Science X Newsletter Thu, Sep 28

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Here is your customized Science X Newsletter for September 28, 2023:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

Recent manipulations of excitons in moiré superlattices

An adhesive and stretchable epicardial patch to precisely monitor the heart's activity

The neural underpinnings of surround sound and its effects on a listener's sense of presence

Pre-pilot survey explores dozens of candidate ultra-diffuse galaxies

Using Einstein's tea leaf paradox to study nanofluids

Scientists develop 3D-printed epifluidic electronic skin

Farm robots inspired by ant brains

The chilling tale of snow flies, self-amputation, survival and certain death

Biological particles found to play crucial role in Arctic cloud ice formation

Study finds protein p53 regulates learning, memory and sociability in mice

Students made Oxford the murder capital of late medieval England, research suggests

New study provides evidence for more effective brain-based treatment of chronic back pain

Human evolution: Hominins challenge giant hyenas for carcasses in Prehistoric simulations

Decoding the complexity of Alzheimer's disease

The recessive genes that make a carrot orange

Nanotechnology news

	Using Einstein's tea leaf paradox to study nanofluids Stirring can allow the dispersion of substances evenly in liquid. Einstein's tea leaf paradox is a concept that shows how tea leaves can concentrate in a doughnut shape through a secondary flow effect during stirring. In a new study published in Science Advances, Zehui Zhang and colleagues in physics and engineering in China, demonstrated the Einstein's tea leaf paradox (abbreviated as ETLP) induced concentration in nanofluids.
	Scientists develop 3D-printed epifluidic electronic skin In a recent study published in Science Advances, researchers from the California Institute of Technology, led by Dr. Wei Gao, have developed a machine learning (ML)–powered 3D-printed epifluidic electronic skin for multimodal health surveillance. This wearable platform enables real-time physical and chemical monitoring of health status.
	New methods for creating ultra-vibrant optical coatings—applications for solar panels, virtual displays Case Western Reserve University physicists are developing ultra-thin optical coatings that could dramatically extend the life of solar panels, as well as improve areas like data storage, or protection against counterfeiting.
	Wearable aptamer nanobiosensor wirelessly monitors estrogen in sweat The sex hormone commonly known as estrogen plays an important role in multiple aspects of women's health and fertility. High levels of estrogen in the body are associated with breast and ovarian cancers, while low levels of estradiol can result in osteoporosis, heart disease, and even depression. (Estrogen is a class of hormones that includes estradiol as the most potent form). Estradiol is also necessary for the development of secondary sexual characteristics in women and regulates the reproductive cycle.
	3D-printed plasmonic plastic enables large-scale optical sensor production In a multi-year project, researchers at Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden have developed plasmonic plastic—a type of composite material with unique optical properties that can be 3D-printed. This research has now resulted in 3D-printed optical hydrogen sensors that could play an important role in the transition to green energy and industry.
	Researchers construct a highly efficient photocatalytic system based on titanium dioxide nanomaterials The heterogeneous photocatalysis (HPC) based Advanced Oxidation Process (AOP) is an eco-friendly technique for purifying water from organic and biological pollutants in environmental systems. The photocatalysts' overall catalytic performance usually depends on light harvesting, photogenerated charge carrier separation and transfer, and surface reactivity.

Physics news

	Recent manipulations of excitons in moiré superlattices Light can excite electron and hole pairs inside semiconducting materials. If the attraction between a negatively charged electron and a positively charged hole (the antiparticle of electron in solid state physics) is strong, they stay bound together, forming states known as excitons. In these states, positively charged holes can be viewed as the vacancies left behind by the electrons they are paired with.
	A breakthrough discovery could accelerate the arrival of controlled fusion energy on Earth Researchers led by Chang Liu of PPPL have unveiled a promising approach to mitigating damaging runaway electrons created by disruptions in tokamak fusion devices. Key to the approach was harnessing a unique type of plasma wave that bears the name of astrophysicist Hannes Alfvén, a 1970 Nobel laureate.
	The catch-22s of reservoir computing: Researchers find overlooked weakness in powerful machine learning tool In nonlinear dynamic systems, a change in one place can trigger an outsized change elsewhere. The climate, the workings of the human brain, and the behavior of the electric grid are all examples—and all change dramatically over time. Because of their inherent unpredictability, dynamic systems like these are notoriously difficult to model.
	Quantum repeaters use defects in diamond to interconnect quantum systems The popular children's game of telephone is based on a simple premise: The starting player whispers a message into the ear of the next player. That second player then passes along the message to the third person and so on until the message reaches the final recipient, who relays it to the group aloud. Often, what the first person said and the last person heard are laughably different; the information gets garbled along the chain.
	Revolutionary X-ray microscope unveils sound waves deep within crystals Researchers at the Department of Energy's SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory. Stanford University, and Denmark Technical University have designed a cutting-edge X-ray microscope capable of directly observing sound waves at the tiniest of scales—the lattice level within a crystal. These findings, published last week in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, could change the way scientists study ultrafast changes in materials and the resulting properties.
	Intense lasers shine new light on the electron dynamics of liquids An international team of researchers from the Max Planck Institute for the Structure and Dynamics of Matter (MPSD) in Hamburg and ETH Zurich has now demonstrated that it is possible to probe electron dynamics in liquids using intense laser fields and to retrieve the electron mean free path—the average distance an electron can travel before colliding with another particle.
	Integrating 2D materials for on-chip photonics Recently, the introduction of nonlinear optical functions in integrated optics has sparked significant enthusiasm. Demonstrations have shown the potential for integrated photonic platforms. Furthermore, large-scale manufacturing capability and affordability have motivated the development of fully integrated, nonlinear optical devices, aiming at various applications, such as all on-chip spectroscopy, on-chip quantum computations and communications, efficient multiplexing for data communications, on-chip metrology, bio-sensing, or LIDARs.
	Fabricating fused silica optics with a high laser-induced damage threshold Residual processing defects significantly reduce fused silica optics' laser-induced damage threshold (LIDT), which seriously limits their performance and lifetime in high-energy laser applications. Extensive research has been conducted to eliminate and suppress these defects, but manufacturing fused silica optics with a high LIDT remains a bottleneck problem.
	The LHC lead-ion collision run starts The LHC is back delivering collisions to the experiments after the successful leak repair in August. But instead of protons, it is now the turn of lead ion beams to collide, marking the first heavy-ion run in five years.
	Attaining wider viewing angles for holographic 3D displays The holographic 3D display is an important technology with excellent application prospects. However, the viewing angle of holographic 3D displays is currently limited by existing strategies. This significant challenge must be addressed before holographic 3D displays can be widely used.

Earth news

	Biological particles found to play crucial role in Arctic cloud ice formation An international team of scientists from Sweden, Norway, Japan, and Switzerland, has presented research findings that reveal a crucial role of biological particles, including pollen, spores, and bacteria, in the formation of ice within Arctic clouds. These findings, published today in Nature Communications, have far-reaching implications for climate science and our understanding of the rapidly changing Arctic climate.
	Study removes human bias from debate over dinosaurs' demise To help resolve the scientific debate over whether it was a giant asteroid or volcanic eruptions that wiped out the dinosaurs and most other species 66 million years ago, Dartmouth researchers tried a new approach—they removed scientists from the debate and let the computers decide.
	As the world warms, intense tropical cyclones are starting earlier, study finds Intense tropical cyclones have tended to occur around three days earlier per decade since the 1980s, according to a study published in Nature. This seasonal shifting may be related to ocean warming, primarily driven by greenhouse gas emissions.
	High uncertainty in climate impact of global forests: Experts call for more complete estimation Global forests are crucial in the fight against climate change, but the exact role they play remains uncertain. Estimates of their impact vary widely, with some suggesting they emit approximately 6 billion metric tons of CO2 while others indicate they absorb up to 8 billion metric tons.
	Ultrasound may rid groundwater of toxic 'forever chemicals' New research suggests that ultrasound may have potential in treating a group of harmful chemicals known as PFAS to eliminate them from contaminated groundwater.
	Turning mine waste into healthy soil Tailings, the waste left after extracting precious and critical minerals, often contain harmful chemicals and heavy metals that can pollute soil, water, and even crops. There are over 1,800 tailings storage facilities around the world, and in 2019, a tailings dam in Brazil collapsed; close to 300 people drowned in the waste, which also polluted local land and waterways.
	Superbolts: Scientists figure out what causes Earth's strongest lightning Superbolts are more likely to strike the closer a storm cloud's electrical charging zone is to the land or ocean's surface, a new study finds. These conditions are responsible for superbolt "hotspots" above some oceans and tall mountains.
	As thaw accelerates, Swiss glaciers have lost 10% of their volume in the past 2 years, experts say A Swiss Academy of Sciences panel is reporting a dramatic acceleration of glacier melt in the Alpine country, which has lost 10% of its ice volume in just two years after high summer heat and low snow volumes in winter.
	Sea glass, a treasure formed from trash, is on the decline as single-use plastic takes over When you stroll along a beach, you may look down and spot colorful bits of worn glass mixed in with the sand. But the little treasures you've found actually began as discarded trash.
	Is statistical modeling for glacier loss accurate? Glacier loss is a pressing concern worldwide, with ice melt impacting freshwater supplies, sea-level rise and ocean circulation. Often, global glacier models are employed to better understand the extent of this threat, such as a recent model that shows widespread deglaciation in mid-latitudes by 2100. However, with this model and others, there are uncertainties regarding any linear relationship between temperature and glacier loss, particularly in regions like Iceland that experience temperature extremes deviating from the global average.
	Weather experiments made simpler with TV remote lights Repurposing the lights commonly found in TV remotes for invisible channel switching could improve pioneering new experiments to encourage rainfall.
	Strong El Niño expected to drive record-breaking global surface temperatures and trigger climate crises in 2023–2024 A strong El Niño event is going to wreak havoc on global surface temperature and trigger several climate crises in 2023–2024, according to researchers from the Institute of Atmospheric Physics (IAP) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
	As temperatures rise, Sicily turns to exotic fruits Avocados, mangos, bananas and passion fruit—a wealth of exotic produce is growing under the shadow of Sicily's Mount Etna, as the Italian island's farmers adapt to global warming.
	Extreme heat, extreme inequality: Addressing climate justice in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside The hottest summer ever recorded in the northern hemisphere is a stark reminder of the immediacy of the climate crisis. And the hardest hit by climate impacts, such as residents of Vancouver's Downtown Eastside, are often those with the least capacity to adapt.

Astronomy and Space news

	Pre-pilot survey explores dozens of candidate ultra-diffuse galaxies By analyzing the data from the WALLABY pre-pilot survey, astronomers from the University of Western Australia and elsewhere, have inspected 78 candidate ultra-diffuse galaxies in the Eridanus supergroup. The study was detailed in a paper published September 21 on the pre-print server arXiv.
	Ethics rules needed for human research on commercial spaceflights, panel says New guidelines are needed to assure that research on human subjects performed on commercial spaceflights is conducted ethically, a panel of experts say in a commentary appearing in the September 28 issue of the journal Science. Their paper is titled "Ethically cleared to launch?"
	Growth of 'baby galaxies' witnessed with James Webb Space Telescope Scientists have theorized how galaxies evolve, but details in their early phase of formation remained shrouded in celestial clouds of mystery.
	Keck Cosmic Web Imager offers best glimpse yet of the filamentous network that connects galaxies Like rivers feeding oceans, streams of gas nourish galaxies throughout the cosmos. But these streams, which make up a part of the so-called cosmic web, are very faint and hard to see. While astronomers have known about the cosmic web for decades, and even glimpsed the glow of its filaments around bright cosmic objects called quasars, they have not directly imaged the extended structure in the darkest portions of space—until now.
	Living on the edge: Supernova bubble expands in new Hubble time-lapse movie Though a doomed star exploded some 20,000 years ago, its tattered remnants continue racing into space at breakneck speeds—and NASA's Hubble Space Telescope has caught the action.
	DECam captures the stunning layers of shell galaxy NGC 3923 and nearby gravitational lensing Much like humans, galaxies are shaped by the environment in which they form. While no two are exactly alike, they can be divided into three main types: spiral, elliptical and irregular. Of these types, elliptical galaxies are the largest and are thought to evolve out of galactic collisions and mergers between spirals. About one-tenth of elliptical galaxies are classified as shell galaxies, characterized by the concentric shells that make up their galactic haloes.
	Blue Origin to remain grounded for now following crash probe US aviation regulators said Wednesday that Blue Origin must complete "21 corrective actions" before it can resume launches, closing a probe into an uncrewed crash last year that set back Jeff Bezos's space company.
	Meteorite discovery: Unusual finds by South African farmer add to space rock heritage Meteorites—fragments of rock that have fallen to Earth from space in spectacularly fiery meteors—have been the subject of public fascination, awe, myths and even religious worship for thousands of years.

Technology news

	An adhesive and stretchable epicardial patch to precisely monitor the heart's activity Epicardial patches are carefully engineered tissue patches that can be placed near or on a patient's heart. These devices can help doctors to diagnose and treat a variety of heart conditions, including arrhythmia and heart attacks (i.e., myocardial infarctions).
	Farm robots inspired by ant brains With the rapid-paced rise of AI in everyday life, nothing, not even the traditional farmer, is untouched by the technology.
	Scientists reveal the root cause of rechargeable battery breakdown For decades, researchers have assumed that the inevitable filmy buildup on electrodes inside rechargeable batteries is the driver of performance loss. Now, we know that view is backward.
	New exosuit helps runners sprint faster A team of mechanical engineers at Chung-Ang University in South Korea has developed an exosuit that can help runners cover short distances faster. Their project is reported in the journal Science Robotics.
	Sandcastle worm nests inspire new low-carbon building materials Sandcastle worms are marine creatures about two inches long that build huge colonies of honeycombed, reef-like structures by cementing sand grains together.
	New wearable sensor makes continuous analysis of sweat possible, researchers say Continuous monitoring of sweat can reveal valuable information about human health, such as the body's glucose levels. However, wearable sensors previously developed for this purpose have been lacking, unable to withstand the rigors or achieve the specificity needed for continuous monitoring, according to Penn State researchers. Now, the research team has created a novel wearable patch that may be up to the task.
	Chemical engineers unveil fire-safe fuel UC Riverside chemical engineers have designed a fuel that ignites only with the application of electric current. Since it doesn't react to flames and cannot start accidental fires during storage or transport, it is a "safe" liquid fuel.
	Solar cell material can assist self-driving cars in the dark Material used in organic solar cells can also be used as light sensors in electronics. This has been shown by researchers at Linköping University, Sweden, who have developed a type of sensor able to detect circularly polarized red light. Their study, published in Nature Photonics, paves the way for more reliable self-driving vehicles and other uses where night vision is important.
	Accelerating sustainable semiconductors with 'multielement ink' Semiconductors are the heart of almost every electronic device. Without semiconductors, our computers would not be able to process and retain data; and LED (light-emitting diode) lightbulbs would lose their ability to shine.
	Light-activated acid drives energy-efficient, on-demand release of captured carbon dioxide Using light instead of heat, researchers at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory have found a new way to release carbon dioxide (CO2) from a solvent used in direct air capture, or DAC, to trap this greenhouse gas. The novel approach paves the way for economically viable separation of CO2 from the atmosphere.
	Apple leverages idea of switching to Bing to pry more money out of Google, Microsoft exec says Apple was never serious about replacing Google with Microsoft's Bing as the default search engine in Macs and iPhones, but kept the possibility open as a "bargaining chip'' to extract bigger payments from Google, a Microsoft executive testified Wednesday in the biggest U.S. antitrust trial in a quarter century.
	Meta putting AI in smart glasses, assistants and more Meta chief Mark Zuckerberg on Wednesday said the tech giant is putting artificial intelligence into digital assistants and smart glasses as it seeks to gain lost ground in the AI race.
	AI chip crunch: Startups vie for Nvidia's vital component The artificial intelligence revolution is fully underway, but soaring demand for its most crucial component has startups scratching their heads on how they can deliver on AI's promise.
	How a 20-cent fee upended the gaming world Their language was salty and the message was clear: game developers believed their livelihoods were under threat and they were not going to accept it.
	Netflix's DVD-by-mail service bows out as its red-and-white envelopes make their final trip The curtain is finally coming down on Netflix's once-iconic DVD-by-mail service, a quarter century after two Silicon Valley entrepreneurs came up with a concept that obliterated Blockbuster video stores while providing a springboard into video streaming that has transformed entertainment.
	Wing-screen wipers: How self-cleaning cicadas could help us have cleaner cars A type of large insect known as a cicada is able to keep its wings clean of dust and dirt through a remarkable process that could be applied within modern technology.
	Will AI kill our creativity? It could, if we don't start to value and protect the traits that make us human There's no doubt generative AI's ability to rapidly produce new texts, images and audio is shaking up creative jobs.
	What causes lithium-ion battery fires? Why are they so intense? And how should they be fought? An expert explains Picture this: you're cruising down the Great Ocean Road in your brand new electric vehicle (EV), the ocean to your left and the wind in your hair. But what if I told you this idyllic drive could turn into a nightmare, with the faint smell of something burning?
	Green fuels in shipping face major challenges for 2050 net zero target Ships carry around 90% of traded goods and emit about 3% of global CO₂. The International Maritime Organization (IMO), the UN agency responsible for regulating shipping, recently set out plans for this industry to reach net zero emissions by 2050.
	Driverless cars could be a revolution for people with disabilities, but there are also good reasons to be worried Like it or not, driverless cars will start to appear on our roads in the not too distant future. In theory, fully autonomous driverless vehicles will offer huge advantages to people with disabilities. Too often, people with disabilities face multiple problems while using public transport. They often need to rely on friends and relatives for lifts or spend too much of their limited budgets on taxis.
	Lagos building collapses: Researchers use machine learning to show where and why they happen Building collapses have become a major menace in Lagos, Nigeria. Lagos is the business hub of the country and has its largest seaport and airport. With an estimated population of 15.4 million, it is the largest city in sub-Saharan Africa and the second largest in Africa after Cairo.
	Researchers create a lightweight, high-strength material using two unlikely ingredients: DNA and glass Working on the nanoscale gives researchers a lot of insight and control when fabricating and characterizing materials. In larger scale manufacturing, as well as in nature, many materials have the capacity for flaws and impurities that can disrupt their complex structure. This creates several weak points that can easily break under stress. This is common with most glass, which is why it is thought of as such a delicate material.
	Q&A: There are unintended consequences of antitrust regulation, researcher says With the Google antitrust trial well underway, and an Amazon suit soon to follow, Riitta Katila, a professor of management science and engineering, discusses the impacts of anti-competition regulation on innovation. "Big tech platforms often get a bad rap for killing innovation, but our findings show that it's more nuanced than that."
	Epic Games, creator of Fortnite, asks Supreme Court to hear antitrust case against Apple Over the summer, Apple said it would petition the U.S. Supreme Court to hear its case against Epic Games, the Cary-based developer of the popular title Fortnite.
	New resource for domestic abuse survivors combines AI, cybersecurity and psychology Georgia Tech researchers are working to create a new software tool powered by artificial intelligence (AI) to address the under-researched area of digital security and domestic abuse.
	Sweden's Northvolt says to build major EV battery plant in Canada Swedish-based Northvolt on Thursday unveiled plans to build its first electric vehicle lithium-ion battery gigafactory in North America, just outside of Montreal.
	Mineral-hungry clean tech sees countries seeking to escape China's shadow With a clean energy transition hungry for more minerals, representatives from dozens of countries and industry met in Paris on Thursday looking to shore up deliveries against supply chain snarls and geopolitical tensions.
	OpenAI turning to designer Jony Ive for 'AI iPhone': report Apple's former lead designer Jony Ive is in talks to team up with ChatGPT creator OpenAI to create an "iPhone of Artificial Intelligence," the Financial Times reported on Thursday.
	Enhancing AI robustness for more secure and reliable systems By completely rethinking the way that most Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems protect against attacks, researchers at EPFL's School of Engineering have developed a new training approach to ensure that machine learning models, particularly deep neural networks, consistently perform as intended, significantly enhancing their reliability.
	Q&A: Assessing the risks of existential terrorism and AI Gary Ackerman, an associate professor and associate dean at the State University of New York's University at Albany College of Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity (CEHC), has spent decades studying terrorism around the world—from the motivations and capabilities of terrorist groups to the mitigation strategies governments use to defend against them.
	ChatGPT tackles controversial issues better than before: From bias to moderation New research conducted by IMDEA Networks Institute in collaboration with the University of Surrey, UPV, and King's College London has shown that there is a general downward trend in the popular artificial intelligence (AI) platform ChatGPT to take direct stances on controversial topics, whether providing agreement or disagreement, or an affirmative or negative response.
	Researchers unveil tool to help developers create augmented reality task assistants Augmented reality (AR) technology has long fascinated both the scientific community and the general public, remaining a staple of modern science fiction for decades.
	In Hollywood writers' battle against AI, humans win (for now) After a 148-day strike, Hollywood screenwriters secured significant guardrails against the use of artificial intelligence in one of the first major labor battles over generative AI in the workplace.
	Sony PlayStation CEO Ryan to retire Sony's gaming unit chief Jim Ryan will retire next March, the Japanese firm said Thursday, after putting the PlayStation 5 on track to become its "most successful console yet".
	Elevating biogas upgrading performance on renewable aqueous ammonia solution via a novel 'membrane method' Biogas is usually produced by anaerobic digestion of organic waste such as animal manures and straw offcuts. This is a typical source of green renewable energy and can be used as a fuel for power generation and heat production.
	Billionaire Ryan Cohen takes over as CEO at GameStop, adding to chairman role Billionaire Ryan Cohen, the largest individual investor in GameStop, is taking over as CEO at the video game retailer.
	Musk guts X's election integrity teams ahead of major votes X-owner Elon Musk said that he had gutted the platform's team dedicated to preserving election integrity as key votes in many countries are approaching.
	Fortnite maker Epic Games tightens belt with layoffs Epic Games, maker of the highly popular Fortnite video game, said Thursday it is cutting its workforce to save money but will continue spending on its legal battle over Apple and Google app stores.
	New revised guide to operational technology (OT) security published The impact of cybersecurity breaches on infrastructure control system owners/operators is more significant and visible than ever before. Whether you work for an infrastructure owner/operator or are a consumer of an infrastructure service, the events of the past few months/years have made it clear that cybersecurity is a critical factor in ensuring the safe and reliable delivery of goods and services. For infrastructure control system owners/operators, it can be challenging to address the range of cybersecurity threats, vulnerabilities, and risks that can negatively impact their operations, especially with limited resources.

Chemistry news

	Ductile oligomeric acceptor enables highly efficient and mechanically robust flexible organic solar cells A research group led by Prof. Ge Ziyi at the Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering (NIMTE) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has incorporated a ductile oligomeric acceptor (DOA) into the polymer donors and small molecule acceptors (PD:SMA) system, achieving flexible organic solar cells (OSCs) with high power conversion efficiency (PCE) and mechanical robustness. The study was published in Advanced Materials.
	More than 20-year-old assumption about beer aroma disproved Hops-derived constituents not only increase shelf-life and bitterness of beer, but can also significantly influence aroma. An important hop odorant is linalool, which has a floral and citrus-like scent.
	Exploring the data storage of tomorrow: Supramolecular memristors based on bistable [2]catenanes In the development of big data and artificial intelligence, the usual data storage media are not sufficient. The next generation of data storage must meet the demand for high-density storage and energy efficiency. One such technology is resistive random-access memory (RRAM), which stores data through changes in resistance.
	Capturing carbon dioxide with electricity: A microbial enzyme inspires electrochemistry Humans continuously emits greenhouse gases, worsening global warming. For example, carbon dioxide (CO2) accumulates dramatically over the years and is chemically very stable. Yet, some microbes capture CO2 using highly efficient enzymes. Scientists from the Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology in Bremen together with the Universities of Geneva and Radboud isolated one of these enzymes.
	Researchers revive a chemical synthesis method abandoned a century ago. Why? Organic synthesis is the art of creating molecules, used for creating essential items like pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and materials for high-tech gadgets such as smartphones. Think of it as playing with LEGO bricks at a microscopic level—chemists connect simple building blocks to create complex molecules, just like snapping together LEGO bricks to make intricate structures. One crucial step in this puzzle is creating a bond between two carbon atoms.
	Watching paint dry, to understand and control the patterns it leaves behind A coffee spill leaves behind a dark stain around the puddle's edge when it dries. But as drops of paint dry, some look like "fried eggs," with "yolks" of color surrounded by pristine white halos, whereas others appear uniform. To understand this variability, researchers reporting in Langmuir literally watched paint dry. They found that pigment concentration and temperature impacted how the liquid gelled and evaporated, information that could help control patterns in dried paint.
	Researchers develop novel multi-sensor data fusion methods for rapid and accurate compound fertilizer quality detection In a study published in Talanta, a research team led by Prof. Wu Yuejin from the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has developed a data fusion strategy based on near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) and laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) for the rapid and accurate detection of the main components of compound fertilizers.
	Research team develops novel heat-sensitive ferritin mutant to efficiently load chemotherapy drugs A research team led by Prof. Wang Junfeng from the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science (HFIPS), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), has developed a novel heat-sensitive ferritin mutant and realized easy and efficient loading of the chemotherapy drug doxorubicin.
	A new chemical tool for probing toxic formaldehyde's dual nature Compounds developed by University of Leicester Chemists aim to reveal the dual nature of formaldehyde, a chemical that is known to cause cancer but is also believed to play important roles in our biology.

Biology news

	The chilling tale of snow flies, self-amputation, survival and certain death Researchers at the Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Washington, Seattle, have discovered something peculiar in the survival strategy of the snow fly (Chionea spp.), a flightless crane fly that lives in boreal and alpine environments of the northern hemisphere.
	Human evolution: Hominins challenge giant hyenas for carcasses in Prehistoric simulations Hominins—the group that includes humans and our extinct relatives—may have been capable of competing with giant hyenas for carcasses abandoned by saber-toothed cats and jaguars during the late-early Pleistocene era (approximately 1.2 to 0.8 million years ago) in southern Europe. The findings of this modeling study are published in Scientific Reports and suggest that moderately sized groups of hominins may have been the most successful at scavenging.
	The recessive genes that make a carrot orange A new study of the genetic blueprints of more than 600 types of carrot shows that three specific genes are required to give carrots an orange color. Surprisingly, these three required genes all need to be recessive, or turned off. The paper's findings shed light on the traits important to carrot improvement efforts and could lead to better health benefits from the vegetable.
	A few essential genetic differences tailor flowers to bee or hummingbird pollinators Large differences in flower characteristics between wildflowers with different pollinators are achieved by a few key genetic differences, according to a study by Carolyn Wessinger at the University of South Carolina, US, and colleagues, published in the open access journal PLOS Biology.
	Short term outlook for emperor penguins may not be as dire as predicted A team of environmental scientists from France, Tasmania, Canada, the U.S. and Australia has found evidence suggesting that emperor penguins may be more adaptable to a changing climate than previously thought. In their study, reported in the journal Science Advances, the group analyzed satellite imagery revealing that emperor penguins are capable of living in a variety of habitats.
	Scientists discover how human cells distribute and maintain their cholesterol levels Scientists at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) have found how human cells distribute and maintain their cholesterol levels, contributing to research into neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease as well as cardiovascular diseases. The findings were published in the journal Nature Communications.
	Gluten-free African grain teff shows antioxidant activity in human cells Teff, a gluten-free grain historically grown in East Africa but increasingly available in the United States, seems to have antioxidant properties in human cells, say UNC Greensboro (UNCG) researchers. Their study, which examined the effects of Eragrostis teff extracts on human cells, was published in Antioxidants.
	Scientists reveal how phosphate escapes from actin filaments Actin filaments are dynamic protein-fibers in the cell built from single actin proteins. Many cellular functions, including cell movement, are regulated by constant filament assembly and disassembly. The disassembly phase is initiated by the release of a phosphate group from inside the filament, but the details of this process have puzzled scientists for decades.
	A better understanding of gene regulation in embryonic stem cells During the first hours of an embryo's development, specialized molecules called pioneer transcription factors unravel parts of its DNA to activate the encoded genes. Which gene is activated and when has to follow a set schedule so that genes that are only needed at later stages of development are not activated too early—such as those that trigger the differentiation of specialized cell types.
	Scientists shed light on how stressed cells sequester protein-forming mRNAs Researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine have illuminated one of the important ways that cells respond to stress. The findings could also be relevant to Alzheimer's, ALS and other diseases in which this mechanism may be abnormally active.
	Accounting for oxygen in modeling coastal ecosystems Driven by climate change and pollution, the decline of oxygen levels in oceans is altering biogeochemical cycles, threatening marine plants, animals and ecosystems. But how accurately are we projecting the fate of marine life? If models of marine ecosystems are to truly inform management—especially of coastal areas—they must account for the variation in oxygen levels across time and space, KAUST researchers say.
	Tropical climates are the most biodiverse on Earth, but it's not only because of how warm and wet they are Life exists in every conceivable environment on Earth, from the peaks of towering mountains to the remote stretches of isolated islands, from sunlit surfaces to the darkest depths of the oceans. Yet, this intricate tapestry of existence isn't spread uniformly.
	New method can better identify sneaky sugars on viruses' spiky weapons To effectively repel an enemy invasion, it helps to have accurate intelligence about that enemy's weaponry and attack plan. Medical scientists laboring to repel infectious viruses, such as those that cause COVID-19 and HIV, now have a better method for obtaining that intel because of research from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).
	Why are killer whales harassing and killing porpoises without eating them? For decades, fish-eating killer whales in the Pacific Northwest have been observed harassing and even killing porpoises without consuming them—a perplexing behavior that has long intrigued scientists.
	A turtle time capsule: DNA found in ancient shell Currently, only seven species of sea turtles exist. Among them are two in the genus Lepidochelys: the olive ridley and the Kemp's ridley. Despite being among the most common sea turtles in much of the Caribbean Sea and elsewhere, little is known about their history or evolution. The remains of a turtle shell recently found on Panama's Caribbean coast represent the oldest fossil evidence of these turtles ever found.
	The 'Grandmother Hypothesis': Skin behind the ears and between the toes can host a collection of unhealthy microbes Grandmother was right: Scrubbing behind the ears and between the toes may help keep the skin in those regions healthy, or so says a new study by a team at the George Washington University.
	Watch how hammerhead sharks get their hammer For weeks, you'd be hard pressed to tell if the rapidly growing animal was going to become a chicken, a fish, a frog, or even a human.
	Aussies provide more than 62 million species records for conservation research Citizen scientists have contributed more than half of all species records to Australia's national biodiversity database—the Atlas of Living Australia (ALA)—and play a crucial role in supporting conversation and biodiversity research, a new study has found.
	Elk hoof disease likely causes systemic changes Elk treponeme-associated hoof disease, previously thought to be limited to deformations in elks' hooves, appears to create molecular changes throughout the animal's system, according to epigenetic research from Washington State University.
	Giants with microscopic muscles: New findings reveal the structure of the dexterous elephant trunk A recent study investigated the musculature of the elephant and found that the trunk is a complex mesh of interwoven muscle and has an immense number of parts. The study was published on September 26, 2023, in Current Biology.
	Take a break from your screen and look at plants: Botanizing is a great way to engage with life around you When you hear about the abundance of life on Earth, what do you picture? For many people, it's animals—but awareness of plant diversity is growing rapidly.
	The first dog-fox hybrid points to the growing risk to wild animals of domestic species Next time you see a fox when out walking with your dog, pause for a moment and ponder their relatedness. Dogs and foxes are distinct but distantly related canine species.
	Your microbes live on after you die—a microbiologist explains how your necrobiome recycles your body Each human body contains a complex community of trillions of microorganisms that are important for your health while you're alive. These microbial symbionts help you digest food, produce essential vitamins, protect you from infection and serve many other critical functions. In turn, the microbes, which are mostly concentrated in your gut, get to live in a relatively stable, warm environment with a steady supply of food.
	Australian research reveals diet of endangered northern hairy-nosed wombat Researchers from Western Sydney University have uncovered the secret eating habits of one of the world's most endangered animals.
	Spotted lanternfly has spread to Illinois, threatening trees and crops Illinois is the latest state to find invasive spotted lanternflies, an winged insect that's spreading across the eastern U.S. and is subject to squish-on-sight requests in New York and elsewhere.
	Long-term decline in Great Barrier Reef dugong populations confirmed A new report from James Cook University (JCU) TropWATER reveals a long-term decline in dugong populations along the Great Barrier Reef, spanning from Mission Beach to Bundaberg, and Hervey Bay in the Great Sandy Strait.
	How safe is your sushi? Some bacteria can pose a risk Sushi has become everyday fare in Norway and elsewhere around the globe, and many people opt for sashimi and other raw fish when they want to treat themselves to something tasty.
	Study sheds light on differentiated nitrogen sources of co-occurring epiphytes in Chinese subtropical forests Epiphytes, including lichens, bryophytes, ferns and spermatophytes, are a large and widely distributed group across many forest ecosystems. Acquiring enough nitrogen (N) to support their life processes in nutrient-poor canopies is a crucial challenge for epiphytes.
	Garumbatitan: A new giant dinosaur in the Lower Cretaceous of the Iberian Peninsula A new study describes a new sauropod dinosaur that lived in the Iberian Peninsula 122 million years ago. This new species of dinosaur, Garumbatitan morellensis, was described from remains discovered in Morella (Castelló, Spain) and made it possible to expand the diversity of dinosaurs known in one of the best fossil records from the Early Cretaceous in Europe.
	Q&A: Indigenous community-first approach to more ethical microbiome research Every person hosts trillions of microorganisms, like bacteria and viruses, on their skin and in organs including those that make up the digestive tract, like their mouth, that collectively make up their microbiome. Microbiome research can lead to medical breakthroughs to treat diseases like inflammatory bowel syndrome and diabetes.
	New animal behavior tech aims to save wildlife Facial recognition software used to study the social behavior of individual Greylag Geese in Europe will soon be used to monitor one of the rarest geese in the world, the Cape Barren Goose in South Australia.
	Aquatic animals can help purify our wastewater, says researcher Aquatic creatures may help purify our wastewater. A team of researchers has investigated how invertebrates, such as worms, non-biting midge larvae and mussels that live on the bottom of streams and ditches, may benefit wastewater treatment plants. These creatures can degrade sludge, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and remove excess nutrients from the water together with floating plant species.
	Climate change filtered out resource-acquisitive plants in a temperate grassland, finds study Evidence is mounting that climate change is triggering biodiversity loss, changing community composition and ecosystem functions. However, the intricate mechanisms underpinning ecological processes remain an enigma, motivating researchers to dissect the intricate web of interactions.
	Gain-of-function allele of HPY1 coordinates source and sink to increase grain yield in rice Rice is a primary staple crop for over half of the global population, and the continual enhancement of its yield holds significant significance in ensuring world food security. Therefore, achieving sustained increases in rice production has remained a major scientific challenge in the field of rice science research.
	Research team discovers dual effects of chelerythrine in fighting mobile colistin resistance A research team from China has made an innovative discovery in the fight against mobile colistin resistance. Their study, published in Engineering, reveals the dual effects of feed-additive-derived chelerythrine in combating the spread of the mcr-1 gene, which poses a challenge to the use of colistin, a last-resort antibiotic. This finding opens up new possibilities for enhancing the efficacy of colistin and limiting resistance-gene transmission.
	Scientists ratchet up key amino acid in corn Experimental lines of field corn developed by a team of Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and university scientists will usher in new commercial hybrids offering high-methionine grain.
	Global phosphoproteomics reveal the diverse roles of casein kinase 1 in plant development Protein phosphorylation is a major posttranslational modification carried out by protein kinases that constitute an integral part of complex signaling networks in eukaryotes. Casein kinase 1 (CK1) is a conserved serine/threonine protein kinase in eukaryotes and plays pivotal roles in both plants and mammals through phosphorylating various substrates.
	New report on state of conservation at World Heritage Site in India Conservation experts have provided vital recommendations to help protect a globally significant UNESCO World Heritage Site in India.
	Unraveling metabolic processes spanning from subcellular organelles to complex tissues Metabolism serves as a direct reflection of biological functions and pathological conditions. Throughout the years, biologists and doctors have been delving into the intricate metabolic mechanisms underlying physiological processes and disease states. A plethora of techniques, including LC-MS, GC-MS, and CE-MS, have significantly expanded our comprehension of the pivotal role metabolism plays in both health and disease.
	Scientists discover biomimetic macrophage technology to combat antibiotic resistance A research team led by Shuilin Wu at Tianjin University, China, has made a discovery in the field of intelligent catalysis. Their research article titled "Biomimetic Macrophage–Fe3O4@PLGA Particle-Triggered Intelligent Catalysis for Killing Multidrug-Resistant Escherichia coli" has been published in the journal Engineering.
	Boosting terpenoid bioproduction via remodeling of isoprene pyrophosphate metabolism Terpenoids, the largest family of natural products, have gained significant attention for their diverse applications in industries such as pharmaceuticals, fragrances, and biofuels. However, the efficient synthesis of terpenoids using engineered cell factories has been hindered by the limited supply of isoprene pyrophosphate (IPP), the key building block for terpenoid production. Now, a research team led by Jian Chen at Jiangnan University in China has made a discovery that could revolutionize terpenoid bioproduction.

Medicine and Health news

	The neural underpinnings of surround sound and its effects on a listener's sense of presence Over the past few decades, engineers have introduced and perfected numerous technologies designed to produce highly immersive experiences, including virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR) and advanced surround sound systems. While these technologies are now widely used worldwide, their effects on human perceptions and their associated brain processes have rarely been explored scientifically.
	Study finds protein p53 regulates learning, memory and sociability in mice Researchers have established the protein p53 as critical for regulating sociability, repetitive behavior, and hippocampus-related learning and memory in mice, illuminating the relationship between the protein-coding gene TP53 and neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders like autism spectrum disorder.
	New study provides evidence for more effective brain-based treatment of chronic back pain A new study in JAMA Network Open may provide key answers to how to help people experiencing chronic back pain.
	Decoding the complexity of Alzheimer's disease Alzheimer's disease affects more than 6 million people in the United States, and there are very few FDA-approved treatments that can slow the progression of the disease.
	Screen-printed, flexible sensors allow earbuds to record brain activity and exercise levels A pair of earbuds can be turned into a tool to record the electrical activity of the brain as well as levels of lactate in the body with the addition of two flexible sensors screen-printed onto a stamp-like flexible surface.
	Brazil's diversity makes country a testing ground for a global stem cell biobank, scientists say A biobank for all, in which a person from any background could find a bone marrow donor for a stem cell transplant, is a major goal for stem cell science. While repositories of cell lines that could be a match for most patients are successfully materializing in some countries with genetically homogenous populations like Japan and the United Kingdom, how many more we need for a universal solution remains unknown.
	Placebo effect found to be growing stronger for transcranial magnetic stimulation therapy used for depression A team of medical researchers from Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Central South University and the Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, all in China, has found evidence suggesting that the placebo effect has grown stronger in trials of transcranial magnetic stimulation therapy for patients treated for depression.
	Novel tau PET tracer exhibits high sensitivity and specificity, allows earlier identification of Alzheimer's disease A new tau PET radiotracer, 18F-SNFT-1, has been found to be more effective than existing tau PET radiotracers in identifying Alzheimer's disease in its earliest stages, according to research published in the September issue of the Journal of Nuclear Medicine.
	Zebrafish study reveals cause of altered human facial development Some substances in medicines, household items and the environment are known to affect prenatal child development. In a study published in Toxicological Sciences, researchers tested the effects of five drugs (including caffeine and the blood thinner warfarin) on the growth of zebrafish embryos. They found that all five had the same effect, impairing the migration of bone-forming cells which resulted in the onset of facial malformation.
	Broken brain connections, not protein clumps, may lie behind Alzheimer's, study in mice suggests Researchers at St Vincent's Hospital in Sydney have achieved a breakthrough in our understanding dementia and new way forward to its treatment. Through their discovery, the team restored nerve cell connections (synapses) that are destroyed in the Alzheimer's brain, which are thought to store memory.
	Study reveals more depression in communities where people rarely left home during the COVID-19 pandemic Higher levels of depressive symptoms have been reported during the COVID-19 pandemic compared with other times in history, and as much as three times higher than prior to the pandemic. A team led by investigators at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) has found that social isolation may have been a contributing factor. Their findings are published in JAMA Network Open.
	Antibiotic shows effectiveness against deadly staph infections An antibiotic that has shown effectiveness for bacterial pneumonia also appears successful in fighting methicillin-resistant staph infections, reports a team led by Duke Health.
	Type of cellular stress involved in Parkinson's disease destroys more neurons when it occurs at night, study finds Disturbances in sleep patterns and the internal biological clock are frequently associated with Parkinson's disease. However, the link between biological rhythm and neuronal degeneration remains unclear. A team from the University of Geneva (UNIGE) has investigated the destruction of neurons at different times of the day, using the fruit fly as a study model.
	Predicting condensate formation by cancer-associated fusion oncoproteins Many cancers are caused by fusion oncoproteins, molecules that aberrantly form when a rearrangement of DNA results in parts of two different proteins being expressed as one. Several fusion oncoproteins spontaneously form condensates inside cells that promote cancer development.
	Widespread naloxone distribution not enough to impact overdose death rate: Study The highest ever number of opioid-related overdose deaths in the United States was recorded in 2020 at 68,630, a 68% increase in just two years. Naloxone is a medicine that can rapidly reverse an opioid overdose, but a new study out of the University of Cincinnati finds that widespread community distribution of naloxone through a take-home naloxone (THN) program did not significantly impact the median monthly opioid overdose rates.
	Research finds Paxlovid and Legevrio reduced COVID-19 hospitalization and death New Cleveland Clinic-led research shows commonly used COVID-19 anti-viral drugs Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir) and Lagevrio (molnupiravir) reduce risk of hospitalization and death in high-risk patients with mild disease, even with omicron subvariants.
	Immune checkpoint blockade prior to surgery promising in multiple cancer types, finds study Treating cancer with immunotherapies known as an immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) prior to surgery (so-called neoadjuvant immunotherapy) has been a rapidly growing area of research, but the scientific community is just scratching the surface of what is possible, according to a review article co-authored by several current and former investigators from the Bloomberg~Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy and the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center.
	New method tracks how brain cells age Hospital nurseries routinely place soft bands around the tiny wrists of newborns that hold important identifying information such as name, sex, mother, and birth date. Researchers at Rockefeller University are taking the same approach with newborn brain cells—but these neonates will keep their ID tags for life, so that scientists can track how they grow and mature, as a means for better understanding the brain's aging process.
	Tetris to the rescue for women facing traumatic birth: Large-scale study confirms its effectiveness for PTSD prevention Playing Tetris for fifteen minutes can prevent psychological trauma in mothers after a difficult birth. These are the conclusions of a large-scale study conducted at Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) and Hôpitaux universitaires de Genève (HUG) and published in Molecular Psychiatry. The study's findings pave the way for a routine intervention to prevent the development of post-traumatic stress symptoms linked to childbirth.
	Study finds people who use alternative medicine favor risk and novelty, and distrust science Over 40 percent of Canadians have used at least one risk-associated alternative health-care treatment in the past 12 months, says a new UBC study published in PLOS One.
	Researchers create first-ever map of a single animal's early visual system Neuroscientists at the Flatiron Institute in New York City and their colleagues have made a big breakthrough using one of the world's smallest brains.
	For the lonely, a blurred line between real and fictional people In lonely people, the boundary between real friends and favorite fictional characters gets blurred in the part of the brain that is active when thinking about others, a new study found.
	Researchers uncover why a gene mutant causes young children to have strokes A discovery of a mutation in the gene ACTA2 has given researchers, led by Dianna Milewicz, MD, Ph.D., with UTHealth Houston, insight into understanding the cause of a rare and progressive problem with arteries in the brain and a cause of strokes in young children, called moyamoya disease.
	Liver fibrosis: Giant cells step in to compensate for impaired immune function A team of researchers has uncovered a previously unknown compensatory mechanism found in liver disease. If Kupffer cells (KCs), a specific kind of immune cells found in the liver, become impaired by tissue scarring, immune cells originating in the bone marrow flow to the organ, where they form larger cell clusters to perform the same function.
	Study pinpoints the length of incidental activity linked to health benefits A new wearables study tracking over 25,000 people provides the best evidence yet that short bouts of incidental activity, the kind we do as part of daily living, could reduce risk of heart attack, stroke and even premature death—but the length of activity and intensity matters.
	Study: Researchers find link between plastic additive and autism, ADHD The incidence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has greatly increased over the last few decades. The reasons are largely unknown, although environmental factors are believed to be important.
	Risk of premature birth from smoking while pregnant more than double previous estimates Cambridge researchers have found that women who smoke during pregnancy are 2.6 times more likely to give birth prematurely compared to non-smokers—more than double the previous estimate.
	Q&A: Music intervention programs can enhance parent and baby language interactions Previous research shows that conversational turns (interactive conversations) between parents and children are important for a child's long-term language development and academic achievement and that these conversations can be enhanced via parent-coaching language interventions. The neural networks responsible for language develop rapidly even before a child can talk, making these interactive conversations especially important during infancy.
	New program helps improve toddlers' self-control skills and healthy eating habits Two of the best predictors of life-long health and well-being are early childhood self-control skills and healthy eating habits. A new program that teaches parents how to cook with their 2-year-olds is helping toddlers excel on both fronts. Doing things like stirring ingredients together without spilling and singing a song while something is in the microwave helps toddlers learn multiple important self-control skills, like paying attention, controlling their bodies, waiting patiently, and cooperating with their parents.
	New data reveals 'silent scandal' of missing lung tests across England Patients in some of the most deprived areas of England, where respiratory conditions including chronic lung disease (COPD) and asthma are most prevalent, have limited or no access to vital diagnostic tests to confirm their diagnosis, reveals a survey by The BMJ today.
	Swapping starch and refined carbs for whole grains and fruit linked to less midlife weight gain Increased consumption of carbohydrate from refined grains, starchy vegetables, and sugary drinks is associated with greater weight gain throughout midlife, while increased fiber and carbohydrate from whole grains, fruit, and non-starchy vegetables is linked to less weight gain, finds a large US study published by The BMJ today.
	Job loss linked to increased risk of miscarriage and stillbirth Researchers have found a link between a pregnant woman or her partner losing their job and an increased risk of miscarriage or stillbirth.
	Cannabis use disorder may be linked to increased risk of cardiovascular disease A new study has found that Canadian adults with cannabis use disorder appear to have an approximately 60% higher risk of experiencing their first heart attack, stroke, or other major cardiovascular event than those without cannabis use disorder.
	Fitness and staving off weight gain may be more important than weight loss to prevent kidney disease in obese adults As obesity is a contributing factor to chronic kidney disease, weight loss can help mitigate a patient's risk. But new research suggests that fitness and preventing weight gain could actually play a more important role in reducing risk than weight loss. The findings were published today in the journal Obesity by researchers at Drexel University's College of Medicine and Dornsife School of Public Health.
	Brazil's banana spider aids erectile dysfunction treatment Three decades ago, Brazilian researchers began studying a curious side effect from banana spider bites: the toxin left victims with priapism, a painful and persistent erection.
	Study provides new look at why rare cancer often evades treatments Researchers at Boston Medical Center and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute have conducted one of the first-ever analyses of neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) at single-cell resolution, unlocking new insights into this rare and often hard-to-treat cancer. The findings represent a tremendous leap forward in understanding why these tumors are largely resistant to immunotherapy and provide key insights that could lead to future treatments.
	Researchers discuss reassessing COVID-19 precautions in 2023 A new editorial paper titled "Reassessing the risks and benefits of COVID-19 precautions in 2023" has been published in Oncotarget.
	Research suggests pharmacist-led intervention can improve medication adherence among Latinos with type 2 diabetes UCLA-led research suggests that diabetes control can significantly improve for Latinos when a pharmacist implements an intervention that addresses these patients' barriers to medication adherence.
	Few eligible patients get access to publicly funded weight management programs in England, study shows Of the more than 1.8 million adults in England with a recorded diagnosis of overweight or obesity, only 3% are referred to publicly-funded weight management programs, according to a new study published in the journal PLOS Medicine by Karen Coulman of University of Bristol, UK, and colleagues.
	Cleared to launch? Ethical guidelines needed for human research in commercial spaceflight The commercial spaceflight industry is expanding opportunities for scientific research in space, but the industry needs clear ethical guidelines before human research is ready for liftoff.
	Brief dialysis may be best for some kidney patients Patients with acute kidney injury requiring outpatient dialysis after hospital discharge receive the same care as those with the more common end-stage kidney disease, according to a study led by UC San Francisco.
	Study offers way to increase immune checkpoint inhibitor effectiveness in patients with MTAP-deleted cancers Loss of the "housekeeping" gene methylthioadenosine phosphorylase, or MTAP, is a common event in cancer. Patients with melanoma or bladder cancer whose tumor cells lack a functioning version of the gene tend not to respond to immune checkpoint inhibitors, although the reasons haven't been clear.
	The silence around vulval cancer means people are missing the signs that they have it Most people have heard of cervical, ovarian, and perhaps womb cancer, but there is one gynecological cancer that is seldom mentioned: vulval cancer.
	The tantalizing scent of rain or freshly baked bread: How certain smells transport us back in time My father was a carpenter, meaning I have spent a great deal of my life surrounded by wood, saws, planes and chisels. Simply by living among sawdust and woodchips, you learn to distinguish the different smells of wood.
	Do liposomes make food supplements more effective? An expert explains common myths about these products There has been an explosion in nutritional supplements that promise a superior product because they contain nanoparticles called liposomes. But there's a lot of misleading information and outright myths about these being shared online, so it's important to understand how liposomes work before you spend money on an expensive new food supplement.
	Tracking daily step counts can be a useful tool for weight management—an exercise scientist parses the science Over the last decade, smartphones have become ubiquitous not just for sending texts and staying abreast of news, but also for monitoring daily activity levels.
	Study highlights long-term, low-grade intestinal inflammation after radiotherapy Patients who have undergone pelvic radiotherapy may live with low-grade chronic inflammation of the lower intestine 20 years after the treatment. This has been shown in a study by researchers at the University of Gothenburg published in the journal eBioMedicine.
	Body neutrality movement may conquer unrealistic body standards A Griffith University study found the body neutrality movement has a positive influence on young women's body image may help to conquer unrealistic body standards.
	FDA panel says no to experimental ALS drug An advisory panel to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday voted resoundingly against recommending a stem cell-based experimental treatment for ALS.
	Is the first cure for advanced rabies near? Rabies virus is incurable and almost always fatal once it has invaded the central nervous system, with the victim doomed to suffer a horrible death.
	EEG model predicts response to SSRI meds in major depressive disorder For patients with major depressive disorder, an electroencephalography (EEG)-based model can predict response to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) medications, according to a study published online Sept. 28 in JAMA Network Open.
	FDA adds warning to Ozempic label about risk for blocked intestines Ozempic, a type 2 diabetes drug that has increasingly been used to help with weight loss, will now be labeled as having the potential to block intestines.
	How parents' work stress affects family mealtimes and children's development Family mealtimes are important for parents and children as a space to communicate, socialize, and build attachment relationships. But it can be difficult for busy parents to balance family and work life. A new study from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign explores how parents' job stress influences their attendance at family mealtimes, and in turn, children's socioemotional development.
	Q&A: Expert discusses prevalence of hepatitis C in US state prisons The World Health Organization has a goal to eliminate hepatitis C as a public health threat by 2030. The blood-borne virus affects more than 2 million people in the United States and killed more than 15,700 people nationwide in 2018, even though more than 95% of people infected with hepatitis C can be cured if they get the pills to treat the disease.
	Wearable device data reveals that reduced sleep and activity in pregnancy is linked to premature birth risk A lack of sleep and reduced physical activity during pregnancy are linked to risk of preterm birth, according to new research led by the Stanford School of Medicine.
	Study finds blood-brain barrier is more permeable in patients with delirium after surgery Up to 40% of older surgery patients develop postoperative delirium, a syndrome of confusion that typically occurs in the first few days after surgery. Postoperative delirium is associated with longer hospitalizations, significant distress, and major postoperative complications, but its underlying causes have been elusive.
	Study finds significant care gaps for people who inject drugs in Puerto Rico A study led by researchers at the CUNY Institute for Implementation Science in Population Health (CUNY ISPH) at CUNY SPH reveals worrisome barriers to care for people who inject drugs in Puerto Rico.
	Genetics can predict and help improve how patients fare after bariatric surgery, concludes research Clinicians treating severe obesity have a new genetic tool for predicting—and ultimately improving—bariatric surgery outcomes.
	Q&A: Vaccines, variants and COVID-19 trends COVID-19 hospitalizations in the United States were on the rise for weeks heading into mid-September, right as updated COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna started to be distributed across the country.
	Study finds users prefer daily oral PrEP pill despite new options When PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis), a drug that prevents HIV infection, was first approved by the FDA in 2012, it was a medical breakthrough that promised to drastically reduce HIV transmission. Traditionally, PrEP is administered via a pill that needs to be taken at the same time every day.
	New research can help policymakers prioritize cancer funding needs and allocate resource Results from the largest ever review of clinical trials in cancer screening, prevention, and early detection (SPED) have been published.
	Doll play allows children to develop and practice social skills regardless of their neurodevelopmental profile Neuroscientists from Cardiff University have found that doll play could benefit children with varying social communication styles, including those who display neurodivergent traits commonly associated with autism.
	Genomic sequencing method may help curtail syphilis spread An easily implemented genome-sequencing method could help public health officials combat America's ongoing syphilis epidemic, researchers at the University of Washington School of Medicine and Public Health-Seattle & King County demonstrate in a new paper.
	Comprehensive treatment strategy could change prognoses for colorectal cancer patients with metastases Colorectal cancer (CRC) with synchronous peritoneal metastases (SPM) is a challenging disease to treat with a relatively poor prognosis. However, recent advances in treatment strategies have led to improved outcomes for patients with SPM.
	Innovative double-layer polysaccharide hydrogel shows promise for intestine-targeted oral delivery of probiotics A research team led by Changhu Xue and Xiangzhao Mao from the Ocean University of China has developed a remarkable double-layer polysaccharide hydrogel (DPH) that promises to revolutionize the field of intestine-targeted oral delivery of probiotics. The team's findings, titled "A Double-Layer Polysaccharide Hydrogel (DPH) for the Enhanced Intestine-Targeted Oral Delivery of Probiotics" and published in Engineering, demonstrate the potential of DPH to enhance the bioavailability, intestinal colonization, and overall effectiveness of probiotics in treating various diseases.
	'One Health' surveillance tool proves vital in rapid response to potentially deadly rabies outbreak in India Scientists have revealed that the use of an animal rescue system—Hawk Data Pro—proved to be a vital "One Health" surveillance tool as part of a rapid response to a potentially deadly rabies outbreak in Pune city, India.
	Should older adults with fewer years to live keep getting cancer screenings? Poll explores attitudes A majority of older adults disagree with the idea of using life expectancy as part of guidelines that say which patients should get cancer screenings such as mammograms and colonoscopies, a new poll finds.
	Empowering minoritized patients with chronic back and other musculoskeletal pain to receive the care they need A new study led by a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Regenstrief Institute and Indiana University School of Medicine researcher focuses on empowering minoritized patients with chronic back and other musculoskeletal pain to receive care best suited to their individual values and preferences. Black patients continue to experience greater pain severity, worse pain outcomes and inadequate pain treatment compared to White patients, despite national priorities focused on health equity.
	In-depth review reveals dietary lipid intervention as potential strategy to prevent brain aging A new review published in the journal Engineering by Fazheng Ren's research team at China Agricultural University highlights the significant role of dietary lipids in preventing brain aging and cognitive decline. As the global burden of aging-related brain diseases, particularly dementia, continues to rise, this research offers promising insights into potential nutritional interventions that could improve brain function during aging.
	UK study finds increased risk of depression and anxiety when in higher education Young people who are in higher education in England face a small increased risk of depression and anxiety, compared to their peers who are not attending higher education, finds a new study led by UCL researchers.
	Compensation by healthy brain parts found to alleviate some Parkinson's symptoms In Parkinson's disease, the cerebral cortex can take over tasks from a deeper part of the brain that has been damaged, where cells that make dopamine have been lost. The strength of compensation by the cerebral cortex determines how many symptoms people have. This is shown in a publication by Radboud university medical center. Patients can stimulate this compensation through sports, for example, and thus slow down the disease process.
	Childbirth associated with significant medical debt For some families, the year after childbirth may not only mean loads of diapers but stacks of unpaid medical bills as well.
	Menopausal hormone changes linked to cognitive deficits A new study led by UCLA neurologist Dr. Rhonda Voskuhl sheds light on the underlying mechanisms linking menopause to cognitive deficits and brain atrophy, revealing a crucial role for estrogen receptor beta (ERβ) in astrocytes. The study, conducted on female mice, identified the specific brain regions and mechanisms responsible for the cognitive changes experienced during menopause.
	Intravenous immunoglobulin may prevent severe infections associated with anti-BCMA therapy for multiple myeloma New research in Blood Cancer Discovery shows that intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) reduced the risk of severe infections by 90% in patients with multiple myeloma undergoing treatment with an anti-BCMA bispecific antibody.
	Study: Patients report higher satisfaction after breast reconstruction using their own tissues Women undergoing autologous breast reconstruction—in which the breast is reconstructed using the patient's own tissues—report higher satisfaction with their breasts at follow-up, compared to those undergoing implant-based reconstruction, reports a study in a special October supplement to Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery.
	Walking more than five flights of stairs a day can cut risk of heart disease by 20%, study says Forget walking 10,000 steps a day. Taking at least 50 steps climbing stairs each day could significantly slash your risk of heart disease, according to a new study from Tulane University.
	Students create app to help medical students learn how to talk to patients Eddie Guo did a lot of self reflection and realized he needed more practice talking to patients to become an excellent doctor. But how? Medical education includes opportunities for students to practice their communication skills with standardized patients (actors who pretend to have a medical condition); however, Guo felt he needed additional interactions to improve.
	New study reveals promising machine learning model for predicting critical bleeding in immune thrombocytopenia patients Researchers have developed a machine learning model that shows promising results in predicting the risk of critical bleeding in patients with immune thrombocytopenia (ITP).
	Study proposes a resilience approach for accurate diagnosis of HBV-related diseases through blood tests Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection poses a significant threat to global public health, contributing to liver-related morbidity and mortality. The current diagnostic methods for HBV-related diseases, such as laboratory tests, ultrasounds, computed tomography (CT), and liver biopsies, often overlap and consume valuable medical resources. In response to this challenge, a team of researchers have developed an innovative and cost-effective method to diagnose and predict HBV-related diseases based on blood tests.
	Experts present pioneering vision on reducing brain disorders by 2050 A special supplement to the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease presents insights and new directions in both basic and clinical research into neurodegenerative diseases. Because by 2050, the number of people suffering from brain disorders is estimated to reach 155 million, now is the time to think innovatively to discover new pathways for future brain studies.
	Low-income communities face dual barriers to maternity care access: Study Research led by Peiyin Hung has dug deeper into the challenges surrounding maternity care access that the health services policy and management assistant professor has been unveiling through her recent research. Adding to her dozen-plus publications on the topic in the past few years, Hung's most recent paper appeared in The Milbank Quarterly where the authors described the dual barriers of digital access and transportation facing socioeconomically disadvantaged communities.
	Drug trial shows reduced abnormal bone formation in those with fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva A multisite, international phase 2 trial evaluating the investigational drug garetosmab has shown that it reduced soft-tissue flare-ups significantly and prevented new areas of abnormal bone formation in patients with fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP).
	Advances in gene therapy for CLN2 batten disease A new study shows that delivery of gene therapy to correct the gene mutations that cause CLN2 disease, or Batten disease, directly into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) has potential therapeutic effects. The study, conducted in nonhuman primates, is published in the journal Human Gene Therapy.
	Specific interneurons are important in aging-associated cognitive decline, study finds Normal aging is usually associated with a decline in memory, although it is unclear what factors play a role. In a new study, researchers studied specific interneurons, which serve as communication centers that connect other neurons, in the regions of the brain that are important for learning and memory.
	Scientists create virtual marmite for World Marmite Day, with potential for Alzheimer's diagnosis Scientists at the University of Warwick have produced virtual flavors of marmite and vegemite from scratch, using technology that can replicate the flavor of almost any food or drink and is being used in a new taste test to help with early Alzheimer's diagnosis.
	Life satisfaction may not enhance cognitive functioning among some older adults Numerous studies have shown that leading a fulfilling and satisfying life may improve cognitive function by encouraging health-protective behaviors such as physical activity and reduced stress. Many of these studies assess this relationship from a population level, rather than among individuals.
	In divided US, women crisscross country for abortion care A year after the US Supreme Court abolished nationwide access to abortion care, many American women are settling into a new reality: arranging costly trips to terminate their pregnancies in states where the procedure is still allowed.
	Four ways to support someone with dementia during extreme heat Our ability to adapt our behavior to changes in temperature takes a significant amount of thought and decision making. For example, we need to identify suitable clothing, increase our fluid intake, and understand how to best keep the house cool.
	Rare loss-of-function variants reveal threshold and multifactorial inheritance of dextrocardia Dextrocardia, a condition where the heart is located on the right side of the thoracic cavity, occurs in approximately 0.83 of 10,000 pregnancies and is often associated with complex congenital heart diseases (CHDs).

Other Sciences news

	Students made Oxford the murder capital of late medieval England, research suggests A project mapping medieval England's known murder cases has now added Oxford and York to its street plan of London's 14th century slayings, and found that Oxford's student population was by far the most lethally violent of all social or professional groups in any of the three cities.
	Evidence of the oldest hunter-gatherer basketry in southern Europe discovered A team of scientists, led by researchers from the Universidad de Alcalá (UAH) and the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), has discovered and analyzed the first direct evidence of basketry among hunter-gatherer societies and early farmers in southern Europe, (9,500 and 6,200 years ago), in the Cueva de los Murciélagos of Albuñol (Granada, Spain).
	UK government reneging on food policy plans, say experts The U.K. government has abandoned promises to transform the national food system after just a year, and will struggle to meet its own targets on health, climate and nature, food system experts have said.
	Hidden in plain sight: Women face subtle forms of discrimination and bias in the workplace, say researchers Gender discrimination remains a pervasive issue in the workplace. While obvious cases of discrimination against women—like sexist comments or the systematic underpayment of women—dominate headlines, there are subtler, more insidious forms of discrimination that often go unnoticed.
	Queer leaders: LGBTQI+ people still overwhelmingly absent from corporate boards Most companies like to show that they care about queer people. Following gains in rights and legal recognition over the last decades, it is now a commonly established ritual to display a rainbow logo during Pride Month. Big corporations such as North Face, Anheuser-Busch InBev, Target and Kohl's have all recently ran inclusive ad campaigns featuring Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Intersex (LGBTQI+) people. This makes sense from a business perspective, with "pink money" weighing 3.5 trillion euros globally and around 874 billion euros in the EU. However, many in the LGBTQI+ community will brush off these gestures as pinkwashing if they are not backed up with more substantial action. This could mean a company standing by a queer influencer hired to promote a product when they are attacked by the far-right as a result of this exposure. Or including out LGBTQI+ people at the top of the corporate ladder.
	Treasure hunters pose a problem for underwater archaeological heritage There are ancient pirates and modern treasure hunters. They are separated by more than 200 years of history, differences in the available technology, and types of sponsorship that keep them afloat—the former sailing for a country and the latter protected by a company. Even so, they seem to have the same objective: the gold and silver of the Spanish Empire.
	Juries that don't understand forensic science can send innocent people to prison. A short training video could help Ledura Watkins was 19 years old when he was accused of murdering a public school teacher. At trial, a forensic expert testified that a single hair found at the scene was similar to Watkins' and stated his conclusion was based on "reasonable scientific certainty." He explained that he'd conducted thousands of hair analyses and "had never been wrong."
	New study finds that microfinance is exacerbating climate precarity and harm in Cambodia A recent paper co-authored by King's academics argues that microfinance, often projected as a means of coping with climate risk, in fact contributes to farmers in Cambodia being in greater debt and more vulnerable to climate change.
	'Fire keepers': Women elders share advice for healthy aging Healthy aging is all about balance for older Nehiyawak/Plains Cree women in Maskwacîs, Alberta, according to community-based participatory research based on sharing circles recently published in BMC Women's Health.
	Ethical shareholders advocate for environmental change even when it hits their wallets, study suggests Ethical shareholders in United States firms—who are increasingly pushing for climate change—are willing to accept lower returns on their investments if it means companies change their practices to favor the environment, researchers suggest.
	Executives feel more psychologically safe taking risks at work than employees New survey data from Wiley suggest workers are far less likely than their managers and senior-level executives to feel psychologically safe taking risks at work. The findings from the latest Wiley Workplace Intelligence report show a particularly wide gulf between individual contributors and executives, which could lead to lower trust, engagement and productivity in the workplace.
	Research reveals AI bias against women in leadership New research from the Tasmanian School of Business and Economics at the University of Tasmania has revealed that AI-generated content can perpetuate harmful gender biases.
	Standing on the shoulders of punk: The early years of dance The pre-existing network of labels, record stores, venues and organizers related to the declining punk scene gave dance music a solid base from which to break through in the United Kingdom, and later in the Netherlands. In the United States, the cradle of house music, the lack of those important network relationships was the reason that dance only became popular years later.
	Grandparent childcare may not help the well-being of mothers or reduce mother–child conflict, study suggests Extra help from another generation alone doesn't help mother–child closeness or reduce mother–child conflict, researchers have found.
	Mindfulness is a powerful tool to reduce workplace stress, study finds In the fast-paced corporate world where stress can be an unwelcome colleague for many employees, SFU researchers have found that mindfulness can reduce workplace stress by helping to narrow employees' views of work tasks as threats.
	At US Antarctic base hit by harassment claims, workers are banned from buying alcohol at bars From Sunday, workers at the main United States base in Antarctica will no longer be able to walk into a bar and order a beer, after the federal agency that oversees the research program decided to stop serving alcohol.
	New report adds heat to 'Leveling Up' debate by revealing England's most 'insecure' regions Accessing stable employment with fair pay and predictable hours is harder for workers in the North and Midlands, which can severely affect their living standards, health, and future job prospects.
	Opinion: Changing age of consent is not the solution to protecting young people from unhealthy relationships with adults Comedian and actor Russell Brand has been accused of abuse, including sexual assault and rape, by four women. The allegations—which Brand denies—include the sexual assault of a woman who says she was in a relationship with Brand when she was 16 and he was in his 30s.
	Alarming decline charted in seasonal workers' well-being Research into the experiences of seasonal workers has uncovered an alarming decline in the well-being of Timorese migrants when they return home after stints in the Australian Seasonal Workers Program.
	Where have all the flowers gone? Miami as import hub for flowers in the US In the questioning words of the 1955 Pete Seeger song: "Where have all the flowers gone? Long time passing." Well, it seems Miami is where they've all gone and it's not taking them so long, after all.
	American Climate Corps: Biden's new green jobs initiative delivers more promises than details, says researcher When President Joe Biden created the American Climate Corps by executive order on Sept. 20, 2023, it marked a step toward keeping a pledge he made nearly three years earlier: to create a new workforce training and service program to deal with global warming.

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