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Science News Archive November 2021 - Page 23


Page 23 of 40

More evidence of an evolutionary ‘arms race’ between genes and selfish genetic elements

Researchers from the University of Rochester have further evidence that genes are evolving defensive mechanisms to counteract harmful genetic elements. The study found that specific genes developed weapons-like structures to combat 'parasites' in the human genome, highlighting the ongoing 'arms race' between these two forces.

SourceUniversity of Rochester·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 12, 2021

More than half of surveyed crop varieties are under threat of extinction, according to study in India

A new study in India reveals that more than half of surveyed crop varieties are under threat of extinction, with 50% considered threatened across five different agroecological regions. The Varietal Threat Index methodology proposes a systematic way to monitor changes in varietal diversity on farms.

How corals react to climate change

Researchers at Ruhr-University Bochum study coral reefs' reaction to climate change, discovering polyp bailout as a potential survival mechanism. The study reveals different species react with varying intensity to environmental stressors, and that individual polyps can survive and grow in new locations.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalCoral Reefs·DateNov 12, 2021

Czech scientists become first to observe an inhomogeneous electron charge distribution on an atom

Scientists confirm existence of sigma-hole, a phenomenon previously predicted but never directly observed. This breakthrough enables understanding of interactions between individual atoms or molecules, facilitating refinement of material and structural properties.

Exercise linked to better mental health

A Kaiser Permanente study of over 20,000 participants found that people who exercised regularly and spent time outdoors during the pandemic reported lower levels of anxiety and depression. The study suggests that public health officials should encourage outdoor physical activity to maintain mental health during emergencies.

SourceKaiser Permanente·JournalPreventive Medicine·DateNov 11, 2021

Rice strategy refines genetic base editors

Rice scientists developed a comprehensive approach to building better base editors, molecular machines that target and fix faulty DNA at single-base resolution. Their new strategy combines theory and experimentation to pinpoint binding energies and characterize deaminase interactions with ssDNA.

SourceRice University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 11, 2021

Coal creation mechanism uncovered

A team of researchers found that microbes are responsible for the formation and production of methane in coal deposits. They analyzed methoxyl groups in coal samples from around the world and used stable isotopes to show that organic material becomes coal through microbial action, contradicting traditional geochemical understanding.

SourcePenn State·JournalScience·DateNov 11, 2021

Plant-based alternative food consumption may have doubled in UK over ten years suggests first analysis of its kind

A new study suggests that UK plant-based alternative food consumption has nearly doubled over the past decade, with younger generations and women being more likely to adopt this diet. The research found that plant-based milks were the most popular among the UK population, followed by vegan sausages and vegetable burgers.

SourceLondon School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine·JournalScience of The Total Environment·DateNov 11, 2021

Making a sleep device fit

Researchers at Flinders University have developed a virtual individual patient model to predict the success of dental appliances in treating sleep apnea. The new approach uses standard testing and clinical data to create a machine learning-based model that predicts treatment outcome in about 60-100% of cases.

SourceFlinders University·JournalJournal of Clinical Sleep Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 11, 2021

Study reveals common loud noises cause fluid buildup in the inner ear and suggests simple possible cure for noise-induced hearing loss

Researchers found that exposure to common loud sounds causes fluid buildup in the inner ear, leading to hearing difficulty. Treating this buildup with hypertonic saline may help prevent or reverse nerve damage and save hearing.

SourceUniversity of Southern California - Health Sciences·JournalFrontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 11, 2021

Rural Bangladeshis turn to faith, family for fact-checking

A Cornell University study finds that rural Bangladeshi villagers rely on local experts, spiritual views and social justice to evaluate new coronavirus information. They use a five-part system called 'situated fact-checking' to assess claims, considering factors like the source's reputation and the community's sense of morality.

SourceCornell University·JournalProceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction·DateNov 11, 2021

Substance use among middle-age, older adults with visual impairment

A study of nationally representative survey data found that U.S. adults 50 and older with visual impairment are at higher risk for substance use or disorders compared to those without visual impairment. The analysis highlights the need for increased attention to substance use prevention and treatment among this vulnerable population.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Ophthalmology·DateNov 11, 2021

New bulbous nosed dinosaur discovered

A new species, Brighstoneus simmondsi, with a distinctive bulbous nose has been identified by University of Portsmouth and Natural History Museum scientists. The discovery was made through meticulous analysis of Iguanodon bones found on the Isle of Wight, which revealed subtle differences indicating a new species.

SourceUniversity of Portsmouth·JournalJournal of Systematic Palaeontology·DateNov 11, 2021

This is how we understand emoji

Researchers investigated how people understand emoji by replacing words with emojis in sentences and measuring reading time. Participants easily understood sentences with emoji, but took longer to read emoji depicting homophones, indicating the image must be interpreted first.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalComputers in Human Behavior·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 11, 2021

Disparities in COVID-19 outcomes

A review of 68 studies examining COVID-19 outcomes reveals disparities among patients from diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds. The analysis found significant variations in health outcomes, hospitalization rates, and mortality across different demographic groups.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateNov 11, 2021