Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News Archive August 2021 - Page 9


Page 9 of 38

Study shows certain efforts to recruit Black adults into cardiovascular disease clinical trials fall short

A systematic review of federally funded cardiovascular disease trials found that most failed to recruit adequate numbers of Black participants. Despite efforts to improve diversity, enrollment rates have not changed over time, with nearly a quarter of trials not specifying a target percentage of Black enrollees.

SourceBeth Israel Deaconess Medical Center·JournalJournal of the American Heart Association·DateAug 25, 2021

Protect habitat ‘stepping stones’ to help species cope with climate change, scientists say

A new study by the University of Liverpool warns that safe passages for species adapting to climate change are often not being protected. The researchers found that important connecting patches were left out of existing networks of protected areas, resulting in a 13.6% shortfall in connectivity.

SourceUniversity of Liverpool·JournalProceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 25, 2021

Direct observation of chaotic resonances in optical microcavities

Researchers developed a simple and robust method to map field patterns in silicon microdisks, observing resonant modes with drastically different dynamics. They confirmed chaos-assisted tunneling with unprecedented assurance by directly interrogating the dynamics inside the microcavity.

New sensor detects valuable rare earth element terbium from non-traditional sources

Researchers at Penn State developed a luminescent sensor that can detect and quantify low concentrations of terbium in complex acidic samples. The sensor uses a protein called lanmodulin, which is selectively binding to rare earth elements, and has the potential to help develop a domestic supply of these metals.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 25, 2021

Carnivore interactions are a game of risk and reward, Oregon State research shows

Researchers found coyotes often scavenge cougar kills but avoid them when not rewarded. Black bears have moderate scavenging rates and avert cougars, while bobcats show no interest in either. The study challenges traditional models of carnivore interactions, suggesting dominance hierarchies are more nuanced.

SourceOregon State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeObservational study·DateAug 25, 2021

DiLFM: an artifact-suppressed and noise-robust light-field microscopy through dictionary learning

Researchers have developed DiLFM, a dictionary-learning-based light-field microscopy that improves noise resistance and reduces artifacts. The method combines sparse signal representation and dictionary patching to produce high-quality volumetric imaging.

Severe malaria among young African children dramatically reduced through seasonal vaccination and preventative drug combination

A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that a combination of seasonal vaccination with RTS,S/AS01 E and antimalarial drugs significantly reduces clinical episodes, hospital admissions, and deaths from malaria. The results show a 70% reduction in these outcomes compared to current interventions.

SourceLondon School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateAug 25, 2021

New paper reviews gut microbiome (bacterial and fungal communities) health for fighting depression during COVID-19 pandemic

A recent study suggests that the gut microbiome plays a significant role in mental health, with disruptions in beneficial microorganisms linked to depressive disorders. The researchers propose a multifaceted approach to manage depression through rebalancing and maintaining the gut microbiome using diet, probiotics, and lifestyle changes.

SourceUniversity Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center·JournalFrontiers in Nutrition·TypeContent analysis·DateAug 25, 2021

Volcanic eruptions may have spurred first ‘whiffs’ of oxygen in Earth’s atmosphere

Researchers found that large volcanic eruptions may have stimulated population surges of marine microorganisms, creating the first puffs of oxygen into the atmosphere. This would change existing stories of Earth's early atmosphere and has implications for extraterrestrial life and climate change.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 25, 2021

Study finds praising middle school students improves on-task behavior by up to 70%

Middle school teachers who praised students more often than reprimanding them saw a significant improvement in class-wide on-task behavior, with some classrooms experiencing improvements of up to 60-70%. The study also found that high-risk students benefited from increased praise, leading to improved grades and reduced behavioral issues.

SourceBrigham Young University·JournalJournal of Positive Behavior Interventions·DateAug 25, 2021

Tailoring treatment of patients with the lung disease COPD

The study found that patients with low risk of exacerbations do not benefit from low to moderate dose inhaled corticosteroids, while high doses are associated with severe side effects. Tailoring treatment according to patient characteristics, such as age and blood cell count, can minimize over- and underuse of inhaled corticosteroids.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalThe Lancet Digital Health·TypeNews article·DateAug 25, 2021

Why do short-lived lung infections lead to long-lasting lung damage?

A study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation found that infection triggers the expression of a protein called IL-33, leading to overgrowth of air spaces and increased mucus production. The researchers suggest that blocking this process could prevent chronic lung damage caused by viral infections.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 25, 2021

New class of habitable exoplanets represent a big step forward in the search for life

Astronomers have identified a new class of habitable exoplanets dubbed 'Hycean' which are hot and ocean-covered with hydrogen-rich atmospheres, potentially supporting microbial life. These planets offer a wider habitable zone than Earth-like planets, making them promising candidates for finding biosignatures of life.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 25, 2021

Largest real-world study of COVID-19 vaccine safety published by Israel's Clalit Research Institute in The New England Journal of Medicine

A large-scale analysis of Israel's COVID-19 vaccination data found that the Pfizer/BioNTech BNT162B2 vaccine is very safe, with only a few potential side effects. The study also revealed that coronavirus infection poses a much higher risk of serious adverse events compared to vaccination.

SourceClalit Research Institute·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 25, 2021