Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News Archive September 2021 - Page 27


Page 27 of 40

NYU to join NSF-Backed AI-Based Climate Modeling Center

The NYU-led Learning the Earth with Artificial Intelligence and Physics (LEAP) center will combine artificial intelligence and climate modeling to better predict climate change impacts. The center aims to provide more accurate climate predictions by analyzing satellite images, large-scale observational data, and developing new algorithms.

Researchers reconstruct major branches in the tree of language

A team of researchers used a novel approach called onomasiological reconstruction to analyze 5,000-year-old Indo-European and Altaic macrofamily languages. The study confirmed well-documented genealogies and identified relationships between major branches, providing insights into the evolutionary paths of human languages.

SourceSanta Fe Institute·JournalLinguistics·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 10, 2021

Meteorologists release a 70-year potential risk index dataset for landfalling tropical cyclones affecting the Chinese mainland

Scientists compiled a 71-year potential risk index dataset to estimate TC impact severity on the Chinese mainland, showing increased damage over time. Recent upward trends in precipitation and wind values contribute to larger TC impacts along coastal China.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAdvances in Atmospheric Sciences·DateSep 10, 2021

Acoustic illusions

Scientists at ETH Zurich have developed a system that can manipulate the acoustic field in real time, creating illusions of objects disappearing or being simulated. The technology uses field-programmable gate arrays to control the augmentation of sound waves, enabling potential applications in sensor technology, architecture, and commu...

SourceETH Zurich·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 10, 2021

Signs of dementia are written in the blood, reveals new study

A new study published in PNAS has identified 33 metabolic compounds associated with dementia, which could aid in diagnosis and treatment. The researchers found that levels of these metabolites differed significantly between patients with dementia and healthy elderly individuals.

SourceOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 10, 2021

Ultra-efficient tech to power devices of tomorrow and forge sustainable energy future

Researchers from Australian National University developed a system to transport data using atomically-thin semiconductors, achieving highly promising signs of requiring less electricity to run. This breakthrough technology has the potential to reduce wasted energy consumption and pave the way for sustainable future growth in computing.

SourceAustralian National University·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 10, 2021

Personality matters, even for squirrels

Researchers found that boldness, aggressiveness, activity level, and sociability are key personality traits in golden-mantled ground squirrels. These traits impact their access to food, territory, and predators, highlighting the importance of understanding animal personalities in wildlife conservation.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalAnimal Behaviour·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 10, 2021

Racial, ethnic differences in opioid prescribing

A study analyzing Medicare data found that racial and ethnic minority groups received fewer opioid prescriptions for new low back pain compared to white patients. This disparity persisted during the first wave of the opioid epidemic, despite growing awareness of its adverse effects.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Health Forum·DateSep 10, 2021

Health care experts propose policies to encourage shared responsibility between electronic health record developers and users

Researchers from UTHealth and Baylor College of Medicine recommend that EHR developers annually assess their products to ensure safety recommendations are met. The authors suggest three strategies to complement the new CMS rules, aiming to distribute responsibility for safety improvements evenly between designers, developers, and users.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at Houston·JournalJAMA·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateSep 10, 2021

The relationship of education and income to brain and cognition varies across groups of people

A large study found that education and income have varying relationships with brain volume and cognitive scores across different populations. The associations were strongest in childhood development, suggesting socioeconomic status may not specifically protect the brain from aging effects.

Vaccines effective against Delta variant

A national study found COVID-19 vaccines are effective in preventing hospitalizations and emergency department visits caused by the Delta variant. The Moderna vaccine is significantly more effective than Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson, with unvaccinated individuals being 5-7 times more likely to need emergency care or hospitalization.

SourceRegenstrief Institute·JournalMMWR Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 10, 2021

Fungi could help to prevent landslips

A new study at the University of Strathclyde investigates using fungi to strengthen soil and reduce rainwater infiltration, aiming to prevent landslips. The research, funded by £1.3 million from UKRI, explores fungal growth in different soil types to improve natural soils' engineering performance.

Active surveillance for low-risk prostate cancer: New data on risk factors for switching to active treatment

A study analyzing 6,775 patients with low-risk prostate cancer found that cancer-related factors such as tumor grade and size are key risk factors for conversion to active treatment. The study also found that higher Gleason grade, PSA level, tumor stage, and number of positive biopsy cores are related to shorter conversion times.

SourceWolters Kluwer Health·JournalThe Journal of Urology·DateSep 10, 2021

Meat-heavy diets restricted hunter-gatherer population sizes

A new study by the ICTA-UAB establishes that populations of hunter-gatherer groups with strong seasonal dependence on meat had fewer people per square kilometer than those relying on abundant plant foods. This result is based on a complex set of calculations showing how diet composition influenced population density.

SourceUniversitat Autonoma de Barcelona·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 10, 2021

Who’s in cognitive control?

A new study published in the Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience found that differences in cognitive control are not absolute, but rather a matter of degree. The research team, led by Todd Braver, used functional MRI to examine brain activity and behavior across four tasks in three conditions. Consistency was found in brain regions and b...

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalJournal of Cognitive Neuroscience·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 10, 2021

New method reveals minimum heat for Leidenfrost effect

Physicists developed an electrical technique to study the Leidenfrost effect, revealing the temperature at which vapor layers form and collapse. The results show that stable vapor layers can be sustained at 240 degrees Celsius, with a minimum heat of 140 degrees Celsius required for their existence.

SourceEmory Health Sciences·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 10, 2021

Time to shine: scientists reveal at an atomic scale how chlorine stabilizes next-gen solar cells

Researchers have solved the mystery of chlorine's role in perovskite solar cells by imaging atoms at the surface. The team found that chlorine is incorporated into the material through grain boundaries, increasing stability and efficiency. An optimal concentration of chlorine was discovered to deliver high stability.

SourceOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University·JournalEnergy & Environmental Science·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 10, 2021

Cheaper hydrogen production

Researchers have developed a novel electrode material based on cobalt and nickel that can efficiently produce hydrogen through water and urea electrolysis. The phosphorus-doped cobalt-nickel-sulfide nanoparticles demonstrate high activity and stability, reducing the overall voltage of the electrolysis cell.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 10, 2021

AI can make better clinical decisions than humans: Study

Researchers developed a machine learning model that produced fewer decision-making errors than human behavior analysts. The AI system showed improved consistency and predictability in treatment decisions, with potential applications in diagnosing and treating autism, ADHD, anxiety, and depression.

SourceUniversity of Montreal·JournalJournal of Applied Behavior Analysis·TypeImaging analysis·DateSep 10, 2021

Dartmouth receives $3 million NSF grant to expand PhD innovation programs and advance sensor technology entrepreneurship

Dartmouth has received a $3 million NSF grant to increase its PhD Innovation Programs by 50% and develop new multidisciplinary pathways for STEM graduate students focused on entrepreneurship and research translation. The funding will support 19 additional graduate students and enhance the development of sensor technology applications.

New research proves diet can put Type 2 diabetes into remission

A 12-week study showed that a low-calorie, low-carbohydrate diet managed by pharmacists can eliminate Type 2 diabetes medications and improve glucose control for over one-third of participants. This approach promotes Type 2 diabetes remission and highlights the potential role of community pharmacists in overall diabetes care.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia Okanagan campus·JournalNature Communications·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateSep 10, 2021

Association of population screening for breast cancer risk with mammography among women in medically underserved racial/ethnic minority groups

Individualized breast cancer risk estimates led to a significant increase in annual mammography rates among women at high risk. The study found that nearly all Hispanic or Black women who received personalized risk assessments used mammography more frequently, with rates rising from 37% to 51%.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateSep 10, 2021

Making (and breaking) eye contact makes conversation more engaging

Research from Dartmouth College reveals that making and breaking eye contact during conversations can create a dynamic balance between shared attention and individual expression. Pupillary synchrony decreases after eye contact breaks, allowing for creativity and new thoughts, while also signaling shared understanding.

SourceDartmouth College·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 10, 2021

Researchers observed association between standing and insulin sensitivity – standing more may help prevent chronic diseases

A Finnish study discovered a positive association between standing and improved insulin sensitivity in adults with increased risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. The researchers found that increasing daily standing time can help prevent chronic diseases, even if physical activity recommendations are not met.

SourceUniversity of Turku·JournalJournal of Science and Medicine in Sport·TypeImaging analysis·DateSep 10, 2021

Identifying activity origin of single-atom catalyst through atom-by-atom counting

A new methodology, EMARS, was developed to directly identify the activity origin of Pt/Al2O3 industrial reforming catalyst by analyzing over 18,000 Pt atoms. The study found that density of supported Pt1 single atoms and Pt-Pt distance larger than 0.38 nm are correlated with aromatic production activity.

SourceDalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy Sciences·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateSep 10, 2021

Childhood gender nonconformity in boys linked to early androgens

Researchers studied individuals with isolated GnRH deficiency, a rare endocrine disorder that affects hormone production. Men with IGD reported higher levels of childhood gender non-conformity, while women did not differ from typical women. This suggests that early androgens play a direct role in shaping male brain development.

SourcePenn State·JournalPsychological Science·DateSep 9, 2021

Surgical patients find virtual follow-up care more convenient without loss of satisfaction

A mixed-methods analysis found that most surgical patients prefer virtual follow-up care for its convenience, which does not compromise patient satisfaction. The study highlights the potential benefits of virtual visits in improving access to care and reducing barriers for patients.

SourceAmerican College of Surgeons·JournalJournal of the American College of Surgeons·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateSep 9, 2021

Study shows motivation is key for teachers to overcome racial bias in classroom

A study published in Learning and Instruction found that pre-service teachers' genuine desire to be unprejudiced is positively associated with their endorsement of culturally supportive instructional practices. Cultivating open-mindedness rather than anti-racist training is key for teachers to overcome racial bias.

SourceUniversity of Toledo·JournalLearning and Instruction·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 9, 2021