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Science News for December 23, 2021


The Lancet: Phase 3 trial reports one dose of Ad5-nCoV COVID-19 vaccine is safe and effective, including against severe disease

A phase 3 trial has shown that one dose of the Ad5-nCoV COVID-19 vaccine is highly effective against severe disease, with an efficacy rate of 91.7% at 28 days post-vaccination. The vaccine has also been found to be safe, with no serious vaccine-related adverse events or deaths reported among trial participants.

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateDec 23, 2021

"Heavy" hydrogen stabilizes drugs

Researchers at the University of Bonn have developed a new method to introduce heavy hydrogen isotopes into drugs, potentially making them more effective. The technique involves the use of epoxides and a titanium-based catalyst, allowing for precise control over the placement of deuterium atoms.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalAngewandte Chemie·DateDec 23, 2021

‘Pop-up’ electronic sensors could detect when individual heart cells misbehave

Scientists have created a new tool that monitors the electrical activity inside individual heart cells using tiny 'pop-up' sensors. The device directly measures signal movement and speed within single heart cells and between multiple cells, offering potential breakthroughs in diagnosing arrhythmia and cardiac fibrosis.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalNature Nanotechnology·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 23, 2021

Cochlear implant in deaf children with autism can improve language skills and social engagement

A study by Ann & Robert H Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago found that cochlear implantation can improve language skills and social engagement in deaf children with autism spectrum disorder. The study reported improved outcomes in 86% of children, including enhanced communication and interaction with families.

Researchers use electron microscope to turn nanotube into tiny transistor

Researchers from Australia, China, Japan and Russia successfully created a tiny transistor 25,000 times smaller than a human hair using an electron microscope. The innovation demonstrates the ability to control the electronic properties of individual carbon nanotubes, opening up new possibilities for the development of tiny transistors.

SourceQueensland University of Technology·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 23, 2021

Association of imprisonment with mortality by race

A study of nearly 8,000 people found incarceration to be linked to a higher mortality rate among Black individuals, whereas non-Black participants did not experience this association. The research suggests that racial disparities may play a role in the relationship between imprisonment and mortality.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateDec 23, 2021

Visual displays in space station culture

Researchers analyzed thousands of space station photographs to discover that Russian cosmonauts use walls to display religious icons and Soviet heroes, reflecting national identity and cultural heritage. This study has practical applications for long-duration space missions, where understanding human identity and society is crucial.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalCurrent Anthropology·TypeSystematic review·DateDec 23, 2021

Improving medication treatment leads to dramatic gains in emergency department care for opioid use disorder

A program at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine increased buprenorphine treatment rates in emergency departments by sixfold, from 3% to 23%, and sustained the changes. The program used behavioral design tactics and automated connections to peer recovery specialists to overcome barriers to treatment.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalAnnals of Emergency Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 23, 2021

Examining recent developments in quantum chromodynamics

A new collection of papers investigates recent advancements in quantum chromodynamics, highlighting the challenges posed by divergent perturbation expansions and renormalon behavior. Experts tackle these problems from diverse angles, aiming to improve precision QCD for future accelerator facilities.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal Special Topics·DateDec 23, 2021

First peer-reviewed study on excess mortality in India during the COVID-19 pandemic published in Lancet Infectious Diseases

The study found that excess deaths occurred at a rate of 5.2 per 1000 residents, representing a 41% increase over typical mortality levels. Excess mortality was substantially higher in older age groups and communities with lower socioeconomic status during the second wave.

SourceCenter for Disease Dynamics, Economics & Policy·JournalThe Lancet Infectious Diseases·DateDec 23, 2021

Earth's first giant

A newly discovered species of giant ichthyosaur, the earliest known, has been found in Nevada, shedding new light on the rapid growth of marine reptiles. The discovery, dated to 246 million years ago, is significant as it provides insights into the evolution of whales and dolphins.

Wildlife cameras show how foxes, racoons, stone martens and domestic cats get along in Berlin before and during Covid 19 lockdowns

A study using wildlife cameras in Berlin gardens found that foxes, raccoons, and martens avoided domestic cats, while cats exerted dominance over local wildlife. Lockdowns allowed scientists to observe interactions between these species in urban environments, shedding light on their rules and behaviors.

SourceLeibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW)·JournalJournal of Animal Ecology·TypeMeta-analysis·DateDec 23, 2021

High-fiber diet associated with improved progression-free survival and response to immunotherapy in melanoma patients

Patients with sufficient fiber intake had improved progression-free survival and response to immunotherapy in melanoma. A high-fiber diet was associated with slower tumor growth and increased CD4+ T cells in pre-clinical models, supporting the potential benefits of dietary interventions on cancer treatment outcomes.