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Science News Archive June 2021 - Page 18


Page 18 of 51

There's no cheating old age

A recent study found that life expectancy and lifespan equality in humans and non-human primates are not driven by aging rate, but by early life mortality rates. The researchers analyzed data from nine human populations and 30 non-human primate groups, revealing a strong relationship between early-life deaths and population aging.

Summer catch-up programs need to focus on teens' wellbeing, not just academic progress

Researchers found that social connections with friends and family, as well as emotional closeness with parents, significantly impacted young people's mental health during lockdown. The study highlights the need for summer holiday programs to prioritize wellbeing support and increase funding for child and adolescent mental health services.

SourceUniversity of Bath·JournalJournal of Affective Disorders·DateJun 21, 2021

Creating cooler cities

Cities experience higher temperatures than surrounding rural areas due to the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect, caused by urban infrastructure absorbing heat. Researchers propose applying cooler surfaces to strategic locations to decrease cost and increase usage, offering an effective solution for resilient and sustainable infrastructure.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 21, 2021

Landmark field trials show potential of gene-editing

Researchers have successfully used CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing technology to manipulate glucosinolate levels in broccoli, reducing their accumulation in the leaves and florets. This study highlights the potential of gene editing to improve crop health and adaptability in challenging environments.

SourceJohn Innes Centre·JournalThe CRISPR Journal·DateJun 21, 2021

Microscopy deep learning predicts viral infections

A machine-learning algorithm can recognize virus-infected cells based on fluorescence of the cell nucleus, reliably identifying viruses and predicting severe acute infections. The algorithm has been trained with a large set of microscopy images and demonstrates 95% accuracy in detecting virulent infections up to 24 hours in advance.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournaliScience·DateJun 21, 2021

Changes in farming practices could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 70% by 2036

A new study published in PNAS predicts that changes in farming practices could reduce greenhouse gas emissions from grain production by up to 70% within the next 15 years. The study identifies a combination of technological innovations, including digital agriculture, crop genetics, and electrification, as key drivers of this reduction.

SourceDOE/Argonne National Laboratory·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 21, 2021

Air quality monitoring during volcanic eruption

Researchers deployed a network of low-cost sensors to measure sulfur dioxide and particulate matter concentrations in volcanic smog during the 2018 Kilauea eruption. The system enabled fine-scale measurements and monitoring of plume chemical evolution over time, providing valuable insights into extreme air quality events.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 21, 2021

Exposure to homophobic attitudes linked to higher stress levels among sexual minorities

Research reveals that lesbian, gay and bisexual people who encounter homophobic attitudes experience significant increases in heart rate, blood pressure and stress hormones. The study found that perceived homophobia had a direct impact on physiological stress among sexual minorities, increasing systolic blood pressure during interviews.

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalHealth Psychology·DateJun 21, 2021

Study: Electronic monitoring failed to reduce recidivism for girls in juvenile justice system

A new study by researchers at UC and Michigan State University found that electronic monitoring tethers failed to reduce reoffending among girls involved in the juvenile justice system. The study suggests that tethering may be harmful because it limits girls' access to treatment programs, leading to higher recidivism rates.

SourceCrime and Justice Research Alliance·JournalJustice Evaluation Journal·DateJun 21, 2021

Resolving the red sky paradox

A study proposes three resolutions to explain the red sky paradox, where FGK dwarfs are not apparent in the sky despite being five times more common than Sun-like stars. Red dwarfs have a lower probability of emerging intelligent life, a shorter available time window for complex life evolution, and a lower occurrence of habitable worlds.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 21, 2021

Ben-Gurion U. scientists invent an artificial nose for continuous bacterial monitoring

A team of Ben-Gurion University researchers has developed an artificial nose capable of detecting bacteria through volatile metabolites. The technology uses carbon nanoparticles to sense gas molecules and has the potential to identify 'good' vs. pathogenic bacteria in the microbiome, detect food spoilage, and identify poisonous gases.