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Science News Archive September 2021 - Page 34


Page 34 of 40

The Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation completes the largest coral reef survey and mapping expedition in history

The Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation has completed the largest coral reef survey and mapping expedition in history, assessing over 1,000 reefs in 16 countries. The Global Reef Expedition provided a comprehensive dataset for coral reef conservation, highlighting the status and major threats to these ecosystems.

SourceKhaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation·TypeObservational study·DateSep 7, 2021

Analyzing marijuana legalization, use among high schoolers

A new study published in JAMA Network Open analyzed the relationship between marijuana legalization and adolescent use, finding no significant association. The researchers used updated estimates from survey data, concluding that state-level marijuana legalization does not impact teenage marijuana use.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateSep 7, 2021

Chemotherapy drug puts young children with cancer at high risk of hearing loss

A new study by UBC researchers found that chemotherapy drug cisplatin is more likely to cause hearing loss in young children, particularly those under five years old. The study, published in Cancer, shows that the hearing of these children is impacted early during treatment and is affected to a greater extent than older children.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia·JournalCancer·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 7, 2021

Think climate change is bad for corn? Add weeds to the equation

Researchers found that late-season weeds had a significant impact on corn yields, with minimal control resulting in an average loss of 50% and exacerbating crop losses under hot or dry conditions. The study suggests that climate change is not the only factor affecting corn yield, but rather its interaction with weeds.

Mining waste could be used as an ingredient for cheaper hydrogen fuel production

Researchers have discovered a way to use mining waste as part of a potential cheaper catalyst for hydrogen fuel production. The new catalyst triggers water splitting reactions using aluminosilicate minerals found in mining waste, which could lead to lower production costs and increased efficiency.

SourceQueensland University of Technology·JournalAdvanced Energy and Sustainability Research·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 7, 2021

History of traumatic brain injury linked to higher rates of prescription opioid use and misuse

Adults with a history of traumatic brain injury are at increased risk of using and misusing prescription opioids, with nearly 52% increased risk for use and over 65% increased risk for misuse. The findings support the 'Perfect Storm' hypothesis, suggesting that TBI increases vulnerability to pain and opioid risks.

SourceWolters Kluwer Health·JournalJournal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation·DateSep 7, 2021

Researchers identify a mechanism that can help guide the development of new STING-activating drugs using imaging

A new study found that STING-activating drugs significantly alter nucleotide metabolism in pancreas cancer cells, which can be visualized using [18F]FLT PET imaging. This provides a non-invasive tool to track the effects of these drugs and fine-tune treatments for hard-to-treat cancers.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 7, 2021

Injuries to youth by law enforcement

A recent study found that Black youth in California have significantly higher rates of injuries caused by law enforcement than their non-Black peers. The researchers used California emergency department and hospitalization data to examine the overall rates of such incidents.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Pediatrics·DateSep 7, 2021

Bacteria could learn to predict the future

Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have discovered that bacteria can adapt to changing environments by learning statistical regularities, enabling them to predict the future faster than traditional evolutionary methods. The study reveals a simple regulatory architecture that allows bacteria to process information and mak...

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournaleLife·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 7, 2021

Spread of Delta SARS-CoV-2 variant driven by combination of immune escape and increased infectivity

The Delta variant's ability to evade neutralizing antibodies and its increased infectivity have contributed to its spread, making vaccination and infection control crucial in the post-vaccination era. The variant was found to be more efficient at replicating and spreading than other variants, giving it a selection advantage.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalNature·TypeObservational study·DateSep 6, 2021

Building a better bioartificial pancreas

Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital have designed a convection-enhanced macroencapsulation device that offers improved cell loading capacity, increased cell survival, glucose sensitivity, and timely insulin secretion. The device has the potential to be an autonomous system for minimally invasive treatment of type 1 diabetes.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 6, 2021

Using video for the early detection of autism

Researchers at UNIGE developed an AI algorithm using automated video analysis to detect autism spectrum disorder in children under 5. The system correctly classified 80% of cases and showed a convincing result in just 10 minutes, providing an initial screening tool for parents.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalScientific Reports·TypeNews article·DateSep 6, 2021

Sn2+ sensitization improves the photoelectric performance of PbS-based photodetectors

Researchers created high-quality Sn2+-sensitized PbS films to improve photoelectric performance, achieving over 9 times increased photoresponsivity. The new photodetectors demonstrated excellent stability and switching behavior under high-frequency pulsed light illumination.

SourceHefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalJournal of Alloys and Compounds·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 6, 2021

Koala killer being passed to joeys from mum

Researchers at University of Queensland discover koala retrovirus is transmitted from mother to joey through close proximity, highlighting a significant threat to wild koala populations. This finding may lead to re-thinked conservation plans and the use of antiretroviral treatment to prevent transmission.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 6, 2021

Fruit fly metabolism could pave the way for new obesity and diabetes drugs

Researchers from the University of Copenhagen have discovered a hormone in fruit flies that regulates human metabolism, potentially leading to new treatments for obesity and diabetes. The CAPA hormone plays a crucial role in maintaining energy balance, raising blood sugar levels, and regulating insulin secretion.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - Faculty of Science·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 6, 2021

Advances of SERS and SEIRA: from nano/micro-structures to macro-optical design

Researchers have developed new strategies to optimize multiscale design of macro optics to micro/nanophotonics, enhancing the spectral sensitivity of surface-enhanced Raman and infrared absorption spectroscopies. This enables effective signal detection even for molecules with small scattering or absorption cross-sections.

Panic buying is driven by fear, perceived lack of supplies and social pressure, finds NTU Singapore study

A recent NTU Singapore study reveals that individuals experiencing fear, social pressure, and perceived scarcity are more likely to engage in panic buying. The study's findings highlight the importance of addressing the psychological and social components of panic buying to mitigate its detrimental impact on societies.

SourceNanyang Technological University·JournalInternational Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction·TypeMeta-analysis·DateSep 6, 2021

Longer relationship between elephant and its handler improves their co-operation during working tasks

A study by researchers from the University of Turku found that elephants who worked with their handlers for over a year performed better in new work tasks than those with shorter relationships. The team also observed that older elephants were more reluctant to cross a novel surface, suggesting a decrease in curiosity with age.

SourceUniversity of Turku·JournalScientific Reports·DateSep 6, 2021

HKU environmental scientists solve key observational issues in new generation of satellites, transforming the way to track fine-scale changes of our planet from space

HKU environmental scientists have developed novel observational methods to overcome limitations in CubeSat observations, enabling more accurate tracking of fine-scale changes on Earth's surface. The research advances the monitoring of atmospheric cloud covers and improves data quality assessments for land-surface monitoring.

SourceThe University of Hong Kong·JournalRemote Sensing of Environment·DateSep 6, 2021

Study explores why asthma worsens at night

Researchers investigate how the internal circadian clock affects asthma severity. The study found that people with worse asthma experience greater drops in pulmonary function at night, and exhibit more symptoms-driven bronchodilator use during nighttime hours. This understanding could lead to new treatments for asthma.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 6, 2021

A picture of MRSA in the PALOP Countries

A whole genome analysis of a Staphylococcus aureus collection recovered from Cape Verde reveals high genetic variability among isolates. The study identifies three primary genetic clusters associated with lineages ST152, ST15, and ST5, commonly found in S. aureus infections worldwide.

Study shows how aspen forests maintain the diversity needed to adapt to changing environments

A decade-long study by University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers shows how aspen stands change their genetic structure over time, adapting to environmental fluctuations. The findings suggest that exposure to various environmental changes can maintain diverse forests capable of responding to different stresses.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 6, 2021