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Science News Archive October 2021 - Page 6


Page 6 of 40

Survival similar for younger and older patients with metastatic colorectal cancer, study finds

A new study by Dana-Farber Cancer Institute found that younger patients with metastatic colorectal cancer have a similar overall survival time as older patients, defying expectations. The study included data from the CALGB/SWOG 80405 clinical trial and compared survival times in 514 younger patients under 50 with 1,812 older patients.

SourceDana-Farber Cancer Institute·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 27, 2021

Giving disadvantaged kids a sporting chance

A new study by Flinders University highlights the importance of organized activities for disadvantaged youth, finding they are almost three times more likely to miss out on such opportunities. Participation in these activities can help reduce socio-economic disparities by promoting better mental health and improved educational outcomes.

SourceFlinders University·TypeObservational study·DateOct 27, 2021

Making Martian rocket biofuel on Mars

Researchers at Georgia Tech have created a bioproduction process to produce rocket fuel on Mars, reducing mission cost and generating excess clean oxygen. The bio-ISRU strategy uses cyanobacteria to convert CO2 into sugars, which are then converted by E. coli into a Martian propellant.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·JournalNature Communications·TypeObservational study·DateOct 27, 2021

Researchers map best conditions for forage fishes in the Chesapeake

A new study by Virginia Institute of Marine Science researchers maps the conditions most suitable for key species of forage fishes in the Chesapeake Bay, offering guidance for protecting or restoring their habitats. The analysis reveals that factors such as water depth and temperature affect the abundance of forage fish, with some spec...

SourceVirginia Institute of Marine Science·JournalFrontiers in Marine Science·TypeObservational study·DateOct 27, 2021

Biodiversity collections address science workforce needs

A new module in biodiversity collections addresses the need for scientists to have both foundational biological skills and data acumen. The module was implemented in 10 courses across four universities and showed strong learning results, with students feeling well-prepared to collect and archive specimens, as well as deposit digital da...

SourceAmerican Institute of Biological Sciences·JournalBioScience·TypeObservational study·DateOct 27, 2021

An old drug saves lives of COVID-19 patients

A study co-led by McMaster University found that fluvoxamine can save the lives of COVID-19 patients and reduce hospital admissions by up to 30%. The treatment was effective in preventing COVID-19 from becoming a life-threatening illness when administered early.

SourceMcMaster University·JournalThe Lancet·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateOct 27, 2021

Researchers uncover new links between arts programming and social action

A study by NYU researchers reveals that participating in arts programming enhances critical consciousness among youth of color and white youth alike, promoting greater awareness of social inequity. This breakthrough finding highlights the significance of arts programming as a site for developing critical consciousness.

SourceNew York University·JournalJournal of Youth and Adolescence·TypeObservational study·DateOct 27, 2021

Tiny pterosaurs dominated Cretaceous skies

Researchers found that tiny pterosaur juveniles, known as flaplings, dominated the Late Cretaceous period due to their exceptional growth rates and feeding ecology. These findings suggest that the smaller species of pterosaurs were overshadowed by their giant parent's offspring.

SourceUniversity of Portsmouth·JournalCretaceous Research·DateOct 27, 2021

Exploiting cancer’s sweet tooth

Researchers discovered that acute myeloid leukemia (AML) depends on a transporter to bring in inositol, a sugar required for cells to survive. By blocking this transporter, cancer cells would starve without inositol. This method leaves normal cells unharmed as they can produce their own inositol.

SourceCold Spring Harbor Laboratory·JournalCancer Discovery·DateOct 27, 2021

Researchers film fundamental life process

Researchers at the University of Bonn have successfully filmed the nuclear export of protein-building machines, or ribosomes, from the nucleus to the rest of the cell. The study provides new insights into this complex process, which is crucial for understanding how cells produce proteins.

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

Gastric cells—Plant substance from wine influences acid secretion via a bitter receptor

A study by Veronika Somoza's team found that gallic acid stimulates gastric cells to secrete acid via the bitter receptor TAS2R4. The plant substance affects acid secretion regardless of whether it is added to water or red wine. This discovery provides new insights into the functions of bitter receptors in food ingredients.

SourceLeibniz-Institut für Lebensmittel-Systembiologie an der TU München·JournalJournal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 27, 2021

Hazardous levels of alcohol consumption identified in African hunter-gatherer group

Researchers found that 44.3% of the Mbendjele BaYaka population had hazardous alcohol consumption, associated with mental and physical health harms like high blood pressure and increased diarrhoea rates. The study emphasizes the need for community involvement and socioeconomic changes to address the underlying drivers of poor health.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeObservational study·DateOct 27, 2021

Cells move by controlling the stiffness of their neighbours

Researchers discovered cells can regulate neighboring cell stiffness to facilitate movement, a finding that could aid in understanding developmental disorders and cancer metastasis. This novel mechanism may provide a strategy for slowing or preventing cancer spread by altering tissue stiffness.

SourceeLife·JournaleLife·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 26, 2021

Citizen scientists’ contributions a boon to snowpack modeling, OSU research shows

Researchers from Oregon State University have found that citizen scientist contributions significantly improve snowpack modeling, particularly in high mountain environments. The study leverages data collected by thousands of citizen scientists through the NASA-funded Community Snow Observations project.

SourceOregon State University·JournalHydrology and Earth System Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 26, 2021

The fate of vegetable and endogenous indoles in our body

A recent study has identified the superior antitumor efficacy of LTr1 over commercialized compound DIM, revealing new insights into the metabolism of indole-3-carbinol. The research team discovered that LTr1 is formed through the Michael addition of 3-methyleneindolium to DIM in the upper gastrointestinal tract.

SourceScience China Press·JournalNational Science Review·DateOct 26, 2021