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Science News Archive May 2021 - Page 33


Page 33 of 47

Strong quake, small tsunami

A recent study by GEOMAR scientists has provided a comprehensive understanding of the northern Chilean subduction zone, shedding light on the relationship between earthquakes and tsunamis. The data set, obtained through a unique deployment of ocean-bottom seismometers, revealed that aftershocks were located both beneath and above the p...

SourceHelmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel (GEOMAR)·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateMay 11, 2021

Study shows how our brains sync hearing with vision

Researchers at McGill University found that brain signals constantly adapt to synchronize visual and auditory inputs, using temporal recalibration to adjust our sense of time. This dynamic process enables us to perceive sounds and images as simultaneous, despite the different physical velocities and neural processing speeds.

SourceMcGill University·JournalCommunications Biology·DateMay 11, 2021

Gene therapy offers potential cure to children born without an immune system

A new form of gene therapy has successfully treated 48 out of 50 children born with a rare and deadly inherited disorder. The treatment, developed by an international team, involves delivering a corrected copy of the ADA gene into stem cells, which are then returned to the child's body to produce healthy immune cells.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateMay 11, 2021

Gene therapy restores immune function in children with rare immunodeficiency

Infants and children with ADA-SCID, a life-threatening inherited immunodeficiency disorder, have regained immune system function after receiving gene therapy. The treatment involves inserting a normal copy of the ADA gene into blood-forming stem cells, offering a one-time procedure with long-term benefits.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateMay 11, 2021

Social isolation has a profound and increasingly negative impact on physical functioning in older adults

A study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found that social isolation has a profound impact on physical functioning in older adults. Socially integrated older adults are more likely to engage in physical activity and experience improvements in their physical functioning. The study highlights the importance of inc...

SourceElsevier·JournalAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine·DateMay 11, 2021

Lighting up biology from within

A portable, non-invasive bioluminescence imaging device has been developed to monitor biological processes in animals and humans. The technology uses a biochemical reaction between an enzyme and oxygen to produce light, allowing for minimally invasive diagnostics and potentially reducing the need for expensive tests.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 11, 2021

New ancient shark discovered

A new ancient shark species, Durnonovariaodus maiseyi, has been identified from a 150 million-year-old fossil found in the Kimmeridge Clay Formation of England. The discovery provides valuable insights into the evolution and diversity of hybodontiform sharks, which were closely related to modern sharks.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalPeerJ·DateMay 11, 2021

COVID-19 risk and restrictions both motivated and supported participants in online weight loss program, but had a negative impact on mood and behaviors

The COVID-19 pandemic's restrictions both spurred motivation and supported participation in an online weight management program, yet had a negative impact on mood and behaviors. Participants attributed lockdowns to weight gain and found the pandemic motivated them to lose weight, but also reported decreased social support.

Rooting the bacterial tree of life

Researchers have shed light on early bacterial evolution by integrating vertical and horizontal gene transmission, revealing that a tree is still an apt representation of bacterial evolution. On average, genes travel vertically two-thirds of the time, suggesting a tree-like structure.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalScience·DateMay 11, 2021

Study finds consumption of free sugars by secondary school children in the UK lower during snacking periods than at main mealtimes

Research by Abigail Stewart and colleagues found that secondary school children in the UK consumed more free sugars outside of school hours, with a lower intake during snacking periods. The study suggests that environmental or physical factors at home may increase sugar consumption, contrary to expectations.

Study examines connection between oral and general health in patients with diabetes

A cluster-randomized controlled trial found that individuals with type 2 diabetes who received primary care-based oral health support experienced a significant increase in self-reported oral health quality of life. The study's authors conclude that patients with diabetes can benefit from extra attention to oral health, highlighting the...

SourceAmerican Academy of Family Physicians·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateMay 11, 2021