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Science News Archive November 2021 - Page 21


Page 21 of 40

Where COVID-19's death grip slipped (briefly)

Researchers found that COVID-19 mortality rates were significantly lower in rural Bangladesh compared to other countries, with only 276 deaths reported between February and October 2020. This contrasted with a 10% increase in urban areas. The study suggests that the region's unique circumstances may have contributed to this outcome.

SourceColumbia Climate School·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeObservational study·DateNov 15, 2021

New evidence identified on safety of IVF embryo screening method

Researchers at the University of Kent identified strong evidence-based benefits of preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) in IVF. Live birth rates per embryo transferred and per treatment cycle were significantly higher with PGT-A compared to regular IVF, especially in women over 40.

SourceUniversity of Kent·JournalJournal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics·TypeObservational study·DateNov 15, 2021

Who bought firearms during 2020 purchasing surge?

A Rutgers study of 3,500 adults found that those who bought firearms during the 2020 purchasing surge tend to be more sensitive to threats and have less emotional control. This suggests that individuals prone to impulsivity may buy firearms as a coping mechanism for stress.

SourceRutgers University·JournalSocial Science & Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 15, 2021

Recognize every miscarriage as a bereavement, UK government urged

The UK government is being called on to recognize every miscarriage as a bereavement, rather than an illness, and award statutory bereavement leave. This would provide parents with up to 1 week of paid leave after a miscarriage, regardless of gestation, and address the current arbitrary cliff edge at 24 weeks.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalBMJ Sexual & Reproductive Health·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateNov 15, 2021

Serious mental illness? There’s an app for that

A fully remote randomized controlled trial found that a smartphone app called CORE reduced symptoms of depression, anxiety, and improved recovery in people with serious mental illness. The app provided daily game-like exercises to help users reassess their beliefs and adopt healthier thought patterns.

SourceUniversity of Washington School of Medicine/UW Medicine·JournalJournal of Medical Internet Research·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateNov 15, 2021

Scientists identify second HIV patient whose body appears to have rid itself of the virus

Researchers have identified a second person living with HIV who appears to have rid themselves of the virus, with no intact HIV genomes found in over 1.19 billion blood cells and 500 million tissue cells sequenced. This finding may represent a sterilizing cure for people with HIV who cannot achieve this on their own.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateNov 15, 2021

Experimental demonstration of negative refraction at visible frequency

Researchers at POSTECH demonstrate experimental demonstration of negative refraction at visible frequency for the first time, achieving high-resolution images beyond diffraction limit. The study uses a vertical hyperbolic metamaterial to exhibit negative refraction in entire visible domain, overcoming limitations of conventional materi...

Africa's "Green Wall" also makes economic sense

A study by the University of Bonn shows that building Africa's 'Green Wall' is economically worthwhile due to its long-term provisioning services, such as food and water production. However, the project faces challenges in regions plagued by conflicts, which limit its potential.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalNature Sustainability·DateNov 15, 2021

Dreaming of being an investment shark? Better figure out if you’re an ‘owl’ or a ‘lark,’ study finds

Researchers found that individuals who evaluate investments at a time that conflicts with their natural internal clock tend to make poor choices, resulting in potential losses. The study suggests that matching one's circadian rhythm with investment timing can lead to more successful outcomes.

SourceUniversity of Central Florida·JournalJournal of Business Venturing·TypeSurvey·DateNov 15, 2021

Solvent effect on liquid-phase synthesis of lithium solid electrolytes

The study investigates the effect of solvent on liquid-phase synthesis of lithium solid electrolytes. The research team found that solvents with high dielectric constants enhance reactivity and lead to crystalline Li7P3S11 with high conductivity. Acetonitrile emerges as the best solvent for mass production of sulfide solid electrolytes.

SourceToyohashi University of Technology (TUT)·JournalScientific Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 15, 2021

Mouse cell studies show that correcting DNA disorganization could aid diagnosis and treatment of rare inherited diseases

A study with lab-grown mouse cells reveals that lamin C plays a key role in maintaining the structural network under the cell's nucleus, ensuring proper DNA organization. This finding has significant implications for diagnosing and treating genetic disorders linked to DNA disorganization, such as progeria and muscular dystrophy.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalGenome Biology·DateNov 14, 2021

'Anti-aging' chemistry taken from nature overcomes next-gen lithium battery decay

Scientists have created a photostabilizer that scavenges singlet oxygen atoms and free radicals, improving electrochemical performance in high-voltage lithium batteries. The bio-inspired mechanism addresses the issue of electrolyte degradation, which poses challenges to next-generation energy storage devices.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateNov 14, 2021

Study finds player-character relationships affected game satisfaction in the Last of Us Part II​

A study analyzing player experiences with The Last of Us Part II found that player-character relationships significantly affected game satisfaction. Researchers discovered three key factors influencing players' emotional responses, including tolerance of forced character switches and flexibility of attachment.

SourceThe Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)·JournalFrontiers in Psychology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 14, 2021

How surviving cancer as a child affects lifelong health

A new UCL-led study found that people who survived childhood cancer have a higher risk of cardiovascular disease, infections, and disorders of the immune system by age 45. The study also suggests that cancer survivors treated with chemotherapy and radiotherapy face greater long-term health effects.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalThe Lancet Regional Health - Europe·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 14, 2021

Predicting the success of kidney transplantations

A new study led by Professor Motoko Yanagita has found that advanced tertiary lymphoid tissues in kidney transplant patients are associated with progressive graft dysfunction. The presence of these tissues, which arise in chronic inflammatory conditions, can indicate a higher risk of renal failure within five years.

SourceKyoto University·JournalJournal of the American Society of Nephrology·TypeObservational study·DateNov 14, 2021

researchers revealed a new inhibitory mechanism against bacterial DNA replication

Researchers at USTC found Gp168 protein from bacteriophage Twort inhibits β-clamp function by occupying the DNA sliding channel, revealing a new class of proteins. This discovery provides inspiration for developing new antimicrobial reagents and offers an alternative mechanism for bacteriophages to inhibit bacterial replication.

SourceUniversity of Science and Technology of China·JournalNucleic Acids Research·DateNov 13, 2021

Researchers develop passive microwave remote sensing technology in monitoring carbon fixing ability of vegetation

Researchers developed a new light use effective model coupled with a passive microwave vegetation index to monitor terrestrial ecosystems' carbon fixing ability. The study found that this method outperforms traditional methods in certain environments, offering accurate daily GPP estimation.

SourceUniversity of Science and Technology of China·JournalRemote Sensing of Environment·DateNov 13, 2021

Depression and anxiety worsened during the pandemic, putting patients at higher heart disease risk, study finds

A new study by Intermountain Healthcare finds that nearly 40% of patients reported new or continuing symptoms of depression during the pandemic. This increase in depression was associated with higher emergency department visits for anxiety and chest pain, highlighting the negative impact of the pandemic on physical and mental well-being.

SourceIntermountain Healthcare·TypeObservational study·DateNov 13, 2021

Penicillin significantly reduces rheumatic heart disease progression in children

A new study found that regular antibiotic treatment with penicillin significantly reduced the risk of underlying rheumatic heart disease progression in children and adolescents. Early screening was critical in preventing serious disease progression and death in young children.

SourceMurdoch Childrens Research Institute·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateNov 13, 2021

Researchers find benefits and drawbacks to two-step surgical approach for “leaky heart valves”

A NIH-funded study found that patients with a two-step surgical approach for 'leaky heart valves' had better short-term outcomes, but were more likely to need a pacemaker. The procedure involved repairing the tricuspid valve at the time of mitral valve surgery, and results showed reduced risk of death, reoperation, or severe regurgitat...

SourceNIH/National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateNov 13, 2021

Penicillin slows devastating impacts of rheumatic heart disease in children from Uganda

A large-scale trial found that penicillin can prevent progression of latent rheumatic heart disease in Ugandan children. The study enrolled 818 children and showed that early detection coupled with prophylactic treatment significantly reduced worsened heart conditions, offering hope for addressing this neglected disease.

SourceChildren's National Hospital·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateNov 13, 2021

CU researchers provide first evidence linking extracellular vesicles with drusen formation and age-related macular degeneration

Researchers discovered that retinal pigment epithelium cells release exosomes containing normal proteins and those associated with drusen, a key AMD manifestation. This finding may lead to early diagnosis through biomarker detection in blood, tears, or saliva, potentially treating millions of Americans before geographic atrophy onset.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalJournal of Extracellular Vesicles·DateNov 12, 2021