Science X Newsletter Wed, Nov 22

Dear ,

Here is your customized Science X Newsletter for November 22, 2023:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

First experimental evidence of hopfions in crystals: Research opens up new dimension for future technology

Recently discovered nova investigated by astronomers

Lower testosterone correlated to higher rates of osteoarthritis in a non-dose–dependent way

New carbon material sets energy-storage record, likely to advance supercapacitors

Chlorine disinfectant is no more effective than water at killing off hospital superbug, new study shows

This sea worm's posterior swims away, and now scientists know how

Research challenges widespread belief that honeybees naturally insulate their colonies against cold

COVID-19 vaccination before infection strongly linked to reduced risk of developing long COVID

US Clean Air Act associated with increased average lifetime earnings of $21,400

Higher cognitive ability linked to higher chance of having voted against Brexit

Drones enable the use of defibrillators before ambulance arrival, study shows

Researchers pinpoint brain area where people who are blind recognize faces identified by sound

Predicting the fate of shallow coastal ecosystems for the year 2100

Earliest known European common hippopotamus fossil reveals their Middle Pleistocene dispersal

Researchers develop new method for prenatal genetic testing

Nanotechnology news

Networking nano-biosensors for wireless communication in the blood Biological computing machines, such as micro and nano-implants that can collect important information inside the human body, are transforming medicine. Yet, networking them for communication has proven challenging. Now, a global team, including EPFL researchers, has developed a protocol that enables a molecular network with multiple transmitters.

CRONT: Empowering optical tweezers with 'biometric eyes' Optothermal nanotweezers, an innovative optical manipulation technique over the past decade, have revolutionized classical optical manipulation by efficiently capturing a broader spectrum of nanoparticles. While this technique has been primarily used for in-situ manipulation of nanoparticles, its potential for identifying bio-nanoparticles remains largely unexplored.

Physics news

	First experimental evidence of hopfions in crystals: Research opens up new dimension for future technology Hopfions, magnetic spin structures predicted decades ago, have become a hot and challenging research topic in recent years. In a study published in Nature, the first experimental evidence is presented by a Swedish-German-Chinese research collaboration.
	Physicists model chromosome folding, reveal how loops affect spatial organization of the genome Human chromosomes are long polymer chains that store genetic information. The nucleus of each cell contains the entire human genome (DNA) encoded on 46 chromosomes with a total length of about 2 meters. To fit into the microscopic cell nucleus and at the same time provide constant access to genetic information, chromosomes are folded in the nucleus in a special, predetermined way. DNA folding is an urgent task at the intersection of polymer physics and systems biology.
	Combining extreme-ultraviolet light sources to resolve a quantum mechanical dissociation mechanism in oxygen molecules For the first time, researchers have succeeded in selectively exciting a molecule using a combination of two extreme-ultraviolet light sources and causing the molecule to dissociate while tracking it over time. This is another step towards specific quantum mechanical control of chemical reactions, which could enable new, previously unknown reaction channels.
	Dynamic z-scanning for ultrafast auto-focusing in laser processing In laser-based manufacturing, accommodating non-flat, or changing surfaces has traditionally been labor-intensive, involving complex focus mapping procedures and or ex-situ characterization. This often results in repositioning errors and extended processing times.

Earth news

	The 'dahliagram': An interdisciplinary tool to enable exploration of human-environment interactions Spurred by the current climate crisis, there has been heightened attention within the scientific community in recent years to how past climate variation contributed to historic human migration and other behaviors.
	Sustainability transitions in energy, mobility, food: Research focus shifts to real-world change processes Existing consumption and production systems, which use natural resources to meet societal needs for food, shelter, energy and health, are unsustainable. Although researchers from different disciplines have long investigated how these systems can become more sustainable, scientists from socio-technical and socio-environmental research communities are now seeking to join forces.
	Mind the gap: Study shows estimates of current land-based emissions vary between models due to differing definitions A new study published in Nature demonstrates that estimates of current land-based emissions vary between scientific models and national greenhouse gas inventories due to differing definitions of what qualifies as "managed" land and human-induced, or anthropogenic removals on that land, and shows how global mitigation benchmarks change when accounting for land use, land-use change, and forestry (LULUCF) fluxes in scientific models from the national inventory perspective.
	Researchers develop AI model that uses satellite images to detect plastic in oceans More and more plastic litter ends up in oceans every day. Satellite images can help detect accumulations of litter along shores and at sea so that it can be taken out. A research team has developed a new artificial intelligence model that recognizes floating plastics much more accurately in satellite images than before, even when the images are partly covered by clouds or weather conditions are hazy.
	Study catalogs how dissolved inorganic carbon moves through southeast Alaska's waterways Understanding carbon transport can offer important information about a changing climate. For instance, it can help scientists measure ocean acidification or other threats increased carbon levels pose to aquatic ecosystems. But one major, and often overlooked, source of carbon in the marine environment is dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC), transported from land to ocean by streams and rivers.
	Analyzing policy-driven changes to US forest carbon sequestration Climate change influences the frequency and intensity of wildfires in many areas of the United States. Trees remove carbon from the atmosphere, so tree planting can mitigate climate change. However, managing forests to prevent large destructive fires can involve thinning and prescribed burning, which releases a portion of forest carbon. To complicate matters further, large fires themselves can release significant carbon.
	Web-based tool provides insights into disparities in exposure to fine particulate airborne matter A team of researchers led by the Institute for Climate Change, Environmental Health, and Exposomics at Mount Sinai has developed an innovative web-based tool that provides accessible insights into disparities in exposure to fine particulate airborne matter, known as PM2.5. The work was published in Environmental Modelling & Software on November 20, 2023.
	New remote sensing dataset improves global land change tracking Tracking unprecedented changes in land use over the past century, global land cover maps provide key insights into the impact of human settlement on the environment. Researchers from Sun Yat-sen University created a large-scale remote sensing annotation dataset to support Earth observation research and provide new insight into the dynamic monitoring of global land cover.
	Understanding the link between biodiversity loss and technology life cycles The efforts to increase society's environmental sustainability focus on four major challenges that need to be addressed: climate change, natural resource dissipation, environmental pollution, and biodiversity loss.
	A strong earthquake shakes eastern Indonesia with no immediate reports of casualties or damages A strong, deep undersea earthquake shook the eastern side of Indonesia on Wednesday with no immediate reports of casualties or damages in the area.
	Load of rubbish: litter-hunters vie for unusual world title in Tokyo Tokyo's well-kept streets may not be the most obvious place to do it, but competitive litter-hunters on Wednesday sifted through the Japanese capital in their first world championship.
	Climate conspiracy theories flourish ahead of COP28 Climate conspiracy theories are flourishing with lifestyle influencers joining in the misinformation war and scientists hounded on social media, researchers say, as pressure rises on leaders at the COP28 summit.
	Sand mining in Vietnam's Mekong Delta sinks homes, livelihoods One summer morning, Le Thi Hong Mai's home collapsed into a river in Vietnam's Mekong Delta, where shoreline erosion caused by sand mining and hydropower dams threatens hundreds of thousands of people.
	Biden declares emergency over lead in water in US Virgin Islands President Joe Biden declared an emergency over lead-in-water contamination in the U.S. Virgin Islands earlier this week after tests on St. Croix revealed levels more than 100 times the limits set by the Environmental Protection Agency—among the worst results a U.S. community has seen in decades.
	Researchers recover deep-sea diving probe that measures ocean carbon from Southern Ocean In a first for CSIRO's research vessel (RV) Investigator, a state-of-the-art robotic float has been recovered from the Southern Ocean after its three-year mission sampling deep waters about 500 kilometers south of Tasmania.

Astronomy and Space news

	Recently discovered nova investigated by astronomers Astronomers from the Liverpool John Moores University have performed photometric and spectroscopic observations of a recently discovered nova, known as AT 2023prq. Results of the observational campaign, published in the November issue of the Research Notes of the American Astronomical Society (AAS), shed more light on the nature of this nova.
	Webb identifies methane in an exoplanet's atmosphere The James Webb Space Telescope observed the exoplanet WASP-80 b as it passed in front of and behind its host star, revealing spectra indicative of an atmosphere containing methane gas and water vapor. While water vapor has been detected in over a dozen planets to date, until recently, methane—a molecule found in abundance in the atmospheres of Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune within our solar system—has remained elusive in the atmospheres of transiting exoplanets when studied with space-based spectroscopy.
	NASA uses two worlds to test future Mars helicopter designs For the first time in history, two planets have been home to testing future aircraft designs. In this world, a new rotor that could be used with next-generation Mars helicopters was recently tested at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California, spinning at near-supersonic speeds (0.95 Mach). Meanwhile, the agency's Ingenuity Mars Helicopter has achieved new altitude and airspeed records on the Red Planet in the name of experimental flight testing.
	Does spaceflight increase men's risk of erectile dysfunction? During missions into space, astronauts are exposed to high levels of galactic cosmic radiation and weightlessness. Simulation experiments in male rats indicated that these aspects of spaceflight can negatively affect vascular tissues relevant to erectile dysfunction, even after a period of long-term recovery.
	A galaxy only 350 million years old has surprising amounts of metal Astrophysicists working with the JWST have found a surprising amount of metal in a galaxy only 350 million years after the Big Bang. How does that fit in with our understanding of the universe?
	If you're trying to prevent an asteroid impact, the technical and political challenges are staggering While preparing for the threat of an asteroid strike might seem like a hypothetical exercise, it's really not. The solar system has calmed down a lot from earlier times when impacts were more frequent. But it is only a matter of time before an asteroid heads straight for Earth. The probability of an impact is not zero.

Technology news

	Autonomous excavator constructs a 6-meter-high dry-stone wall ETH Zurich researchers deployed an autonomous excavator, called HEAP, to build a 6-meter-high and 65-meter-long dry-stone wall. The wall is embedded in a digitally planned and autonomously excavated landscape and park.
	Everything machines always wanted to learn about metal-oxide-semiconductor capacitors Machine learning (ML) is generally defined as data-driven technology mimicking intelligent human abilities, which bit by bit upgrades its accuracy from experience. It starts with gathering massive amounts of data, such as numbers, texts, images and so on. After training with the data, ML algorithms build a logical model to identify patterns through the least possible human intervention. With the help of sample training data, programmers test the model's validity before introducing a new dataset. The more training data, the better the prediction.
	New design for a rechargeable hydrogen-chlorine battery in a wide temperature range A research team led by Prof. Chen Wei from the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) designed a rechargeable hydrogen-chlorine (H2-Cl2) battery that can operate in temperatures ranging from -70°C to 40°C. The study was published in Journal of the American Chemical Society as the cover article.
	A new optimization framework for robot motion planning It isn't easy for a robot to find its way out of a maze. Picture these machines trying to traverse a kid's playroom to reach the kitchen, with miscellaneous toys scattered across the floor and furniture blocking some potential paths. This messy labyrinth requires the robot to calculate the most optimal journey to its destination, without crashing into any obstacles. What is the bot to do?
	Researchers manufacture the first back-contact micrometric photovoltaic cells The University of Ottawa, together with national and international partners, has achieved a world first by manufacturing the first back-contact micrometric photovoltaic cells. The cells, with a size twice the thickness of a strand of hair, have significant advantages over conventional solar technologies, reducing electrode-induced shadowing by 95% and potentially lowering energy production costs by up to three times.
	OpenAI brings back Sam Altman as CEO just days after his firing unleashed chaos The ousted leader of ChatGPT maker OpenAI will return to the company that fired him just days ago, concluding a short but chaotic power struggle that shocked the tech industry and underscored the conflicts around how to safely build artificial intelligence.
	Polarized world threatens open internet: ICANN After 25 years of keeping the internet strong and stable, the nonprofit ICANN—responsible for its technical infrastructure—is warning that increasingly polarized geopolitics could start cracking the foundations of the online world.
	Binance to pay billions in US in money laundering case, CEO resigns Binance chief executive Changpeng Zhao pleaded guilty Tuesday to US money laundering violations, in a deal that will see the cryptocurrency exchange he founded pay over $4 billion in penalties.
	Nvidia revenue rockets on demand for powerful chips Nvidia on Tuesday reported that its revenue more than tripled in the recently ended quarter as companies snapped up chips to power artificial intelligence (AI).
	Syngas photocatalysis made easy A study published in the journal PNAS Nexus reports a photocatalyst to enable solar-driven syngas production from methane steam reforming—a possible bridge fuel to a post-carbon energy world.
	Forget dystopian scenarios—AI is pervasive today, and the risks are often hidden The turmoil at ChatGPT-maker OpenAI, sparked by the board of directors firing high-profile CEO Sam Altman on Nov. 17, 2023, has put a spotlight on artificial intelligence safety and concerns about the rapid development of artificial general intelligence, or AGI. AGI is loosely defined as human-level intelligence across a range of tasks.
	Opinion: AI makes Silicon Valley's philosophy of 'move fast and break things' untenable The unofficial motto of Silicon Valley has long been "move fast and break things". It relies on the assumption that in order to create cutting edge technology and to be ahead of the competition, companies need to accept that things will get damaged in the process.
	Five ways retrofitting cities can help decarbonize our future Australian cities are not equipped to deal with the shocks and stresses of the near future.
	Forgiveness or punishment? Australia's proposed 'safe harbor' laws send mixed messages on cyber security Should companies experiencing cyber attacks be forgiven if they cooperate with the government to stop such attacks? That's the idea the federal government is considering with its possible "safe harbor" laws.
	Sails and satellite navigation could cut shipping industry's emissions by up to a third In the vast expanse of the world's oceans, a transformation is underway.
	What if Alexa or Siri sounded more like you? Study says you'll like it better One voice does not fit all when it comes to virtual assistants like Siri and Alexa, according to a team led by Penn State researchers that examined how customization and perceived similarity between user and voice assistant (VA) personalities affect user experience. They found a strong preference for extroverted VAs—those that speak louder, faster and in a lower pitch.
	Sam Altman's return ushers in new era at OpenAI Sam Altman's shock return as chief executive of OpenAI late Tuesday—days after being sacked—caps a chaotic period that highlighted deep tensions at the heart of the Artificial Intelligence community.
	Solar panels vs planting forests: Which reduces climate change faster? Photovoltaic fields outperform afforestation as a global climate-change mitigation strategy, according to a study published in the journal PNAS Nexus.
	Why office-to-housing conversions are more complicated than they sound Converting office space to housing units sounds like a win–win in the post-pandemic world of remote work and scarce housing.
	Engineers develop framework to predict types of sounds likely to be heard at certain locations Imagine yourself on a beautiful beach. You're likely visualizing sand and sea but also hearing a symphony of wind gusting, waves crashing and gulls cawing. In this scene—as well as in urban settings with neighbors talking, dogs barking and traffic whooshing—sounds are critical components of the overall feel of a place.
	Using AI as a guide for the better manufacturing of perovskite solar cells Tandem solar cells based on perovskite semiconductors convert sunlight to electricity more efficiently than conventional silicon solar cells. In order to make this technology ready for the market, further improvements with regard to stability and manufacturing processes are required.
	Securing carbon fiber from waste coal At the University of Kentucky's Center for Applied Energy Research (CAER), scientists' innovative research to turn Kentucky waste coal into high-value carbon products has been published in the journal Carbon.
	Researchers obtain promising results against capacity loss in vanadium batteries An article by researchers at the Center for Development of Functional Materials (CDMF) in Brazil describes a successful strategy to mitigate charge capacity loss in vanadium redox flow batteries, which are used by electric power utilities among other industries and can accumulate large amounts of energy. The article is published in the Chemical Engineering Journal.
	Understanding the strength development mechanism of chemically treated sandy soil Chemical injection is a process that enhances sand strength and its water-sealing capacity, making sandy soil suitable for various applications in construction. However, a unified understanding of how this process results in increased strength remains elusive. Some studies in the past have suggested that chemical injection separates soil particles, which causes volume expansion.
	The fallen kings of crypto Binance boss Changpeng Zhao has become the most powerful cryptocurrency figure to fall in a two-year period chaotic even by the standards of the notoriously volatile industry.
	Broadcom planning to complete deal for $69 billion acquisition of VMWare after regulators give OK Computer chip and software maker Broadcom has announced it has cleared all regulatory hurdles and plans to complete its $69 billion acquisition of cloud technology company VMware on Wednesday.
	Amazon accused of systematic gender discrimination in pay Three current Amazon employees say the company has created sexist pay practices and retaliated against them for complaining of gender-based discrimination, according to a proposed class-action lawsuit filed Monday in Seattle.
	Foreign cyberattack stole residents' sensitive information from Kansas court system A sophisticated foreign cyberattack targeted Kansas courts last month, jeopardizing sensitive information, the Kansas Supreme Court said Tuesday in its first explanation of what it previously called a security incident that disrupted courts across the state.
	Highly efficient method for removal of phosphate from aquaculture wastewater Enhanced phosphorus treatment and recovery has been continuously pursued due to the stringent wastewater discharge regulations and a phosphate supply shortage. A team of researchers from Hohai University has now developed a new adsorption-membrane separation strategy for rational reutilization of phosphate from sea cucumber aquaculture wastewater using a Zr-modified-bentonite filled polyvinyl chloride membrane.
	Causal reasoning meets visual representation learning: A prospective study With the emergence of huge amounts of heterogeneous multi-modal data—including images, videos, texts/languages, audios, and multi-sensor data—deep learning-based methods have shown promising performance for various computer vision and machine learning tasks, such as visual comprehension, video understanding, visual-linguistic analysis, and multi-modal fusion.
	Fishing industry rides tech wave to go green Sensors, "smart" buoys and high-tech traps can make fisheries in Europe more sustainable and profitable.

Chemistry news

	New carbon material sets energy-storage record, likely to advance supercapacitors Guided by machine learning, chemists at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory designed a record-setting carbonaceous supercapacitor material that stores four times more energy than the best commercial material. A supercapacitor made with the new material could store more energy—improving regenerative brakes, power electronics and auxiliary power supplies.
	Chemists use oxygen, copper 'scissors' to make cheaper drug treatments possible Drugs to treat cancer are often very expensive to produce, resulting in high costs for the patients who need them. Thanks to pathbreaking research by UCLA chemists, led by organic chemistry professor Ohyun Kwon, the price of drug treatments for cancer and other serious illnesses may soon plummet.
	Researchers identify 'unicorn' defense mechanism that protects bacteria from antibiotics Researchers at McMaster University have discovered unique characteristics of a mechanism used by bacteria to resist an important class of antibiotics. The new research, published in Nature Chemical Biology, shows that resistance to aminoglycoside drugs—used to treat a variety of infections—is far more complex than initially thought.

Biology news

	Chlorine disinfectant is no more effective than water at killing off hospital superbug, new study shows One of the primary chlorine disinfectants currently being used to clean hospital scrubs and surfaces does not kill off the most common cause of antibiotic-associated sickness in health care settings globally, according to a new study.
	This sea worm's posterior swims away, and now scientists know how A research team, led by Professor Toru Miura from the University of Tokyo, shows how the expression of developmental genes in the Japanese green syllid worms, Megasyllis nipponica, helps form their swimming reproductive unit called stolon. The work has been published in Scientific Reports.
	Research challenges widespread belief that honeybees naturally insulate their colonies against cold A Leeds researcher is keen to help beekeepers shape their practices following his study which appears to disprove the widespread belief that honeybees naturally insulate their colonies against the cold. His findings suggest that the creatures are potentially being subjected to thermally-induced stress.
	Predicting the fate of shallow coastal ecosystems for the year 2100 A new study of shallow-water ecosystems estimates that, by 2100, climate change and coastal land usage could result in significant shrinkage of coral habitats, tidal marshes, and mangroves, while macroalgal beds remain stable and seagrass meadows potentially expand. Hirotada Moki of the Port and Airport Research Institute, Japan, and colleagues present their findings in the open-access journal PLOS Climate.
	Earliest known European common hippopotamus fossil reveals their Middle Pleistocene dispersal Modern hippos first dispersed in Europe during the Middle Pleistocene, according to a study published Nov. 22, 2023 in the open-access journal PLOS ONE by Beniamino Mecozzi of the Sapienza University of Rome and colleagues.
	Some species of angelfish may spend their whole lives swimming upside down A multi-institutional team of oceanographers and marine biologists has found evidence showing that some deep-sea species of angelfish spend their entire lives swimming upside down. In their paper published in the Journal of Fish Biology, the group describes their study of video captured by several remotely operated undersea vehicles.
	Testing the limits of AlphaFold2's accuracy in predicting protein structure Proteins, the workhorses of biology, are encoded by DNA sequences and are responsible for vital functions within cells. Since the first experimental measurement of a protein structure was made by John Kendrew in the 1950s, protein's ability to fold into complex three-dimensional structures has long been a subject of scientific fascination and importance. However, determining these structures experimentally has remained a formidable challenge for decades.
	The genomic secrets to how the muskox mastered living on the edge At the end of the last Ice Age, many iconic species became extinct—including the steppe bison, the wooly rhinoceros, the Irish elk, and the dire wolf. However, one Ice Age relict, perfectly adapted to the harsh climate of the tundra environment, has survived until the present day. Muskox escaped the destiny of its Ice Age compatriots and appears to be thriving in the world of today.
	Skunks' warning stripes less prominent where predators are sparse, study finds Striped skunks are less likely to evolve with their famous and white markings where the threat of predation from mammals is low, scientists from the University of Bristol, Montana and Long Beach, California have discovered.
	Team discovers rules for breaking into Pseudomonas Researchers report in the journal Nature that they have found a way to get antibacterial drugs through the nearly impenetrable outer membrane of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a bacterium that—once it infects a person—is notoriously difficult to treat.
	Quinoa research punctures 100-year-old theory of odd little 'water balloons' Quinoa and many other extremely resilient plants are covered with strange balloon-like "bladders" that for 127 years were believed to be responsible for protecting them from drought and salt.
	Bacteria found to contribute to the modulation of animal behavior An increasingly important field of work in modern life sciences is the study of the symbiotic coexistence of animals, plants, and humans with their specific microbial populations. In recent years, researchers have gathered growing evidence that the composition and balance of the microbiome plays a decisive role in the function and health of the organism as a whole.
	Scientists discover a new stress response pathway for repairing RNA-protein crosslinks caused by toxic aldehydes The research team of Professor Petra Beli and their collaborators have discovered that aldehydes, a type of toxic chemical produced by the body after drinking alcohol, damage cells by creating chemical crosslinks between RNA and proteins, thereby interfering with protein production.
	Colossal Biosciences finds a home for one extinct species After years of working on bringing back one of the most popular extinct animals—the dodo—Colossal Biosciences has found a home for its bird in Mauritius in a new partnership with the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation.
	How local communities in Indonesia's Gili islands are restoring coral ecosystems amid rising sea temperatures This article is the second part of an in-depth science-based reporting series, supported by the Environmental Reporting from Asia-Pacific Island Countries grant by Internews' Earth Journalism Network.
	Researchers: Oxygen in the St. Lawrence Estuary is decreasing and having a major impact on small animals living there The waters of the St. Lawrence Estuary are running out of breath. The lack of oxygen in deep waters is affecting the organisms that live on the bottom of the estuary.
	Digitized records from wildlife centers show the most common ways that humans harm wild animals At hundreds of wildlife rehabilitation centers across the U.S., people can learn about wild animals and birds at close range. These sites, which may be run by nonprofits or universities, often feature engaging exhibits, including "ambassador" animals that can't be released—an owl with a damaged wing, for example, or a fox that was found as a kit and became accustomed to being fed by humans.
	Study of wintering sites shows bat seasonal migration is more complex than previously assumed In late summer, some bat species migrate from northern Europe along the coastlines to their wintering sites in central and western Europe. Until now it was assumed that all bats traveled in the same direction during the migration. However, the reality is more complex.
	Unraveling paddy soil secrets: Surprising contribution of nonmicrobial mechanisms to CO₂ emissions A study published recently in the journal Eco-Environment & Health, has shown that natural processes, especially reactions involving certain reactive oxygen species, play a big role in how paddy soils release CO2. This adds to our understanding of the world's carbon balance.
	Low-pH-dependent RNA binding and oligomerization of SID-1 transmembrane family proteins: Implications for RNA transport In C. elegans, the protein SID1 plays a crucial role in the systemic RNA interference process by facilitating the transport of exogenous double-stranded RNA into the cytoplasm. Previously, Chen-Yu Zhang's group has already demonstrated that intact plant miRNA found in dietary sources can be absorbed through the mammalian digestive system and mediate cross-kingdom gene regulation.
	'Extremely venomous' green mamba loose in Netherlands An "extremely venomous" two-meter-long green mamba snake is on the loose in the Netherlands, police said Tuesday, warning residents to stay indoors and under no circumstances attempt to ensnare the serpent.
	Iguana invasion: Thailand rounds up rogue reptiles Thailand has captured more than 150 rogue iguanas that were rampaging through the countryside, raiding farms and damaging the local environment, officials said.
	Bay Area scientist with bees in his bonnet gives Gov. Newsom a buzz in his ear Among the presidents of nations, high-profile dignitaries, and leaders of household-name companies like Visa, ExxonMobil and Microsoft who descended on San Francisco last week to speak at Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation events was a Santa Cruz computer scientist who put a buzz in Gov. Gavin Newsom's ear.
	Q&A: One of the world's worst pests attacks California One of the world's worst pests is infesting crops all over California. There are seven active quarantines spanning the length of the state, but experts say those affecting San Bernardino and Riverside counties are especially serious.
	'Eat, Poop, Die': Researcher's book explores how animals make our world In his new book "Eat, Poop, Die," UVM wildlife expert Joe Roman explores the fascinating lives of whales, seabirds, insects and other animals as they traverse their homes, from a few thousand kilometers of ocean to a few inches of soil.

Medicine and Health news

	Lower testosterone correlated to higher rates of osteoarthritis in a non-dose–dependent way Researchers at the Wuhan Sports University, China, have found a negative association between serum testosterone levels and arthritis. The relationship between serum testosterone and arthritis appeared nonlinear, and the finding of a correlation could not establish a direct causal relationship.
	COVID-19 vaccination before infection strongly linked to reduced risk of developing long COVID Receiving at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine before the first infection is strongly associated with a reduced risk of developing post-COVID-19 condition, commonly known as long COVID, finds a study published by The BMJ today (Nov. 22).
	US Clean Air Act associated with increased average lifetime earnings of $21,400 Early exposure to airborne lead has long-term outcomes on employment, disability and lifetime earnings, and the passage of the US Clean Air Act in 1970 has had an estimated US $4.23 trillion in benefits through its impact on airborne lead levels and the resulting increase in labor market outcomes, according to a new study published November 15 in the open-access journal PLOS ONE by Spencer Banzhaf of North Carolina State University and Melissa Ruby Banzhaf of the US Census Bureau.
	Drones enable the use of defibrillators before ambulance arrival, study shows Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have evaluated the possibility of alerting drones equipped with automated external defibrillators (AED) to patients with suspected cardiac arrest. In more than half of the cases, the drones were ahead of the ambulance by an average of three minutes. In cases where the patient was in cardiac arrest, the drone-delivered defibrillator was used in a majority of cases.
	Researchers pinpoint brain area where people who are blind recognize faces identified by sound Using a specialized device that translates images into sound, Georgetown University Medical Center neuroscientists and colleagues showed that people who are blind recognized basic faces using the part of the brain known as the fusiform face area, a region that is crucial for the processing of faces in sighted people.
	Researchers develop new method for prenatal genetic testing A team of investigators from Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH), and the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard have developed a non-invasive genetic test that can screen the blood of pregnant individuals to survey all genes for fetal DNA sequence variants.
	New clues into the head-scratching mystery of itch Scientists at Harvard Medical School have shown for the first time that a common skin bacterium—Staphylococcus aureus—can cause itch by acting directly on nerve cells.
	From the first bite, our sense of taste helps pace our eating, scientists discover When you eagerly dig into a long-awaited dinner, signals from your stomach to your brain keep you from eating so much you'll regret it—or so it's been thought. That theory had never really been directly tested until a team of scientists at UC San Francisco recently took up the question.
	Lowering a form of brain cholesterol reduces Alzheimer's-like damage in mice In Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, cognitive decline is driven by the over-accumulation of a normal brain protein known as tau. Wherever tau builds up, nearby brain tissue starts to degenerate and die.
	Study finds overdose deaths increased in pregnant and postpartum women from early 2018 to late 2021 Drug overdose deaths rose markedly between January to June 2018 and July to December 2021 among 10- to 44-year-old girls and women who were pregnant or pregnant within the previous 12 months, according to a new study by researchers at National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) at the National Institutes of Health.
	Nutrient found in beef and dairy improves immune response to cancer: Study Trans-vaccenic acid (TVA), a long-chain fatty acid found in meat and dairy products from grazing animals such as cows and sheep, improves the ability of CD8+ T cells to infiltrate tumors and kill cancer cells, according to a new study by researchers from the University of Chicago.
	Turning back the clock on brains aged by COVID-19 University of Queensland researchers have found a way to reverse a cellular process triggered by COVID-19 that contributes to premature aging of the brain.
	Previously unknown protein plays a key role in a congenital malformation of the heart Through experiments on genetically modified mice, a team led by Ursula Quitterer, Professor of Molecular Pharmacology at ETH Zurich, determined which molecular switches are involved and how they need to be thrown to halt the malformations that damage the heart. One day, these insights could benefit people suffering from tetralogy of Fallot, provided substances are found that are capable of targeting and inhibiting BBLN or its interactions with other proteins. Quitterer and her team have already started searching for such substances.
	Scientists discover key step to kidney fibrosis Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center for the first time have shown that activation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is essential for the development of kidney fibrosis, tissue scarring following injury that can lead to kidney failure.
	Tumor antigens key to improving cancer immunotherapy, study suggests Just as the body's immune system can fight off infection, it can be a powerful weapon against cancer. Harnessing and fine-tuning that weapon, however, will require a better understanding of the complex interactions between immune and tumor cells.
	Study: Mice that eat less of an obesity-associated amino acid live longer, healthier There's a popular saying in some circles that "a calorie is a calorie," but science shows that it may not be true. In fact, it may be possible to eat more of some kinds of calories while also improving your health.
	Survival of the fittest? New study shows how cancer cells use cell competition to evade the body's defenses Living cells compete with each other and try to adapt to the local environment. Cells that are unable to do so are eliminated eventually. This cellular competition is crucial as the surrounding normal epithelial cells use it to identify and eliminate mutant cancer cells. Studies have reported that when activating mutants of "Ras" proteins are expressed in mammalian epithelial cells, they are pushed toward the lumen, excreted along with other bodily waste, and eliminated by competition.
	Study finds ChatGPT gives better advice than professional columnists There's no doubt ChatGPT has proven to be valuable as a source of quality technical information. But can it also provide social advice?
	New research could predict deaths based on shopping habits Research from Nottingham University Business School is one step closer to helping to predict deaths from respiratory diseases by analyzing the shopping habits of customers in local authority areas across England.
	Lidocaine kills cancer cells by activating bitter taste receptor, preclinical study shows Lidocaine—often used as a numbing agent for outpatient medical procedures—activates certain bitter taste receptors through two unique mechanisms that result in cancer cell death, according to researchers from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania.
	Camouflaging stem cell-derived transplants to avoid immune rejection Cell and organ transplants can be lifesaving, but patients often encounter long waiting lists due to the shortage of suitable donors. According to donatelife.net, in 2021, 6,000 people died in the U.S. alone while waiting for a transplant. One day, transplants generated from stem cells may alleviate the constant organ donor shortage, making transplants available to a larger group of patients.
	Cancer blood tests jumpstart diagnoses and targeted therapy New research led by a UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center clinical scientist shows blood tests used to hunt for cancer DNA may help detect cancers faster and guide the use of targeted therapies. The results of the study were published in npj Precision Oncology.
	Imaging breakthroughs provide insight into the dynamic architectures of HIV proteins The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a formidable pathogen. It mutates rapidly; in fact, estimates suggest that the genetic diversity of HIV in a single person at one point in time is equal to the diversity of influenza across the globe for a year. HIV also has developed structures to shield itself from recognition and attack by antibodies and therapeutics. These factors all contribute to HIV being a dangerous, hard-to-treat virus.
	Eye movements can be decoded by the sounds they generate in the ear, study shows Scientists can now pinpoint where someone's eyes are looking just by listening to their ears.
	New drug shows potential in treatment of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma A study conducted at the University of Turku, Finland, shows that plixorafenib, a new drug developed for treating melanoma and lung cancer, may also stop the progression of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma.
	Study identifies how the brain handles different types of memory retrieval Researchers have investigated the shared and unique neural processes that underlie different types of long-term memory: general semantic, personal semantic and episodic memory.
	Rise in people discovered dead and decomposed in England and Wales raises concerns An exploratory study has raised concerns about the increasing number of people in England and Wales whose bodies are discovered so late that they have decomposed.
	Obesity may not be the only factor to link ultra-processed foods to higher risk of mouth, throat and esophagus cancers Eating more ultra-processed foods (UPFs) may be associated with a higher risk of developing cancers of the upper aerodigestive tract (including the mouth, throat and esophagus), according to a new study led by researchers from the University of Bristol and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).
	Novel MRI reveals brain changes in long COVID patients People with long COVID exhibit patterns of changes in the brain that are different from fully recovered COVID-19 patients, according to research being presented next week at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA).
	Can sound stimulation lessen long-term concussion symptoms? New research indicates that acoustic stimulation of the brain may ease persistent symptoms in individuals who have experienced mild traumatic brain injury in the past.
	Does stem cell transplantation benefit patients with knee osteoarthritis? Cell therapy represents a potential regenerative treatment for osteoarthritis. A recent analysis of all relevant published studies indicates that stem cell transplantation from different sources is effective for treating knee osteoarthritis, the most prevalent chronic joint disease.
	AI identifies non-smokers at high risk for lung cancer Using a routine chest X-ray image, an artificial intelligence (AI) tool can identify non-smokers who are at high risk for lung cancer, according to a study being presented next week at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA).
	Does patient-surgeon gender concordance lead to lower patient mortality? Mostly no, research suggests New research finds little evidence that post-surgical patient mortality is lower when patient and surgeon are the same gender.
	More servings of whole grains linked to slower memory decline in Black people Black people who eat more foods with whole grains, including some breads and cereals, quinoa, and popcorn, may have a slower rate of memory decline compared to Black people who eat fewer whole grain foods, according to a study published in the November 22, 2023, online issue of Neurology. The researchers did not see a similar trend in white participants.
	Four tips for mindful eating during the holidays Between cocktail parties after work, making cookies with the grandkids and the never-ending holiday get-togethers, it can feel like the season is built for overindulging.
	Does turkey actually make you sleepy? It's as reliable as the parades and football matches: Come Thanksgiving, you indulge in your family's traditional feast before settling in for a much-needed nap. But while may blame the day's "food coma" on the turkey specifically, i's more likely a result of overeating.
	App helps manage fibromyalgia through acceptance and commitment therapy A smartphone-based acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) app may help patients manage fibromyalgia (FM), according to a study presented at the annual meeting of the American College of Rheumatology, held from Nov. 10 to 15 in San Diego.
	2015 to 2018 hypertension prevalence nearly 50 percent in the United States The prevalence of stage 1 and stage 2 hypertension in 2015 to 2018 was 44.2 percent in Los Angeles (LA) County and 47.3 percent in the United States, according to a report published in the November Health E-Stats, a publication of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Center for Health Statistics.
	Probiotics research looks to 3D printing to get the good stuff in the gut Nutrition and food science researchers at the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station are working to improve the impact probiotics can have on gut health using 3D food printers.
	Researchers develop 'game-changing' dental implant technology A team of UCLA School of Dentistry researchers led by Takahiro Ogawa, D.D.S., Ph.D., has culminated a decade of dental implant research with the development of a cutting-edge technology that ensures near-perfect osseointegration, faster healing times, and significantly reduced complications for patients.
	Here's what happens to your penis as you age All parts of your body age and the penis is no exception.
	Thinking of trying a detox? Here's what you need to know first What is a "detox"? It's a process that involves using particular products, diets or other detoxification methods to try and rid the body of so-called "toxins."
	SAD lamps: Experts explain how they help the winter blues Have you ever noted that you sleep more in the winter months? Or eat more carbs or have low energy? If you do, then you might be one of the around 6% of the higher latitude populations with seasonal affective disorder (SAD).
	Research suggests a social media detox may not be as good for you as you think Whether you're an influencer, an occasional poster, or just a lurker, you likely spend more time than you'd like on social media. Globally, working-age people with internet access now spend more than 2.5 hours per day on social platforms like Instagram, Facebook or X (Twitter).
	Research links childhood deprivation to accelerated biological aging later in life By using advanced epigenetic aging techniques and new data from older adults, a team of researchers found that being deprived of a nurturing childhood environment is associated with accelerated biological aging at older ages.
	Database of drug-related festival deaths needed to save lives, researchers say A study led by the University of Liverpool has called for the introduction of a national database of drug-related medical incidents at U.K. music festivals to evaluate support services, improve safety and reduce the risk of drug-related deaths (DRDs).
	Journey into the dilemmas of the brain When you go to a restaurant, do you always order the same thing or do you like to try something new? If you order your favorite dish, you're guaranteed a delicious meal. If you order something you haven't tried before, you might discover a new favorite ... or be disappointed.
	Study finds early anti-inflammatory treatment is best protection for the newborn brain A major systematic review of treatments for protecting the newborn brain from the negative effects of inflammation has found that earlier anti-inflammatory intervention is best, but it's better late than never.
	Recently discovered genetic mutation could be behind some cases of severe osteoporosis A recently discovered genetic mutation could be the cause of some severe and baffling cases of osteoporosis—including cases in young people.
	Research reveals pro-phagocytic function and structural basis of GPR84 signaling A recent study, published in Nature Communications, focuses on the interaction between free fatty acids (FFAs) and GPR84, a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR).
	Malaria jabs set for broader rollout in Africa The United Nations heralded Wednesday the forthcoming scale-up of malaria vaccination across Africa after the first shipment of doses arrived in Cameroon.
	Ubrogepant beneficial for treating migraine during the prodrome Ubrogepant is beneficial for the treatment of migraine when taken during the prodrome, according to a study published online Nov. 15 in The Lancet.
	Race/ethnicity, socioeconomics, age contribute to disparities in cancer death Factors contributing to disparities in cancer death include race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, geographic location, and age, according to a study published online Nov. 14 in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians.
	Avoid food poisoning this holiday season The last thing a holiday host wants is to have guests get food poisoning from the feast they've set.
	Birth rates have risen in states with abortion bans New data shows that births rose in the first half of 2023 in states where abortion bans came into effect following the fall of Roe v. Wade in 2022.
	Israel and Palestine in the therapist's office: How counselors support people without taking sides War and politics can cause serious mental anguish and trauma, even for people thousands of miles away from a conflict. Counselors who specialize in loss and grief may well meet clients who have lost relatives in conflicts such as those in Ukraine and the Middle East.
	What is the winter forecast for COVID-19? And should we expect a 'tripledemic' of COVID, flu and RSV? The COVID-19 winter forecast is for relatively mild illness thanks to vaccination and natural immunity, health experts at Northeastern University say.
	Semaglutide could benefit millions of Americans with obesity, heart disease Semaglutide (brand name: Wegovy) has the potential to markedly reduce the risk of heart attacks and other heart-related conditions among millions of Americans with obesity who have also been diagnosed with cardiovascular disease, a Yale study shows.
	Giving thanks can be good for your well-being For many, Thanksgiving can be a source of anxiety, conjuring up thoughts of hectic travel schedules, long hours in the kitchen and uncomfortable conversation with family members.
	Anti-rheumatic drugs could prevent thyroid disease, observational study suggests Anti-rheumatic drugs used for rheumatoid arthritis might prevent the development of autoimmune thyroid disease, according to a new observational study by researchers from Karolinska Institutet published in the Journal of Internal Medicine. The paper is titled "Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs and risk of thyroxine-treated autoimmune thyroid disease in patients with rheumatoid arthritis."
	Breathing new life into old medications: A strategy that targets cancer stem cells In a review published in the journal Genes & Diseases, researchers from ICMR-National Institute of Nutrition (NIN), advocate for the repurposing of non-cancer drugs to target elusive cancer stem cells (CSCs). By focusing on drugs that are already approved and have established safety records for other conditions, this strategy offers a more immediate and safer avenue to innovate cancer therapy.
	Researchers claim vitamin supplements and new technology can help prevent secondary stroke A team of researchers, including one from the University of Maine, argue that vitamin supplements can help prevent secondary strokes. They also advocate for the value of new technologies in eye research to verify these findings.
	Telehealth's lasting impact on cancer care delivery A recent Mayo Clinic retrospective study published in JCO Oncology Practice shows that cancer practices can integrate telehealth without duplicative care, allowing for a more streamlined health care experience for patients and their caregivers.
	A computer model of the ear may help to improve cochlear implants Professor Pavel Jungwirth and his colleagues from the Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences (IOCB Prague) and the cochlear implant company MED-EL, based in Austria have come up with a complete computer model of the ear. It can be used to simulate hearing of mammals, including humans, from the outer ear all the way to the auditory nerve.
	Research lays the groundwork for a lifesaving group B strep vaccine One in five pregnant women carry Streptococcus agalactiae (group B strep or GBS) in the vaginal tract, which is typically harmless—except when it isn't.
	Canadians' feelings about the causes of obesity are often harmful to self-esteem, new study shows The causes behind weight gain and obesity are complex, but many Canadians still hold negative attitudes and beliefs towards individuals who live with overweight and obesity.
	Depression, anxiety, and stress frequently co-occur in Black pregnant individuals: Study Black pregnant individuals frequently experience more than one mental health concern, according to findings published by Susan Gennaro, Ph.D., RN, FAAN, Professor in the William F. Connell School of Nursing at Boston College, and colleagues in The Nurse Practitioner. They say prenatal screening and treatment for stress is warranted in addition to care for depression and anxiety.
	People struggling with work addiction feel unwell even when they are working, finds study The mood of workaholics—individuals who suffer from work addiction—is on average worse than that of other people, even when engaged in the activity they are most passionate about: their work. Workaholism shares many similarities with other addictions, such as gambling or alcoholism.
	Genetic predisposition to early breast cancer in Kazakh women A new research paper titled "Determination of genetic predisposition to early breast cancer in women of Kazakh ethnicity" has been published in Oncotarget.
	Has the COVID-19 pandemic compromised bone health? Results from a study published in the American Journal of Human Biology suggest that the COVID-19 pandemic has had negative effects on bone tissue—including both bone mineral density in the forearm and total bone mineral content.
	AI use in Mozambique jails spawns new hope in TB fight A program using artificial intelligence to test inmates in a high security Mozambican jail for tuberculosis has spawned hope that the new tech can help eradicate the disease.
	Authorities warn that fake HIV drugs are found in Kenya despite a crackdown on counterfeits Kenyan authorities issued a warning Wednesday about the sale of counterfeit HIV prevention drugs in the country, saying their "safety, quality and efficacy cannot be assured."
	Is autism 'overdiagnosed' in Australia due to the NDIS, or is it being better identified? Ahead of the release of the government's review into the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), the topic taking center stage is the diagnosis of autism. Over one-third of people accessing the scheme list it as a primary disability.
	Pass the potatoes, or take a pass? Here's expert advice If you say "potato," and then say "healthy," some people might call your thinking half-baked.
	What to know about norovirus Cases of norovirus—a common viral stomach illness—tend to occur in the U.S. between November and April. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there have been at least 13 cruise ship outbreaks so far in 2023. But norovirus causes about 20 million cases each year in the U.S. with more than 100,000 hospitalizations, and it can spread almost anywhere, so it's important to know how to spot it and deal with an infection.
	Revealing key insights into the trends of asthma mortality Asthma is among the most common chronic respiratory diseases in the world. Characterized by inflammation and narrowing of the airways, it can trigger serious bouts of coughing and breathing problems. Unfortunately, asthma is becoming increasingly prevalent, with a total of over 262 million cases reported worldwide in 2019.
	Vaccine to prevent a dangerous tropical disease receives approval The chikungunya virus is widespread in tropical regions, where it is spread to humans by mosquitoes of the genus Aedes. Chikungunya is characterized by high fever, headache, muscle and joint pain, rash, and sometimes diarrhea. This viral disease has become a global health threat.
	Risk-taking behavior on roads in Victoria, Australia increased during lockdowns, study shows Reduced travel on Victoria's roads during the COVID-19 pandemic did not equate to proportionate reductions in road trauma.
	Mitochondria-targeting antibiotics extend lifespan in C. elegans study A new research paper titled "Antibiotics that target mitochondria extend lifespan in C. elegans" has been published in Aging.

Other Sciences news

	Higher cognitive ability linked to higher chance of having voted against Brexit A new analysis suggests that a person with higher cognitive ability may have been more likely to vote "Remain" in the 2016 Brexit referendum, and that a spouse's cognitive skills may also be linked to Brexit voting decisions. Chris Dawson and Paul Baker of the University of Bath, U.K., present these findings in the open-access journal PLOS ONE on November 22, 2023.
	Casas del Turuñuelo, a site of repeated animal sacrifice in Iron Age Spain The Iron Age site of Casas del Turuñuelo was used repeatedly for ritualized animal sacrifice, according to a multidisciplinary study published November 22, 2023 in the open-access journal PLOS ONE by Mª Pilar Iborra Eres of the Institut Valencià de Conservació, Restauració i Investigació, Spain, Sebastián Celestino Pérez of Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Spain, and their colleagues.
	Study suggests men benefit more from being attractive in the workplace than women A pair of sociologists, one with the University of Oslo, the other with the Polish Academy of Sciences has found that men benefit more in the workplace from being attractive than women do. In their study, reported in the journal Social Science Quarterly, Alexi Gugushvili and Grzegorz Bulczak describe analyzed data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (NLSAH).
	Childhood in medieval Bavaria: What teeth reveal about nutrition and migration New research findings reveal that some children in early medieval Bavaria were breastfed for much longer periods than today. Also, many early Bavarians buried around 500 AD originate from other geographical regions where feeding practices apparently differed.
	What are the effects of workforce automation across race and gender in the United States? Advances in areas such as robotics and artificial intelligence enable the automation of a range of occupational tasks, leading to fundamental changes in the nature of work. New research published in the American Journal of Economics and Sociology indicates that the effects of job automation vary across race and gender and, without targeted interventions, will likely result in increasing inequality.
	Rethinking boundaries in a warming world These days, migration is always in the news. Around the world, people are displaced by war, political oppression, poverty and violence; every day, families risk their lives in search of better environments.
	Really need those new shoes? Why you might spend up big at the Black Friday sales If you're one of those people who line up for the Black Friday sales, jump online for Singles Day, or are thinking you'll queue outside the local department store on Boxing Day for the "real bargains," rest assured, you are not alone.
	'Your United States was normal': Has translation tech really made language learning redundant? Every day, millions of people start the day by posting a greeting on social media. None of them expect to be arrested for their friendly morning ritual.
	Why student experiments with generative AI matter for our collective learning Generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools like ChatGPT based on Large Language Models (LLMs) are revolutionizing the ways we think, learn and work.
	Charity scams get active over the holidays: Expert tips to avoid them Abandoned animals, kids with cancer, disabled veterans: These and other pitches for charity can move your emotions and have you reaching for your credit card.
	Why are so many graduates shunning teaching? Pay—but not bonuses—could be the answer There is a persistent shortage of teachers in England. Numbers of new recruits fail to meet targets, and too many teachers are leaving their jobs. It's clear that more new teachers are needed—but apparently, not enough people are choosing the profession.
	Examining gender stereotypes embedded in natural language Gender stereotypes harm people of both genders—and society more broadly—by steering and sometimes limiting people to behaviors, roles, and activities linked with their gender. Widely shared stereotypes include the assumption that men are more central to professional life while women are more central to domestic life. Other stereotypes link men with math and science and women with arts and liberal arts.
	Research team validates big data's role in analyzing consumer behavior The ongoing COVID-19 endemic phase has brought a consistent rise in international travelers. The Credit Finance Association revealed that overseas expenditures on personal debit cards from seven credit card companies had surged by approximately 38% year on year as of the third quarter of 2023.
	New study on experience of adopted people as they become parents Parenting is always challenging, but for adopted people becoming a mum or dad can be extra demanding, as well as extra special—according to research from the University of East Anglia.
	Study casts doubt on the real efficacy of stock options as a way of rewarding manager performance Designing an efficient compensation method for the managers of a business is a key element in ensuring a healthy ownership transition when a firm is sold, according to a new paper by Moritz Hiemann of Bocconi's Department of Accounting, published in the November 2023 issue of The Accounting Review under the title "Accrual Accounting in Performance Measurement and the Separation of Ownership and Control."
	'Math anxiety' causes students to disengage, says study A new Sussex study has revealed that "math anxiety" can lead to disengagement and create significant barriers to learning. According to charity National Numeracy, more than one-third of adults in the U.K. report feeling worried or stressed when faced with math, a condition known as math anxiety.
	Climate economists identify interventions that could rescue 1.5°C Paris Agreement goal To meet the goals of the Paris Agreement and limit global heating to 1.5°C, global annual emissions will need to drop radically over the coming decades. A new paper from climate economists at the University of Oxford says that this goal could still be within our reach. They identify key "sensitive intervention points" that could unlock significant progress towards the Paris Agreement with the least risk and highest impact. These include:
	How certain media talk about AI may have everything to do with political ideology Even as artificial intelligence (AI) becomes embedded into every fabric our daily lives—from language translation to virtual personal assistants—it continues to be a divisive issue. As its reach expands, Virginia Tech researchers are seeking to understand which sections of society might be more receptive to AI and which sections may be more averse to it.
	UN climate meetings organized in a way that benefits richer, larger countries: Study The COP climate meetings are organized in a way that benefits richer and larger countries at the expense of smaller and poorer countries, according to a new study from Lund University and the University of Leeds. The study also labels the participating countries as either Radicals, Opportunists, Hypocrites or Evaders.
	More is not always better, even when it comes to digital platforms As with the business of logistics, where having multiple routes to deliver goods to the same destination raises reliability, network-dependent consumerism depends on multiple networks having a host computer with multiple connections operating in sync.
	Study shows how leaders can break down 'benevolent marginalization' There has been significant growth in the implementation of equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) initiatives in the workplace—but that doesn't mean businesses are getting it right. In their efforts to break down barriers, firms often end up marginalizing disadvantaged groups, resulting in more harm than good.
	Chinese-Russian cooperation has strengthened significantly in the past 30 years, analysis shows Chinese and Russian cooperation has grown significantly in the past three decades thanks to joint work on energy trade, politics and official visits, analysis shows.
	What is the true nature of the 'Matildas effect'? New research shows it is profound, but uneven No event in Australian history has captured the country's imagination like the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup. From coast to coast, Australians tuned in to witness the Matilda's historic tournament run, reaching the semi-finals for the first time in the team's history.
	Researchers: Health and education are closely linked—NZ needs to integrate them more in primary schools Given the health and education challenges many New Zealand children face, it is surprising (and even depressing) how little crossover and collaboration there is between these two vital sectors.
	Firearms officers: UK report reveals the 'toxic culture' keeping women and ethnic minorities out of specialist squads Hundreds of London's Metropolitan police officers temporarily turned in their firearms in September after the Crown Prosecution Service charged an officer with the murder of unarmed 24-year-old Chris Kaba. Up to 300 of the force's 2,500 armed officers stepped back from their duties, leading the Met to request backup support from the army. Met commissioner Mark Rowley suggested that officers were concerned about having "sufficient legal protection to enable them to do their job."
	Report: Female charity workers suffered high levels of stress during the pandemic and cost of living crisis Female charity workers, who supported vulnerable women throughout and beyond the pandemic, experienced high levels of psychological distress, a new study has found.

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