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Science News Archive September 2021 - Page 25


Page 25 of 40

Mount Sinai researchers use wearable devices to identify psychological effects of pandemic

A study published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research found that healthcare workers with high emotional support or resilience were protected against stress related to COVID-19. The study used wearable devices to measure heart rate variability and found a unique nervous system profile in these individuals.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalJournal of Medical Internet Research·DateSep 13, 2021

Scientists claim that overeating is not the primary cause of obesity

The energy balance model fails to explain the biological causes of weight gain, whereas the carbohydrate-insulin model identifies excessive consumption of rapidly digestible carbohydrates as a key contributor to obesity. This perspective argues for a shift in focus from calorie restriction to dietary pattern change.

SourceAmerican Society for Nutrition·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateSep 13, 2021

Socio-economic status of children can influence microorganisms in their digestive tract

A nationwide study suggests that a family's socio-economic status can shape the health of young children by influencing the diversity of their gut microbiome. The study found that parents with higher education levels had children with a higher abundance of certain beneficial microbes, which could have long-term implications for health.

Public will pay over $500 million a year for hurricane forecast improvements, study finds

A recent survey of people affected by hurricanes found that the public is willing to pay more than $500 million a year for improved hurricane forecasts. The study also found that wind speed forecast is the most valuable improvement, with an average willingness to pay of $28.89 per household per year.

SourceUniversity of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science·JournalBulletin of the American Meteorological Society·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 13, 2021

Quantum materials cut closer than ever

Researchers at DTU have developed a new method for designing nanomaterials with unprecedented precision, allowing for the creation of compact and electrically tunable metalenses. This breakthrough enables the development of high-speed communication and biotechnology applications.

SourceTechnical University of Denmark·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateSep 13, 2021

Bluefin tuna reveal global ocean patterns of mercury pollution

A new study found that bluefin tuna accumulation rates are highest in the Mediterranean and decrease in the north Pacific Ocean, Indian Ocean, and north Atlantic Ocean. The researchers linked methylmercury accumulation to regional seawater and zooplankton concentrations, revealing global patterns of mercury pollution.

SourceRutgers University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 13, 2021

New research provides useful genetic resource of farm-raised kuruma shrimp

Researchers at OIST and Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology have developed a genetic resource for the kuruma shrimp, a species prone to white spot disease. The genome sequence has identified genes related to disease resistance, which could be used to establish a disease-resistant line of shrimp.

SourceOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University·JournalG3 Genes Genomes Genetics·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 13, 2021

Under the scanner: GIST scientists unravel the inner workings of DNA repair enzymes

GIST scientists utilized latest advances in single molecule detection to observe the enzymatic activity of gene repair. The study revealed that ExoIII has an affinity for damaged DNA sites, creating a gap that Pol I fills. Understanding this mechanism may lead to technologies for targeted gene repair and drug development.

SourceGIST (Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology)·JournalScience Advances·TypeObservational study·DateSep 13, 2021

To cheat or not to cheat?

A new study found that cognitive control plays a significant role in determining whether individuals cheat or not. Participants who tended towards honesty were more likely to cheat, while those with a moral inclination towards dishonesty were more likely to remain honest. This suggests that cognitive control can override moral impulses...

SourceSociety for Neuroscience·JournalJNeurosci·DateSep 13, 2021

New cerium superhydrides become stepping stones to ‘Goldilocks’ superconductors

Scientists have discovered two new cerium superhydrides, CeH9 and CeH10, which exhibit superconductivity at lower pressures than previously known compounds. This breakthrough brings researchers closer to creating room-temperature superconductors with more manageable pressure conditions.

SourceSkolkovo Institute of Science and Technology (Skoltech)·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 13, 2021

Vaping is linked to heightened eating disorder risk among U.S. college students

A new study published in the journal Eating Behaviors found a strong association between vaping or e-cigarette use and an increased risk of developing an eating disorder among US college students. The study analyzed over 51,000 participants and highlighted the need for more research and clinical assessment to address this growing concern.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalEating Disorders·TypeSurvey·DateSep 13, 2021

The Lancet: Scientific evidence to date on COVID-19 vaccine efficacy does not support boosters for general population, expert review concludes

A recent expert review published in The Lancet concludes that COVID-19 vaccine efficacy against severe disease is high, but booster doses for the general population are not necessary. Vaccination remains highly effective against severe disease, including variants like delta and alpha.

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet·TypeLiterature review·DateSep 13, 2021

NSF launches $25 million digital biology center

The Center for Research on Programmable Plant Systems (CROPPS) aims to integrate plant sciences, engineering, and computer science to improve crop efficiency and sustainability. Researchers will engineer plants that can detect environmental changes and respond to digital signals, leading to more efficient water and nutrient delivery.

Cancer immunotherapy gets PIP boost

Researchers at Kyoto University designed a synthetic molecular code, EnPGC-1, that activates mitochondrial biogenesis in T cells, increasing their numbers and longevity. The approach enhances anti-tumor immunity in mice and improves survival.

SourceKyoto University·JournalCell Chemical Biology·DateSep 13, 2021

Docking peptides, slow to lock, open possible path to treat Alzheimer’s

Researchers discovered that amyloid beta peptides, which form gummy plaques in Alzheimer's disease, go through several intermediate stages of frustration as they dock and lock to growing fibrils. This suggests that drugs might be developed to stabilize the fibril tips and block further aggregation by targeting the 'Achilles' heel' of f...

SourceRice University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 13, 2021

Aiming for the sky and beyond: WVU helps net $2 million NSF award to build international gravitational wave detection network

A nearly $2 million NSF grant will accelerate the hunt for low-frequency gravitational waves using high-precision timing observations of exotic stars called millisecond pulsars. WVU's Maura McLaughlin is principal investigator on the project, which aims to discover new types of gravitational waves and expand the IPTA's reach globally.

Shop displays of e-cigarettes and smoking paraphernalia could undermine effectiveness of banning tobacco displays

Researchers found that the majority of retailers selling tobacco also displayed e-cigarettes and smoking paraphernalia prominently, which could undermine the effectiveness of tobacco point-of-sale display bans. These displays were highly visible across all stores, with an average visibility score of 14.7 out of 17 for e-cigarettes.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalTobacco Control·TypeObservational study·DateSep 13, 2021

Turning 65 means a lot for Americans’ wallets, health spending study finds

A new study suggests that lowering the age when older adults can enroll in Medicare might save them a significant amount of money. The study found that average out-of-pocket healthcare costs dropped by 27% for those turning 66, while nearly 9% of 64-year-olds were considered 'catastrophic' due to high health expenses.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalJAMA Health Forum·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 13, 2021

COVID-19 outbreak in french nursing home

A recent study investigated a COVID-19 outbreak among fully vaccinated residents and healthcare professionals in a French nursing home. The study highlights the importance of vaccination in preventing severe illness but also underscores the limitations of current vaccines.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateSep 13, 2021

Study provides basis to evaluate food subsectors' emissions of three greenhouse gases

A new study provides a comprehensive framework to evaluate the emissions of three major greenhouse gases from food production and consumption. The research found that animal-based foods emit 57% of global greenhouse gas emissions, while plant-based foods account for 29%, with CO2 being the most important emission factor.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalNature Food·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 13, 2021

Researchers shed new light on molecular mechanisms in brain diseases

Researchers have discovered key insights into how toxic proteins are regulated in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. Fasting has been found to dramatically increase the production of exophers, a type of neurotoxic protein, and three cellular pathways that contribute to this process have been identified.

SourceRutgers University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 13, 2021

RIT scientists model how coronavirus attaches itself to human cells

Researchers used complex computer simulations to study the attachment of SARS-CoV-2 and its variants to human cells. They found that the virus has two main locations where it grabs onto the host cell receptor ACE2, with early strains having a slippery interaction at one region that becomes less slippery as variants evolve.

SourceRochester Institute of Technology·JournalJournal of Biomolecular Structure and Dynamics·DateSep 13, 2021

What was really the secret behind Van Gogh’s success?

A new study from Northwestern University finds that exploring diverse styles before exploiting a narrow area can lead to a career's greatest hits. Dashun Wang and his team analyzed data from over 2,128 artists, including Jackson Pollock, and found a consistent association between the 'exploration-exploitation' pattern and hot streaks.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalNature Communications·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 13, 2021

Blood lipoprotein levels linked to future risk of ALS

A large epidemiology study found associations between higher HDL and apoA1 levels with a lower risk of ALS. Lower LDL and apoB levels were also linked to decreased risk. These findings may support population screening and preventative therapy for ALS.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalJournal of Neurology Neurosurgery & Psychiatry·TypeObservational study·DateSep 13, 2021

The bridge between public health education and government workforce needs fixing

The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed a long-term underinvestment in the US public health workforce, with staff losses and underfunding for public health education. Experts recommend increasing access to education for future public health professionals and investing in the existing workforce to address this critical shortage.

SourceColumbia University's Mailman School of Public Health·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·DateSep 13, 2021

New method enables 3D microscopy of human organs

Researchers at Umeå University developed a method to study specific cell types in human organs with high-resolution 3D imaging. This allows for the visualization of previously unrecognized alterations in organs like the pancreas, which can lead to improved understanding of disease conditions and treatment options.

SourceUmea University·JournalCommunications Biology·TypeImaging analysis·DateSep 13, 2021

Kaya receives funding for collaborative research focused on developing integrated computer science curricula for linguistically diverse classrooms in grades 3-5

Erdogan Kaya and his team will develop an ELL-friendly elementary computer science curriculum utilizing educational robotics, aiming to improve English language proficiency, science, math, and computer science achievement. Funding from NSF CSforAll grant will support a collaborative project with institutions nationwide.