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Science News Archive September 2021 - Page 39


Page 39 of 40

Flooding patterns expected to change with future warming

Climate change is altering flooding patterns, with moderate storms producing less runoff due to increased soil moisture, but extreme storms causing more devastating flooding. The study's findings have significant implications for infrastructure design and flood risk mitigation strategies.

SourceNational Center for Atmospheric Research/University Corporation for Atmospheric Research·JournalCommunications Earth & Environment·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 1, 2021

COVID-19 long-haulers at risk of developing kidney damage, disease

Research reveals a significant decline in kidney function among COVID-19 long-haulers and even those with mild infections. The study highlights the critical need for paying attention to kidney function and disease in caring for patients who have had COVID-19, as kidney problems can be silent and untreated until it's too late.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalJournal of the American Society of Nephrology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 1, 2021

Best of both worlds: Updating the chemical process to remove organic pollutants from water

Researchers from India and Saudi Arabia have combined oxidation and photocatalysis to create a heterogeneous photo-Fenton system that degrades phenols at higher rates than individual approaches. The system is highly photostable and reusable, making it promising for practical applications in wastewater purification.

SourceShoolini University·JournalJournal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 1, 2021

Patterns of income and urbanization impact mammal biodiversity in the concrete jungle

A study of 20 US cities reveals that urban intensity, characterized by paved landscapes and high population density, is a stronger correlate with mammal biodiversity than income. While the 'luxury effect' shows some correlation between income and biodiversity, it's not strong enough to explain the observed patterns.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalGlobal Change Biology·TypeObservational study·DateSep 1, 2021

Rheumatoid arthritis treated with implanted cells that release drug

Researchers have genetically engineered cells that can deliver a biologic drug in response to inflammation, reducing inflammation and preventing bone damage in mice with rheumatoid arthritis. This approach could provide personalized treatments for arthritis patients, limiting side effects associated with current therapies.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 1, 2021

Nasal cartilage relieves osteoarthritis in the knee

Researchers from the University of Basel have found that nasal cartilage cells can withstand chronic inflammatory conditions and counteract inflammation in osteoarthritis. The approach involves using engineered cartilage tissue to repair or replace damaged joints, offering a promising alternative to joint prostheses.

SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalScience Translational Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 1, 2021

Cleveland Clinic researchers develop bionic arm that restores natural behaviors in patients with upper limb amputations

Researchers created a bionic arm that combines intuitive motor control with touch and hand movement sensation, enabling wearers to think and behave like a person without an amputation. The system's bi-directional feedback and control allowed study participants to perform tasks with similar accuracy as non-disabled people.

SourceCleveland Clinic·JournalScience Robotics·DateSep 1, 2021

Unmarried adults with heart disease living in rural areas face more hopelessness, increased risk of death

Adults with heart disease living in rural areas experience higher levels of hopelessness and an increased risk of death. The study found that living in a rural setting is a significant risk factor for feelings of hopelessness among people with heart disease, which can more than triple the risk of death or heart attack.

SourceAmerican Heart Association·JournalJournal of the American Heart Association·DateSep 1, 2021

Novel approach reverses amblyopia in animals

A new study demonstrates that temporarily anesthetizing the retina of the non-amblyopic eye can lastingly improve vision in the amblyopic eye even after the critical period. The approach has shown promising results in two different mammal species, offering a potential pathway for a new and more effective treatment for amblyopia.

SourcePicower Institute at MIT·JournaleLife·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 1, 2021

Mathematical model reveals possible role of drug-eluting stents in artery re-closure

Researchers develop novel models to investigate the impact of drug-eluting stents on arterial tissue permeability and blood flow. The study identifies key factors contributing to restenosis near stent edges, highlighting potential avenues for design improvements.

SourceSociety for Industrial and Applied Mathematics·JournalSIAM Journal on Applied Mathematics·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 1, 2021

Fancy a Swim?

Researchers at the University of Tsukuba reviewed the scientific literature on swimming hydrodynamics and identified key areas for improvement. They found that certain biomechanical aspects, such as velocity and drag forces, are not fully understood, but optimizing technique can lead to a competitive edge.

SourceUniversity of Tsukuba·JournalSports Biomechanics·DateSep 1, 2021

Vanity plates in Greece may be a form of “conspicuous corruption”

A new study finds that distinctive license plates in Greece are more likely to appear on luxury cars, suggesting a market for bribery to obtain more desirable plates. This phenomenon is seen as a form of conspicuous corruption, where the value of the plate lies not in its price but in the hint of rule-breaking.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeObservational study·DateSep 1, 2021

CHOP researchers show key differences in emotion, adaptation skills of children with autism in school settings

A study by CHOP researchers reveals that children with autism on the autism spectrum who have impaired executive functioning skills face specific challenges in a school setting. The findings suggest that these challenges worsen as children experience adolescence, emphasizing the need for early intervention supports.

SourceChildren's Hospital of Philadelphia·JournalAutism·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateSep 1, 2021

Beyond dopamine: New reward circuitry discovered

Researchers have discovered a new pathway in the brain that plays a key role in rewards and reinforcement. GABA neurons from the ventral tegmental area project to the nucleus accumbens shell, promoting reward processing. This finding offers new avenues for understanding psychiatric diseases such as depression and addiction.

SourceUniversity of Washington School of Medicine/UW Medicine·JournalNature Neuroscience·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 1, 2021

Doubling the number of species of hand-standing spotted skunks

Researchers analyzed skunk DNA to determine the correct number of species, revealing seven species, including the previously recognized four. The revised family tree highlights the distinct evolutionary lineages of each species, making conservation efforts more effective.

SourceField Museum·JournalMolecular Phylogenetics and Evolution·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 1, 2021

Indigenous and local communities key to successful nature conservation

A systematic review of 169 conservation projects worldwide reveals that Indigenous and local communities are crucial for successful nature conservation. The study found that equitable conservation approaches, empowering local communities, yield positive outcomes for both humans and the environment. However, complex factors such as comm...

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalEcology and Society·TypeSystematic review·DateSep 1, 2021

Antibiotics increase the risk of colon cancer

Researchers found a significant link between antibiotic use and an increased risk of developing colon cancer within five to ten years. The risk was highest for those taking antibiotics for over six months, with a 17% greater likelihood of colon cancer in the ascending colon compared to non-users.

SourceUmea University·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 1, 2021

Rheumatoid arthritis drug combined with standard of care may help reduce mortality for hospitalized COVID-19 patients

A study found that hospitalized COVID-19 patients who received the rheumatoid arthritis drug baricitinib, in combination with the standard of care, died less often than those receiving only the standard of care. The COV-BARRIER trial showed a 5% reduction in 28-day and 60-day mortality.

SourceVanderbilt University Medical Center·JournalThe Lancet Respiratory Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateSep 1, 2021

The future of flooding in Venice: improving projections, predictions and protection in the face of expected sea level rise

A new assessment indicates that higher emissions will significantly impact Venice's flood risk, emphasizing the need for improved projections and protection infrastructure. The study highlights the importance of accurate sea level projections and the potential for extreme events like meteotsunamis to exacerbate flooding.

SourceEuropean Geosciences Union·JournalNatural Hazards and Earth System Sciences·TypeLiterature review·DateSep 1, 2021

Nitrogen-efficient wheats can provide more food with fewer greenhouse gas emissions, new study shows

A new study introduces a wild-grass chromosome segment that inhibits nitrification, reducing fertilizer use and nitrous oxide emissions in wheat crops. The technology has the potential to increase yields and grain quality in both well-fertilized and nitrogen-poor soils.

SourceInternational Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT)·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 1, 2021

Scientists discover zeolite-tailored active site proximity for efficient production of pentanoic biofuels

Researchers design a new strategy for producing pentanoic biofuels by synthesizing Ru metal nanoclusters confined within zeolite Y. This approach boosts chemoselectivity and promotes catalytic activity. The findings extend the notion of 'the closer, the better' into biomass catalysis.

SourceDalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy Sciences·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateSep 1, 2021

Choosing personal exercise goals, then tackling them immediately is key to sustatining change

A new study at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that individuals who choose their own exercise goals and start immediately are more likely to achieve significant increases in physical activity, with an average increase of 1,384 steps per day. This approach also leads to sustained high activity periods and maintai...

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalJAMA Cardiology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateSep 1, 2021

Researchers identify a novel cell type that makes survivors of sepsis more susceptible to infections

Studies on mice and septic patients show that a specific B lymphocyte subpopulation produces large amounts of CD39, leading to increased adenosine levels and reduced macrophage activity. This results in heightened susceptibility to opportunistic infections, with survivors experiencing a sevenfold higher risk of severe infections.

NAMS releases new position statement on management of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women

The North American Menopause Society (NAMS) has released a new position statement on the management of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. The guidelines emphasize an individualized approach with regular follow-up to prevent fractures and maintain mobility and independence. Key findings include recommendations for calcium, vitamin D,...

SourceThe Menopause Society·JournalMenopause·TypeLiterature review·DateSep 1, 2021

New brain model provides patient-specific Alzheimer’s insights, predictions of cognitive decline

A new brain model developed by researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital has identified specific forms of amyloid beta-protein and tau protein associated with cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease. The model uses induced pluripotent stem cell lines from over 50 individuals, providing a powerful experimental system for understandi...

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalNeuron·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 1, 2021