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Science News Archive September 2021 - Page 20


Page 20 of 40

Parental alienation, partner abuse: Two sides of same coin, says CSU social psychologist

A new study by CSU social psychologist Jennifer Harman finds that parental alienating behaviors closely resemble coercively controlling violence, intimate terrorism, and battery. The research highlights power imbalances in families affected by parental alienation, emphasizing the need to treat it similarly to other forms of abuse.

SourceColorado State University·JournalPersonal Relationships·TypeContent analysis·DateSep 16, 2021

Advanced model and field data add up to better cover crop management

A new University of Illinois study integrates field data and advanced mathematical modeling to understand how cover crops affect soil water, nitrogen, and oxygen dynamics. The research finds that proper management of cover crops can balance their benefits with cash crop yields, while ignoring the impacts without optimization.

True behavior of the ‘pleasure molecule’ will reshape how we treat psychiatric diseases and addiction

Research reveals that dopamine levels increase with stressful stimuli, rewriting the 'pleasure molecule' narrative, and suggesting new treatment approaches for psychiatric diseases and addiction. The discovery has significant implications for understanding dopamine's role in behavior and developing evidence-based treatments.

SourceVanderbilt University·JournalCurrent Biology·DateSep 16, 2021

Jaws; or, how an African ray-finned fish is helping to rethink the fundamentals of evolution

New research reveals that the evolution of cichlid jaws is linked across multiple levels, challenging a quarter-century-old assumption. This finding highlights the importance of evolutionary constraints in shaping biodiversity, and suggests that they may play a wider role in the evolutionary success of species around the world.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 16, 2021

Pyrrole chemistry: Good things come in threes

Researchers have successfully formed rings made of three pyrroles for the first time, which could be used to produce compounds with unique properties. The discovery explains why tripyrrolic macrocycles were not observed before due to strain issues.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 16, 2021

A blue food revolution

Global demand for aquatic foods is set to double by 2050, with aquaculture production expected to meet the majority of this growth. This 'blue food revolution' has the potential to tackle malnutrition, lower environmental footprints and provide livelihoods, particularly in regions where people rely heavily on these systems.

Studies biased toward white genomes still predict cancer risk in diverse groups

A new study found that genome-wide association studies (GWAS) results from people with European ancestry can still be applied to predict breast and prostate cancer risk in diverse groups. However, the findings emphasize the need for more diverse participants in GWAS analyses to realize the full potential of polygenic risk scores.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Genetics·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 16, 2021

Patients with multiple sclerosis show robust T-cell responses to mRNA COVID-19 vaccines

Researchers found that patients with MS receiving aCD20 treatment generated robust CD4 and CD8 T cell responses to the COVID-19 vaccination. The study measured both antibody and T cell responses in 20 patients with MS who were undergoing aCD20 treatment, compared to those in a group of healthy controls.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalNature Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateSep 16, 2021

Missing the reef for the corals

A new study reveals unexpected trends in coral reef condition and its environment, contrary to prevailing scientific expectations. The authors found that local threats such as pollution do not lead to a decrease in coral cover, and biogeophysical forcings poorly predict ecosystem-scale coral reef condition.

SourceBermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences·JournalFrontiers in Marine Science·TypeMeta-analysis·DateSep 16, 2021

Study reveals gophers’ biofluorescence

Researchers at the University of Georgia have found that pocket gophers are biofluorescent, emitting a colored glow when illuminated with ultraviolet light. The phenomenon has been documented in flying squirrels and opossums before, but this is the first time it has been observed in pocket gophers.

SourceUniversity of Georgia·JournalThe American Midland Naturalist·DateSep 16, 2021

A simple way to get complex semiconductors to assemble themselves

Researchers developed a simple and fast way to create complex semiconductors by growing 2D perovskites precisely layered with other materials, resulting in crystals with wide electronic properties. The assembly takes place in vials where chemical ingredients tumble around in water, with barbell-shaped molecules directing the action.

SourceDOE/SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 16, 2021

Researchers establish a practical safety protocol for home visits in the era of COVID-19

A new protocol has been established to guide healthcare professionals on donning and doffing personal protective equipment during home visits. The protocol aims to address gaps in existing guidelines, providing a clear step-by-step process for healthcare workers interacting with patients potentially infected with COVID-19.

SourceAmerican Academy of Family Physicians·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateSep 16, 2021

Research reveals drug targets for memory enhancement

A Bristol-led research team has identified specific receptors for the neurotransmitter acetylcholine that re-route information flowing through memory circuits in the hippocampus. The discovery holds promise for developing new, safer treatments for conditions like Alzheimer's disease and schizophrenia.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalNature Communications·TypeObservational study·DateSep 16, 2021

For some peptides, killing bacteria an inside job

Researchers have found that certain peptides can target the internal mechanisms of bacteria, making them effective against antibiotic-resistant microbes. The study suggests that these peptides could be used to design therapeutic agents that succeed where standard antibiotics fail.

SourceRice University·JournalInterface·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 16, 2021

Why salespeople avoid big-whale sales opportunities

Research reveals that salespeople conduct rational benefit–cost analyses when deciding which opportunity to pursue. They also use a calibration decision-making strategy for solution selling, which can lead to serious under- or overestimation of conversion rates. The findings highlight the importance of managing salespeople's avoidance ...

SourceAmerican Marketing Association·JournalJournal of Marketing·DateSep 16, 2021

The deforestation risk of making livestock systems greener

New research suggests that scaling up silvopastoral systems in Colombia's Amazon Rainforest can lead to deforestation if safeguards are not put in place. The study found that excess male cattle produced by these systems may be sold to farms in nearby areas, contributing to deforestation.

Research provides new insight into fundamental workings of the immune system in response to therapy to treat skin cancer

Researchers at the University of Birmingham discovered that T cells send messages from five specific genes in their immune response to drugs given to treat skin cancer. This finding suggests that an optimal level of stimulation is required for a strong immune response, and blocking certain immune brakes may re-awaken dormant T cells.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalImmunity·DateSep 16, 2021

Finding new alloys just became simpler

Researchers developed a theoretical model to predict the strength of millions of alloys at high temperatures. Experiments confirmed the predictions, highlighting the importance of edge dislocations in determining yield strength in complex high-entropy alloys.

SourceUniversity of Groningen·JournalNature Communications·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 16, 2021