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Science News Archive July 2021 - Page 17


Page 17 of 41

Bonding's next top model -- Projecting bond properties with machine learning

Researchers developed a machine learning model to predict bond characteristics, such as binding energy and Fermi energy, based on individual component parameters. The model achieved accurate predictions across various systems, offering potential benefits for material design and development in fields like catalysis and nano clusters.

In vitro Zoo helps in understanding SARS-CoV-2

Researchers at the University of Bern created an in vitro cell culture model biobank from 12 different animal species to assess their susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection. The study found that rhesus macaques and cats may be particularly vulnerable, highlighting the need for close surveillance and early detection programs.

SourceUniversity of Bern·JournalEmerging Infectious Diseases·DateJul 19, 2021

Occurrence of young-onset dementia

A meta-analysis of 74 studies found young-onset dementia affects approximately 4.3% of people under age 65 worldwide. The study's results provide a more precise estimate of dementia's global occurrence in younger populations.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Neurology·DateJul 19, 2021

A simple compound to control complex gut microbes

Researchers at RIKEN discovered that acetate triggers an immune response against harmful bacteria by increasing IgA production and altering the balance of intestinal bacteria. The study suggests that acetate can be used to regulate the gut microbiome and prevent disease.

SourceRIKEN·JournalNature·DateJul 19, 2021

High respiratory efforts in COVID-19 patients could result in self-inflicted lung injury

Researchers at the University of Warwick used computational modelling to investigate the impact of high breathing efforts on COVID-19 patients' lungs. They found that increased respiratory efforts can produce injurious pressures and strains, posing a risk of lung injury. The study suggests that patients with acute respiratory failure d...

SourceUniversity of Warwick·JournalAnnals of Intensive Care·DateJul 19, 2021

Transgender young people accessing health care

A recent review of 91 studies sheds light on the challenges faced by transgender young people accessing healthcare. The study reveals that these individuals often experience inadequate care, lack of understanding from healthcare providers, and limited access to gender-affirming treatments.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Pediatrics·DateJul 19, 2021

Seismic surveys have no significant impact on commercially valuable fish in NW Australia

New research has found that seismic surveys used in oil and gas exploration do not impact the abundance or behavior of commercially valuable fish species in north-western Australia. The eight-month experiment measured the effects of seismic airguns on the community of commercially important species, such as red emperor fish.

SourceAustralian Institute of Marine Science·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 19, 2021

A new metric for designing safer streets

Researchers developed an approach to evaluate cognitive workload in cyclists, finding that stressful areas have a consistent response regardless of expertise level. The study suggests that infrastructure design is key to making spaces safe, shifting the focus from individual education to proactive urban planning.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalAccident Analysis & Prevention·DateJul 19, 2021

Why is the eastern monarch butterfly disappearing?

A recent study led by Michigan State University ecologists reveals that changing climate has nearly seven times more significant impact on eastern monarch population decline than other contributors. The team analyzed data from over 18,000 surveys of monarchs in the midwestern US, central Mexico, and southern Canada between 1994 and 2018.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·DateJul 19, 2021

How cells control mitochondria

Researchers have identified DYRK1A as a critical signaling protein that modifies the molecular machinery of the TOM complex, making it more permeable for enzymes important for cell metabolism. This discovery offers new insights into neurodevelopmental disorders and potential treatment strategies.

SourceUniversity of Freiburg·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 19, 2021

CNIO researchers clarify the role of the two isoforms of KRAS, the most common oncogene in humans

A study by CNIO researchers found that both isoforms of the KRAS oncogene are oncogenic and must be targeted for therapies to be effective. The research suggests that KRAS4A mutant is even more active than previously thought, inducing lung cancer and metastasis in 20% of individuals.

SourceCentro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas (CNIO)·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 19, 2021

Firefighters found to have persistent lung damage from Fort McMurray wildfire

A University of Alberta research team found that firefighters dealing with the massive 2016 Fort McMurray wildfire suffered from long-term lung damage, including increased bronchial reactivity and thickening. The risk of developing asthma was more than doubled compared to the general population.

SourceUniversity of Alberta Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry·JournalJournal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine·DateJul 19, 2021

Discrimination and safety concerns barriers to accessing healthy food for food-insecure young adults

A recent study in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics found that nearly one-third of emerging adults experienced food insecurity, with Black, Indigenous, and persons of color disproportionately affected. The study also revealed concerns about discrimination and safety barriers to accessing healthy food, emphasizing th...

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics·DateJul 19, 2021

Ocean microbes team up brilliantly to gather food when it's scarce

In low-nutrient environments, marine microbes form consortia with ciliates to capture nutrients. This cooperative solution increases nutrient flux to the diatom's cell surface up to 10 times greater than alone. Researchers used PIV technology to measure fluid flows and found a more favorable solution for low-mixing conditions.

SourceMarine Biological Laboratory·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 19, 2021

EU project ADMIRE launched

The EU-funded ADMIRE project aims to develop intelligent adaptive storage systems for high-performance computing, improving application runtime and data access. Fourteen institutions from six European countries are working together to create a scalable and efficient system that can meet the needs of data-intensive applications.

Disparities in outpatient visit rates

Researchers found significant racial and ethnic disparities in outpatient visit rates among US physician specialties. The study, published in JAMA Internal Medicine, highlights concerns about unequal access to healthcare services.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateJul 19, 2021

Renewable energy OK, but not too close to home

A US-based study reveals that Americans generally support transitioning to renewable energy sources like solar and wind power. However, they are less accepting of having these infrastructures built near their homes, with a preference for distances of over 5 km/miles from residences.

SourceUniversity of Georgia·JournalThe Energy Journal·DateJul 19, 2021

Novel coronavirus discovered in British bats

A novel coronavirus related to Covid-19 has been found in UK horseshoe bats, with the team suggesting that these bats have likely harbored the virus for thousands of years. The discovery highlights the need for robust genotype testing in bat populations and raises concerns about the potential for viral mutation.

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalScientific Reports·DateJul 19, 2021

The era of single-spin color centers in silicon carbide is approaching

Researchers from USTC created a divacancy color center array and achieved spin-coherent manipulation of a single divacancy color center at room temperature. The spin color centers showed excellent properties comparable to the diamond NV center, with a 30% spin readout contrast and extended coherence time of up to 23 microseconds.

SourceUniversity of Science and Technology of China·JournalNational Science Review·DateJul 19, 2021

At last: Separated and freshly bound

Researchers have successfully broken carbon-hydrogen bonds in light alkanes using a novel amidation process, enabling the synthesis of complex organic molecules such as pharmaceuticals. The method has significant implications for recycling plastic waste and utilizing natural gas as a synthetic building block.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateJul 19, 2021

Using archeology to better understand climate change

An international team of scientists uses archeological digs and palaeoclimate records to study human interactions with the environment during past climate-change events. This approach can help identify tipping points in climate history and provide insights into how cultural diversity has contributed to human resilience.

SourceUniversity of Montreal·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 19, 2021

Mechanisms to separately regulate synaptic vesicle release and recycling

Scientists have identified a dual-control system that regulates the release and recycling of synaptic vesicles, enabling precise signal transmission. Calcium channels Ca2 and Ca1 are spatially segregated, with Ca2 required for exocytosis and Ca1 enhancing endocytosis, demonstrating separate control of these processes.

SourceJohannes Gutenberg Universitaet Mainz·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 19, 2021

When money's tight, parents talk less to kids; could this explain the word gap?

A new study from the University of California, Berkeley suggests that parents may talk less to their kids when experiencing financial scarcity, contributing to the 'word gap' in vocabulary. Researchers found that parents who described recent experiences of resource insecurity spoke fewer words to their children during laboratory observ...

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalDevelopmental Science·DateJul 19, 2021

Following cancer progress in real time

A new test with 'unprecedented early detection power' is being developed by a University of Houston researcher to detect cancer biomarkers in blood. The liquid biopsy method uses exosomes, small vesicles containing surface proteins and genetic materials, to improve the accuracy of measuring minimal residual disease (MRD) in cancer tumors.