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Science News Archive September 2021 - Page 28


Page 28 of 40

Scientists discover that taste cells can control a whole animal’s foraging strategy

Researchers developed a computer model revealing how single brain cells in nematode worms sense and process environmental information to drive decision-making. The study found that sensory cells use salt cues as 'navigation beacons' to direct foraging behavior, controlling the animal's search strategy.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalCommunications Biology·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 9, 2021

Off-target immune response could predict COVID-19 severity

A new study found that people hospitalized with COVID-19 have elevated levels of autoimmune antibodies in their blood, which are strongly linked to disease severity. Patients with high levels of these autoantibodies were five to seven times more likely to develop severe disease than those with stable antibody levels.

SourceNYU Langone Health / NYU Grossman School of Medicine·JournalLife Science Alliance·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 9, 2021

Can medical marijuana effectively treat childhood epilepsy?

Researchers emphasize the importance of high-quality evidence for efficacy and safety when evaluating cannabis-based medicinal products in pediatric epilepsies. The authors caution that unlicensed products pose risks to children with epilepsy and warn against using them as a Trojan horse for the cannabis industry.

SourceWiley·JournalDevelopmental Medicine & Child Neurology·DateSep 9, 2021

Study finds racial-ethnic differences in sleep health

A new study from Brigham and Women's Hospital found significant racial-ethnic differences in sleep health, with white adults having the best sleep outcomes and Black adults facing the worst. The research used data from over 1,700 adults and identified factors such as irregular timing and duration, insufficient sleep duration, and high ...

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalAmerican Journal of Epidemiology·DateSep 9, 2021

When everyone works remotely, communication and collaboration suffer, study finds

A new study of 61,000 Microsoft employees found that working from home causes workers to become more siloed in how they communicate, engage in fewer real-time conversations, and spend fewer hours in meetings. The study's findings suggest that a full-time remote workforce may have a harder time acquiring and sharing new information.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley Haas School of Business·JournalNature Human Behaviour·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 9, 2021

Warmer bottom water temperatures increased methane seepage in the NW Barents Sea

Researchers reconstructed the bottom water temperature record in the Northwest Barents Sea over the last 18,000 years and found that warmer temperatures led to increased methane seepage. The study suggests that these events played a key role in driving the retreat of the former ice sheet and destabilizing gas hydrates.

SourceUiT The Arctic University of Norway·JournalCommunications Earth & Environment·DateSep 9, 2021

Video fake news believed more, shared more than text and audio versions

A study by Penn State found that people are more likely to believe fake news in video format, with 58% of participants believing a fake video was real, compared to 33% who read the article and 48% who heard an audio version. The researchers suggest that this is due to the perceived realism of videos, which can lead to a

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of Computer-Mediated Communication·DateSep 9, 2021

Giving websites a human touch: Researcher of Mainz University receives SERVSIG Best Service Article Award of the American Marketing Association

A study by researchers at Mainz University found that digital presence of service employees improves customer loyalty. The study, published in the Journal of Marketing Research, showed that customers perceive websites with images or videos of service employees as more attractive and memorable, leading to increased customer loyalty.

New guideline provides clinical recommendations for surgical referral of obstructive sleep apnea patients

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine has released a new clinical practice guideline recommending referral to upper airway or bariatric surgery for adults with obstructive sleep apnea who are intolerant of CPAP therapy. The guideline provides strong recommendations for treatment, considering factors such as BMI and patient adherence.

SourceAmerican Academy of Sleep Medicine·JournalJournal of Clinical Sleep Medicine·DateSep 9, 2021

GaN-on-diamond semiconductor material that can take the heat - 1,000℃ to be exact

Researchers have successfully bonded gallium nitride and diamond without intermediate layers using surface-activated bonding. The resulting GaN-on-diamond material demonstrates stability even at extreme temperatures of up to 1,000℃, enabling the development of highly conductive semiconductors for high-power devices.

SourceOsaka City University·JournalAdvanced Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 9, 2021

Disease genes help developing brains

Scientists have identified two new candidate genes, ULK4 and PTTG1, that positively influence the development of an embryo by restoring a strong Sonic Hedgehog signaling pathway. This finding provides new insights into the causes of holoprosencephaly, a congenital malformation affecting around one to four in every 1,000 unborns.

Lurbinectedin does not improve overall survival in SCLC -- some positive action in combination with doxorubicin after chemotherapy

A multicenter clinical trial tested the use of lurbinectedin in patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC), which did not meet its primary end point of overall survival. However, the combination of lurbinectedin and doxorubicin was found to be active in patients with SCLC after one prior platinum-based chemotherapy.

Social groups, status play large role in health controversies

A study by Indiana University researchers found that individuals' socioeconomic status and social networks play a significant role in shaping their decisions about health controversies. Higher-status people faced fewer consequences for resisting medical guidelines, while those with lower statuses experienced more scrutiny. The study em...

SourceIndiana University·JournalSocial Science & Medicine·TypeSurvey·DateSep 9, 2021

Graphene made with lasers for wearable health devices

A Penn State-led international research team developed laser-induced graphene (LIG) for wearable health devices, offering superior conductivity and heat resistance. The LIG foam exhibited electrical properties, while fibrous structures showed better performance, opening possibilities for sensing devices.

SourcePenn State·JournalScience China Technological Sciences·DateSep 9, 2021

Mothers’ diabetes may induce premature aging of neural tissue leading to birth defects

Researchers have found that maternal diabetes can cause premature aging of neural tissue, leading to birth defects such as neural tube defects. A study published in Science Advances suggests that treatments could be developed to prevent miscarriages and certain birth defects in babies born from mothers with diabetes.

SourceUniversity of Maryland School of Medicine·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 9, 2021

Culture determines the likelihood of unhappy employees becoming entrepreneurs

A new study by Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University found that cultural context greatly affects the likelihood of unhappy employees becoming entrepreneurs. Countries with low uncertainty avoidance and high social acceptance of entrepreneurship have a stronger link between job satisfaction and entrepreneurial intent. In contrast, countri...

SourceXi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University·JournalInternational Small Business Journal Researching Entrepreneurship·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 9, 2021

What AI analysis of 100 million social media interactions can teach product managers

A new study in the Journal of Marketing uses big data from over 100 million social media user engagements to derive marketing insights. The research captures latent relationships among thousands of brands and across many categories, revealing a highly precise market structure. This allows product managers to identify potential threats ...

SourceAmerican Marketing Association·JournalJournal of Marketing·DateSep 9, 2021

Brain molecule helps ‘wake up’ cells that could help tackle MS and similar diseases, study shows

Researchers have identified a molecule called fractalkine that can boost the production of brain cells producing myelin, a key factor in diseases such as multiple sclerosis. The study's findings suggest that fractalkine could be used to treat certain neurodegenerative disorders by restoring lost myelin.

Science Journals' new site enlivens communication of leading research and elevates scientist voices

The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) has launched a revamped website, integrating its six journals and elevating scientist voices through improved navigation and visuals. The new platform offers readers a more immersive experience, with features such as interactive study images and customizable reading modes.

An insulator made of two conductors

A team of scientists at ETH Zurich has discovered a new correlated state in twisted double layers of graphene, where negatively charged electrons and positively charged holes pair up to form an electrically neutral state. This state can transmit information or conduct heat without conducting electric current.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 9, 2021

EU, US regulators apply similar mindset when advising live biotherapeutic product developer

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have applied a similar mindset when advising live biotherapeutic product developer YSOPIA Bioscience. This collaboration has provided valuable regulatory feedback for the company's clinical development efforts. The review highlights the need for harmonize...

SourcePharmabiotic Research Institute (PRI)·JournalFrontiers in Medicine·TypeCase study·DateSep 9, 2021