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Science News Archive November 2021 - Page 35


Page 35 of 40

Mapping annual wildfire probabilities across California

A statistical modeling approach highlights predictive importance of local climate and human activity in determining wildfire probabilities. The analysis uncovered key roles for climate, human activity, fire history, and short-term climate variations in fire-prone regions.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateNov 3, 2021

Dipole scatterers for absolute characterization of high numerical aperture optics

A team of scientists has developed a novel method to characterize microscope objectives without an aberration-less reference element, enabling error correction and precise data collection. Using nanoscale dipole scatterers, they create a nearly-perfect reference wave for measurement.

The importance of social support during pregnancy

New research highlights the importance of social support during pregnancy, finding that women with low levels of emotional or affectionate support are at increased risk of depression and anxiety. The study suggests that screening for social support and providing community-based services may help improve health outcomes.

SourceUniversity of Technology Sydney·JournalBMC Pregnancy and Childbirth·TypeSurvey·DateNov 3, 2021

Securing data transfers with relativity

A team from UNIGE has developed a new system to secure data transfers using the principle of relativity. This approach enables users to identify themselves confidentially without disclosing personal information, making it suitable for cryptocurrencies and blockchain applications.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalNature·TypeNews article·DateNov 3, 2021

Color-changing indicator predicts algal blooms

Researchers developed a color-changing indicator that detects rising levels of alkaline phosphatase, forecasting phytoplankton growth and impending algal blooms. The portable system reliably detected enzyme activity using smartphone scanning apps, potentially enabling real-time field monitoring and prediction.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Applied Nano Materials·DateNov 3, 2021

Scientists discover how our brain uses nutritional state to regulate growth and age at puberty

Researchers found that a receptor in the brain detects nutritional state and regulates puberty timing and growth rate, explaining why humans have been growing taller and reaching sexual maturity earlier over the past century. The discovery has immediate practical implications for testing children with growth delays.

SourceUK Research and Innovation·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 3, 2021

Spiny mice regenerate damaged kidneys without scarring

Researchers discovered that spiny mice can regenerate severely damaged kidneys without scarring, a process triggered by unique transcriptional programs in their genome. This finding offers new hope for treatments of end-stage kidney disease and fibrotic diseases.

SourceCell Press·JournaliScience·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 3, 2021

Electric soot collector shows promise in mitigating emissions from residential biomass combustion

A new study from the University of Eastern Finland introduces an electric soot collector that achieves a 45% fine particle reduction efficiency in logwood-fired masonry heaters. The technology uses natural charges of flames to collect particles, but further optimization is needed for higher reduction efficiencies.

SourceUniversity of Eastern Finland·JournalJournal of Cleaner Production·DateNov 3, 2021

Risk of age-related diseases may be higher in younger b-cell non-hodgkin lymphoma survivors than in their older counterparts

A study found that younger B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma survivors are at a higher risk of developing age-related diseases, including renal failure, pneumonia, and nutritional deficiencies. The research suggests that aggressive treatment regimens may be the underlying factor contributing to this increased risk.

SourceAmerican Association for Cancer Research·JournalCancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention·DateNov 3, 2021

It takes cellular teamwork to heal the intestine

Researchers uncover intricate cellular response to rotavirus damage in intestinal epithelium, finding tuft cells contribute to repair process through production of immature enterocytes. The study provides new understanding of gut healing mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets.

SourceBaylor College of Medicine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 3, 2021

Experts call for urgent roo management reforms

Scientists call for scientifically-informed reforms to manage overabundant kangaroo populations, addressing animal welfare, conservation and environmental concerns. The special edition of the journal features research papers on sustainable monitoring and management practices to reduce harm to wildlife species.

SourceUniversity of Adelaide·JournalEcological Management & Restoration·DateNov 3, 2021

When is a basin of attraction like an octopus?

Researchers describe a simple argument showing that basins in high-dimensional systems should look like high-dimensional octopi. The volume of these basins cannot be correctly approximated by a hypercube, which fails to encompass the vast majority of points in the basin.

SourceSanta Fe Institute·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateNov 3, 2021

COVID-19: Governments must stop vaccine cost secrecy

A recent study estimates that the net manufacturing costs for 100 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine ready for shipping range from $0.54 to $0.98. Companies charge significantly higher prices, despite discounts and tiered pricing for low-income countries, which are likely to prolong the global pandemic.

SourceSAGE·JournalJournal of the Royal Society of Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 3, 2021

Is waking up to smoke a drag on people’s ability to quit smoking?

A recent study published in Behavioral Sleep Medicine found that people who wake up, smoke, and return to sleep are more likely driven by stress than nicotine addiction. To help these smokers quit, researchers recommend addressing their psychological distress and developing treatments that go beyond nicotine dependence.

SourcePenn State·JournalBehavioral Sleep Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateNov 3, 2021

Using microbes to make carbon-neutral fuel

Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have developed a way to train microbes to produce a readily usable biofuel from CO2, solar panel-generated electricity and light. The resulting n-butanol is an authentically carbon-neutral fuel alternative that can be used in blends with diesel or gasoline.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalCommunications Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 3, 2021

Combating antibiotic resistance

The need for new antibiotics is critical due to rising antibiotic resistance, which kills over 35,000 people annually in the US. Research by Harvard Medical School aims to develop better antibiotics by targeting essential bacterial proteins.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalScience·DateNov 3, 2021