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Science News Archive July 2021 - Page 37


Page 37 of 41

New study uncovers how a series of sleep loss impacts mental and physical wellbeing

A new study published in Annals of Behavioral Medicine found that just three nights of sleep loss can cause significant deterioration in mental and physical health. After a day or two, symptoms peak, and the body becomes relatively adapted to repeated sleep loss, but this changes on the sixth night when physical symptoms reach their wo...

SourceUniversity of South Florida·JournalAnnals of Behavioral Medicine·DateJul 6, 2021

Counting sheep and still awake? Mindfulness therapy may help bring on the zzz's

A study published in Psychological Medicine found that mindfulness-based therapy (MBTI) was more effective than a sleep hygiene program in reducing insomnia symptoms and improving sleep quality. MBTI participants took less time to fall asleep and spent less time awake during the night compared to those in the sleep hygiene program.

Researchers discover way to improve immune response

A team of researchers has identified a mechanism explaining how Tpex cells can maintain their function for long periods, potentially improving the success rate of immunotherapy. The discovery was made by identifying increased amounts of an immunosuppressive molecule, which reduces activity of mTOR and dampens the immune response.

SourceUniversity of Melbourne·JournalImmunity·DateJul 6, 2021

Infusion centers associated with substantially better outcomes than the ER for patients with acute pain events and sickle cell disease

A prospective cohort study found that treatment at an infusion center is associated with substantially better outcomes than treatment in the emergency department for patients with sickle cell disease. Patients treated in ICs received parenteral pain medication faster and were more likely to have their pain reassessed within 30 minutes.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateJul 5, 2021

Being clean and hygienic need not impair childhood immunity

Researchers at UCL and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine argue that modern society's emphasis on cleanliness does not impede childhood immunity. Instead, they suggest exposing children to beneficial microorganisms through maternal contact, family members, and natural environments is crucial for immune system development.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalJournal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology·DateJul 5, 2021

Researchers use multivalent gold nanoparticles to develop efficient molecular probe

A team of researchers from Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology has developed a new approach to identifying and tagging specific proteins. They used multivalent gold nanoparticles as a scaffold to attach carbohydrate ligands and electrophiles, which allowed them to highly efficiently and selectively label carbohydrate-binding...

SourceTokyo University of Agriculture and Technology·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateJul 5, 2021

Asymptomatic adults may be reservoirs of Streptococcus pneumoniae

A study by ITQB NOVA researchers found that asymptomatic adults in Portugal can carry pneumococci for several months, with a median duration of almost two months. This suggests that some adults may act as reservoirs of the bacterium, potentially impacting herd immunity.

Face off for best ID checkers

A new face identification ability test, GFMT2, has been developed to identify high-performing facial recognition individuals known as super-recognisers. This test will help prevent false identity matches made by facial recognition software and improve recruitment for roles such as visa processors and passport issuers.

SourceUniversity of New South Wales·JournalBehavior Research Methods·DateJul 5, 2021

Study finds genes role in immune response of Florida corals to rapidly spreading disease

A new study by University of Miami researchers documents how coral genes respond to stony coral tissue loss disease, a rapidly spreading disease killing corals in Florida and the Caribbean. The study found that a network of genes important for cell death, immunity, and tissue rearrangement are triggered in response to the disease.

Comprehensive genetic study of cleft lip and palate

A comprehensive genetic study led by the University of Bonn has identified 45 new regions in the human genome associated with an increased risk of cleft lip and palate. These regions are linked to variations in DNA sequences that regulate gene activity, disrupting normal facial development.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalHuman Genetics and Genomics Advances·DateJul 5, 2021

Integrate disciplines to conserve biodiversity

The article emphasizes the importance of integrating different disciplines and stakeholders in conservation efforts. Key findings include the need for increased funding and expert guidance for transdisciplinary research, as well as the benefits of such approaches, including improved data quality and innovation.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalBasic and Applied Ecology·DateJul 5, 2021

COVID gets quantum treatment for drug discovery

Researchers from Oak Ridge National Laboratory used Stampede2 to refine the screening of potential drug molecules targeting COVID-19's spike protein. The method, developed by Stephan Irle and Van Quan Vuong, uses quantum mechanics-based ranking refinement and binding analysis to identify top candidates for further testing.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin, Texas Advanced Computing Center·JournalJournal of Chemical Information and Modeling·DateJul 5, 2021