Science X Newsletter Fri, Dec 1

Dear ,

Here is your customized Science X Newsletter for December 1, 2023:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

An anomalous relativistic emission arising from the intense interaction of lasers with plasma mirrors

As dengue expands beyond the global 'dengue belt,' scientists dispel conventional wisdom about the disease

Trick prompts ChatGPT to leak private data

'Bone biographies' reveal lives of medieval England's common people—and illuminate early benefits system

Why reading nursery rhymes and singing to babies may help them to learn language

One of the largest magnetic storms in history quantified: Aurorae from the tropics to the polar regions

Japanese experimental nuclear fusion reactor inaugurated

Meditation training can support well-being in older adults, finds trial

Vitamin D supplements do not prevent bone fractures in children, finds study

Researchers discover deep structural biology connections that help improve CAR therapy

New research suggests cellular stress in the placenta may be possible cause of preeclampsia

Black men with advanced prostate cancer less likely to receive crucial treatment, study finds

Hope for autoimmune skin disorder sufferers with new immunotherapy strategy

Nature's palette reinvented: New fermentation breakthrough in sustainable food coloring

Researchers discover hidden structure in networks like Twitter

Nanotechnology news

	Harvesting more solar energy with two-dimensional supercrystals When Emiliano Cortés goes hunting for sunlight, he doesn't use gigantic mirrors or sprawling solar farms. Quite the contrary, the professor of experimental physics and energy conversion at LMU dives into the nanocosmos.
	Study unveils shape-configurable MXene-based thermoacoustic loudspeakers with tunable sound directivity Recent research has led to the development of film-type shape-configurable speakers. These speakers, based on the unique properties of MXene, offer tunable sound directivity and hold immense promise for the rapidly growing field of wearable electronics. The study is published in Advanced Materials.
	Researcher develops a chatbot with an expertise in nanomaterials A researcher has just finished writing a scientific paper. She knows her work could benefit from another perspective. Did she overlook something? Or perhaps there's an application of her research she hadn't thought of. A second set of eyes would be great, but even the friendliest of collaborators might not be able to spare the time to read all the required background publications to catch up.

Physics news

	An anomalous relativistic emission arising from the intense interaction of lasers with plasma mirrors Interactions between intense laser pulses and plasma mirrors have been the focus of several recent physics studies due to the interesting effects they produce. Experiments have revealed that these interactions can generate a non-linear physical process known as high-order harmonics, characterized by the emission of extreme ultraviolet radiation (XUV) and brief flashes of laser light (i.e., attosecond pulses).
	Japanese experimental nuclear fusion reactor inaugurated The world's biggest experimental nuclear fusion reactor in operation was inaugurated in Japan on Friday, a technology in its infancy but billed by some as the answer to humanity's future energy needs.
	Photonic chip that 'fits together like Lego' opens door to semiconductor industry Researchers at the University of Sydney Nano Institute have invented a compact silicon semiconductor chip that integrates electronics with photonic, or light, components. The new technology significantly expands radio-frequency (RF) bandwidth and the ability to accurately control information flowing through the unit.
	Control over friction, from small to large scales Friction is hard to predict and control, especially since surfaces that come in contact are rarely perfectly flat. New experiments demonstrate that the amount of friction between two silicon surfaces, even at large scales, is determined by the forming and rupturing of microscopic chemical bonds between them. This makes it possible to control the amount of friction using surface chemistry techniques. This research has been published in Physical Review Letters.
	New understanding of 'oobleck-like' fluids contributes to smart material design If you mix cornstarch and water in the right proportions, you get something that seems not-quite-liquid but also not-quite-solid. Oobleck flows and settles like a liquid when untouched but stiffens when you try to pick it up or stir it with a spoon. The properties of oobleck and other non-Newtonian fluids—including Silly Putty, quicksand, paint, and yogurt—change under stress or pressure, and scientists have long struggled to prove exactly why.
	Shrinking particle accelerators with cold plasma and a large picnic basket Twenty-five feet below ground, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory scientist Spencer Gessner opens a large metal picnic basket. This is not your typical picnic basket filled with cheese, bread and fruit—it contains screws, bolts, steel tubing, and many other parts and pieces that carry particles to nearly the speed of light. The components are arranged precisely to do an important job: help feed bunches of fast-moving electrons into the stuff that the sun is made of: plasma.

Earth news

	Consensus needed on when global warming reaches 1.5°C, say scientists Writing in the journal Nature ahead of COP28, a team of Met Office scientists has emphasized that—surprisingly—there is currently no formally agreed way of defining the current level of global warming relevant to the Paris Agreement.
	'End of century' extreme heat and drought conditions in Europe could occur much earlier than previously thought Simultaneous episodes of extreme heat and drought—typical of a moderate warming scenario predicted for the end of the 21st century—could occur earlier and repeatedly in Europe, reports a study published in Communications Earth & Environment.
	Study illuminates formation of US east coast during break up of supercontinent Pangea A recent study published in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth sheds new light on the formation of the East Coast of the United States—a "passive margin," in geologic terms—during the breakup of the supercontinent Pangea and the opening of the Atlantic Ocean around 230 million years ago.
	Low emissions and economic survival—countries in the global south aren't getting a fair deal In 2015, more than 140 countries signed up to the goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. For countries in the global south this is a huge task. On the one hand, they have committed to low emissions. On the other their economic survival depends on using resources that produce high emissions. International economic law scholar Olabisi D. Akinkugbe unpacks the issue of climate justice, and how climate laws and foreign investment laws fit into the picture.
	Brace for a potentially record-breaking winter after sweltering summer and autumn, say researchers The scorching heat waves of 2023's summer and autumn shook the world, raising a pertinent question: Will this lead to the warmest winter the globe has ever witnessed?
	Hurricane season that saw storms from California to Nova Scotia ends Thursday A busy hurricane season that saw the National Hurricane Center in Miami issue the first-ever tropical storm warning for the coast of California and hurricane warnings as far north as Nova Scotia is coming to a close Thursday night.
	Traffic exhaust could increase blood pressure, study finds Even brief exposure to highway pollution could cause significant increases in blood pressure, a new study from the University of Washington has found, adding to a growing body of work correlating vehicle exhaust with negative health outcomes.
	COP28: Why we need to break our addiction to combustion Headlines across the world this year focused on fires, including both wildfires and the use of military firepower, in various places.
	Study shows unexpected expansion of rare earth element mining activities in Myanmar-China border region As the demand for rare earth elements increases world-wide, so too do the mining activities associated with rare earth element extraction. Rare earth elements are listed as 15 elements on the periodic table constituting what is known as the lanthanide series, ranging in atomic number from 57 (lanthanum) to 71 (lutetium), as well as scandium (Sc) and yttrium (Y), which serve as essential inputs for information and energy technologies, especially renewable energy technologies.
	New methods for improving water management to develop sustainable cities Water, as one of the essential natural resources, is vital for the growth of any region. How much water a city has access to and how water is distributed is a crucial part of sustainable development.
	Why renewed China-US cooperation bodes well for climate action The relationship between the US and China is the most important in the world, and it has been unstable and sometimes under extreme stress in recent years. But a recent meeting between presidents Joe Biden and Xi Jinping in California may bring new momentum for global climate action.
	Emissions inequality is getting worse—here's how to end the reign of the ultra-polluters Climate change is overwhelmingly a problem of wealthy people. The wealthiest 1% of humanity produce over 1,000 times the emissions of the poorest 1%. In fact, these 77 million people are responsible for more climate-changing emissions than the poorest 66% (5 billion people) of humanity.
	'Silent devastation' of drought set to increase globally under climate change, says UN report Recent drought-related data compiled by the UN point to "an unprecedented emergency on a planetary scale, where the massive impacts of human-induced droughts are only starting to unfold."
	Health is finally a priority at COP28. Will it spur faster climate action? Arianne Teherani has a loud, clear message for the negotiators at COP28: "Climate change is undermining human health, fundamentally, all over the world, right now."
	Climate change: 3 key goals Nigeria must focus on at COP28 Global environmental stakeholders will converge in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, from 30 November to 12 December 2023 for the UN Climate conference known as COP28. The conference aims to continue negotiations to address the global climate crisis. Nigeria's main agenda in the conference is climate finance needed for climate change mitigation and adaptation.
	With 80,000 attendees, COP28 is largest UN climate summit ever COP28 is officially the largest ever UN climate summit, with 80,000 participants registered on a list that—for the first time—shows who they work for.
	Detoxifying gold mining Jacqueline "Jackie" Gerson knows very well how "artisanal gold mining" sounds to people who haven't heard the phrase before.
	Rapid decarbonization can steer Australia to net zero before 2050: Report A new report by CSIRO, Australia's national science agency, shows existing technologies will enable Australia to halve emissions by 2030 from 2020 levels, under a rapid decarbonization scenario led by a renewable electricity sector.
	COP28: The climate summit's first Health Day points to what needs to change in New Zealand Climate change has many effects, but one of the most significant will feature for the first time at COP28—its impact on human health.
	Over 110 countries support tripling renewables by 2030: EU chief More than 110 countries want the COP28 climate negotiations to adopt a goal of tripling renewable energy and doubling energy efficiency by 2030, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Friday.

Astronomy and Space news

	One of the largest magnetic storms in history quantified: Aurorae from the tropics to the polar regions In early November of this year, aurora borealis were observed at surprisingly low latitudes, as far south as Italy and Texas. Such phenomena indicate the impacts of a solar coronal mass ejection on the Earth's magnetic field and atmosphere. Far more dramatic than this recent light show was, it was nothing compared to a huge solar storm in February 1872.
	Meteorites likely source of nitrogen for early Earth, Ryugu samples study finds Micrometeorites originating from icy celestial bodies in the outer solar system may be responsible for transporting nitrogen to the near-Earth region in the early days of our solar system. That discovery was published in Nature Astronomy by an international team of researchers, including University of Hawai'i at Mānoa scientists, led by Kyoto University.
	Do we live in a giant void? That could solve the puzzle of the universe's expansion, research suggests One of the biggest mysteries in cosmology is the rate at which the universe is expanding. This can be predicted using the standard model of cosmology, also known as Lambda-cold dark matter (ΛCDM). This model is based on detailed observations of the light left over from the Big Bang—the so-called cosmic microwave background (CMB).
	Ghostlike dusty galaxy reappears in James Webb Space Telescope image It first appeared as a glowing blob from ground-based telescopes and then vanished completely in images from the Hubble Space Telescope. Now, the ghostly object has reappeared as a faint, yet distinct galaxy in an image from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST).
	Could life exist in molecular clouds? Our search for life beyond Earth is still in its infancy. We're focused on Mars and, to a lesser extent, ocean moons like Jupiter's Europa and Saturn's Enceladus. Should we extend our search to cover more unlikely places like molecular clouds?
	Europe is working on a multi-purpose habitat for the moon With NASA gearing up to send humans back to the moon in the next few years with the Artemis missions with the goal of establishing a permanent outpost at the lunar south pole, nations are making efforts to contribute to Artemis and a permanent presence on our nearest celestial neighbor.
	Vera Rubin telescope will generate a mind-boggling amount of data, say astronomers When the Vera C. Rubin Observatory comes online in 2025, it will be one of the most powerful tools available to astronomers, capturing huge portions of the sky every night with its 8.4-meter mirror and 3.2-gigapixel camera. Each image will be analyzed within 60 seconds, alerting astronomers to transient events like supernovae. An incredible 5 petabytes (5,000 terabytes) of new raw images will be recorded each year and made available for astronomers to study.

Technology news

	Trick prompts ChatGPT to leak private data While OpenAI's first words on its company website refer to a "safe and beneficial AI," it turns out your personal data is not as safe as you believed. Google researchers announced this week that they could trick ChatGPT into disclosing private user data with a few simple commands.
	Researchers discover hidden structure in networks like Twitter Researchers at the University of Sydney have discovered new structural relationships in complex networks, such as X (formerly Twitter) and political blogs, that could help explain the digital flow of information.
	A color-based sensor to emulate skin's sensitivity for wearables and soft robotics In a step toward more autonomous soft robots and wearable technologies, EPFL researchers have created a device that uses color to simultaneously sense multiple mechanical and temperature stimuli.
	Boosting faith in the authenticity of open source software Open source software—software that is freely distributed, along with its source code, so that copies, additions, or modifications can be readily made —is "everywhere," to quote the 2023 Open Source Security and Risk Analysis Report. Of the computer programs used by major industries, 96% include open source software, and 76% of those programs consists of open source software. But the percentage of software packages "containing security vulnerabilities remains troublingly high," the report warned.
	AI researchers introduce GAIA: A benchmark testing tool for general AI assistants A team of researchers affiliated with AI startups Gen AI, Meta, AutoGPT, HuggingFace and Fair Meta, has developed a benchmark tool for use by makers of AI assistants, particularly those that make Large Language Model based products, to test their applications as potential Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) applications. They have written a paper describing their tool, which they have named GAIA, and how it can be used. The article is posted on the arXiv preprint server.
	To help autonomous vehicles make moral decisions, researchers ditch the 'trolley problem' Researchers have developed a new experiment to better understand what people view as moral and immoral decisions related to driving vehicles, with the goal of collecting data to train autonomous vehicles how to make "good" decisions. The work is designed to capture a more realistic array of moral challenges in traffic than the widely discussed life-and-death scenario inspired by the so-called "trolley problem."
	Researchers have taught an algorithm to 'taste' For non-connoisseurs, picking out a bottle of wine can be challenging when scanning an array of unfamiliar labels on the shop shelf. What does it taste like? What was the last one I bought that tasted so good?
	Tesla delivers about a dozen stainless steel Cybertruck pickups as it tries to fix production woes With manufacturing kinks still to be worked out, Tesla delivered the first dozen or so of its futuristic Cybertruck pickups to customers Thursday, two years behind the original schedule amid uncertainty over when large-scale production will begin.
	Meta sues US regulator to stop privacy settlement change Meta filed a lawsuit late Wednesday arguing that US regulators planning to change the terms of a 2020 privacy settlement are overstepping their authority and should be stopped.
	COP28: Why energy efficiency matters so much If we are to save the planet, we are going to have to use energy far more efficiently.
	EU backs rules to protect digital devices from cyber threats The European Parliament and EU member states backed new rules to make digital products connected to the internet like fridges, laptops, TVs and toys safer from cyber threats.
	Trained AI models exhibit learned disability bias, researchers say A growing number of organizations are using sentiment analysis tools from third-party artificial intelligence (AI) services to categorize large amounts of text into negative, neutral or positive sentences for social applications ranging from health care to policymaking. These tools, however, are driven by learned associations that often contain biases against persons with disabilities, according to researchers from the Penn State College of Information Sciences and Technology (IST).
	Disasters at sea trigger ship-safety advances When one of the world's largest container ships crashed into the bank of the Suez Canal in 2021, a major gateway for global trade became blocked with an estimated $9.6 billion in daily commerce being held up.
	ChatGPT and the law: A useful but imperfect tool AI content generators like ChatGPT will never replace lawyers and judges, but they're increasingly being used in the legal field.
	Using drones to protect wind turbines from ice Damp, cold conditions are the enemy of wind power. If a layer of ice forms on the rotor blades, this can result in rotational imbalance and, hence, increased wear. In such cases, the turbines often have to be shut down for several days, leading to massive losses for the operators due to the pause in electricity production.
	FTX and Binance: How latest crypto scandals could influence public opinion on digital currency regulation True believers in cryptocurrency have had a rough few weeks. The US government just fined Binance—the world's largest crypto exchange—US$4.3 billion (£3.4 billion) for its involvement in money laundering.
	A drone with microphone arrays to hear and help victims in disaster zones When a natural disaster such as an earthquake occurs, every minute counts. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are often used to assist the search for survivors as they can provide an initial overview of difficult-to-reach areas and help to detect victims—provided they are visible.
	Converting a steel mill to climate-neutral steel production Steel production causes significant emissions of carbon dioxide. To decarbonize steel production and its high carbon dioxide emissions, Fraunhofer researchers, TS ELINO GmbH and Salzgitter AG are working on converting an existing steel mill to climate-neutral production methods.
	Rise of the web's 'pay for privacy' model Users of Facebook and Instagram in Europe can now pay to opt out of the onerous data sharing obligations imposed by parent company Meta, which sells the data to advertising clients.
	Replicating the structure of bird feathers with rubber nanostructures The eastern bluebird is a special bird. The blue of its feathers is unique. However, this color is not based on pigments but on the special structure of the feather. Viewed under the microscope, the feathers are traversed by a network of channels with a diameter of just a few hundred nanometers.
	How spider silk research led to a new kind of microphone The human ability to notice the world around us is made possible by our sense organs—eyes, ears, nose, skin and tongue—which are so efficient that most people don't consciously think about them. Others, like Distinguished Professor of Mechanical Engineering Ron Miles, have always had a "sense" for them.
	Experiments with AI to make historic city centers accessible Offering citizens information that promotes physical accessibility with the help of technology and navigation devices would make cities smarter and more inclusive. A young researcher at Politecnico di Milano has used Artificial Intelligence (AI) to identify the differences between streets and pavements made of cobblestones, sanpietrini and bricks, with widely varying heights and widths, which characterize and make historical cities typical but also are an element of difficulty for the elderly and people with motor disabilities.
	When deep learning meets active learning in the era of foundation models A Chinese research team wrote a review article on deep active learning, an increasingly popular method of combining active learning with deep learning for sample selection in the training of neural networks for artificial intelligence tasks. It was published in Intelligent Computing.
	First trailer for "Grand Theft Auto VI" on December 5 Rockstar Games said it will release a trailer next Tuesday for the first installment in a decade of "Grand Theft Auto," video-gaming's controversial blockbuster.
	US judge halts pending TikTok ban in Montana A federal judge on Thursday temporarily blocked a ban on TikTok set to come into effect next year in Montana, saying the popular video sharing app was likely to win its pending legal challenge.
	Russian pleads guilty in US to role in Trickbot malware scheme A Russian man pleaded guilty on Thursday to involvement in developing the Trickbot malware used to extort businesses, including hospitals during the COVID pandemic, the US Justice Department said.
	EU states lag behind renewable power targets for 2030, finds report European Union states set themselves lower targets for renewable power generation by 2030 than demanded under EU legislation, according to a report published on Friday.
	EU wants to know how Meta tackles child sex abuse The EU on Friday demanded Instagram-owner Meta provide more information about measures taken by the company to address child sexual abuse online.
	Using laptops and similar devices safely on aircraft The number of incidents involving damaged electronic devices on board aircraft has increased in recent years. Most of these are caused by lithium-ion batteries, which are found in laptops and other portable electronic devices.
	New US rules, aimed at curbing China, could make it harder for EV buyers to claim a full tax credit Americans could have a harder time finding electric vehicles that qualify for a full $7,500 federal tax credit under new rules proposed Friday that are likely to hinder President Joe Biden's goal that half of new passenger vehicles sold in the U.S. run on electricity by 2030.
	Walmart latest big advertiser to pull out of Musk's X amid widening concerns over hate speech, reach Walmart is the latest company to join the growing flock of major advertisers to pull spending from X, Elon Musk's beleaguered social media company, amid concerns about hate speech—as well as reaching a sizeable audience on the platform.
	UK unveils £11 bn windfarm investment by UAE, German firms UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced Friday plans by UAE state-owned renewables firm Masdar and German energy giant RWE to invest up to £11 billion ($14 billion) in a giant offshore windfarm.

Chemistry news

	Making menstrual pads from succulents could improve access to sanitary products A method for producing a highly absorbent material from sisal (Agave sisalana)—a drought-tolerant succulent plant—is described in a study published in Communications Engineering. The authors suggest that, with further development, their method could be used to produce locally sourced disposable menstrual pads in rural and semi-arid regions.
	Shedding light on the synthesis of sugars before the origin of life Pentoses are essential carbohydrates in the metabolism of modern lifeforms, but their availability during early Earth is unclear since these molecules are unstable.
	Researchers decode aqueous amino acid's potential for direct air capture of CO₂ Scientists at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory have made a significant stride toward understanding a viable process for direct air capture, or DAC, of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. This DAC process is in early development with the aim of achieving negative emissions, where the amount of carbon dioxide removed from the envelope of gases surrounding Earth exceeds the amount emitted.
	A novel approach for dimensional engineering of covalent organic frameworks derived carbons Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) are a special class of materials composed of interconnected organic building blocks held together by strong chemical bonds. Featured with evenly distributed atoms and abundant internal empty space, COFs can be utilized as the starting point for developing functional carbon-based materials.

Biology news

	Nature's palette reinvented: New fermentation breakthrough in sustainable food coloring Researchers from The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability (DTU Biosustain) have developed an innovative fermentation process that produces natural betalain-type food colors. This groundbreaking technology is set to revolutionize the food color industry by offering a more sustainable and efficient alternative to traditional extraction methods.
	Molecular rulers for high-resolution microscopy There is good news for researchers working with high-resolution fluorescence microscopy: Biocompatible molecular rulers are available for the first time to calibrate the latest super-resolution microscopy methods.
	Plant points: Researchers say looking beyond the mean is key to understanding plant patterns When it comes to studying patterns in how bugs damage plants, is it important to know the average amount and type of damage? Or the variation around the average?
	Two methods for demonstrating how photolyase isolates use light to repair damaged DNA Two teams of bio-researchers have developed similar processes for demonstrating how photolyase isolates use light to repair damaged DNA. In their papers, both published in the journal Science, the two groups outline their stop-motion-animation-type process to capture the action in detail.
	Uncovering the genetic history of British otters New genetic research has revealed how British otters were able to recover from species loss in the 1950s with the help of their counterparts from Asia.
	Climate change to drive surge in insects that attack almonds, peaches, walnuts: Study As a result of climate change, the Golden State's farms are expected to face a surge in agricultural pests, which poses a threat to California's specialty crops industry.
	Citizen scientists help discover new mantis species James Cook University researcher Matthew Connors has discovered two new praying mantis species with the help of citizen scientists. The finds have been published in Zootaxa.
	Scientists navigate uncharted waters in fish immunology research Upon infection or immunization, all jawed vertebrate species generate proteins called antibodies that bind and neutralize pathogens. Strong and long-lasting antibody responses in warm-blooded species such as mammals are produced in secondary lymphoid microstructures (SLMs) among which germinal centers (GCs) are the centerpiece.
	When physics meets biology: Prion protein orchestrates liquid–liquid phase separation with copper In a study published in Science Advances, researchers from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) and the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE-Berlin) shed light on the intricate dance between the prion protein and copper ions in the physiopathology of live cells.
	Scientists raise alarm as bacteria are linked to mass death of sea sponges weakened by warming Mediterranean Vibrio bacteria, named for their vibrating swimming motion, span approximately 150 known species. Most Vibrio live in brackish or salt water, either swimming free or living as pathogens or symbionts in fish, crustaceans, mollusks, and corals. Because Vibrio thrives at relatively high temperatures, outbreaks in marine animals are expected to become ever more frequent under global warming. For example, over the past few decades, Vibrio have been implicated in the 'bleaching' of subtropical and tropical corals around the world.
	A sun protection mechanism helps plants to survive Just as people can get sunburned, plants can also suffer from too much sunlight. To stay healthy, they use an internal "sun protection mechanism." Pierrick Bru, a Ph.D. student working with Alizée Malnoë at Umeå Plant Science Centre and Umeå University, has been studying a special component of this mechanism, called qH, and has found that it is quite adaptable.
	Research on vital bat species emphasizes need for immediate conservation action Recent research led by Tigga Kingston, a professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at Texas Tech University, delivers a stark warning concerning the distressing decline of flying foxes and related species, also known as Large Old World Fruit Bats (LOWFBs).
	Can we sustainably harvest trees from tropical forests? Logging typically degrades tropical forests. But what if logging is carefully planned and carried out by well-trained workers?
	Study shows limits of ozonated water as sanitizer in raw veggie processing for pet food Ozone can be a powerful and safe sanitizer when infused in water for food processing. However, in a recent Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station study looking at its use in raw pet food processing, scientists found that ozonated water sanitation's effectiveness is variable depending on how it is applied, and on what foods.
	Global climate change drives fish fitness zones in typical marine habitats, finds study The tridentiger typically inhabits semi-saline and freshwater environments located in the tropical, subtropical, and temperate regions of the western Pacific Ocean. It occupies a crucial position in the food chain, making it ecologically important. As an indicator species, the tridentiger is highly vulnerable to environmental changes, and it is likely that global climate change will result in significant changes or even loss of its habitat. Therefore, it is vital to systematically analyze the response strategies of the tridentiger to global climate change in various habitats.
	Plant survey finds dozens of nonnative invasive species thriving in southwest Ohio Botanist Denis Conover does not have to go far to study the growing problem of invasive plants.
	Researchers sound out Canadian military's plan to combat ocean noise pollution A new study from Simon Fraser University researchers examines the Canadian military's efforts to reduce the impacts of underwater noise pollution on species during training exercises in the Pacific Ocean but caveat that more can still be done.
	Botany must feature more prominently on the school curriculum to promote awareness of climate change, study warns Children must be taught more about the importance of plants if education about climate change and sustainability is to be effective, experts have warned.
	Young humpback whale leaps out of Seattle bay, dazzling onlookers A humpback whale visiting the waters off Seattle dazzled onlookers Thursday morning with several breaches in the bay just beyond the city's downtown area.
	Can science find a better way to trim a cat's nails? University of California, Davis, researchers are working with the Sacramento SPCA to alleviate a near-universal source of stress for cats and those who care for them: nail trimming.
	Can artificial intelligence improve life science? As much as life science can improve AI, researchers say Artificial intelligence (AI) may attempt to mimic the human brain, but it has yet to fully grasp the complexity of what it means to be human. While it may not truly understand feelings or original creativity, it can help us better understand ourselves—especially our physical bodies in health and in disease, according to a series of articles published by the journal Quantitative Biology.

Medicine and Health news

	As dengue expands beyond the global 'dengue belt,' scientists dispel conventional wisdom about the disease Unknowns, dangers and surprises persist about dengue viral infection and now an assumption once accepted as conventional wisdom about immunity to the mosquito-borne disease may be incorrect.
	Why reading nursery rhymes and singing to babies may help them to learn language Parents should speak to their babies using sing-song speech, like nursery rhymes, as soon as possible, say researchers. That's because babies learn languages from rhythmic information, not phonetic information, in their first months.
	Meditation training can support well-being in older adults, finds trial Following an 18-month meditation program can improve the well-being of older adults, finds a new randomized controlled trial by an international team co-led by University College London (UCL).
	Vitamin D supplements do not prevent bone fractures in children, finds study A major clinical trial led by Queen Mary University of London and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health has found that vitamin D supplements do not increase bone strength or prevent bone fractures in children with vitamin D deficiency. The findings challenge widely held perceptions relating to the effects of vitamin D on bone health.
	Researchers discover deep structural biology connections that help improve CAR therapy Chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) have opened up an exciting new field of therapeutic advancements for rare and difficult-to-treat cancers, as they have the ability to deliver targeted therapies that can kill tumor cells.
	New research suggests cellular stress in the placenta may be possible cause of preeclampsia Preeclampsia is a mysterious condition that occurs in about one of 10 pregnancies without any early warning signs. After 20 weeks or more of normal blood pressure during the pregnancy, patients with preeclampsia will begin to experience elevated blood pressure and may also have increased levels of protein in their urine due to hypertension reducing the filtering power of the kidneys. Prolonged hypertension due to preeclampsia can lead to organ damage and life-threatening complications for mothers and fetuses.
	Black men with advanced prostate cancer less likely to receive crucial treatment, study finds A new study led by investigators at the UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center found Black men diagnosed with more advanced stages of prostate cancer are significantly less likely to be prescribed novel hormone therapy than other racial and ethnic groups—including white or Latino men—despite the therapy being proven to effectively control the growth of prostate tumors and extend the lives of men with the disease.
	Hope for autoimmune skin disorder sufferers with new immunotherapy strategy Breakthrough research has revealed new ways to remove immune cells that cause skin autoimmune diseases without affecting protective cells that fight infection and cancer.
	Needle-free vaccine patch offers protection against Zika virus in preclinical trial A simple-to-apply, needle-free vaccine patch is being developed to protect people from the potentially deadly mosquito-borne Zika virus.
	Developing more advanced renal organoids to model polycystic kidney disease A team of CiRA researchers, building upon their previous work on differentiating iPS cells into kidney organoids, have made significant improvements to build a better model of kidney development and diseases for use as a robust platform for drug discovery.
	Seeing deep blood flow with sound and laser light A great number of health problems, and consequently the medical treatments for them, involve how blood flows through the body. Heart attacks are caused by restricted blood flow to the heart muscle. Many symptoms of diabetes are the result of damaged blood vessels. Tumors, meanwhile, often promote the growth of new vessels that deliver blood specifically to them. And blood flow is a crucial physiological parameter for measuring brain function.
	Research shows human behavior guided by fast changes in dopamine levels What happens in the human brain when we learn from positive and negative experiences? To help answer that question and better understand decision-making and human behavior, scientists are studying dopamine.
	Study finds long-term outcomes of neonatal listeriosis are mainly due to prematurity rather than infection Maternal-fetal listeriosis is a severe disease that can lead to miscarriage, premature birth or serious neonatal infection. But what are the long-term consequences of neonatal listeriosis on the health of surviving infants?
	Study validates Brain Care Score as a way to assess current health habits and risks to future brain health Individuals can improve their brain care and reduce their risk of developing brain diseases such as dementia and stroke by focusing on a list of 12 steps covering modifiable physical, lifestyle, and social-emotional components of health.
	Study identifies barriers that limit young men at HIV risk from taking preventative drug Results of a qualitative research study into the uptake of PrEP—a drug which stops HIV infecting the body—suggests that more needs to be done to breakdown barriers to access for the potentially lifesaving medication.
	East-West travel has negative impacts on student-athletes through sleep and circadian disruption, say researchers Announcements in June 2022 of possible realignments of major east-west athletic conferences raised concern among many sleep and circadian physicians and scientists across the United States. As a result of such changes, student-athletes would suffer the negative consequences of increased travel—especially with travel that crosses time zones and induces jet lag.
	Novel screening tool and recovery program may help reduce mental health problems after trauma A novel screening tool helps to identify hospitalized trauma patients at high risk for later mental health problems, and an emotional recovery program for trauma patients is feasible, according to two studies published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons (JACS).
	Cancer patients with opioid use disorder face obstacles to treatment A cancer diagnosis can greatly disrupt treatment with methadone, a medication used to treat patients with opioid use disorder, according to a perspective piece published in the New England Journal of Medicine by University of Pittsburgh researchers.
	Study shows health care costs lower for patients treated by female surgeons Health care costs are lower for patients treated by female surgeons versus those treated by male surgeons, according to a study published online Nov. 29 in JAMA Surgery.
	Psychiatric comorbidity found to increase risk for schizophrenia in young patients with ADHD The presence of psychiatric comorbidity in young patients with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is associated with a higher risk for being diagnosed with schizophrenia, according to a study published online Nov. 30 in JAMA Network Open.
	High levels of anxiety, depression seen in younger adults during pandemic Younger adults had high levels of anxiety and depression through the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a study published online Nov. 30 in JAMA Network Open.
	Mortality increased for infants under 5 with HIV receiving antiretrovirals, research finds More infants and children aged younger than 5 years with HIV receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) die compared with those aged 5 years and older receiving ART, according to research published in the Dec. 1 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
	CDC advice on who should get the latest COVID-19 vaccine The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recommended the 2023–2024 COVID-19 (mRNA) vaccine for everyone six months or older. The COVID-19 vaccine is strongly recommended for people who face the highest risk of experiencing complications from the virus. This group includes older people, those with compromised immune systems and chronic medical conditions such as diabetes and heart disease, and very young children.
	Salmonella outbreak update: Kids in child care centers, more people sick and hospitalized The CDC has issued an update on a salmonella outbreak linked to cantaloupes, raising the number of states to 34 after Alaska and Kansas were found to have cases. The number of people who have been sickened has increased, but the death toll remains at two.
	Optimistic thinking linked with lower cognitive abilities, new research suggests Optimistic thinking has long been immortalized in self-help books as the key to happiness, good health and longevity but it can also lead to poor decision-making, with particularly serious implications for people's financial well-being.
	It's beginning to look a lot like burnout: How to take care of yourself before the holidays start It's getting towards the time of the year when you might feel more overwhelmed than usual. There are work projects to finish and perhaps exams in the family. Not to mention the pressures of organizing holidays or gifts. Burnout is a real possibility.
	Comparing cardiac monitoring methods to detect atrial fibrillation after stroke Insertable cardiac monitors detected a higher incidence of atrial fibrillation in patients with prior ischemic stroke over a three-year period than standard medical monitoring methods, according to results published in JAMA Neurology, based on long-term findings from the Northwestern Medicine-led STROKE AF clinical trial.
	For green spaces to be most beneficial to health, they need to be walkable The positive health impact of green space isn't just about where you live, but how easily you can access nature, according to new research.
	Research suggests new health problems emerge after COVID-19 for those who lack quality housing, health care New research from the Texas A&M University School of Public Health suggests that those who live with ongoing poverty and poor housing conditions are more likely to develop new mobility issues following a COVID-19 infection.
	Q&A: How artificial intelligence could transform health care Health care has historically been slow to adopt new technologies that involve wholesale changes to the nature of the work. Witness the slow and checkered roll-out of electronic health records and the utter failure of prior efforts to implement artificial intelligence tools, such as IBM's vaunted but ultimately doomed experience with Watson Health.
	Study in mice suggests that regular physical activity may prevent obesity-induced cognitive decline Obesity is a major risk factor for cardiovascular metabolic diseases and neurodegenerative diseases such as dementia. Long-term exercise improves memory and spatial cognition, reduces age-related cognitive decline, and maintains brain volume, but the mechanisms are not fully understood.
	Study finds 1 in 2 pre-mixed alcohol products feature misleading nutrition claims New research shows that alcohol manufacturers are adding nutrition messages to their pre-mixed alcohol products to lure in consumers, a move that public health experts say should prompt regulators to take urgent action to restrict claims.
	Research finds that poor quality school buildings are related to schoolchildren's anxiety New research has found that a student's perception of their school building conditions is related to their anxiety. The researchers found that students who had a negative perception of their school's physical environment reported higher levels of anxiety.
	Q&A: The intersection of fertility, Zika, COVID-19, climate conditions, urbanicity and inequality In 2020, then a sociology professor at the University of Texas at Austin and principal investigator of Decode Zika, Letícia Marteleto was leading a team interviewing 4,000 women in Pernambuco, the Brazilian state hit hardest by the Zika epidemic. When COVID-19 hit, the researchers began to interview women via phone instead of at their homes, and the project expanded into Decode Zika and COVID (DZC).
	Patients with improved discharge planning less likely to be readmitted, finds study Patients given transitional care before and during discharge from hospital—such as joint discharge planning follow up visits or phone calls—are less likely to be readmitted according to University of Manchester researchers.
	Study finds changing distribution of HIV-1 subtypes in Sweden A new study has shown that the distribution of HIV-1 subtypes in Sweden has changed a lot since the beginning of the AIDS epidemic. This is largely due to the migration of already infected people to Sweden. The study focused on people who migrated from Ukraine, so that the care can be adapted to their needs. The results provide important information for future analysis and treatment.
	Yes, you can get syphilis of the eye—professor of ophthalmology explains A cluster of cases of ocular syphilis has been reported in Michigan, US. The five women infected all contracted the disease from the same sexual partner.
	Which blood sugar monitor is best? Monitoring the level of glucose (sugar) in your blood is vital if you have diabetes. You get results in real-time, which allows you to adjust your medications, exercise and food accordingly.
	Protecting kids online: A guide for parents on conversations about 'sextortion' Sadly, a 12-year old child in British Columbia died by suicide following a case of online sextortion. The child's grieving parents are passionately urging families to talk to their children about the dangers of online predators in the hopes that other children can be safeguarded against online risks.
	70-year-old Ugandan woman gives birth to twins after fertility treatment A 70-year-old woman in Uganda has given birth to twins after receiving fertility treatment, making her one of the world's oldest new mothers.
	Buvidal: Is it really a 'game changer' in the treatment of problematic opioid use? To overcome problematic opioid use, traditional forms of opioid substitution therapy, such as methadone and oral buprenorphine, have become valuable tools. Research shows that patients receiving substitution therapy are more likely to stay in treatment and stop using heroin than patients receiving treatments that do not involve substitutes—such as counseling or group therapy.
	Inspired by mussels: Printable adhesives for tissues and bones Titanium hip implants do not last forever—they gradually loosen, sooner or later losing their hold on the bone as it recedes over time. Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Polymer Research IAP have been working alongside the Fraunhofer Institute for Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology IGB and the Fraunhofer U.S. Center for Manufacturing Innovation CMI to develop a tissue adhesive that can help avoid early replacement of prostheses in the future.
	How our understanding of HIV/AIDS has evolved: Researcher shares his insights Just over 40 years ago, the first case of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome—more commonly known as AIDS—was reported, setting into motion a worldwide panic about the unknown, devastating disease. At the time, AIDS was universally considered to be a death sentence.
	Improved air leak detection reduces chest tube duration: Study An initiative at a Texas hospital contributed to reductions in chest tube duration, hospital length of stay and readmissions for patients with lung cancer who had a pulmonary lobectomy, according to new research published in Critical Care Nurse.
	Regional variations uncovered in the impact of dexamethasone treatment for severe COVID-19 There may be important regional differences in the response to higher doses of steroids (dexamethasone) for patients with severe COVID-19, according to a recent sub-study of the COVID-STEROID 2 trial.
	Should parents buy video games for their children at Christmas? Playing video games is arguably the most popular leisure activity in the U.K. This Christmas, the sales of video game hardware and software are likely to be astronomical. But with all the media hype surrounding the more negative aspects of video game playing, should parents be worried about buying these games for their kids? Distinguished Professor Mark Griffiths, addiction expert and researcher explains.
	New report highlights essential role of collaborating with patients to improve cancer care A new report released today by the Asia Pacific Oncology Alliance (APOA), a network of stakeholders from across the cancer continuum who are committed to improving cancer care in Asia Pacific, highlights the importance of the patient voice in improving cancer experiences and outcomes across the region.
	The quest to conquer latent HIV and end the AIDS pandemic A 36-year-old Brazilian man made headlines around the world in 2020 for being the first person to be putatively cured of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) using an easily accessible and well-tolerated drug cocktail.
	Clinical smart watch finds success at identifying atrial fibrillation As the use of wearable technology grows, smart watches are marketed across the globe to consumers as a way to monitor health.
	Antiviral therapy favors a lower risk of liver cirrhosis in HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B New research delves into a traditionally overlooked category of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients. While those who are HBeAg-negative with normal ALT levels have been considered low-risk and often excluded from immediate treatment, this study challenges that notion by demonstrating the considerable benefits of ongoing antiviral therapy.
	Researchers warn people with type 1 diabetes to use fitness video games with caution The authors of a new study are warning people with type 1 diabetes to use fitness video games with caution.
	Scientists say a child-centric approach is the blueprint to improve communities Communities can prosper by providing attentive education and social services to their youngest residents—but the challenge is for leaders to work together.
	Study identifies peptide as key mediator in heavy alcohol drinking Alcohol is the most common addictive substance in the world. Every year in the U.S. excessive alcohol use costs $249 billion and causes approximately 88,000 deaths, as well as various chronic diseases and social issues. Alcohol use disorder, a highly prevalent, chronic, relapsing disorder, affects more than 14 million people in the U.S. alone, in addition to being severely under-treated, with only three modestly effective pharmacological therapies available.
	Thicker choroid, Haller layer seen on ipsilateral side in Meniere disease Patients with Meniere disease (MD) have a thicker choroid and Haller layer on the ipsilateral side than controls, according to a study published online Nov. 2 in The Laryngoscope.
	GERD is common indication for revisional bariatric surgery For patients who have undergone bariatric surgery for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), revision surgery is common and is mainly with a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), according to a study published online Oct. 31 in Surgical Endoscopy.
	Urgent work needed to tackle 'substantial' digital health inequality, study recommends Millions of people are suffering from digital health inequality because of poverty, experts have warned.
	Adverse childhood experiences linked to muscle dysmorphia A new study published in Clinical Social Work Journal found that adolescents and young adults who experienced adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) before the age of 18 were significantly more likely to experience symptoms of muscle dysmorphia.
	Scientists work to bring tissue regeneration to replace root canal treatment Want to avoid a root canal? In the future, you might be able to opt for tissue regeneration instead. ADA Forsyth scientists are testing a novel technology to treat endodontic diseases (diseases of the soft tissue or pulp in your teeth) more effectively.
	Coverage of Bruce Willis' frontotemporal degeneration shows media misconstrues the disease A new paper in Innovation in Aging shows that a great deal of media coverage of the actor Bruce Willis' condition, frontotemporal degeneration, was inaccurate, revealing the public's limited knowledge of the disease.
	One in eight older adults use cannabis products, suggesting need to screen for risks More older Americans use cannabis now than before the pandemic, with 12% saying they've consumed a THC-containing substance in the past year and 4% saying they do so multiple times a week, according to a new study of people aged 50 to 80. Those who drink alcohol at risky levels have a much higher rate of cannabis use.
	Flu is on the rise while RSV infections may be peaking, US health officials say Flu is picking up steam while RSV lung infections that can hit kids and older people hard may be peaking, U.S. health officials said Friday.
	Study explores how pre- and postnatal B-12 vitamins improve breast milk vitamin B-12 levels Babies and children need vitamins, including vitamin B-12, to help their brains and bodies develop and grow. Babies get B-12 from their mothers and can have low levels of B-12 if their mothers had low vitamin levels during pregnancy and breastfeeding. The vitamin B-12 levels of infants strongly depend on maternal levels. Adequacy of vitamin B-12 in breast milk is particularly important for infants during the first six months of life when breastfeeding is highly recommended. Even after the first six months of life, breast milk may continue to be a critical source of vitamin B-12 for infants.
	Pfizer to rethink weight loss pill after high side effect rate US drugmaker Pfizer on Friday said it would end a clinical trial of its developmental weight loss pill after high side effect rates caused most participants to stop using it.
	Video: How innovation is transforming heart transplants Mayo Clinic doctors are using innovation to improve the lives of people who suffer from congestive heart failure and other chronic heart conditions. The Organ Care System, also known as "heart in a box," is potentially helping to expand the donor pool, which is crucial, considering that more than 4,000 people in the U.S. are waiting for a new heart. That's according to the organization Donate Life America.
	Researchers translate a hypothesis into a personalized treatment for cancer Dr. Franz Zemp, Ph.D., gets chills talking about how his idea to target a specific cancer cell has evolved.
	SARS-CoV-2 igM and igG antibody detection using a colloidal gold immunochromatography assay The COVID-19 pandemic, which was caused by SARS-CoV-2, has had a significant effect on global public health, economies, and societies worldwide. Serum antibody testing is a critical method for the diagnosis of COVID-19 and can complement RT-PCR in the diagnosis of COVID-19 patients; however, the performance of rapid antibody assays in the clinical setting has not been established.
	Report highlights worrying decline in adolescents' mental and physical health in England New research carried out by the University as part of the Health Behavior of School Age Children Survey (HBSC) for England has found that young people are less healthy and satisfied with their lives than in previous years. The HBSC is part of an international program led by the World Health Organization (WHO).
	On nutrition: Comparing honey and molasses When my son-in-law hinted that he was out of my granola and it "was the only thing that tasted good" when he was sick, I knew it was time to make another batch. Then I received this letter: "I sure enjoy your columns on food and nutrition that appear in The Dallas Morning News. I would like for you to write sometime about the nutritional value of honey vs. molasses."—Al W.
	Ten years on, Lung-MAP success demonstrates potential of public-private partnerships in clinical research The unique public-private partnership that for almost a decade has undergirded the first National Cancer Institute (NCI)-sponsored precision medicine clinical trial in lung cancer can serve as a model for future clinical research that is more rapid, innovative, and inclusive.
	Polish NGO decries lack of sex education as HIV cases soar A Polish NGO on Friday hit out at the government for restricting sex education as the devoutly Catholic country grapples with a spike in HIV cases.

Other Sciences news

	'Bone biographies' reveal lives of medieval England's common people—and illuminate early benefits system A series of 'bone biographies' created by a major research project tell the stories of medieval Cambridge residents as recorded on their skeletons, illuminating everyday lives during the era of Black Death and its aftermath.
	Paleolithic humans may have understood the properties of rocks for making stone tools A research group led by the Nagoya University Museum and Graduate School of Environmental Studies in Japan has clarified differences in the physical characteristics of rocks used by early humans during the Paleolithic. They found that humans selected rock for a variety of reasons and not just because of how easy it was to break off. This suggests that early humans had the technical skill to discern the best rock for the tool.
	The news is fading from sight on big social media platforms: Where does that leave journalism? According to a recent survey by the News Media Association, 90% of editors in the United Kingdom "believe that Google and Meta pose an existential threat to journalism."
	A happy workforce is a productive workforce, says study Research in the International Journal of Public Sector Performance Management has investigated workplace happiness and its impact on productivity within and outside the information technology sector in Delhi. Their findings shed light on the significant impact of workplace happiness on employee engagement and emphasize its universal relevance.
	Inconsistent and conflicting parental support impacting quality of life for trans and gender diverse youth: Study Quality of life for young trans and gender diverse (TGD) people is being impacted by inconsistent and conflicting parental support, according to research led by Nottingham Trent University (NTU) with the University of Brighton.
	Social media ads are littered with 'green' claims. How are we supposed to know whether they're true? Online platforms are awash with ads for so-called "green" products. Power companies are "carbon neutral." Electronics are "for the planet." Clothing is "circular" and travel is "sustainable." Or are they?
	A professor says science shows free will doesn't exist. Here's why he's mistaken It seems like we have free will. Most of the time, we are the ones who choose what we eat, how we tie our shoelaces and what articles we read on The Conversation.
	Flexible parental leave among immigrant mothers can promote integration Mothers who took parental leave part-time or for shorter periods were more likely to engage in income-generating activities or pursue education. A new study uncovers surprising patterns in parental leave usage among newly arrived migrant women in Sweden, specifically focusing on their integration into the labor market.
	Hip hop dancing promotes awareness of disability rights and performance equality, study shows Hip hop dancing can be used to spread awareness of disability rights and help those with sight problems to participate in performance equally, a new study says.
	Social media influencers may affect more than voter opinions If Thanksgiving dinner conversations have turned into heated political arguments over the past two decades, social media may be to blame. Popular social media figures—or influencers—who create or share distorted political messages may cause political parties to moderate their policies to win over independent voters in general elections but tend to polarize the rest of society, according to researchers who created a model to study how social media may affect election cycles.
	Research explains why we lie when returning that unwanted holiday gift It's an iconic episode of "Seinfeld"—Jerry tries to return a jacket and when asked why, he replies, "spite." In fact, he goes on to explain, he didn't care for the person who sold it to him.
	New research reveals high levels of consumer debt among majority of UK households A new survey, analyzed by the University of Bristol and commissioned by abrdn Financial Fairness Trust, shows nearly two-thirds (65%) of households, amounting to 18.4 million, have consumer debt and more than 4 in 10 households (44% or 12.5 million) have taken out new borrowing in the past six months.
	We don't know how many victims of modern slavery are in prison—why that's a problem in the UK Modern slavery affects an estimated 120,000 people in the UK. Under international law, countries must identify and protect survivors, while prosecuting and punishing those who traffic and exploit them.
	Raising a child to 18 in the UK costs more than £200,000—here's why Before having our first baby last year, we wondered whether we had the money, time and necessary skills to raise a child. Perhaps you find yourself contemplating the same? Many people certainly have, as birth rates have been declining across the world for the past 200 years.
	Study on kids and a career: Traditional role models still largely exist A representative survey by IU International University of Applied Sciences reveals there are still significant differences between the sexes in career trajectories.

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