Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News Archive June 2021 - Page 41


Page 41 of 51

Football and team handball training may increase health span and, ultimately, lifespan

A Danish-Swedish study found that football and team handball training have a positive effect on telomere length and mitochondrial function in women, potentially increasing their health span and lifespan. The research involved 129 healthy women and showed that elite football players had longer telomeres compared to untrained controls.

Controlling insulin production with a smartwatch

Researchers at ETH Zurich developed a molecular switch that can be activated by green light from a smartwatch, producing insulin or other substances. The system uses HEK 293 cells and is linked to a gene network, which can be configured to produce specific substances.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 7, 2021

Largest-ever pre-adolescent brain activation study reveals cognitive function maps

A new study provides valuable information on the cognitive processes and brain systems underlying adolescent development. The data from the largest longitudinal neuroimaging study to date reveals which brain regions are involved in key psychological processes, including cognitive control, reward processing, and social/emotional function.

Chip mimicking bovine endometrium used in study of factors that can jeopardize pregnancy

The device was used to culture two maternal endometrial cell types, revealing the effects of glucose and insulin level alterations on uterine environment. High levels of glucose altered protein expression and secretion, while insulin changes triggered quantitative changes in protein secretion without significant gene transcription.

Study suggests no link between antiseizure drugs used in pregnancy and cognitive problems in babies

A large research project found that children of women with epilepsy who took antiseizure medication during pregnancy have similar cognitive outcomes at age 2 as those born to healthy women. However, higher levels of medication were linked to lower scores on motor and general adaptive tests related to self-care.

Wider applications for Vortex Fluidic Device

Researchers have discovered the VFD's capabilities in controlling chemical reactivity, materials processing, and probing self-organised systems. The device has shown promise in synthesizing various compounds and could lead to more efficient and environmentally friendly production methods.

SourceFlinders University·JournalNanoscale Advances·DateJun 7, 2021

ALPALGA: The search for mountain snow microalgae

Researchers have established the first map of snow microalgae distribution along elevation, revealing different species thrive at varying altitudes. The study aims to answer fundamental questions about these organisms' survival, blooms, and impact on snowmelt.

SourceCNRS·JournalFrontiers in Plant Science·DateJun 7, 2021

Exploring an epidemic's meaning from the perspective of nursing

An article by Julie A. Fairman, PhD, RN, FAAN, explores the meaning of epidemics from a nursing perspective, extending Charles Rosenberg's 1992 work on the AIDS epidemic. This approach highlights the importance of understanding the social constructs and meanings attached to epidemics through the experiences of nurses and patients.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Nursing·JournalBulletin of the History of Medicine·DateJun 7, 2021

High blood lead levels found in indigenous peoples in Peruvian Amazonia

A study published in Environment International found high levels of lead in indigenous people living in Peruvian Amazonia, with the highest concentrations found near oil extraction areas. The research, led by Cristina O'Callaghan-Gordo, highlights the need for urgent action to address the potential health effects on these communities.

SourceUniversitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC)·JournalEnvironmental Research·DateJun 7, 2021

Being social generates larger genomes in snapping shrimp

A study by Columbia University researchers found that eusocial snapping shrimp have larger genomes due to an accumulation of 'jumping' genes called transposable elements. This discovery has significant implications for understanding the relationship between genome evolution and social behavior in various species, including humans.

SourceColumbia University Irving Medical Center·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 7, 2021

Effectiveness of 1st dose of BNT162b2 (BioNTech/Pfizer) vaccine for SARS-CoV-2 infection 13 to 24 days after immunization

A real-world study found the first dose of the BNT162b2 (BioNTech/Pfizer) vaccine to be highly effective in preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection 13 to 24 days after immunization. The study revealed a significant reduction in infection rates among vaccinated individuals, highlighting the vaccine's effectiveness in real-world settings.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateJun 7, 2021