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Science News Archive December 2021 - Page 33


Page 33 of 33

Hydrogen produced from offshore wind in China can help Japan reach its greenhouse gas emissions goals

A team of researchers explored the possibility of producing hydrogen from offshore wind in China and delivering it to Japan at a cost competitive with the country's future projections. The study found that Chinese-produced hydrogen could supply Japan's net-zero transition needs by 2030, even under a high-cost scenario.

Better public health messaging is needed to improve vitamin D intake and status within the black community, says a new study

Researchers found that over 37% of African Caribbean individuals in the UK Biobank had vitamin D deficiency, with insufficient levels prevalent among more than 95% of the black community population. Public health messaging is needed to promote vitamin D supplementation and intake of food rich in vitamin D.

SourceUniversity of Surrey·JournalNutrients·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateDec 1, 2021

Climatic changes and overfishing depleted Baltic herring long before industrialization

A new study reveals that commercial fish stocks, including cod and herring, have been depleted for centuries due to overfishing and environmental changes. The research uses historical sources to show that the Baltic herring population collapsed in the 16th century, with a similar decline observed in cod stocks today.

SourceGerman Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig·JournalHansische Geschichtsblätter·TypeLiterature review·DateDec 1, 2021

Deep learning dreams up new protein structures

A team of researchers, including those from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and the University of Washington, have developed a neural network that can predict protein shapes with high accuracy. The network was trained on random protein sequences and generated 2,000 new proteins, many of which were successfully produced in the lab.

SourceRensselaer Polytechnic Institute·JournalNature·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateDec 1, 2021

Scientists may have solved an important part of the mystery of ultra-rare blood clots linked to adenovirus-based COVID-19 vaccines

An international team of scientists has discovered a molecular mechanism behind the rare blood clots linked to adenovirus-based COVID-19 vaccines. The study suggests that the viral vector and platelet factor 4 (PF4) interaction may trigger an immune response, leading to blood clots in a small number of people.

SourceArizona State University·JournalScience Advances·DateDec 1, 2021

International study reveals COVID-19 vaccination rates among people living with HIV

An international study has revealed that COVID-19 vaccination rates among people living with HIV are similar to those in the general population, but vary significantly across geographic regions. The overall vaccination rate was found to be 55%, with higher rates in high-income countries and lower rates in Sub-Saharan Africa.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalThe Journal of Infectious Diseases·DateDec 1, 2021

Texas astronomers discover strangely massive black hole in Milky Way satellite galaxy

Astronomers at UT Austin's McDonald Observatory have discovered a massively dense black hole at the center of dwarf satellite galaxy Leo I, revealing an unprecedented mass ratio between the galaxy and its central black hole. This finding shakes up our understanding of galaxy evolution and dark matter distribution.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·TypeObservational study·DateDec 1, 2021

Viral evolution in animals could reveal future of COVID-19

A recent study by Colorado State University researchers found that COVID-19 can evolve and spread rapidly among animal species after infection from humans. The team analyzed mutation types occurring in cats, dogs, ferrets, and hamsters, discovering a broad range of viral variants that emerged and became prevalent.

SourceColorado State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 1, 2021

$4.6 million NIH grant to study mechanical ventilator protocols for COVID and other critically-ill ICU patients

The $4.6 million NIH grant will help implement a telehealth-enabled audit and feedback process to monitor adherence to recognized standards of care in 14 Intermountain Healthcare ICUs. This study aims to reduce the time patients spend on mechanical ventilators, improving lung protective mechanical ventilation best practices.

SourceIntermountain Healthcare·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateDec 1, 2021

Intelligent transistor developed at TU Wien

Scientists at TU Wien have developed a novel germanium-based transistor with the ability to perform different logical tasks, offering improved adaptability and flexibility in chip design. This technology has potential applications in artificial intelligence, neural networks, and logic circuits that work with more than just 0 and 1.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalACS Nano·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 1, 2021

Widespread vaginal condition could lead to emergency caesarean section

A new study by researchers at the University of Copenhagen found that an imbalance in vaginal bacteria is associated with a higher risk of emergency caesarean section. The study analyzed 1,396 samples from 736 pregnant women and discovered that those with greater levels of imbalance were more likely to deliver via C-section.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - Faculty of Science·JournalClinical Microbiology and Infection·DateDec 1, 2021

Headwater refuges

A team studied wildfire impacts on streams in parts of the Los Padres National Forest, finding that stream headwaters serve as refuges for aquatic species during fires and droughts. The study's findings suggest that protecting these areas is crucial for maintaining watershed resilience and biodiversity.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalFreshwater Science·DateDec 1, 2021

Eye imaging technology breaks through skin by crossing beams

Duke researchers developed a method to increase the depth of view of optical coherence tomography (OCT), allowing for clear images from beyond a millimeter beneath the skin's surface. The new technique, known as dual-axis OCT, tilts the light source and detector to collect more scattered light from deep tissues.

SourceDuke University·JournalBiomedical Optics Express·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 1, 2021