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Science News Archive December 2021 - Page 32


Page 32 of 33

Which COVID-19 vaccine works better?

The study found that the Moderna vaccine offered a lower risk of documented infection (21% reduced), symptomatic COVID-19 (44% reduced), hospitalization (55% reduced), ICU admission (10% reduced), and death (2% reduced) compared to the Pfizer vaccine. The results suggest that either vaccine is effective, but Moderna may be slightly mor...

SourceVeterans Affairs Research Communications·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeNews article·DateDec 1, 2021

Land availability and wealth requirements shape family systems and economic structures

A new mathematical model suggests that environmental pressures, particularly land availability and wealth requirements, influence the development of family systems worldwide. The researchers found four primary family system types: pairs of extended or nuclear families with equal or biased wealth inheritance.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalHumanities and Social Sciences Communications·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateDec 1, 2021

Financial incentives help pregnant women to quit smoking

A French trial found that financial incentives improved pregnancy outcomes for smokers, with a 16% increase in continuous abstinence rate compared to no vouchers. Participants who received progressively higher financial rewards had lower nicotine withdrawal symptoms and fewer relapses.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateDec 1, 2021

SWOG researchers identify group of breast cancer patients who can skip chemo

A large clinical trial has found that postmenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer and a 21-gene recurrence score of 25 or lower can safely skip chemotherapy. In contrast, premenopausal patients with positive nodes and low RS scores benefit from chemotherapy.

SourceSWOG Cancer Research Network·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateDec 1, 2021

Unconventional T cells promote immunity to malaria

A new study reveals that gamma delta T cells play a critical role in promoting clinical protection against malaria. The unique T cell receptor on these cells enables them to recognize and tolerate Plasmodium falciparum parasite fragments, providing a vital component of an effective immune response.

SourceMonash University·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateDec 1, 2021

Research jointly led by HKUST and HKBU unlock biogeographical secrets of deep-sea limpets

A research team has unveiled four distinct habitat-linked genetic groups of deep-sea limpets in the Northwest Pacific, shedding light on their historical population divergence and contemporary gene flow. The study's findings have implications for marine biodiversity conservation and environmental management, providing a scientific basi...

SourceHong Kong University of Science and Technology·JournalMolecular Biology and Evolution·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 1, 2021

Researchers develop model for treating HIV/AIDS, depression

A new study demonstrates the effectiveness of training nurses to deliver cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) to help people with depression and uncontrolled HIV adhere to their medication regimen. Patients who completed CBT-AD sessions were more than 2.5 times more likely to achieve undetectable viral loads.

SourceUniversity of Miami·JournalJournal of the International AIDS Society·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateDec 1, 2021

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and artificial intelligence (AI) can detect early signs of tumor cell death after novel therapy

Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital have developed a method to detect early signs of tumor cell death using MRI and AI, allowing for non-invasive monitoring of cancer treatment. This approach has shown promise in detecting treatment-responsive regions in mouse brain tumors and healthy human brains.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalNature Biomedical Engineering·DateDec 1, 2021

Why cannabis smells skunky

Researchers discovered a new family of prenylated volatile sulfur compounds responsible for the characteristic skunky smell of cannabis. The findings suggest these compounds could have medicinal properties and are being investigated further.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Omega·DateDec 1, 2021

Beads of glass in meteorites help scientists piece together how solar system formed

Scientists have made new discoveries about the early solar system using meteorite glass beads. By analyzing the isotopic compositions of elements in these beads, researchers were able to determine that massive shockwaves passing through the nebula caused the extreme heating and cooling necessary for chondrule formation.

SourceUniversity of Chicago·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 1, 2021

Lunar radar data uncovers new clues about moon’s ancient past

A team of scientists has discovered a thick layer of paleoregolith on the lunar surface, which could provide insight into the Moon's early asteroid impact and volcanic history. The findings suggest the paleoregolith formed much faster than previously estimated, with implications for understanding meteoric activity in the solar system.

SourcePenn State·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateDec 1, 2021

COVID-19 mobile robot could detect and tackle social distancing breaches

A new COVID-19 mobile robot detects social distancing breaches in crowds and encourages people to move apart using a novel system that employs Deep Reinforcement Learning and Frozone algorithm. The robot also incorporates a thermal camera for contact-tracing efforts, ensuring privacy protection and de-identification.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateDec 1, 2021

Research reveals new evidence that sugary beverage tax impacts are sustainable, effective

Two new studies published by researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago show that sugar-sweetened beverages taxes are effective and sustainable in reducing consumption. The Seattle data analysis found a 59% tax pass-through rate, a 22% reduction in volume sold of taxed beverages, and a net 19% reduction in grams of sugar sold fr...

SourceUniversity of Illinois Chicago·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateDec 1, 2021

Major life events influence level of physical activity, may negatively impact heart health

A new American Heart Association scientific statement highlights how major life events, such as starting school or entering retirement, can negatively impact physical activity levels and heart health. The statement emphasizes the need for proactive measures to address this issue and provides guidance for healthcare professionals to pro...

SourceAmerican Heart Association·JournalCirculation·DateDec 1, 2021

Unorthodox “exercise in a pill” could offer simple solution for at-risk patients

A team of Australian researchers has made significant breakthroughs in understanding the benefits of exercise on retinal health and function. By identifying unique molecular signals, they aim to develop a supplement that can harness these benefits for patients who are unable to engage in physical activity.

SourceAustralian National University·JournalClinical and Experimental Ophthalmology·TypeLiterature review·DateDec 1, 2021

Improving a different kind of mobile network

A novel dynamic event-triggered scheduling approach is proposed to solve the platooning control problem, demonstrating effective trade-off between performance and efficient communication. The researchers aim to further investigate resource-efficient control strategies to preserve satisfactory operational performance.

SourceChinese Association of Automation·JournalIEEE/CAA Journal of Automatica Sinica·DateDec 1, 2021

Which role models are best for STEM? Researchers offer recommendations in new analysis

A new analysis provides guidelines for deploying effective role models to encourage learning across diverse populations. The study suggests that features like perceived competence, similarity, and attainability of success are key to motivating students, while portraying extreme levels of role model competence can backfire.

SourceNew York University·JournalInternational Journal of STEM Education·TypeLiterature review·DateDec 1, 2021

Study finds parental stress as a contributing factor linking maternal depression to child anxiety and depressive symptoms

A secondary analysis found a bi-directional relationship between mother's mental health symptoms and child's mental health symptoms, with parental stress as the mediating factor. The study suggests that lowering parental stress is vital for families where mothers and children exhibit symptoms of anxiety and depression.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at Houston·JournalJournal of Affective Disorders·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateDec 1, 2021

Satellites to enable monitoring of CO2 emissions

Researchers have developed a model that can calculate individual countries' carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuel burning using space observations. This could lead to more accurate national CO2 emission inventories, helping to achieve the Paris Agreement's 1.5-degree target and reduce global warming.

SourceLund University·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateDec 1, 2021

Shining new light on elusive flying bats

An international research team developed a novel sampling method called 'bat point counts' to detect and count flying bats. The new technique showed that insect-eating bats are more common than previously thought in oil palm plantations, playing a significant role in suppressing insect pests.

SourceUniversity of Göttingen·JournalEcology and Evolution·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 1, 2021

Policy interventions could help farmers economically survive in vulnerable regions

Researchers found that without policy interventions, smallholder farmers in Nepal will lose a quarter of their incomes by 2050 due to climate change. However, providing farmers with financial tools like cash transfers and access to insurance can improve household income and reduce inequality.

SourcePrinceton School of Public and International Affairs·JournalNature Climate Change·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateDec 1, 2021