Science X Newsletter Tue, Nov 28

Dear ,

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

Spotlight Stories Headlines

Meta AI develops a non-invasive method to decode speech from brain activity

An approach that allows robots to learn in changing environments from human feedback and exploration

New protocluster of massive quiescent galaxies discovered

Compact accelerator technology achieves major energy milestone

ChatGPT creates persuasive, phony medical report

Female toxin-producing newts are surprisingly more poisonous than males

Myth of room temperature superconductivity in LK-99 is shattered

Next-gen computing: Hard-to-move quasiparticles glide up pyramid edges

Malfunction in spermatogenesis: Researchers uncover contribution of cylicin proteins to male fertility

Scientists develop new approach for single-shot characterization of ultrashort free-electron laser pulses

Study shows the ability of some molecules to modify the surface of nanoparticles

Unlocking the secrets of peptide sequences in cells with AI

AI predicts developmental paths in premature babies

Improved water electrolysis performance and stability bring commercialization of green hydrogen one step closer

Marine biota birth new atmospheric particles in the South Pacific Ocean

Nanotechnology news

	Next-gen computing: Hard-to-move quasiparticles glide up pyramid edges A new kind of "wire" for moving excitons, developed at the University of Michigan, could help enable a new class of devices, perhaps including room temperature quantum computers.
	Study shows the ability of some molecules to modify the surface of nanoparticles Nanoparticles have unique properties that make them exceptional tools with a variety of applications, from medicine to electronics. One of the lesser-known facts about them is that their surface plays a crucial role in their behavior and functionality.
	Researchers triple carbon nanotube yield for LEDs, solar cells, flexible and transparent electronics Skoltech scientists have found a way to improve the most widely used technology for producing single-walled carbon nanotube films—a promising material for solar cells, LEDs, flexible and transparent electronics, smart textiles, medical imaging, toxic gas detectors, filtration systems, and more. By adding hydrogen gas along with carbon monoxide to the reaction chamber, the team managed to almost triple carbon nanotube yield compared with when other growth promoters are used, without compromising quality.
	Nano-sized cell particles are promising intervention tool in treating infectious diseases, says study The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated the importance of being prepared with drug interventions to contain viral outbreaks that can otherwise have devastating consequences. In preparing for the next pandemic—or Disease X, there is an urgent need for versatile platform technologies that could be repurposed upon short notice to combat infectious outbreaks.
	Investigating and fine-tuning the properties of 'magic' graphene Recent advances in the development of devices made of 2D materials are paving the way for new technological capabilities, especially in the field of quantum technology. So far, however, little research has been carried out into energy losses in strongly interacting systems.
	Is graphene the best heat conductor? Researchers investigate with four-phonon scattering Graphene, a material which consists of a single layer of carbon atoms, has been celebrated by many as the "next big thing" in material science. But according to Purdue University researchers, its thermal properties may not be as revolutionary as previously thought.
	Biomimetic crystallization for long-pursued –COOH-functionalized gold nanocluster with near-infrared phosphorescence Recently, Professor Di Sun's group at Shandong University extended the salting-out method (commonly used to crystallize biological macromolecules, proteins, and DNA) to crystallize –COOH-functionalized AuNCs and obtained high-quality single crystals of three novel –COOH-functionalized Au25 nanoclusters, revealing the crystallographic structure of long-pursued –COOH-functionalized AuNCs.

Physics news

	Compact accelerator technology achieves major energy milestone Particle accelerators hold great potential for semiconductor applications, medical imaging and therapy, and research in materials, energy and medicine. But conventional accelerators require plenty of elbow room—kilometers—making them expensive and limiting their presence to a handful of national labs and universities.
	Myth of room temperature superconductivity in LK-99 is shattered In a study published Nov. 24 in Matter, researchers led by Prof. Luo Jianlin from the Institute of Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) have observed that Pb10-xCux(PO4)6O (0.9
	Scientists develop new approach for single-shot characterization of ultrashort free-electron laser pulses Scientists at the Shanghai Advanced Research Institute (SARI) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences have proposed and validated a novel approach for single-shot characterization of ultrashort free-electron laser pulses based on self-referenced spectral interferometry. Their innovative approach, published in Physical Review Letters, offers a promising solution to the challenges of ultrafast scientific experiments.
	LHCb: Correlations show nuances of the particle birth process High-energy ion collisions at the Large Hadron Collider are capable of producing a quark-gluon plasma. But are heavy atomic nuclei really necessary for its formation? And above all: how are secondary particles later born from this plasma? Further clues in the search for answers to these questions are provided by the latest analysis of collisions between protons and protons or ions, observed in the LHCb experiment.
	Exotic atomic nucleus sheds light on the world of quarks Experiments at CERN and the Accelerator Laboratory in Jyväskylä, Finland, have revealed that the radius of an exotic nucleus of aluminum, 26mAl, is much larger than previously thought. The result, described in a paper just published in Physical Review Letters, sheds light on the effects of the weak force on quarks—the elementary particles that make up protons, neutrons and other composite particles.
	Physicists discover molecule-like structure of nuclear ground state Scientists from the Institute of Modern Physics (IMP) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), along with their collaborators, have recently discovered a molecular-type structure in the ground state of atomic nuclei. The study was published in Physical Review Letters.
	The secret life of an electromagnon: Research takes a step toward ultrafast control of magnetism with light Scientists have revealed how lattice vibrations and spins talk to each other in a hybrid excitation known as an electromagnon. To achieve this, they used a unique combination of experiments at the X-ray free electron laser SwissFEL. Understanding this fundamental process at the atomic level opens the door to ultrafast control of magnetism with light.
	Do the bump: Scientists perfect miniaturized technique to generate precise wavelengths of visible laser light In research, sometimes the bumpy path proves to be the best one. By creating tiny, periodic bumps in a miniature racetrack for light, researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and their colleagues at the Joint Quantum Institute (JQI), a research partnership between the University of Maryland and NIST, have converted near-infrared (NIR) laser light into specific desired wavelengths of visible light with high accuracy and efficiency.
	Vectorial adaptive optics: Correcting both polarization and phase Adaptive optics (AO) is a technique used for real-time correction of phase aberrations by employing feedback to adjust the optical system. Polarization aberrations represent another significant type of distortion that can impact optical systems. Various factors, such as stressed optical elements, Fresnel effects, and polarizing effects in materials or biological tissues, can induce polarization aberrations. These aberrations affect both system resolution and the accuracy of vector information.
	Gaining more control over the fabrication of surface micro/nano structures using ultrafast lasers Surface functionalization via micro/nano structuring is not only a thriving research area inspired by bionics but also of great importance for various practical applications. The key to achieving various surface functions is the fabrication of surface micro/nano structures with controlled dimensions, hierarchies, and compositions, which is driving the continuous progress of micro/nano fabrication techniques.

Earth news

	Marine biota birth new atmospheric particles in the South Pacific Ocean An international team of marine biogeochemist and atmospheric scientists have made a rare discovery in the almost uncharted atmosphere of the South Pacific Ocean. They found that nocturnal nanoparticle bursts that contain nitrogenous compounds originate when marine micro-organisms apparently shield themselves from UV radiation. These particles help form clouds over the ocean, which reduces warming of the climate.
	New study reveals how pollution affects clouds and climate A recent study reveals the profound impact of pollution on cloud behavioוr. This newfound understanding illuminates the intricate ways in which pollution alters our climate. Such research marks a significant advance in comprehending the influence of pollution on our weather and broader climate dynamics. Emphasizing the need to factor in both localized cloud formations and overarching climate patterns, it underscores the criticality of considering all scales in studying the effects of pollution on our climate.
	How can we evaluate the quality of global water models? A new international study has tested the extent to which global water models agree with one another and with observational data. Using a new evaluation approach, the research team, which includes IIASA researchers, can show in which climate regions the models agree and where they differ.
	Scientists track rapid retreat of Antarctic glacier Scientists are warning that apparently stable glaciers in the Antarctic can "switch very rapidly" and lose large quantities of ice as a result of warmer oceans.
	No easy way to communicate the impacts of climate change, says study In a new article titled "Using virtual simulations of future extreme weather events to communicate climate change risk and published in PLOS Climate," Singapore Management University Assistant Professor of Urban Sustainability Terry van Gevelt and his research team have completed part one of a larger study.
	India hopes cloud seeding can wash away deadly smog Indian scientists are preparing cloud seeding technology to clean poisonous smog in the capital with rain, but environmental critics fear it is an expensive distraction from tackling root causes.
	A showdown over deep sea mining is taking place in the Pacific Activists from Greenpeace International have boarded a ship that is conducting deep sea mining research in the Pacific Ocean, vowing to occupy the vessel until it abandons the expedition.
	Living in a +50°C world: Cooling must be considered critical infrastructure, says new report Experts from the University of Birmingham are calling for global cooling and cold chain to be considered as critical infrastructure as the planet continues to heat.
	COP28: Inside the United Arab Emirates, the oil giant hosting 2023 climate change summit The United Arab Emirates (UAE), the world's seventh largest oil producer, will host the 28th UN climate change summit (COP28) in Dubai from November 30 to December 12. Presiding over the conference will be the chief executive of the UAE state-owned oil company Adnoc, Sultan al-Jaber.
	Bolstered by buoys: Predicting El Niño The El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO)—the climate phenomenon comprising the warm El Niño, cool La Niña, and neutral climate phases—occurs on a cycle that lasts 2–7 years. When it forms, ENSO drives irregular weather that can spark wildfires, cause drought or flooding, and disrupt agricultural production. Because of its global impacts, accurately forecasting ENSO's extremes is vital for human health and economies.
	Natural disaster risk modeling is a reliable, affordable way to estimate expected riverine flood damage: Study In recent months, rivers overflowing their banks have caused property damage and loss of life in France, Italy, Mexico, and South Africa, underscoring the increasing perils of climate change.
	Three reasons why removing grazing animals from Australia's arid lands for carbon credits is a bad idea If you run a large polluting facility and can't work out how to actually cut emissions, you might buy carbon credits to offset your emissions from the Australian Carbon Credit Unit Scheme. These credits are meant to represent carbon taken back out of the atmosphere and stored in growing trees or in the soil.
	A Peruvian farmer is trying to hold energy giant RWE responsible for climate change—the inside story On a crisp, sunny day high in the Peruvian Andes, two German judges gaze across a mountain lake to the towering white glaciers in the distance. Dark spots are visible on the pristine ice and, in quiet moments, the cold wind carries the sounds of creaking and cracking.
	Dallas-Fort Worth air quality continues to miss EPA goals for safety Air quality in the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area continues to miss safety levels set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and is unlikely to meet EPA goals anytime soon, according to new research from The University of Texas at Arlington.
	Wetlands offer greater cumulative benefit for flood control: Study Adding multiple smaller wetlands to the landscape can make large reservoirs more effective at flood control, according to a new study from Tulane University published in Environmental Research Letters.
	In California, 600 years' worth of tree rings reveal climate risks An interdisciplinary collaboration used 600 years' worth of tree rings from the San Joaquin Valley to reconstruct plausible daily records of weather and streamflow scenarios during that period. Modeling based on those scenarios revealed the region has experienced vast variability in climate extremes, with droughts and floods that were more severe and lasted longer than what has been seen in the modern record.
	Commitments needed to solve aviation's impact on our climate, says new research Concerted efforts and commitments are needed to solve the complex trade-offs involved in reducing the impact of aviation on the climate, according to new research.
	Minerals and land use determine carbon storage in soils, finds study Carbon sequestration in soils can contribute to mitigate climate change, and soil organic matter associated with minerals has the highest capacity to store carbon. A team of researchers, including scientists from the Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry and the Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, assessed the factors controlling mineral-associated organic matter.
	Analyses of the Kahramanmaraş earthquake from February 2023 On February 6, 2023, the devastating magnitude MW 7.8 Kahramanmaraş earthquake in South East Türkiye ruptured multiple fault segments of the "East Anatolian Fault Zone' separating the Anatolian and Arabian tectonic plates.
	Q&A: Fighting climate despair—what to do to make a difference Individual action may seem like a drop in the bucket when it comes to tackling climate change. The scale of the problem is so immense that a poll reported that more than half of young people in 10 surveyed countries, including the U.S., feel helpless, believing humanity is doomed because of climate change.
	An adaptive representation model to efficiently represent geoscience knowledge A geoscience knowledge graph (GKG) is an effective way of organizing various geoscience knowledge into a machine-understandable and computable semantic network. However, existing knowledge graph representation models leverage fixed tuples that are limited in fully representing complex spatiotemporal features and relationships in geoscience knowledge.
	Climate scientist reflects on year of disastrous weather, and what's to come Unrelenting wildfires in Canada and Hawaii. Catastrophic floods in Libya. Sweltering temperatures across the globe. These climate disasters, which once would have happened every decade or longer, all took place in 2023. As the planet warms, extreme weather events like heat waves, hurricanes, droughts and floods are undeniably becoming more frequent and intense, said Pedro DiNezio, an associate professor in the Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences at CU Boulder.
	Healthcare changes can slash climate impact: global health agency Global healthcare has a significant impact on the environment but there are ways it could slash its greenhouse gas emissions without increasing production costs, the international health agency Unitaid said Tuesday.
	Film and TV production found to worsen climate crisis Streaming giants are making TV production worse for the environment than ever before according to new research into the environmental impact of film and television production from the University of Warwick and the University of Cambridge. One Hollywood film creates around 3,000 tons of carbon, the equivalent of driving around the world almost 300 times.

Astronomy and Space news

	New protocluster of massive quiescent galaxies discovered An international team of astronomers reports the discovery of a new protocluster of massive quiescent galaxies at a redshift of approximately 4.0. This is the first detection of a protocluster of this type at such a high redshift. The finding was detailed in a paper published Nov. 20 on the pre-print server arXiv.
	Astronomers find 'tilted' planets even in pristine solar systems Scientists have long puzzled over why all of the planets in Earth's solar system have slightly slanted orbits around the sun. But a new, Yale-led study suggests this phenomenon may not be so unusual after all. Even in "pristine" solar systems, planets exhibit a bit of a tilt.
	A gamma-ray pulsar milestone inspires innovative astrophysics and applications The U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL), in conjunction with the international Fermi Large Area Telescope Collaboration, announce the discovery of nearly 300 gamma ray pulsars in the publication of their Third Catalog of Gamma Ray Pulsars. This milestone comes 15 years after the launch of Fermi in 2008 when there were fewer than ten known gamma-ray pulsars.
	Research team describes the composition of asteroid Phaethon Asteroid Phaethon, which is five kilometers in diameter, has been puzzling researchers for a long time. A comet-like tail is visible for a few days when the asteroid passes closest to the sun during its orbit.
	Solar activity likely to peak next year, new study suggests Researchers at the Center of Excellence in Space Sciences India at IISER Kolkata have discovered a new relationship between the sun's magnetic field and its sunspot cycle, that can help predict when the peak in solar activity will occur. Their work indicates that the maximum intensity of solar cycle 25, the ongoing sunspot cycle, is imminent and likely to occur within a year. The new research appears in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society: Letters.
	Unwrapping Uranus and its icy secrets: What NASA would learn from a mission to a wild world Uranus, the seventh planet from the sun, orbits in the outer solar system, about two billion miles (3.2 billion kilometers) from Earth. It is an enormous world—quadruple the diameter of Earth, with 15 times the mass and 63 times the volume.
	Earth's magnetic field protects life on Earth from radiation, but it can move, and the magnetic poles can even flip The Earth's magnetic field plays a big role in protecting people from hazardous radiation and geomagnetic activity that could affect satellite communication and the operation of power grids. And it moves.
	Aerocapture is a 'free lunch' in space exploration When spacecraft return to Earth, they don't need to shed all their velocity by firing retro-rockets. Instead, they use the atmosphere as a brake to slow down for a soft landing. Every planet in the solar system except Mercury has enough of an atmosphere to allow aerobraking maneuvers, and could allow high-speed exploration missions. A new paper looks at the different worlds and how a spacecraft must fly to take advantage of this "free lunch" to slow down at the destination.
	For its next trick, Gaia could help detect background gravitational waves in the universe Ripples in a pond can be captivating on a nice sunny day as can ripples in the very fabric of space, although the latter are a little harder to observe. Using the highly tuned Gaia probe, a team of astronomers proposes in a paper posted to arXiv preprint server that it might just be possible to detect gravitational waves through the disturbance they impart on the movement of asteroids in our solar system.
	If warp drives are impossible, maybe faster-than-light communication is still on the table? I'm sure many readers of Universe Today are, like me, fans of the science fiction genre. From the light sabers of "Star Wars" to the neuralyzer of "Men in Black," science fiction has crazy inventions aplenty and once science fiction writers dream it, scientists and engineers try and create it. Perhaps the holy grail of science fiction creations is the warp drive from "Star Trek" and it is fair to say that many have tried to work out if it is even possible to travel faster than the speed of light. To date, alas, to no avail but if the warp drive eludes us, what about faster-than-light communication.
	NASA orbiter snaps stunning views of Mars horizon Astronauts often react with awe when they see the curvature of Earth below the International Space Station. Now Mars scientists are getting a taste of what that's like, thanks to NASA's 2001 Mars Odyssey orbiter, which completed its 22nd year at the Red Planet last month.
	SpaceX sends up Space Coast's 66th launch of the year SpaceX chalked up another Starlink mission from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station to mark the Space Coast's 66th launch of the year.

Technology news

	An approach that allows robots to learn in changing environments from human feedback and exploration To best assist humans in real-world settings, robots should be able to continuously acquire useful new skills in dynamic and rapidly changing environments. Currently, however, most robots can only tackle tasks that they have been previously trained on and can only acquire new capabilities after further training.
	ChatGPT creates persuasive, phony medical report A common truism among statisticians is that "the data don't lie." However, recent findings by Italian researchers may make those who study data think twice before making such assumptions.
	Improved water electrolysis performance and stability bring commercialization of green hydrogen one step closer A technology has been developed by Professor Youngkook Kwon's team in the School of Chemical Engineering at UNIST, aiming to significantly improve the performance of an electrolyzer used for hydrogen generation. This advancement brings us a step closer to the commercialization of green hydrogen production technology.
	Using large language models to code new tasks for robots You've likely heard that "experience is the best teacher"—but what if learning in the real world is prohibitively expensive? This is the plight of roboticists training their machines on manipulation tasks. Real-world interaction data is costly, so their robots often learn from simulated versions of different activities.
	Researchers engineer a material that can perform different tasks depending on temperature Researchers report that they have developed a new composite material designed to change behaviors depending on temperature in order to perform specific tasks. These materials are poised to be part of the next generation of autonomous robotics that will interact with the environment.
	EU regulators say Amazon's acquisition of vacuum maker iRobot may harm competition European regulators said Monday that Amazon's proposed acquisition of robot vacuum maker iRobot may harm competition.
	New robotic system assesses mobility after stroke A new robotic tool developed by a team of experts in computer science and biokinesiology could help stroke survivors more accurately track their recovery progress.
	Six recycling innovations that could change fashion The fashion industry's enormous waste problem is pushing governments, particularly in Europe, towards ambitious recycling targets.
	Almost half the men surveyed think they could land a passenger plane. Experts disagree Picture this: you're nestled comfortably in your seat cruising towards your holiday destination when a flight attendant's voice breaks through the silence:
	Why the world's first flight powered entirely by sustainable aviation fuel is a green mirage A Boeing 787 Dreamliner is set to take off from Heathrow on November 28 and head for JFK airport in New York, powered by so-called sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). According to its operator, Virgin Atlantic, the world's "first 100% SAF flight" will mark "a historic moment in aviation's roadmap to decarbonization".
	Driving a greener future: how your electric car could help power your neighborhood A new concept—the "grid of grids"—is revolutionizing the way we think about energy.
	Tesla's futuristic Cybertruck finally arrives—here's why the company's success is riding on it In 2019, Tesla was in the happy position of being a high-volume, premium-priced leader in the global electric vehicle (EV) market. Deliveries of 367,500 cars represented 50% growth over 2018.
	Virtual reality training could reduce gender gap in some spatial tasks Finding out why men and women perform differently in some tasks is a matter of controversy with no scientific consensus. One of the areas under study is that of visuospatial abilities, where a number of studies have shown that men are better at certain tasks, such as mental rotation or egocentric spatial cognition, which involves locating elements in space by reference to one's own body rather than other objects.
	Researchers develop large language model for medical knowledge Researchers from EPFL have just released Meditron, the world's best performing open source large language model tailored to the medical field designed to help guide clinical decision-making.
	How AI 'sees' the world: What happened when we trained a deep learning model to identify poverty To most effectively deliver aid to alleviate poverty, you have to know where the people most in need are. In many countries, this is often done with household surveys. But these are usually infrequent and cover limited locations.
	Researchers develop greener building materials using sugar processing waste products If you want to make more sustainable and environmentally friendly concrete, you're going to need some sugar. Sort of.
	EU activists launch legal fight over Meta's 'pay for privacy' scheme An Austrian activist group filed a complaint against tech giant Meta on Tuesday arguing that the firm's scheme allowing Europeans to pay to opt out of data sharing was illegal.
	Virgin pilots first transatlantic flight with low-carbon fuel British airline Virgin Atlantic on Tuesday piloted the first long-haul flight powered entirely by Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), an event environmental groups labeled "greenwashing".
	Algorithm appreciation overcomes algorithm aversion, advertising content study finds Advertising content generated by artificial intelligence (AI) is perceived as being of higher quality than content produced by human experts, according to a new research paper in Judgment and Decision Making.
	Detonation-based device for novel propulsion applications Combustors that drive propulsion systems are often volumetric in nature, typically in the form of cylinders, and convert chemical to thermal and mechanical energy through oxidation of fuels. This deflagrating combustion approach is now beginning to be challenged by detonation-based combustion that utilizes shock waves to accelerate the oxidation of fuel-air mixture.
	No significant link between Industry 4.0 and energy consumption or energy intensity To what extent does the digitalization of industrial and manufacturing processes (Industry 4.0) improve energy efficiency and thus reduce energy intensity? A team from the Research Institute for Sustainability (RIFS) analyzed developments across 10 industrial manufacturing sectors in China between 2006 and 2019. Their findings show that contrary to the claims of many policymakers and industry associations, digitalization may not automatically lead to anticipated energy savings in manufacturing and industry in China.
	Innovative wireless light switch could cut house wiring costs in half A University of Alberta engineering researcher has developed a wireless light switch that could reduce the cost of wiring a house by as much as 50%.
	Unsafe and illegal e-scooter riding linked to lack of rule knowledge E-scooter riders are less likely to ride dangerously or illegally if they know the rules and regulations, according to a new research report by Nottingham Trent University (NTU) that calls for better access to training programs to reduce collisions.
	Organic solar cells show promise for cheap energy production, researcher says A newly published doctoral thesis at Karlstad University shows that organic solar cells are a promising technology, due to its flexibility and vast potential applications.
	Co-learning to improve autonomous driving Self-driving cars are both fascinating and fear-inducing, as they must accurately assess and navigate the rapidly changing environment. Computer vision, which uses computation to extract information from imagery, is an important aspect of autonomous driving, with tasks ranging from low level, such as determining how far away a given location is from the vehicle, to higher level, such as determining if there is a pedestrian in the road.
	Workers suffer when AI gets it wrong, argues professor Amazon thought it had found an efficient way to find the best workers. Recruitment is time consuming and expensive, so why not outsource it to artificial intelligence (AI)?
	Boosting rocket reliability at the material level The success of the SpaceX Falcon 9 reusable launch vehicle has been one of the most remarkable technological achievements of the last decade. Powered by SpaceX's Merlin engine, the Falcon 9 booster can be reused over 10 times, with minimal maintenance between flights.
	Chinese AI firm SenseTime denies research firm Grizzly's claim it inflated its revenue SenseTime, a major Chinese artificial intelligence company, has rejected claims by a research company that it has falsely inflated its revenue.
	Taiwan's Foxconn plans to invest $1.54 bn more in India Taiwanese tech giant and key Apple supplier Foxconn is planning an additional $1.54 billion investment in India for "operational needs", as it seeks to diversify production away from China.
	Tesla sues Swedish state over strike fallout Electric carmaker Tesla on Monday filed a lawsuit against the Swedish state over a strike by postal workers blocking deliveries of license plates for its new cars—and received a first favorable decision the same day.
	Despite setbacks, states are still counting on offshore wind In recent months, East Coast states' plans to install massive new offshore wind farms have been battered by bad economic news, canceled contracts and newfound uncertainty about the projects officials are counting on to reach their clean energy goals.
	Workers at Philly-area Amazon warehouse walked out on Cyber Monday Amazon workers at a fulfillment center that services Philadelphia and South Jersey walked out of work on Monday, demanding better pay and working conditions as part of a multistate organizing effort.
	Unleashing the power of soft-decision decoding in DNA digital storage Led by Dr. Jue Ruan and Dr. Weihua Pan, a study published in the journal National Science Review delves into the realm of DNA digital storage (DDS), a technology acclaimed for its high-density (EB/g), long-term (million years) and low maintenance costs, offering a promising solution for the ever-growing demands of big data storage.

Chemistry news

	Boosting PET recycling with higher standards for laboratory experiments Many enzymes promise to break down plastic. But what works in the lab often fails on a large scale. Now a new study by Gert Weber, HZB, Uwe Bornscheuer, University of Greifswald, and Alain Marty, Chief Scientific Officer of Carbios, shows how raising the bar for laboratory experiments could help identify promising approaches more quickly. The team demonstrated the new standards on four newly discovered enzymes.
	Research unveils nickel-based catalysts with remarkable economic feasibility In a development set to transform the chemical industry on a global scale, Professor Chang Ho Yoo in the Department of Chemistry at UNIST has successfully developed a highly efficient and stable carbonylation catalytic reaction using nickel catalysts. This achievement, published in Science, offers a promising alternative to the widely used rhodium catalysts in the acetyl process.
	Bidding adieu to sticky ice, but with a grain of salt As Americans gear up for winter, many will face one of their toughest foes: ice. From delaying flights to making roads slippery, ice accumulation on surfaces wreaks havoc in many ways.
	Scientists harness flower 'super power' to pave the way for new drug treatments Scientists at the University of Bath have used nature as inspiration in developing a new tool that will help researchers develop new pharmaceutical treatments in a cleaner, greener, and less expensive way.
	Researchers develop first-of-its-kind woven material made entirely from flexible organic crystals Applying simple, ancient weaving techniques to newly recognized properties of organic crystals, researchers with the Smart Materials Lab (SML) and the Center for Smart Engineering Materials (CSEM) at NYU Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) have, for the first time, developed a unique form of woven "textile." These new fabric patches expand one-dimensional crystals into flexible, integrated, two-dimensional planar structures that are incredibly strong—some 20 times stronger than the original crystals—and resistant to low temperatures.
	Slippery toilet bowl treatment causes bacteria to slide right off When entering public restrooms, it's hard not to dwell on what germs previous users have left behind in the toilet bowl. Imagine, instead, a self-cleaning system that doesn't require a brightly colored gel. Researchers reporting in ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces have developed a simple, transparent coating that makes surfaces like porcelain more water-repellent. They show how this surface treatment effectively prevents bacteria from sticking to the inside of a toilet bowl.
	Pressure-cooking birch leaves to produce raw material for organic semiconductors Today, petrochemical compounds and rare metals such as platinum and iridium are used to produce semiconductors for optoelectronics, such as organic LEDs for super-thin TV and mobile phone screens. Physicists at Umeå University in collaboration with researchers in Denmark and China, have discovered a more sustainable alternative. By pressure-cooking birch leaves picked on the Umeå University campus, they have produced a nanosized carbon particle with desired optical properties.
	Hydrogels show promise as a new way to deliver drugs more efficiently Many of the most promising new pharmaceuticals coming along in the drug development pathway are hydrophobic by nature—that is, they repel water, and are thus hard to dissolve in order to make them available to the body. But now, researchers at MIT have found a more efficient way of processing and delivering these drugs that could make them far more effective.
	Harnessing cutting-edge tech for cleaner nuclear energy: Breakthrough in iodine capture In a study published in the journal Frontiers of Environmental Science & Engineering, researchers from Sichuan University have unveiled significant insights into the structure–performance relationships of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs). Their study not only sheds light on the complexities involved in the iodine uptake capabilities of MOFs but also emphasizes the necessity for a comprehensive, multifaceted analysis.
	Two synthetic molecules developed to help elucidate cellular functions A sugar-based molecule naturally produced by the body can help cells grow, differentiate into different types, self-destruct if need be and much more. It helps protect the cell's genome, repair DNA, and regulate how genes are passed down. The molecule, called poly(adenosine diphosphate ribose) or poly(ADP-ribose), can potentially inform disease prevention and treatments—if scientists can figure out exactly how it works.
	Revolutionizing water safety: New study makes tap water cleaner and safe In a new study published in the journal Frontiers of Environmental Science & Engineering, researchers from University of Toronto identified the most effective and practical quenching agent for use in drinking water treatment plants. The findings emphasize the crucial significance of selecting an appropriate quenching agent, a decision that plays a key role in the context of drinking water treatment.

Biology news

	Female toxin-producing newts are surprisingly more poisonous than males Tetrodotoxin, the neurotoxin that makes a blue-ringed octopus deadly, also protects Taricha newts—but we don't understand how they produce it, or what purposes it serves for them.
	Malfunction in spermatogenesis: Researchers uncover contribution of cylicin proteins to male fertility For successful fertilization, sperm should move forward rapidly and be shaped correctly. The unique structure of the sperm cells forms during spermiogenesis. Now, researchers from the University Hospital Bonn (UKB) and the Transdisciplinary Research Unit Life & Health at the University of Bonn have found that fertility problems in both mice and humans can be caused by loss of so-called cylicins. This causes defects in the head and tail structure of sperm. The results of the study have now been published in the journal eLife.
	Unlocking the secrets of peptide sequences in cells with AI Machine learning is now helping researchers analyze the makeup of unfamiliar cells, which could lead to more personalized medicine in the treatment of cancer and other serious diseases.
	Clonal fish: Same genes, same environment, different fitness levels According to current knowledge, individuality is determined by either differences in genome or in the apparent environmental conditions. However, studies show, the paradigm of twin research is currently crumbling.
	Researchers uncover battery-like functions of mitochondria using super-resolution microscopes Using new super-resolution microscopes, researchers at the University of California, Irvine and the University of Pennsylvania have for the first time observed electrical charge and discharge functions inside mitochondria isolated from cells.
	Researchers develop coating process for fabrics that kills or inhibits growth of pathogens Countless times a day, patients, visitors and medical staff in hospitals touch surfaces of all kinds. Door handles, railings or elevator buttons can serve as transport vehicles for pathogens such as hospital germs or viruses. Smooth surfaces are comparatively easy to clean after contamination. With porous structures such as textiles, however, this is not that simple.
	New method for identifying bacteria more easily Far too many antibiotics are used around the world. As a result, bacteria are becoming resistant to these drugs. Curing bacterial diseases is becoming more difficult than before because antibiotics are perhaps our foremost weapons in the fight against them.
	X-rays reveal unexpected protein function in plants A team of scientists from Cornell University and the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Brookhaven National Laboratory have revealed an unexpected function of a transport protein and its role in plant regulatory mechanisms. Their research, published in The Plant Cell earlier this year, could help reduce human mineral deficiencies by packing essential micronutrients into edible parts of plants.
	Thirty years of data show persistent organic pollutants remain a threat to marine biodiversity A team of zoologists, environmental scientists, marine biologists and life scientists affiliated with several institutions in Ireland and the U.K. has found that despite international bans, persistent organic pollutants (POPs) continue to be both widespread and pervasive in the environment, including the world's oceans.
	A new way to see the activity inside a living cell Living cells are bombarded with many kinds of incoming molecular signal that influence their behavior. Being able to measure those signals and how cells respond to them through downstream molecular signaling networks could help scientists learn much more about how cells work, including what happens as they age or become diseased.
	Cell fate choice during adult regeneration is highly disorganized, study finds A team of scientists at the Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research and MIT has spatially mapped the choices stem cells make during tissue regeneration in flatworms, revealing an unexpected finding: Rather than being organized into homogeneous neighborhoods—where one group of stem cells becomes eye cells and another becomes muscle cells, for example—the spatial pattern of stem cell choice is highly heterogeneous, with adjacent stem cells choosing different fates.
	Reprogramming tissue mechanically to promote wound healing Researchers at PSI and ETH Zurich have taken connective tissue cells that have been mechanically reprogrammed to resemble stem cells and transplanted them into damaged skin. In their laboratory experiment, they were able to show that this can promote wound healing.
	Sustainable food production and consumption: Exploring the transition to alternative proteins Animal agriculture is responsible for considerable environmental burden, and a key contributor to climate change. Meat alternatives are increasingly understood as potential solutions to decreasing this burden by enabling a shift away from conventional models of production and consumption of animal-derived foods.
	Slash-and-burn agriculture can increase forest biodiversity The slash-and-burn agriculture practiced by many Indigenous societies across the world can actually have a positive impact on forests, according to a new study done in Belize.
	Australian mosquito species found to target frogs' noses A pair of environmental and life scientists, one with the University of Newcastle, in Australia, the other the German Center for Integrative Biodiversity Research, has found that one species of mosquito native to Australia targets only the noses of frogs for feeding. In their paper published in the journal Ethology, John Gould and Jose Valdez describe their three-year study of frogs and Mimomyia elegans, a species of mosquito native to Australia.
	How shifting climates may have shaped early elephants' trunks Researchers have provided new insights into how ancestral elephants developed their dextrous trunks.
	Measuring biodiversity across the US with space-borne lidar Diverse ecosystems support the web of life and in the process, provide food, water, medicine and materials for humanity. But the butterfly effect tells us all things are connected. So, when biodiversity loss threatens the foundation upon which we live, what does that mean for the future of Earth and humanity?
	Minimalist or maximalist? The life of a microbe a mile underground If you added up all the microbes living deep below Earth's surface, the amount of biomass would outweigh all life within our oceans.
	Researchers apply theory of semantic information to realistic model, find point where information matters for survival Living systems—unlike non-living or inanimate objects—use information about their surrounding environment to survive. But not all information from the environment is meaningful or relevant for survival. The subset of information that is meaningful, and perhaps necessary for being alive, is called semantic information.
	Global marine life is on the move due to sea temperature rises, says study A new study from the University of Southampton sheds light on the impact climate change is having on marine environments in a relatively recent global phenomenon known as "tropicalization."
	Researchers develop effective vaccine against cow parasite thanks to modification of sugar structures in plant Mimicking sugar structures in plants plays a crucial role in the development of effective vaccines against the stomach worm Ostertagia ostertagi. This has been demonstrated by Ruud Wilbers of Wageningen University & Research (WUR) together with researchers from Ghent University and Leiden University Medical Center with a proof-of-concept study.
	Mussel beach: Belgium's recipe to fight erosion Belgian mussels have long satisfied hungry diners, but an experiment is now underway to see if they can also protect Belgium's North Sea coast.
	Québec's hardwood trees could move north. Here's how that could affect the boreal forest landscape In Québec, there are two distinct types of forest: the northern temperate forest in the south, and the boreal forest in the north.
	Newly discovered megafossil flora reported from northern Vietnam Vietnam is known worldwide for its high plant species diversity and endemism. However, the evolutionary history of Vietnam's exceptional plant biodiversity remains poorly understood. Due to the paucity of Neogene plant fossils, it remains unclear how the vegetation of northern Vietnam evolved, and what the driving factors were.
	Study finds urban waterfowl are important seed dispersers for native and alien plants Our park ponds typically hold good numbers of mallards, and urban grassy areas often hold concentrations of geese. In the UK, Canada Geese are an abundant and widespread alien species, well known for fouling parks with their feces.
	Researchers find no evidence of Arabian leopards despite extensive search in Saudi Arabia Researchers have concluded that Saudi Arabia is likely no longer home to sustainable populations of Arabian leopards, as detailed in the journal Oryx.
	Scientists confirm that Seychelles is frequented by blue whales Seychelles is a special place for whales and dolphins. And yet, while its corals, turtles and sharks are relatively well studied, little is known about its cetaceans. Now scientists from the University of Seychelles, Florida International University and Oregon State University are uncovering how remarkable Seychelles is for these mammals.
	Blending statistical studies of piglet gut bacteria reveals patterns at key growth stages An analysis combining the results of 14 studies from around the globe has uncovered some common patterns in how the piglet microbiome, specifically the gut bacteria, changes over time.
	Fish ecologist's research indicates need to conserve iconic migratory snook in Mexico Allison Pease grew up fascinated by river fish, spending countless summers in a mask beneath the surface of Texas creeks. Now a fish ecologist in the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources at the University of Missouri, Pease studies the common snook—an iconic game fish that has filled a significant cultural, ecological, and economic niche in Mexico for centuries. Her latest study focuses on this species' migration patterns and the effects of proposed hydro dams on their population in southern Mexico.
	Bloom times vary in Malus species due to floral development rate The domesticated apple (Malus ×domestica) is an economically valuable crop and an important source of nutrients and calories throughout temperate regions of the world. Fruit production is directly influenced by bloom time, which is a highly heritable trait greatly affected by the way a genotype perceives its environment. Because of climate change, fruit trees are becoming more susceptible to crop loss.
	Molecular diversity and evolution of far-red light photosynthesis A collaborative study led by Dr. Christopher Gisriel at Yale University and Dr. Tanai Cardona at Queen Mary University of London, published in Frontiers in Plant Science, offers new insight on the origin and evolution of a unique type of photosynthesis that enables some bacteria, specifically cyanobacteria, to harness far-red light.
	Flower power on Indian farms helps bees, boosts livelihoods Planting flowers beside food crops on farms in India attracts bees, boosts pollination and improves crop yield and quality, researchers have found.
	Laboratory test demonstrates that applying silicon to olive leaves promotes their growth A DAUCO team finds that silicon is a potential means of promoting plant growth, probably by favoring the absorption of nutrients such as potassium
	LIBRA: An adaptative integrative tool for paired single-cell multi-omics data Single-cell multi-omics technologies allow a profound system-level biology understanding of cells and tissues. However, an integrative and possibly systems-based analysis capturing the different modalities is challenging. In response, bioinformatics and machine learning methodologies are being developed for multi-omics single-cell analysis.

Medicine and Health news

	Meta AI develops a non-invasive method to decode speech from brain activity Recent technological advancements have opened invaluable opportunities for assisting people who are experiencing impairments or disabilities. For instance, they have enabled the creation of tools to support physical rehabilitation, to practice social skills, and to provide daily assistance with specific tasks.
	AI predicts developmental paths in premature babies Researchers at UMC Utrecht have developed an AI model to predict long-term outcome in extremely premature babies early in life. The model can identify which infants might face intellectual disability as they grow. When further developed, it could offer crucial insights for health care providers as well as valuable information for parents about their child's expected developmental journey.
	Mysterious fats reprogram the memory of innate immune cells Researchers at Radboudumc have unveiled a fascinating connection between sphingolipids, mysterious fats named after the "Sphinx," and the memory of cells from the innate immune system. This discovery provides new avenues for the development of innovative treatments for various diseases, including autoimmune disorders, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and organ transplantations, as outlined in a publication in Cell Reports.
	Unlocking genetic mysteries: DNA methylation of gene silencers sheds light on disease variation Professor Asaf Hellman and his research team at the Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School have unveiled new findings in the realm of methylation-directed regulatory networks. Their study sheds light on the mechanisms governing the activation and suppression of mutation-driven disease genes, particularly in cases like glioblastoma, offering insights into variations in disease expression among patients.
	Alzheimer's research: New study uncovers previously unknown processes in fat metabolism New insights into the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease could unlock novel therapeutic approaches and help to prevent the disease. A study led by Professors Marcus Grimm and Tobias Hartmann at the Rhineland Campus of the SRH University of Applied Health Sciences in Leverkusen and at Saarland University has shed light on a bidirectional interaction in the body's fat metabolism that could play an important role in the development of the disease. Dietary and other lifestyle factors such as smoking also play a role.
	New study reveals how HIV binds to our T cells A new study reveals for the first time the steps through which human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) binds to the receptors on the membranes of T cells—white blood cells that fight infection. The finding could have implications for developing new therapies.
	New strategies generate more accurate pediatric brain organoids Essential features of the cortex, an important part of the human brain and its development, are more accurately captured in organoids generated by researchers of the Princess Máxima Center for pediatric oncology and the Hubrecht Institute. The scientists developed mini-organs with features like cell organization, stem cell expansion and cell identity that more closely mimic the real-life situation. These novel organoids can be used as a basis to model pediatric brain tumors.
	Scientists discover promising target for Alzheimer's disease treatment A research team led by Prof. Nancy Ip, the President and The Morningside Professor of Life Science at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), and the Director of the Hong Kong Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (HKCeND), has identified VCAM1, a cell surface protein found on immune cells of the brain, as a therapeutic target for Alzheimer's disease (AD), paving the way for developing novel therapeutics to combat this debilitating condition.
	Study finds fat cells help repair damaged nerves Damage to the body's peripheral nerves can cause pain and movement disorders. Researchers at the Leipzig University have recently investigated how damaged nerves can regenerate better. They found that fat tissue strongly supports the Schwann cells needed for repair during the healing process. The results were published in the journal Cell Metabolism.
	Molecular mechanisms explain why people respond differently to stress, study finds Researchers from the Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry asked themselves which genetic variants might be involved in the response to stress. Using a new methodology, they were able to test more than 3,600 specific variants in parallel to determine which were functional.
	Research reveals functional targets of oncogenic HOXA9 protein in high-risk pediatric leukemia Scientists at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital have comprehensively identified genes directly regulated by a protein associated with high-risk pediatric leukemias. High-risk leukemias, particularly MLL-rearranged (MLL-r) leukemia, often overexpress the homeodomain transcription factor HOXA9 protein, which cannot currently be targeted with drugs.
	Repairing nerve cells after injury and in chronic disease Each year in the United States there are more than 3 million cases of peripheral neuropathy, wherein nerves outside of the brain and spinal cord are damaged and cause pain and loss of feeling in the affected areas. Peripheral neuropathy can occur from diabetes, injury, genetically inherited disease, infection, and more.
	First multi-chamber heart organoids unravel human heart development and disease Heart disease kills 18 million people each year, but the development of new therapies faces a bottleneck: no physiological model of the entire human heart exists—so far. A new multi-chamber organoid that mirrors the heart's intricate structure enables scientists to advance screening platforms for drug development, toxicology studies, and understanding heart development.
	Heart over head? Stages of the heart's cycle affect neural responses Optimal windows exist for action and perception during the 0.8 seconds of a heartbeat, according to research published in the open-access journal PLOS Biology. The sequence of contraction and relaxation is linked to changes in the motor system and its ability to respond to stimulation, and this could have implications for treatments for depression and stroke that excite nerve cells.
	Efficient removal of abnormal myelin allows survival of nerve fibers targeted by adaptive immune cells Myelin is an insulating sheath around axons—the processes connecting nerve cells—that is mostly composed of lipids and proteins. It enables rapid conduction of electrical signals and supports neuronal integrity and function. In the central nervous system, myelin is formed by specialized glial cells called oligodendrocytes.
	Study identifies a key protein for healthy aging Life expectancy and healthy aging in mice can be determined by a protein present in some cells of the immune system, according to a study published in the journal Cell Reports. When this protein—known as the CD300f immune receptor—is absent, animal models have a shorter life expectancy and suffer from pathologies associated with cognitive decline and premature aging, especially in females.
	New findings on long-term treatment of ADHD and link to cardiovascular disease A large proportion of patients who start taking ADHD medication, especially young adults, stop within the first year. However, people who use ADHD medicine for a long time and in higher-than-average doses seem to have a higher risk of some cardiovascular diseases. This is according to two new studies led by researchers from Karolinska Institutet and published in The Lancet Psychiatry and JAMA Psychiatry.
	Measuring indoor air quality in remote First Nations communities in Ontario, Canada A team of researchers with a wide variety of backgrounds and affiliated with a number of institutions in Canada, including officials with the Nishnawbe Aski Nation, has conducted an assessment of indoor air quality for people living in First Nations communities in Ontario, Canada, and found high amounts of particulates, CO2, benzene, formaldehyde, mold and other hazardous materials.
	Researchers exploit DNA amplification in cancer to halt chemoresistance Cancer drug resistance remains a leading reason why treatments for specific cancers eventually do not work. A team of Stony Brook University researchers led by Gábor Balázsi, Ph.D., have been testing drug resistance with mammalian cell lines. Their latest investigation reveals that by taking a part of a DNA amplification from a cell, which causes resistance, and placing it back in, actually stops the drug resistance.
	How neurotransmitters work together to detect and discriminate odors A longstanding hypothesis in neurobiology was that a single neuron releases a single type of neurotransmitter, a molecule used by neurons to communicate with one another. In recent decades, several neurons have been found to release more than one neurotransmitter. This phenomenon called co-transmission is increasingly gaining recognition as a powerful and versatile molecular mechanism useful for the dynamic regulation of diverse neural circuits.
	Researchers develop material that reduces bacterial infection and speeds up bone healing Researchers at RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences and Advanced Materials and Bioengineering Research Centre (AMBER) have developed a new surgical implant that has the potential to transform the treatment of complex bone infections. When implanted on an injured or infected bone, the material can not only speed up bone healing it also reduces the risk of infections without the need for traditional antibiotics.
	Radiation therapy may be potential heart failure treatment Cardiologists and radiation oncologists at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis pioneered the use of radiation therapy—a strategy typically used against cancer—to treat patients with a life-threatening abnormal heart rhythm called ventricular tachycardia.
	Growing microtumors in a dish helps rapidly identify genes that drive tumor growth Researchers have identified a new way to screen genes that cause several different types of cancers to grow, identifying particularly promising targets for precision oncology in oral and esophageal squamous cancers.
	The way to better mental health may go through your stomach University of Virginia School of Medicine researchers have discovered how Lactobacillus, a bacterium found in fermented foods and yogurt, helps the body manage stress and may help prevent depression and anxiety.
	Greater adherence to lifestyle recommendations associated with lower cancer risk Greater adherence to the World Cancer Research Fund/American Institute for Cancer Research (WCRF/AICR) cancer prevention recommendations—which encourage a healthy lifestyle—is associated with a lower risk of all cancers combined and some individual cancers such as breast cancer. The findings are published in BMC Medicine.
	No 'smoking gun' mental health harm from internet: Study Links between internet adoption and psychological well-being are small at most, despite popular assumptions about the negative psychological effects of internet technologies and platforms, according to a major international study published by the Oxford Internet Institute.
	Smoking marijuana in combination with cigarettes increases risk of emphysema, research finds Smoking marijuana in combination with cigarettes may lead to increased damage of the lung's air sacs, according to research being presented today at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA).
	Soccer heading linked to measurable decline in brain function New research being presented this week at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) links soccer heading—where players hit the ball with their head—to a measurable decline in the microstructure and function of the brain over a two-year period.
	Doctors warn of New Zealand health tragedy after smoking ban scrapped Doctors blasted New Zealand's conservative government on Tuesday for revoking world-leading anti-smoking laws, warning that people will die over the act of "public health vandalism".
	Japan trials over-the-counter 'morning-after' pill Japan began a pilot project on Tuesday selling over-the-counter "morning-after" contraceptive pills, but campaigners criticized the scheme as far too small and called for all restrictions to be lifted.
	Total thyroidectomy offers lasting benefit for hashimoto disease For patients with Hashimoto disease and persistent symptoms, total thyroidectomy is beneficial, offering long-lasting effects, according to a research letter published online Nov. 28 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
	Handguns are most used weapon in school shootings carried out by teens In school shootings executed by 262 adolescents in the United States from 1990 through 2016, handguns were the most used weapon, and most firearms were obtained via theft from relatives, according to a study published online Nov. 27 in JAMA Pediatrics.
	Evolving overdose crisis shakes previously effective treatments "You can't inject a horse tranquilizer and think nothing bad is gonna happen" to you, said Ty Sears, 33, a longtime drug user now in recovery.
	Beyond insulin: Medi-Cal expands patient access to diabetes supplies June Voros sprang from her couch as a high-pitched beep warned her that she needed a quick dose of sugar. Her blood sugar was plummeting, and the beep came from a continuous glucose monitor attached to her abdomen. The small but powerful device alerts Voros when her blood sugar is dangerously high or low.
	Health insurance premiums dropped? Not so fast The latest Consumer Price Index report showed inflation slowing in October, due in part to a supposed 34% drop in the cost of health insurance from the same time last year. That left many people scratching their heads, since you'd be hard pressed to find anyone whose premiums dropped at all, let alone by that much. Is someone cooking the books at the Bureau of Labor Statistics?
	Macaque trials offer hope in pneumonia vaccine development The global impact of the coronavirus pandemic has ignited a renewed focus on emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases. Researchers at Osaka Metropolitan University are making great strides in combating pneumococcal pneumonia, one of the leading causes of respiratory deaths worldwide.
	Researchers define seizure burden, developmental outcomes for STXBP1-related disorders Researchers from Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) found that seizure patterns and response to treatment strategies were able to help clinical teams determine epilepsy and developmental trajectories for patients with STXBP1-related disorders, one of the most common genetic epilepsy disorders. The findings were published online by the journal Brain.
	Examining light contrast sensitivity of human retinal pathways in myopia Across the entire animal kingdom, visual images are processed by two major neuronal pathways that extract light and dark stimuli from visual scenes—ON (light on) and OFF (light off) pathways.
	Prioritizing circulation before the airway in trauma may improve outcomes for patients with massive bleeding For trauma patients suffering from massive blood loss, a care approach that emphasizes halting bleeding and restoring circulation first, rather than the traditional approach of restoring the airway first, can help improve the survival and overall outcomes of these patients, according to a literature review published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons.
	Rate of concussions after hits to side of the head dropped following NHL Rule 48, study finds The incidence and proportion of concussions suffered by NHL players following hits to the lateral side of the head reduced substantially following the implementation of the league's Rule 48, according to a study led by Michael Hutchison, an associate professor in the University of Toronto's Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education (KPE).
	Refugee centers benefit asylum seekers' mental health, study finds Sheltering in refugee centers can positively impact asylum seekers' mental health, according to a new study published in Communications Medicine, underscoring the benefits of providing migrants safe and welcoming transitional environments in which professionals in the host countries monitor their psychological and physical needs.
	Excess thyroid hormone levels associated with higher risk of cognitive disorders among older adults Thyrotoxicosis—excess thyroid hormone levels in the body—has been linked to an increased risk of cognitive disorders among older adults, according to a new study from Johns Hopkins Medicine. Exogenous thyrotoxicosis (caused by ingesting thyroid medication) and endogenous thyrotoxicosis (caused by thyroid disorders such as hyperthyroidism and Graves' disease) were both associated with a higher likelihood of developing a cognitive disorder.
	Team develops contact lenses that respond to UV and temperature changes The global rise in ocular diseases, largely due to insufficient ophthalmic diagnostics and monitoring, has emphasized the need for better treatment methods. Pioneering developments in therapeutic and diagnostic contact lenses are now offering hope in treating these diseases.
	Measuring long-term heart stress dynamics with smartwatch data Biomedical engineers at Duke University have developed a method using data from wearable devices such as smartwatches to digitally mimic an entire week's worth of an individual's heartbeats. The previous record covered only a few minutes.
	Dutch researchers explore patient profiles of those who choose to stop eating and drinking to hasten death Some patients choose to voluntarily stop eating and drinking (VSED) as a way of hastening death. Researchers from the Amsterdam University Medical Center conducted a study to describe patients' motives for doing so, how they decide to voluntarily stop eating and drinking, and the way in which they prepare to do so, along with how they involve others.
	Patients' coping styles changed during COVID-19, stable coping styles can reduce anxiety and depression: Survey Researchers assessed Veterans Affairs participants' patterns of coping strategies, as well as the stability and change in strategies, at three timepoints (December 2020 to March 2021) when COVID-19 vaccines became widely available. A total of 2,085 participants completed surveys at any time point during the specified time frame and 930 participants completed all three surveys.
	Practice interventions to enhance integrated behavioral health care may have minimal effect on patient outcomes Researchers from around the United States collaborated on a clinical trial to test the effectiveness of a practice intervention for improving outcomes for patients with both physical and mental health problems by enhancing integrated behavioral health (IBH) activities. The study is published in The Annals of Family Medicine journal.
	Pain limits family caregivers' daily activities, finds study Researchers from Weill Cornell Medicine provide the first national estimate of caregivers' pain and arthritis experiences that can limit their ability to perform necessary tasks while caring for older family members.
	Research finds semaglutide treatment is associated with remarkable reductions in alcohol use disorder symptoms The first published evidence from humans that semaglutide specifically reduces the symptoms of alcohol use disorder (AUD) has been published in The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry and details a recent collaboration between clinicians and scientists at the University of Oklahoma School of Community Medicine and Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences.
	More to learn about reducing the churn: Examining the pandemic's continuous enrollment Medicare policy A new study led by researchers at the Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute has found that a federal policy implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic requiring continuous enrollment in Medicaid led to a significant reduction in the rates of becoming uninsured for adult Medicaid enrollees.
	Study shows generational decline in mental health of Australians The mental health of Australians has been declining since around 2010 and this is seen in earlier generations, not just the youths of Gen Z, according to a new study led by the University of Sydney.
	A researcher's prescription for better health care: A dose of humility for doctors, nurses and clinicians Better health care for patients begins with humility—a term not often associated with medicine.
	Psilocybin shows promise for treating eating disorders, but more controlled research is needed Psychedelic research has surged in recent years, sparking enthusiasm among clinicians, investors and the general public. Clinical trials are indicating transformative outcomes for people struggling with mental illnesses like depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and end-of-life anxiety.
	Hedgehog signaling pathway key in treating osteosarcoma: Study The strangely named hedgehog pathway that's crucial to bone growth has emerged as a key in the fight to treat the bone cancer osteosarcoma.
	Stem cell therapy shows promise for treating multiple sclerosis—new study Over 2 million people globally have multiple sclerosis (MS), a disease that affects the nervous system and can lead to problems moving, seeing and thinking.
	High sensitivity blood test can aid emergency diagnosis of heart conditions A high sensitivity blood test can improve diagnosis for one in five patients who have a heart muscle injury, according to new research.
	Ultratrails, deep dives, outer space: How extraordinary personalities adapt to extreme conditions 'Kilian Jornet won the 2022 Ultra-Trail du Mont Blanc (distance 170 kilometers, elevation gain 10,000 meters) in 19 hours, 49 minutes, and 30 seconds. Stéphanie Gicquel skied 2,045 kilometers in 74 days, crossing Antarctica to reach the South Pole in temperatures as low as -50°. Thomas Pesquet completed a spacewalk lasting 6 hours and 54 minutes, 400 kilometers above the Earth.
	Repeated concussions can alter heart activity and impact the 'heart-brain' axis Mild traumatic brain injury or sport-related concussions occur frequently in contact sports such as football, rugby and ice hockey. A concussion doesn't just affect the brain; it results in stress to the entire body.
	Dozens of US adolescents die from drug overdoses every month. An expert unpacks the grim numbers Drug overdose deaths in the United States continue to rise.
	Physical activity wristbands encourage more active behaviors among the school population, study finds A study led by the Department of Physical Education and Sports at the University of Granada (UGR) has shown that activity wristbands can be an effective tool as a motivational strategy to promote changes in sedentary habits and behavior among the school population.
	Primary school children influence their peers' snack purchases, study reveals Do primary school children influence the snack purchases of their peers? A study by the University of Bonn reveals that they do indeed. In the presence of friends or classmates, kids are more likely to choose the unhealthier, but also the cheaper option. These findings can support policymaking aimed at motivating primary schoolers to make healthier choices. The study was recently published in the journal Appetite.
	Study reveals hidden immune defense against cancer Researchers at the UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center have found certain immune cells can still fight cancer even when the cancer cells lack an important protein that the immune system relies on to help track down cancer cells.
	Morphology-based gross classification system for hepatocellular carcinoma stratification A new study published in the journal Gut has found that different gross subtypes of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) have significantly different prognoses and molecular characteristics. The study, led by researchers at The First Hospital of Jilin University, suggests that gross classification may be valuable for developing individualized diagnosis and treatment strategies for HCC.
	Study IDs barriers to eye screening among adults with diabetes Food insecurity, housing insecurity, mental health concerns, and the perceived importance of practitioner concordance are associated with a lower likelihood of receiving eye care among adults with diabetes, according to a study published online Nov. 16 in JAMA Ophthalmology.
	New COVID variant takes hold in the United States The prevalence of a highly mutated COVID variant has tripled in the past two weeks, new government data shows.
	Two-week direct-acting antiviral prophylaxis prevents hep C after kidney transplant Two-week direct-acting antiviral (DAA) prophylaxis prevents hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in individuals without HCV viremia who received kidney transplant (KT) from donors with HCV viremia (HCV D+/R−), according to a study published online Nov. 28 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
	Pandemic's impact on child cognitive, emotional well-being mixed Pandemic exposure is associated with both positive and negative aspects of young children's cognitive and emotional well-being, according to a study published online Nov. 16 in JAMA Network Open.
	Many owners see little value in storing their firearms securely, finds study With more than 400 million privately owned firearms in circulation across the United States, gun violence prevention efforts have emphasized secure firearm storage as a method for preventing injury and death. But some owners may not see the value in doing so, according to Rutgers researchers.
	Researchers identify three genes associated with neurodevelopmental disorders An international study group led by researchers of Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) have identified how three novel genes cause neurodevelopmental disorders. Researchers now have a better sense of the genes' roles in human brain development and function and their ability to serve as potential therapeutic targets in the future. The findings were recently published online by the Journal of Clinical Investigation.
	Developing a positive outcome from negative emotions December can be an especially stressful time of the year. The holiday to-do list may feel overwhelming. Disappointment can swell if the "magic" of the season doesn't live up to expectations. Even the thought of spending the holidays with extended family can trigger feelings of anxiety.
	Recent decline in risk for colorectal cancer recurrence seen in stage I to III disease From 2004 to 2019, the risk for recurrence of colorectal cancer (CRC) decreased in patients with stages I to III disease, according to a study published online Nov. 16 in JAMA Oncology to coincide with the annual meeting of the Danish Surgical Society, held from Nov. 16 to 17 in Copenhagen.
	Country of birth is a key factor in assessing risk for conditions favorable to stomach cancer development Researchers at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine have found that country of birth—not just geographic region—is a key risk factor for gastric intestinal metaplasia, a precursor lesion of stomach cancer.
	Q&A: Improvements in HIV care for Black and white men who have sex with men Katherine Rich, MD MPH, resident in the MGH Department of Medicine, is the first author of a recently published paper in JAMA Network Open, "Projected Life Expectancy Gains from Improvements in HIV Care in Black and White Men Who Have Sex With Men." Aima Ahonkhai, MD MPH and Emily Hyle, MD MSc, physician investigators in the Division of Infectious Diseases at Massachusetts General Hospital, are co-senior authors.
	Gaps in postpartum care may leave many women at risk for cardiovascular disease Many women with diabetes and high blood pressure during pregnancy did not receive appropriate postpartum care to reduce their future risk of cardiovascular disease, a study at one health system has found.
	Study shows observing a sick individual triggers a biological response It's well-known that when those around us get sick, there's a good chance we'll catch what they have, but new research published in Trends in Ecology & Evolution reveals that simply observing a sick individual triggers a biological response.
	Ending the HIV epidemic may require addressing 'everyday' discrimination Latino sexual minority men who experience racial, ethnic and sexual prejudice are more likely to delay HIV testing, complicating efforts to end the more than 40-year epidemic, according to a new Rutgers study.
	Research examines how to stay on task Our ability to pay attention to tasks—a key component of our everyday lives—is heavily influenced by factors like motivation, arousal, and alertness. Maintaining focus can be especially challenging when the task is boring or repetitive.
	Pregnancy postponement decisions during the COVID-19 pandemic associated with decreased well-being among women During the COVID-19 pandemic, every aspect of our lives changed, and decisions regarding pregnancy were no exception. Previous studies have shown that regret over the decision to delay childbearing at a young age is associated with lower subsequent well-being among women undergoing fertility treatment.
	Graph neural networks: A new frontier in predicting hospital infections Researchers at the University of Geneva have made a groundbreaking stride in health care technology, as detailed in their study published in Health Data Science.
	High hopes: The quest to turn cannabis into a potent medicine Marijuana shows promise in treating illnesses ranging from depression and addiction to arthritis and epilepsy.
	The double-edge sword of CRISPR application for in vivo studies A new editorial paper titled "The double-edge sword of CRISPR application for in vivo studies" has been published inOncotarget.
	Anti-aging effects of 1,5-anhydro-D-fructose on brain diseases via AMPK activation A new research paper titled "1,5-anhydro-D-fructose induces anti-aging effects on aging-associated brain diseases by increasing 5'-adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase activity via the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ co-activator-1α/brain-derived neurotrophic factor pathway" has been published in Aging.
	The world needs more empathy—here is how science can harness it In a world grappling with deep-seated division and social upheaval, empathy has become more critical than ever.
	Almost two-thirds of residents in US family medicine programs are training in states that have abortion restrictions Researchers performed an analysis to assess the proportion of accredited U.S. family medicine residency programs and trainees in states with abortion restrictions. Of 693 accredited family medicine residency programs in the U.S., 201 programs (29%) were in states where abortion was banned or heavily restricted as of August 2, 2023. Fourteen of the 17 states in this category had complete abortion bans.
	Personal wealth associated with health care costs in people with Alzheimer's disease Finland has a strong public health care system; nevertheless, personal wealth is associated with the costs of hospital care and medication in people with Alzheimer's disease. Higher levels of wealth were associated with greater costs of hospital care before diagnosis, a new study from the University of Eastern Finland shows.
	Cracking the code: Researchers unravel how mutant protein drives cancer growth The p53 protein is a tumor suppressor that plays a crucial role in preventing the formation of cancerous cells. But when it mutates and becomes defective in cells, the protein can significantly boost a person's risk of cancer development.
	New therapy target to shut down multiple myeloma's ability to survive and thrive Multiple myeloma (MM) is one of the most formidable and deadly cancers known to man, with only 50% of patients surviving for more than five years after diagnosis.
	Reducing inequitable health outcomes requires reducing residential segregation, says study The U.S. must reduce racial residential segregation if it is to reduce racial disparities in health outcomes, according to a recently published study by researchers at Tufts University School of Medicine. The research on 220 metropolitan areas nationwide between 1980 and 2020 found strong links between trends in racial residential segregation and racial disparities in early death rates from a variety of causes.
	Research finds increase in the number of people identifying as transgender in the UK The number of people identifying as transgender in their GP records in the UK has increased between 2000 and 2018, finds a new study led by UCL researchers.
	Study finds 6+ hours/day of sedentary leisure time linked to doubling in uterine fibroids risk Clocking up 6 or more hours of sedentary leisure time every day may double a woman's risk of uterine fibroids before she's gone through the menopause, suggests research published in the open access journal BMJ Open.
	Drug combination improves radiation therapy outcomes in locally advanced, borderline resectable pancreatic cancer cases A new Phase Ib/II study from researchers at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and Moffitt Cancer Center found that combining sensitizing drugs with a specific form of radiation therapy may be more effective in patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer, yielding a higher progression-free survival (PFS) and overall response rate (ORR).
	Faster walking speed of 4 km+/hour linked to significantly lower type 2 diabetes risk Walking at a speed of 4 or more km an hour is linked to a significantly lower risk of type 2 diabetes, suggests a pooled data analysis of the available evidence, published online in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.
	Understanding the impact of transferring patients with dementia between hospitals It is common for individuals seeking medical care for symptoms of concern to go to the nearest hospital. Physicians there may determine the facility cannot provide the care they believe the patient needs and recommend transfer to another hospital offering a higher level of care or specialized services.
	Millions of kids in US have inadequate health care coverage Inadequate health coverage is a particular problem for commercially insured children, according to a new study released by Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health. The research shows that coverage gaps are affecting publicly insured children as well. Until now, prior research had focused on documenting rates and trends in insurance consistency for children covered by all insurance types. The findings are published in JAMA Health Forum.
	Research on aging with an intellectual disability overwhelmingly positive but concerns also found People aging with an intellectual disability are in better health, living in their communities, with more opportunities, and having greater control in how they live their lives but women's health, oral health and dementia findings concerning
	Q&A: Which over-the-counter medications work best for treating COVID-19? Since COVID-19 first spread rapidly around the world in 2020, we have significantly more options to reduce the symptoms and severity of the virus. COVID-19 symptoms usually begin in the first five days after exposure and can last up to 14 days. For many people, over-the-counter medications like Advil and Tylenol are enough to reduce symptoms while the virus runs its course.
	Reading 'beats' TV for sparking imaginative thinking, says expert Reading books is more effective at stimulating the imagination compared to watching images and stories unfold on screen, a new study has suggested.
	Understanding subjective beliefs could be vital to tailoring more effective treatments for depression and ADHD Taking into account whether people believe they are receiving a real treatment or a fake one (placebo) could provide better insights that could help improve interventions for conditions such as depression and ADHD.
	Patients coping with mesothelioma experienced higher levels of toxicity on CheckMate743 regimen than reported in trials Based on results from the CheckMate743 trial, the dual regimen of ipilimumab and nivolumab is the standard of care for the treatment of unresectable pleural mesothelioma. However, research published today in the Journal of Thoracic Oncology (JTO) showed that a group of Australian patients treated with that immunotherapy combination experienced higher levels of toxicity than were reported in the clinical trial results.
	Research finds that mailing HPV test kits directly to patients increases cervical cancer screening rates Three years ago, the federal government set a series of targets to improve Americans' overall health. Among the dozens of goals laid out in the plan, called Healthy People 2030, was a significant increase in the proportion of Americans who kept up to date with cervical cancer screening.
	School-based mental health services can improve the well-being of children and adolescents Mental health in young people across the U.S. is suffering: rates of anxiety, depression and other mental health challenges remain high, and suicide is the second-leading cause of death. To address these challenges, school-based mental health (SBMH) services are being offered by some school districts as a way to identify and treat children and adolescents who may not have access to other mental health services.
	Australia to ban vape imports over child addiction concerns Australia will ban imports of disposable vapes from January 1, the government said Tuesday, slamming the devices as recreational products addicting children.
Texas top court hears case challenging abortion ban for medical emergencies The Texas Supreme Court heard arguments Tuesday in a case brought on behalf of some two dozen women who were denied abortions even though they had serious complications with their pregnancies that were in some cases life-threatening.
	California workers died of a preventable disease: The threat of silicosis was known years earlier When Wendy Solano first heard the word "silicosis," her husband Jose Raul Garcia Leon was already suffering from the incurable disease that would kill him.
	Lessons from the country with the world's largest HIV epidemic South Africa, with the world's biggest number of HIV cases, has in the last five years reduced the percentage of its population infected with the virus that causes the immune disease AIDS.
	COVID inquiry heard Boris Johnson 'struggled' with graphs—if you do too, here are some tips In March 2020, the UK government's chief scientific adviser, Patrick Vallance, presented to the nation a graph showing "the shape of an epidemic". The red line depicting the number of predicted COVID cases rose to a steep peak before falling again. Vallance explained that delaying and reducing the height of that peak was essential to ease the strain on Britain's health care system. Boris Johnson, then prime minister, put it much more succinctly: "Squash that sombrero."
	Experts establish checklist detailing key consensus reporting items for primary care studies In an effort to fill the need for primary care–focused guidelines, an international group of top researchers has developed the Consensus Reporting Items for Studies in Primary Care (CRISP) Checklist, which outlines 24 items that describe the research team, patients, study participants, health conditions, clinical encounters, care teams, interventions, study measures, settings of care, and implementation of findings and results in primary care.
	Knowledge translation materials can promote discussions between Asian men with diabetes and their physicians about ED Researchers studied communication about erectile dysfunction (ED) between doctors and 120 Asian male patients with diabetes in a primary care clinic in Kedah, Malaysia. The work is published in The Annals of Family Medicine journal.
	Critical care of patients after cardiac arrest is crucial: Consensus panel says more research needed A new consensus statement from the American Heart Association Emergency and Cardiovascular Care Committee and the Neurocritical Care Society calls for more research to address areas of post-cardiac arrest care that have limited research. The statement published simultaneously in Circulation and in Neurocritical Care.
	Three ways to encourage kids to be more charitable and kind this holiday season With the holiday season just around the corner, families and households will soon be gathering to give and receive gifts. Many will also be sending donations to communities in crisis and organizing charity events and food drives to help others.
	Opinion: The urgent need to secure the future of the 'post-pandemic child' In 2028, it will be eight years since COVID-19 was first detected in Australia. Today's post-pandemic child will be a teenager, facing a future where they thrive or, for some, their mental health unravels as the longer-term consequences of the pandemic become apparent.
	Ransomware attack prompts multistate hospital chain to divert some emergency room patients elsewhere A ransomware attack has prompted a health care chain that operates 30 hospitals in six states to divert patients from at least some of its emergency rooms to other hospitals, while putting certain elective procedures on pause, the company announced.
	Mayo Clinic announces $5 billion expansion of Minnesota campus The Mayo Clinic announced a $5 billion expansion plan for its flagship campus Tuesday that includes new buildings designed so they can evolve and expand as patient needs change over the coming decades.
	'End of AIDS by 2030' if frontline services get proper funding: UN The United Nations said Tuesday it is still possible to reach the "end of AIDS" by 2030—but only if communities and services on the ground are given the means.
	France to ban smoking on beaches and close to schools The French government said on Tuesday it would ban smoking on all the country's beaches, in public parks and forests and near schools.
	Home environment is a significant factor in how children recover from severe acute malnutrition in Sub-Saharan Africa Three reports emerging from Queen Mary University of London have provided valuable insight into the management of severe acute malnutrition (SAM)—the most life-threatening form of malnutrition in children.
	Urgent action needed to develop climate interventions that support healthy aging A new UK-wide research project has found a 'critical' need for urban interventions that mitigate the negative impact of extreme weather on the health and well-being of older people.

Other Sciences news

	Early humans in the Paleolithic Age: More than just game on the menu In a study published in the journal Scientific Reports, researchers from the Senckenberg Center for Human Evolution and Palaeoenvironment (SHEP) at the University of Tübingen show that early humans of the Middle Paleolithic had a more varied diet than previously assumed.
	Keeping fit to curb workplace deviance If you feel that work is wearing you down, you are not alone. The economic value that modern organizations strive to create comes at a human cost to employees in terms of reduced physical fitness.
	Girls less likely to be diagnosed with special educational needs—new research The point when a child with special educational needs (SEN) is diagnosed is an important moment in their lives.
	After a pandemic pause, Detroit restarts water shut-offs—part of a nationwide trend as costs rise During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Detroit residents got a break from water shut-offs.
	Writing instructors are less afraid of students cheating with ChatGPT than you might think When ChatGPT launched a year ago, headlines flooded the internet about fears of student cheating. A pair of essays in The Atlantic decried "the end of high-school English" and the death of the college essay." NPR informed readers that "everybody is cheating."
	Museum classifies Roman emperor as trans—but modern labels oversimplify ancient gender identities Elagabalus ruled as Roman emperor for just four years before being murdered in AD 222. He was still a teenager when he died. Despite his short reign, Elagabalus is counted among the most infamous of Roman emperors, often listed alongside Caligula and Nero.
	Faith communities are rallying to check climate change—their size and influence counts According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), more than 80% of the global population are motivated by faith or spirituality. Faced with the triple planetary crises of pollution, biodiversity loss, and climate change, what role can faith communities play in saving the planet?
	Philly parents worry about kids' digital media use but see some benefits, too A group of U.S. senators recently called on tech giant Meta—which owns Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger—to hand over documents related to the mental and physical harms its products cause to young people. The demand follows a lawsuit filed by 33 states in October 2023 that alleges that Meta, in order to maximize profits, knowingly designs addictive social media features. The lawsuit states these features are designed "to entice, engage, and ultimately ensnare youth and teens."
	New research on 1960 Sharpeville massacre shows the number of dead and injured was massively undercounted On 21 March 1960 at 1.40 in the afternoon, apartheid South Africa's police opened fire on a peaceful crowd of about 4,000 residents of Sharpeville, who were protesting against carrying identity documents that restricted black people's movement. The police minimized the number of victims by at least one-third and justified the shooting by claiming that the crowd was violent. This shocking story has been misrepresented for over 60 years.
	'No one would ever speak up again': UK Servicewomen feel military culture stops them from reporting sexual assault An inquiry into the death of a 19-year-old soldier in the British army found that relentless sexual harassment by her line manager was "almost certain" to have been a causal factor in her death.
	Merriam-Webster's word of the year—authentic—reflects growing concerns over AI's ability to deceive and dehumanize When Merriam-Webster announced that its word of the year for 2023 was "authentic," it did so with over a month to go in the calendar year.
	New audit rules had little effect on companies, study finds When new financial auditing regulations went into effect in 2019, there were concerns the rules would affect publicly traded companies and, by extension, investors. A new study finds there was an effect—but it was a small one.
	Policymakers shouldn't rely on generational labels or stereotypes, says economist Corporate America has heard the warnings: Generation Z is going to turn workplaces upside down with their competitive nature and demand for remote work. While the oldest Gen Zers have been in the workforce for less than a decade, there are dozens of books geared toward helping leaders successfully manage them. And don't forget entitled millennials, independent, aloof Gen Xers, and corporate-climbing baby boomers.
	Dreams can vary across cultures and environments, anthropologist finds We've all experienced dreams that have left us feeling a little anxious—like writing a test we're not prepared for, losing a loved one, or being chased by something threatening.
	Human rights are a low priority for many national climate change adaptation policies, research finds The link between human rights and climate change adaptation policy has not been a major source of discussion in national policies, according to a new Concordia-led study. Moreover, the researchers say the topic should play a bigger role in the upcoming COP28 conference, which opens this week in Dubai.
	A new type of settlement from the time of the Wari State found in Peru A research team from the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona and the University of Almeria discovered in the latest excavations carried out at the site of El Trigal III, in the archaeological area of La Puntilla (Nasca, Ica, Peru), a new type of settlement. It is an architectural complex of large dimensions, consisting of a two-story building and a courtyard with warehouses from the time of the Wari State
	Study finds young women of color in Hartford use social media to navigate relationships and meet developmental needs The pervasiveness of social media has transformed how teens communicate and connect with their peers. Research suggests that it can be harmful to teen girls, in particular, exposing them to unrealistic beauty standards, eating disorders, and cyberbullying.
	Online consumers shy away from sponsored product listings, study finds Sometimes it doesn't pay to advertise.
	Rubbish bins designed with children's drawings rejected by residents Does the design of a rubbish bin affect the amount of litter thrown into it? A new study published in Resources, Conservation & Recycling Advances has compared the amount of litter put in outdoor rubbish bins with different designs.
	Report: Despite stronger fears of gun violence, California immigrants far less likely to own firearms than citizens Among Latinos and Asians living in California, immigrants are less likely than citizens to own a firearm and more likely to report being afraid of becoming a victim of gun violence, according to a new study from the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research.
	How big UK builders have remained profitable without meeting housing supply targets We must "bulldoze through" the planning system to "get Britain building again". So said Sir Keir Starmer at the Labour party's last annual conference. He argued it's time to "fight the blockers" and build the 1.5 million homes that he thinks Britain needs.
	Changing attitudes indicate Australia open to banning smacking of children Australia should join 65 other nations that have passed laws against corporal punishment of children in all settings to advance its goal of reducing all forms of violence against children, QUT researchers say.
	What are bush kinders? And what makes a good one? In Australia we have a long history of taking children outdoors to learn about the natural environment. But thanks to computer games, tablets, and busy lifestyles, children aren't getting as much exposure to nature as they used to.
	New report reveals servicewomen in British military being badly let down when reporting sexual violence Servicewomen in the British military are being badly let down when reporting sexual violence, with some victims even punished for breaches of military rules when making a report, new research reveals.

---

This email is a free service of Science X Network
You received this email because you subscribed to our list.
If you do not wish to receive such emails in the future, please unsubscribe here.
You are subscribed as manojdole1.copa@blogger.com. You may manage your subscription options from your Science X profile