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Life’s a beach: Finding trends in marine debris across Australia

A UNSW-led study analyzing 10 years of citizen science data found that almost half of marine debris can be linked to land-based sources. Plastic accounts for 84% of the rubbish found on Australian beaches, with a significant portion coming from external sources such as stormwater drains near capital cities.

SourceUniversity of New South Wales·JournalThe Science of The Total Environment·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 18, 2021

A rapid mechanism for muscle self-repair independent of stem cells

Researchers discovered a rapid muscle self-repair mechanism that relies on the rearrangement of muscle fibre nuclei, independently of muscle stem cells. This process occurs rapidly after physiological damage or exercise-induced injury and represents a time- and energy-efficient protective mechanism for minor lesions.

“They do not care about us. They have forgotten us.” New research shows disability organisations were ‘unsung heroes’ of the COVID-19 pandemic

Research shows that people with disabilities were disproportionately excluded from pandemic planning and relief efforts, but representative disability groups provided life-saving support. Disability organisations worked tirelessly without funding to plug gaps, highlighting the need for inclusive disaster responses.

Dr. Sofia Sheikh awarded National Science Foundation Fellowship for Research & Education at the SETI Institute’s Allen Telescope Array

Dr. Sofia Sheikh has been awarded a Mathematical and Physical Sciences Ascending Postdoctoral Research Fellowship to focus on fast radio bursts and develop improved technosignature detection methods. She will also mentor underrepresented students in physics and astronomy, leveraging the Allen Telescope Array's unique qualities.

Texas Heart Institute, University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) and 7 Hills Pharma pioneer significant vaccine research

Researchers have identified the potential of 7HP349 as an oral medication to strengthen the effectiveness of vaccines, particularly for populations that struggle with immunosuppression. The study suggests adding 7HP349 to standard vaccination can improve vaccine efficacy without reformulating the vaccine.

SourceTexas Heart Institute·Journalnpj Vaccines·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 14, 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 Daylight Award 2022 is open for nominations

The Daylight Award 2022 is now open for nominations, honoring groundbreaking research on the effects of daylight on human health and well-being. The award also recognizes innovative architectural projects showcasing unique uses of daylight, aiming to improve living conditions and environmental impact.

Southwest National Primate Research Center and Texas Biomed receive continued full accreditation from lab animal care association

The Southwest National Primate Research Center and Texas Biomedical Research Institute have received continued full accreditation from the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care (AAALAC) for their exceptional animal care. The institution houses over 2,500 nonhuman primates, including pathogen-free rhesus...

Brain-inspired highly scalable neuromorphic hardware presented​

Researchers at KAIST have developed a brain-inspired highly scalable neuromorphic hardware by co-integrating single transistor neurons and synapses. This innovation dramatically reduces hardware cost and accelerates the commercialization of neuromorphic hardware, enabling its application in mobile and IoT devices.

SourceThe Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)·JournalScience Advances·TypeMeta-analysis·DateAug 5, 2021

When provided personalized health resources, patients often share with others

Researchers discovered that almost half of patients who received personalized information about community resources shared them with at least one other person. Individuals in poorer health were more likely to report sharing the information, and those who visited or used a resource on their list were also more likely to share it.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Medical Center·JournalJournal of the Association for Information Science and Technology·DateAug 5, 2021

Scientists obtain new polymer composite for electromagnetic shielding applications

Researchers from NUST MISIS and international partners create a radar-absorbing polymer composite with excellent magnetic and microwave properties. The composite can absorb 99.9% of incoming electromagnetic radiation, making it suitable for EMI shielding applications in industries such as 5G networks and radar absorbing coatings.

SourceNational University of Science and Technology MISIS·JournalJournal of Alloys and Compounds·DateJul 30, 2021

Sylvia Frazier-Bowers wins AADR National Student Research Group Mentor Award

Sylvia Frazier-Bowers, an Associate Professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Adams School of Dentistry, has been awarded the AADR National Student Research Group Mentor Award. She is recognized for her efforts to bridge the gap between clinical profession and scientific advances in dentofacial variation research.

Study points to remotely supervised exercise classes as best option during lockdown

A study of 344 volunteers reveals that remotely supervised exercise classes were more effective than in-person sessions or unsupervised online sessions in improving physical and mental health. The researchers attribute this to the increased intensity of exercises under remote supervision, which led to better outcomes for participants.

Self-collected saliva and courier service -- A feasible diagnostic strategy for COVID-19

A new saliva collection method involves self-collection by licensed dentists followed by mailing to a laboratory, demonstrating feasibility for large-scale analysis. This approach offers a cost-effective alternative for COVID-19 diagnostics, preserving saliva samples for up to 7-10 days at room temperature with stabilizers.

Patricia Miguez wins AADR Procter & Gamble Underrepresented Faculty Research Fellowship

Patricia Miguez, a tenure-track Assistant Professor at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, has won the AADR Procter & Gamble Underrepresented Faculty Research Fellowship. The fellowship supports her research on the extracellular matrix and its modifications in health and disease, with a focus on craniofacial region.

Daniel McNeil 2021 recipient of the IADR Distinguished Scientist Award in BEHSR

Daniel McNeil, a renowned psychologist at West Virginia University, has been recognized with the IADR Distinguished Scientist Award in Behavioral Epidemiologic and Health Services Research. His work focuses on psychosocial factors, pain, dental fear, anxiety, and phobia, making significant contributions to our understanding of health.

Caroline Shiboski wins IADR Distinguished Scientist Award in Oral Medicine

Caroline Shiboski, a renowned oral medicine expert, has been awarded the IADR Distinguished Scientist Award for her groundbreaking research on immune dysfunction and its effects on oral health. Her work has led to significant advances in understanding and treating conditions like Sjögren's Syndrome and HIV-related oral diseases.