Science X Newsletter Mon, Dec 11

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

Spotlight Stories Headlines

Best of Last Year: The top Phys.org articles of 2023

Using hierarchical generative models to enhance the motor control of autonomous robots

TCP J1822 is a symbiotic star, observations find

Genetically engineered cell therapies with mRNA lipid nanoparticles for transferrable platelets

A cluster of genetically defined brainstem neurons involved in the production and modulation of sounds

A new model that allows robots to re-identify and follow human users

Kids with cats have more than double the risk of developing schizophrenia, researchers find

Biocrusts on Great Wall of China found to be protecting it from erosion

Experimental vaccine appears promising as a preventive of a rare HPV-linked cancer

Study: Customized GPT has security vulnerability

New therapeutic target for rare type of childhood epilepsy identified

Saturday Citations: Extragalactic stars in the Milky Way, more biolinguistic evidence and couples coping with COVID

When is an aurora not an aurora? Phenomena called 'Steve' and 'picket fence' are masquerading as auroras

Study reveals Zika's shape-shifting machinery—and a possible vulnerability

A new (micro) lens on optics: Researchers develop hybrid achromats with high focusing efficiencies

Nanotechnology news

	Genetically engineered cell therapies with mRNA lipid nanoparticles for transferrable platelets Platelet transfusions are essential in managing bleeding and hemostatic dysfunction, and can be expanded to be used as cell therapy for a variety of diseases. The efforts to create such cell therapies require that researchers modify donor platelets to express therapeutic proteins. However, at present, appropriate methods to genetically modify platelets collected from blood donors remain elusive.
	Permselectivity reveals a cool side of nanopores Researchers from Osaka University investigated the thermal energy changes across nanopores that allow the selective flow of ions. Switching off the flow of ions in one direction led to a cooling effect. The findings have applications in nanofluidic devices and provide insight into the factors governing ion channels in cells. The nanopore material could be tailored to tune the cooling and arrays could be produced to scale up the effect.
	New ways to make ordered wafer-scale chiral carbon nanotube architectures Chiral materials interact with light in very precise ways that are useful for building better displays, sensors and more powerful devices. However, engineering properties such as chirality reliably at scale is still a significant challenge in nanotechnology.
	High-performance quantum dot photosensor needs no external power source Professor Ji-woong Yang at the Department of Energy Science and Engineering, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology has successfully developed the world's highest-performance eco-friendly quantum dot photosensor that does not require any external power source.
	Nanoparticle-delivered RNA reduces neuroinflammation in lab tests Some COVID-19 vaccines safely and effectively used lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) to deliver messenger RNA to cells. A new MIT study shows that different nanoparticles could be used for a potential Alzheimer's disease (AD) therapy. In tests in multiple mouse models and with cultured human cells, a newly tailored LNP formulation effectively delivered small interfering RNA (siRNA) to the brain's microglia immune cells to suppress the expression of a protein linked to excessive inflammation in Alzheimer's disease.
	New research examines corrosion on atomic level When water vapor meets metal, the resulting corrosion can lead to mechanical problems that harm a machine's performance. Through a process called passivation, it also can form a thin inert layer that acts as a barrier against further deterioration.
	Research proposes three-phase catalytic process for assembling nanoparticles to enhance SERS sensing Recently, a research team led by Prof. Yang Liangbao from the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science (HFIPS) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) proposed an innovative strategy for assembling small nanoparticles in a three-phase catalytic process, enabling enhanced surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) sensing.

Physics news

	A new (micro) lens on optics: Researchers develop hybrid achromats with high focusing efficiencies Using 3D printing and porous silicon, researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign have developed compact, visible wavelength achromats that are essential for miniaturized and lightweight optics. These high-performance hybrid micro-optics achieve high focusing efficiencies, while minimizing volume and thickness. Further, these microlenses can be constructed into arrays to form larger area images for achromatic light-field imagers and displays.
	Searching for axions with the ATLAS detector The research group of Professor Matthias Schott of the PRISMA+ Cluster of Excellence at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU) has posted the results of an extensive series of measurements at the ATLAS detector of the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) to the arXiv preprint server. The data were recorded during the second runtime of the LHC between 2015 and 2018.
	A cause for 'strange' behavior of cuprates discovered, with superconductor ramifications A recent study published in Nature Communications by researchers from Politecnico di Milano, Chalmers University of Technology in Göteborg and Sapienza University of Rome sheds light on one of the many mysteries of high-critical-temperature copper-based superconductors. Even at temperatures above the critical temperature, they are special, behaving like "strange" metals. This means that their electrical resistance changes with temperature differently than that of normal metals.
	AI algorithm keeps a mile-long particle accelerator healthy Particle accelerators are among the most intricate scientific instruments ever devised. With millions of sensors and thousands of subsystems at risk of failure, these accelerators' human operators must continuously monitor performance and comb through a sea of sensors to identify problems. That's the situation at the Linac Coherent Light Source, a Department of Energy user facility at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory.
	A mechanism of pressure-induced glass phase transition leading to advanced phase-change memories When temperature or pressure is applied to a material, its state changes from liquid to solid or remains solid but exhibits structural changes. This change is called a phase transition or change.
	First Tesla class iron-based superconducting coil performs well in high field Recently, a research group led by Prof. Chen Wenge from Hefei lnstitutes of Physical Science (HFIPS), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), along with Prof. Ma Yanwei's research group from the Institute of Electrical Engineering of CAS, developed the first Tesla class iron-based superconducting coil for high field application.
	Advisory panel issues field-defining recommendations for US government investments in particle physics research A new Particle Physics Project Prioritization Panel (P5) report has been released by the High Energy Physics Advisory Panel (HEPAP) to the High Energy Physics program of the Office of Science of the U.S. Department of Energy and the National Science Foundation's Division of Physics, which outlines particle physicists' recommendations for research priorities in a field whose projects—such as building new accelerator facilities—can take years or decades, contributions from thousands of scientists, and billions of dollars.

Earth news

	When is an aurora not an aurora? Phenomena called 'Steve' and 'picket fence' are masquerading as auroras The shimmering green, red and purple curtains of the northern and southern lights—the auroras—may be the best-known phenomena lighting up the nighttime sky, but the most mysterious are the mauve and white streaks called Steve and their frequent companion, a glowing green "picket fence."
	Planting less water-intensive crops in the western United States would help alleviate water scarcity, study finds Across the world, irrigation dominates freshwater consumption, accounting for 88% of all the freshwater consumed on a global scale. In the western United States, this is no different, as irrigated farming is the leading driver of water depletion in the region. In addition, climate change has caused it to become increasingly difficult for the western United States to meet the water needs of farms, cities and ecosystems.
	Frostquakes: A new earthquake risk in the north? A new study has identified a potentially growing natural hazard in the north: frostquakes. With climate change contributing to many observed changes in weather extremes, such as heavy precipitation and cold waves, these seismic events could become more common. Researchers were surprised by the role of wetlands and drainage channels in irrigated wetlands in origin of frostquakes.
	Farmers and ranchers in the Southwestern US face challenges due to human-induced atmospheric warming The American Southwest has always been a dry place—cue romantic visions of hot, rugged, sun-bleached, seemingly infinite landscapes and star-filled night skies. And yet, the plants, animals and people of the Four Corners region (Utah, Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona) have managed to adapt to and even flourish in the land of low rainfall and high temperatures.
	Current carbon dioxide levels last seen 14 million years ago The last time carbon dioxide in the atmosphere consistently matched today's human-driven levels was 14 million years ago, according to a large new study Thursday that paints a grim picture of where Earth's climate is headed.
	Coral reefs in peril from record-breaking ocean heat Record breaking marine heat waves will cause devastating mass coral bleaching worldwide in the next few years, according to a University of Queensland coral reef scientist.
	Billions have been raised to restore forests, with little success—here's the missing ingredient Protecting and restoring forests is one of the cheapest and most effective options for mitigating the carbon emissions heating Earth.
	Climate 'tipping points' can be positive too—our report sets out how to engineer a domino effect of rapid changes A young boy is forced to sit at a dinner table with grown-ups talking endlessly about grown-up stuff. He's bored. He finds it hard at first, to push with his feet against the table frame, tip his chair onto its back legs, and straighten his legs. But towards the pivot point, it becomes an almost effortless, floating experience, requiring only the slightest toe poke now and then.
	What is carbon capture and why does it keep coming up at COP28? The future of fossil fuels is at the center of the United Nations climate summit in Dubai, where many activists, experts and nations are calling for an agreement to phase out the oil, gas and coal responsible for warming the planet. On the other side: energy companies and oil-rich nations with plans to keep drilling well into the future.
	After Clean Water Act ruling, states that want to protect affected wetlands need millions Earlier in 2023, the U.S. Supreme Court stripped federal oversight from millions of acres of wetlands long protected under the Clean Water Act. Now, erecting safeguards to ensure those waters are not polluted, drained or filled in by developers falls to the states.
	Researchers: Doing science in Antarctica has harmed an environment under great pressure—here's how we can do better Scientific research in Antarctica has played a key role in many important discoveries of the past century. But it has also come at a considerable cost to the environment.
	Rendering a winter wonderland: New light transport model could improve understanding of climate change impacts As snow flurries mark the beginning of winter, a team of University of Waterloo researchers have digitized the white stuff into a new model that can be applied to better understand the impact of climate change.
	COP28: Why China's clean energy boom matters for global climate action With an energy-hungry economy, an historic reliance on coal and vast manufacturing enterprises, China is the world's single largest emitter, accounting for 27% of the world's carbon dioxide and a third of all greenhouse gas emissions.
	How do we know which parts of the planet to protect? Many nations around the world have agreed to protect 30% of the land and sea by the year 2030.
	Fossil pollen preserved in rocks for 56 million years provides new insights into carbon-fueled global warming Through our burning of fossil fuels and other activities, we humans have raised atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂) concentrations more than 40 percent in the last 150 years. This increase in CO₂, and in another greenhouse gas—methane—has warmed the planet more than 1°C.
	Researchers: Frozen methane under the seabed is thawing as oceans warm, and things are worse than we thought Buried beneath the oceans surrounding continents is a naturally occurring frozen form of methane and water. Sometimes dubbed "fire-ice" as you can literally set light to it, marine methane hydrate can melt as the climate warms, uncontrollably releasing methane—a potent greenhouse gas—into the ocean and possibly the atmosphere.
	Alaskan allies: Communities unite to protect the areas they love Natural resource management decisions in protected areas impact more than the wildlife and landscapes they're charged to conserve. They also affect neighbors, who could otherwise hunt, build, or engage in recreation as they choose on their own land. For decades, community members primarily voiced their opinions through brief and impersonal public comment periods. But an initiative led by environmental social scientists at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is putting a new spin on neighborly communication.
	Study: Extreme rainfall increases agricultural nutrient runoff, conservation strategies can help Nutrient runoff from agricultural production is a significant source of water pollution in the U.S., and climate change that produces extreme weather events is likely to exacerbate the problem. A new study from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign looks at how extreme rainfall impacts runoff and suggests possible mitigation strategies.
	Peatlands were drained for agriculture. Now researchers are trying to restore them With wellies and waterproof clothing, Claudia Nielsen spent time splodging through the Bois-des-Bel peatlands earlier this year. The peatlands, located in Quebec, Canada, had been restored, with conservations working on them for 23 years. Nielsen was there to learn more about the restoration in her capacity as part of the coordination team of the EU project Wet Horizons—which aims to restore wetlands in Europe.
	Deforestation hits record low in Brazilian Amazon in November Deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon hit a record low for the month of November, according to figures released Friday, as President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's government touted its environmental record at the UN climate talks.
	Progress but divisions persist as climate summit fights over fossil fuels A UN climate summit in Dubai made progress Saturday but deep divides persisted, negotiators said, following a last-minute push by the OPEC oil cartel to block a phase-out of fossil fuels.
	'Urgency of action': pressure grows for COP28 climate deal UN climate talks negotiators were under growing pressure on Sunday as the deadline nears to strike a new global deal aimed at keeping global warming within 1.5 degrees Celsius.
	'Race against time': Climate talks in last push to end fossil fuels UN leaders on Monday urged an end to obstruction hours before a deadline for a deal at a climate summit in Dubai, as oil producers resisted historic calls for the world to wind down fossil fuels.
	UN climate talks home in on fossil fuel deal UN climate talks enter their endgame on Monday as negotiators seek to convince an increasingly isolated Saudi Arabia and other holdouts to give up their opposition to a historic phase-out of fossil fuels.
	Newsom administration advances delta tunnel project despite environmental opposition In the face of heavy opposition from environmental groups, California Gov. Gavin Newsom and his administration are pushing forward with a controversial plan to build a 45-mile water tunnel beneath the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta—a project the governor says is vital to modernizing the state's aging water system.
	The level of food security in Central Asia is improving, but faces crisis in the future: Study How does climate change affect food security in Central Asia?
	COP28: Climate cash exclusion for conflict zones to end Commitments made at COP28 could pave the way for ending the partial exclusion of conflict countries from climate financing, but must be followed by appropriate adaptation programs, analysts say.
	COP28: Countries promise action on food and farming Countries must act swiftly following a landmark declaration on sustainable agriculture and food systems at COP28 to protect farmers and vulnerable groups from the effects of climate change, research leaders urge.

Astronomy and Space news

	TCP J1822 is a symbiotic star, observations find Using the Himalayan Chandra Telescope (HCT), Indian astronomers have conducted spectroscopic observations of a star discovered in 2021, known as TCP J1822. Results of the observational campaign indicate that TCP J1822 is a symbiotic star. The finding was published in the December issue of the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society.
	Ryugu samples illuminate terrestrial weathering effects on primitive meteorites A study conducted by a team of international scientists has unveiled unprecedented insights into the nature of the asteroid Ryugu and shed light on the composition of water- and carbon-rich small bodies in the solar system. The findings are published in the journal Science Advances.
	Webb stuns with new high-definition look at exploded star Objects in space reveal different aspects of their composition and behavior at different wavelengths of light. Supernova remnant Cassiopeia A (Cas A) is one of the most well-studied objects in the Milky Way across the wavelength spectrum. However, there are still secrets hidden within the star's tattered remains.
	A 14-inch spacecraft delivers new details about 'hot Jupiters' A spacecraft the size of a cereal box has collected precise measurements of the atmospheres of large and puffy planets called "hot Jupiters." The findings, led by a team from the University of Colorado Boulder, could help reveal how the atmospheres around these and a host of other worlds are escaping into space.
	Using gravitational waves to observe thermal effects in binary neutron star mergers In a study published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters, researchers examined neutron star mergers using THC_M1, a computer code that simulates neutron star mergers and accounts for the bending of spacetimes, due to the strong gravitational field of the stars, and of neutrino processes in dense matter.
	The longstanding mystery of Mars' moons—and the mission that could solve it The two small moons of Mars, Phobos (about 22km in diameter) and Deimos (about 13km in diameter), have been puzzling scientists for decades, with their origin remaining a matter of debate. Some have proposed that they may be made up of residual debris produced from a planet or large asteroid smashing into the surface of Mars (#TeamImpact).
	NASA laser reflecting instruments to help pinpoint Earth measurements The best known use of GPS satellites is to help people know their location whether driving a car, navigating a ship or plane, or trekking across remote territory. Another important, but lesser-known, use is to distribute information to other Earth-viewing satellites to help them pinpoint measurements of our planet.
	Atmospheric Waves Experiment's 'first light' images received NASA's Atmospheric Waves Experiment (AWE) has recently captured initial images of the mesosphere from its perch on the International Space Station. AWE was installed on the Space Station on Nov. 18, and initial commands were sent to the instrument on Nov. 20. The first images recently captured, or "first light" images, represent a milestone that confirms the instrument is functioning as designed and the mission is operating as expected.
	The Geminids: The year's best meteor shower is upon us—and this one will be a true spectacle As an astronomer and meteor enthusiast, I'd say it's the most wonderful time of the year.
	Scientists find evidence of a nearby kilonova 3.5 million years ago Most of the times astronomers reported dramatic, cataclysmic events like neutron star mergers or the creation of a black hole; they are taking place light years away, typically in in another galaxy. While we can observe their destructive power through the light they emit, they have minimal impact on Earth. However, a relatively recent discovery of certain types of isotopes at the bottom of the ocean hints at one of these events happening fairly close to home. And it probably didn't happen all that long ago.
	Did the last great galactic merger create the Milky Way's bar? The Milky Way is a spiral galaxy. More specifically, it is a barred spiral galaxy, meaning that within its central region, there is a bar shape off of which the spirals emanate. About two-thirds of spiral galaxies are barred spirals, and astronomers have thought this difference is just a variance in how density waves cluster stars in a galaxy. But a new study suggests that the bar of the Milky Way may have been caused by an ancient collision with another galaxy.
	NASA's EMIT instrument maps global airborne mineral dust NASA'S EMIT mission, placed on the International Space Station to learn how dust storms on Earth warm or cool the planet, has created the first complete maps of the world's dust source regions, providing precise locations of 10 key minerals based on how they reflect and absorb light.
	NASA's MAVEN observes the disappearing solar wind In December 2022, NASA's MAVEN (Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN) mission observed the dramatic and unexpected "disappearance" of a stream of charged particles constantly emanating off the sun, known as the solar wind. This was caused by a special type of solar event that was so powerful, it created a void in its wake as it traveled through the solar system.

Technology news

	Using hierarchical generative models to enhance the motor control of autonomous robots To best move in their surrounding environment and tackle everyday tasks, robots should be able to perform complex motions, effectively coordinating the movement of individual limbs. Roboticists and computer scientists have thus been trying to develop computational techniques that can artificially replicate the process through which humans plan, execute, and coordinate the movements of different body parts.
	A new model that allows robots to re-identify and follow human users In recent years, roboticists and computer scientists have introduced various new computational tools that could improve interactions between robots and humans in real-world settings. The overreaching goal of these tools is to make robots more responsive and attuned to the users they are assisting, which could in turn facilitate their widespread adoption.
	Study: Customized GPT has security vulnerability One month after OpenAI unveiled a program that allows users to easily create their own customized ChatGPT programs, a research team at Northwestern University is warning of a "significant security vulnerability" that could lead to leaked data.
	Navigating the analytics frontier: Problem-centric thinking and the cognitive revolution In today's data-driven world, data analytics has become a cornerstone of decision-making. However, despite the transformative potential, a significant number of analytics projects fail.
	Technology not growing fast enough to decarbonize steel and cement industries by 2050, says study Steel and cement are two materials that no society can do without. Their production comes with a significant carbon footprint, however. To meet zero-emission targets under the Paris Agreement, countries, cities, and industries are depending on new large-scale infrastructure for CO2 transport and storage, renewable electricity and green hydrogen.
	Scientists 3D print self-heating microfluidic devices MIT researchers have used 3D printing to produce self-heating microfluidic devices, demonstrating a technique which could someday be used to rapidly create cheap, yet accurate, tools to detect a host of diseases.
	Portable, non-invasive, mind-reading AI turns thoughts into text In a world-first, researchers from the GrapheneX-UTS Human-centric Artificial Intelligence Centre at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) have developed a portable, non-invasive system that can decode silent thoughts and turn them into text.
	Rail industry urged to consider safety risks of space weather Train accidents could be caused by solar storms switching signaling from red to green according to new research examining the impact of space weather.
	4 east African countries are going for nuclear power—why this is a bad idea The east Africa region has the fastest growing population in Africa. Between 2013 and 2017, its growth rate was twice the African average. The region is also experiencing strong economic growth. It's sub-Saharan share of GDP has risen from 14% in 2000 to 21% in 2022.
	EU strikes deal on landmark AI law EU member states and lawmakers clinched a deal on Friday on how to draft "historic" rules regulating artificial intelligence models such as ChatGPT—after 36 hours of negotiations.
	Technology built the cashless society. Advances are helping the unhoused so they're not left behind John Littlejohn remembers the days when lots of people had a couple of dollars to spare to buy a copy of Street Sense, the local paper that covers issues related to the homeless and employs unhoused individuals as its vendors.
	What did you Google in 2023? 'Barbie,' Israel-Hamas war are among the year's top internet searches Your Google search history for 2023 has arrived.
	French AI start-up Mistral AI raises 385 mn euros French artificial intelligence start-up Mistral AI announced Sunday it had raised 385 million euros ($414 million), becoming one of Europe's two AI leaders.
	AWS chief Adam Selipsky talks generative AI, Amazon's investment in Anthropic and cloud cost cutting Adam Selipsky is shepherding Amazon's cloud unit at one of the most important moments in tech history.
	Researchers give robots better tools to manage conflicts in dialogues A new thesis from Umeå University shows how robots can manage conflicts and knowledge gaps in dialogues with people. By understanding the reasons behind dialogues that don't unfold as expected, researchers have developed strategies and mechanisms that could be important when living side by side.
	VR users need an emotional connection to virtual worlds, not better graphics, study finds Being wowed by powerful graphics is not enough for a person to feel fully immersed in a virtual-reality (VR) world—a strong emotional response to the simulated environment is essential too, according to a new study from the University of Bath published in the 2023 CHI Conference proceedings.
	Research group releases white papers on governance of AI Providing a resource for U.S. policymakers, a committee of MIT leaders and scholars has released a set of policy briefs that outlines a framework for the governance of artificial intelligence. The approach includes extending current regulatory and liability approaches in pursuit of a practical way to oversee AI.
	Q&A: How to harness energy from Africa's garbage dumps—and save billions in future damage New research on garbage dumps in 44 sub-Saharan African countries shows that 95% are unregulated. The landfill sites still take in new garbage even when they are filled to capacity. As the waste decomposes, these sites release harmful greenhouse gases. However, using methane gas to generate energy instead could save the continent billions of dollars. We talk to sustainability scientist and author of the research, Nkweauseh Reginald Longfor.
	Threads countdown teases app's potential EU launch The wait could be over for internet users in the European Union keen to sign up to Threads, an Instagram app.
	Microsoft, US labor group team up on AI Microsoft and the AFL-CIO, the pre-eminent labor group in the United States, have entered into a partnership to better address the consequences of artificial intelligence on the workforce and to guide government regulation.
	Turning the problem into the solution in natural gas power plants Natural gas is one of the largest contributors to the world's energy and a viable fuel for many different uses. Natural gas combined cycle (NGCC) plants, in particular, are a highly efficient system design that will likely continue providing long-term baseload electricity.
	'Energy droughts' in wind and solar can last nearly a week, research shows Solar and wind power may be free, renewable fuels, but they also depend on natural processes that humans cannot control. It's one thing to acknowledge the risks that come with renewable energy: the sun doesn't always shine and the wind doesn't always blow, but what happens when the grid loses both of these energy sources at the same time?
	Analyzing interactions between radiation and matter for a long-term plutonium storage strategy Long-running research between the UK's National Nuclear Laboratory and The University of Manchester, UK, has probed the complex interplay between the surface features of plutonium dioxide and its surrounding environment. The new results provide even more confidence in a long-term storage strategy.
	Amazon asks federal judge to dismiss the FTC's antitrust lawsuit against the company Attorneys for Amazon on Friday asked a federal judge to dismiss the Federal Trade Commission's antitrust lawsuit against the e-commerce giant, arguing the agency is attacking policies that benefit consumers and competition.
	New trains, new tracks: US rail to get much-needed facelift Old-fashioned, slow, infrequent and often non-existent, trains have long been the poor relation of cars and planes in the United States.
	TikTok announces $1.5 bn deal to restart Indonesia online shop TikTok on Monday announced a $1.5 billion investment in GoTo in a deal that would allow the Chinese-owned short video app to restart its online shop in Indonesia.
	How to protect yourself from cyber-scammers over the festive period The festive season is a time for joy, family and festive cheer. However, it's also a prime target for cybercriminals. As online shopping ramps up, so does the risk of falling prey to cyber-attacks. That's why it's crucial to be extra vigilant about your cybersecurity during this time.
	The future of nuclear energy will be decided in Idaho The global resurgence for nuclear energy starts in the barren, high desert of Idaho.
	Unmanned surface vehicles ensure reservoir security in China A new drone boat has successfully completed its mission in a reservoir located in Shenzhen, China. Developed by a collaborative research team led by scientists from the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science (HFIPS) of Chinese Academy of Sciences, this security unmanned surface vehicle features a larger size, enhanced functionality, and greater intelligence.

Chemistry news

	New conductive, cotton-based fiber developed for smart textiles A single strand of fiber developed at Washington State University has the flexibility of cotton and the electric conductivity of a polymer, called polyaniline.
	Researchers discover new way to force pathogenic proteins into degradation Most diseases are caused by proteins that have spun out of control. Unfortunately, so far, conventional drugs have been able to stop only a fraction of these troublemakers. A new class of drugs known as PROTACs holds great promise in pharmaceutical research.
	New technology for microscopy analysis provides precise maps of cell membrane lipid rafts A research team led by Professor Dae-ha Seo at the Department of Physics and Chemistry, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology, has successfully developed a new technology for optical microscopy analysis—known as lipid-MAP—which can observe the microscopic phase separation in the cell membrane.
	Researchers transform captured greenhouse gases into cyclic carbonates with biomass derivatives Carbon dioxide is the main contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, which are responsible for global warming and climate change. Direct capture of CO2 in the air is one of the solutions proposed to reduce its concentration in the atmosphere, but combining this process with its recovery and transformation into value-added products is highly complex and requires a finely balanced interaction between this element and the adsorbents that allow its capture and conversion into value-added products.
	New insight on electrochemical reactions—advancing the green transition Electrochemical reactions are central to green transitions. These reactions use electric current and potential difference to carry out chemical reactions, which enables binding and realizing electric energy from chemical bonds. This chemistry is the basis for several applications, such as hydrogen technology, batteries, and various aspects of circular economy.
	Researchers combine biopolymers derived from the ocean to replace synthetic plastic films Materials with enhanced structure derived from crustaceans and seaweed could be part of a next-generation answer to the challenge of replacing petroleum-based plastic films, according to new research from North Carolina State University.
	Novel compounds show promise in the fight against tuberculosis and neurodegenerative disease Prof. Bernd Plietker and his research group at the Chair of Organic Chemistry I at TUD have specifically developed a class of natural substances—polyprenylated polycyclic acylphloroglucinols (PPAP for short). Due to its properties, the resulting derivative PPAP53 is characterized by great potential for application in a medicinal chemistry context. In collaboration with several research institutions, such as the Universities of Ulm and Mainz, it has been shown that PPAP53 is very promising in the fight against multi-resistant tuberculosis and opens up new treatment perspectives for neurodegenerative diseases.
	Researchers compare controlled release of bisphosphonates Bisphosphonate (BP) drugs are a common treatment strategy to combat calcium-related metabolic disorders, osteoporosis being the most widely known one. These drugs offer several benefits but are plagued by side-effects. One approach to mitigate these is to utilize controlled delivery and release systems.
	A method for production of organic–inorganic tin halide perovskites for optoelectronic devices Researchers at the Institute for Advanced Materials at the Universitat Jaume I in Castelló have created a method for synthesizing organic-inorganic tin halide perovskites and generating thin films or coatings from them, which, when deposited on substrates, have optoelectronic properties that are useful for the creation of devices such as perovskite-based LEDs (PeLEDs).
	Soybean oil production residue can be used to make product that treats symptoms of menopause Consuming soy foods is often said to be good for women's health, and much research has been conducted in recent decades to find out whether it can explain why Asian women, whose diet contains plenty of soy foods, have few or none of the usual symptoms of menopause reported by women in the West, such as hot flushes, insomnia, irritability, and depression.
	Highly efficient carbon dioxide photoreduction guided by machine learning and first-principles calculation Photocatalytic reduction of CO2 to high-value carbon-based fuels holds tremendous potential in addressing the growing energy crisis. However, the high C=O bond energy of CO2 molecules (750 kJ·mol-1) makes it challenging to activate and reduce CO2.
	Research progress in thermal expansion characteristics of TATB-based polymer bonded explosives Under complex temperature variations, the irreversible thermal expansion of polymer-bonded explosives (PBXs) containing 1,3,5-triamino-2,4,6-trinitrobenzene (TATB) leads to diminished shape stability. This, in turn, directly impacts the mechanical properties and safety performance during storage and use. In recent years, extensive and thorough research has been conducted to investigate the thermal expansion characteristics of TATB-based explosives.

Biology news

	Seeing the forest for the birds: Ten principles for bird-friendly forestry Most of the world's natural forests are subject to logging operations, many of which are highly detrimental to forest birds and other wildlife, and demand for timber is expected to continue to grow. Europe has the highest proportion of the world's forests dedicated to the production of wood and other commodities, and logging operations have also changed North American forests and bird communities.
	Nature and animal emojis don't accurately represent natural biodiversity: Researchers say they should The current emoji library doesn't accurately represent the "tree of life" and the breadth of biodiversity seen in nature according to an analysis presented December 11 in the journal iScience.
	New technique to analyze RNA-RNA interactions in live microbial cells In a study published in Nature Communications, Prof. Chao Yanjie's group at the Institute of Shanghai Institute of Immunity and Infection of the Chinese Academy of Sciences reported a novel RNA interactome profiling technology (iRIL-seq), which identifies RNA-RNA molecular interactions in live microbial cells.
	Integrating AI with super-resolution microscopy for advancements in cellular biology In 2014, the Nobel Prize in Chemistry celebrated the breakthroughs in super-resolution microscopy, a technology that allows us to capture highly detailed images of small parts of cells using fluorescent microscopy. Despite its success, the resolution of super-resolution microscopy still can't show tiny distances between organelles in cells.
	Have researchers found the missing link that explains the mysterious phenomenon known as fairy circles? Fairy circles, a nearly hexagonal pattern of bare-soil circular gaps in grasslands, initially observed in Namibia and later in other parts of the world, have fascinated and baffled scientists for years. Theories for their appearance range from spatial self-organization induced by scale-dependent water-vegetation feedback to pre-existing patterns of termite nests.
	Separated by war: Deforestation and reforestation in the Ukrainian emerald network Modern warfare profoundly affects not only the population and economy of the countries involved but also their ecosystems. The war between Russia and Ukraine, ongoing since 2014, impacted an area containing Emerald Network ecological protection sites in the occupied Ukrainian regions of Donetsk and Luhansk.
	Endangered species list grows by 2,000. Climate change is part of the problem Climate change is worsening the planet's biodiversity crises, making environments more deadly for thousands of species and accelerating the precipitous decline in the number of plants and animals on Earth, according to an international organization that tracks species health.
	The great diversity of fish mouths: Catfish attach differently than expected Some may know suckermouth armored catfish as "window cleaners" from aquariums because they possess a suckermouth, which allows them to attach to various surfaces. The attachment is not only enabled by a vacuum created by the fish but also by specific structures of their mouths, which enable an interlocking and adhering to surfaces. A team of researchers closely examined these unique suckermouths and summarized their findings in a recent study published in Frontiers in Zoology.
	Scientists find that senescence can accelerate evolution The mystery of aging has fascinated people for millennia, with many willing to do anything to halt or reverse this process, because aging is typically associated with gradual deterioration of most body functions. While senescence is a natural part of life, biologists understand surprisingly little about the emergence of this process during evolution.
	Millions of birds lose precious energy due to fireworks on New Year's Eve, research reveals Birds are affected by the mass use of fireworks on New Year's Eve up to a distance of 10 km away. With data from weather radars and bird counts, an international team of researchers revealed how many birds take off immediately after the start of the fireworks, at what distance from fireworks this occurs, and which species groups mainly react.
	A new way of thinking about how organ architecture develops Within every developing embryo lies the mystery of self-organization: How does an organism go about shaping itself even while it's in the process of making its parts?
	Zapping manure with special electrode promises an efficient method to produce fertilizers, other chemicals An interdisciplinary team led by University of Wisconsin–Madison scientists has developed a new technique that could help farmers extract useful nutrients such as ammonia and potassium from livestock manure to efficiently make fertilizer and other useful chemical products.
	Northern sea otter pup rescued in Alaska finds new home at Shedd Aquarium In late October 2023, a young sea otter pup was found in the remote coastal town of Seldovia, Alaska, stranded and calling out in distress with no mother in sight. After being rehabilitated, fed and healed, the tiny otter—barely over a month old—began a cross-country trip to his new home in Chicago.
	Researchers thought they'd find 200 species of plants and animals living in their house and yard. They were very wrong We are biodiversity researchers—an ecologist, a mathematician and a taxonomist—who were locked down together during the COVID pandemic. Being restricted to the house, it didn't take long before we began to wonder how many species of plants and animals we were sharing the space with. So we set to work counting them all.
	From urchin crushing to lab-grown kelp, efforts to save California's kelp forests show promise A welding hammer strapped to her wrist, Joy Hollenback slipped on blue fins and swam into the churning, chilly Pacific surf one fall morning to do her part to save Northern California's vanishing kelp forests.
	A graphical user interface for analysis and design of protein–peptide interactions Proteins function through interactions with other proteins or peptides, a complex process that is still not fully understood. Current research focuses on how amino acid residues interact in protein-protein or protein-peptide interactions to establish specific recognition. However, identifying key residues that are critical for binding affinity and specificity remains a challenge, and the design of specific protein-protein interaction interfaces remains a challenge for protein engineering.
	Decoding plant gene expression: A deep dive into promoters and terminators for advanced bioengineering In high-precision bioengineering and synthetic biology, the fine-tuning of gene expression at transcriptional and posttranscriptional levels is essential. This involves a detailed understanding and manipulation of promoters and terminators, which regulate gene transcription.
	Meat alternatives could feed humans more sustainably Current food systems don't sustainably provide healthy diets for all, and novel alternative proteins—such as lab-grown meat, protein-rich foods created from microorganisms and plant-based foods that imitate the taste and texture of meats—could be part of a wider effort to improve food systems, according to a new United Nations report co-authored by Cornell researchers.
	Unlocking the secrets of synthetic biology: Host physiology over phylogeny in genetic circuit performance Broad host range (BHR) synthetic biology aims to capitalize on a wide range of microbial phenotypes to expand biodesign applications not confined to traditional model organisms. Despite the ever-expanding genetic toolkit, reliance on a small number of model hosts has limited innovation, as highlighted by the "chassis effect," where identical genetic circuits perform differently in various organisms.
	AI-enhanced model predicts wheat health across diverse soils using drone data In agricultural and remote sensing research, accurately estimating wheat's Leaf Area Index (LAI) using unmanned aerial vehicle-based multispectral data is essential for monitoring crop health and growth. Traditionally, LAI measurement is accurate but laborious.
	Transforming tomato crop health: Introducing a method for advanced leaf disease detection and segmentation Tomato is a widely cultivated crop, valued for both culinary and medicinal purposes. Its vulnerability to various pests and diseases, especially affecting leaves, poses a challenge for growers. Traditional methods of disease identification, based on subjective human judgment, have proved inefficient and unreliable.
	Self-supervised CNNs for accurate segmentation of overlapping field plants High-throughput phenotyping has significantly advanced plant data collection in agriculture. However, challenges arise when accurately segmenting overlapping plants in field images. Current methods, such as neural networks and K-means-assisted training, effectively process images with simple backgrounds but falter with complex, overlapping plant scenarios.
	Using microbes for sustainable plastic production and biodegradation Plastic is one of the important materials in modern society, with approximately 460 million tons produced annually and with expected production reaching approximately 1.23 billion tons in 2060. However, since 1950, plastic waste totaling more than 6.3 billion tons has been generated, and it is believed that more than 140 million tons of plastic waste has accumulated in the aquatic environment.
	Seaweed farming environments do not always function as CO₂ sinks, study finds Under climate scenarios, seaweed farming is now used globally as a promising approach for achieving carbon neutrality. Seaweed farming contributes substantial amounts of organic carbon to the ocean, part of which can be locked for a long time in the ocean and function as ocean carbon sequestration, and the other part can be converted to inorganic carbon through microbial mineralization and aerobic respiration, affecting the seawater carbonate system and carbon dioxide (CO2) sink/source effects (note that CO2 sink ≠ carbon sequestration).
	New wheat yield analysis method separates disease impact from natural senescence The yield of wheat crops is influenced by sink strength (grain number and nutrient absorption capacity) and source capacity (photosynthetic tissue efficiency). While sink limitations are widely reported, source limitations due to diseases like septoria tritici blotch (STB) also impact yields, primarily post-anthesis, during grain filling.
	Beluga whales' calls may get drowned out by shipping noise in Alaska's Cook Inlet Beluga whales are highly social and vocal marine mammals. They use acoustics to navigate, find prey, avoid predators and maintain group cohesion. For Alaska's critically endangered Cook Inlet beluga population, these crucial communications may compete with a cacophony of noise from human activities.
	Predictive models augur that at the end of the century fields will need more water than today A team from the University of Cordoba has published evapotranspiration projections for Andalusia through 2100, using a machine learning model that allows this data to be obtained based on the air temperature
	Bee species in Wake County, North Carolina—are they missing or just hard to find? What happens to bee populations in areas of massive human population growth like Wake County, North Carolina, where the population is more than 16 times greater than it was at the turn of the 20th century?
	Sour grapes: Japan battles to protect premium fruits The variety of juicy grape that Yuki Nakamura is harvesting as the sun rises over his farm took scientists 33 years to develop and can sell for $100 a bunch in Tokyo department stores.
	California's majestic desert must be preserved: This proposal could help As the former superintendent of Joshua Tree National Park—and a 38-year career employee for the National Park Service—I have seen the undeniable benefits that come with conserving our public lands. Nowhere has this become more clear than in the California desert, where conservation efforts have nurtured a growing and sustainable outdoor recreation community and economy.
	Snapping shrimp create rowdy reef in Kimberley Marine Park Underwater reefs are generally thought of as tranquil places—however some truly unruly residents make one such area off the coast of northwestern Australia anything but quiet.
	NASA aids international team studying one of the world's most diverse ecosystems NASA satellite and airborne tools aid an international team studying biodiversity on land and in the water around South Africa.
	World-first system to monitor the 'seafood basket' of Australia Australia's national science agency, CSIRO, has completed initial testing of a 'weather service' for water quality in the Spencer Gulf in South Australia—which provides much of the country's seafood—with plans to use the technology in local seafood farms.

Medicine and Health news

	A cluster of genetically defined brainstem neurons involved in the production and modulation of sounds Humans and other mammals can produce a wide range of sounds, while also modulating their volume and pitch. These sounds, also known as mammalian vocalizations, play a central role in communication between both animals of the same and of different species.
	Kids with cats have more than double the risk of developing schizophrenia, researchers find Researchers at The Park Center for Mental Health, Australia, have added to the growing body of evidence that cat ownership is a major risk factor for schizophrenia and quantified the risk at more than double.
	Experimental vaccine appears promising as a preventive of a rare HPV-linked cancer An experimental vaccine against human papillomavirus—HPV—appears to be safe, and most importantly, benefits patients who develop a rare airway cancer that manifests as recurrent obstructive growths requiring dozens, sometimes, hundreds of surgeries over a lifetime to keep the tumors at bay.
	New therapeutic target for rare type of childhood epilepsy identified Researchers at the Francis Crick Institute, UCL and MSD have identified a potential treatment target for a genetic type of epilepsy.
	Study reveals Zika's shape-shifting machinery—and a possible vulnerability Viruses have limited genetic material—and few proteins—so all the pieces must work extra hard. Zika is a great example; the virus only produces 10 proteins. Now, in a study published in the journal PLOS Pathogens, researchers at Sanford Burnham Prebys have shown how the virus does so much with so little and may have identified a therapeutic vulnerability.
	Hodgkin lymphoma prognosis, biology tracked with circulating tumor DNA A Stanford Medicine-led, international study of hundreds of samples from patients with Hodgkin lymphoma has shown that levels of tumor DNA circulating in their blood can identify who is responding well to treatment and others who are likely to experience a disease recurrence—potentially letting some patients who are predicted to have favorable outcomes forgo lengthy treatment.
	A new mechanism by which rotavirus makes you sick Rotavirus causes gastroenteritis, a condition that includes diarrhea, deficient nutrient absorption and weight loss. Severe cases result in approximately 128,000 deaths annually in infants and children worldwide. Despite intense research on how rotavirus causes diarrhea, there is still no complete answer, but in this new study researchers at Baylor College of Medicine report a new mechanism by which rotavirus induces diarrhea, interfering with the normal absorption of nutrients in the intestine.
	Similarity between vitamin B12 loss and multiple sclerosis revealed For decades, scientists have noted an intriguing similarity between a deficiency in vitamin B12—an essential nutrient that supports healthy development and functioning of the central nervous system (CNS)—and multiple sclerosis (MS), a chronic disease in which the body's immune system attacks the CNS and which can produce neurodegeneration.
	New personalized therapy improves survival for patients with CLL leukemia, phase 3 trial finds Personalized treatment for the most common form of adult leukemia helps patients survive for longer and stay in remission, a phase 3 trial has found.
	New methods for identifying, characterizing irregular forms of amyloid beta to inform Alzheimer's treatments Scientists believe a buildup of the brain protein amyloid beta plays a key role in the death of neurons, which can lead to Alzheimer's disease. Although most people develop some amyloid beta brain proteins as they age, researchers suspect abnormal forms of the protein of may be key to the development of Alzheimer's.
	Multi-lens array microscope microscope and AI enable faster migration analysis of immune cells Immune cells fight infectious intruders, for example, or search for incipient cancers. Therefore, they are constantly migrating through the tissues of our body. But in the wrong place, immune cells like neutrophil granulocytes can cause damage. If these white blood cells infiltrate tumors, this is often associated with a poor prognosis for patients. This is why they could benefit from drugs that prevent neutrophils from migrating into tumors.
	Examining diabetes with a skin scanner and AI Changes in small blood vessels are a common consequence of diabetes development. Researchers at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) and Helmholtz Munich have now developed a method that can be used to measure these microvascular changes in the skin—and thus assess the severity of the disease. To achieve this, they combine artificial intelligence (AI) and innovative high-resolution optoacoustic imaging technology. The work is published in the journal Nature Biomedical Engineering.
	Noninvasive technology for the high-throughput characterization of cancer cells Monitoring cancer cells effectively can help physicians with treatment and management, thus reducing cancer-related mortality. Can non-invasive technologies pave the way for improved monitoring to reduce cancer mortality rates? Diagnostic platforms that non-invasively measure the electrical properties of cancer cells offer promise in the early detection of cancer drug resistance and metastasis.
	Research team develops new technology for robotic prosthetic leg control A research team led by Professor Sang-hoon Lee at the Department of Robotics and Mechatronics Engineering, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology has successfully developed an imperceptive surface electromyography (sEMG) sensor. The sensor is crucial in allowing lower limb amputees to control robotic prosthetic legs as they want and is expected to contribute greatly to rehabilitation and a better quality of life.
	Real-time dopamine measurement using a flexible probe that minimizes brain damage A research team led by Jang Kyung-in, a Professor affiliated with the Department of Robotics and Mechatronics Engineering at DGIST, developed a dopamine measurement device that can precisely analyze dopamine concentration in real-time while minimizing brain damage.
	Using a unique organ-on-a-chip model to unlock answers to vascular aging Using a novel "organ-on-a-chip" model, Baker Heart & Diabetes Institute researchers have discovered a potential therapeutic target that may slow down vascular aging and reduce heart disease, kidney dysfunction and vascular dementia.
	Novel liquid biopsy of lymph fluid could guide precision treatment for head and neck cancer Lymphatic fluid from surgical drains, which is usually tossed in the trash, is a treasure in the hands of University of Pittsburgh and Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis researchers who found that this liquid could inform more precise treatments for patients with head and neck cancer caused by human papillomavirus (HPV).
	AI chatbot shows potential as diagnostic partner, researchers find Physician-investigators at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) compared a chatbot's probabilistic reasoning to that of human clinicians. The findings, published in JAMA Network Open, suggest that artificial intelligence could serve as useful clinical decision support tools for physicians.
	Health impacts of abuse more extensive than previously thought, research says People who have been subject to abuse are more likely to experience physical and mental health effects than previously thought, according to a new study.
	Organoids study finds potential new treatment for pulmonary neuroendocrine tumors The Organoid Group (Hubrecht Institute) and the Rare Cancers Genomics Team (IARC/WHO) found a way to grow samples of different types of neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) in the lab. While generating their new model, the researchers discovered that some pulmonary NETs need the protein EGF to be able to grow. These types of tumors may, therefore, be treatable using inhibitors of the EGF receptor. The results were published in Cancer Cell on 11 December 2023.
	Genomic profiling offers early clues to stomach cancer development In a breakthrough study published in Cancer Cell, researchers have decoded critical genetic factors in intestinal metaplasia patients, shedding light on early signs and prevention strategies for stomach cancer—often a "ticking time bomb" as patients experience no or only mild symptoms in the early stages.
	New tool to analyze blood platelets holds major medical potential A novel technique to test platelet function within a person's blood sample is faster, easier and more precise than methods currently in use, an experimental study shows.
	Patients regain much weight after stopping new obesity drug: Study A new generation of obesity drugs often delivers dramatic weight loss, but many patients wonder what happens when they stop treatment.
	Research shows CBD reduces inflammation in HIV-infected brain cells CBD may be a promising therapy for people living with HIV. While the virus can be controlled with treatment, it can still wreak havoc on the brain and cause problems with cognition.
	Clues to preventing Alzheimer's come from patient who evaded disease, despite genetics Alzheimer's disease has plagued one large Colombian family for generations, striking down half of its members in the prime of life. But one member of that family evaded what had seemed would be fate: Despite inheriting the genetic defect that caused her relatives to develop dementia in their 40s, she stayed cognitively healthy into her 70s.
	AI accurately predicts cancer outcomes from tissue samples Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have developed a novel artificial intelligence (AI) model that analyzes the spatial arrangement of cells in tissue samples. This innovative approach, detailed in Nature Communications, has accurately predicted outcomes for cancer patients, marking a significant advancement in utilizing AI for cancer prognosis and personalized treatment strategies.
	Genetic safeguard protects some who are considered high risk for kidney disease Many Black Americans who are thought to have a high risk of developing kidney disease possess a protective genetic variant that nullifies the extra risk, a new study from Columbia researchers has found. The work is published in the journal Nature Communications.
	Metabolic biomarkers may aid mood disorder diagnosis Metabolomic profiling may improve the differential diagnosis of mood disorders, according to a proof-of-concept study published online Oct. 25 in JAMA Psychiatry.
	Mechanical thrombectomy safe, effective for high-risk pulmonary embolism Mechanical thrombectomy (MT) is safe and effective in real-world, high-risk patients with pulmonary embolism (PE), according to a study published online Oct. 31 in the Journal of the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography & Interventions.
	Wasabi shows memory-boosting powers in study Wasabi, that green condiment that spices up your sushi, may possess memory-boosting powers, a new Japanese study suggests.
	New syndrome may be affecting babies exposed to fentanyl Doctors report they are seeing what they think is a new syndrome in babies who are exposed to fentanyl while in the womb.
	Cell therapy appears safe and effective for lymphoma in remission A study led by researchers at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine suggests that CAR-T immunotherapy remains a viable option for patients who have lymphoma that goes into remission before the cell therapy begins.
	There's no norovirus outbreak in the UK—so why is a sharp rise in patients being reported? A sharp rise in the number of hospital beds occupied due to patients suffering with norovirus has been reported by the NHS this year. According to the latest NHS weekly report on hospital bed occupancy, around 351 people on average were admitted to hospital every day last week with symptoms of diarrhea and vomiting. During the same period last year, only 126 people were admitted with these symptoms.
	Gingerbread is an ancient staple of the holiday season—and its spices may have some surprising health benefits No confectionery symbolizes the holidays quite like gingerbread. While most of us associate gingerbread with edible houses and spiced loaves of cake-like bread, it's also increasingly appearing as flavoring in novelty drinks and Christmas cocktails.
	How unhealthy are ultra-processed foods? Ultra-processed foods are commonly portrayed as a modern health scourge: a threat lurking on the shelves of every supermarket linked to obesity, heart disease, cancer and early death.
	Researchers are upbeat about cardiac regeneration Think of them as the Energizer Bunnies of the heart, tiny natural batteries that keep this vital organ beating 100,000 times a day as it pumps 2,000 gallons of blood throughout the human body.
	Doctors discover many inflammatory bowel disease patients screen positive for malnutrition Eating food and absorbing its nutrients is an everyday occurrence, but this normal activity can look different for someone who suffers from inflammatory bowel disease. IBD, which includes Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, can cause chronic inflammation of the digestive tract—which for many reasons can lead to malnutrition. This malnourished state is associated with an increased risk of morbidity and mortality, and new findings show that many patients in IBD clinic screen positive for malnutrition, leading to the critical need for same-day dietitian support in the IBD clinic.
	New cancer study provides insight into underlying gene mutations in myelodysplastic syndromes A new study from researchers with Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and collaborating organizations provides insight into the underlying mechanisms of gene mutations commonly seen in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and other myeloid neoplasms.
	New research identifies several warning signs that could predict intimate partner violence Intimate partner violence is widespread and can have severe physical and psychological health repercussions, but there is a shortage of research on reliable predictors of abuse before it occurs. New research, published in Social Psychological and Personality Science, identifies several warning signs that preceded and predicted intimate partner violence.
	Prenatal exposure to GLP-1 receptor agonists and other second-line antidiabetics may not pose greater risk than insulin Infants born to women with pre-gestational type 2 diabetes who take second-line non-insulin antidiabetic medications (ADMs) during pregnancy are at no higher risk of major congenital malformations (MCMs) than infants born to those who take insulin, according to a new study led by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
	Boosting immunotherapy in non-responsive cancer cells Cancer immunotherapy primes a patient's immune system to better find and destroy cancer cells, improving upon the body's natural ability to fight tumors. Contemporary immunotherapy approaches aim to stimulate immune cells called T cells to target tumors.
	Fermentation may have driven human brain evolution The large, capable human brain is a marvel of evolution, but how it evolved from a smaller primate brain into the creative, complex organ of today is a mystery. Scientists can pinpoint 'when' our evolutionary ancestors evolved larger brains, which roughly tripled in size as human ancestors evolved from the bipedal primates known as Australopithecines. But 'why' it happened when it did—what spurred that change—has remained elusive.
	Study reveals a protein called 'Snail' may play a role in healing brain injury A new study published in PNAS Nexus provides a better understanding of how the brain responds to injuries. Researchers at George Washington University discovered that a protein called Snail plays a key role in coordinating the response of brain cells after an injury.
	These programs put unused prescription drugs in the hands of patients in need On a recent November evening, Angie Phoenix waited at a pharmacy here in Colorado's second-largest city to pick up prescription drugs to treat her high blood pressure and arm seizures.
	Doctors on (video) call: Rural medics get long-distance help in treating man gored by bison Rural medics who rescued rancher Jim Lutter after he was gored by a bison didn't have much experience handling such severe wounds.
	Geographic variability seen in county-level preterm birth rates Considerable geographic variability is seen in county-level preterm birth rates, according to a study published online Dec. 8 in JAMA Network Open.
	Research highlights holidays as a time for excessive weight gain in Aussie kids On the cusp of summer holidays, Aussie kids are looking forward to some well-deserved time off. But too much downtime could create health problems, as new research shows that holidays are the prime time for excessive weight gain in kids.
	Researchers call for more studies on impact of social chatbots on neurodiverse populations Australian researchers have flagged potential concerns over the use of social chatbots, calling for more studies into the impact of the AI software on neurodiverse people and those who find human interaction difficult.
	Study finds Minnesota connected more than 31,000 patients to monoclonal antibody treatments during the pandemic Before the development and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) were considered one of the most effective and widely used therapies to reduce the risk of progression to severe COVID, especially for high-risk patients. Lab-created mAbs seek out foreign materials in the body, such as the COVID-19 virus, and stick to them in order to destroy them.
	Medical students propose that curricula should be AI-focused Artificial intelligence should be woven into medical school curricula so that students are conversant with digital technology when they enter medical practice.
	Male infertility is more common than you may think. Here are 5 ways to protect your sperm Infertility is often thought of as a female problem but one in three IVF cycles in Australia involve male infertility.
	Researchers: We're on track to eliminate hepatitis C, but stigma remains and reinfection is a risk Hepatitis C is a preventable but potentially life-threatening blood-borne virus. It primarily affects the liver and, if untreated, can lead to cirrhosis (scar damage) and cancer.
	CDC warns of deadly tick-borne illness in people traveling to Mexico An outbreak of deadly tick-borne disease is occurring among people who've recently been to Baja California in Mexico, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns.
	Pediatricians' group offers parents advice on GMO foods Some parents are concerned about the effects of genetically modified foods on their children's health.
	Barbers can partner with dermatologists to augment pseudofolliculitis barbae care An educational intervention targeted at barbers substantially increases knowledge regarding the causes, prevention, and treatment of pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB), according to a research letter published online Dec. 6 in JAMA Dermatology.
	Early diagnosis of high-grade serous ovarian cancer feasible Early diagnosis of high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) seems feasible through analysis of genomic alterations in DNA from Papanicolaou (Pap) test smears, according to a study published online Dec. 6 in Science Translational Medicine.
	Pharmacologic restraint used in 3 percent of pediatric mental health admissions The use of pharmacologic restraints occurs in 3 percent of hospitalizations for children admitted with a primary mental health diagnosis, according to a study published online Dec. 11 in Pediatrics.
	Researchers find promising candidate to treat irreversible lung and eye diseases in extremely premature infants Novel findings reported in The American Journal of Pathology implicate granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) in both bronchopulmonary dysplasia and retinopathy in premature babies
	Advanced MRI technology detects changes in the brain after COVID-19 Researchers at Linköping University, Sweden, have examined the brains of 16 patients previously hospitalized for COVID-19 with persisting symptoms. They have found differences in brain tissue structure between patients with persisting symptoms after COVID-19 and healthy people.
	Bile duct function and disease highlighted in new study Research from the Gupta Lab provides important insights into the extrahepatic bile ducts. These bile ducts outside of the liver are a critical but poorly understood component of the human digestive system. The study, led by Serrena Singh and supervised by Vikas Gupta, MD, Ph.D., assistant professor of medicine (digestive diseases), and published in the journal Development Cell, marks a significant step forward in understanding diseases affecting these ducts, such as primary sclerosing cholangitis and cholangiocarcinoma.
	First-in-human clinical trial of CAR T cell therapy with new binding mechanism shows promising early responses Early results from a Phase I clinical trial of AT101, a new CAR T cell therapy that uses a distinct binding mechanism to target CD19, show a 100% complete response (CR) rate at the higher dose levels studied in the trial, according to researchers from the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine and Penn Medicine's Abramson Cancer Center.
	Alzheimer's in one sibling raises risk of shortened lifespan in others An Alzheimer's diagnosis in a sibling raises the risk of a shortened lifespan in other family members—even those without dementia, according to new USC research based on data from the Swedish Twin Registry.
	Novel combination therapy found to significantly reduce spleen volume in patients with myelofibrosis Combining the JAK inhibitor ruxolitinib with the BCL-xL inhibitor navitoclax was twice as effective in reducing enlarged spleens—a major indicator of clinical improvement—compared with standard-of-care ruxolitinib monotherapy for adult patients with intermediate or high-risk myelofibrosis, a rare bone marrow cancer, according to results of the Phase III TRANSFORM-1 trial reported by researchers from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.
	Targeted oral therapy reduces disease burden and improves symptoms for patients with rare blood disorder in trial The targeted therapy bezuclastinib was safe and rapidly reduced markers of disease burden while also improving symptoms for patients with a rare blood disorder called nonadvanced system mastocytosis, according to results of the Phase II SUMMIT trial reported by researchers at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.
	Novel menin inhibitors show promise for patients with advanced acute myeloid leukemias Two clinical trials led by researchers from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center demonstrated early positive results from novel therapies targeting menin for the treatment of relapsed or refractory acute leukemias with specific genetic alterations.
	New hybrid treatment forces cancer cells to starve The combination of a drug and a protein fragment prevents the growth of blood cancer cells, a new study in mice shows.
	Exploring equitable treatment options for pediatric patients with sickle cell disease Patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) often face a reduced quality of life and a lower life expectancy. Allotransplantation, the first treatment for SCD with curative potential, comes with risks, including transplant-related mortality. Gene therapy, once approved for SCD, could also offer a lifelong cure without the risk associated with allotransplantation.
	Tracing how the infant brain responds to touch with near-infrared spectroscopy Researchers from Tokyo Metropolitan University have measured how oxygenated hemoglobin levels in the blood change in infants' brains in response to touch. Using spectroscopy methods with external sensors placed on the scalp of sleeping infants, they found that the time at which levels peak doesn't change with infant age, but the amount by which it varies over time does. Insights like this shed light on how the physiology of infants develops.
	New study reveals latest data on global burden of cardiovascular disease A world without cardiovascular disease (CVD) is possible, yet millions of lives are lost prematurely to heart disease each year, according to the new Global Burden of Disease (GBD) special report published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. The report provides an update of health estimates for the global, regional and national burden and trends of CVD from 1990-2022 by analyzing the impact of cardiovascular conditions and risk factors across 21 global regions.
	Risk of dying from cancer in some poorer districts of England over 70% higher than wealthy districts, study suggests The risk of dying from the 10 forms of cancer with the largest death toll for men and women varies massively depending on the district in England where people live, according to a study published in The Lancet Oncology.
	Third-generation anti-CD19 CAR T-cells show efficacy without neurotoxicity in B-cell lymphoma phase 1 clinical trial The Malaghan Institute of Medical Research, in collaboration with Wellington Zhaotai Therapies Limited, today announced results of its phase 1 dose escalation trial of a new third generation anti-CD19 chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy to be presented at the American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting in San Diego on 11 December. The research is also published in the journal Blood.
	Real-world data show impact of immunotherapy in populations underrepresented in clinical trials New research in the December 2023 issue of Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network finds that patients treated with first-line immunotherapy for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) showed similar results in terms of survival, progression-free survival, and treatment duration, regardless of race or ethnicity, even with differences in income and insurance.
	Study assesses how participants respond to the labels 'vegan,' 'healthy,' 'sustainable' As presented at the Society for Risk Analysis 2023 Annual conference, Patrycja Sleboda from Baruch College—CUNY and her colleagues from the University of Southern California have conducted a national food choice experiment to determine how people respond to labels such as "vegan" and "plant-based" compared to "healthy," "sustainable," or "healthy and sustainable."
	Researchers compare mental illness, gun violence rates in US, Australia and UK Considerable attention has focused on mental illness as a major contributor to homicides in the United States. Serious mental illness affects more than 14 million Americans ages 18 and older and nearly 58 million people reported having a mental illness.
	Young adults report lower alcohol use after learning that drinking is declining among their peers Learning that their peers' alcohol use is declining over time may help reduce young adults' drinking, according to the first study that tested this approach among community-based participants (versus college students). During young adulthood, drinking habits tend to become established. Young adults are known to be influenced by social norms, particularly their peers' drinking behaviors.
	Q&A: Everything you need to know about the new pediatric RSV immunizations Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a major cause of illness in young children and is the leading reason why infants are hospitalized. Until recently, this viral infection was difficult to prevent or treat. Thanks to research advances, two new effective prevention methods are now available.
	Caffeine can have a negative impact on soccer players' decision-making skills, new research shows A study published in the Behavioural Brain Research by Staffordshire University and Shiraz University in Iran has found that while consuming caffeine before a game can improve the accuracy of soccer passes, it can have an adverse effect on more tactical play involving a higher number of passes.
	Healthy plant-based diet reduces diabetes risk by 24%, finds study Many type 2 diabetes cases could be avoided by adopting a healthy lifestyle. A plant-based diet has been shown to play a key role in this. As demonstrated in a study led by Tilman Kühn from MedUni Vienna's Center for Public Health, with limitations, a more plant-based diet only develops its protective effects if both consumption of animal-based foods as well as industrially processed and highly sugary foods is reduced.
	How much does a shrunken blastocyst adversely affect implantation and pregnancy? Obstetricians and gynecologists at Toho University, Japan examined 1,331 cases of frozen-thawed embryo transfer cycles and found that blastocysts showing shrinkage at the time of transfer had a low success rate in terms of assisted reproductive technology (ART) outcomes, demonstrating the adverse effect of shrinkage.
	Early childhood fish consumption may protect against neurodevelopmental delays Adding fish to a toddler's repertoire of finger foods may help protect them from neurodevelopmental delays, according to researchers at the Penn State College of Medicine. The team studied 142 children from birth to age 18 months and found that consuming fish at least once a week was associated with a reduced risk of neurodevelopmental delays. Intriguingly, the positive influence of fish consumption on neurodevelopment was amplified by a child's microbiome.
	Why get high? Teens use cannabis for coping and enjoyment, finds study A study in Psychology of Addictive Behaviors by researchers at UC Davis Health and the University of Washington surveyed teens over a six-month period to better understand their motives for using cannabis.
	Can experienced meditators voluntarily turn off their consciousness? A study reveals that experienced meditators are able to voluntarily modulate their state of consciousness during meditation. In other words, they have the unusual ability, without the use of drugs, to induce a momentary void of consciousness during cessations through large-scale modulation of brain activity.
	Spanish scientists identify molecular mechanisms controlling genes involved in formation of the heart valves A team of researchers at the Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC) in Madrid has identified the molecular mechanisms that control the activity of genes involved in both the correct formation of the heart valves and the prevention of their subsequent calcification.
	Study reports progress in long-term protection against ovarian cancer tumors Investigators from the C.S. Mott Center for Human Growth and Development at the Wayne State University School of Medicine reported today in Cancer Immunology Research the characterization of a novel therapeutic approach capable of restoring immune surveillance and providing long-term protection against ovarian cancer tumors.
	Inclusive content, peer support, media information literacy can combat health misinformation spread on social media Social media has become one of the main sources of information for youth, a population that on average engages with platforms such as TikTok and Instagram for nearly five hours per day.
	New treatment options for advanced myelofibrosis and other blood malignancies show promise Few standard treatments have been available for advanced myelofibrosis, a bone marrow disorder characterized by excessive scar tissue that disrupts the normal production of blood cells
	AI trained on X-rays can diagnose medical issues as accurately as doctors, finds study A collaborative study among Warwick, King's College London and several NHS sites has demonstrated how AI can analyze X-rays and diagnose medical issues just as accurately or more accurately than doctors.
	Risk factors for long-term arm morbidities following breast cancer treatments A new review paper titled "Risk factors for long-term arm morbidities following breast cancer treatments: A systematic review" has been published in Oncotarget.
	New drug may be effective for contact lens infection The combination of polihexanide (PHMB) and propamidine is safe and effective for treating the rare sight-threatening eye infection Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK), according to a study recently published in Ophthalmology.
	Getting through the holidays with celiac disease As I prepared for my women's group Christmas cookie exchange, I realized how tough this season might be for someone with celiac disease. This condition can cause immense damage to the intestines when susceptible individuals consume gluten—a protein found in wheat, rye and barley.
	The health benefits of volunteering Volunteers make an immeasurable difference in people's lives. The act of volunteering also benefits a person's health as well. Research has shown that volunteering offers significant health benefits, especially for older adults. Here are the top three:
	Many would-be kidney donors are ineligible because of their weight or smoking habits: A project helps them qualify More than 70 kidney transplants were performed every day in the United States last year. Rachel Watson wanted to be one of the donors, but was told she didn't qualify, at first.
	It's taking longer to schedule abortions in the US. Doctors fear riskier, more complex procedures A woman whose fetus was unlikely to survive called more than a dozen abortion clinics before finding one that would take her, only to be put on weekslong waiting lists. A teen waited seven weeks for an abortion because it took her mother that long to get her an appointment. Others seeking the procedure faced waits because they struggled to travel hundreds of miles for care.
	Some Seattle cancer center patients are receiving threatening emails after last month's data breach Some patients of a Seattle-based cancer center received threatening emails following a data breach last month.
	Doctor and self-exiled activist Gao Yaojie who exposed the AIDS epidemic in rural China dies at 95 Renowned Chinese doctor and activist Gao Yaojie who exposed the AIDS virus epidemic in rural China in the 1990s died Sunday at the age of 95 at her home in the United States.
	Colorado blames Biden team and drugmakers for delaying Canadian imports Colorado officials say their plan to import cheaper medicines from Canada has been stymied by opposition from drugmakers and inaction by the Biden administration, according to a state report obtained by KFF Health News.
	What to know about home care services Most older Americans want to live at home as long as they can, but finding and affording the help they need often isn't easy. There are severe shortages of home health aides in many parts of the country. Hiring them is costly. And most middle-class people will have to pay for home care themselves if it's needed for the long haul.
	Doctors say RSV is again sending people to the hospital Doctors near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, have noticed a surge in patients coming into hospitals with RSV, a common virus with cold-like symptoms.
	What you should know about lead in cinnamon applesauce pouches? Every so often, parents hear scary news that lead or other metals have been found in baby foods made with rice, fruit or vegetables. Recently, the Food and Drug Administration and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned people not to eat certain brands of cinnamon applesauce pouches because they had lead in them.
	Most Americans lose sleep due to 'digital distractions.' Experts offer tips to help It has likely happened to everyone at some point: You are poised to go to sleep, but instead a "digital distraction" keeps you up hours later than you had planned.
	I'm trying to lose weight and eat healthily. Why do I feel so hungry all the time? What can I do about it? Benjamin Franklin, one of the founding fathers of the United States, famously said nothing is certain except death and taxes. But I think we can include "you'll feel hungry when you're trying to lose weight" as another certainty.
	Sore throat? Try these 5 home remedies for relief Sore throats are commonplace during cold and flu season, but luckily there are lots of home remedies that can help ease your misery, doctors say.
	Long-term results show combination treatment that skips chemotherapy is effective for older patients with Ph+ ALL Older patients with Philadelphia chromosome-positive (Ph+) acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) who were not good candidates for the standard treatment of intensive chemotherapy had a median overall survival (OS) of 6.5 years on an alternate regimen of dasatinib and blinatumomab.
	The relationship between health and structural racial discrimination In celebrating its 75th anniversary, the World Health Organization has recently called for a renewed drive for health equity—that is, the opportunity for everyone to achieve an optimal health status.
	Trust issues prevent sharing of vital health and welfare data in Australia, finds study A lack of trust between institutions in Australia is a bigger hurdle to the easy sharing of health and social welfare data than perceived state legislation obstacles—which researchers say largely don't have a detrimental effect in Australia.
	Landscape for acute myeloid leukemia patients evolving rapidly as research discoveries advance new treatments The treatment landscape for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is evolving rapidly, as research discoveries at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and other academic cancer centers advance new, more effective therapies for this aggressive blood cancer.
	Revolutionizing probiotic therapy: The emergence of CRISPR-Cas engineered strains Probiotics, defined as live microorganisms beneficial to health, have shown promise in areas like anti-inflammatory activity and brain function, etc. However, challenges remain due to variability in tolerance and colonization among species and strains. Recent advances in genome engineering, including CRISPR-Cas, have facilitated the creation of novel probiotic strains, offering potential treatments for metabolic disorders, inflammation, infections, and cancer.
	Gut-derived exosomes as a novel mediator of hepatic lipid metabolism Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), characterized by excessive hepatic lipid accumulation, poses a high prevalence and can progress to cirrhosis and liver cancer. To enhance preventive and therapeutic efforts, an in-depth exploration of the regulatory mechanisms of NAFLD is imperative.
	Guidance for prevention, diagnosis, evaluation, treatment of hepatitis C virus in chronic kidney disease The latest clinical practice guideline from the Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) organization offers guidance for the prevention, diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in chronic kidney disease (CKD).
	Researcher finds increased risk of cardiovascular disease in people with hereditary lipid disorders Tigist Wodaje from the Endocrinology Unit at the Department of Medicine, Huddinge (MedH), is defending her thesis, "Hereditary hypercholesterolemia and cardiovascular disease: functional and epidemiological aspects," on 14 December, 2023. The main supervisor is Jonas Brink (MedH).
	Why you might not find your favorite cold meds at the pharmacy It's winter and many people are contending with the sniffles and coughs. For some, that means heading to the pharmacy to resupply on cold medications.

Other Sciences news

	Best of Last Year: The top Phys.org articles of 2023 It was a good year for research across multiple fields as a team at the University of Ottawa, working with colleagues Danilo Zia and Fabio Sciarrino, from the Sapienza University of Rome, demonstrated a novel technique to visualize the wave function of two entangled photons, the elementary particles that constitute light, in real time. This work that could lead to accelerated quantum technology advancements.
	Biocrusts on Great Wall of China found to be protecting it from erosion A small international team of soil and water ecosystem conservation specialists has found that biocrusts clinging to parts of the Great Wall of China have been serving to protect the famous structure from erosion. In their paper published in the journal Science Advances, the group describes their study and analysis of material growing on the wall.
	Saturday Citations: Extragalactic stars in the Milky Way, more biolinguistic evidence and couples coping with COVID This week we look at migratory stars, communicative children and how to make the best cup of coffee, as well as examining some of the latest COVID advice.
	People overestimate social consequences of saying no to an invitation, finds study It may feel unforgivably rude to reject an invitation—even one to an event you would much prefer not to attend—but people often overestimate the social consequences of saying no, according to research published by the American Psychological Association.
	Earliest 'true' saddle in east Asia discovered Archaeologists have used radiocarbon dating to analyze the oldest true wooden frame saddle in East Asia, revealing how the rise of Mongolian steppe cultures was likely aided by advances in equestrian technology.
	Best of Last Week—entangling molecules, new way to collect solar energy, a brain device to treat TBI It was a good week for physics research as two teams at University College London created quite a stir in the physics world when they announced via two papers, one published in Physical Review X, the other Nature Communications, that they had developed a theory that unites Einstein's theory of gravity with quantum mechanics. Also, a team of astronomers and astrophysicists from institutions in the U.S. and Canada found evidence that ancient stars made extraordinarily heavy elements—heavier even than those that appear on the periodic table. And another team of physicists at Princeton University entangled individual molecules for the first time. The process they developed is expected to have huge implications for quantum computer research efforts.
	Study of remains uncovered in Argentina's Patagonian region shows locals raised and ate horses A large international team of archaeologists, geologists, historians, and anthropologists has found that people living in what is now Argentina's Patagonian region had learned to raise, ride, and eat horses as early as 1600. In their paper published in the journal Science Advances, the group describes their analysis of horse bones they dug up at Chorrillo Grande 1.
	Government and nonprofit workers are getting billions in student loan debt canceled through a public service program The Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, which the George W. Bush administration created in 2007 to encourage people to work for the government and nonprofits, has grown significantly during Joe Biden's presidency. The Conversation asked economist William Chittenden to explain what this student loan program is, who is eligible and what has changed lately.
	New investment labels aim to help savers spot sustainable products—but won't always stop greenwashing From the nutritional traffic light system displayed on a box of cereal, to the efficiency ratings we look at when buying a house, ratings and labels help us work out how to spend money responsibly. A new scheme from the UK's financial regulator also aims to use them to help you invest responsibly.
	Seven tips for ethical shopping this Christmas As you walk into a shop or go online hunting for Christmas gifts, it can feel pretty daunting. Who needs what, how much will it cost, will they like it? But also very important: am I making a good choice in where I am shopping?
	Study offers insights into the information people seek when making important decisions In her recently published research, Yesim Orhun, associate professor of marketing and Michael R. and Mary Kay Hallman Fellow, explores unique insights into what information individuals seek when making important decisions and how policymakers, medical professionals, and business leaders should communicate anxiety-provoking news.
	Personal, political perceptions stall community action on climate adaptation: Study Floods, wildfires and other extreme weather events spurred by climate change can disrupt entire communities, turning residents' lives upside down and costing millions in property damage.
	Improved employment policies can encourage fathers to be more involved at home While the COVID-19 pandemic had many detrimental socio-economic and health impacts, one silver lining has been the influence of remote work on men's involvement in unpaid work at home.
	Technologies like artificial intelligence are changing our understanding of war Artificial intelligence (AI) is widely regarded as a disruptive technology because it has the potential to fundamentally alter social relationships. AI has affected how people understand the world, the jobs available in the workforce and judgments of who merits employment or threatens society.
	Literacy professor researches the 'meme-ing' of life and education Sometimes going online can feel like an entirely new world. Whether it's a reference you don't understand, a running joke or a parody image, it's not uncommon to feel lost no matter your age. Still, there's hope for managing the memes.
	Labeling boost for wine and beer sales Research published in the International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business has taken a close look at the innovation dynamics within Baja California's flourishing wine and craft beer industries. The work focuses specifically on the impact good label design can have on marketing and sales.
	Science sheds light on shaking your holiday presents As holidays near, people are sneaking shakes of their presents to try to figure out what they're getting. But present shakers might be a little less sly than they think. New research shows it's incredibly easy for people watching others shake boxes to tell what they're up to.
	What happens when you can't be yourself at work Like many other essentials of life, our sense of self is something we often take for granted, until it's under threat. When our circumstances appear at odds with who we feel ourselves to be, we are pitched headlong into a distressing state that scholars call "identity threat", which has been the subject of research from fields as disparate as marketing and political science.
	How to make 'Jeopardy!' work for you at the office Showing strength and confidence is often touted as the way to get things done at work, but a new study from the University of Iowa's Tippie College of Business suggests that people might have more success if they were less assertive.
	Brokers play important role in regulating migrant workers in China New research authored by a Cornell University ILR School doctoral student examines the interplay between private labor brokers and local state actors in Chinese migrant worker regulations.
	Study: Women-led groups were key to food security during COVID-19 in India In March of 2020, India's government announced a strict lockdown with just four hours notice, including a ban on the informal and traditional food outlets that 80 to 90 percent of Indians rely on for their main source of food.
	Study analyzes how the green transition affects competition and concentration in the business market The green transition towards a more sustainable and environmentally friendly economy has become a necessity to combat climate change, the scarcity of resources, and pollution. Businesses have been forced to shift from traditional fossil fuels to renewable energy sources.
	Inequality in well-being increasing in the US: Study New research by School of Economics Associate Professor Shatakshee Dhongde combines multidimensional inequality measurements to better understand the disparity in the United States.
	Study finds new abortion and LGBT policies negatively impact interstate migration Researchers at the University of Houston say major state-level shifts in social and legal rights available to women and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) individuals are affecting interstate migration attitudes and may have negative impacts on states' economies and workforces.
	Reducing gender inequality, one biodegradable menstrual pad at a time Several years ago, Ajume Wingo was riding a bus in his home country of Cameroon when the vehicle made an unexpected stop.
	Public bodies 'overwhelmed' at having to implement human rights laws, study warns Staff members at public bodies can be "overwhelmed" by having to implement human rights laws into the working of their organization when those members are in "awe" of legislation, a new study warns.
	Promotion age and promotion speed have a significant impact on current research productivity, research finds Rank advancement earlier in academic careers and productivity later in academic careers are strongly linked in ways that have not been discussed—through the two time-related dimensions of promotion age and promotion speed. These parameters were used to construct individual lifetime biographical and publication profiles.

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