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Science News Archive July 2021 - Page 11


Page 11 of 41

Infrared held in a pincer

Scientists have created the first chromium complex that emits light in the longer wavelength NIR-II range, a significant breakthrough for biomedical imaging. This achievement is expected to lead to cheaper alternatives for luminescence-based applications.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateJul 22, 2021

Journey from smoking to vaping variable - Otago academics

A University of Otago study found that people attempting to switch from cigarettes to vaping reported highly varied smoking and ENDS use patterns. The researchers recommend that individuals persist in their attempts to transition away from smoking, even if progress feels slow and uncertain.

SourceUniversity of Otago·JournalInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·DateJul 22, 2021

InSight mission: Mars unveiled

The InSight mission has unveiled Mars' internal structure, revealing a large liquid core and an altered crust. The study analyzed seismic waves from over 600 Martian quakes, identifying discontinuities in the crust and determining the upper mantle's structure.

SourceCNRS·JournalScience·DateJul 22, 2021

Neurotransmitter levels predict math ability

Researchers found that higher GABA levels in young people were associated with greater math fluency, while lower glutamate levels were related to better math skills. In adults, the opposite was true: low GABA concentrations were linked to greater math fluency and high glutamate levels to poorer performance.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateJul 22, 2021

Silicon with a two-dimensional structure

Scientists successfully produce and characterize a crystalline complex with a two-dimensional equivalent of silicon, defying geometric expectations. The resulting structure displays surprising physical and chemical properties, opening up new avenues for catalysis and materials research.

SourceHeidelberg University·JournalChem·DateJul 22, 2021

Sylvia Frazier-Bowers wins AADR National Student Research Group Mentor Award

Sylvia Frazier-Bowers, an Associate Professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Adams School of Dentistry, has been awarded the AADR National Student Research Group Mentor Award. She is recognized for her efforts to bridge the gap between clinical profession and scientific advances in dentofacial variation research.

Pathogens get comfy in designer goo

Rice University and Baylor College of Medicine researchers have developed a new model for studying intestinal infections, using custom hydrogel-based platforms. The study found that softer hydrogels promote bacterial adhesion to epithelial cells, which is crucial for understanding the dynamics of infectious diseases.

SourceRice University·JournalActa Biomaterialia·DateJul 22, 2021

The anatomy of a planet

Researchers from ETH Zurich analyzed data from NASA's InSight mission, revealing that Mars' crust, mantle, and core have distinct structures. The findings suggest that Mars was once completely molten, but now has a thinner crust with a relatively high proportion of radioactive elements.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalScience·DateJul 22, 2021

'Good cholesterol' may protect liver

A study in mice and human blood samples found that HDL3 protects the liver by blocking gut bacterial signals that cause inflammation. The researchers identified a special type of HDL called HDL3 that is produced by the intestine, which blocks lipopolysaccharide signals that activate immune cells.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalScience·DateJul 22, 2021

Studies find combination chemotherapy beneficial and cost-effective in sub-Saharan Africa

A clinical trial in Malawi showed a five-drug combination chemotherapy provided curative benefit for people diagnosed with lymphoma, compared to current standard-of-care-therapy. The treatment was also found to be cost-effective, preventing more than seven disability-adjusted life years at a lower cost per DALY prevented.

SourceUNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center·JournalThe Lancet Global Health·DateJul 22, 2021

Artificial intelligence models to analyze cancer images take shortcuts that introduce bias

A new study reveals that AI tools analyzing tumor images can make inaccurate predictions due to shortcuts introduced by institutions submitting the images. The models often rely on location-specific signatures rather than biological characteristics, leading to biased outcomes for patients from certain medical centers.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Medical Center·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 22, 2021

Higher levels of omega-3 acids in the blood increases life expectancy by almost five years

A study found that higher omega-3 acid levels in the blood are associated with a significant increase in life expectancy, similar to quitting smoking. The researchers analyzed data from over 2,200 people aged 65 and found that four types of fatty acids, including omega-3, can predict mortality risk.

SourceIMIM (Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute)·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·DateJul 22, 2021

Big data-derived tool facilitates closer monitoring of recovery from natural disasters

Researchers at Texas A&M University developed a framework to assess community resilience after natural disasters by analyzing location-based data from essential establishments. The study found that communities with low resilience experienced more flooding, but the level of impact did not necessarily correlate with recovery time.

SourceTexas A&M University·JournalJournal of The Royal Society Interface·DateJul 22, 2021