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Science News Archive December 2021 - Page 27


Page 27 of 33

CEHD researchers receive funding for traineeship for special education personnel: A dynamic coaching outreach program in SPED: General Curriculum (DCOP)

Researchers at George Mason University are refining a dynamic coaching outreach program to improve the preparation of special education personnel. The project, funded by the US Department of Education, aims to enhance university supervisors' coaching skills and prepare inservice teacher candidates for active reflection and mentorship.

Diagnosis from the sky: Catching insect infestations within forests before it’s too late

Researchers at the Global Environmental Remote Sensing Laboratory are working on improving remote sensing technology to detect subtle changes in forest ecosystems. They have developed a method called PIDS, which can adapt to specific user-targeted specific change detection, and paired it with Landsat data to monitor forest health and c...

SourceUniversity of Connecticut·JournalRemote Sensing of Environment·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateDec 6, 2021

People unknowingly group themselves together online, fueling political polarization across the US

Researchers found that when people react to news, they unknowingly group themselves into polarized networks, missing out on diverse news sources. This can lead to ideologically homogenous social connections and contribute to the high rates of American political divisiveness.

SourcePrinceton School of Public and International Affairs·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateDec 6, 2021

Targeted nanomedicine reduces vascular lesions, could help prevent stenosis

A new targeted nanomedicine treatment developed at the University of Chicago has shown promise in reducing vascular lesions caused by atherosclerosis. The treatment delivers medicine directly to inflamed cells, targeting the site of inflammation and inhibiting stenosis, the remodeling of vascular tissue that causes it to close off.

SourceUniversity of Chicago·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 6, 2021

Chemoimmunotherapy dramatically improved survival of high-risk neuroblastoma patients

A phase II clinical trial at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital found significantly higher survival rates for children with high-risk neuroblastoma treated with chemoimmunotherapy and the humanized monoclonal antibody hu14.18K322A, resulting in a three-year disease-free survival rate of 73.7% and an overall survival rate of 86%.

SourceSt. Jude Children's Research Hospital·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·DateDec 6, 2021

Migratory birds have lighter-colored feathers

Researchers found that migratory bird species tend to be lighter colored than non-migratory species, reducing the risk of overheating during extreme journeys. The study's findings suggest that lighter plumage coloration helps birds absorb less heat and stay cooler in the hot sun.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·TypeObservational study·DateDec 6, 2021

Self-administered cognition test predicts early signs of dementia sooner

A new study developed by researchers at Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center found that a simple, self-administered test can identify early signs of dementia sooner than the most commonly used office-based standard cognitive test. The Self-Administered Gerocognitive Examination (SAGE test) accurately identified patients with mil...

SourceOhio State University Wexner Medical Center·JournalAlzheimer s Research & Therapy·DateDec 6, 2021

Persistent gender bias found in scientific research and related course materials: A long-term linguistic analysis

Two studies published in Language reveal persistent gender bias in both peer-reviewed journal articles and course materials used in linguistics. Linguistics textbooks exhibit male-gendered protagonists more often, while research articles show stereotypes about men and women, with non-binary identities absent.

SourceLinguistic Society of America·JournalLanguage·TypeMeta-analysis·DateDec 6, 2021

How daily stress during COVID-19 affected parents’ discipline

A study of 323 parents found that daily stress levels, especially in the afternoon and evening, led to increased use of corporal punishment and psychological aggression. The researchers suggest that parents' stress levels in the moment may play a greater role in their discipline practices than overall stress levels.

SourceOhio State University·JournalJournal of Family Violence·TypeObservational study·DateDec 6, 2021

Viewing artists as community problem-solvers increases support for public funding for artists, study shows

A new study found that people who see artists as collaborators in their local communities are more likely to support public funding for artists. The researchers also discovered that individuals with liberal views, blacks, Hispanics, and those with a college education are more supportive of public funding.

New type of earthquake discovered

Researchers have documented a new type of slow earthquake in British Columbia, Canada, triggered by hydraulic fracturing. The events exhibit unique features suggesting they rupture more slowly than conventional earthquakes, challenging the current understanding of induced earthquakes.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 6, 2021

Powerful new tool makes coral reef monitoring faster, easier, cheaper

Researchers have developed a powerful new tool that can determine the diversity of hard corals on a reef by analyzing DNA in seawater samples. This method is faster, easier, and less expensive than traditional visual identification, allowing for more accurate coral reef conservation and restoration.

SourceOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University·JournalFrontiers in Marine Science·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 6, 2021

Chemotherapy fails for some blood cancer patients because of crucial gene mutations, finds study by NTU Singapore and Singapore General Hospital

A recent study by NTU Singapore and Singapore General Hospital found that mutations in the DDX3X gene are responsible for chemotherapy resistance in some blood cancer patients. The study also discovered that STAT inhibitors can effectively kill lymphoma cells with DDX3X mutations, providing hope for new treatment options.

SourceNanyang Technological University·JournalMolecular Cancer·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 6, 2021

Spaceflight wreaks havoc on liver metabolism

A study found that spaceflight alters liver gene expression and reduces antioxidant capacity in mice, leading to increased oxidative stress. However, exposure to artificial gravity can mitigate some of these effects, suggesting potential for dietary supplementation to offset changes during spaceflight.

SourceUniversity of Tsukuba·JournalScientific Reports·DateDec 6, 2021

Terrain, weather can predict wild pig movements

Wild pigs establish home ranges along preferred habitats of bottomland hardwood swamps and are influenced by air temperature and weather conditions. Researchers at UGA's Savannah River Ecology Lab tracked 49 wild pigs with radio collars to shed light on pig movements, which can inform management decisions.

SourceUniversity of Georgia·JournalPest Management Science·DateDec 6, 2021

1 in 10 cardiology trainee doctors in UK say they have been bullied

A survey of UK cardiology trainees reveals that bullying is a pervasive problem, with 1 in 10 reporting being subjected to abusive behavior. Women and those who qualified outside the UK are disproportionately affected, highlighting a need for targeted measures to address workplace bullying in medicine.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalHeart·TypeObservational study·DateDec 6, 2021