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Science News Archive May 2021 - Page 39


Page 39 of 47

AI is not perfect -- Domain knowledge is a key in engineering

A research team at KICT has developed a fully-automated peak-picking method for extracting modal frequencies in stay-cables without prior setting or human manipulation. The method utilizes domain knowledge based on the physical characteristics of stay-cables, outperforming state-of-the-art methods in terms of accuracy and robustness.

SourceNational Research Council of Science & Technology·JournalAutomation in Construction·DateMay 6, 2021

Health care use after COVID-19 diagnosis, home monitoring

Researchers found that COVID-19 patients enrolled in home monitoring programs had significantly lower healthcare use compared to those not enrolled. This suggests that home monitoring can help reduce unnecessary healthcare utilization, improving patient outcomes and reducing healthcare costs.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Health Forum·DateMay 6, 2021

Towards 2D memory technology by magnetic graphene

Researchers have experimentally confirmed that magnetic graphene can generate large spin signals and transfer spin information over long distances. This discovery paves the way for the development of ultra-compact 2D spin-logic devices with strong spin-polarization, promising high-speed and energy-saving electronics.

SourceUniversity of Groningen·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateMay 6, 2021

PCB contamination in Icelandic orcas: a matter of diet

A new study found significant variation in PCB concentrations among Icelandic orcas, with those eating mixed diets having up to 9 times higher levels. This contradicts earlier research and highlights the need for individualized assessments of health risks in killer whale populations.

SourceMcGill University·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateMay 6, 2021

Story tip from Johns Hopkins experts on COVID-19

Researchers developed the COVID Control app, which predicts COVID-19 outbreaks using user-reported symptoms and correlates with increased coronavirus prevalence in Baltimore City. The study showed that new loss of taste or smell was a strong predictor of confirmed cases, averaging five days before an outbreak.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalScientific Reports·DateMay 6, 2021

Diversity and universality of jamming

The study reveals that random close packing of spheres exhibits common universal critical properties, despite the diversity of its details. The researchers showed that jammed states are marginally stable and can be described under a unified framework.

SourceOsaka University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 6, 2021

Dinosaurs that hunted in the dark

A new study found that the tiny desert-living dinosaur Shuvuuia had extraordinary vision and owl-like hearing for nocturnal life in the Mongolian desert. The team measured the size of the eyes and inner ears of over 100 bird and dinosaur species, revealing that Shuvuuia's lagena was almost identical in relative size to today's barn owl.

SourceUniversity of the Witwatersrand·JournalScience·DateMay 6, 2021

Protected by nanobrushes

Researchers developed nanosized cargo packages that can deliver water-soluble proteins into cancer cells while keeping them intact. The 'nanobrushes' use polymer strands with antibodies on the outside and protected proteins within.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateMay 6, 2021

Novavax COVID-19 vaccine trial results show efficacy against the B.1.351 variant in SA study

The Novavax Covid-19 vaccine demonstrated an overall efficacy of 49% in the initial analysis and 60% among healthy adults without HIV, providing protection against mild disease caused by the B.1.351 variant prevalent in South Africa. The updated analysis showed 100% protection against severe Covid-19 due to the B.1.351 variant.

SourceUniversity of the Witwatersrand·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateMay 6, 2021

Scrap for cash before coins

Researchers found evidence of bronze scrap being used as cash in Europe during the late Bronze Age (1350-800 BC), challenging traditional notions of money's emergence. This practice spread across Western Eurasia, paving the way for a global market.

SourceUniversity of Göttingen·JournalJournal of Archaeological Science·DateMay 6, 2021

In the Alps, climate change affects biodiversity

A recent review analyzed over 2,000 species in the Alps, finding that many have shifted their life cycles earlier and are moving higher up the elevational gradient as climate change intensifies. This shift is often lagging behind the rate of climate change, with some species experiencing little or no elevation change.

SourceCNRS·JournalBiological Reviews·DateMay 6, 2021

Swiping, swabbing elevates processing plant food safety

Researchers developed a rapid-testing method to check cleaning protocols in commercial food processing plants. The ATP swab test detected microorganisms on surfaces, improving environmental hygiene and product quality. The study showed that targeted cleaning can reduce the risk of foodborne illnesses.

SourceCornell University·JournalApplied and Environmental Microbiology·DateMay 6, 2021

New method boosts syngas generation from biopolyols

Researchers developed a new method to generate syngas from biopolyols using photocatalytic biomass conversion at room temperature, exhibiting high efficiency and selectivity. The catalyst featuring surface sulfate ions increased electron-proton transfer, promoting syngas production with 9-fold higher CO generation rate.

SourceDalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy Sciences·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateMay 6, 2021

In graphene process, resistance is useful

Researchers adapted their laser-induced graphene technique to create fine patterns of graphene in photoresist polymers for use in consumer electronics and other applications. The new process allows for the production of high-resolution, micron-scale lines of conductive graphene, comparable to those achieved by more cumbersome processes.

SourceRice University·JournalACS Nano·DateMay 6, 2021

Surprising sand fly find yields new species of bacteria

Researchers discovered a new species of bacteria, Sphingobacterium phlebotomi, in sand fly rearing substrates that attracts pregnant females, offering a potential tool for reducing sand fly populations and preventing diseases like Leishmaniasis. The bacterium's volatile chemicals can be used to create ecologically safe baits or traps.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SYSTEMATIC AND EVOLUTIONARY MICROBIOLOGY·DateMay 6, 2021

The origin of reproductive organs

A new study led by Kotaro Sasaki elucidates the early biological processes involved in the development of ovaries and testes in human embryos. Researchers analyzed single-cell transcriptome data to understand gene expression at each developmental stage, providing insights into typical and atypical gonadal development.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalCell Reports·DateMay 6, 2021

India's polio vaccination provides valuable insights for mass vaccination campaigns

A study on India's successful polio vaccination program reveals that managerial strategies, including bundling healthcare services, engaging stakeholders, and implementing accountability mechanisms, were crucial to its success. The findings highlight the importance of addressing social trust and political vulnerability in mass vaccinat...