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Science News Archive September 2021


Page 1 of 40

New metamaterial with unusual reflective property could boost your Wi-Fi signal

Researchers at University of Toronto have developed a new metamaterial that can channel light to enable more wireless data transmission over a single frequency, potentially doubling the capacity of existing networks. The 'full-duplex' intelligent metasurface has the potential to revolutionize wireless communication.

Optically generated quantum fluids of light reveal exotic matter-wave states in condensed matter physics

Scientists from Skoltech and the University of Southampton created an all-optical lattice that houses polaritons, quasiparticles with half-light and half-matter properties. They demonstrated breakthrough results for condensed matter physics and flatband engineering.

SourceSkolkovo Institute of Science and Technology (Skoltech)·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 30, 2021

Study: Aerobic exercise after a sport-related concussion speeds recovery in adolescent athletes

A new study published in The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health found that daily aerobic exercise within 10 days of getting injured reduced the risk of prolonged recovery by 48%. This approach is non-pharmacological, safe and effective, with benefits experienced by both genders equally.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalThe Lancet Child & Adolescent Health·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateSep 30, 2021

OSU study on African buffalo offers insights on persistence of highly contagious pathogens

A new OSU study on African buffalo offers insights into the persistence of highly contagious foot-and-mouth disease pathogens. Researchers found that carrier transmission among certain strains can allow them to persist in populations, highlighting the need for public health interventions to limit transmission and endemicity.

SourceOregon State University·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 30, 2021

Study explores how women handle stigma of staying with imprisoned men

Researchers conducted semi-structured interviews with 12 women who dated or were married to incarcerated partners, analyzing the impact of courtesy stigma and women's coping strategies. The study found that despite disapproval from loved ones, women chose to remain in their relationships, highlighting benefits such as deeper communicat...

SourceUniversity of Texas at Dallas·JournalCriminal Justice Studies·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 30, 2021

New nanomaterial for treatment of skin infections

Researchers at IOCB Prague have developed a novel antibacterial material called NANO-LPPO that can prevent infection and facilitate treatment of skin wounds. The material combines lipophosphonoxins with a nonwoven nanotextile, which releases active substances in response to bacterial presence.

Sexual minority identity impacts career trajectory among medical students

A study analyzing data from the Association of American Medical Colleges Graduate Questionnaire found that sexual minorities, particularly female, are underrepresented in undergraduate medical training and certain specialties. The researchers concluded that standardized data collection and consideration of diversity in recruitment are ...

SourceUniversity of Minnesota Medical School·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 30, 2021

Older adults who receive additional supportive care services experience fewer side effects from chemotherapy, City of Hope study finds

A City of Hope clinical trial showed that patients over 65 experiencing significantly fewer treatment-related side effects when a multidisciplinary team analyzed each case and introduced personalized interventions. The completion of advance directives was also higher in the experimental group.

SourceCity of Hope·JournalJAMA Oncology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateSep 30, 2021

Satirical essay critiques power imbalances in global health research

A satirical opinion article by Iruka Okeke critiques the extractive and exploitive aspects of health research partnerships between high-income and low-income countries. The author highlights twenty problematic practices that maintain and exacerbate inequities in global health biomedical research.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateSep 30, 2021

Quantum photonics based on metasurfaces

Researchers discuss the recent development of quantum optics based on micro/nano structures, including metasurfaces, which offers rich light field control function to discover new quantum physics. Metasurfaces has great potential in quantum optics, enabling the exploration of quantum technologies with strong stability and high efficiency.

SourceCompuscript Ltd·JournalOpto-Electronic Advances·DateSep 30, 2021

Virtual care with remote monitoring catches drug errors and reduces patient pain

A national study led by McMaster University researchers found that patients using take-home technology following non-elective surgery had significantly greater detection and correction of drug errors, and reduction in patients' pain. The study also showed a reduction in acute-hospital care as the result of virtual care and remote autom...

SourceMcMaster University·JournalThe BMJ·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateSep 30, 2021

How fine-root traits fit in plant form and function

A global study of thousands of plant species reveals that fine-root traits are fundamentally decoupled from aboveground traits, suggesting that plants employ different strategies to acquire nutrients and water. This discovery challenges the 'plant economics spectrum hypothesis' and highlights the need for further research into the rela...

SourceEstonian Research Council·JournalNature·TypeMeta-analysis·DateSep 30, 2021

Wildfire bees on the brink

A new study finds that the 2019-20 Black Summer bushfires increased the number of threatened Australian native bee species by nearly five times. The research assesses the long-term environmental damage from the natural disaster and highlights the need for urgent conservation action.

SourceFlinders University·JournalGlobal Change Biology·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 30, 2021

Preventing child malnutrition and promoting healthy development

A small sachet of a fortified food-based supplement added to young children’s daily diets has shown remarkable results in preventing child mortality and malnutrition while promoting healthy development. The intervention resulted in lower prevalence of stunted growth, anemia, and adverse language and motor development outcomes.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 30, 2021

Review concludes managing weight and preventing obesity in people with type 1 diabetes is a difficult but not impossible balance

A new review concludes that people with type 1 diabetes can manage their weight, but more research is needed to understand the specific needs of this patient group. The review explores strategies such as nutrition education, adjunct therapies like metformin and GLP-1 receptor agonists, and obesity surgery.

SourceDiabetologia·JournalThe Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology·DateSep 30, 2021

Primordial ‘hyper-eye’ discovered

A team of researchers has found a 390-million-year-old hyper-facet eye system in trilobites that is unique to the animal kingdom. The discovery suggests that this ancient eye may have been an adaptation for life in low light conditions, and could provide insights into the evolution of visual systems.

SourceUniversity of Cologne·JournalScientific Reports·TypeObservational study·DateSep 30, 2021

Expert report indicates neural harm of marine parks on cetacean brains

A new report published in De Gruyter exposes the neural impact of marine parks and other impoverished environments on cetaceans. The authors conclude that these environments cause significant neurobiological harm, leading to abnormal behavior such as repetitive swimming patterns and social isolation.

SourcePeople for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA)·JournalReviews in the Neurosciences·TypeSystematic review·DateSep 30, 2021

HKU theoretical chemists develop a breakthrough quantum chemistry technique for illuminating new opportunities towards computational design and optimisation of organic photofunctional materials

The University of Hong Kong researchers have developed a novel quantum chemistry technique to reveal complex electron and energy transfer pathways in photophysical processes. The study reveals that strong electron-electron correlations and electron-vibration couplings govern the efficient singlet fission process in organic materials.

SourceThe University of Hong Kong·JournalChemical Science·DateSep 30, 2021

More effective treatment of Alzheimer’s

Researchers at Uppsala University have designed new antibodies that bind to both large and small aggregates of the amyloid-beta protein, potentially providing a more effective treatment for Alzheimer's disease. The new antibody format is stronger in binding to clumps and can also target smaller aggregates.

SourceUppsala University·JournalTranslational Neurodegeneration·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 30, 2021