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Science News Archive October 2021 - Page 38


Page 38 of 40

Black patients’ Lyme disease often diagnosed late, possibly due to missed signs

A UCLA study found that Black patients with Lyme disease are more likely to have neurological complications, such as meningitis and neuropathy, when diagnosed late. The study analyzed data from 2015-16 and found that approximately 1 in 3 Black patients had these complications, compared to less than 1 in 10 white patients.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 4, 2021

Quantum mechanics affects light emission

Researchers found that quantum mechanics' influence on particles affects light emission, demonstrating wavefunction collapse and altering interference patterns. The study sheds new light on the counter-intuitive phenomenon, revealing a direct connection between light emission and quantum entanglement.

SourceTel-Aviv University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateOct 4, 2021

Differences in brain structure between siblings make some more susceptible to developing severe antisocial behaviour

Researchers discovered structural differences in brain regions responsible for decision-making and empathy in adolescents with conduct disorder compared to their unaffected siblings. These findings suggest that small changes in brain function may contribute to the development of antisocial behavior in some siblings.

SourceUniversity of Bath·JournalPsychological Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateOct 4, 2021

6 out of 10 patients in England with ‘red flag’ symptoms not given urgent cancer referral

Research published in the journal BMJ Quality & Safety found that six out of ten patients in England with 'red flag' symptoms indicative of possible cancer didn't receive an urgent referral for specialist assessment within two weeks. Nearly four percent of these patients were diagnosed with cancer within the next 12 months.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalBMJ Quality & Safety·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 4, 2021

First European map of the insulating effect of forests

A European map has been created to show the insulating effect of forests, which cool the air by 2.1°C in summer and keep temperatures 2°C higher than ambient air in winter. This finding highlights the crucial role of forests in regulating temperature and provides shelter for wildlife.

SourceCNRS·JournalGlobal Change Biology·DateOct 4, 2021

A look back into record-breaking 2020 Mei-yu rainfall and flooding throughout China: Magnitude, scale, and dynamics

Heavy precipitation affected a significant portion of China, with the Yangtze River basin experiencing extreme flooding and multi-day rain events. The study found that the East Asian Summer Monsoon front played a dominant role in bringing persistent precipitation to the region.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAdvances in Atmospheric Sciences·DateOct 4, 2021

Our DNA is becoming the world’s tiniest hard drive

A new method for recording information to DNA has been proposed by Northwestern University researchers, taking minutes to complete instead of hours or days. This method, called TURTLES, uses a novel enzymatic system to synthesize DNA that records rapidly changing environmental signals directly into DNA sequences.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateOct 4, 2021

Shear-wave elastography for interventional monitoring of pediatric Budd-Chiari syndrome

A prospective study found that liver stiffness measurements obtained by shear-wave elastography decreased significantly after image-guided intervention for chronic Budd-Chiari syndrome in children. Disease recurrence was typically associated with an increase in liver stiffness measurements compared to prior assessments.

SourceAmerican Roentgen Ray Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Roentgenology·TypeObservational study·DateOct 4, 2021

Exposure to deadly urban heat worldwide has tripled in recent decades, says study

A new study found that urban heat exposure has tripled worldwide since the 1980s, affecting nearly a quarter of the global population. The study revealed that city dwellers are exposed to extreme heat and humidity for more person-days, with 1.7 billion people affected on multiple days.

SourceColumbia Climate School·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 4, 2021

Researchers reveal the growing threat extreme heat poses to urban populations

A new study reveals that exposure to extreme heat in urban areas has increased by 200% globally since the mid-1980s, with population growth contributing two-thirds of the increase. The study found that almost one in five people on Earth experienced increases in exposure to urban heat over the past 30 years.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 4, 2021

The case of the aquarium's disappearing medicine

Researchers at Shedd Aquarium and Northwestern University discovered a family of microbes responsible for disappearing anti-parasitic medicine in the aquarium's quarantine habitats. The microbes, which were using the medicine as a source of nitrogen, were found in outlet pipes and were identified as belonging to various phyla.

SourceNorthwestern University·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 4, 2021

Epigenetics predicts the efficacy of T-lymphocyte treatments in hematological malignancies

Researchers found a genetic regulation profile associated with improved overall survival and reduced disease relapse in patients treated with CAR-T cells. The epigenetic pattern is typical of young T lymphocytes, suggesting they may be ideal for selection and administration.

SourceJosep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 4, 2021

Urban mining for metals flashes forward

A new process recovers rhodium, palladium, gold and silver from electronic waste in seconds, producing a byproduct clean enough for agricultural land. The flash Joule heating method uses significantly less energy than traditional lab methods, making it an environmentally friendly alternative.

SourceRice University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 4, 2021

Study: New Pacific Ocean circulation findings may hold key to better predicting impact of El Niño and La Niña

Researchers at York University have discovered a conveyer-like motion of heat across the equator in the Pacific Ocean called the Cross Equatorial Cell (CEC), which influences El Niño and La Niña. This finding may lead to improved prediction of year-to-year disruptions to weather patterns, benefiting countries worldwide.

SourceYork University·JournalJournal of Geophysical Research Oceans·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 4, 2021

JILA’s comb breathalyzer is now a thousandfold more sensitive to disease biomarkers

Researchers at JILA have enhanced the sensitivity of their decade-old frequency comb breathalyzer to detect four biomarkers of disease in human breath. The upgraded system can also identify six additional chemicals, with potential implications for COVID-19 testing and real-time health monitoring.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 4, 2021

Reducing plastics in gardens

A new study by Flinders University and The University of Newcastle reveals that microplastics from various sources can contaminate garden soil after seven years, posing a risk to household environments. The research suggests that careful design and gardening practices can reduce contamination in suburban backyards.

SourceFlinders University·JournalFrontiers in Environmental Science·TypeImaging analysis·DateOct 4, 2021

At-risk teens may face increased online threats

Research finds that at-risk teen girls who have experienced sexual abuse are more likely to be cyberbullied and experience heightened offline sexual activities. Targeted intervention strategies using algorithm-based approaches could help these teens navigate the Internet safely.

SourcePenn State·JournalNature Human Behaviour·TypeObservational study·DateOct 4, 2021

More memory B cells exist in those fully vaccinated with previous SARS-CoV-2 infection, study says

A study by University of Minnesota Medical School researchers found that fully vaccinated individuals with a previous SARS-CoV-2 infection have a stronger immune response, producing more memory B cells. This increased immune response may reduce the risk of breakthrough infections and potentially fewer doses needed for booster shots.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota Medical School·JournalCell Reports·DateOct 4, 2021

Specific UV light wavelength could offer low-cost, safe way to curb COVID-19 spread

A specific wavelength of Far ultraviolet-C light has been discovered that is both safe for humans and highly effective in killing the SARS-CoV-2 virus. This breakthrough could lead to affordable systems for reducing viral spread in crowded public spaces, complementing ventilation, mask wearing, and vaccination.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalApplied and Environmental Microbiology·DateOct 4, 2021

Why extinctions ran amok in ancient oceans, and why they slowed down

A new Stanford University study suggests that rising oxygen levels may have slowed down ancient ocean extinctions. The research found that oxygen levels beyond 40% of present atmospheric levels expanded viable ocean habitat and reduced extinction rates. This discovery has implications for understanding the fate of ocean creatures in to...

SourceStanford University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 4, 2021

Do ‘Dear CEO’ letters make a difference?

A study by University of Georgia researchers found that BlackRock's 'Dear CEO' letters have a significant effect on portfolio firms, influencing their language in financial disclosures. The research suggests that institutional investors are impacting corporate decisions through broad-based public engagement.

SourceUniversity of Georgia·JournalReview of Accounting Studies·DateOct 4, 2021