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Science News Archive February 2021


Page 1 of 45

Pumping perovskites into a semiconductor platform

Materials scientists have created a method to incorporate diverse perovskite materials into silicon-based semiconductor platforms using microfluidic pumping technology. This innovation enables the creation of complex optoelectronic devices on a single chip, offering potential applications in fields like lab-on-a-chip technology.

SourceKing Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST)·JournalCell Reports Physical Science·DateFeb 28, 2021

Sensing suns

Red supergiants are extremely bright but difficult to study due to their complex upper atmospheres. Astronomers have now developed a new technique to estimate their surface temperatures using iron absorption lines. By combining these temperatures with accurate distance measurements, researchers found consistent results with theory.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateFeb 28, 2021

Climate change threatens European forests

More than half of Europe's forests are at risk from climate-driven disturbances, with large trees and old trees particularly vulnerable to extreme weather conditions and insect infestations. Climate change is projected to increase the frequency and severity of these events, posing significant threats to European forest ecosystems.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 27, 2021

Investigating dense plasmas with positron waves

A new study assesses the dynamics of positron acoustic waves in electron-positron-ion plasmas under magnetic fields, finding compressive and rarefactive solitary waves. The team's results provide insight into magnetoplasma behavior in astrophysical contexts, such as solar winds and auroral acceleration regions.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal D·DateFeb 26, 2021

New journal launched, The International Journal of Gastroenterology & Hepatology Diseases

The International Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Diseases is a new subscription-based journal publishing articles on global significance gastrointestinal and liver diseases. It aims to publish experimental and theoretical results in detail, covering advancements in management and diagnosis of diseases.

SourceBentham Science Publishers·JournalThe International Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Diseases·DateFeb 26, 2021

Quantum quirk yields giant magnetic effect, where none should exist

Researchers from Rice University and international collaborations discovered a nonmagnetic quantum material exhibiting the Hall effect without an applied magnetic field. The effect is more than 1,000 times larger than expected, revealing the role of topology in strong correlations and potential applications for quantum computation.

SourceRice University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 26, 2021

SARS-CoV-2 mutations in competition

Researchers demonstrated the D614G mutation's increased binding to human cells and replication speed, confirming its dominance over the original SARS-CoV-2 virus. The study used hamsters and ferrets as models to evaluate transmission dynamics in direct competition between variants.

SourceUniversity of Bern·JournalNature·DateFeb 26, 2021

Finding their comfort zone

Researchers discovered artificial microswimmers slow down and accumulate in low-fuel regions where their speed is minimized. This finding suggests a new strategy to improve targeted cancer therapy by delivering chemotherapy drugs to the most problematic cells.

SourceGeorge Mason University·JournalScientific Reports·DateFeb 26, 2021

The GRANTECAN discovers the largest cluster of galaxies known in the early universe

A new study led by IAC researchers using the OSIRIS instrument on GRANTECAN has discovered the most densely populated galaxy cluster in formation in the primitive universe. The cluster, located 12.5 billion light years from us, is made up of galaxies with normal star formation rates and is predicted to evolve into a Virgo-like cluster.

SourceInstituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC)·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateFeb 26, 2021

Changing the silkworm's diet to spin stronger silk

Tohoku University researchers created stronger silk by mixing cellulose nanofiber into the silkworms' diet, resulting in a 2.0 times increase in strength compared to non-CNF fed silkworms. This innovative approach uses environmentally friendly materials and shows promise for producing sustainable biomaterials.

SourceTohoku University·JournalMaterials & Design·DateFeb 26, 2021

Picture books can boost physical activity for youth with autism

A University of Missouri researcher created fitness picture books to increase physical activity in youth with autism, providing a cost-efficient solution for low-income families. The study found that the picture books successfully increased exercise time and encouraged caregivers to provide organized structure during flexible free time.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalJournal of Applied Behavior Analysis·DateFeb 26, 2021

Biologists from RUDN University suggested a new substance to suppress neuroinflammation

Researchers found that hymecromone, a spasmolytic drug, reduces the production of anti-inflammatory molecules in astrocytes. This could lead to new treatments for neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's. Hymecromone's mechanism of action is thought to involve reducing hyaluronic acid synthesis, which affects inflammation.

SourceRUDN University·JournalInternational Journal of Molecular Sciences·DateFeb 26, 2021

Light-emitting tattoo engineered for the first time

Researchers have developed a temporary tattoo using organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) that can emit green light. The technology has the potential to be combined with other electronics for various applications, including fashion, sports, and healthcare, such as detecting dehydration or signaling expiry dates.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalAdvanced Electronic Materials·DateFeb 26, 2021

How photoblueing disturbs microscopy

Researchers discovered that photobleaching can transform fluorescent dyes into new molecules with altered fluorescence spectra, affecting microscopy results. Simple buffer additions can prevent or even exploit this effect for targeted tracking of specific particles.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalNature Methods·DateFeb 26, 2021

Dinosaur species: 'Everyone's unique'

The study reveals that Plateosaurus trossingensis had a unique combination of features, with differences in characteristics attributed to natural variation between individuals and bone deformation during fossilization. The researchers found that there is no evidence for multiple species within the same genus.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalActa Palaeontologica Polonica·DateFeb 26, 2021

Researchers identify characteristics of highest utilizers for mental health hospital services

A new study by researchers at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston found that dropping out of high school, having schizophrenia, or a co-occurring personality disorder increases the likelihood of someone becoming a high utilizer. The research used machine learning to analyze deidentified electronic health record dat...

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at Houston·JournalJournal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved·DateFeb 26, 2021

Targeted spraying to prevent malaria in low-transmission setting halves cost of current practice

A recent study published in The Lancet found that targeted indoor residual spraying is a non-inferior and cost-effective approach to preventing malaria in low-transmission settings. By focusing on neighborhoods with recent evidence of transmission, this method reduces the need for widespread spraying and saves significant resources.

SourceUniversity of the Witwatersrand·JournalThe Lancet·DateFeb 26, 2021