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Science News Archive October 2021 - Page 4


Page 4 of 40

Survivor salmon that withstand drought and ocean warming provide a lifeline for California chinook

Late-migrating juvenile spring-run Chinook salmon of California’s Central Valley have a survival advantage during droughts and ocean warming due to their ability to grow in cool-water habitats. The study highlights the importance of secure habitats for fish to survive difficult conditions, emphasizing the need for reintroduction to sav...

SourceNOAA Fisheries West Coast Region·JournalNature Climate Change·TypeObservational study·DateOct 28, 2021

The GIST scientists confirm horse riding as a viable mobility treatment for cerebral palsy

A study by GIST scientists found that physical interaction between children with cerebral palsy and horses improves motor skills and balance. The research team recorded horse and child movements, tracking acceleration and angular velocity to quantify interactions, which were linked to improved outcomes.

SourceGIST (Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology)·JournalJournal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 28, 2021

Increasing sediment flux from rivers in High Mountain Asia poses regional risks

A new study reveals that rivers in High Mountain Asia have experienced significant increases in sediment flux over the past 60 years, with projected doubling of sediment flow by 2050 under extreme climate change. This change has far-reaching implications for hydropower generation and environmental security in the region.

An application to monitor people at risk of psychosis

A new application allows for daily monitoring of psychotic symptoms in people at risk, enabling adapted medical follow-up and identification of triggers. The study, published in Schizophrenia Research, used an app to assess 86 individuals with microdeletion of chromosome 22q11.2, finding it a reliable tool for monitoring symptoms.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalSchizophrenia Research·TypeNews article·DateOct 28, 2021

Postmenopausal women may benefit from estrogen compound research

Researchers have identified a novel estrogen compound that provides benefits similar to hormone replacement therapy but without the risk factors associated with it. The compound has been shown to reduce excess lipid deposition in the liver and prevent the progression of fibrosis, which can lead to liver failure and metabolic problems.

Effects of meteorological factors and airmass movements on airborne pollen in Betula wetland in Xinjiang

Airborne pollen concentrations in Betula microphylla-dominated wetland of Ebinur Lake, Xinjiang, are influenced by meteorological factors such as temperature, precipitation, wind speed, and direction. The study found that airborne pollen composition corresponds to local vegetation and reflects long-distance transported pollen taxa.

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience China Earth Sciences·DateOct 28, 2021

Countermarketing based on anti-smoking campaigns reduces buying of sugary ‘fruit’ drinks for children

A University of Washington study finds that countermarketing campaigns based on anti-smoking tactics decrease the buying of sugary 'fruit' drinks for children. The campaign effectively reduced virtual purchases by 31% and significantly lowered trust in fruit drink brands among participating Latinx parents.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateOct 28, 2021

Satellite images show positive impact of conservation efforts for China's coastal wetlands

Satellite images reveal a substantial increase in saltmarsh area and stable trends of tidal flat areas after 2012, driven by decreased anthropogenic activities and increased conservation and restoration efforts. Conservation efforts have positively impacted China's coastal wetlands, mitigating the loss of these important ecosystems.

SourceUniversity of Oklahoma·JournalNature Sustainability·DateOct 28, 2021

Brain monitoring suggests common link between electrical tremors and mental health disorders

A review of current literature found irregular brain responses to challenging tasks and mistakes may be key to understanding links between abnormal behaviors in mental illness and cognitive disorders. Studies suggest that people with conditions like anxiety, OCD, and ADHD have different brain waves following mistakes compared to health...

SourceKing's College London·JournalBiological Psychiatry·TypeLiterature review·DateOct 28, 2021

Pasqal announces new machine learning protocol for comparing complex graph-based data on quantum systems

Pasqal has published a paper in the APS Physics journal presenting a new machine learning protocol called Quantum Evolution Kernel (QEK) for measuring similarity between graph-structured data on quantum computers. QEK is stable against detection error and comparable to state-of-the-art graph kernels on classical systems.

SourceHKA Marketing Communications·JournalPhysical Review A·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 28, 2021

Potential new treatment for COVID-19 identified

Researchers have discovered a potential new treatment for COVID-19 by targeting the pentose phosphate pathway, which is necessary for SARS-CoV-2 replication. The study found that inhibiting this pathway with benfooxythiamine suppresses viral replication and reduces virus production.

SourceUniversity of Kent·JournalMetabolites·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 28, 2021

25 km high-resolution climate system model reproduces tropical cyclone activities better

A new high-resolution climate system model has improved the accuracy of simulating tropical cyclones, capturing more realistic features and reducing biases. The model's performance was evaluated using the CAS FGOALS-f3-H model, which showed excellent results in depicting global TC activities.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalGeoscientific Model Development·DateOct 28, 2021

Development of precision focused ultrasound surgery technology destructing only the desired tissues

Researchers have developed a new technique to precisely fractionate biological tissue using pressure-modulated shockwave histotripsy, overcoming the shock scattering effect in existing focused ultrasound technology. This technology enables real-time cavitation analysis and shorter treatment times.

SourceNational Research Council of Science & Technology·JournalUltrasonics Sonochemistry·DateOct 28, 2021

Dialysis patients benefit from a third Covid vaccination dose

A recent study suggests that dialysis patients can benefit from a third Covid-19 vaccination dose. Researchers examined 23 dialysis patients who had shown a reduced vaccination response after two doses and found that most developed high antibody titers and killer cell responses against the Sars-Cov-2 coronavirus after a third dose.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalKidney International·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 28, 2021

Jewish autistic pupils thrive as bilingual learners, after communities reject advice “not to teach Hebrew”

A University of Cambridge study found that Jewish autistic children who learn Hebrew as a second language benefit from their cultural identity and community involvement. Parents and teachers rejected outdated professional advice, instead teaching pupils Hebrew to enhance their spiritual and family life.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalJournal of Autism and Developmental Disorders·DateOct 27, 2021

Infections from respiratory viruses follow a predictable seasonal pattern, researchers find

Researchers identified a clear-cut seasonal pattern in respiratory viruses, with peaks in January and lows in June, affecting hospital admissions. The study found that babies born in severe peak years were more likely to be infected and hospitalized, highlighting the importance of planning ahead for high seasons of illnesses.

A heart that beats (almost) like our own

Researchers at the University of Iowa found that the fruit fly's head-heart beats much like a human's, driven by an automatic muscle contraction and relaxation. This rhythmic pulsation generates hemolymph flow to the antennae and may help keep the brain clean.

SourceUniversity of Iowa·JournalJournal of Experimental Biology·TypeObservational study·DateOct 27, 2021

The Lancet Global Health: Treatment of COVID-19 with fluvoxamine reduces risk of prolonged hospitalization, finds largest trial to date

The largest trial to date shows that fluvoxamine treatment for high-risk outpatients with early-diagnosed COVID-19 reduces the need for prolonged observation or hospitalization. The study found an absolute reduction in risk of prolonged hospitalization and a relative risk reduction of 32% compared to the control group.

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet Global Health·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateOct 27, 2021

UBCO researchers examine how e-cigarette users quit

A UBCO study published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research found that negative health experiences and withdrawal symptoms are major barriers to quitting e-cigarettes. Gradual reduction methods, including tapering nicotine concentration and using distraction techniques, were preferred by over 65% of quitters.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia Okanagan campus·JournalJournal of Medical Internet Research·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 27, 2021

Taking the pulse of flies

A study by Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown found that fruit fly hearts accelerate when in danger and slow down during freezing, a behavior previously thought to be energy-saving. This unexpected result suggests an entirely new mechanism at play in flies' cardiac responses.

SourceChampalimaud Centre for the Unknown·JournalCurrent Biology·DateOct 27, 2021

Not all acne is equal: scientists reveal strains of C. acnes that promote skin health

A new study reveals that certain strains of Cutibacterium acnes (C. acnes) found on healthy skin can prolong the lifespan of Caenorhabditis elegans and help its innate immune system fight against Staphylococcus aureus. RNA sequencing analysis also shows these beneficial strains activate genes related to innate immunity.

SourceOsaka City University·JournalMicrobiology Spectrum·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 27, 2021

People may prefer climate change policies that give incentives, find energy alternatives

Participants preferred policies that used incentives to encourage eco-friendly choices, particularly when they targeted businesses. In contrast, policies that focused on energy alternatives and used incentives were also supported. The researchers found that policy support was influenced by the type of change targeted, who was targeted,...

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of Environmental Psychology·TypeObservational study·DateOct 27, 2021

Industry must prepare now for a new world of green electricity

The University of Leeds research highlights the need for industry to adopt new technologies that can manufacture materials using renewable electricity. This is crucial to achieving net zero emissions targets by 2050, as current steel and aluminium manufacturing capacities pose a significant barrier to this goal.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalCurrent Opinion in Environmental Sustainability·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 27, 2021

Likely lower risks of adverse pregnancy outcomes from SARS-CoV-2 than previously feared

A national study in Sweden suggests that the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes from SARS-CoV-2 is likely lower than previously feared. The study found that infants born to test-positive mothers had a higher risk of neonatal care and preterm birth, but no significant difference in stillbirths or low Apgar scores.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalBJOG An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology·TypeObservational study·DateOct 27, 2021

A lab in the sky: Physics experiment in Earth’s atmosphere could help improve GPS performance

Researchers conducted a controlled radar wave experiment to monitor plasma waves and control wave modes in the ionosphere, which can help improve GPS accuracy during space weather events. The study published in Nature Communications provides new diagnostics for temperature, density, magnetic field, and ion composition.

SourceUniversity of Strathclyde·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 27, 2021