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Science News Archive October 2021 - Page 24


Page 24 of 40

Increases in extreme humid-heat disproportionately affect populated regions

A new study by Washington State University scientists finds that people living in areas with humid-heat extremes are bearing the brunt of the impact. The researchers identify a greater increase in population exposure to humid-heat as compared to dry-heat, emphasizing the importance of understanding humidity changes in a warming world.

SourceWashington State University·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 13, 2021

During the COVID-19 pandemic, nearly 70% percent of surveyed healthcare workers in Ghana and Kenya met criteria for stress and burnout, which are associated with low job satisfaction

A study found that nearly 70% of surveyed healthcare workers in Ghana and Kenya experienced stress and burnout during the COVID-19 pandemic. The researchers suggest that perceived preparedness plays a crucial role in mitigating these negative effects on job satisfaction.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Global Public Health·DateOct 13, 2021

Smoke from nuclear war would devastate ozone layer, alter climate

A new study finds that massive columns of smoke from a nuclear war would destroy much of the ozone layer over a 15-year period, with peak ozone loss averaging about 75% worldwide. This would lead to devastating effects on human health and food supplies, as well as terrestrial ecosystems.

SourceNational Center for Atmospheric Research/University Corporation for Atmospheric Research·JournalJournal of Geophysical Research Atmospheres·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 13, 2021

'Broken heart' syndrome is on the rise in women

A recent study by the Smidt Heart Institute found that middle-aged and older women are being diagnosed with 'broken heart' syndrome more frequently—up to 10 times more often—than younger women or men of any age. The incidence has been rising steadily since before the COVID-19 pandemic, suggesting a possible link between stressors, brai...

SourceCedars-Sinai Medical Center·JournalJournal of the American Heart Association·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 13, 2021

Telehealth addiction treatment rose rapidly during pandemic; but potential benefits still unclear

New research highlights the potential of telehealth to increase patient engagement through improved access and convenience. However, studies found limited evidence that telehealth results in better retention or outcomes compared to in-person treatment. Researchers emphasize the need for more empirical work to confirm its benefits.

SourceAmerican Psychiatric Association·JournalPsychiatric Services·TypeLiterature review·DateOct 13, 2021

World-first clinical trial demonstrates focused ultrasound can deliver antibody therapy to breast cancer metastases in the brain

Researchers at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre have successfully delivered antibody therapy to breast cancer metastases in the brain using focused ultrasound. The treatment, which temporarily opens the blood-brain barrier, has shown promising results with tumor size reductions of up to 21% in patients.

SourceFocused Ultrasound Foundation·JournalScience Translational Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateOct 13, 2021

Did Venus ever have oceans?

A team of astrophysicists led by Martin Turbet from UNIGE and NCCR PlanetS found that Venus's climate conditions prevented the formation of oceans. The study suggests that the Earth could have suffered a similar fate if it had been closer to the Sun or had weaker radiation in its youth.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalNature·TypeNews article·DateOct 13, 2021

Formula milk trials are not reliable, warn experts

A comprehensive review of formula milk trials found that only 17% were conducted independently of formula companies, and most had a high risk of bias due to selective reporting. The researchers call for substantial changes in the conduct and reporting of formula trials to protect participants from harm.

SourceBMJ Group·TypeSystematic review·DateOct 13, 2021

Penn researchers to study the impact of environmental and economic interventions on reducing health disparities in Black Philadelphia neighborhoods with nearly $10 million grant

The study will assess the impact of environmental and economic interventions on health and well-being in predominantly Black neighborhoods. Researchers will enroll 720 adults, half receiving the proposed interventions, and evaluate their overall health and wellbeing, as well as violent crime rates.

Crafting a “sponge” for adsorbing and desorbing gas molecules

A team of scientists has created a novel material composed of catenane molecules, which can adsorb and desorb gas molecules like carbon dioxide. The soft crystal exhibits unique properties, including porosity and deformability, making it suitable for applications such as capturing CO2 molecules.

SourceRIKEN·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 13, 2021

How long does a neutron live?

Physicists have made the most precise measurement yet of a neutron's lifetime, revealing that it lives 14.629 minutes with an uncertainty of 0.005 minutes. This result brings scientists closer to understanding why two previous methods disagree and could provide evidence for new physics.

SourceCalifornia Institute of Technology·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateOct 13, 2021

Lack of power grids sealed fate for early electric cars

A recent study from Lund University reveals that inadequate infrastructure hindered the adoption of electric cars in the early 20th century. Electric cars were cheaper to drive and emitted less CO2 than gasoline cars, but access to local electrical infrastructure was a major factor in their popularity.

SourceLund University·JournalNature Energy·DateOct 13, 2021

The calculated costs of setting up labs to monitor antimicrobial resistance in resource-limited settings may be prohibitive without financial support

The cost of establishing laboratories to track antimicrobial resistance in Southeast Asian hospitals is substantial, making it challenging for many countries to implement such programs. Financial support is crucial to overcome these costs and provide effective antimicrobial resistance monitoring.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Global Public Health·DateOct 13, 2021

Cognitive study shows lack of bilingual education adversely affects English language learners' writing skills

A University of Kansas study examined three key cognitive functions in teaching writing to Hispanic English learners, revealing word retrieval skills, verbal language skills, and working memory are crucial for success. The research highlights the negative effects of a lack of bilingual education on these students' writing abilities.

SourceUniversity of Kansas·JournalJournal of Educational Psychology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 13, 2021

Artificial intelligence-based technology quickly identifies genetic causes of serious disease

A new AI-powered algorithm, GEM, has been developed to quickly identify genetic causes of serious disease in newborns. The technology leverages machine learning and natural language processing to analyze vast amounts of genomic data and clinical records, achieving an accuracy rate of 92% compared to existing tools.

SourceUniversity of Utah Health·JournalGenomic Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 13, 2021

Pain relief without side effects with promising technique

Researchers at Lund University have developed a promising new pain relief method using ultra-thin microelectrodes, providing effective and personalized pain relief without common side effects. The study showed that this technique can block pain signals in the brain without affecting other sensory systems or motor skills.

SourceLund University·JournalScience Advances·DateOct 13, 2021

Free food provided to US households at school and work is relatively unhealthy, though food for families in the supplemental nutrition assistance program appears to be of better nutritional quality

A study published in PLOS ONE found that free food provided to US households at school and work is of poor nutritional quality. In contrast, food for families receiving the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) appears to be of better nutritional value.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateOct 13, 2021

Solving mystery of rare cancers directly caused by HIV

A team of scientists from the University of Pittsburgh and National Cancer Institute discovered why HIV is rarely the direct cause of cancer. The research found that it requires a specific series of events involving changes in HIV and additional mutations in human genes, resulting in T cell lymphomas. However, the occurrence is rare, a...

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalScience Advances·DateOct 13, 2021

International team of astronomers report on largest-ever observed set of mysterious fast radio bursts

An international team of astronomers observed over 1,650 fast radio bursts from one source in deep space, shedding new light on the engine that powers these phenomena. The bursts were measured using the Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical Telescope (FAST) and represent more FRBs in one event than all previous reported occurrences com...

SourceUniversity of Nevada, Las Vegas·JournalNature·TypeObservational study·DateOct 13, 2021

Troubling birth findings show importance of timely flu vaccination

New research from an international team of scientists found that poor timing of influenza vaccination campaigns in Brazil led to increased premature births, lower birth-weight babies, and the need for more cesarean sections. The study suggests that earlier flu vaccination campaigns could better protect pregnant women and their babies.

SourceUniversity of Virginia Health System·JournalEmerging Infectious Diseases·DateOct 13, 2021

Genes and collective behaviour

Researchers used CRISPR-Cas9 technique to edit genes in zebrafish larvae, altering individual behavioral responses and group behavior. The study suggests two simple visuomotor reflexes explain the collective behavior of zebrafish.

SourceUniversity of Konstanz·JournalScience Advances·DateOct 13, 2021

Ancient poop shows people in present-day Austria drank beer and ate blue cheese up to 2,700 years ago

Researchers found evidence of two fungal species used in blue cheese and beer production in ancient feces from Hallstatt-Dachstein/Salzkammergut. The findings suggest that people consumed blue cheese and beer during the Iron Age, nearly 2,700 years ago, and retained a non-Westernized gut microbiome structure until the Baroque period.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·TypeObservational study·DateOct 13, 2021

Center for Innovation in Mental Health at CUNY SPH awarded NIH grant for Harlem Strong Collaborative

The CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy has received a nearly $2 million NIH grant to develop a multisectoral coalition to implement a community-wide collaborative care model to address mental health and socio-economic risks in Harlem. The initiative aims to close the mental health treatment gap for ethnic minoritie...