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Science News Archive November 2021 - Page 31


Page 31 of 40

Study finds QFR-guided lesion selection leads to better PCI outcomes compared with conventional angiography

A study published in The Lancet found that using physiologic measurement quantitative flow ratio (QFR) for lesion selection during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) leads to better clinical outcomes compared to standard angiography-guided strategies. This is due to fewer procedural complications and superior long-term results.

SourceCardiovascular Research Foundation·JournalThe Lancet·DateNov 8, 2021

Off-world colony simulation reveals changes in human communication over time with Earth

Researchers studied the effects of isolation on human psychology, physiology, and team dynamics in a simulated off-world colony. The study found that crews' communication with mission control diminished over time, causing initial friction but eventually leading to increased cohesion despite cultural and personal differences.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Physiology·TypeObservational study·DateNov 8, 2021

What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger: Illinois research shows crops have drought ‘memory’ to help reduce yield loss

Crops that survive early-season drought conditions are better able to deal with those same conditions later in their growth cycle, a phenomenon known as 'drought memory'. This adaptation allows crops to mitigate losses from late-season droughts up to seven percent.

SourceCarl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign·JournalFood and Energy Security·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 8, 2021

Storing energy in plants with electronic roots

Scientists have successfully stored energy in bean plant roots using conjugated oligomers, creating a new biohybrid system for sustainable energy storage. The research demonstrates that the roots of intact plants can function as networks of conductors, storing up to 100 times more energy than previous experiments.

SourceLinköping University·JournalMaterials Horizons·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 8, 2021

Nature Medicine publishes phase 2 trial data showing durvalumab immunotherapy with standard chemotherapy improved survival in malignant pleural mesothelioma

A phase 2 clinical trial shows durvalumab immunotherapy combined with standard chemotherapy significantly improved overall survival for patients with previously untreated malignant pleural mesothlioma. The study's findings provide insights into patient selection methods for this novel chemo-immunotherapy regimen.

SourcePrECOG, LLC·JournalNature Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateNov 8, 2021

Harvard scientists take the study of regeneration to the next level by making three-banded panther worms transgenic

Researchers have successfully created transgenic three-banded panther worms to study regeneration, revealing detailed insights into the cellular anatomy of these animals. By manipulating specific genes, scientists can now investigate the role of muscle cells in holding the worm's body together and storing information for regeneration.

Scientists discover how antibiotics penetrate Gram-negative bacterial cell walls

Researchers developed a method to determine how antibiotics interact with Gram-negative bacterial membranes, revealing that positively charged groups can facilitate passage through pores. The technique, called molecular dynamics simulation, will help design new drugs to target resistant microbes.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalChemical Science·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateNov 8, 2021

How prolonged radiation exposure damages nuclear reactors

The study reveals that radiation condition, reactor design, and temperature are crucial factors in predicting instability in materials due to radiation. Nanomaterials with fine grain sizes suppress instabilities, making them more radiation-tolerant. The research provides insight into designing safer, more efficient nuclear reactors.

SourceTexas A&M University·JournalFrontiers in Materials·DateNov 8, 2021

Flexible sigmoidoscopy screening associated with long-term reduction in colorectal cancer incidence and mortality

Flexible sigmoidoscopy screening significantly reduces colorectal cancer incidence and mortality, with a substantial protective effect maintained up to 19 years. The study's findings confirm the safety and effectiveness of flexible sigmoidoscopy as a preventive measure.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateNov 8, 2021

Wang receives NSF CAREER grant

Cong Wang, Assistant Professor at George Mason University, has received a $181,584 NSF CAREER grant for his research on memory-efficient and robust architecture for federated intelligence on edge devices. The project aims to address the limitations of current federated learning approaches and provide solutions for computation/memory/en...

Why the world needs a better LED light bulb

Researchers have developed a new light-emitting material that doubles the intensity of existing LEDs while also being more energy-efficient. The material, cerium-doped zinc oxide, has the potential to be used in commercial LED lighting applications and could make lighting more affordable for households and businesses worldwide.

SourceUniversity of Johannesburg·JournalJournal of Luminescence·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 8, 2021

Change in vaccination strategy averted outbreak of urban yellow fever in São Paulo State, scientists say

An updated vaccination strategy is credited with averting an outbreak of urban yellow fever in São Paulo State, according to research published in Scientific Reports. The study found that the virus spread rapidly, reaching cities never affected before, and that a high number of cases were reported in areas with low vaccination coverage.

Multiculturalism in itself is not a resource

A new study from Copenhagen Business School suggests that transforming multicultural employees' capacities into strategic human capital resources is key to a company's competitive advantage. The researchers highlight the importance of deliberate actions, emerging-enabling factors, and differentiated HR architecture to create sustainabl...

SourceCopenhagen Business School·JournalJournal of International Business Studies·TypeObservational study·DateNov 8, 2021

New symptoms identified that could help doctors diagnose pancreatic cancer

Researchers have identified two new symptoms – thirst and dark urine – associated with pancreatic cancer, which could help doctors diagnose the disease earlier. The study found 23 symptoms linked to pancreatic cancer, with patients often experiencing non-specific symptoms up to a year before diagnosis.

SourceNational Cancer Research Institute·JournalBritish Journal of General Practice·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 8, 2021

Helping smooth New Zealand sea lions’ road home

A team of researchers has developed a new tool to predict the habitat needs of New Zealand's endangered sea lions, enabling conservation efforts to better prepare for their return to the mainland. The model takes into account various factors such as sand, grass, and forest types, slopes, and human impact like roads and farms.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalMethods in Ecology and Evolution·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateNov 7, 2021

Calculating a dangerous heartbeat

A team of researchers from Flinders University has developed a single mathematical equation that can accurately model and predict the behavior of ventricular fibrillation, a life-threatening heart rhythm. The equation uses principles from renewal theory to predict the population dynamics of 'rotors' found in the heart during VF.

SourceFlinders University·JournalHeart Rhythm·TypeObservational study·DateNov 7, 2021

HKUMed uses ancestral sequence reconstruction[1] to reveal the evolutionary adaptations that enable avian influenza viruses to transmit in mammalian hosts

The study reveals step-wise molecular changes in viral polymerase and nucleoprotein that facilitated efficient pig-to-pig transmission. The findings suggest strategic coordination of surveillance and risk assessment activities to identify viruses with pandemic potential.

SourceThe University of Hong Kong·JournalNature Microbiology·DateNov 7, 2021

Sick insects stick to comfortable conditions

Research shows that infection with a fungus decreases the thermal tolerance of aphids and their beetle predator, the common ladybeetle, by more than 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Infected insects are less likely to cross into zones that are too warm or too cold, altering predator-prey interactions as the climate changes.

SourcePenn State·JournalScientific Reports·DateNov 5, 2021

Planting new forests with high functional diversity helps improve productivity

A study by Prof. MA Keping and colleagues found that older forests with high functional diversity achieve higher productivity than those with low diversity or specific high average traits. This reliable tool helps forest managers connect restoration actions to goals, essential for mitigating climate change and biodiversity loss.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 5, 2021

Study of 18000+ US and Australian older people reveals moderate drinking protective against heart disease, more than for tea totalers

A landmark Monash University study found moderate drinking is associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease and mortality in healthy older adults. The study of over 18,000 participants aged 70+ found that consumption of 51-100 g/week was linked to lower CVD event risks and all-cause mortality.

SourceMonash University·JournalEuropean Journal of Preventive Cardiology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateNov 5, 2021

A sustainable revolution for drugs, agriculture and food industry of the future: Cryform project starts at the Politecnico di Torino

The CryForm project aims to replace synthetic stabilizing agents with crystalline materials, enabling innovative multiphase formulations for safer, more sustainable and affordable products. The project will develop biocompatible crystals for pharmaceutical, cosmetic and food applications, contributing to the European Green Deal.

Secondary forests restore fresh water sources in degraded landscapes

Researchers found that bacterial communities in streams adjacent to young secondary forests recover to resemble those of mature forest streams within a decade after cattle is removed from the land. This study provides hope for restoring water quality through passive reforestation, which can be crucial for human health and the environment.

SourceSmithsonian Tropical Research Institute·JournalScientific Reports·DateNov 5, 2021

Air pollution and proximity to blue and green spaces found to be key factors affecting quality of life of people living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

High air pollution exposure worsens COPD patients' quality of life, while living far from green spaces also reports negative effects. Access to blue and green spaces improves mental and physical health through increased physical activity.

SourceUniversity of Alberta Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry·JournalEnvironmental Research·DateNov 5, 2021