Science X Newsletter Wed, Sep 27

Dear ,

Here is your customized Science X Newsletter for September 27, 2023:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

Fossil results indicate polar bears survived last global warming deglaciation in Siberian and Canadian refugia

Phosphazene-based electrolytes for high-voltage lithium batteries that work in extreme environments

Organic LED and CMOS-based optogenetic stimulation probes with single-neuron resolution

Team develops key improvement to cryo-electron microscopy

Structural biology—plastic degradation by using wax worm saliva

Giant mid-infrared outburst detected from a distant young stellar object

Safety concerns about youth access to online marijuana dispensaries

Antimatter embraces Earth, falling downward like normal matter: Study reveals gravity's effect on matter's elusive twin

Extreme weight loss: Star sheds unexpected amounts of mass just before going supernova

Research reveals why our skin feels 'tight' after washing

Sperm swimming is caused by the same patterns that are believed to dictate zebra stripes

Research reveals new insights into soil liquefaction during earthquakes

Unearthing ancient faith: Byzantine Greek inscription of Psalms 86 found in Hyrcania

Likely asteroid debris found upon opening of returned NASA probe

Ultrasound enables gene delivery throughout the brain

Nanotechnology news

	Orbital currents can go far—a promising novel ultrafast channel for data processing Orbitronics is a recently emerging field of research on the manipulation of the orbital degree of freedom of electrons for quantum information technology. However, unambiguously detecting ultrafast dynamics of orbital angular momentum has been challenging so far.
	Improvement of ultra-broadband photodetection with a device based on twisted double bilayer graphene Hyperspectral imaging uses the full spectrum of light to give detailed insights on nature and its behavior. These insights open a realm for manifold applications, including autonomous driving, environmental monitoring, health care, space exploration or even agriculture and food processing.
	Lethal weapon: New antimicrobial coating could revolutionize cleaning methods We've gained a new weapon in the fight against harmful and often antibiotic-resistant pathogens with the development of a unique material engineered to limit disease spread and replace current cumbersome cleaning protocols on high-touch surfaces like door knobs and hand rails.
	Researchers dynamically tune friction in graphene The friction on a graphene surface can be dynamically tuned using external electric fields, according to researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign led by Professor Rosa Espinosa-Marzal of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. The work is detailed in the paper, "Dynamically tuning friction at the graphene interface using the field effect," published September 19, 2023, in the journal Nature Communications.

Physics news

	Antimatter embraces Earth, falling downward like normal matter: Study reveals gravity's effect on matter's elusive twin For those still holding out hope that antimatter levitates rather than falls in a gravitational field, like normal matter, the results of a new experiment are a dose of cold reality.
	Powering the quantum revolution: Quantum engines on the horizon Quantum mechanics is a branch of physics that explores the properties and interactions of particles at very small scale, such as atoms and molecules. This has led to the development of new technologies that are more powerful and efficient compared to their conventional counterparts, causing breakthroughs in areas such as computing, communication, and energy.
	Progress in upscaling Si spin and superconducting-based quantum technologies The long-term vision for quantum computing is the ability to leverage millions of noise-free qubits to address selected problems that are hard to solve with classical computers. Application fields that may benefit from this technology include materials synthesis, pharmaceutical drug development, and cybersecurity, to name a few.
	Curving light in a record-setting way A team led by scientists and engineers from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the University of Southern California and Washington University in St. Louis, has created a unique, record-setting material that can bend one infrared ray of light in two directions.
	Scientists develop an electrically driven organic semiconductor laser Scientists at St Andrews are leading a significant breakthrough in a decades-long challenge to develop compact laser technology.
	Milestone for novel atomic clock: X-ray laser shows possible route to substantially increased precision time measurement An international research team has taken a decisive step toward a new generation of atomic clocks. At the European XFEL X-ray laser, the researchers have created a much more precise pulse generator based on the element scandium, which enables an accuracy of one second in 300 billion years—that is about a thousand times more precise than the current standard atomic clock based on cesium. The team presents its success in the journal Nature.
	Exploring exotic spin interactions at microscale using solid-state spin quantum sensors A team of researchers led by Academician DU Jiangfeng from the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) has made a significant breakthrough in exploring exotic spin interactions. They successfully utilized solid-state spin quantum sensors based on nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in diamond to investigate these interactions at the microscale.
	A new kind of chip for quantum technology Today, we are living in the midst of a race to develop a quantum computer, one that could be used for practical applications. This device, built on the principles of quantum mechanics, holds the potential to perform computing tasks far beyond the capabilities of today's fastest supercomputers. Quantum computers and other quantum-enabled technologies could foster significant advances in areas such as cybersecurity and molecular simulation, impacting and even revolutionizing fields such as online security, drug discovery and material fabrication.
	Testing particle scattering and reflection in graphene Humanity stands on the verge of two major revolutions: the boom in 2-dimensional supermaterials like graphene with incredible properties and the introduction of quantum computers with processing power that vastly outstrips that of standard computers.

Earth news

	Fossil results indicate polar bears survived last global warming deglaciation in Siberian and Canadian refugia Polar bears are a familiar sight to many through the media as we see evocative images of singular bears floating on isolated ice rafts as they face the harsh realities of climate change shrinking sea ice in the Arctic. Their range is significantly impacted by the presence of perennial sea ice—that which survives at least one summer melt season. Simulations suggest polar ice cover is predicted to disappear during summer months by 2050, meaning this apex predator is increasingly being threatened by extinction due to habitat loss.
	Research reveals new insights into soil liquefaction during earthquakes Soil liquefaction, a destructive phenomenon occurring during earthquakes, has traditionally been associated with undrained conditions near the earthquake epicenter. However, new research conducted by Dr. Shahar Ben-Zeev at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem and the University of Strasbourg has unveiled a remarkable discovery—liquefaction can occur under drained conditions even at remarkably low seismic-energy density levels. This research offers a comprehensive explanation for earthquake far-field liquefaction events that have long puzzled scientists.
	Tree rings reveal a new kind of earthquake threat to the Pacific Northwest In February, a 7.8-magnitude earthquake shook the Turkey-Syria border, followed by one nearly as large nine hours later. Shallow faults less than 18 miles beneath the surface buckled and ruptured, causing violent focused quakes that leveled thousands of buildings and killed tens of thousands.
	New study analyzes airborne microplastics in clouds Plastic particles less than 5 mm in size are called "microplastics." These tiny bits of plastic are often found in industrial effluents or form from the degradation of bulkier plastic waste. Research shows that large amounts of microplastics are ingested or inhaled by humans and animals alike and have been detected in multiple organs such as lung, heart, blood, placenta, and feces.
	Study finds climate policy alone cannot meaningfully reduce racial/economic disparities in air pollution exposure Decarbonization of national economies will be key to achieving global net-zero emissions by 2050, a major stepping stone to the Paris Agreement's long-term goal of keeping global warming well below 2 degrees Celsius (and ideally 1.5 C), and thereby averting the worst consequences of climate change.
	Raw material requirements for reducing global poverty calculated by weight for the first time Today, 1.2 billion people live in poverty. To lift them out of it, an average of about six tons of raw materials are needed per person and year—in particular minerals, fossil fuels, biomass and metal ores. This is the result of a study published in Environmental Science & Technology by researchers from the Chair of Sustainable Energy and Material Flow Management at the University of Freiburg.
	Researchers find high concentrations of microplastics in cave water and sediment In two recent papers, Saint Louis University researchers report finding high concentrations of microplastics present in a Missouri cave system that had been closed to human visitors for 30 years.
	Government policies work to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, analysis finds Policies designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions have been effective, however more stringent regulations are needed to limit global warming to the Paris temperature goals, finds a new analysis by UCL researchers of international efforts to fight climate change.
	Tree-hugging AI to the rescue of Brazilian Amazon Small, artificially intelligent boxes tied to tree trunks in the Brazilian Amazon are the latest weapon in the arsenal of scientists and environmentalists battling destructive jungle invaders.
	Linked faults explain ancient mythology and inform plans for world's longest suspension bridge Ancient Greek mythology told tales of two fearsome monsters working in tandem across the narrow channel separating mainland Italy from the island of Sicily. Scylla was a vengeful rock-dwelling monster on one side; Charybdis was a tempestuous whirlpool on the other.
	Radar tracks unfortunate creatures trapped in tropical cyclones In the aftermath of Super Typhoon Lekima, which struck mainland China in early August 2019, a number of bird species were recorded in places they had never been seen before. A new study reveals the likely reason behind how they got there.
	What's the carbon footprint of owning pet fish? An expert explains While the environmental impact of having dogs and cats as pets has been examined to some extent, the impact of keeping pet fish has remained unexplored—until now.
	Modeling shows fires from volcanic activity could greatly increase area affected by eruption An international research team, including researchers from GNS Science, has released a study into the potential threat of fires caused by volcanic eruptions. The study investigated how far fires ignited by hot rock projectiles from a volcanic eruption could spread under certain wind conditions.
	Researchers develop advanced wastewater treatment system with promise for greener future Researchers from King Khalid University have made significant progress in addressing environmental concerns related to the oil industry by developing an advanced wastewater treatment system. The team, led by Dr. Atef El Jery, recently published their groundbreaking findings in PeerJ Life & Environment.
	Researchers propose a unified, scalable framework to measure agricultural greenhouse gas emissions Increased government investment in climate change mitigation is prompting agricultural sectors to find reliable methods for measuring their contribution to climate change. With that in mind, a team led by scientists at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign proposed a supercomputing solution to help measure individual farm field-level greenhouse gas emissions.
	An old car tire, burnt trees and a utility pole may be key in finding how the Maui wildfire spread Melted remains of an old car tire. Heavily burned trees. A charred stump of an abandoned utility pole.
	Can a $20 billion bet wean Indonesia off coal? Less than a year after it was announced, a $20 billion bet to wean Indonesia off coal is mired in controversies over financing and the construction of new plants to power industry.
	Youth bring climate case to Europe rights court The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) on Wednesday began hearing a case brought by six Portuguese youths against 32 nations for not doing enough to stop global warming, the latest bid to secure climate justice through the courts.
	Workshop synthesis paper describes value of prescribed fire in wilderness areas Many of the wilderness areas that we treasure were historically shaped by fire. Yet today, many wilderness landscapes are caught in the wildfire paradox—widespread suppression and exclusion of burning over the last century have increased the likelihood of high-intensity fires, which are more damaging rather than restorative.
	Decarbonizing shipping to cost over $100 bn per year: UN The UN called for rapid decarbonization of the shipping industry on Wednesday, warning that the price tag could top $100 billion a year as the sector's emissions continue to swell.
	Marine plastic waste can spread antimicrobial resistance Bacteria discharged to the oceans in sewage and wastewater thrive on the biofilms that form on plastic waste. This may be leading to the somewhat unanticipated problem of antimicrobial resistance.
	Ruapehu has had a great ski season, but we need to reimagine the future of NZ's iconic volcano As a former competitive snowboarder and instructor, and later a researcher of snow sports, I've been lucky to enjoy ski resorts around the world. But nothing compares to Mount Ruapehu on a good day.
	Portuguese youths sue 32 European governments at EU court in largest climate case ever A little over three years ago, a group of Portuguese youths filed a legal action against 32 European governments to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) over what they say is a failure to adequately tackle global heating. Now, the Strasbourg court will be hearing them on 27 September, in a novel, far-fetching bid to arm-twist them into taking climate action.

Astronomy and Space news

	Giant mid-infrared outburst detected from a distant young stellar object By conducting a blind search for large amplitude mid-infrared variables in the Wide Infrared Sky Explorer (WISE) archive, Chinese astronomers have serendipitously discovered a giant mid-infrared outburst from a distant young stellar object designated J064722.95+031644.6. The finding is reported in a paper published September 20 on the pre-print server arXiv.
	Extreme weight loss: Star sheds unexpected amounts of mass just before going supernova A newly discovered nearby supernova whose star ejected up to a full solar mass of material in the year prior to its explosion is challenging the standard theory of stellar evolution. The new observations are giving astronomers insight into what happens in the final year prior to a star's death and explosion.
	Likely asteroid debris found upon opening of returned NASA probe After a seven-year wait, NASA scientists on Tuesday finally pried open a space probe carrying the largest asteroid samples ever brought back to Earth, finding black debris.
	Monitoring of radio galaxy M87 confirms black hole spin The nearby radio galaxy M87, located 55 million light-years from the Earth and harboring a black hole 6.5 billion times more massive than the sun, exhibits an oscillating jet that swings up and down with an amplitude of about 10 degrees, confirming the black hole's spin.
	New simulations shed light on origins of Saturn's rings and icy moons A new series of supercomputer simulations has offered an answer to the mystery of the origins of Saturn's rings—one that involves a massive collision in the recent history of the 4.5 billion-year-old solar system.
	Biotechnospheres as part of planetary intelligence and the search for extraterrestrial civilizations To safeguard Earth's biosphere, scientists have turned toward Artificial Intelligence (AI) with the hope that it may help to protect biodiversity. Yet this hope has been challenged by AI's appetite for water and energy rooted in AI's need for big data, iterative computations and algorithmic perfection. For example, during its learning phases, GPT-3 consumes energy at a scale approaching hundreds of megawatt-hours.
	Computer simulations show how intermediate-mass black holes could form inside stellar clusters An international consortium of astronomers, including staff from the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy, has successfully unraveled the intricate formation mechanisms of the elusive intermediate-mass black holes. They could represent the link between their smaller relatives, the stellar black holes, and the supermassive giants that populate the centers of galaxies.
	The revisited mass of the Milky Way is much smaller than expectations from cosmology Thanks to the latest Gaia satellite catalog from the European Space Agency (ESA), an international team led by astronomers from the Paris Observatory–PSL and the CNRS has achieved the most accurate measurement of the mass of the Milky Way. This study opens important questions in cosmology, particularly on the amount of dark matter contained in our galaxy.
	Study pinpoints which areas of New York City are sinking, rising Parts of the New York City metropolitan area are sinking and rising at different rates due to factors ranging from land-use practices to long-lost glaciers, scientists have found. While the elevation changes seem small—fractions of inches per year—they can enhance or diminish local flood risk linked to sea level rise.
	Three astronauts return to Earth after a year in space. NASA's Frank Rubio sets US space record A NASA astronaut and two Russian cosmonauts returned to Earth on Wednesday after being stuck in space for just over a year. American Frank Rubio set a record for the longest U.S. spaceflight—a result of the extended stay.
	Vega's fuel-free CubeSats will use wings to keep in formation Spain's trio of ANSER CubeSats, due to fly on Europe's next Vega launcher, will fly like a flock of birds in orbit—in more ways than one. Keeping in formation by following their leader, the three shoebox-sized satellite will image Iberian waters as if they are a single standard-sized mission. And they will unfurl wing-like flaps to maintain their relative positions, surfing on the scanty airflow at the top of Earth's atmosphere.
	Chinese astronauts may build a base inside a lunar lava tube Caves were some of humanity's first shelters. Who knows what our distant ancestors were thinking as they sought refuge there, huddling and cooking meat over a fire, maybe drawing animals on the walls. Caves protected our ancient ancestors from the elements, and from predators and rivals, back when sticks, stones, furs and fire were our only technologies.
	Investigating the evolution of a double oxygen-neon white dwarf merger remnant A research group led by assistant professor Wu Chengyuan from Yunnan Observatories of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has investigated the evolution of post-merger remnant resulting from the coalescence of double oxygen-neon white dwarfs. They have found that the final fate of such remnant is impacted by the process of convective boundary mixing. However, the wind mass-loss process and rotation may not affect the evolution and final fate of the remnant too much.

Technology news

	Phosphazene-based electrolytes for high-voltage lithium batteries that work in extreme environments Lithium metal batteries have numerous notable advantages over other existing battery systems, including high energy density. Nonetheless, the use of most existing high-energy lithium metal batteries in extreme environments is typically deemed unsafe or unfeasible, due to the volatility and flammability of their electrolytes.
	Desalination system could produce freshwater that is cheaper than tap water Engineers at MIT and in China are aiming to turn seawater into drinking water with a completely passive device that is inspired by the ocean, and powered by the sun.
	A multilayered design strategy for high-efficiency thin crystalline silicon solar cells Solar power has become indispensable in our global pursuit of clean energy and sustainability. Today, about 95% of solar cells are made using crystalline silicon (c-Si). Most commercial designs employ a c-Si photoactive layer with a thickness of around 160–170 μm. However, since silicon alone makes up nearly half the cost of each solar panel, experts believe that next-generation c-Si solar cells will be much thinner.
	Indian research team develops fully indigenous gallium nitride power switch Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) have developed a fully indigenous gallium nitride (GaN) power switch that can have potential applications in systems like power converters for electric vehicles and laptops, as well as in wireless communications. The entire process of building the switch—from material growth to device fabrication to packaging—was developed in-house at the Center for Nano Science and Engineering (CeNSE), IISc.
	MilliMobile is a tiny, self-driving robot powered only by light and radio waves Small mobile robots carrying sensors could perform tasks like catching gas leaks or tracking warehouse inventory. But moving robots demands a lot of energy, and batteries, the typical power source, limit lifetime and raise environmental concerns. Researchers have explored various alternatives: affixing sensors to insects, keeping charging mats nearby, or powering the robots with lasers. Each has drawbacks: Insects roam, chargers limit range, and lasers can burn people's eyes.
	From physics to generative AI: An AI model for advanced pattern generation Generative AI, which is currently riding a crest of popular discourse, promises a world where the simple transforms into the complex—where a simple distribution evolves into intricate patterns of images, sounds, or text, rendering the artificial startlingly real.
	It's easier to get valuable metals from battery waste if you 'flash' it Demand for valuable metals needed in batteries is poised to grow over the coming decades in step with the growth of clean energy technologies, and the best place to source them may be by recycling spent batteries.
	France taps nuclear know-how to recycle electric car batteries In the cradle of France's atomic program, researchers are using their nuclear know-how for a key project in the country's energy transition: recycling the raw materials in old electric car batteries, solar panels and wind turbines.
	Morocco aims to become key player in green hydrogen Morocco has voiced ambitious plans to become North Africa's top player in the emerging "green hydrogen" sector, with plans to export the clean-burning fuel to Europe.
	ChatGPT maker value rockets in funding talks: report The value placed on startup OpenAI has rocketed to between $80 billion and $90 billion in talks with potential investors, the Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday.
	Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg kicks off developer conference with focus on AI, virtual reality Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg kicked off the tech giant's Connect developer conference on Wednesday with a focus on virtual and augmented reality and artificial intelligence
	Is 2023 the year of video game romance? Why people like to fall in love in games like Baldur's Gate 3 and Starfield When it comes to video games, romance might not be the first thing that comes to mind.
	Scientists develop automatic and portable cleaning system for solar panels Research in the International Journal of Power and Energy Conversion outlines an approach to cleaning photovoltaic (PV) solar panels to ensure they operate at maximum power-generation efficiency. The automatic and portable cleaning system, which can be adapted for different panel sizes is designed to combat efficiency reduction of up to 40% caused by the accumulation of dust on the sunlight-absorbing upper surface of PV panels. Dust and dirt accumulation have always been a significant problem undermining the performance of PVs.
	Researchers confirm possibility of wireless communication 40m underground South Korean researchers have made a discovery that enables wireless communication below the Earth's surface, a significant departure from their traditional focus on terrestrial communication systems. This development opens new avenues for confirming the survival of individuals trapped due to accidents such as mine collapses during rescue operations.
	Researchers monitor thermal runaway of lithium-ion cells using optical fibers Recently, a team led by Prof. Sun Jinhua and Prof. Wang Qingsong from the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), in collaboration with Prof. Guo Tuan from Jinan University, realized early warning of thermal runaway detection of lithium-ion batteries by optical fibers.
	How renewable energy is transforming the global electricity supply Two senior National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) researchers recently published an article in the Journal of Photovoltaics tracking changes to the world's electricity supply over the past several years.
	Fossil fuel workers have the skills to succeed in green jobs, but location is a major barrier to a just transition As the U.S. shifts away from fossil fuels to cleaner energy sources, thousands of coal, oil and gas workers will be looking for new jobs.
	The future of AI is wide, deep, and large ChatGPT has fascinated the public as we begin to explore how generative artificial intelligence (AI) can be useful in our everyday lives. On the back end, scientists are continually advancing AI for potential applications so vast that it may change life as we know it by accelerating scientific and technological developments.
	Researchers enhance energy optimization web tool with hybrid geothermal heat exchange technology The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has added a new capability to the REopt web tool to help commercial building owners and energy managers more effectively evaluate the costs associated with geothermal heat pump (GHP) projects: the ability to integrate hybrid heat exchange with GHPs.
	Does AI have a right to free speech? Only if it supports our right to free thought The world has witnessed breathtaking advances in generative artificial intelligence (AI), with ChatGPT being one of the best known examples. To prevent harm and misuse of the technology, politicians are now considering regulating AI. Yet they face an overlooked barrier: AI may have a right to free speech.
	New modeling approach ensures all community members are considered in electricity system evolution Elaine Hale is a part of the Grid Planning and Analysis Center at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). In this installment of NREL's Tell Me Something Grid series, she discusses the importance of integrated modeling and analysis that capture the characteristics and behavior of multistakeholder systems.
	New York bans facial recognition in schools after report finds risks outweigh potential benefits New York state banned the use of facial recognition technology in schools Wednesday, following a report that concluded the risks to student privacy and civil rights outweigh potential security benefits.
	Hit soccer video game adds mixed-gender teams, sheds FIFA name The blockbuster soccer video game franchise from Electronic Arts, no longer linked to FIFA, will allow mixed-gender lineups in fantasy matches that have triggered sexist pushback even before the Friday release.
	UK approves new North Sea oil production, angering green groups Britain on Wednesday authorized oil and gas production in its largest undeveloped field to bolster its energy security, one week after the government diluted its net zero targets, triggering further condemnation by environmentalists.
	Crypto firm Binance pulls out of Russia Cryptocurrency firm Binance said on Wednesday it was selling its Russia business, months after reports suggested US authorities were investigating possible sanctions violations.
	Indonesia bans goods transactions on social media platforms Indonesia has banned goods transactions on social media platforms in a new regulation, its trade minister said Wednesday, as Jakarta aims to rein in direct sales on major platforms it says are harming millions of small businesses.
	Finding the exact location of a power fault in minutes Some of Victoria's worst bushfires have been started by power lines. So, power distribution companies have installed devices that limit the energy flowing to the fault to cut the fire risk. However, in networks equipped with these devices, communities might experience power outages for hours while network operators attempt to track down a fault along tens of kilometers of power line.
	Justice Department targets eBay for alleged unlawful sales of pesticides and other toxins The U.S. Justice Department filed a civil complaint against eBay, claiming the online marketplace unlawfully sold and distributed hundreds of thousands of products like pesticides and motor vehicle emission-evading devices that violate environmental laws.
	Plans for Poland's first nuclear power plant move ahead as US and Polish officials sign agreement Polish and U.S. officials signed an agreement Wednesday in Warsaw for the construction of Poland's first nuclear power plant, part of an effort by the Central European nation to move away from polluting fossil fuels.
	Integration propels machine vision: Research reviews in-sensor visual perception and inference A joint research team in China wrote a review on in-sensor visual computing, a three-in-one hardware solution that is more efficient, economical and secure than conventional machine vision systems, which collect, store, and interpret visual signals on separate hardware units. This review was published in Intelligent Computing.
	Expert: The current pace of decarbonization in Massachusetts is too low to meet climate goals Having worked with renewables for the last 15 years, and listening to the lofty goals political leaders make to achieve net-zero carbon emissions, UMass Lowell mechanical engineering Professor Christopher Niezrecki can tell you that as a state and a nation, we're not on track. It's not easy to wrap one's head around the scale of the problem and even harder to come up with viable solutions. There is global scientific consensus that in order to mitigate the primary effects of climate change, our society needs to decarbonize—cut our reliance on burning fossil fuels and aggressively pivot to renewable energy.

Chemistry news

	Team develops key improvement to cryo-electron microscopy The scientists who received the 2017 Nobel Prize in chemistry were honored for their development of a technique called cryo-electron microscopy, or cryo-EM. The technology was revolutionary because it enabled scientists to see the atomic structure of biological molecules in high resolution.
	Researchers realize direct conversion of methane with oxygen at room temperature Direct conversion of methane (CH4) to high-value-added chemicals at room temperature, by directly using abundant and low-cost molecular oxygen (O2) as an oxidant, is an ideal route for CH4 utilization. But it remains a challenge due to the chemical inertness of methane and low activity of O2.
	Could RNA folding play a role in the origin of life? To investigate potential early steps taken by the first life to develop on Earth, researchers have been studying a model of pre-life protocells comprising membraneless compartments. Now, a team of Penn State scientists have found that RNA molecules within these compartments fold better when they have naturally occurring chemical modifications. These modifications that allow for better folding in RNAs may offer a hint into how the molecules evolved from arbitrary chemical compounds to the dynamic, organized building blocks of life.
	Researchers describe advances in mass spectrometry analysis to improve identification of glycopeptides Glycosylation is the attachment of carbohydrates to the backbone of a protein through an enzymatic reaction. It plays a critical role in determining protein structure, function and stability. A protein that is glycosylated is known as a glycoprotein. The two most common types of protein glycosylation are known as N-glycosylation and O-glycosylation.
	BSI-AST chip: A powerful tool to accelerate antimicrobial susceptibility testing for bloodstream infections The presence of viable bacteria in the blood (bacteremia) when not controlled properly can lead to bloodstream infection (BSI) and sepsis, a syndromic inflammatory response.
	New post-translational modification of the glycolytic enzyme enolase Proteins are subject to post-translational chemical modifications that result in functional diversity. Methylation is one such modification that is generally believed to occur on lysine and arginine residues. Recently, this modification has been shown to occur on histidine residues as well.
	Conversion of biomass-derived carbohydrates to renewable N-heterocycles via spontaneous cascade reactions Research published in the journal National Science Open discloses a novel synthetic approach for sustainable manufacturing of valuable quinoxalines, a type of N-heterocycle chemicals widely used in food, dye and pharmaceutical industries, directly from biomass-derived carbohydrates in presence of aryl-1,2-diamines, with the potential to replace currently cost-intensive petroleum-based synthetic routes as well as to accord with the future low-carbon footprint economy.
	Study shows we can create value from food waste by turning it into a highly desirable material: nanocellulose Food waste is a global problem with approximately 1.3 billion tons of food wasted each year throughout the food lifecycle—from the farm to food manufacturers and households.
	Researchers reveal different photocatalytic process of Cr(VI) on cellulose- and lignin-rich biochar As much as 300 to 500 billion tons of biochar are reported to be in soil, sediment and aquatic habitats in China. The discovery of photocatalytic activity of biochar opens up a new frontier in understanding how this substance affects and regulates geochemical processes related to key environmental elements. However, the biomass sources and pyrolysis temperatures can significantly affect the biochar structure, leading to substantial variability.
	Researchers propose 3D printing of high-performance elastomers through vat photopolymerization Acrylate-based ultraviolet (UV)-curable resins are currently used as raw materials to obtain desired performance by adjusting the types and ratios of oligomer and reactive monomers in the resin system. However, due to low degree of free-radical polymerization, the elastomers prepared by vat photopolymerization (VPP) technology show low strength, poor resilience, and unsatisfactory mechanical properties.
	Teams investigate material degradation process of carbon-based catalyst Although a plethora of carbon-based catalysts have been developed to promote oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in different electrochemical systems, the degradation process of those catalysts remains obscure to date. During certain steps of the ORR on a catalyst's surface in electrochemical systems, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is generated.
	Team examines importance of zeolite in catalysts for syngas conversion The fuels used today depend heavily on petroleum. As the demand grows, scientists are looking for ways to produce fuels that do not require petroleum. A research team set out to examine the role of zeolites in the conversion of synthetic gas to fuels. Wanting to better understand how zeolites regulate the reaction pathways, they reviewed the most recent advancements in synthetic gas conversion with catalysts containing zeolites.
	Flour-derived borocarbonitride enriched with boron-oxygen for the oxidative dehydrogenation of propane to olefins In a study published in the journal Science China Chemistry, catalytic performance was investigated using a fixed-bed reactor and the structure-activity relationship was studied by combining various characterizations with DFT calculations.
	Selenium vacancies regulate d-band centers for upgrading N-containing compounds A recent study published in Science China Chemistry was led by Prof. Feng Fu (Research Institute of Comprehensive Energy Industry Technology, College of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, Yan'an University). The experiments were performed by the Ni3Se4 high-efficiency bifunctional electrocatalyst with Se vacancy was used for paired electrolysis of nitrate reduction and benzylamine oxidation in anion exchange membrane electrolyzer.

Biology news

	Structural biology—plastic degradation by using wax worm saliva Plastic waste management is a pressing ecological, social, and economic challenge that has looked to diverse chemical-biology strategies to facilitate biodegradation. In a new report now on Science Advances, Mercedes Spinola-Amilibia and a research team in structural and chemical biology, molecular biology, and microbial biology, in Spain, used the saliva of the lepidopteran Galleria mellonella larvae, to oxidize and depolymerize polyethylene within hours at room temperature.
	Study shows protecting lands slows biodiversity loss among vertebrates by five times Protecting large swaths of Earth's land can help stem the tide of biodiversity loss—including for vertebrates like amphibians, reptiles, mammals and birds, according to a study published in Nature Sept. 27.
	Study clarifies how 'junk DNA' influences gene expression For decades, scientists have known that, despite its name, "junk DNA" in fact plays a critical role: While the coding genes provide blueprints for building proteins, which direct most of the body's functions, some of the noncoding sections of the genome, including regions previously dismissed as "junk," seem to turn up or down the expression of those genes.
	Fossils show widespread plant extinctions after asteroid wiped out dinosaurs Sixty-six million years ago, an asteroid the size of San Francisco crashed into a shallow sea off the coast of modern-day Mexico and plunged the world into an extinction event that killed off as much as 75% of life, including the dinosaurs.
	Dopamine-releasing brain cells reflect song bird intentions during courtship His mind might have been set on finding water or on perfecting a song he learned as a chick from his dad. But all of that gets pushed down the to-do list for an adult male zebra finch when he notices a female has drawn nigh.
	Microplastics ingestion under the microscope in invertebrates A study led by Griffith University researchers has exposed two generations of a sediment-dwelling invertebrate to microplastic and found that while the 'parent' generation experienced negative impacts, the 'child' generation did not, possibly suggesting a potential adaptation response.
	Weather conditions explain the decline and rise of insect biomass over 34 years Insects react sensitively when temperature and precipitation deviate from the long-term average. In an unusually dry and warm winter, their survival probabilities are reduced; in a wet and cold spring, hatching success is impaired. A cool, wet summer hampers bumblebees and other flying insects to reproduce and forage.
	Cutting the odds of drug-resistant pathogens emerging in wastewater The combination of chemical and physical stressors that bacteria face during wastewater treatment can impact the transfer of genes between them. But while certain combinations of stressors significantly increase the gene-transfer rate, other combinations reduce it, KAUST researchers have discovered. The finding could inform best practice design and management of wastewater treatment for reuse.
	Genetically engineered, plastic-eating bacteria can give waste a new life A group of synthetic bacteria that can efficiently turn plastic waste into useful chemicals is presented in Nature Communications. These bacteria could help to tackle the growing problem of plastic pollution and produce valuable chemicals and products—used in adhesives, insulators, and to make nylon, for example.
	New information on the most important early stage of embryonic development A new discovery by researchers challenges our current understanding of gastrulation, the most important stage of early embryonic development.
	Atlantic walrus more vulnerable than ever to Artic warming Past cycles of climate change, along with human exploitation, have led to only small and isolated stocks of Atlantic walrus remaining. The current population is at high risk of the same issues affecting them severely, according to a new study led by Lund University in Sweden published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences.
	Tiny CRISPR tool could help shred viruses Small and precise: These are the ideal characteristics for CRISPR systems, the Nobel-prize winning technology used to edit nucleic acids like RNA and DNA.
	Three new Jurassic-era dinosaur track sites found in Morocco A small team of paleobiologists, with members from Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Liverpool John Moores University and the University of Birmingham has discovered three new Jurassic-era dinosaur track sites in Morocco. In their paper published in the journal Royal Society Open Science, the group describes where the track sites were found and the types of tracks that were preserved.
	Neanderthals coexisting with Homo sapiens in Europe likely affected by herbivore carrying capacity A team of evolutionary scientists at Universidad de Cantabria, in Spain, working with a colleague from Mott MacDonald Ltd., in the U.K., has found evidence that suggests Homo sapiens and Neanderthals tended to coexist for longer periods in Europe in areas where there were a lot of herbivores.
	Blindfolded elephant experiments suggest the animals rely on eyesight to maintain balance A pair of researchers, one a neuroscientist and physiologist at Boys Town National Research Hospital, the other an evolutionary biomechanics professor at the University of London, reports that elephants rely on their eyesight to maintain their balance. In their study, published in the journal Biology Letters, Max Kurz and John Hutchinson conducted experiments with trained captive elephants.
	Researchers improve fitness of cells used in cell transplants A readily available, inexpensive, small molecule drug can improve the fitness of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) that are modified outside the body, potentially improving the success of procedures such as ex vivo gene therapy, according to a new study by researchers at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP).
	Quorum sensing circuit controls mosquito commensal gut colonization via OMV-mediated aggregation Prof. Wang Sibao from Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and his colleagues have revealed that quorum sensing-activated phenylalanine metabolism drives outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) biogenesis to enhance commensal colonization resistance to Plasmodium in the mosquito gut. The study was published online in Cell Host & Microbe.
	New research reveals dynamic factors shaping biodiversity at small scales The fundamental question of biodiversity research aims to better understand how many different species manage to coexist in one place. A group of researchers believe they now have a more robust picture of what this looks like at some of the finest local scales ever studied.
	Study reveals how marine bacteria combat algae Algae and bacteria are inseparable in ocean ecosystems, with bacteria playing a crucial role in regulating the growth and metabolism of algae. In addition to mutualism, bacteria have developed various molecular-based strategies to combat algae.
	Rare echidna noises could be the 'language of love' Curtin University researchers have captured rare recordings of echidnas cooing, grunting and making a range of other sounds, but only during the breeding season. Published in Journal of Zoology, the research is titled "Sound production by the short-beaked echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus)."
	Advanced imaging reveals the last bite of a 465-million-year-old trilobite Paleontologists from the Faculty of Science, Charles University in Prague, and their colleagues describes a 465-million-year-old trilobite with preserved gut contents in a new study. The research was published in Nature.
	Researchers create formula for first synthetic sugarcane molasses with fully reproducible composition Molasses, a broad term used to describe concentrated sugarcane or sugarbeet juice solutions after removal of sucrose crystals, are an industrial byproduct of the raw sugar production process. Natural molasses have variable compositions that are not entirely known. This knowledge gap is a hindrance to both scientific research and industry, where molasses are used in several processes, including production of fuel ethanol from molasses by fermentation with brewer's yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae).
	Researchers advance understanding of why cell parts look the way they do Scientists have long understood that parts of cells, called organelles, evolved to have certain shapes and sizes because their forms are closely related to how they function. Now, Johns Hopkins researchers have developed a bacteria-based tool to test whether, as the axiom goes, form follows function.
	Examining the genesis of CRISPR's molecular scissors Genome engineering may be the future of medicine, but it relies on evolutionary advances made billions of years ago in primordial bacteria, the original masters of gene editing.
	Insights into early snake evolution through brain analysis A recent study published in Science Advances sheds new light on the enigmatic early evolution of snakes by examining an unexpected source: their brains. The results emphasize the significance of studying both the soft parts of animals' bodies and their bones for understanding how animals evolved.
	Polyps as pixels: Innovative technique maps biochemistry of coral reefs Using an innovative new approach to sampling corals, researchers at the University of Hawai'i (UH) at Mānoa are now able to create maps of coral biochemistry that reveal with unprecedented detail the distribution of compounds that are integral to the healthy functioning of reefs. Their study is published in Communications Biology.
	Wild Asian elephants display unique puzzle solving skills Individual innovation is considered one sign of intelligence within species, and elephants are among the animals that researchers have long taken an interest in because of their sophisticated approach to problem solving. A newly published study in the journal Animal Behaviour details findings from a six-month-long study documenting the abilities of individual wild Asian elephants to access food by solving puzzles that unlocked storage boxes.
	Migrating humpback whales around the world seen rolling in and playing with seaweed First it was a sandy skin scrub, now it's been reported that migrating humpback whales are using seaweed to play with and roll in, according to new research.
	Researchers construct phylogenetic skeleton tree of weevils Weevils (superfamily Curculionoidea) represent a hyperdiverse and globally distributed group of phytophagous beetles, with approximately 62,000 described species in 5,800 genera.
	Citizen scientists collect more nature data than ever, showing us where common and threatened species live Citizen science isn't new anymore. For decades, keen amateur naturalists have been gathering data about nature and the environment around them—and sharing it.
	An easy way to make aquaculture more sustainable Changing the way that carp are fed can substantially reduce the amount of ammonia they excrete compared to when they eat the same amount of food all at once. This finding is one of the outcomes of Wouter Mes's Ph.D. research at Radboud University.
	Ecologists use satellite images to predict wheat yield with 98% accuracy via satellite imagery RUDN University ecologists found a parameter in satellite images that allows accurately calculating and increasing the wheat yield. Such technology helps agronomists monitor crops and make decisions. These results were published in The Egyptian Journal of Remote Sensing and Space Science.
	Stemming the tide of antibiotic resistance: Researchers shed light on the complexities of hospital wastewater treatment In a paper published in the Journal of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology, a multidisciplinary team including biologists, chemists, chemical engineers, and environmental scientists have investigated the characteristics of wastewater samples from one of the largest hospitals in Crete, and demonstrated the effectiveness of treating the water using photocatalytic treatment.
	Gene discovery takes aim at powdery mildew, a hemp nemesis Cornell researchers have discovered a gene in hemp for resistance to powdery mildew—giving the fledgling hemp industry a new tool to combat one of the most prevalent diseases affecting the production of high-cannabinoid Cannabis sativa.
	Advancing technologies for using cells as biofactories A new comprehensive review published in Industrial Biotechnology examines how industrial biotechnology and biopharmaceutical manufacturing utilize the same framework for efficient biochemical production, which can be leveraged in current and future collaborations to enable rapid innovation.
	Tanzania kills millions of birds to save rice fields Tanzania has culled millions of quelea birds to prevent them from destroying rice fields, using drones and planes to monitor commercial farms, the country's plants and pesticides watchdog said Wednesday.
	Anticipating obsolescence: The next step to enhancing the sustainability of aquaculture With growing concerns about the environmental toll of single species fish farms, a research project has been looking at the feasibility of introducing a more sustainable and potentially more profitable method of fish farming, using three complementary species.
	Q&A: Xiaohan Yang on transforming plants for a cleaner future Scientist Xiaohan Yang's research at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory focuses on transforming plants to make them better sources of renewable energy and carbon storage.
	Fungi as a sustainable and tasty alternative with potential to transform our food systems They are sustainable and healthy—filamentous edible fungi that are fed with, for example, oats. The latest addition to the world-leading research at the Swedish Center for Resource Recovery is Neda Rousta's doctoral thesis on filamentous fungi with the potential to transform our food systems.
	Mechanism of methyltransferase METTL8-mediated mitochondrial RNA m3C modification and its relaxed substrate specificity A study published in the journal Science Bulletin was led by Profs. Xiao-Long Zhou and En-Duo Wang (CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences).

Medicine and Health news

	Organic LED and CMOS-based optogenetic stimulation probes with single-neuron resolution Optogenetics are advanced research tools that allow scientists to precisely control the activity of brain cells using light. Over the past few years, optogenetic techniques have become increasingly advanced, leading to exciting new discoveries about the brain and its intricate processes.
	Safety concerns about youth access to online marijuana dispensaries Researchers from the Steven and Alexandra Cohen Children's Medical Center of New York, Lake Success, have looked into age verification procedures and the potential for underage youth access to online marijuana dispensaries in the United States.
	Research reveals why our skin feels 'tight' after washing When we wash our face with a cleanser, our skin can start to feel tight. With the application of a favorite moisturizer, that feeling often goes away. This perception of our skin might seem subjective, but researchers at Stanford recently revealed the mechanism behind these feelings.
	Ultrasound enables gene delivery throughout the brain Rice University researchers tested the safety and feasibility of gene delivery to multiple brain regions using a noninvasive, ultrasound-based technique in rodents, and their findings suggest that the efficiency of gene delivery improves within each targeted site when more sites are opened.
	Vagus nerve active during exercise, research finds The vagus nerve, known for its role in 'resting and digesting,' has now been found to have an important role in exercise, helping the heart pump blood, which delivers oxygen around the body.
	Study finds potential way to tweak immune system to help it fight tuberculosis Tuberculosis is old—ancient even. The infectious bacterial disease that plagued Old Testament Israelites and took down pharaohs was eventually stunted by vaccinations, antibiotics, and public health measures like isolation, but it hasn't been cured yet. More than a million people around the world still die from TB every year.
	Impact of genes linked to neurodevelopmental diseases discovered Stanford Medicine investigators and their colleagues sifted through a jumble of genes implicated in neurodevelopmental disorders and identified dozens of disparate troublemakers with similar effects.
	Study shows how a single neuron's parallel outputs can coordinate many aspects of behavior A new MIT study that focuses on a single cell in one of nature's simplest nervous systems provides an in-depth illustration of how individual neurons can use multiple means to drive complex behaviors.
	Study in mice shows blocking abnormal stem cell signal during aging lessens related bone loss A cellular signal essential to the development of the skeleton increases during aging to weaken bones, finds a new study in mice.
	Decriminalizing drug possession not linked to higher overdose death rates in Oregon or Washington In recent months, several media outlets have investigated an Oregon law that decriminalized possession of small amounts of controlled substances, including heroin, cocaine and methamphetamine, for some persons.
	Researchers discover that heart cells in developing zebrafish start beating suddenly and all at once Becoming a full-fledged organism out of a handful of cells, complete with functioning tissues and organs, is a messy yet highly synchronized process that requires cells to organize themselves in a precise manner and begin working together.
	Gene linked to glioblastoma stem cell self-renewal and immunosuppression Northwestern Medicine scientists have identified how one gene connects glioblastoma stem cell self-renewal to microglia immunosuppression in glioblastoma, according to a new study published in Nature Immunology.
	Lack of financial planning linked to higher risk of death in US and UK People who are less socioeconomically advantaged have lower life expectancies, with a number of possible underlying mechanisms, such as less ability to spend on health care or the psychological effects of economic inequality.
	Emergency department visits for substance use linked to higher risk of developing schizophrenia People visiting the emergency department (ED) for substance use—particularly cannabis—are at high risk of developing schizophrenia, according to new research.
	Whole-body PET/CT predicts response to HER2-targeted therapy in metastatic breast cancer patients A new imaging agent, 68Ga-ABY-025, can predict early metabolic response to human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-targeted treatment in HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer patients, according to new research published in the Journal of Nuclear Medicine. By providing whole-body quantification of HER2 expression, 68Ga-ABY-025 PET/CT can play a valuable role in treatment planning and could spare patients from unnecessary drug-related side effects.
	Researchers discover new link to pancreatic hormone in type 1 diabetes Researchers have found evidence of inherent changes to the pancreas in people with type 1 diabetes. Published recently in Scientific Reports, these new findings help explain how low blood glucose occurs in type 1 diabetes.
	Prevention better than cure in race to slash rates of TB, global review finds The first global review of the effectiveness of current strategies to fight tuberculosis—the leading infectious cause of death globally—has found preventive therapy is the most effective intervention strategy.
	Saturated fat may interfere with creating memories in the aged brain New research hints at a few ways fatty foods affect cells in the brain, a finding that could help explain the link between a high-fat diet and impaired memory—especially as we age.
	Human stomach micro-physiological system unveiled A new development in biomedical engineering has led to the creation of a human stomach micro-physiological system (hsMPS), representing a significant leap forward in understanding and treating various gastrointestinal diseases, including stomach cancer.
	Resolving a seeming contradiction, study advances understanding of visual recognition memory Because figuring out what is new and what is familiar in what we see is such a critically important ability for prioritizing our attention, neuroscientists have spent decades trying to figure out how our brains are typically so good at it. Along the way they've made key observations that seem outright contradictory, but a new study shows that the mystifying measures are really two sides of the same coin, paving the way for a long-sought understanding of "visual recognition memory" (VRM).
	Noninvasive, ultrasound-based brain biopsy is feasible, safe in people: Study The blood-brain barrier, the body's way of shielding sensitive brain tissue from viruses, toxins and other harmful substances in the blood, can pose a problem for physicians caring for patients with suspected brain diseases such as cancer.
	'Anti-tangle' molecule could aid search for new dementia treatments, say scientists Scientists have identified a molecule that can prevent tangling of a brain protein that is linked to diseases such as Parkinson's. The findings may provide insights into new ways of treating or diagnosing the early stages of dementia.
	Study shows babies learn to imitate others because they themselves are imitated by caregivers People are constantly learning from others without even being aware of it. Social learning avoids laborious trial and error; the wheel does not have to be reinvented each time. But where does this ability come from, which forms the basis of cultural learning and consequently for the evolutionary success of the human species?
	Women's mood found to worsen during 'pill pause' period of monthly contraceptive pill cycle Most contraceptive pills are based on a cycle of taking the pill for 21 days, and then stopping the pill for 7 days. Now researchers have found that women's mood worsens during the 7 pill-free days. This work will be presented at the ECNP congress in Barcelona on October 8. The research is also published in JAMA Network Open.
	Scientists find zebrafish brains hardwired for automatic action based on visual cues Animals possess specialized networks of neurons in the brain that receive signals about the outside world from the retina and respond by initiating appropriate behavior. Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence studied a genetic mutation in zebrafish that eliminates all connections between retina and brain throughout development.
	Genetic variation with MASLD reveals subtypes and potential therapeutic avenues An astounding 30% of Americans currently have metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, or MASLD, which is formerly known as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, or NAFLD, and many are unaware that they have it.
	Brain implants could restore paralyzed patients' arm movements A paralyzed Swiss man has become the first person to test a new technology that reads his thoughts using AI and then transmits signals through his own nervous system to his arms, hands and fingers in order to restore movement.
	Internet-based therapy may help depression in people with multiple sclerosis Major depressive disorder affects up to 50% of all individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) at some point during their lifetime and can lead to lower quality of life, greater disease progression and higher mortality. Patients enrolled in a phase 3 trial of an internet-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy program modified specifically for MS showed a large drop in depressive symptoms compared to a control group. The online program may offer an effective and easily accessible way to manage depression and lead to better quality of life for persons with MS, according to an international team of researchers.
	Protein that drives liver damage could be a target for treatment A severe form of fatty liver disease called nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is the leading cause of liver transplantation, but there are few treatment options and currently no medications. In a new study, Yale researchers have identified a driver of liver damage that occurs in NASH and which may open new treatment options in the future.
	How a suction cup delivers medications to the bloodstream Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed a suction cup that allows medications to be absorbed through the mucosal lining of the cheeks. This new approach could spare millions of patients the pain and fear associated with injections. The research is published in Science Translational Medicine.
	Study shows how brain tumors make certain immune cells turn traitor A Ludwig Cancer Research study has for the first time exhaustively analyzed immune cells known as neutrophils that reside in brain tumors, including gliomas, which develop in the brain itself, and cancers that spread there from the lung, breast and skin.
	Mainstay malaria drug may be beginning to fail in the Horn of Africa In eastern Africa, malaria parasites have developed resistance to artemisinins, the backbone of current treatment regimens, a development that could dramatically worsen malaria's impact if partner drugs fail in the future.
	Exposure to air pollution linked to increased risk of stroke within 5 days Short-term exposure to air pollution may be linked to an increased risk of stroke, according to a meta-analysis published in the September 27, 2023, online issue of Neurology. Short-term exposure was defined as occurring within five days of the stroke.
	Swimming lessons often discourage kids from just having fun in the pool, says study Learning to swim is not just potentially life-saving: it also provides a full-body workout that promotes cardiovascular and lung health. While in high-income countries most children learn to swim, few join a swimming club afterwards.
	Patients who quit smoking after percutaneous coronary intervention do as well as non-smokers, unless they smoked heavily Patients who quit smoking after undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for narrowed arteries have similar outcomes as non-smokers during four years of follow-up after the procedure, according to a large study published in the European Heart Journal today. However, if they had been heavy, long-term smokers, no improvement was seen.
	New research identifies genetic links between schizophrenia and cardiovascular disease risk factors New research finds that people with schizophrenia have a genetic propensity to smoking and a reduced genetic risk of obesity. The study, published in The American Journal of Psychiatry, revealed genetic overlap between schizophrenia and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors, particularly body mass index (BMI) and smoking. The findings highlight the importance of environmental factors in the development of obesity and other CVD comorbidities.
	Experimental nasal spray may offer quick, easy remedy for treating rapid heartbeat A fast-acting medication delivered as a nasal spray may someday allow patients with intermittent rapid heartbeats to treat it themselves as soon as they develop symptoms, according to new research published today in the Journal of the American Heart Association. This new medication is awaiting approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
	Study suggests obese women have worse menopause symptoms and get less relief from hormone therapy Obesity has already been associated with a number of adverse health conditions and can interfere with a person's quality of life. A new study, presented at the 2023 Annual Meeting of The Menopause Society in Philadelphia, September 27–30, suggests that in addition to these other problems, it may also worsen a woman's menopause symptoms and limit the amount of relief she gets from hormone therapy (HT).
	Importance of dietary changes and physical activity to mitigate weight gain during midlife Unwanted weight gain is a common problem associated with the menopause transition. Not only does it harm a woman's self-esteem, but it is also associated with the development of heart disease, cancer, and declines in cognition and mental health. Tips for managing weight during midlife are provided as part of a presentation at the 2023 Annual Meeting of The Menopause Society in Philadelphia September 27–30.
	Hot flashes linked with risk factors for cardiovascular disease Hot flashes have long been known to be linked to a number of adverse health effects. Emerging data suggests an association between them and cardiovascular disease.
	The impact of menopause stage on age-related changes in the brain Driven by changing estrogen levels, the menopause transition has a major influence on physiology during aging. Estrogen receptors populate numerous brain regions which explains why cerebral glucose metabolism is affected during the perimenopause stage.
	What your hair and saliva say about your risk for depression and cognitive shortfalls during menopause Stress affects the body and brain in many ways by causing the endocrine system to increase cortisol levels. These spiked levels can be found throughout the body. A study, presented during the 2023 Annual Meeting of The Menopause Society in Philadelphia September 27–30, suggests that elevated cortisol levels in the hair and saliva may affect cognitive and mental health in late peri/early postmenopausal women.
	New study suggests growing use of cannabis to help manage menopause symptoms Not so long ago, young adults were the primary users of cannabis. The reality today, however, is that women and adults aged 50+ represent the fastest growing group of users. A study, presented during the 2023 Annual Meeting of The Menopause Society in Philadelphia September 27–30, confirms the frequent use of cannabis by midlife women to manage an array of menopause symptoms.
	Hot flashes, yet another early indicator for Alzheimer's disease As if hot flashes alone weren't bad enough for women going through the menopause transition, a new study suggests that, especially when they occur during sleep, hot flashes may be early indicators of a woman's increased risk for Alzheimer's disease (AD). And, the more hot flashes, the greater the disease risk.
	The effects of sexual orientation on sexual function and distress presented In recent years, there has been debate around the topic of who is happier, healthier, and more satisfied sexually—traditional heterosexual or sexual minority women.
	Study suggests PTSD symptoms can cause problems in the bedroom for midlife women Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been associated with a number of adverse mental and physical health outcomes. Little is known, however, regarding its impact on sexual functioning among midlife women. A new study, presented at the 2023 Annual Meeting of The Menopause Society in Philadelphia, September 27–30, sheds light on the topic, suggesting that greater PTSD symptoms lead to worse sexual functioning.
	Race matters when prescribing hormone therapy for menopausal women Michael Jackson may have sung "it don't matter if you're black or white," but when it comes to prescribing hormone therapy, it appears that race may definitely matter. That is according to a new study, presented at the 2023 Annual Meeting of The Menopause Society in Philadelphia September 27–30, that found even though Black patients have more menopause symptoms, they receive less treatment.
	New technologies aid in accurately identifying bone fragility Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is the gold standard for assessing bone mass and evaluating fracture risk. But new technologies shed light on knowledge gaps not filled by DXA alone and sometimes suggest the need for additional procedures to accurately assess bone health. A presentation at the 2023 Annual Meeting of The Menopause Society in Philadelphia September 27–30 focuses on the evolution of technology to better diagnose bone fragility.
	Hot flashes in cold weather: Study suggests brown adipose tissue activity may explain why It seems counter-intuitive for women to experience hot flashes in cold temperatures but, thanks to declining estrogen levels that cause narrowing of the thermoneutral zone, changes in body core temperature can induce sweating responses in any weather.
	AI chest X-ray model analysis reveals race and sex bias An AI chest X-ray foundation model for disease detection demonstrated racial and sex-related bias leading to uneven performance across patient subgroups and may be unsafe for clinical applications, according to a study published in Radiology: Artificial Intelligence. The study aims to highlight the potential risks for using foundation models in the development of medical imaging artificial intelligence.
	56,000 Pakistan schools shut over eye virus outbreak More than 56,000 Pakistan schools will shut for the rest of the week in a bid to curb a mass outbreak of a contagious eye virus, officials said Wednesday.
	Enhancing PET image quality with deep learning The axial field of view (AFOV) plays a pivotal role in determining image quality in positron emission tomography (PET). While total-body PET scanners like the uEXPLORER offer superior sensitivity, they come at a higher cost and limited accessibility.
	Study substantiates the neuropathogenic role of the HERV-W protein in multiple sclerosis GeNeuro, a biopharmaceutical company developing treatments for neurodegenerative and autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and the severe neuro-psychiatric consequences of COVID-19 (post-COVID or long COVID), has published, in collaboration with the Heinrich-Heine University in Düsseldorf, results from their joint research on the role of HERV-W in MS in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science.
	Alcohol in social media linked to problem drinking A University of Queensland study published in Addiction highlights a direct link between young people's exposure to alcohol-related social media content and problem drinking.
	Q&A: Methadone is effective for opioid use disorder, so why aren't more patients using it? Since the 1970s, methadone has been used to treat opioid use disorder (OUD) with great success—reducing the likelihood of dying from an opioid overdose by 50% or more. Yet for patients and prescribers alike, choosing the drug for OUD treatment is complicated.
	New study reveals connection between dance movements and mood regulation An interdisciplinary research team led by researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Empirical Aesthetics (MPIEA) in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, in collaboration with researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics in Tübingen, Germany, the University of Glasgow, UK, and the Technical University of Munich, Germany, has made a significant finding regarding the impact of dance movements on emotional states. The results have recently been published in the British Journal of Psychology.
	Scientists give elderly chronic neck pain sufferers new hope Those suffering from chronic neck pain can alleviate the symptoms on the way to full recovery if they adopt optimal posture and spinal alignment, according to a study by the University of Sharjah scientists.
	Women with disabilities less likely to get cervical cancer screenings Women with disabilities are less likely to receive critical annual cervical cancer screenings using human papillomavirus or HPV tests, as recommended by the American Cancer Society (ACS). Cervical cancer is the most common cancer associated with HPV, accounting for 90% of such cancers, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control.
	COVID-19 first infectious disease in top five causes of death since 1970 COVID-19 was the third leading cause of death in 2022, accounting for more than 1 in 20 deaths (9,859 of 190,939 deaths), according to figures released today (Sept. 27) by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).
	State COVID-19 websites fail to meet accessibility standards Over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. states and territories all created websites designed to share information with the public about the disease, vaccinations and related public health recommendations. However, a new study finds these sites do not meet accessibility standards—meaning that some members of the public, such as individuals who are blind or visually impaired, are not able to access all of the relevant information on the sites.
	Compound d16 reduces tumor growth and overcomes therapeutic resistance in mutant p53-bearing cancers Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine have developed a new compound called d16 that can reduce tumor growth and overcome therapeutic resistance in mutant p53-bearing cancers in the lab. The findings, published in the journal Cancer Research Communications, open opportunities for new combination therapies for these difficult-to-treat cancers.
	Review finds deep disparities in childhood exposure to neurotoxins Children of color and those from families with low incomes are disproportionately exposed to neurotoxic chemicals, resulting in greater harm to brain development and more developmental delays, according to a new review of five decades of studies co-led by a University of Maryland researcher.
	Higher risk of Alzheimer's found among underserved population A University of Texas at Arlington research team found that foreign-born women of Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) descent are 2.5 times more likely to have an undiagnosed case of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) compared to U.S.-born white women.
	Combined, high maternal stress and prenatal COVID-19 infection may affect attention span in infants For mothers who experience high stress during their pregnancy, prenatal COVID-19 infection may be associated with an increased risk for impaired attention and delayed socioemotional and cognitive functioning in their infants, according to a small study published in Pediatric Research.
	Women seeking credibility in health care feel 'on trial,' struggle with constraints of double binds Having a chronic illness is a great deal of work, communication researchers have long known. But having an illness that is stigmatized, not well understood or not perceived as a priority by clinicians is uniquely burdensome for many women, who find themselves struggling to establish both the legitimacy of their medical problems and their credibility with clinicians, family members and friends, a recent study suggests.
	Breathing through your nose when you exercise may make your runs easier Breathing is subconscious. We don't have to think about it—it just happens. But when we exercise, many of us become more aware of it than we normally are—sometimes thinking about every breath we take.
	What do we know about long COVID in kids? And what do I do if I think my child has it? While COVID in children has generally been milder than in adults, there are concerns long COVID may be a major consequence for children and young people arising from the pandemic.
	Researchers discover disease-causing stem cells in lungs of cystic fibrosis patients Two nationally recognized experts in cloning and stem cell science from the University of Houston, Wa Xian and Frank McKeon, are reporting that five lung stem cell variants dominate the lungs of patients with advanced cystic fibrosis (CF), and that these variants drive key aspects of CF pathology including inflammation, fibrosis and mucin secretion.
	How liver cells become scarring, and worse Hepatic fibrosis occurs when scar tissue replaces damaged cells in the liver. Over time, accumulating scarring distorts the liver, interferes with its blood supply and may progressively lead to worsening consequences, from cirrhosis to liver failure to liver cancer. In advanced cases, the only treatment is an organ transplant.
	Are seniors being pressured into retirement homes by lack of community services? Ads for retirement homes often feature an older couple relaxing in comfortable surroundings, playing a board game or enjoying a meal with friends. They look well—and young for their age—with broad smiles and perfect silver hair.
	Nobody knows how consciousness works, but top researchers are fighting over which theories are really science Science is hard. The science of consciousness is particularly hard, beset with philosophical difficulties and a scarcity of experimental data.
	Is TikTok right? Will eating three carrots a day really give you a 'natural tan?' A beauty trend gaining popularity on TikTok, dubbed the "carrot tan," claims eating three carrots a day will give you a natural tan.
	Just 23% of U.S. adults 'definitely' plan to get new COVID shot Just 23% of American adults say they 'definitely' will get the new COVID-19 vaccine, while another 23% say they will 'probably' get it, according to a new poll, which also finds interest in the shot falls along partisan lines.
	Direct dispensing of prenatal supplements with iron reduces anemia Directly providing prenatal iron supplements significantly improves average hematocrit levels throughout pregnancy and reduces anemia in underserved patients, according to a study published online Sept. 1 in JAMA Network Open.
	More progress seen in female versus minority leadership diversity in medicine Some specialties have made significant improvements in academic medial leadership diversity since 2007, according to a study published online Sept. 25 in JAMA Network Open.
	When you think about your health, don't forget your eyes I vividly remember that late Friday afternoon when my eye pressure spiked and I staggered on foot to my ophthalmologist's office as the rapidly thickening fog in my field of vision shrouded passing cars and traffic lights.
	Racial discrimination among teens linked to unhealthy stress hormone levels Scientists already know that the stress caused by racial discrimination is related to a host of chronic health conditions, but less is known about which types of discrimination are most harmful.
	As younger children increasingly die by suicide, better tracking and prevention is sought Jason Lance thought Jan. 21, 2010, was a day like any other until the call came.
	Novel recording and analysis methods for simultaneous monitoring of vital signs and motion data via radar Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Digital Media Technology IDMT in Oldenburg have developed a new method for collecting and analyzing vital signs from the human body by using radar. The key feature is that the radar can be positioned sideways to collect particularly robust, non-contact vital data such as respiration and heartbeat from various areas of the body. In combination with intelligent analysis methods, this opens new application possibilities ranging from medical to automotive applications.
	Researchers propose novel model for surgical action triplets recognition A research group led by Prof. Jia Fucang from the Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology (SIAT) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has proposed a multi-task fine-grained spatiotemporal model that can effectively identify action triplets in laparoscopic gallbladder removal surgery videos.
	Primary care intervention reduces hypoglycemia risk from type 2 diabetes overtreatment in older adults A newly published quality improvement study shows how a simple intervention by health care providers reduced the number of older adult patients with type 2 diabetes at risk for hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) by almost 50% and led to de-escalation of diabetes medications that cause hypoglycemia in 20% of patients.
	Psychological aspects of erectile dysfunction deserve more attention, health scientists say Personality traits and mental health problems are among the factors linked to erectile dysfunction (ED), a condition that affects up to 80% of men over the age of 60. But researchers often overlook these psychological causes and their treatments in favor of biological components of ED, according to a new article in Current Directions in Psychological Science.
	The more we exercise, the longer we lounge around, study shows The more we engage in structured exercise training, the more we tend to cut back on daily non-exercise physical activities like riding a bike to work instead of driving, or taking the stairs instead of hopping on an elevator. This is the conclusion reached from a meta-study from the University of Copenhagen. According to the study's authors, this is an important consideration for anyone seeking to lose weight.
	New evidence for sub-network specializations within the default mode network of brain activation and self-perception Recent advancements in neuroscience have unveiled new insights into the neural processes responsible for self-referential cognition. This research has brought particular attention to a critical neural network known as the default mode network (DMN), comprising brain regions such as the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), posterior cingulate cortex, temporoparietal junction (TPJ), and both lateral and medial temporal lobes.
	New cell model could help find treatments for one of the most common forms of childhood leukemia B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) is one of the most common forms of childhood cancer. The overall survival rate is more than 80%, but not in all subtypes; in leukemia with the highest incidence among infants, in particular, it does not reach 40%.
	Experimental study proposes therapy to correct memory deficit caused by fetal alcohol spectrum disorders A research team of the Department of Medicine and Life Sciences (MELIS) at Pompeu Fabra University (UPF) involving the Hospital del Mar Research Institute has for the first time, in mice, identified and validated the neurobiological mechanism and therapy to correct memory deficit in individuals with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). These results pave the way for studying whether the mechanism is the same in humans, which would enable improving the diagnosis and treatment of affected individuals.
	Study identifies foods to help pregnant people optimize intake of key nutrients Most pregnant people in the U.S. are at risk of not getting enough of six nutrients important to a healthy pregnancy—vitamin A, vitamin D, folate, calcium, iron, and omega-3 fatty acids—from foods alone. Yet finding a combination of foods and supplements that delivers the right amounts of these nutrients without exceeding calorie recommendations or safety limits can be challenging.
	Want to make better decisions? Ask for less information, not more When people have to make a tough decision, their first instinct is usually to gather as much information as possible. Just one problem: according to research published this week in Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications, most people's decision-making actually gets worse, not better, when you give them additional facts and details.
	Is a longer reproductive lifespan good for your brain? People with a higher cumulative estrogen exposure throughout their life may have a lower risk of cerebral small vessel disease, according to a new study published in the September 27, 2023, online issue of Neurology.
	Hard-headed decisions: Intrapersonal factors underlying concussion reporting in university athletes University athletes who have already suffered a sport-related concussion are less likely to report symptoms of a new concussion if they consider them to be less serious than their previous ones.
	Opportunities to improve lung cancer care for older patients A new editorial paper titled "Promising trends in lung cancer care, but are we overlooking the majority?" has been published in Aging.
	Risk of eating disorders among vegan diet followers is low, study suggests Motivated by a desire to control their weight or live a healthier life, large numbers of people display behavior, thoughts or feelings about food and the body referred to by specialists as "dysfunctional dietary behavior" or "disordered eating attitudes," a risk factor for the development of eating disorders. They include people who start a restrictive diet on impulse, fast for long periods, indulge in binge eating or feel guilty when they eat certain foods.
	Scottish officials approve UK's first drug consumption room intended for safer use of illegal drugs Scottish authorities on Wednesday approved a 2.3 million-pound ($2.8 million) pound drug consumption room, the first government-backed place in the U.K. where users can take illegal drugs such as cocaine and heroin under the supervision of medical staff.
	Unequal distribution of pharmacies in Virginia leaves vulnerable populations at risk, study shows When was the last time you had to fill a prescription? For many people, accessing a pharmacy is as easy as taking a short drive or a quick walk, but for others, the nearest pharmacy might be miles away, making it difficult to obtain necessary medications.
	Annual Report to the Nation part 2: New cancer diagnoses fell abruptly early in the COVID-19 pandemic New diagnoses of six major cancer types in the United States fell abruptly in early 2020, coinciding with the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to findings from part 2 of the latest Annual Report to the Nation on the Status of Cancer.
	Joint replacement surgery, arthritis are not inevitable Don't worry about your hips or knees as you age. Arthritis in those joints isn't inevitable. Keep doing the activities you enjoy. Those hopeful words come from Rafael Sierra, M.D., an orthopedic surgeon at Mayo Clinic specializing in hip and knee reconstruction. Dr. Sierra says there is no need to curtail your activities out of fear that you'll wear out those joints as you age and need joint replacement.
	Q&A: Association of food insecurity on body mass index change in a pediatric weight management intervention Alicia Persaud, MPH, a graduate research assistant in the Division of Pediatrics at Massachusetts General Hospital is the lead author; and Lauren Fiechtner, MD, director of the Center for Pediatric Nutrition at Mass General for Children, Assistant Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and Senior Health and Research Advisor at the Greater Boston Food Bank, is the senior author of a recent study published in Pediatric Obesity, The Association of Food Insecurity on Body Mass Index Change in a Pediatric Weight Management Intervention.
	Q&A: Merkel cell carcinoma I recently heard about a type of skin cancer called Merkel cell carcinoma. I'm not familiar with this condition. Can you explain what it is? Do I need to do anything different to protect myself?
	Correcting the curve with scoliosis surgery Scoliosis is a condition that causes the spine to curve. It often is diagnosed in children—perhaps during a growth spurt or in and around the time of puberty. However, it can be associated with other conditions such as arthritis, osteoporosis, infection or injuries to the spine. There are also other conditions, including congenital or neuromuscular diseases, that con contribute to a curvature.
	LA County offers 3,000 new mental health and substance use treatment beds in bid to end lawsuit Facing the prospect of a trial neither side wanted, Los Angeles County and the plaintiffs in a lawsuit seeking more homeless services have proposed a settlement that appears to meet the demands of a federal judge who twice rejected earlier agreements.
	Perioperative changing patterns and longitudinal trajectories of CA242 with colorectal cancer prognosis Carbohydrate antigen 242 (CA242), a clinically commonly used tumor marker, has been proven to be an independent prognostic factor of colorectal cancer (CRC), and it may complement carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in the follow-up after curative resection for CRC.

Other Sciences news

	Sperm swimming is caused by the same patterns that are believed to dictate zebra stripes Patterns of chemical interactions are thought to create patterns in nature such as stripes and spots. A new study shows that the mathematical basis of these patterns also governs how sperm tail moves.
	Unearthing ancient faith: Byzantine Greek inscription of Psalms 86 found in Hyrcania Archaeologists from The Hebrew University of Jerusalem's Institute of Archaeology recently carried out preliminary excavation at the ancient site of Hyrcania in the northern Judean Desert, coming at the heels of increased activity by antiquities looters.
	Your Zoom background might influence the first impression you make In a new study, participants tended to judge faces appearing against backgrounds featuring houseplants or bookcases as more trustworthy and competent than faces with a living space or a novelty image behind them. Gender and facial expression also appeared to influence judgments. The research led by Paddy Ross, Abi Cook and Meg Thompson at Durham University, UK has been published in the open-access journal PLOS ONE.
	From passerine birds to cranes: Neolithic bird hunting in Upper Mesopotamia Birds were an important source of food for hunter-gatherer communities in Upper Mesopotamia at the beginning of the Neolithic period, around 9,000 years BCE. This is shown in a new study by SNSB and LMU archaeozoologists Dr. Nadja Pöllath and Prof. Dr. Joris Peters.
	Students from low-income households experienced more learning losses during pandemic: Study A new study from Western researchers examining the impacts of the school closures and remote learning on elementary students during the COVID-19 pandemic has tapped the perspective of a critical group: teachers.
	How stereotyping increases during economic crises It's been almost exactly 15 years since Lehmann Brothers declared bankruptcy, marking the height of the financial crisis. Since then, we've entered the era of the "polycrisis"—where several catastrophic events are happening at once. We're dealing with the aftermath of a pandemic, a war in Ukraine, extreme weather events, rising inflation and a food and energy crisis.
	State politics, industry drive planetary health education for K-12 students in US, finds study As much of the U.S. broils under record-setting temperatures, battles wildfires and is rocked by fierce storms, a new study suggests that the science learning standards for many public schools are not preparing young people to understand and respond to problems such as climate change that will dramatically impact their lives and those of millions of people around the globe.
	Three in four rape and sexual assault survivors' mental health harmed during police investigation Research led by Katrin Hohl, Professor of Criminology and Criminal Justice at City, University of London with Abigail-Kate Reid, Research Assistant, and Sarah Molisso and Merili Pullerits, Ph.D. candidates at City, shows the severe impact poor policing is having on the safety and mental health of rape and sexual assault survivors. The study, "Rape and sexual assault survivors' experience of the police in England and Wales," is available online.
	Being clear and precise increases your likability: Study It's a trait often associated with those in public life, but being vague may not be the best way to win friends and influence people according to a new James Cook University study.
	The ethics of accepting tainted donations A study digs into a topical debate: should institutions accept donations from bad people?
	Why an unusual global export industry keeps growing in a developing country The global citrus export industry based in South Africa is a surprising outlier in many ways, not least for its vigorous growth. Somehow, the diverse industry has emerged as the second biggest in the world after Spain.
	Study: Honest people tend to migrate toward honest areas, depriving their places of origin of human capital The newly observed phenomenon of "honesty drain" can subtract human capital and economic resources from areas where the tendency to break rules is higher, according to "Rule Breaking, Honesty and Migration," a paper by Massimo Anelli, (Bocconi Department of Social and Political Sciences), Andrea Ichino (European University Institute) and Tommaso Colussi (Catholic University, Milan), published in The Journal of Law and Economics.
	Social work research explores the effects of 'enduring relationships' for older youth in foster care Historically, if youth in foster care didn't have a biological or adoptive parent to turn to at age 18, they were released from the child welfare system, often with few resources and even less support. But in 2008, a federal law was passed that gave states the option to extend the foster care age up to 21. While this policy change gives foster youth more time to transition into adulthood, many of them still lack the social support they need to successfully leave foster care and thrive.
	Welfare supporters better informed than skeptics, study suggests People who support greater state involvement in delivering services know more about economics and welfare provision than those favoring smaller government, research suggests.
	Show, don't tell: Attracting a diverse workforce Over the last decade, a growing number of companies and organizations have included messages about diversity and inclusion as part of their employee recruitment efforts. A study published recently in Personnel Psychology examined these efforts and found job seekers who identify as LGBTQ+ are looking for signs of authentic support.
	Online abuse could drive women out of political life. The time to act is now, says researcher It is becoming increasingly evident that life in modern politics is presenting women with a stark choice—endure almost constant online threats and abuse or get out of public life.
	How rape myths, unconscious biases prejudice the judicial system against women, and rape survivors in particular It is well documented that women who are sexually assaulted, or raped, rarely report the crime to the police. The US charity, the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network, has shown that 1 in 6 women in the US has been the victim of rape or attempted rape, yet two in three rapes go unreported. For women under 25, that figure drops to 1 in 5.
	Have you heard about the 'whom of which' trend? Back in the spring of 2022, professor of linguistics David Pesetsky was talking to an undergraduate class about relative clauses, which add information to sentences. For instance: "The senator, with whom we were speaking, is a policy expert." Relative clauses often feature "who," "which," "that," and so on.
	Combating distrust online: New study explains why current messaging efforts may not be effective New research led by the George Washington University finds that current mitigation efforts to combat distrust online may not be effective because organizations and governments tackling distrust are only targeting one topic and only one geographical scale. The study shows that online distrust has become a 'glocal' phenomenon, meaning that it is spreading with different topics lumped together and mixing both local and global interests.
	Harassment and abuse perceived to harm poor women less: New research finds a 'thicker skin' bias People think sexual harassment and domestic abuse are less harmful for women in poverty than for higher-income women, according to four studies involving 3,052 Americans conducted by my colleagues and me. We also found that people believe women in poverty require less help and support when experiencing these kinds of sexual misconduct.
	How CEO lies can boost stock ratings and fool even respected financial analysts The multibillion-dollar collapse of FTX—the high-profile cryptocurrency exchange whose founder now awaits trial on fraud charges—serves as a stark reminder of the perils of deception in the financial world.
	Many Appalachian teens feel lack of control over college access, study suggests High school students in poor, rural Appalachian areas face several obstacles in attaining a college education. One of those impediments may be their own sense of powerlessness over their academic futures, according to new research published in The Career Development Quarterly journal.
	New rooms discovered in Sahura's pyramid An Egyptian-German mission led by Egyptologist Dr. Mohamed Ismail Khaled of the Department of Egyptology at Julius-Maximilians-Universität of Würzburg (JMU) has made a significant discovery within Sahura's pyramid.
	How valuable are online product recommendations to consumers? In today's online world, third parties collect and store your browsing data at staggering rates. Third parties benefit greatly from this information, but do you get fair returns for sharing your data online?
	Study finds that on-the-job training can lead to higher employee satisfaction The value of on-the-job training should not be underestimated, according to a University of Auckland study, which found that overeducated and over-skilled employees are less likely to quit if training is available.
	Counting by tens shows a sophistication of young children's understanding of number concepts, study finds Understanding how children learn to count can have profound impacts on the kinds of instructional materials used in the classroom. And the way those materials are designed can shape the strategies children use to learn, according to a new paper led by Concordia researchers.
	Remote First Nations communities are among the most digitally excluded people in Australia, report finds RMIT-led research has found a significant gap in digital inclusion for First Nations people compared with other Australians, which widens substantially with remoteness.
	Report shows sharp jump in wealth inequality in Australia over last 20 years The gap between those with the most and those with the least has blown out over the past two decades, with the average wealth of the highest 20% growing at four times the rate of the lowest 20%, new research by ACOSS and UNSW Sydney shows.
	Report urges public schools to do more to address racism As conservative governors and legislatures across the nation seek to limit learning and discussion in schools about race and racial history, a report led by a UC Riverside scholar and published by the UCLA Civil Rights Project, calls on schools, educators, and policymakers to do just the opposite—challenging them to positively address racism and its impact on learning and opportunity.

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