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Science News Archive September 2021 - Page 37


Page 37 of 40

Teenagers aren't as lonely in lockdown if interacting positively online

A recent study of over 700 Peruvian adolescents during the COVID-19 lockdown found that teenagers who interacted positively online reported less loneliness and better well-being. The quality of their online interactions, such as chatting with friends and relatives, was a key factor in reducing loneliness.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalJournal of Research on Adolescence·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 2, 2021

Researchers discover test to predict which patients with rare blood disease will respond to only FDA-approved treatment, and identify alternative therapy

A new precision medicine test has been developed using blood proteins to identify patients with idiopathic multicentric Castleman disease (iMCD) most likely to respond to siltuximab. The study also reveals Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors as a promising alternative treatment option for those who do not respond to siltuximab.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalBlood Advances·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 2, 2021

Alarming: Resistances against a new active-substance combination detectable prior to use in Germany

Scientists detect early resistances to new antibiotic combination in Germany, limiting its potential as a treatment option for carbapenem-resistant pathogens. The study highlights the importance of genome-based surveillance for early detection of new resistance developments and emerging pathogens.

SourceGerman Center for Infection Research·JournalAntimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 2, 2021

Icarus can fly high and save on wax too

A research team from Kyoto University assessed eight flight routes during five ground level enhancements to evaluate the risks of solar particle events. The study found that the maximum flight route dose and dose rate arising from major GLE events would need to exceed 1.0 mSv and 80 µSv/h, respectively, for countermeasures to be deemed...

SourceKyoto University·JournalScientific Reports·TypeMeta-analysis·DateSep 2, 2021

Demographic Reporting Requirements Did Not Improve Enrollment of Black and Hispanic Patients in Acute Leukemia Clinical Trials

Researchers analyzed data from 260 AML and ALL trials and found that enrollment of Black and Hispanic patients was significantly lower after the establishment of demographic reporting requirements. The study highlights the need for targeted enrollment diversification strategies to ensure all patients are represented in clinical trials.

SourceAmerican Society of Hematology·JournalBlood Advances·DateSep 2, 2021

New wave of electron research

Researchers at the University of Tokyo have made a surprising discovery about the behavior of electrons in iron-based superconducting materials. They found that the electrons form a nematicity wave, which could help them understand how electrons interact with each other in superconductors and lead to new discoveries.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 2, 2021

New food freezing concept improves quality, increases safety and cuts energy use

A new food freezing method called isochoric freezing preserves food without turning it to solid ice, killing microbial contaminants during processing. This technology could save up to 6.5 billion kilowatt-hours of energy and reduce carbon emissions by 4.6 billion kg annually.

SourceUS Department of Agriculture - Agricultural Research Service·JournalRenewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 2, 2021

Copper and PTFE stick together to support better 5G

Osaka University researchers have created an adhesive-free method to strongly combine copper foil with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), reducing transmission losses in electronic circuits. The heat-assisted plasma treatment technique improves adhesion strength without adding intermediate layers.

SourceOsaka University·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 2, 2021

Less salt, more protein: Researchers address dairy processing's environmental, sustainability issues

A new study from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign introduces an electrochemical redox desalination process that removes up to 99% of excess salt from whey while refining over 98% of its valuable protein content. The process uses less energy and operates at a lower cost compared to conventional desalination systems.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalChemical Engineering Journal·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 2, 2021

Epilepsy brain implant does not transform patients’ sense of self or personality but offers them new insights into illness, study shows

A new study found that a next-generation brain implant for treating refractory epilepsy does not induce changes to patients' personalities or self-perceptions. The study follows 12 patients and their family caregivers over two years, providing reassurance for patients implanted with this device.

SourceTaylor & Francis Group·JournalAJOB Neuroscience·TypeCase study·DateSep 2, 2021

Language barriers do not explain why immigrants have higher mortality from COVID-19

A new study from Stockholm University analyzed intermarried immigrants and found that they had a higher mortality rate from COVID-19 compared to native Swedes. The researchers excluded individuals with missing data and considered various factors such as education and income, but still found no correlation between language proficiency a...

SourceStockholm University·JournalBMJ Open·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 2, 2021

Overdose risk more than tripled from 2014-2019 among NJ Medicaid users

A Rutgers-led study found that medically treated opioid overdoses in New Jersey Medicaid beneficiaries increased by over 300% from 2014-2019, driven primarily by heroin and synthetic opioids. The study also revealed high rates of co-occurring conditions such as depression, hepatitis C, and alcoholism among those who suffered overdose

SourceRutgers University·JournalJournal of Substance Abuse Treatment·TypeMeta-analysis·DateSep 2, 2021

New Bayesian quantum algorithm directly calculates the energy difference of an atom and molecule

Researchers from Osaka City University have developed a Bayesian phase difference estimation (BPDE) algorithm that directly calculates the energy difference between two relevant quantum states. This breakthrough enables precise accuracy in chemistry problems and overcomes limitations of conventional full-CI calculations.

SourceOsaka City University·JournalPhysical Chemistry Chemical Physics·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 2, 2021

Does our mind’s eye match real life? New study shows differences in how we perceive images

A new study by the University of Plymouth and Essex found that many adults struggle to imagine their own visual perception as a flat image, resisting the idea of 'corrected' vision. When shown two lines with different lengths, participants often judged them as equal in length, despite being able to see one as longer when viewed on camera.

SourceUniversity of Plymouth·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeObservational study·DateSep 2, 2021

Putting a new theory of many-particle quantum systems to the test

Physicists have successfully tested the theory of generalized hydrodynamics in one-dimensional gases, demonstrating its accuracy in simulating out-of-equilibrium quantum systems. This breakthrough could greatly simplify the study of such systems and eventually inform the development of quantum-based technologies.

SourcePenn State·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 2, 2021

Researchers use artificial intelligence to predict which COVID-19 patients will need a ventilator to breathe

A team of researchers at Case Western Reserve University has developed an AI-powered tool that can accurately predict which COVID-19 patients will need a ventilator to breathe. The tool, trained on CT scans from nearly 900 patients, shows an impressive 84% accuracy rate in identifying patients who require breathing assistance.

SourceCase Western Reserve University·JournalIEEE Journal of Biomedical and Health Informatics·DateSep 2, 2021

Cavalier King Charles spaniels carry more harmful genetic variants than other breeds

A recent study found that Cavalier King Charles spaniels have an increased number of disease-causing mutations compared to other breeds. The breed's history of intense breeding and limited gene pool has led to the accumulation of harmful genetic variants, including those linked to myxomatous mitral valve disease, a common heart condition.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Genetics·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 2, 2021

New research advances clean energy solutions

Researchers at Arizona State University have developed a synthetic diiron-containing porphyrin that can efficiently catalyze the conversion of radiant energy from the sun into chemical energy. This breakthrough has potential applications in creating non-fossil-based fuels and electrochemical cells for renewable energy storage.

SourceArizona State University·JournalChemElectroChem·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 2, 2021

GP guidance: Diet and weight loss to achieve type 2 diabetes remission

A large-scale review of clinical evidence suggests that losing significant weight through diet or surgery can bring about type 2 diabetes remission. Meal-replacement diets and low-carbohydrate diets were found to be effective in achieving remission, with people who lost the most weight being more likely to succeed.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalJournal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics·TypeSystematic review·DateSep 2, 2021

Wing shape determines how far birds disperse

Researchers used flight efficiency estimates from museum specimens to predict bird dispersal distances, revealing that species with elongated wings can disperse farther. This study has applications in biodiversity conservation, as reduced flight capabilities may threaten bird populations.

SourceRoyal Ontario Museum·JournalEcology·DateSep 2, 2021

Probing molecular orientation by polarization-selective transient absorption spectroscopy

Scientists used LP-TA spectroscopy to study molecular orientation at heterojunctions of all-small-molecule organic solar cells. The angle between donor and acceptor molecules was estimated, revealing parallel and vertical orientations in different blends. This technique provides complementary information for X-ray scattering measurements.

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience China Chemistry·DateSep 2, 2021

Preoperative chest CT improves assessment of postoperative mechanical ventilation

A single-center retrospective study found that preoperative thoracic CT findings can complement preoperative clinical risk factors to improve risk assessment for the need of postoperative mechanical ventilation. Bronchial wall thickening, pericardial effusion, and anteroposterior chest diameter were identified as independent predictors...

SourceAmerican Roentgen Ray Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Roentgenology·TypeCase study·DateSep 2, 2021

Long COVID ‘brain fog’: Neurocognitive tests to harmonise global methods

A UNSW psychology researcher recommends a set of neurocognitive and mental health questionnaires to harmonize the assessment of long COVID patients. These tests can be used internationally and in various cultural settings to address key questions about the problem, including brain fog and dementia risks.

SourceUniversity of New South Wales·JournalJournal of the International Neuropsychological Society·TypeLiterature review·DateSep 2, 2021

Decades after toxic exposure, 9/11 first responders may still lower their risk of lung injury

A new study from NYU Langone Health found that losing weight and managing excess body fat can significantly reduce the risk of lung disease in firefighters exposed to toxic substances on 9/11. The study analyzed 20 years of data from over 5,700 first responders and identified five key factors that predict lung disease.

SourceNYU Langone Health / NYU Grossman School of Medicine·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateSep 2, 2021

Rapid Arctic warming likely drives extreme winter weather events in the US

A new study finds that rapid Arctic warming is driving extreme winter weather in the US, particularly intense snowfall events and anomalous cold snaps. The findings reveal a physical link between Arctic amplification and stratospheric polar vortex disruption, which are contributing to increased frequency of winter weather extremes.

THE LANCET DIABETES & ENDOCRINOLOGY: Mortality risk in transgender people twice as high as cisgender people, data spanning five decades suggests

A nationwide study of transgender individuals in the Netherlands found a significantly increased mortality risk compared to cisgender people. The analysis of national data from 1972 to 2018 revealed that transgender women and men faced higher risks of cardiovascular disease, lung cancer, infection, and non-natural causes of death.

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology·TypeObservational study·DateSep 2, 2021