists uncover switching system used in information processing and memory

Researchers discovered a dynamic system in the brain that allows for multiple functions within a single neural circuit, enabling efficient information processing and memory recall. The study found that specific activity patterns, known as dentate spikes, play a crucial role in switching between these functions.

SourceNew York University·JournalCell Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 3, 2021

New report: State of the science on western wildfires, forests and climate change

A synthesis of scientific literature provides a unified resource for managing western forests and addressing the impacts of climate change on wildfires. The report recommends approaches such as thinning dense forests, prescribed burning, and revitalizing Indigenous fire stewardship practices to make landscapes more resilient.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalEcological Applications·TypeLiterature review·DateAug 3, 2021

Dental mitigation strategies to reduce aerosolization of SARS-CoV-2

Researchers developed a 'phantom head' model to measure aerosol dispersal in dental procedures and determined the efficacy of HSCAHs, rubber dam, and high-volume aspiration in reducing bioaerosol levels. The study suggests that these mitigation strategies can greatly attenuate the risk of SARS-CoV-2 dispersion.

Breath test to determine correct treatment for epilepsy

Researchers at the University of Basel developed a breath test to measure treatment success in epilepsy patients. The test provides immediate results without requiring a blood sample, allowing doctors to adjust medication quickly and precisely tailored to individual patients' needs.

SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalCommunications Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateAug 3, 2021

The music of silence: Imagining a song triggers similar brain activity to moments of mid-music silence

Researchers used EEGs to measure brain activity while musicians listened to or imagined Bach piano melodies, finding consistent patterns of neural activity during silent intervals. The study suggests that the brain reacts to both notes and silences of music, engaging in a continuous attempt to predict upcoming musical events.

SourceTrinity College Dublin·JournalJNeurosci·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 3, 2021

Synthetic hinge could hold key to revolutionary 'smart' insulin therapy

A synthetic hinge concept developed by Indiana University School of Medicine Professor Michael A. Weiss and his team could lead to a breakthrough in 'smart' insulin therapy. The invention exploits a natural mechanism that allows the insulin to adjust its activity based on blood glucose levels, which could transform diabetes care.

SourceIndiana University School of Medicine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 2, 2021

New material offers ecofriendly solution to converting waste heat into energy

Researchers have developed a high-performing thermoelectric material that converts heat to electricity with record-high efficiency, making it suitable for widespread industrial applications. The purified tin selenide in polycrystalline form overcomes earlier oxidation problems, enabling the production of low-cost and efficient devices.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalNature Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 2, 2021

Women are under-cited and men are over-cited in communication

A new study found that men are over-cited and women are under-cited in Communication journals, with papers authored by men showing a 14% overcitation rate compared to papers authored by women, who are under-cited by 20%. The researchers propose tools to help academics evaluate their citation practices and promote gender equality.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalAnnals of the International Communication Association·DateAug 2, 2021

New model shows how cities can safely lift COVID-19 restrictions

A new model developed by NYU Tandon School of Engineering researchers provides a data-centric approach to reopening towns and can serve as a blueprint for areas with low vaccine rates. The model shows that increasing access to social gatherings and public transportation at a certain rate supports a safe, rapid reopening.

SourceNYU Tandon School of Engineering·JournalAdvanced Theory and Simulations·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 2, 2021

Hunting for TB's most vulnerable genes

Scientists at Rockefeller University have discovered that essential gene targets in TB bacteria can be ranked by their degree of vulnerability to antibiotics. The study found that ideal targets are highly susceptible to inhibition, while invulnerable genes can withstand nearly total inhibition. This research provides new insights into ...

SourceRockefeller University·JournalCell·DateAug 2, 2021

Study across 87 countries shows simple intervention helps build emotional resilience during COVID-19

Researchers found that reappraisal strategies consistently reduced negative emotions and increased positive emotions among participants from 87 countries. The study's findings demonstrate the viability of creating scalable, low-cost interventions to build resilience during the pandemic and beyond.

SourceHarvard Kennedy School·JournalNature Human Behaviour·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 2, 2021

Poor wellbeing at work in healthcare also affects patient satisfaction

A study by University of Jyväskylä researchers found that increased job demands in healthcare lead to employee exhaustion and lower customer satisfaction. The study also discovered that work community's shared experience of increased job planning demands contributes to greater exhaustion and lower customer satisfaction.

SourceUniversity of Jyväskylä - Jyväskylän yliopisto·JournalJournal of Advanced Nursing·DateAug 2, 2021

Preoperative screening urinalysis is widely used—but usually unnecessary, study finds

A new study by researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital found that preoperative urinalysis screening for asymptomatic patients undergoing surgery has little or no benefit. However, the test may lead to unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions and exposure to potential harms, including Clostridium difficile infection.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 2, 2021

Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia researchers identify approach for potential nontypeable haemophilus influenzae vaccine

Researchers identified two proteins, HMW1 and HMW2, that stimulate protective immunity against diverse NTHi strains. Immunization with these proteins provides protection against bacterial colonization by other strains, highlighting the vaccine potential for a nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae vaccine.

SourceChildren's Hospital of Philadelphia·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 2, 2021

Story tips: Sensing oil leaks, 3D prints in space, more fuel from ethanol, Arctic modeling boost, making isotopes faster and nano-enabled microscopy

Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory are advancing various technologies to minimize oil leaks, enable 3D printing in space, and increase fuel efficiency from ethanol. They have developed a quantum sensing system to detect pipeline leaks more quickly, built a thermal protection shield for a capsule launched into space, and creat...

SourceDOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory·JournalNature·TypeImaging analysis·DateAug 2, 2021

Seeing better by looking away

Researchers at University of Bonn found that fixing objects slightly away from the center of cone density improves overall vision. The observed image shift is due to the varying resolution across the human retina, with sharper areas in the fovea and less sharp areas in the periphery.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalCurrent Biology·DateAug 2, 2021

Rethinking remdesivir

Researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine modified remdesivir to create an oral version that can be taken earlier in COVID-19 diagnoses. The revised drug proved effective and safe in cell and animal studies.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalAntimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy·DateAug 2, 2021

Is right-wing authoritarianism a cognitive conservatism?

A new study published in the Social Bulletin of Psychology found that right-wing authoritarianism is more closely tied to how people acquire positive attitudes than changing them. The researchers suggest that individuals with RWA tend to be more sensitive to negative information, leading them to stick to positive information and avoid ...

SourceThe Polish Association of Social Psychology·JournalSocial Psychological Bulletin·DateAug 2, 2021

Researchers uncover a way to harness the power of immunotherapy for advanced prostate cancer

Researchers have found a way to harness the power of immunotherapy for advanced prostate cancer by targeting a protein called PIKfyve. Blocking PIKfyve with the inhibitor ESK981 has been shown to increase tumor death and recruit immune T cells, offering new hope for patients with this challenging form of cancer.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalNature Cancer·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 2, 2021

Gene sequencing tools pinpoint origins of Bundibugyo virus disease outbreak

A new study published in Cell Reports Medicine reveals the origins of a 2012 Bundibugyo virus disease outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The analysis, conducted by an international team, used high-throughput sequencing to identify multiple virus 'spillover' events that contributed to the outbreak. This research highlights th...

SourceUS Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases·JournalCell Reports Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateAug 2, 2021

International project provides definitive data on how key cancer drugs work

Researchers analyzed patient specimens and clinical trial data from thousands of patients to assess the importance of immune cell molecules called Fc gamma receptors (FCGRs) in the therapeutic efficacy of two antibody drugs. High levels of FCGR2B on tumor cells were found to prevent rituximab efficacy, while obinutuzumab was not impact...

SourceUniversity of Southampton·JournalBlood Advances·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 2, 2021