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Science News Archive December 2021 - Page 26


Page 26 of 33

Novel chemical design makes hard crystals stretchy

Researchers have designed porous, carbon-based crystals that can stretch to more than twice their length, making them suitable for nanofiltration and pollutant removal. By adding 'soft joints' into the crystal's scaffold, they can be disrupted by specific chemicals, causing the crystal to expand and contract rapidly.

SourceDartmouth College·JournalChem·DateDec 7, 2021

Scientists discover triboionization in discontinuous atmospheric pressure inlet for miniature ion trap mass spectrometer

Researchers from Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics discovered triboionization in a discontinuous atmospheric pressure interface, enabling analytes to be detected without an extra ionization source. By adjusting the pinch valve frequency, signal intensity was improved by nearly 20 times.

SourceDalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy Sciences·JournalAnalytical Chemistry·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateDec 7, 2021

Smart transformable nanoparticles promise advances in tumor diagnoses, treatment

Researchers have developed smart transformable nanoparticles that can alter their size and shape in response to physiological conditions, improving particle circulation, biodistribution, and targeted therapy for cancer theranostics. These particles promise enhanced tumor diagnoses and treatment by adapting to the physiology of tumors.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Reviews·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 7, 2021

Better understanding impact of shame on HIV patients can help improve healthcare, study argues

A recent study published in lambda nordica suggests that recognizing the psychological, social, and physical effects of shame on HIV patients is crucial for enhancing their medical treatment. The research argues that healthcare workers should be more aware of how shame contributes to poor health outcomes, particularly in individuals wi...

SourceUniversity of Exeter·Journallambda nordica·TypeObservational study·DateDec 7, 2021

Hybrid strategy captures a larger picture of wild mandrills

Researchers at Kyoto University used a hybrid strategy to study wild mandrill movement patterns, combining direct tracking with camera trap data. The findings show that mandrill groups change their travel speed during the day and exhibit flexible dietary and ranging behaviors influenced by seasonality.

SourceKyoto University·JournalJournal of Mammalogy·TypeObservational study·DateDec 7, 2021

Unique look at the self-destruction of a star is presented in 3D

Researchers have captured a 1,000-year-old supernova in 3D images, revealing unprecedented details about the elements ejected during a star's explosion. The study provides a three-dimensional map of these elements, shedding light on the conditions at the time of the explosion and the importance of asymmetries in supernovae.

SourceKTH, Royal Institute of Technology·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·TypeImaging analysis·DateDec 7, 2021

LSU Health New Orleans study finds dramatic drop in opioid rx after state legislation enacted

A LSU Health New Orleans study reports a nearly 70% decrease in morphine milligram equivalent (MME) per discharge opioid prescriptions for patients who underwent common lower extremity surgical procedures. The study also found a significant decline in new opioid prescriptions, from 50% in 2013 to 19.3% in 2018.

SourceLouisiana State University Health Sciences Center·JournalJournal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons·TypeSystematic review·DateDec 7, 2021

Urbanization improves out-group trust

Research conducted in rural and urban Chinese villages found that residents of Jincheng gave more tokens to strangers than those from Liangang, suggesting increased trust in out-group members. Effective governance was also linked to higher levels of out-group trust, contradicting concerns about urbanization eroding community bonds.

SourceXi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University·JournalJournal of Economic Psychology·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 7, 2021

Impact of obesity and metabolic disorders on severity of COVID-19 and vaccine-breakthrough infections

A study found that obesity is associated with severe COVID-19 outcomes, including hospital admission or death. Additionally, accelerated immunosenescence may be a key mechanism explaining the relationship between obesity and T2DM in severe COVID-19. Vaccination effectiveness may also be impacted by metabolic disorders.

SourceDeutsches Zentrum fuer Diabetesforschung DZD·JournalNature Reviews Endocrinology·TypeSystematic review·DateDec 7, 2021

Face masks help jurors tell lies from truth

Researchers from University of Portsmouth and John Jay College of Criminal Justice found that face masks do not hamper a jury's decision making. Instead, they improve the ability to differentiate between truth and lies by reducing non-verbal behaviors.

SourceUniversity of Portsmouth·JournalJournal of Applied Research in Memory and Cognition·TypeLiterature review·DateDec 7, 2021

Digital pill system tracks HIV prevention pill adherence with 98 percent accuracy

A digital pill system has been found to be a feasible and accurate intervention for tracking HIV prevention pill adherence, with 98% accuracy. The system uses radiofrequency transmitters and wearable reader devices to track pill ingestion, providing a novel solution for individuals with low compliance.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalJournal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes & Human Retrovirology·DateDec 7, 2021

Ferocious fungus

Scientists at the University of Utah studied the defense mechanism of Armillaria ostoyae, a parasitic fungus that infects and kills over 600 types of woody plants. They found that the fungus's outer layer has a strong protective role, containing calcium to protect itself from chemicals and insects.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalJournal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials·TypeObservational study·DateDec 7, 2021

A new drug target for kidney disease

A new study led by Prof. Motoko Yanagita found that the suppression of two molecules, CD153 and CD30, expressed on immune cells mitigates the progression of kidney disease in aged kidneys. This discovery identifies a promising therapeutic target for kidney treatment in the elderly.

SourceKyoto University·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 7, 2021

Severe COVID could reduce male fertility

A recent study suggests that severe COVID-19 may cause long-term damage to the testes, leading to reduced sperm count and quality. The virus's interaction with testicular cells and potential effects on fertility are being explored through an experimental framework.

SourceUniversity of Georgia·JournalNature Reviews Urology·DateDec 7, 2021

Saving patients an unnecessary procedure

A new web-based application can predict which epilepsy patients will not benefit from stereo-electroencephalography (SEEG), a costly and invasive procedure. The '5-SENSE' score reliably identifies patients who will not have a focal seizure onset zone, allowing clinicians to avoid unnecessary procedures.

SourceMcGill University·JournalJAMA Neurology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateDec 6, 2021

Discovering new drugs with Darwin

Chemists at UNIGE have developed a new method to rapidly generate millions of molecule combinations using DNA-pairing processes, finding the best match for target proteins within two weeks. This technique uses evolutionary forces to amplify the best combinations and generates diversity.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalNature Chemistry·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 6, 2021

Turbo boost for materials research: Researchers train AI to predict new compounds

A new machine learning-based algorithm can predict stable material compounds much faster than traditional methods, opening up new avenues for research and discovery. The researchers identified several thousand potential new compounds using the computer, offering a promising breakthrough in materials science.

SourceMartin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg·JournalScience Advances·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateDec 6, 2021

Recent cannabis use linked to extremes of nightly sleep duration

A study of US adults found a link between cannabis use and extremes of nightly sleep duration, with recent users more likely to report short or long sleep. Heavy users were 64% more likely to experience short sleep and 76% more likely to experience long sleep compared to non-users.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalRegional Anesthesia & Pain Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateDec 6, 2021

NUS Medicine cardiovascular research team develops anticoagulant drugs with high anticlotting efficacy and minimal bleeding

The NUS Medicine team developed a series of thrombin inhibitors from tick transcriptome-derived sequences, offering potent anticoagulants with reduced bleeding risks. These next-generation anticoagulants hold promise for treating conditions like heart attacks, strokes, and SARS-CoV-2 infections.

SourceNational University of Singapore, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 6, 2021