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Science News Archive October 2021 - Page 27


Page 27 of 40

Patients’ referral to primary care after COVID-19 hospitalization varied widely during the pandemic

Researchers found that only a quarter of patients were scheduled for primary care follow-up prior to discharge during the second wave, highlighting the need for improved healthcare system navigation. Outpatient care can help screen for physical and emotional impairments common among COVID and sepsis patients.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·DateOct 12, 2021

Insects in the light of land use and climate

A new study published in Nature Communications finds that insect biomass is higher in warmer temperatures, while diversity declines in agricultural environments compared to semi-natural habitats. Researchers recommend increasing green spaces in urban areas and promoting forest habitats to mitigate climate change.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalNature Communications·TypeObservational study·DateOct 12, 2021

Contributing to solve the heat concentration problem in power semiconductors

Developed a highly efficient boiling immersion cooler using lotus metals, increasing critical heat flux from 200 W/cm² to 530 W/cm² or more. The technology is expected to solve the heat concentration problem of in-vehicle power semiconductors and be applied to CPUs for workstations and large-scale servers.

SourceJapan Science and Technology Agency·JournalInternational Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 12, 2021

Expanded lung screening rules provide more equitable care

A Kaiser Permanente study found that the 2021 USPSTF guidelines will likely increase lung cancer screening of women, racial and ethnic minority groups, and individuals with lower socioeconomic status. This is expected to lead to an estimated 30% increase in lung cancer diagnoses compared to the 2013 recommendations.

SourceKaiser Permanente·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateOct 12, 2021

New strategy achieves efficient and stable carbon dioxide electrolysis in solid oxide electrolysis cell

Researchers developed a new strategy to achieve efficient and stable CO2 electrolysis in solid oxide electrolysis cells. They found that redox cycle manipulations promoted the exsolution of high-density metal/perovskite interfaces, improving performance and stability.

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

Clarification on diabetes and dementia risk

Researchers found that poorly controlled type 2 diabetes is associated with an increased risk of developing preclinical dementia, which can progress to full-blown dementia. The study also suggests that controlling blood glucose levels may be key to preventing cognitive decline.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalAlzheimer s & Dementia·TypeObservational study·DateOct 12, 2021

Desert locusts remain a serious threat to Pakistan

A severe upsurge of desert locusts in 2019-2020 caused $3.4 billion to $10.21 billion in monetary losses and severe acute food insecurity for over 3 million people in Pakistan. The authors suggest improving the prevention system, developing compensatory measures, and increasing the use of alternative pesticides.

SourcePensoft Publishers·JournalJournal of Orthoptera Research·DateOct 12, 2021

Toward accurate modeling of power MOSFET electrical characteristics

A team of scientists at NAIST successfully used automatic differentiation to accelerate calculations of model parameter extraction, reducing computation time by 3.5 times compared to conventional methods. This breakthrough enables the design of more efficient power converters with increased performance and reduced energy consumption.

SourceNara Institute of Science and Technology·JournalIEEE Transactions on Power Electronics·DateOct 12, 2021

Electronic health record messaging during pandemic

During the COVID-19 pandemic, patient electronic health record inbox message volume increased significantly in an ambulatory practice network in New England. The study compared pre-pandemic and pandemic levels to understand the impact of the outbreak on healthcare communication.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateOct 12, 2021

Scientists discover a highly potent antibody against SARS-CoV-2

Researchers have identified a highly potent antibody that effectively blocks the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2, halting viral replication and enabling the immune system to eliminate the virus. This breakthrough discovery offers a potential preventive-treatment option for unvaccinated individuals or those with weakened immune systems.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalCell Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 12, 2021

Researcher discovers key gene responsible for cancer drug resistance

A researcher at the University of Missouri-Columbia has discovered a protein called USP15 that protects cancer cells from destruction by removing ubiquitin tags placed on them by immunomodulatory drugs. Testing patients for USP15 may help determine resistance to these therapies, paving the way for more precise and customized treatments.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 12, 2021

Study at molecular level finds IRL green sea turtles biologically stressed

Research at Florida Atlantic University found that green sea turtles in polluted environments have impaired immune systems, leading to increased disease susceptibility. The study suggests a positive feedback loop where pollution compromises immunity, making turtles more prone to Green Turtle Fibropapillomatosis.

SourceFlorida Atlantic University·JournalJournal of Wildlife Diseases·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 12, 2021

The deepest dive into the Earth's soil

The University of Idaho's Deep Soil Ecotron facility will be a game-changer for understanding soil ecosystems, allowing researchers to conduct experiments at unprecedented depths. By studying deep soils, scientists can better understand how organisms respond to global environmental change and improve carbon sequestration.

Synthesis of AgNPs@rGO: Simple and green way for wound healing

Scientists from Hefei Institutes of Physical Science create a novel approach to synthesizing silver nanoparticles and reduced graphene oxide composite material using plasma technology. The resulting AgNPs@rGO nanomaterial shows excellent disinfection effects and bio-compatibility, making it suitable for wound healing band-aids.

SourceHefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalChemical Engineering Journal Advances·DateOct 12, 2021

How to better identify dangerous volcanoes

Researchers found that high water content in magma can reduce the risk of an explosive eruption. The study suggests combining different metrics to predict gas bubbles and crystallization, potentially leading to better forecasts for dangerous explosions.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature Geoscience·DateOct 12, 2021