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Science News Archive November 2021 - Page 22


Page 22 of 40

Global consensus needed to develop climate risk disclosures for companies

As investors increasingly demand climate-friendly stocks, researchers call for a global framework for mandatory climate risk disclosure by companies. A hybrid governance model that balances shareholder rights with blockholder interests is necessary to address the pressing need for a timely transition to net-zero business principles.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalNature Energy·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateNov 12, 2021

Cheers! Scientists have developed gene-edited barley that could better your beer

Researchers at Okayama University used CRISPR/Cas9 technology to genetically edit barley, creating mutants that resist pre-harvest sprouting and can be promoted with cold temperatures or hydrogen peroxide treatment. This breakthrough has significant implications for high-quality barley production and could lead to improved beer quality.

SourceOkayama University·JournalPlant Biotechnology Journal·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 12, 2021

Climate change will destroy familiar environments, create new ones and undermine efforts to protect sea life

New research from Oregon State University found that climate change is altering ocean conditions, creating new environments that could undermine conservation goals in the world's largest marine protected areas. By 2060, most of these changes will occur, including warming and acidification levels.

SourceOregon State University·JournalOne Earth·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateNov 12, 2021

Vascular defects appear to underlie the progression of Parkinson's disease

Researchers identified a significant vascular defect in patients with moderately severe Parkinson's disease, which may explain earlier study findings and provide a new target for therapeutic intervention. The discovery highlights the blood-brain barrier's crucial role in neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's.

SourceGeorgetown University Medical Center·JournalNeurology Genetics·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateNov 12, 2021

Most PPE not designed for ethnic minority health workers and women, study finds

A new study found that most personal protective equipment (PPE) masks are not designed for Black And Minority Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds and women, leading to inadequate protection. The research highlights the need for further studies on PPE development to account for differences in facial dimensions across gender and ethnicity.

SourceUniversity of Southampton·JournalBMJ Global Health·TypeMeta-analysis·DateNov 12, 2021

Nano dominoes with molecules

Researchers successfully manipulated a single molecule into an upright position and measured its stability, gaining insights towards fabricating electrical components and circuits at the atomic level. The findings have potential applications in creating ultrasensitive sensors, quantum dots, and quantum computers.

SourceForschungszentrum Juelich·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 12, 2021

PKU researchers harness higher order protein catenation for the development of artificial antibodies

PKU researchers harness higher order protein catenation to create complexed topological proteins, leading to the synthesis of artificial antibodies with enhanced affinity and prolonged serum half-life. The study successfully expands toolkits for protein entangling motifs, promoting advanced protein therapeutics.

SourcePeking University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateNov 12, 2021

As nations promise to restore ecosystems at COP26, can they guarantee success?

A new tool, Diversity for Restoration (D4R), helps nations tailor tree species selection to local environmental conditions and objectives. This is crucial for successful landscape restoration projects that benefit biodiversity, food security, and livelihoods while drawing carbon out of the atmosphere.

SourceThe Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture·JournalJournal of Applied Ecology·TypeObservational study·DateNov 12, 2021

Capturing a true picture of wolves in Yellowstone: Reevaluating aspen recovery

Aspen recovery in Yellowstone National Park has been found to be less robust than previously believed due to biased sampling methods. Random sampling of all young aspen within a stand revealed a slower rate of recovery compared to the five tallest young aspen, which were used in previous studies.

Having your cake and eating it too: double-dosing induces magnetism while strengthening topological insulator

A University of Wollongong team has combined two doping elements to achieve new efficiencies in the topological insulator Bi2Se3. The resulting crystals show clear ferromagnetic ordering, a large band gap, high electronic mobility, and the opening of a surface state gap.

SourceARC Centre of Excellence in Future Low-Energy Electronics Technologies·JournalPhysical Review B·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 12, 2021

Researchers observe marcus inverted region of charge transfer from low-dimensional semiconductor materials

Researchers at Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics observed the Marcus inverted region in charge transfer from low-dimensional semiconductor materials. This finding reveals a new understanding of the fundamental energetics dependence of electron transfer, benefiting energy conversion applications of these materials.

SourceDalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy Sciences·JournalNature Communications·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateNov 12, 2021

Study shows that the heart’s own immune cells hold potential for the treatment of heart failure

A new study led by University of Minnesota Medical School researcher Xavier Revelo found that macrophages play a role in protecting the heart after injury. The research team discovered a large increase in cardiac macrophages early in response to a cardiac injury similar to high blood pressure.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota Medical School·JournalCirculation Research·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 12, 2021

Breaking down fungal biofilm defenses provides potential path to treating sticky infections

A study by University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers identified key proteins in fungal biofilms that control resistance to antifungal drugs and dispersal throughout the body. These proteins provide potential drug targets to impair a pathogen's antimicrobial defenses, including the fungus Candida albicans.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 12, 2021

Weak bonds a strength in making borophene

Borophene, a 2D version of boron, can be synthesized on hexagonal boron nitride using weak van der Waals forces. This method allows for easier removal and evaluation of the material for its plasmonic and photonic properties, as well as its electronic properties relevant to superconductivity.

SourceRice University·JournalACS Nano·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateNov 12, 2021

Agriculture and conservation objectives do not have to be at odds

Integrating food production and biodiversity conservation in spatial planning can minimize trade-offs between nature and people. The study found that joint planning processes for rural development and biodiversity conservation are more ecologically effective and socioeconomically feasible than separate strategies. By dedicating at leas...

Building bacteria to keep us well

Researchers have genetically engineered bacteria to detect specific chemicals in the gut, which can help maintain balanced neurotransmitter levels. The bacteria, called Escherichia coli Nissle 1917, produce enzymes that degrade or synthesize target chemicals, potentially alleviating mental health issues.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalCell Systems·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 12, 2021

When cancer “met” its match: New study shows metformin-dependent antitumor immunity

A recent study led by Okayama University scientists found that metformin activates a subset of immune cells called CD8+ T-lymphocytes to attack and kill tumor cells. The study revealed that metformin increases the production of reactive oxygen species in these cells, which activates growth pathways and allows for proliferation.

SourceOkayama University·JournalJournal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 12, 2021

Life is but a dream

Researchers at Kyoto University developed a new neural-optic system to manipulate memories by inhibiting key proteins. This technique can help isolate memory formation and potentially lead to treatments for mental disorders like Alzheimer's disease and schizophrenia.

SourceKyoto University·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 12, 2021

Study examines adverse effects of obesity medications

A recent study analyzed over 18,000 reported adverse events from patients taking various anti-obesity medications. The study found that 4.9% of reported events were fatal, with 35% requiring hospitalization. Further research and monitoring are needed to address the safety concerns surrounding these medications.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·JournalInternational Journal of Clinical Pharmacy·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 12, 2021

Police enforcement of New York City COVID-19 mandates reveals racial inequities by zip code

A new study by Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health found that NYC COVID-19 mandates enforcement mirrored the discretionary nature of the New York stop-and-frisk program, resulting in racialized criminalization and punishment. The use of police to enforce public health mandates increased the risk of COVID spread due to f...

Novel method proposed for effective structure control of colloidal molecules

A novel method was proposed to effectively control the structure of colloidal molecules through a one-pot synthesis route. This approach enables the preparation of colloidal molecules with various morphologies, including popcorn-like and CO2-like shapes, by manipulating the addition order and content of styrene and divinylbenzene.

Holographic displays

The Stanford Computational Imaging Lab has developed a technique to reduce speckling distortion in holographic displays, while another paper proposes a method to realistically represent the physics of 3D scenes. The new system uses neural networks and camera-in-the-loop calibration for real-time adjustments.

SourceStanford University·JournalScience Advances·DateNov 12, 2021

Tech-based health and exercise programs less beneficial for users with low socio-economic status, study shows

A recent study found that digital health programs and apps are less effective in boosting physical activity among users with lower socio-economic status. Researchers analyzed over 14,000 studies and concluded that these interventions do not provide clear benefits for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalInternational Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity·DateNov 12, 2021

Flattening the curve: Nano-film enhanced supercontinuum edition

Researchers create a novel concept to improve supercontinuum light sources by incorporating nano-films into microstructured fibers. This results in broad and flattened output spectra with low input energy, ideal for applications like optical coherence tomography and field hand-held spectroscopy.

USask chickpea research aims to improve important food source for low- and lower-middle-income countries

The study provides insights into the genetic evolution and migration of chickpeas, offering a roadmap for improving the crop's nutritional value and climate resilience. Chickpeas are a main protein source for hundreds of millions of people worldwide, particularly in South Asia, Africa, and other parts of the world.

SourceUniversity of Saskatchewan·JournalNature·TypeObservational study·DateNov 12, 2021