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Science X Newsletter Wed, Oct 11

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Here is your customized Science X Newsletter for October 11, 2023:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

A new reconfigurable field-effect transistor and memory device based on a 2D heterostructure

Study inspects large-scale turbulence in the galaxy NGC 6946

CDC study on depression and mortality finds wealth, smoking, and exercise reduce risk of death

Bionic hand merges with user's nervous and skeletal systems, remaining functional after years of daily use

NASA asteroid sample contains life-critical water and carbon

Dust cloud from two colliding ice planets dims light of parent star

Research finds commonly-used herbicide is harmful to adolescent brain function

Study shows birds disperse eaten insects' eggs

Peregrine falcons set off false alarms to make prey easier to catch, study finds

Early Cambrian microfossils preserve introvert musculature of cycloneuralians

NASA to unveil first images of historic asteroid sample

Researchers develop blood test for early-stage ovarian cancer

Scientists pry a secret from the 'Mona Lisa' about how Leonardo painted the masterpiece

Material cycle for amine chemistry: Important building blocks created from platform chemical in single step

How attentional modulation affects neural response covariability in the human brain

Nanotechnology news

Scientists discover 'flipping' layers in heterostructures cause changes in their properties

Transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD) semiconductors are special materials that have long fascinated researchers with their unique properties. For one, they are flat, one-atom-thick two-dimensional (2D) materials similar to that of graphene. They are compounds that contain different combinations of the transition metal group (e.g., molybdenum, tungsten) and chalcogen elements (e.g., sulfur, selenium, tellurium).

Drug-filled nanocapsule helps make immunotherapy more effective in mice

UCLA researchers have developed a new treatment method using a tiny nanocapsule to help boost the immune response, making it easier for the immune system to fight and kill solid tumors.

Researchers use new new cobalt-modified nano material to make fuel cells more robust, sustainable

There is an urgent need to address climate change, making the development of sustainable energy alternatives more important than ever. While proton-exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) have shown great promise for energy production, particularly in the transportation industry, there is a long-standing problem with their durability and cost.

Micro/nanoscale 4D printing revolution: Manufacturing high-resolution transformable 3D structures

Have you ever imaged high-resolution 3D structures at the micro/nanoscale that react dynamically to their surroundings? The 4D printing technology is changing the game by using smart materials that exhibit remarkable shape deformation in response to external stimuli, showing the enormous potential for use in biomedicine, flexible electronics, soft robotics, and aerospace.

Zinc-doped Prussian blue nanozyme serves as all-in-one copper sensor

Researchers led by Prof. Wu Zhengyan and Zhang Jia from the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) have developed an all-in-one nanozyme for the capture, separation and detection of copper ion (Cu2+) in complicated matrixes, achieving accurate detection of copper ions. The study was published in the journal Small.

Scientists use SERS technology to accurately monitor single-molecule diffusion behavior

A research team led by Prof. Yang Liangbao from the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has used surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) to accurately monitor the diffusion behavior of a single molecule in the sub-nanometer space.

Creating a broadband diffractive graphene orbital angular momentum metalens by laser nanoprinting

Optical beams carrying orbital angular momentum (OAM) attract widespread attention and play an important role in optical data storage, optical communications, quantum information processing, super-resolution imaging, and optical trapping and manipulation. However, the bulky volume and the complex systems of the conventional OAM beam generators limit their applications in integrated and miniaturized optical or photonic devices.

Physics news

Physicists unlock controllable nonlinear Hall effect in twisted bilayer graphene

A team of international researchers led by The University of Hong Kong (HKU) and The University of Science and Technology (HKUST) has made a significant discovery in the field of quantum materials, uncovering the controllable nonlinear Hall effect in twisted bilayer graphene.

Illuminating errors creates a new paradigm for quantum computing

Researchers have developed a method that can reveal the location of errors in quantum computers, making them up to 10 times easier to correct. This will significantly accelerate progress towards large-scale quantum computers capable of tackling the world's most challenging computational problems, the researchers said.

A look inside the sun's fire: New measurements point at slower burn-in phase of hydrogen burning

Nuclear astrophysics studies the evolution of the elements in the universe since its creation. The astrophysical models rely on parameters that scientists deduce from laboratory measurements. Nuclear reactions play a crucial role inside stars. A team from the Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), together with researchers from Italy, Hungary and Scotland, has now reinvestigated one of the central reactions at the Dresden Felsenkeller accelerator with a surprising result, as reported in the journal Physical Review C.

Exploring parameter shift for quantum Fisher information

In a recent publication in EPJ Quantum Technology, Le Bin Ho from Tohoku University's Frontier Institute for Interdisciplinary Sciences has developed a technique called time-dependent stochastic parameter shift in the realm of quantum computing and quantum machine learning. This breakthrough method revolutionizes the estimation of gradients or derivatives of functions, a crucial step in many computational tasks.

Alternative method cuts time for computer simulation of absorption spectrum from days to hour

Absorption spectroscopy is an analytical chemistry tool that can determine if a particular substance is present in a sample by measuring the intensity of the light absorbed as a function of wavelength. Measuring the absorbance of an atom or molecule can provide important information about electronic structure, quantum state, sample concentration, phase changes or composition changes, among other variables, including interaction with other molecules and possible technological applications.

New easy-to-use optical chip can self-configure to perform various functions

Researchers have developed an easy-to-use optical chip that can configure itself to achieve various functions. The positive real-valued matrix computation they have achieved gives the chip the potential to be used in applications requiring optical neural networks. Optical neural networks can be used for a variety of data-heavy tasks such as image classification, gesture interpretation and speech recognition.

High-throughput terahertz imaging: Progress and challenges

Lying between the infrared and millimeter wave regimes, terahertz waves possess many unique properties, prompting numerous compelling imaging applications, such as non-destructive testing, security screening, biomedical diagnosis, cultural heritage conservation, chemical identification, material characterization, and atmospheric/astrophysics studies. However, many existing terahertz imaging systems require imaging times ranging from tens of minutes to tens of hours due to their single-pixel nature and the requirement for raster-scanning to acquire the image data.

Ultra-wideband heterogeneous integrated photodiodes on thin-film lithium niobate platform

Owing to its strong electro-optic coefficient and wide transparency window, lithium niobate (LN) has become an attractive photonic material. Thin-film lithium niobate (TFLN) technology has enabled tight mode confinement and high nonlinear efficiency.

Scientists demonstrate electrically tunable microlens array using simple PSCOF approach

Microlens arrays are one of the key elements that are promising in autostereoscopic display, optical communication, wavefront sensing, integral imaging, etc. For example, microlens arrays are the critical components in integral imaging, which are used to collect and display images. In most cases, the image depth in integral imaging is limited due to the fixed focal length of the used microlens arrays.

Focus on perovskite emitters in blue light–emitting diodes

In recent years, the advancement of LEDs based on perovskite materials has progressed significantly. The benefits of perovskite materials, including their straightforward production processes, wide color gamut, high color purity, and low cost, have facilitated the development of efficient red and green PeLED devices, which currently surpass 25% in efficiency. Consequently, PeLEDs have become one of the most promising next-generation display technologies.

Whispering gallery microprobe opens up new opportunities for optical spectroscopy

Light–matter interaction is one of the most basic ways people observe the physical world. While reflection and refraction of light reveal the morphology of matter, inelastic scattering of light, like Raman scattering, encodes the molecular fingerprint of chemical bonds into the energy shift of photons. However, the possibility of such interactions is vanishingly small.

The race is on for a new internet

Europe is pushing to create a network infrastructure based on quantum physics.

Realizing attosecond core-level X-ray spectroscopy for the investigation of condensed matter systems

The many-body interaction of charges (electrons) and nuclei (phonons) plays a critical role in determining the properties and functionalities of molecules and solids. The exact correlated motion of these particles gives rise to different conductivity, energy storage capabilities, phase transitions, and superconductivity. Now, the team of ICREA Prof. at ICFO Jens Biegert has developed attosecond soft X-ray core-level spectroscopy as a method to observe the correlated interaction between charges and phonons in real time.

Earth news

Cleaner air brings wetter weather in High Mountain Asia

High Mountain Asia (HMA), encompassing the Tibetan Plateau and the surrounding Hindu Kush, Karakoram, and Himalayan ranges, harbors the world's third-largest amount of glacial ice. It is the source of more than 10 major Asian rivers and vital water resources for nearly 2 billion people.

'Ultrashort' PFAS compounds detected in people and their homes

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have become ubiquitous throughout the environment, and increasing evidence has demonstrated their deleterious effects. A group of smaller, fluorinated compounds are becoming replacements for these "forever chemicals," though research suggests the smaller versions could also be harmful.

Roundup herbicide ingredient connected to epidemic levels of chronic kidney disease

For the past couple of decades, tens of thousands of people living in rural Sri Lanka have been devastated by kidney failure due to unclear causes, also known as CKDu. Similar incidences of mysterious kidney diseases have emerged in tropical farming communities around the world.

Even temporary global warming above 2℃ will affect life in the oceans for centuries, new study finds

There is growing consensus that our planet is likely to pass the 1.5℃ warming threshold. Research even suggests global warming will temporarily exceed the 2℃ threshold, if atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂) peaks at levels beyond what was anticipated.

'Immediate' cuts to methane from fossil fuel needed: IEA

Methane emissions from fossil fuels must be slashed immediately to limit climate warming, and major reductions are possible with existing technologies at low cost, the International Energy Agency said Wednesday.

'Paradigm shift' needed on plastics health risk: researchers

A "paradigm shift" is needed on the risks posed to human health by plastics, researchers said Wednesday, warning of huge gaps in scientific understanding of the issue.

Rivers may not recover from drought for years, new research finds

Lack of rainfall is not the only measure of drought. New UC Riverside research shows that despite a series of storms, the impact of drought can persist in streams and rivers for up to 3.5 years.

Scientists call for real-time analysis of tropical cyclones in the context of climate change

The need for quick and "real-time" forecasting of tropical cyclones is more necessary than ever given the impact of climate change on rainfall amounts. Two climate scientists who believe this take the notion further by suggesting a storyline case study of Hurricane Ian in 2022 can be used as a blueprint for rapid operational climate change attribution statements about extreme storms.

Cerrado biome requires strict protection and rehabilitation of areas to curb deforestation, scientists warn

The fast pace at which natural vegetation is being destroyed in the Cerrado, Brazil's savanna-like biome, to make way for pasture and cropland is seriously affecting ecosystem services. More effective action is needed to address the problem by implementing conservation measures and drafting territorial management plans that provide for ecological corridors and rehabilitation of degraded pasture.

What is seawater intrusion? A hydrogeologist explains the shifting balance between fresh and salt water at the coast

Seawater intrusion is the movement of saline water from the ocean or estuaries into freshwater systems. The seawater that has crept up the Mississippi River in the summer and early fall of 2023 is a reminder that coastal communities teeter in a fragile land-sea balance.

Satellite helps monitor microcystin risk in lakes at a large scale

Under the combined impact of climate changes and human activities, many lakes around the world are experiencing eutrophication and cyanobacterial blooms. Microcystins produced by cyanobacteria pose a serious threat to drinking water safety.

Forecast model predicts how the solar eclipse will shift the weather

When the moon's shadow sweeps across the U.S. West from Oregon to Texas during the upcoming annular eclipse on October 14, people working in the energy industry may be able to sit back for a moment and enjoy the event with less worry than in the past. That's because this time around, NOAA's short-range weather forecast model HRRR (High-Resolution Rapid Refresh) includes the eclipse in its weather forecasts—and that means better forecasts for the wind, solar, and even conventional energy sectors.

Study identifies remains of artificial turf as important source of pollution in aquatic environment

Every year, around 1,200 and 1,400 artificial turf sports fields are installed in the European Union. These fields are made up of synthetic fibers, mainly plastics, that mimic the appearance of natural grass. Recently, the Consolidated Research Group in Marine Geosciences of the Faculty of Earth Sciences at the University of Barcelona conducted a study that, for the first time, characterizes and quantifies the presence of artificial turf fibers in samples collected from surface waters of the Catalan coast and the Guadalquivir River.

Why climate change is a national security risk

Climate change is affecting practically everything on Earth, from natural systems to human endeavors. National security is no exception. The National Intelligence Council has found that "climate change will increasingly exacerbate risks to U.S. national security interests as the physical impacts increase and geopolitical tensions mount about how to respond to the challenge."

Isotope database will help Mexican communities better understand hydrology processes

With a population of 127 million and a land mass about a fifth the size of the United States, Mexico has a large spectrum of climates and landscapes, ranging from mountains to coastal regions and from deserts to glaciers. Because of these variations, it is important for communities to understand precipitation patterns to plan appropriately for weather events and water resources management.

Hurricane Lidia leaves two dead in Mexico

Hurricane Lidia left at least two people dead in Mexico after making landfall as a powerful Category 4 storm, causing flooding, damage and blocked roads before dissipating, authorities said Wednesday.

'Extremely dangerous' Hurricane Lidia heads for Mexico

Hurricane Lidia became an "extremely dangerous" Category 4 storm on Tuesday as it headed toward beach resorts on Mexico's Pacific coast, threatening to bring flooding and mudslides, forecasters said.

Island nations sign climate solidarity declaration in Indonesia

Dozens of island nations signed a declaration in Indonesia on Wednesday to boost solidarity and cooperation on fighting climate threats, including rising sea levels.

Hurricane Lidia hits Mexico's Pacific coast

Hurricane Lidia made landfall Tuesday on Mexico's Pacific coast as an "extremely dangerous" Category 4 storm bringing strong winds and heavy rain, before weakening as it moved inland, forecasters said.

Actual evapotranspiration plays a dominant role in drought of central Asia: Study

The Central Asian region is sensitive to global climate change and prone to drought. A research team led by Prof. Hao Xingming from the Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, has found that actual evapotranspiration plays a significant role in drought of Central Asia.

Report: The US just had its seventh-warmest September on record

September 2023 was remarkably warm and quite dry across the contiguous United States.

Multi-regional observations and validation of the M₃ ocean tide

The lunar terdiurnal ocean tide has a period of approximately 8.2804 hours, and theoretically has a small amplitude. Its largest equilibrium action term is just 2.56 mm, generally considered to have little impact on shipping or other maritime activities. Thus, it has not received much attention in previous studies, and understanding of the M3 tide's characteristics in various global regions is extremely limited.

Cover crops found to reduce carbon loss in the soil of Mediterranean olive groves by more than 75%

Agricultural soils sustain life by producing food, but they also play an essential role in climate change, functioning as carbon sinks, storing large quantities of carbon and reducing its concentration in the atmosphere. Carbon is the main indicator of soils' fertility, so an increase in the concentration of this element means more nutrients and cleaner air.

Astronomy and Space news

Study inspects large-scale turbulence in the galaxy NGC 6946

Indian astronomers have conducted a study aimed at investigating a large-scale turbulence in the interstellar medium of a spiral galaxy known as NGC 6946. Results of the study, published October 4 on the pre-print server arXiv, could help us better understand the nature of this phenomenon.

NASA asteroid sample contains life-critical water and carbon

A sample collected from the 4.5-billion-year-old asteroid Bennu contains abundant water and carbon, NASA revealed on Wednesday, offering more evidence for the theory that life on Earth was seeded from outer space.

Dust cloud from two colliding ice planets dims light of parent star

For the first time, an international group of astronomers have seen the heat glow of two ice giant planets colliding, and the resultant dust cloud then move in front of the parent star several years later. The star ASASSN-21qj—named after the network of telescopes that first detected the fading of the star at visible wavelengths—was then studied intensively by a network of amateur and professional astronomers including Dr. Matthew Kenworthy at Leiden Observatory (the Netherlands), who monitored the changes in the star's brightness over the next two years.

NASA to unveil first images of historic asteroid sample

NASA is set to reveal on Wednesday the first images of the largest asteroid sample ever collected in space, something scientists hope will yield clues about the earliest days of our solar system and perhaps the origins of life itself.

Fast radio bursts from distant neutron stars resemble earthquakes rather than solar flares

Fast radio bursts, or FRBs, are an astronomical mystery, with their exact cause and origins still unconfirmed. These intense bursts of radio energy are invisible to the human eye, but show up brightly on radio telescopes.

Central star in a planetary nebula reveals details of its life

Stars like our sun end their lives as white dwarfs. Some of them are surrounded by a planetary nebula consisting of gas ejected by the dying star shortly before its death. An international research team led by Professor Klaus Werner of the Institute of Astronomy and Astrophysics at the University of Tübingen has for the first time studied a central star of a planetary nebula located in an open star cluster.

Removal of magnetic spacecraft contamination within extraterrestrial samples easily carried out, researchers say

For decades, scientists have pondered the mystery of the moon's ancient magnetism. Based on analyses of lunar samples, its now-deceased magnetic field may have been active for more than 1.5 billion years—give or take a billion years. Scientists believe it was generated like the Earth's via a dynamo process, whereby the spinning and churning of conductive liquid metal within a rocky planet's core generates a magnetic field.

With Psyche, a journey to an ancient asteroid is set to begin

If all goes well, on Thursday morning a NASA mission with extensive connections to MIT will be headed to a metal world.

Video: Fly across Mars' 'labyrinth of night' with Mars Express

Nestled between the colossal Martian "Grand Canyon" (Valles Marineris) and the tallest volcanoes in the solar system (the Tharsis region) lies Noctis Labyrinthus—a vast system of deep and steep valleys that stretches out for around 1,190 km (roughly the length of Italy here on Earth).

Quenched galaxies in the early universe

Recently, much attention has been given to massive, active galaxies discovered by the JWST in the early universe. But in contrast to these active galaxies, some galaxies that the JWST has discovered have been unusually quiet with little to no active star formation.

Journey to a metal-rich world: NASA's Psyche is ready to launch

The spacecraft is targeting an Oct. 12 liftoff atop a Falcon Heavy rocket. Its destination, a metal-rich asteroid, may tell us more about how planets form.

Hubble captures barred spiral galaxy NGC 685

NGC 685 takes center stage amid faintly twinkling stars on an inky black background. This galaxy is clearly a barred spiral galaxy with its bright center bar and patchy, curving arms. It is about 58 million light-years away in the constellation Eridanus. NGC 685 lies south of the celestial equator and is visible from the southern hemisphere at certain times of the year.

Deciphering gravitational waves

When two black holes collide, the impact is so big that we can detect it all way here on Earth. These objects are so immense that their collisions send ripples through spacetime itself. Scientists call these ripples gravitational waves. Although Albert Einstein predicted the idea of gravitational waves all the way back in 1916, physicists didn't directly detect them until 2015 at LIGO (the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory).

High flying International Space Station experiment pushes boundaries of knowledge

Floating at 250 miles above the planet, the International Space Station (ISS) provides a unique laboratory to conduct pioneering investigations.

Tracing the origin and energization of plasma in the heliosphere

Imagine that you have a secret decoder ring that you can use to decipher a secret message with important clues about things around you: where they came from, why they are there, and what will become of them in the future. Now imagine that the secret decoder ring is actually a sensor that can be flown in space to unravel secrets about the matter in the solar system. Where did this matter originate, how did it become energized, and how could it impact humans living on Earth and traveling in space?

Huge rocket motors arrive at Los Angeles museum for space shuttle Endeavour display

Two giant rocket motors required to display the retired NASA space shuttle Endeavour as if it's about to blast off arrived Wednesday at a Los Angeles museum, completing their long journey from the Mojave Desert.

Technology news

A new reconfigurable field-effect transistor and memory device based on a 2D heterostructure

Transistors are crucial components of most electronics on the market today, including computers, smartphones, wearables and numerous other devices. These components, generally based on semiconducting materials, are designed to switch, detect and amplify current inside devices, controlling the flow of electricity inside them during their operation.

Mimicking 'plant power' through artificial photosynthesis

Solar panels are an increasingly popular way to generate electricity from the sun's energy. Although humans are still figuring out how to reliably turn that energy into fuel, plants have been doing it for eons through photosynthesis.

Morphogenesis of self-assembling microelectronic modules could yield sustainable living technology

It is now apparent that the mass-produced artifacts of technology in our increasingly densely populated world—whether electronic devices, cars, batteries, phones, household appliances, or industrial robots—are increasingly at odds with the sustainable bounded ecosystems achieved by living organisms based on cells over millions of years.

Making rad maps with robot dogs

In 2013, researchers carried a Microsoft Kinect camera through houses in Japan's Fukushima Prefecture. The device's infrared light traced the contours of the buildings, making a rough 3D map. On top of this, the team layered information from an early version of a hand-held gamma-ray imager, displaying the otherwise invisible nuclear radiation from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident.

Consortium runs world's first hydrogen-powered gas turbine

A European consortium on Wednesday said it had in a world first successfully tested a gas turbine fully powered by hydrogen, opening the way to slashing carbon emissions in energy-intensive industries like cement.

Unmanned and unbothered: Autonomous intelligent oceanic exploration is upon us

The ocean has always been a force to be reckoned with when it comes to understanding and traversing its seemingly limitless blue waters. Past innovations such as deep-sea submersibles and ocean-observing satellites have helped illuminate some wonders of the ocean though many questions still remain.

Deception or collaboration: How do we deal with internet rating systems?

As social animals, humans communicate with and influence one another by leaving digital traces on the Internet, particularly by using star rating systems on collaborative platforms. Many e-commerce sites use this technique to allow users to share their hotel or restaurant experiences, for example. But under what conditions can these traces enable a group to cooperate, and can we trust them?

Crowdsourced traffic data can help ease time stuck in traffic, says transport expert

A UNSW transport expert may have the found the solution to one of the biggest pet peeves of drivers: sitting in traffic.

Research finds global governance shift in perception of AI, but says more debate is crucial

For three global organizations, the discourse around AI has shifted from negative concerns about privacy and the mass collection of data to more positive debates about how it can be used as a tool and a facilitator of change, says a Malmö University academic in a recently published article in AI & SOCIETY.

The past and present of 3D-printed critical materials for rechargeable batteries

3D printing, as a promising additive manufacturing technology, is being widely used in the development of various electrochemical energy storage devices (EESD), such as batteries and supercapacitors at both nano and macro scale. This is due to its outstanding flexibility in manufacturing, capability in geometric design, cost-effectiveness, and eco-friendliness.

Metal organic frameworks could turn greenhouse gas into 'gold'

Fluorine can be a beneficial ingredient in medicines because of its excellent pharmacological properties, according to Phillip Milner, assistant professor of chemistry and chemical biology in the College of Arts and Sciences (A&S). But fluorinated chemicals can be difficult—even dangerous—to work with, requiring complex instrumentation.

Commentary: Amazon is being sued by the government. What will that mean for consumers?

Last month, the Federal Trade Commission filed a major complaint in federal district court alleging that Amazon is an illegal monopoly. The FTC may be able to win its case. But given the limits of American antitrust law, that legal victory would do little to curb Amazon's economic power.

Dark patterns: How online companies strive to keep your money and data when you try to leave

Have you signed up to an online service for a free trial, decided it isn't for you, but still ended up paying for it months—or even years—later? Or tried cancelling a subscription, and found yourself giving up during the painstaking process? If so, there's a good chance you have encountered a "dark pattern."

How sodium-ion batteries could make electric cars cheaper

Cars that burn petrol and diesel must be replaced with renewable alternatives if the climate crisis is to be overcome. Electric vehicles (EVs) are widely viewed as the best option available.

How pre-cooling homes could dramatically reduce energy usage

It's a typical, sweltering August day in Los Angeles, with temperatures pushing 95° downtown. When people get home from work in the late afternoon, the first thing they do is crank up the AC to cool their overheated homes.

Rolling resistance of bicycle tires with ambient temperature in focus

Research published in the International Journal of Vehicle Systems Modelling and Testing has investigated how the rolling resistance of bicycle tires against the road surface are most affected by ambient temperature and the pressure to which the tires have been inflated. The findings could have implications for tire design and maintenance when considering the efficiency of e-bikes that have a motor to assist the cyclist's pedal power.

Could robots control whips? Researchers test the extremes of human motor control to advance robotics

On any given day, Richards Hall on Northeastern University's Boston campus is filled with the sound of students' shuffling feet or energetic class discussions, but this week you might have heard something else: a whip cracking.

Researchers create dataset to address object recognition problem in machine learning

When is an apple not an apple? If you're a computer, the answer is when it's been cut in half.

Chinese scientists join Fukushima water review

Chinese scientists will this month take part in extensive sampling of Fukushima's coastal waters for the first time since the release of treated wastewater from its stricken nuclear plant began, Japanese officials said Wednesday.

Securing the food pipeline from cyberattacks

Sensors detecting the amount of food that herds of cattle are eating. Machines taking thousands of photos of fruit per second to detect their defects and sort them by quality. Robots packing fruit and vegetables into bags and boxes for purchase at grocery stores.

EU's tech 'sheriff' sounds disinfo alarm with Musk, Zuckerberg

Brussels is demanding that X and Meta crack down on disinformation, as fake and misleading online posts proliferate in the wake of Hamas's deadly assault in Israel.

Bluesky, the X rival boosted by EU's tech enforcer

Since Elon Musk hollowed out Twitter's staffing, pushed services behind a paywall and renamed it X, many users have been thrashing around for an alternative social media platform.

Profits up at Indian IT giant TCS on overseas growth

Profits for Indian software giant TCS were up 8.7 percent on-year in the September quarter thanks to robust growth in emerging markets and client loyalty, the company announced Wednesday.

The Washington Post plans to cut 240 jobs through voluntary buyouts

The Washington Post plans to cut 240 jobs through the offering of voluntary buyouts, the newspaper announced Tuesday.

Titanic submersible debris, human remains recovered

More debris and suspected human remains have been recovered from a privately owned submersible which failed catastrophically in June while on a mission to the Titanic, the US Coast Guard said.

Shifting lifestyle trends boost household demand for energy, finds Australian report

Monash University's Emerging Technologies Research Lab has unveiled massive shifts in future household energy demands in a new report published today. The study offers energy distribution networks an invaluable glimpse into the future—empowering them to sharpen their forecasts, develop future business plans, and ensure the lights stay on.

Key witness gives more damning evidence at US crypto trial

The former partner and girlfriend of Sam Bankman-Fried told a New York courtroom on Wednesday that she constantly worried that clients of their FTX crypto platform would discover they were being defrauded.

Researchers plot a course for building a 'digital twin' of the brain

Recent developments in neuroscience and brain-inspired artificial intelligence have opened up new possibilities in understanding intelligence. Now, a research team led by Tianzi Jiang at the Institute of Automation of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has outlined the key components and properties of an innovative platform called the Digital Twin Brain, which could bridge the gap between biological and artificial intelligence and provide new insights into both.

Chemistry news

Scientists pry a secret from the 'Mona Lisa' about how Leonardo painted the masterpiece

The "Mona Lisa" has given up another secret.

Material cycle for amine chemistry: Important building blocks created from platform chemical in single step

Fossil raw materials still dominate the chemical industry. But laboratories around the world are researching ways in which large-scale processes can avoid crude oil, natural gas and coal in the future. So-called platform chemicals are gaining in importance; they are produced entirely from renewable raw materials. But their use in industrial processes requires special catalysts.

Bringing out the color in zinc to expand its potential properties

Zinc is an important element that is found widely in biological systems, is cheap to manufacture relative to other metals, and has low toxicity. However, unlike other similar metals that exhibit a variety of vibrant colors in metal complexes, seeing different colors for zinc materials was not thought possible.

Metal-organic frameworks could someday deliver antibacterial nitric oxide

Because metal-organic frameworks (MOFs)—highly porous metal complexes—are so structurally and chemically diverse, they could be used for many applications, such as drug delivery and environmental clean-up. But researchers still need to get a better understanding of how they function, especially when embedded in polymers.

Researchers develop new class of catalysts for green production of fine chemicals and pharmaceuticals

A research team has developed a new class of catalysts—known as heterogeneous geminal atom catalysts (GACs)—that promotes greener and more sustainable manufacturing processes for fine chemicals and pharmaceuticals.

New method to predict the risk of adverse drug events

Studying signaling within cells can predict the risk of adverse drug reactions of novel obesity and type II diabetes treatments before they reach the patient, according to a new study from Karolinska Institutet published in Nature Communications.

Metal-free and transition-metal-doped ZIF-8@CNT catalysts prepared by one-step high-temperature pyrolysis

Non-precious metal catalysts (NPMC) have strong potential in energy conversion devices due to their excellent oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) performance in fuel cells. Since in most NPMC materials, the accessible active sites play a vital role in oxygen electrocatalysis, recent research attention has been diverted towards developing transition metal-containing carbon-based conductive and porous catalyst materials for ORR application.

Q&A: Expert discusses past and future of Nobel-winning quantum dots technology

The world woke up on Oct. 3 to learn that Moungi Bawendi of MIT, Louis Brus of Columbia University, and Alexei Ekimov of Nanocrystals Inc. received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for their discovery and synthesis of semiconductor quantum dots.

Biology news

Study shows birds disperse eaten insects' eggs

Relationship patterns among flightless stick insects suggest that birds disperse the eggs after eating gravid females. Lab experiments previously suggested the possibility, but a new genetic analysis of natural populations in Japan by Kobe University researchers now supports the idea.

Peregrine falcons set off false alarms to make prey easier to catch, study finds

Predators must eat to survive—and to survive, prey must avoid being eaten. One theory, the Wolf-Mangel model, suggests predators could use false attacks to tire prey out or force them to take bigger risks, but this has been hard to show in practice. Now, scientists observing peregrine falcons have found evidence that they deliberately exhaust their prey to improve later hunting success.

Early Cambrian microfossils preserve introvert musculature of cycloneuralians

An international research team led by Prof. Zhang Huaqiao from the Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (NIGPAS) has reported the discovery of extraordinary early Cambrian (ca. 535 million years ago, or Ma) microfossils preserving the introvert musculature of cycloneuralians, a group of animals that includes roundworms, horsehair worms, mud dragons, and many other creatures.

Illuminating the dance of RNA with ultrabright X-rays

DNA, RNA, and proteins are three pillars of molecular biology. While DNA holds genetic instructions and proteins put these plans to action, RNA serves as the messenger and interpreter. DNA is transcribed to RNA, which then decodes those instructions to synthesize proteins. But large portions of RNA don't proceed to produce proteins, with a vast majority remaining just as RNA. What these molecules do or why they exist in such a state is still not fully understood.

Bouldering in south-central Madagascar: A new 'rock-climbing' gecko species of the genus Paroedura

Named after its habitat preference, Paroedura manongavato, from the Malagasy words "manonga" (to climb) and "vato" (rock), is a bouldering expert. Part of its "home range" is also very well-known to rock climbers for its massive granitic domes.

Warm summers and wet winters yield better wine vintages, research shows

Wine quality is notorious for varying from year to year, but what makes for a "good year"? In a paper publishing October 11 in the journal iScience, researchers show that weather plays an important role in determining wine quality. By analyzing 50 years' worth of wine critic scores from the Bordeaux wine region in relation to that year's weather, the researchers showed that higher quality wine is made in years with warmer temperatures, higher winter rainfall, and earlier, shorter growing seasons—conditions that climate change is predicted to make more frequent.

Epiphytes, amazing plants like moss and bromeliads found in trees, face growing threats

Orchids, mosses, ferns—or epiphytes, defined as nonparasitic plants that grow on other plants—are crucial for Earth's biodiversity and play essential roles in forests around the world, building habitat in trees for myriad other life forms, from bacteria and insects to birds and reptiles.

Killer whales' diet more important than location for pollutant exposure, study finds

Both elegant and fierce, killer whales are some of the oceans' top predators, but even they can be exposed to environmental pollution. Now, in the largest study to date on North Atlantic killer whales, researchers in Environmental Science & Technology report the levels of legacy and emerging pollutants in 162 individuals' blubber. The animals' diet, rather than location, greatly impacted contaminant levels and potential health risks—information that's helpful to conservation efforts.

Field experiments show ungulates fear elephants as much as leopards

A team of wildlife researchers from the U.S., South Africa and Eswatini (formally known as Swaziland) has found via experiments that ungulates (hooved animals) living in game reserves in Eswatini fear elephants as much as they do leopards. In their study, reported in the journal Biology Letters, the group played animal noises over speakers and recorded the reactions of the ungulates.

Model shows fall in ancient sea surface temperatures likely led to Great Ordovician Biodiversification

A team of Earth scientists affiliated with several institutions in France, working with a colleague from Norway, has developed a model to help explain the advent of the Great Ordovician Biodiversification—the largest surge in marine biology in Earth's history. In their paper published in the journal Nature Communications, the group describes the factors that went into their model.

Decoding the axolotl: A new path for limb regrowth

In a new study published in Nature Communications, EPFL researchers shed light on the axolotl's unparalleled limb regeneration abilities, challenging long-held beliefs and offering new insights into potential mammalian limb regrowth.

Novel computational approach confirms microbial diversity is wilder than ever

Imagine researchers exploring a dark room with a flashlight, only able to clearly identify what falls within that single beam. When it comes to microbial communities, scientists have historically been unable to see beyond the beam—worse, they didn't even know how big the room is.

'Phantom decoys' manipulate human shoppers—but bees may be immune to their charms

Have you ever waited in a long queue only to find the ice cream flavor you wanted is gone? What did you choose instead? In the field of behavioral economics, researchers have shown that people make very predictable second choices if the item they want is sold out. So much so, that it is possible to use unavailable items to nudge people into buying certain products.

Female common frogs fake death to get rid of males

A new study shows that, contrary to previous assumptions, female common frogs can reject males and have developed a variety of mate avoidance behaviors to do so. The research was led by Carolin Dittrich and Mark-Oliver Rödel from the Museum für Naturkunde in Berlin and was published in the open access journal Royal Society Open Science.

Study clearly identifies nutrients as a driver of the Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt

Under normal conditions, the floating macroalgae Sargassum spp. provide habitat for hundreds of types of organisms. However, the Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt (GASB) that emerged in 2011 has since then caused unprecedented inundations of this brown seaweed on Caribbean coastlines, with harmful effects on ecosystems while posing challenges to regional economies and tourism, and concerns for respiratory and other human health issues.

Novel biomaterial delivers medication directly to fish gut

A novel biomaterial developed at the Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP) in Brazil can help solve two problems at once. As a bioparticle, it can act as a drug carrier, delivering medication directly to the gastrointestinal tract of fish in order to circumvent resistance to conventional antibiotics, for example. In addition, it is administered orally in powder form and is highly palatable to fish, increasing the probability of effective treatment while at the same time reducing the waste and pollution inherent in the medication of these animals.

Using different flours for sourdough fosters different bacteria—and flavors

A new study of the microbial ecosystem in sourdough finds that using different types of flour fosters distinct bacterial communities, and that these differences contribute to the variation of sourdough aromas and flavors.

Dolphin friendships found to be facilitated by a fishy feast

We all know that there is nothing like hanging out with your friends for a big meal, and new research from the University of Aberdeen has shown that this is also true for Scotland's bottlenose dolphins.

Finding a balance in antibiotic medicine: Can we kill bad bacteria while preserving the good?

A new study led by scientists at University of St Andrews has found that antibiotics used to treat tuberculosis kill other potentially useful bacteria.

Tens of thousands of endangered sharks and rays caught off Congo

Tens of thousands of endangered sharks and rays are caught by small-scale fisheries off the Republic of the Congo each year, new research shows.

Oh my gourd: Hippo-sized pumpkin is world's biggest

A monster pumpkin weighing the same as a hippopotamus has claimed the world record for the mightiest gourd—and bagged its grower a $30,000 prize.

Researchers prove that new method can be used to measure ozone stress in soybeans

As the world focuses on not only solving the climate crisis but also sustaining the world's food supply, researchers need tools to evaluate how atmospheric pollutants affect crops. Over the past decade, the agriculture community has turned to solar-induced chlorophyll fluorescence (SIF) measurements to detect stresses on plants.

Killing still remains a threat to Bornean orangutans

University of Queensland research has found despite considerable conservation efforts, the illegal killing of critically endangered orangutans on Borneo may be an ongoing threat to the species.

Making hydropower plants more environmentally friendly

A research team from the Chair of Aquatic Systems Biology at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) has analyzed the harm caused to fish, changes in their behavior and the impact on the aquatic habitat at the shaft power plant in the Loisach, a river in Bavaria.

If we protect mangroves, we protect our fisheries, our towns and ourselves

Mangroves might not look like much. Yes, they can have strange aerial roots. Yes, they're surrounded by oozing mud.

Streets of purple haze: How the South American jacaranda became a symbol of Australian spring

Jacaranda season is beginning across Australia as an explosion of vivid blue spreads in a wave from north to south. We think of jacarandas as a signature tree of various Australian cities. Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth all feature avenues of them.

Detection and extraction of similar features in disease-related gene groups

Multiomics analysis that integrates different layers of profiles altogether is challenging, since the number of variables in profile substantially differ from each other. For instance, gene expression profile and genomic DNA methylation profile are often analyzed together; however, there are only tens of thousands of genes, whereas the number of DNA methylation sites are as many as tens of millions.

Researchers show consequences of inaction on devastating banana disease

Lurking inside the crops of banana-producing-areas in east and central Africa is a disease called Banana Xanthomonas Wilt (BXW)—and new modeling by researchers from the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT has shown that if left uncontrolled, this bacterial disease could cause a 55% reduction in banana production in newly affected regions within 10 years.

Majority of endangered greater glider habitat in Queensland unprotected, shows study

Researchers at Griffith University have discovered that the majority of critical habitat and movement pathways for southern greater gliders in Queensland lie outside of protected areas.

Novel method for high-throughput identification of T. gondii effector proteins that target host cell transcription

Toxoplasma infects a large part of the human population and animals. While most infections are harmless, the parasite poses a severe threat to the immunocompromised and during pregnancy. Toxoplasma is predicted to secrete over 200 proteins into the host cell, and most of these proteins' functions are unknown.

New treaty to protect the world's oceans may hurt vulnerable African fisheries

Following two decades of fierce negotiations, over 60 countries recently signed a UN Ocean Treaty to conserve biodiversity on the high seas.

Early heat and insect strike are stressing urban trees—even as canopy cover drops

Have you noticed street trees looking oddly sad? You're not alone. Normally, spring means fresh green leaves and flowers. But this year, the heat has come early, stressing some trees.

Residential yards as an opportunity for biodiversity conservation

The important role of managing residential gardens and yards to promote biodiversity is the focus of a new study led by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service and co-authored by an academic from Northumbria University.

Precision agriculture and profitability from the perspective of farmers

Since the late 1980s, precision agriculture has become increasingly prevalent on farms across the United States, particularly in America's heartland, where adoption of these practices and technologies is more widespread. Past research has proven these practices and technologies help increase farming efficiency and crop production, enhancing economic viability and reducing environmental problems.

Scientists develop acoustic 3D trapping of microparticles in flowing liquid using circular cavity

A research team from the Suzhou Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Technology (SIBET) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has developed an acoustic trapping chip that can provide three-dimensional (3D) trapping of cells in a continuously flowing medium with a circular resonance structure.

Citizen Science reveals which predator is causing trouble for eider ducks in Iceland

Many birds on islands are threatened by invasive species. A prominent example is the New Zealand kiwi, whose population has been severely reduced by ferrets and other invasive predators. But other birds on other islands are also affected.

Genetically modified food crops yet to crack India's vast farms

As the world's second-largest producer of rice, wheat, vegetables and fruit, India is a country that no multinational corporation involved in genetically modified (GM) crops can ignore.

Not lazy at all: Honey bee drones can be most active members of the colony

Sometimes it is worthwhile to look at the details, to study aspects that seem to be uninteresting or were previously ignored, and see noteworthy phenomena come to light. This has been the experience of honeybee researchers from the Cluster of Excellence Center for the Advanced Study of Collective Behavior (CASCB) at the University of Konstanz and the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior.

The good and bad uses of biomass for California

As California works to meet climate and air quality goals, a key to the transition will come from biomass, which is renewable organic material from plants and animals.

Evolutionary secrets of 'Old Tom' and the killer whales of Eden revealed by genetic study

Evolutionary biologists have for the first time decoded the genetic lineage of a famous killer whale and a pod that once worked alongside whale hunters off the coast of New South Wales.

Understanding of cues between dairy farmers and veterinarians could boost rapport, trust, and outcomes

Effective communication is an essential skill for dairy veterinarians, helping them translate clinical recommendations to their farmers, strengthen the farmer-veterinary relationship, and ultimately benefit the herd. However, less is known about the role of nonverbal communication—eye contact, body orientation, gestures, and more—for veterinarians working in dairy.

Study shows the best way to save giraffes is to support wildlife law enforcement and end poaching

Iconic animals such as giraffes can be flagship species for conservation because of their charisma and popularity among the public. A new study explored the various threats to giraffe populations, and how specific human actions can mediate those threats so that giraffes and people can thrive together in African savannas.

How building waste could be used to grow tomatoes

Highly processed building waste, which usually ends up in landfill, can be used to grow tomatoes, a study from the University of Portsmouth has found. The paper is published in Construction and Building Materials.

Equine feeding methods: Study examines effects on health, well-being

A new study sheds light on how to better care for horses by evaluating the effects different feeding methods have on equine health and well-being, with the results published in the Journal of Equine Veterinary Science.

Swans in Florida that date to Queen Elizabeth II gift are rounded up for their annual physicals

A flock of swans that grew from a gift nearly 70 years ago from Queen Elizabeth II has been rounded up in Florida to ensure they are all healthy.

More methane production: Combining alkaline pretreatment and air mixing for anaerobic digestion

In 2021, the state of Arkansas soared to third place in the United States' broiler production rankings. While this accomplishment brought economic benefits, it also posed a challenge—a surplus of poultry litter (PL) and growing environmental concerns. So, how do we harness this surplus sustainably?

America's farmers are getting older, and young people aren't rushing to join them

On Oct. 12, National Farmers' Day, Americans honor the hardworking people who keep the world fed and clothed.

Rare birdwing butterflies star in federal case against NY man accused of trafficking insects

Birdwing butterflies are among the rarest and largest to grace the planet, their 10-inch wingspans flapping through the rainforests of Southeast Asia and Australia. Their sheer size can make them hard to miss.

Chunky champ: Fat Bear Week winner is crowned

Fat Bear Week 2023 is in the books, with a specimen called 128 Grazer nabbing the title of bulkiest bruin in an Alaskan national park.

Medicine and Health news

CDC study on depression and mortality finds wealth, smoking, and exercise reduce risk of death

US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) researchers in Atlanta have examined the association between depressive symptoms and mortality in a large, diverse, nationally representative sample of US adults.

Bionic hand merges with user's nervous and skeletal systems, remaining functional after years of daily use

Karin's life took a dramatic turn when a farming accident claimed her right arm more than 20 years ago. Since then, she has endured excruciating phantom limb pain. "It felt like I constantly had my hand in a meat grinder, which created a high level of stress and I had to take high doses of various painkillers."

Research finds commonly-used herbicide is harmful to adolescent brain function

Herbicides are the most used class of pesticides worldwide, with uses in agriculture, homes and industry. Exposures to two of the most popular herbicides were associated with worse brain function among adolescents, according to a study led by researchers at the Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science at University of California San Diego.

Researchers develop blood test for early-stage ovarian cancer

High-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSOC) is the most common type of ovarian cancer. It is also the most lethal form, in part because clinicians do not have effective ways to screen women for it during the cancer's early stages, when it's easiest to treat.

How attentional modulation affects neural response covariability in the human brain

A fundamental goal of cognitive neuroscience is to understand how information is encoded and the mechanisms that improve encoding efficiency in the brain. Regulating the response covariability in the neuron population could significantly improve encoding efficiency.

Listen to your heart: AI tool detects cardiac diseases that doctors often miss

When your doctor listens to your heart through a stethoscope they're listening to the distinctive lub-dub sound made by the heart's valves as they open and close, and straining to detect the subtle squelches and murmurs made when valves leak, stick, or slip out of place.

Wildfire smoke drives a rise in ER visits, up to a point

As the intensity of wildfires increase across North America—so do their impacts on our health. Exposure to high levels of smoke can trigger asthma and heart attacks in the short-term, then elevate COPD or take years off one's life expectancy with long-term exposure.

Study links selfies to higher ratings of slimness

In a new study, participants tended to rate women's bodies as slimmer when viewed in selfie photographs than in photographs taken from other angles. Ruth Knight of York St John University, UK, and Catherine Preston of the University of York, UK, presented these findings in the open-access journal PLOS ONE on October 11.

Certain navigational mistakes could be early signs of Alzheimer's disease

People with early Alzheimer's disease have difficulty turning when walking, according to a new study using virtual reality led by UCL researchers.

Disparities persist across levels of surgery department leadership in US

Women and those from racial and ethnic groups underrepresented in medicine (URiM) not only occupy few leadership roles in surgical departments but also tend to be clustered into certain leadership roles, according to a new analysis led by researchers from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. These clusters of roles include vice chairs of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) or wellness, where the promotion path to department chair is unclear.

Microbial metabolites as risk factors for Parkinson's disease

A research team has discovered a microbial metabolite that destroys dopamine-producing neurons. Further experiments showed that Parkinson-like symptoms occur as a result.

Risk factors for dementia vary by ethnicity, study finds

Modifiable risk factors—including hypertension, obesity, diabetes, low HDL cholesterol and sleep disorders—confer a higher risk of dementia for people in some minority ethnic groups compared to White people, according to a new study published in the open-access journal PLOS ONE by Naaheed Mukadam of University College London, UK, and colleagues.

Trial results indicate potential for organ transplantation without long-term immunosuppression

Giving living donor liver transplant recipients an infusion of immune cells derived from their donor a week before transplantation is feasible, safe—and may lead to recipients being successfully weaned off immunosuppressant medications without rejecting the transplanted organ.

Clinical trial finds herbal medicine Sailuotong effective for brain health in older people

Western Sydney University's NICM Health Research Institute has led a world-first clinical trial in Australia that offers new hope in the treatment of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) among older people. The trial's results, published in the journal Alzheimer's and Dementia, signal the efficacy and safety of Sailuotong (SLT), a novel herbal extract, as a potential treatment for MCI.

Canadian wildfire smoke associated with increased asthma cases in NYC

With smoke from Canadian wildfires once again descending on the Northeastern United States, residents of New England and New York are being urged to take precautions to protect their health.

Practicing mindfulness with an app may improve children's mental health

Many studies have found that practicing mindfulness—defined as cultivating an open-minded attention to the present moment—has benefits for children. Children who receive mindfulness training at school have demonstrated improvements in attention and behavior, as well as greater mental health.

Study finds 'universal decolonization' lowers hospital transfers due to infection from MRSA

Nursing homes that use a chlorhexidine bathing routine to clean the skin, and an over-the-counter antiseptic to clean the nose, prevent serious infections and reduce the amount of antibiotic-resistant organisms in the nursing home setting, according to the findings of researchers at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, the University of California, Irvine, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The findings were published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

New methodology to study the intricacies of amyloid plaques in Alzheimer's disease

Researchers have now combined STED microscopy, a technology that allows superresolution visualization, and a recently created new antibody to observe the amyloidogenic aggregates characteristic of Alzheimer's disease. The work, led by scientists from the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), the Karolinska Institute (KI), and the biotechnology company BioArctic, both in Sweden, has surpassed the capabilities of conventional confocal microscopy, and will allow further study of the structure and morphology of amyloid deposits and the mechanisms involved in their formation.

Wearable sensors provide early detection of progression in Parkinson's disease

A team of researchers from the University of Oxford has shown for the first time that it is possible to track the progression of Parkinson's disease accurately using specially trained machine learning algorithms to analyze data derived from sensor devices worn by patients.

An AI tool that can help forecast viral outbreaks

The COVID-19 pandemic seemed like a never-ending parade of SARS-CoV-2 variants, each equipped with new ways to evade the immune system, leaving the world bracing for what would come next.

Revealing how organs self-repair could lead to safer regenerative therapies

Understanding how damaged organs heal themselves is important for scientists trying to develop treatments that regenerate injured, diseased, or aged tissue.

Scientists uncover key mechanism linking DNA replication to cancer

Researchers have gained a clearer insight into how common alterations to the structure of DNA affect the process of DNA replication.

Omega-3 discovery moves us closer to 'precision nutrition' for better health

University of Virginia School of Medicine researchers have obtained new insights into how African-American and Hispanic-American people's genes influence their ability to use Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids for good health. The findings are an important step toward "precision nutrition"—where a diet tailored to exactly what our bodies need can help us live longer, healthier lives.

Does cannabis affect surgical outcomes? We need more data

After alcohol, marijuana is the most commonly used recreational substance among U.S. adults and adolescents. Up to 22 million Americans 12 or older use cannabis. In a 2022 survey by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, 0.7% of 8th graders, 2.1% of 10th graders, and 6.3% of 12th graders reported using marijuana 20 times or more in the past 30 days.

Researchers unravel cross-species pain-preferential neural pathway

Researchers have uncovered a neural pathway preferentially involved in pain perception across species. The study was led by Profs. Tu Yiheng and Hu Li from the Institute of Psychology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and was published in Nature Human Behaviour on Oct. 9.

Researchers shed light on protein's role in lactation as well as breast cancer

Milk production in mammals is a crucial process for the organism, perfected along the course of evolution. It is regulated by sophisticated molecular mechanisms still under investigation. A new study published in Nature Communications comes a step closer towards understanding them, as it delves into the role of a protein, called RANK, which is essential for the functionality of mammary glands, and is also key in breast cancer.

Jet lag disorder associated with shift work can lead to brain changes increasing appetite

Scientists have uncovered why night shift work is associated with changes in appetite in a new University of Bristol-led study. The findings, published in Communications Biology, could help the millions of people that work through the night and struggle with weight gain.

Fruit fly serenade: Neuroscientists decode their tiny mating song

Love songs are at least as popular in the animal kingdom as on the radio. The importance of musically serenading your true love has driven plotlines from Twelfth Night to The Trumpet of the Swan to Happy Feet.

No benefit in common shoulder treatment over placebo, finds study

A saline injection treatment widely used for calcific tendinopathy—a common, painful condition caused by a build-up of calcium in the rotator cuff tendons of the shoulder—provides no meaningful benefit over placebo, concludes a trial published by The BMJ today.

Novel drug, NFX-179, found to inhibit MEK activity, prevent cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma development

Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma is the second most common type of skin cancer in the United States, impacting approximately 700,000 people each year. While medications exist to prevent the development of disease, they are associated with side effects, suggesting the need for new drugs that can be safely used to prevent it.

Study: AI speeds up identification of brain tumor type and can be used during surgery

What type of brain tumor does this patient have? AI technology helps to determine this as early as during surgery, within 1.5 hours. This process would normally take a week. The new technology allows neurosurgeons to adjust their surgical strategies on the spot. Today, researchers from UMC Utrecht and researchers, pathologists and neurosurgeons from the Princess Máxima Center for pediatric oncology and Amsterdam UMC have published a study on this topic in Nature.

Study uncovers how the gut's microbiome boosts immune development

A study is shedding new light on how the gut's microbial communities contribute to a well-functioning immune system and defend against harmful pathogens.

Researchers reconstruct speech from brain activity, illuminating complex neural processes

Speech production is a complex neural phenomenon that has left researchers explaining it tongue-tied. Separating out the complex web of neural regions controlling precise muscle movement in the mouth, jaw and tongue with the regions processing the auditory feedback of hearing your own voice is a complex problem, and one that has to be overcome for the next generation of speech-producing protheses.

Chronic kidney disease may be linked to sudden cardiac arrest in Hispanic/Latino adults

Chronic kidney disease may increase risk and predict sudden cardiac arrest among Hispanic/Latino adults, according to new research published today in the Journal of the American Heart Association.

Study points to new possibilities for treating lung cancer patients

Currently, researchers from different institutions in the world are testing a drug against obesity and diabetes, and now a Danish led research team reports that the same substance has had a beneficial effect on mice with experimental lung cancer.

Diagnosing serious geriatric diseases with glutamine sensor

In 2023, life expectancy in Korea will be 83.6 years, the third highest among OECD countries, and it is steadily increasing every year. As the proportion of the elderly population increases, the social cost of treating various geriatric diseases is also increasing rapidly, and there is a growing interest in early diagnosis of diseases.

Stretchable multi-channel ionotronic electrodes developed for monitoring of muscle–vascular activity

In-situ dual-modal detection of electrophysiology and blood oxygen during muscle–vascular activity requires an integrated monitoring system comprising a transparent electrode for electrophysiology detection directly adhered to skin and a near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRs) layer for blood oxygen detection.

Exploring the ribosome–depression link

A group of ribosomal protein genes connect animal models of depression to human patients with major depressive disorder. In order to research depression treatments, scientists use a mouse model, inducing a state with similarities to depression though exposure to variable, unpredictable, and uncontrolled stressors over days or weeks. But is this state molecularly akin to what humans with major depressive disorder experience?

Q&A: Sounding the alarm about disposable plastic in the health care industry

To Jodi Sherman's way of thinking, the Hippocratic Oath's vow of doing no harm includes doing no harm to the planet—particularly when it comes to the sea of single-use plastic flooding the health care industry.

Pleural mesothelioma: New therapeutic approach enhances sensitivity to chemo- and radiotherapy

Pleural mesothelioma (PM) is mainly caused by asbestos exposure and characterized by poor prognosis and limited therapeutic options. A recent research study led by Karin Schelch and Michael Grusch from MedUni Vienna identified the oncoprotein YB-1 as an attractive therapeutic target in PM and demonstrates that indirect targeting of YB-1 is a promising approach to enhance sensitivity to chemo- and radiotherapy. The study results were published in the journal Cancer Letters.

Making preventive care fair—new approaches like self-testing at home can save lives and promote health equity

A fresh approach to preventive care is overdue to make health outcomes more fair. Inequities based on racialization, income and gender mean that we need to urgently change the way care is provided. Lives hang in the balance, especially for those who face barriers to care.

What is the OMAD diet? Is one meal a day actually good for weight loss? And is it safe?

What do British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and singer Bruce Springsteen have in common?

Why taking a trauma- and violence-informed approach can make sports safer and more equitable

Spanish football player Jenni Hermoso accused Spanish football chief Luis Rubiales of sexual assault in September after he kissed her on the lips without her consent during the FIFA Women's World Cup award ceremony.

How loneliness changes the way our brains process the world

If there's one thing we as humans seem to have in common, it's that most of us have felt lonely at one time or another. But is the pain that comes with feeling socially isolated simply a part of being human? Why does the world seem so different when we're feeling lonely?

What's insomnia like for most people who can't sleep? You'd never know from the movies

Hollywood appears fascinated by sleep's impact on the mind and body. Blockbuster movies featuring someone living with insomnia include "Sleepless in Seattle" (1993), "Fight Club" (1999) and "Insomnia" (2002).

Unvaccinated COVID-19 survivors face higher risk of heart complications, Singapore study finds

Unvaccinated people who have recovered from COVID-19 are at heightened risk of heart complications almost a year later, a national study led by Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) and affiliated faculty has found.

Forxiga trial shows clinically meaningful improvements in glycemic control among patients aged 10–17 years

Positive results from the T2NOW Phase III trial demonstrated significant reduction in A1C, a marker of average blood sugar, for patients treated with Forxiga (dapagliflozin) compared with patients receiving placebo. Adjusted mean change in A1C was −0.62% for Forxiga versus +0.41% for placebo, a difference of −1.03% (95% CI: -1.57-0.49; p

Medicare Advantage's role in reducing health care cost differs by patient's condition: Study

More than 18% of the U.S. population ($65 million people) are enrolled in Medicare, the federal insurance program for older adults and some people who have a disability. People who qualify have two options to receive benefits: (1) traditional Medicare or (2) Medicare Advantage (MA) where care is offered by private insurance firms approved by Medicare.

As menthol ban nears, big tobacco is adding synthetic version to cigarettes instead

Cigarette makers are using synthetic menthol substitutes in what appears to be an effort to skirt a looming federal menthol ban, researchers say.

FDA warns of dangers of compounded ketamine for psychiatric use

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning consumers about risks of using compounded versions of the drug ketamine, often taken for psychiatric disorders.

Local rates of flu, RSV show up in a city's wastewater

Toilet bowls reveal much about the health of a community, alerting scientists to coming outbreaks of flu and other seasonal viruses, researchers say.

Nasal spray COVID vaccine shows promise in early trial

New research points to the potential of a COVID-19 vaccine delivered through the nose.

Flu shots up for children in states with vaccine mandate

Children living in states with a vaccine mandate during the 2020 to 2021 influenza season had a higher predicted probability of receiving an influenza vaccine, according to a study published online Oct. 10 in Pediatrics.

Stroke mortality set to increase to 9.7 million in 2050

Stroke mortality is projected to increase to 9.7 million deaths by 2050, according to a report issued by the World Stroke Organization-Lancet Neurology Commission on Stroke and published online Oct. 9 in The Lancet Neurology.

Use of rapid tests to diagnose TB among people with HIV in Africa has increased, but barriers remain

Use of the LF-LAM rapid test to diagnose TB in people living with HIV has increased in recent years. However, lack of funding is one of the main barriers to its implementation, according to a study conducted by Kaila Aguiar Soares, student in ISGlobal's Master of Global Health, and published in the European Respiratory Journal.

Q&A: Homing in on the importance of diversity in research

Hispanic Heritage Month pays tribute to the history, culture and traditions of Americans of Hispanic ancestry.

Mothers of color can't see if providers have a history of mistreatment. Why not?

When Selam Solomon Caldwell and her husband learned she was pregnant last year, the stakes for finding the right OB-GYN felt high. Caldwell, a Black woman, had heard stories from family and friends of maternity care providers who ignored their requests or pressured them into cesarean sections without clear medical justification.

Editorial: Recognizing women's experiences is key to understanding inequalities in breast cancer screening uptake

A new editorial explores the wide array of reasons why women who migrate to a new country are less like to attend screening for breast cancer than women born in that country.

People in crisis do better with their pets, researchers say

Evidence shows human and pet support services should be integrated to avoid people having to relinquish their pets in a time of crisis. Keeping them often results in better health outcomes for both the owner and animal.

Your immune system makes its own antiviral drug—and it's likely one of the most ancient

Antiviral drugs are generally considered to be a 20th century invention. But recent research has uncovered an unexpected facet to your immune system: It can synthesize its own antiviral molecules in response to viral infections.

Access to mental health care for migrants and refugees must be strengthened, says WHO report

Health workers need support to provide culturally sensitive care for refugees and migrants, says a new wide-ranging policy report from the World Health Organization into the mental health of migrants and refugees.

Shadow work: Why you should be cautious of the TikTok self-help trend

I doubt the psychologist Carl Gustav Jung (1875-1961), in all his prescience, would have predicted that his work would one day fuel a TikTok trend called "shadow work."

Examining immune system disorders in women with silicone breast implants

Scientists from the St Petersburg University Laboratory of the Mosaic of Autoimmunity have conducted a comprehensive examination of women who have undergone silicone augmentation mammoplasty. The doctors have found a slight increase in the level of autoantibodies against the hormone receptor that controls the functioning of the thyroid gland.

Metformin cuts insulin resistance and chances of kidney disease in young, obese rats

Improving insulin resistance with metformin, a medication used to treat type 2 diabetes, reduced the chances of developing kidney disease in a prepubescent obese rat model, according to a new study from the University of Mississippi Medical Center. Treatment with metformin also reduced early signs of inflammation and dyslipidemia (imbalance of fats such as cholesterol and triglycerides).

Report: Impacts of climate change threaten children's mental health starting before birth

Climate change poses a particular threat to children and youth, starting before birth and potentially derailing the normal development of physiological systems, cognitive abilities and emotional skills in ways that are sometimes irreversible, according to a report released by the American Psychological Association and ecoAmerica.

Detecting Parkinson's disease decades before symptoms appear

Researchers at The Florey and Austin Health have shown it is possible to detect tell-tale signs of Parkinson's disease 20–30 years before symptoms appear. Their work opens the door to screening programs and preventative treatments long before irreversible damage is done.

The intricate mechanism behind the immune system's ability to differentiate between self and non-self antigens

A new study, led by Professor Kyemyung Park and his research team in the Graduate School of Health Science and Technology and the Department of Biomedical Engineering at UNIST has shed light on the intricate mechanism behind the immune system's ability to differentiate between self and non-self antigens. Their research, published in Trends in Immunology, presents a novel quantitative framework that could pave the way for predictive models in immune-related disease treatment response.

New study finds link between subjective and objective memory decline

Among people who report memory and thinking problems, some show no signs of a problem on standard tests, while others have subtle declines on their tests. A new study shows that people who have subtle problems with these tests may have an increased risk of developing mild cognitive impairment, which can be a precursor to dementia. The study is published in Neurology.

New guidance issued on the determination of brain death

New guidance has been issued for clinicians on the determination of brain death, also known as death by neurologic criteria. A new consensus practice guideline, developed through a collaboration between the American Academy of Neurology (AAN), the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the Child Neurology Society (CNS), and the Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM) is published in the October 11, 2023, online issue of Neurology.

Blocking immune molecule reduces tumor growth, prolongs survival of most aggressive childhood cancer in animal models

Researchers have confirmed that blocking an immune checkpoint molecule reduces tumor size and prolongs survival in animal models of the most aggressive childhood cancer. This study, carried out by researchers from Cima and the Clínica Universidad de Navarra, together with the international cooperative group Diffuse Midline Glioma (DMG-ACT), shows that inhibition of TIM-3 promotes the immune memory of diffuse intrinsic stem glioma (DIPG) and improves the prognosis of the disease.

AI software shows significant improvement in skin cancer detection, new study shows

Skin cancer detection using artificial intelligence (AI) software has rapidly improved, new research has shown, with the latest software reaching a 100% detection rate for melanoma.

Uncovering the emotional scars: Study reveals significant stigma associated with female adult acne

New research reveals that acne significantly influences how individuals are perceived in social settings. Faces with acne are seen as less attractive, trustworthy, confident, successful, dominant and happy, with adult female acne having the strongest negative effect.

Study links intestinal glycan modifications to obesity and inflammation

Located in the mucus layer that lines the gastrointestinal tract, mucins—proteins with attached sugar molecules—play a key role in combating bacterial infection and providing a safe haven to friendly gut bacteria through unknown mechanisms. Although mucin dysregulation leads to metabolic disease and intestinal inflammation, the associated mechanism remains largely unknown.

Q&A: Why patients say they want to take fewer prescription meds, but won't when offered

A majority of older adults in multiple national surveys have reported a willingness to take fewer medications, but a University of Michigan study explores why many would not agree to stop a medication when recommended by their primary care doctor.

First large study of hair relaxers among black women finds increased risk of uterine cancer

Chemical hair relaxers are heavily marketed to, and commonly used by, Black women to straighten curly or tightly coiled hair. These products are only loosely regulated and are known to contain potentially harmful ingredients, including chemicals known as endocrine disruptors which can be absorbed via inhalation or through the skin. Prior studies have linked these chemicals to a wide range of women's reproductive health outcomes.

A pan-cancer platform to help guide patient selection for personalized immunotherapy

Immunotherapy is a type of cancer treatment that boosts the immune system to fight cancer by helping it to recognize and attack tumor cells. While this therapeutic strategy continues to revolutionize the treatment of an increasing number of tumor types, it fails to achieve clinical responses in many patients and does not yield benefit in the treatment of many cancers. There is therefore an unmet clinical need to identify predictive biomarkers of response for selecting those patients who would most likely benefit from immune-based therapies.

Climate change will harm children's mental health: report

Raging wildfires, droughts, floods and record-breaking heat brought on by climate change are taking a toll on kids' already fragile mental health.

New research finds greater continuity of psychotherapy after shift to telehealth

The rapid transition to virtual care that occurred with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in better continuity of psychotherapy visits compared to prior to the pandemic when almost all visits were in-person, according to new research published in Psychiatric Services. In addition, the time between appointments grew shorter after the transition to virtual care. The study results highlight the benefits of continued availability of virtual psychotherapy.

COVID-19 vaccination: How the body builds immune memory in organs

One shot in the arm, and the whole body is protected. But how? For one thing, the immune system produces antibodies and cells that patrol the entire organism by traveling through the bloodstream. For another, as shown by a recent Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin study of the mRNA coronavirus vaccines, the body builds local immune memory in various organs.

Prevalence of malaria infections found to vary among migrant populations

The prevalence of malaria infections among migrants from sub-Saharan Africa is considerably high (8%), while Asian and Latin American migrants have a much lower prevalence, according to a study by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal). These findings can help inform screening strategies to combat malaria infections in migrant populations.

Exploring Indigenous concepts of consciousness

In a world where scientific advancements continually shape our understanding of the universe, a new study sheds light on the immense potential of Indigenous concepts and meanings for contemporary science. The study explores how this ancient wisdom represents adaptive solutions in various environmental and social contexts, sparking inspiration for the scientific community.

A step towards AI-based precision medicine

Artificial intelligence, AI, which finds patterns in complex biological data could eventually contribute to the development of individually tailored health care. Researchers at Linköping University, Sweden, have developed an AI-based method applicable to various medical and biological issues. Their models can for instance accurately estimate people's chronological age and determine whether they have been smokers or not.

Major advance for detecting brain conditions in babies

Research by experts at King's and Evelina London Children's Hospital has found major advances for detecting brain conditions in babies using portable MRI scanners.

Suppression of cancer stemness and drug resistance via BRAF/EGFR/MEK inhibition in colorectal cancer cells

A new research paper titled "Inhibiting BRAF/EGFR/MEK suppresses cancer stemness and drug resistance of primary colorectal cancer cells" has been published in Oncotarget.

More than two million years of life lost to cancer in the UK each year

Over two million years of life are lost to cancer in the UK every year, according to new research published today in the British Journal of Cancer.

California becomes first state to ban four additives in food

California has become the first state to ban four chemicals commonly added to food that are linked to health issues.

The hidden costs of engineered stone countertops

I renovated my kitchen two years ago, and now I can't help but wonder: Is someone sick or dying because of my design choices?

How should I add sunscreen to my skincare routine?

Sun exposure is the number one cause of skin cancer—including the most deadly form, melanoma. High levels of sun exposure cause an estimated 7,200 melanomas in Australia each year.

Vienna drugstores offer free period products for women in need

Austria's capital Vienna on Wednesday rolled out a program to combat "period poverty" with drugstores offering free sanitary products to disadvantaged women.

Survey shows job worries are keeping Americans awake at night

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) polled about 2,000 U.S. adults, finding that 69% reported lost sleep due to concerns about job security and 75% were kept up with thoughts about whether the United States would enter a recession.

Surgical options to treat brachial plexus injuries

Severe damage to the brachial plexus—the group of nerves that control the movements of your hands, arms and wrists—can leave your entire hand and arm paralyzed.

'What did the doctor say?' Boosting health literacy falls on more than just the patient

The responsibility of understanding what a health care professional is saying during a visit to the doctor's office falls on more than just the patient.

Video: Psoriasis of the scalp

Dr. Dawn Davis, a dermatologist at Mayo Clinic, says psoriasis is a multisystem inflammatory disorder primarily affecting the skin. She says psoriasis is inherited, and more people might have genes that make them more likely to develop the condition.

Other Sciences news

Mummified poop reveals pre-Columbian cultures of the Caribbean consumed a diversity of plants

DNA analysis of mummified poop reveals two pre-Columbian Caribbean cultures ate a wide variety of plants, like maize, sweet potato, and peanuts—and tobacco and cotton traces were detected too, according to a study published October 11, 2023 in the open-access journal PLOS ONE by Jelissa Reynoso-García from the University of Puerto Rico, Puerto Rico, and colleagues.

Flipped coins found not to be as fair as thought

A large team of researchers affiliated with multiple institutions across Europe, has found evidence backing up work by Persi Diaconis in 2007 in which he suggested tossed coins are more likely to land on the same side they started on, rather than on the reverse. The team conducted experiments designed to test the randomness of coin flipping and posted their results on the arXiv preprint server.

Experiencing record-breaking heat days affects perception of weather trends, study shows

New research published by a team at the Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania finds that experiencing days in which the temperature exceeds previous highs for that time of year affects people's perception of weather trends.

Scientific analysis reveals the true colors of the Parthenon Sculptures

New imaging and scientific investigations by a team including a King's College London academic has found traces of the original paint used to decorate the Parthenon Sculptures, revealing they were once in fact brightly colored.

In Colombian jungle, digging up the Americas' colonial past

With brushes and trowels, Indigenous Colombians are unearthing traces in the jungle of a tragic period in history, when their ancestors were violently supplanted by colonists from Spain.

65+ age group to outnumber under-15s in Europe by 2024

People aged 65 and older will outnumber under-15s in Europe by 2024, the World Health Organization said Wednesday, warning of new social, economic and health challenges.

Researcher: Trauma, histories of victimhood will influence Israeli response

Palestinian militants launched an unprecedented attack on Israel, killing nearly 900 Israelis and taking 150 more hostage. The hostages include civilians, children, elderly and soldiers. The attack, which many have compared to the 9/11 terrorist attack on the United States, took the world and the Israeli military by surprise.

Airbnb study sheds light on whether incentivizing customer reviews makes a difference

New research focused on whether incentivizing would-be online reviewers to post reviews can make a difference for the seller has shed new light on the role those reviews play in sales and revenue outcomes.

Older people use mobile phones more in countries with more affordable rates: Study

Older people in Spain and Israel use their smartphones more than those in Canada and Romania. The main reason is that Spaniards and Israelis can access more affordable mobile internet rates compared to other telecommunications services. This is revealed by an international study, led by three researchers from the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC), which disproves the idea that growing older means using digital technologies less.

Experts call for more evidence as medical and teacher education embrace simulation technologies

Researchers are urging an evidence-based approach to the use of simulations to train medics and teachers, amid signs that technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and mixed reality could reshape education in both professions.

Students understand calculus better when the lessons are active

College students learn more calculus in an active learning course in which students solve problems during class than in a traditional lecture-based course. That's according to a peer-reviewed study my colleagues and I published in Science. We also found that college students better understood complex calculus concepts and earned better grades in the active learning course.

Men tend to outnumber women in rural areas due to gender-specific migration, says paper

The main reason for an unbalanced sex ratio in most countries is gender-selective migration. Without sex-selective international migration, country-level sex ratios for young adults would be balanced in almost all countries of the world.

Youth hostels face tough times—but they are perfect for authentic, spontaneous experiences, says researcher

When the New Zealand branch of the Youth Hostel Association (YHA) collapsed in 2021 and the country's 11 hostels were forced to close, staff and punters alike were shocked. General manager Simon Cartwright cited the pandemic as the primary cause of the downturn in tourism revenues and the association's financial woes. "YHA," he said, "has been a cornerstone of youth travel in New Zealand for 89 years."

Is less more? Or is less sometimes less? Examining the consumer trend toward minimalist packaging

Researchers from Texas Christian University, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and University of Georgia published a new Journal of Marketing article that examines the consumer trend towards minimalist packaging in consumable products.

Study shows record-breaking advertising expenses on films pay off

Films, video games, music releases—the entertainment industry is well known for its high spending on advertising. The marketing budget of blockbuster film Barbie was even greater than its total production costs. A new meta-analysis shows that this approach is worthwhile. Increasing spending on film ads by one percent increases revenue by 0.33 percent—nearly three times as much as in other industries.

Sexual and reproductive health rights of women, girls and marginalized people missing from most national climate plans

Only a third of countries that have published plans to limit greenhouse gas emissions and prepare for climate shocks have committed to upholding the sexual and reproductive health rights of women, girls and other marginalized people in these plans, according to a new report from Queen Mary University of London and UNFPA, the UN's sexual and reproductive health agency.

Study shows testimonials can open acceptance to differing opinions on controversial topics

It's hard to change people's minds, especially on a topic they feel strongly about. But a new study from the University of Kansas shows that testimonials about a person's lived experience can open people to acceptance of attitudes different than their own on controversial topics. That could go a long way in helping communicators reach people on important topics regarding health, life, death and other difficult to discuss issues, researchers say.

Donkeys could help protect Ethiopian women from destitution, study finds

Donkeys are vital to the lives of women in Ethiopia and could be the difference between destitution and modest survival, new research has found. The study also revealed that societal perception of donkeys as low-status animals has an impact on both the owners' lives and the well-being of the donkeys.

Urban planning researcher finds relationship between underfunded public schools and corporate tax breaks

Use of corporate tax breaks to spur economic development appears to be connected with public school underfunding, said Dr. Christine Wen, Texas A&M assistant professor of urban planning, in her recently published study that examined the relationship between business incentives and school finances in nine U.S. states.

The cultural impacts of Australian kids' TV last for decades, says report

What has made Australian children's television distinctive over the decades? Why do adults use digital platforms to engage with shows from their childhood? In what ways does local children's television influence how the population understands what it means to be Australian?

Q&A: Experts discuss the affordable housing crisis

Cities across the country are feeling the weight of a shortage of affordable housing. Economic growth, fluctuating interest rates and an expanding short-term rental market have collided with supply shortages and antiquated zoning laws to place an even greater strain.

Consumers angry at retail industry for producing plastic waste, study finds

British consumers are angry at the retail industry for producing plastic waste and frustrated with current reuse and recycling systems, according to research from the University of Sheffield.


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