Science X Newsletter Thu, Dec 14

Dear ,

Be an ACS Industry Insider: https://solutions.acs.org/industryinsider/

Sign-up and get free, monthly access to articles that cover exciting, cutting edge discoveries in Energy, Environmental Science and Agriculture.

---

Here is your customized Science X Newsletter for December 14, 2023:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

Gathering more effective human demonstrations to teach robots new skills

Research investigates evolution of symbiotic binary HM Sagittae

New way to charge batteries harnesses the power of 'indefinite causal order'

Silicon heterojunction solar cells with 26.4% efficiencies fabricated using scalable deposition techniques

A strategy to realize the efficient resonant absorption of guided water waves

Global research collaboration maps brain development in infancy and early childhood

Extending the uncertainty principle by using an unbounded operator

Direct ink writing of high-resolution cellulose structures

NASA study finds life-sparking energy source and molecule at Enceladus

Best of Last Year: The top Tech Xplore articles of 2023

Mothers and children have their birthday in the same month more often than you'd think—and here's why

Neanderthals may have been morning people, says new study

Pattern of alcohol intake more accurate indicator of liver disease risk than overall consumption, finds study

New study reveals characteristics that are shared among a group of uniquely gifted dogs

Spinal cord stimulation shown to reduce pain, improve balance in people with lower limb amputation

Nanotechnology news

Researchers develop fast and energy-saving synthesis method for new electrocatalysts Researchers from the Bavarian Center for Battery Technology and the "SolTech" research network at the University of Bayreuth have presented a new production method for electrocatalysts: a fast, low-temperature synthesis of special ceramic materials (high-entropy oxides).

Nanoparticles amplify potential cancer vaccine power Johns Hopkins researchers have identified minuscule particles that supercharge therapeutic cancer vaccines, which train the immune system to attack tumors. These new lipid nanoparticles—tiny structures made of fat—not only stimulate a two-pronged immune system response that enhances the body's ability to fight cancer but also make vaccines more effective in targeting tumors.

Physics news

	New way to charge batteries harnesses the power of 'indefinite causal order' Batteries that exploit quantum phenomena to gain, distribute and store power promise to surpass the abilities and usefulness of conventional chemical batteries in certain low-power applications. For the first time, researchers, including those from the University of Tokyo, take advantage of an unintuitive quantum process that disregards the conventional notion of causality to improve the performance of so-called quantum batteries, bringing this future technology a little closer to reality.
	A strategy to realize the efficient resonant absorption of guided water waves The absorption of water waves is the process through which water waves lose their energy, thus reducing their impact on shores or other solid structures surrounding them. Enabling this absorption process in real-world settings could help protect coasts and structures from damage caused by waves during extreme weather conditions.
	Extending the uncertainty principle by using an unbounded operator A study published in the journal Physical Review Letters by researchers in Japan solves a long-standing problem in quantum physics by redefining the uncertainty principle.
	Discovery of a new Hall effect: Does it violate Onsager's reciprocal theorem? Researchers at the University of Tsukuba and NIMS have observed a novel Hall effect wherein the deflection direction of current varies according to the current flow direction. Onsager's reciprocal theorem, a fundamental theorem in materials science, asserts the impossibility of such a phenomenon. However, the researchers found that the observed phenomenon could be explained without contradicting the reciprocal theorem by assuming an unconventional magnetic arrangement.
	Attoscience unveils a light-matter hybrid phase in graphite reminiscent of superconductivity X-ray absorption spectroscopy is an element-selective and electronic-state sensitive technique that is one of the most widely used analytical techniques to study the composition of materials or substances. Until recently, the method required arduous wavelength scanning and did not provide ultrafast temporal resolution to study electronic dynamics.
	A promising pairing: Scientists demonstrate new combination of materials for quantum science Quantum information scientists are always on the hunt for winning combinations of materials, materials that can be manipulated at the molecular level to reliably store and transmit information. Following a recent proof-of-principle demonstration, researchers are adding a new combination of compounds to the quantum materials roster.
	New method for creating transparent magnetic materials using laser heating In a significant advancement in optical technology, researchers from Tohoku University and Toyohashi University of Technology have developed a new method for creating transparent magnetic materials using laser heating. This breakthrough, recently published in the journal Optical Materials, presents a novel approach to integrating magneto-optical materials with optical devices, a long-standing challenge in the field.
	Newly developed material gulps down hydrogen, spits it out, protects fusion reactor walls University of Wisconsin–Madison engineers have used a spray coating technology to produce a new workhorse material that can withstand the harsh conditions inside a fusion reactor.
	Lighting a fire using friction requires an understanding of physics principles—there are ways to make the process easier Humans have been making fire using friction for thousands of years, with evidence of its use found in archaeological records across different cultures worldwide.
	Ultrafast laser technology could offer improved cancer treatment Ultrafast laser technology continues to surprise. While research in this field may seem rather abstract at first glance, it very often leads to concrete applications. This is particularly true in health care, where the technology can be used to treat certain cancers.

Earth news

	Climate change threatens a quarter of Australia's low-lying coral reef islands University of Sydney researchers have found 25% of Australia's coral islands, land masses formed by reefs, currently face high to very high risk of being wiped out by climate change.
	Tropical ice cores offer deeper insights into Earth's temperature record A new study suggests ice recovered from high tropical mountains can reveal key insights about Earth's past climate changes.
	Researchers calculated the UK's greenhouse gas emissions from people exhaling: Here's what they found The UK population collectively breathes out about 1,100 tons of the greenhouse gases methane and nitrous oxide every year. That's one key finding from our new research published in PLOS ONE.
	Drones capture new clues about how water shapes mountain ranges over time Drones flying along miles of rivers in the steep, mountainous terrain of central Taiwan and mapping the rock properties have revealed new clues about how water helps shape mountains over geological time, according to a team led by Penn State scientists.
	From flush to faucet: More places look to turn sewage into tap water After an Orange County resident flushes her toilet, the water flows through the Southern California community's sewer system, meanders its way to the sanitation plant, has its solids removed, is piped to a wastewater recycling facility next door and undergoes three different purification processes until it is clean enough to drink.
	Making fossil fuel companies accountable for their products' emissions would support the clean energy transition I recently found myself among a group of alarmed scientists, writing a fervent plea to the European Commission to be more ambitious when it comes to corporate greenhouse gas reporting requirements. Our open letter calling for comprehensive disclosure of corporations' contribution to the climate crisis gathered support from over 100 fellow researchers around the world.
	Fifth national climate assessment emphasizes mitigation The latest National Climate Assessment highlights historic emissions reductions and outlines new guidance for achieving a net-zero emissions pathway.
	Was the Peace River earthquake induced or natural? New study tests frameworks to answer the question Using questionnaires created to determine whether a particular earthquake is natural or induced by human activity, a panel of experts concluded that the November 2022 magnitude 5.2 Peace River earthquake sequence in Alberta, Canada was likely induced.
	Researchers develop AI capable of determining snow depth across Switzerland using satellite images How much snow is there up in the mountains, and where exactly is it? The answer is of just as much interest to the winter tourism industry and operators of hydropower plants as it is to winter sports enthusiasts looking to gauge the risk of avalanches. However, measuring snow depth is a challenging task for a host of reasons: it can change fast depending on the weather, it varies greatly according to terrain, and it is not immediately discernible on overhead images.
	US begins review that could spell trouble for PVC The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Thursday announced a review that could eventually lead to the end of PVC plastic production—impacting everything from records to rubber ducks.
	Hard-fought COP28 agreement suggests the days of fossil fuels are numbered—but climate catastrophe is not yet averted As negotiators stagger towards their beds in Dubai and another year's climate talks come to a close, it's time to take stock. Did COP28 achieve the big breakthrough the world needs on climate change?
	'Weak tea': Climate scientists push back against COP28 cheer A UN climate deal that approved a call to transition away from fossil fuels has been hailed as a major milestone and a cause for at least cautious optimism.
	Chicago's cumulative report on pollution sparks debate Straight out of the starting blocks, Chicago is learning how hard it will be to write an ordinance to reduce a broad array of pollutants built up over many years across a big, diverse city.
	Florida's garden equipment helps it lead the nation in this type of pollution Florida leads the nation in emissions of at least two pollutants from gas-powered lawn equipment, according to the federal government's latest National Emissions Inventory.
	The COP28 climate agreement is a step backwards on fossil fuels The COP28 climate summit in Dubai has adjourned. The result is "The UAE consensus" on fossil fuels.
	Seafloor geodetic positioning model achieves centimeter-level precision In a study published on 4 December 2023, in the journal Satellite Navigation, researchers from Chinese Academy of Surveying and Mapping have developed a self-structured Empirical SSP (SESSP) approach to overcome previous limitations. This novel method utilizes a three-parameter Empirical Temperature Profile (ETP) model, structured using Del Grosso's sound speed formula, to create an Empirical Sound Speed Profile (ESSP).
	Advanced GNSS technique enhances accuracy in landslide monitoring In a study published on 13 November 2023, in the journal Satellite Navigation, researchers from Chang'an University have developed a novel approach using the Precise Point Positioning (PPP) technique combined with a cumulative sum control chart (CUSUM) method. This method enables the analysis of reference station stability and compensates for deformation at monitoring stations.
	How COP's fossil fuel taboo was finally broken by the Emiratis Hours after the applause and relief that the world had finally reached a landmark climate agreement in Dubai, US special envoy John Kerry admitted that he thought it might never happen.
	Avoiding food waste over the holidays to save money and the planet Roni Neff, Ph.D., an associate professor in the Department of Environmental Health and Engineering at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, leads the Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future's Food Systems and Climate Change team and co-directs a national food waste research network.

Astronomy and Space news

	Research investigates evolution of symbiotic binary HM Sagittae Using the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) and the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA), astronomers have performed a multiwavelength study of a symbiotic binary known as HM Sagittae. Results of the study, presented December 4 on the pre-print server arXiv, yield crucial insights into the evolution of this system.
	NASA study finds life-sparking energy source and molecule at Enceladus A study zooms in on data that NASA's Cassini gathered at Saturn's icy moon and finds evidence of a key ingredient for life and a supercharged source of energy to fuel it.
	Astronomers discover first population of binary stripped stars Astronomers at the University of Toronto have discovered a population of massive stars that have been stripped of their hydrogen envelopes by their companions in binary systems. The findings, published in Science, shed light on the hot helium stars that are believed to be the origins of hydrogen-poor core-collapse supernovae and neutron star mergers.
	Simulations of craters reveal characteristics of impactors such as spin speed, bond strength A team of engineers at the University of Campinas, in Brazil has found that the unique characteristics of craters, both on Earth and on other bodies in space, are due to the unique features of both the impactor and the site where it strikes. In their study, reported in the journal Physical Review E, the group built and ran simulations of impactors striking planets, moons and other bodies.
	Unexpected chemistry reveals cosmic star factories' secrets Two galaxies in the early universe, which contain extremely productive star factories, have been studied by a team of scientists led by Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden. Using powerful telescopes to split the galaxies' light into individual colors, the scientists were amazed to discover light from many different molecules—more than ever before seen at such distances. Studies like this could revolutionize our understanding of the lives of the most active galaxies when the universe was young, the researchers believe.
	China's space program: Five things to know When Chang'e-3 became the first Chinese craft to land on the moon 10 years ago, it kicked off nationwide celebrations—and a decade of major successes for a rapidly accelerating space program.
	SpaceX Falcon Heavy launch on hold for now, weather delays Falcon 9 attempt too SpaceX is standing down from attempting to launch its powerhouse Falcon Heavy for now citing the need for "systems checkouts" while weather would have been an issue the next couple of days, and has already delayed a Falcon 9 launch as well.
	NASA's NEOWISE celebrates 10 years, plans end of mission The asteroid and comet-hunting infrared space telescope has gathered an impressive haul of observations, but it's now at the mercy of the sun, which is accelerating its demise.
	US launch of new Vulcan Centaur rocket delayed until January The maiden liftoff of a new American rocket called Vulcan Centaur has been delayed from Christmas Eve to January 8, United Launch Alliance, the company developing it, said Thursday.
	NASA's space station laser comm terminal achieves first link A NASA technology experiment on the International Space Station completed its first laser link with an in-orbit laser relay system on Dec. 5, 2023. Together, they complete NASA's first two-way, end-to-end laser relay system.
	Webb finds icy complex organic molecules around protostars In the quest to understand how and where life might arise in the galaxy, astronomers search for its building blocks. Complex Organic Molecules (COMs) are some of those blocks, and they include things like formaldehyde and acetic acid, among many others. The JWST has found some of these COMs around young protostars. What does this tell astronomers?
	Entropy could be key to a planet's habitability We all know that to have life on a world, you need three critical items: water, warmth, and food. Now add to that a factor called "entropy." It plays a role in determining if a given planet can sustain and grow complex life.
	Possible first ever synchrotron-based analysis of asteroid Bennu to be performed After an amazing journey, a grain from the asteroid Bennu will be brought to Diamond Light Source, the UK's national synchrotron, for scientific measurements. The grain is from 100 milligrams of sample sent to the Natual History Museum (NHM) in London, a small fraction of the approximately 70 grams of Bennu rock and dust brought back by NASA's OSIRIS-REx mission. It will be subject to intensive analysis at the Dual Imaging And Diffraction (DIAD) instrument in Diamond by Dr. Ashley King and his team from the NHM and other OSIRIS-REx collaborators at the Open, Oxford and Manchester Universities.

Technology news

	Gathering more effective human demonstrations to teach robots new skills To effectively assist humans in real-world settings, robots should be able to learn new skills and adapt their actions based on what users require them to do at different times. One way to achieve this would be to design computational approaches that allow robots to learn from human demonstrations, for instance observing videos of a person washing dishes and learning to repeat the same sequence of actions.
	Silicon heterojunction solar cells with 26.4% efficiencies fabricated using scalable deposition techniques Solar technologies are helping to reduce carbon emissions and are set to continue contributing to the mitigation of climate change. One type of solar technology found to be promising for future photovoltaic applications is silicon heterojunction (SHJ) solar cells.
	Best of Last Year: The top Tech Xplore articles of 2023 It was a good year for technology research and development, and nothing made the news more often than energy research efforts. Leading the way were efforts surrounding the use and development of solar energy.
	2023: The year we played with artificial intelligence—and weren't sure what to do about it Artificial intelligence went mainstream in 2023—it was a long time coming yet has a long way to go for the technology to match people's science fiction fantasies of human-like machines.
	YouTube video recommendations lead to more extremist content for right-leaning users, researchers suggest YouTube tends to recommend videos that are similar to what people have already watched. New research has found that those recommendations can lead users down a rabbit hole of extremist political content.
	Researchers develop world's first universal metasurface antenna for high-security 6G communications A research team led by Professor Chan Chi-hou, Chair Professor of Electronic Engineering at City University of Hong Kong (CityU), achieved an unprecedented advance in antenna technology by making possible the manipulation of all five fundamental properties of electromagnetic waves through software control.
	Researcher creates VR sequences to test eyewitness statements Eyewitness statements are one of the key sources for identifying perpetrators—and one of the most error-prone. For example, the Innocence Project—an organization that works to clear up miscarriages of justice in the U.S.—states that incorrect eyewitness statements played a role in 64% of the cases in which it was able to secure the release of people who had been wrongly convicted. Further research is needed to find out why eyewitnesses are so often wrong, and this will require extensive visual material.
	Upcycling leftover cardboard to make a new type of foam packaging With the holiday season in full swing, gifts of all shapes and sizes are being shipped around the world. But all that packaging generates lots of waste, including cardboard boxes and plastic-based foam cushioning, such as Styrofoam. Rather than discard those boxes, researchers publishing in ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering developed a cushioning foam from cardboard waste. Their upcycled material was stronger and more insulating than traditional, plastic foam-based cushioning.
	Researchers find way to weld metal foam without melting its bubbles Researchers at North Carolina State University have now identified a welding technique that can be used to join composite metal foam (CMF) components together without impairing the properties that make CMF desirable. CMFs hold promise for a wide array of applications because the pockets of air they contain make them light, strong and effective at insulating against high temperatures.
	Policies to support energy transition losers may fall short US efforts to transition to cleaner energy carry risks of mass layoffs in mature industries, say experts, who warn that policies to cushion the blow may not live up to hype.
	Chinese mourners use AI to digitally resurrect the dead At a quiet cemetery in eastern China, bereaved father Seakoo Wu pulls out his phone, places it on a gravestone and plays a recording of his son.
	Meta rolls out Twitter rival Threads in the EU Facebook owner Meta's text-based app Threads arrived in the European Union on Thursday, months after its global launch in July, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg said.
	Self-driven and sustainable removal of oil spills in water using textiles Researchers at the ITA, the University of Bonn and Heimbach GmbH have developed a new method for removing oil spills from water surfaces in an energy-saving, cost-effective way and without the use of toxic substances.
	Tesla's recall of 2 million vehicles reminds us how far driverless car AI still has to go Tesla has recalled 2 million US vehicles over concerns about its autopilot function. Autopilot is meant to help with maneuvers such as steering and acceleration, but still needs input from the driver. It comes just a few days after a whistle-blowing former Tesla employee cast doubt on the safety of the autopilot function.
	Why federal efforts to protect schools from cybersecurity threats fall short In August 2023, the White House announced a plan to bolster cybersecurity in K-12 schools—and with good reason. Between 2018 and mid-September 2023, there were 386 recorded cyberattacks in the U.S. education sector and cost those schools $35.1 billion. K-12 schools were the primary target.
	GM's Cruise robotaxi unit lays off 900 workers with investigation into San Francisco crash ongoing General Motors' troubled Cruise autonomous vehicle unit is cutting over 900 jobs, about a quarter of its workforce, as it moves to reduce costs and remake itself after a series of safety problems in San Francisco.
	EU probes Apple's App Store, Google Play The EU demanded on Thursday that Apple and Google provide more details on how they identified risks concerning their respective software hubs, the App Store and Google Play.
	How gray boxes and a jellyfish could help advance wave energy To an outsider, the gray stack of metal boxes piled on the gray concrete floor might look unimpressive. Machinery meant for storage, maybe. Leftovers from an experiment completed long ago.
	More than a third of those in the UK can't afford tech needed to reach net-zero, study shows More than a third of people in the U.K. can't afford renewable energy technology such as solar panels or heat pumps to help the country meet its climate targets, a new study shows.
	Comprehensive dataset for contactless lip reading and acoustic analysis holds potential for speech recognition tech Sophisticated new analysis of the physical processes which create the sounds of speech could help empower people with speech impairments and create new applications for voice recognition technologies, researchers say.
	Visual active search tool combines deep reinforcement learning, traditional active search methods In geospatial exploration, the quest for efficient identification of regions of interest has recently taken a leap forward with visual active search (VAS). This modeling framework uses visual cues to guide exploration with potential applications that range from wildlife poaching detection to search-and-rescue missions to the identification of illegal trafficking activities.
	Team develops a novel low-cost unmanned aerial vehicle platform for electrical transmission line inspection Electricity is an indispensable resource for our daily lives; it powers our homes, industries, and agriculture, among other things. Electricity is generated in power plants that are often located in remote areas due to safety and environmental concerns. The generated electricity is then transported to residential and industrial areas through transmission lines.
	Engineers develop new method to spot lithium-ion battery problems Mechanical engineers at the University of Sheffield have developed a new way of determining the internal structure and health of batteries that power many of the electronic devices and vehicles at the center of our everyday lives.
	New binder with 72 times higher electrical conductivity enhances battery performance A research team, jointly led by Professor Seok Ju Kang and Professor Hyun-Wook Lee in the School of Energy and Chemical Engineering at UNIST, has successfully developed a novel binder technology that promises to revolutionize battery performance. By combining PEDOT:PSS and polyethylene glycol (PEG) polymers, the research team has achieved a binder with an impressive 72 times higher electrical conductivity, opening up new possibilities for high-performance lithium-ion batteries.
	Ethics on autopilot: The safety dilemma of self-driving cars Self-driving cars, or autonomous vehicles, are revolutionizing how we move from one place to another. They're also raising major safety and responsibility issues.
	EU court rejects Brussels appeal over Amazon tax ruling A top EU court rejected Thursday Brussels' appeal against a ruling blocking its bid to force Luxembourg to recover 25 million euros ($272-million) in back taxes from Amazon.
	Google will reconstruct Chicago's Thompson Center starting early 2024, but will retain the building's atrium Chicago's James R. Thompson Center will undergo a floor-by-floor gut rehab beginning early next year, but the building will retain its atrium while also opening up the base of the structure to retail, according to renderings released by Google Wednesday. Google will occupy the Central Loop icon once the renovation of the building is complete.
	Tech companies slash hundreds more Bay Area jobs as layoffs resurface Tech layoffs have resurfaced just ahead of Christmas and New Year's, with high-tech companies, finance firms and a Pac-12 unit revealing plans to slash hundreds of jobs in the Bay Area, state files show.
	More EVs will slash California's transportation budget, says report. Are gas taxes the answer? California's plans to tackle climate change will lead to a significant decrease in state funding for transportation over the next decade, according to a report by the state legislative analyst's office.

Chemistry news

	Direct ink writing of high-resolution cellulose structures Three-dimensional (3D) printing has a significant role in membrane production for water purification and bio-separation, with capacity to create new and cleverly designed structures.
	Scientists develop a polymer film inspired by spider silk to connect biological tissues with electronic devices A team of materials scientists affiliated with several institutions in Singapore and China has developed a spider-silk-inspired polymer film that may be used to connect biological tissues with an electronic device. Their results are reported in the journal Nature. The editors at Nature have published a Research Briefing outlining the work in the same issue.
	Scientists create tunable shells to encapsulate tiny droplets Scientists at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) have developed a novel technique to encapsulate liquid droplets used for various applications, including single crystal growth and cell culture.
	Computational scientists generate molecular datasets at extreme scale A team of computational scientists at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory has generated and released datasets of unprecedented scale that provide the ultraviolet visible spectral properties of over 10 million organic molecules. Understanding how a molecule interacts with light is essential to uncovering its electronic and optical properties, which in turn have potential photoactive applications in products such as solar cells or medical imaging systems.
	Green hydrogen: Improving the stability of iridium catalysts with titanium oxides Anodes for the electrolytic splitting of water are usually iridium-based materials. In order to increase the stability of the iridium catalyst, a team at HZB and a group at HI-ERN have now produced a so-called material library: a sample in which the concentration of iridium and titanium oxides is systematically varied.
	New hydrate-based method shows promise for desalination technology A research team led by Professor Yongwon Seo in the Graduate School of Carbon Neutrality at UNIST has unveiled a highly efficient method for desalinating seawater using hydrate-based desalination (HBD) technology. The breakthrough is expected to have far-reaching implications for the application of hydrate-based desalination techniques, with the ability to calculate optimal temperatures for enhanced efficiency.
	Three novel inorganic clusters accelerate chemical reactions to create carbon–carbon bonds Perfume, rubbing alcohol, a cholesterol medication and even biological processes all depend on a chemical process called the aldol reaction. The reaction primarily combines compounds to form carbon–carbon bonds, which are incredibly strong and provide a molecule with stability.
	New catalyst opens efficient conversion from nitrate pollution to valuable ammonia Pollution spewing from a booming global economy poses a number of different threats to human health. Researchers from Zhongyuan University of Technology proposed a new possible avenue to efficiently convert nitrate, a widespread water pollutant, back to valuable ammonia.

Biology news

	Neanderthals may have been morning people, says new study A new research paper finds that genetic material from Neanderthal ancestors may have contributed to the propensity of some people today to be "early risers," the sort of people who are more comfortable getting up and going to bed earlier.
	New study reveals characteristics that are shared among a group of uniquely gifted dogs All dog owners think that their pups are special. Science now has documented that some rare dogs are even more special. They have a talent for learning hundreds of names of dog toys. Due to the extreme rarity of this phenomenon, until recently, very little was known about these dogs, as most of the studies that documented this ability included only a small sample of one or two dogs.
	Ancient DNA reveals how a chicken virus evolved to become more deadly An international team of scientists led by geneticists and disease biologists from the University of Oxford and LMU Munich have used ancient DNA to trace the evolution of Marek's Disease Virus (MDV). This global pathogen causes fatal infections in unvaccinated chickens and costs the poultry industry over $1 billion per year.
	Study shows diverse gut bacteria communities protect against harmful pathogens by nutrient blocking The human gut is home to hundreds of different bacterial species collectively known as the gut microbiome. A major health benefit these provide is to protect the gut against invading pathogens (disease-causing microorganisms) that could cause harmful infections. But up to now, how this protective effect comes about has been unclear, and whether certain bacterial species have a more important role than others.
	New understanding of ancient genetic parasite may spur medical breakthroughs A multidisciplinary study published in Nature has elucidated the structure of the machinery responsible for writing much of our "dark genome"—the 98% of our DNA that has largely unknown biological function. These results may spur entirely novel treatments for autoimmune diseases, cancer and neurodegeneration.
	Researchers, Coast Salish people analyze 160-year-old Indigenous dog pelt Researchers from the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History led a new analysis that sheds light on the ancestry and genetics of woolly dogs, a now extinct breed of dog that was a fixture of Indigenous Coast Salish communities in the Pacific Northwest for millennia. Anthropologist Logan Kistler and evolutionary molecular biologist Audrey Lin analyzed genetic clues preserved in the pelt of "Mutton," the only known woolly dog fleece in the world, to pinpoint the genes responsible for their highly sought-after woolly fur.
	Cockroaches can transmit antimicrobial resistance genes between groups A new paper describes a study of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) transmission among cockroaches, with implications for AMR transmission in humans. The study was published in mSystems.
	Squamates with horns more likely to take 'sit-and-wait' approach to hunting An international research collaborative has found evidence showing that squamates (lizards and snakes) with horns are more likely to take a "sit-and-wait" approach to hunting than those without horns. In their project, reported in the journal Biology Letters, the group studied nearly 2,000 species of lizards and snakes.
	Cats playing fetch: Research investigates how the game unfolds Cats tend to dictate games of fetch with their owners and most cats who play fetch learned to do so without explicit training, according to a survey of 924 cat owners published in Scientific Reports. The findings also highlight the variety of objects that cats prefer to fetch, including hair ties and bottle parts.
	Seals stay warm and hydrated in the Arctic with larger, more convoluted nasal passages Arctic seals have evolved many adaptations to cope with their frosty environment—one that you might not immediately think of is the bones in their nasal cavity. Arctic seals have more convoluted nasal passages than seal species that live in milder environments, and researchers report December 14 in the Biophysical Journal that these structures help the seals more efficiently retain heat and moisture as they breathe in and out.
	Simplifying the way cell proliferation is monitored in mice Observing cell proliferation in living animals for a long period requires collecting and analyzing animal organs at multiple points in time. This cumbersome process requires an abundance of resources, including animals.
	Paleontologist discovers rare soft tissue in fossil of crab Most animals and plants never fossilize. For those that do, it's usually only hard parts such as bones and shells that preserve. However, in some exceptional cases, soft tissues such as muscles and gills survive the fossilization process and can present a wealth of information about the biology and ecology of ancient organisms.
	Scientists create artificial DNA that can be transcribed by a natural enzyme The genetic alphabet contains just four letters, referring to the four nucleotides, the biochemical building blocks that comprise all DNA. Scientists have long wondered whether it's possible to add more letters to this alphabet by creating brand-new nucleotides in the lab, but the utility of this innovation depends on whether or not cells can actually recognize and use artificial nucleotides to make proteins.
	New method tags cells with location coordinates for single-cell studies When a scientist wants to study individual cells at the molecular level within an organ like the heart or brain, they usually break the tissue up to analyze the cells. This provides rich detail about gene activity, but doesn't retain information about the cells' location in the tissue.
	Forest fragmentation is changing the shape of Amazonian trees, finds study Due to clear-cutting, the area of undisturbed rainforests is decreasing. At the edges of deforested areas, temperatures rise, and there is more light. Trees are able to adapt to changes in their living conditions and environment, but how does environmental change affect the shape of trees in the tropical rainforest? To date there has been no overall understanding of this.
	People, not the climate, found to have caused the decline of the giant mammals For years, scientists have debated whether humans or the climate have caused the population of large mammals to decline dramatically over the past several thousand years. A new study from Aarhus University confirms that climate cannot be the explanation.
	Research reveals the secret sites where America's migrating songbirds stop to rest and refuel Every year, billions of birds migrate thousands of miles from their summer breeding ranges to their warmer wintering ranges and back. However, the question of where these birds stop to rest and refuel along the way has long stumped ornithologists.
	Researchers define new class of regulatory element in DNA Researchers at the MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine's Laboratory of Gene Regulation, led by Professor Doug Higgs and Dr. Mira Kassouf, have published a study in the journal Cell, in which they reveal another piece of the puzzle of how the code in our DNA is read.
	Discovery reveals lipid-signaling microdomains in cells Important signaling molecules called phospholipids are active throughout cells in small compartments called condensates, rather than functioning primarily in cell membranes as previously thought, according to a study from researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine. The finding helps open a new avenue of investigation in cell biology and may also be relevant to the study of neurodegenerative diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and Alzheimer's disease.
	Human intelligence: How cognitive circuitry, rather than brain size, drove its evolution It's one of the great paradoxes of evolution. Humans have demonstrated that having large brains are key to our evolutionary success, and yet such brains are extremely rare in other animals. Most get by on tiny brains, and don't seem to miss the extra brain cells (neurons).
	Move over, Blitzen: Geese outpace reindeer impacts on Arctic ecosystems In the frigid seas halfway between mainland Norway and the North Pole, two types of animals browse the palatable vegetation of a high-tundra archipelago, munching on thick moss, cropped grasses, and low-lying shrubs.
	Genomic analyses reveal poaching hotspots, trade routes of most trafficked endangered mammal UCLA scientists and colleagues have created a genetic source-to-destination map of the most trafficked mammal in the world—the pangolin—using samples from living white-bellied pangolins and scales from the animals confiscated at illicit markets.
	Resting gray reef sharks change what we know about how they breathe Predators in perpetual motion. Sleepless in our seas. If that's your image of sharks, you're not alone. And for good reason: sharks must swim to breathe (or so we were told). The science of how sharks sleep and breathe is linked, and while all sharks use gills to breathe, there are two ways that they move oxygen-rich sea water over those gills. Some sharks, called obligate ram ventilators, 'ram' oxygen-rich sea water over their gills and need to keep moving to do so. Other species, called buccal pumpers, actively pump sea water over their gills while stationary.
	Bats declined as Britain felled trees for colonial shipbuilding, says new study Bat numbers declined as Britain's trees were felled for shipbuilding in the early colonial period, new research shows. The work is published in the Journal of Applied Ecology.
	New study eyes nutrition-rich chia seed for potential to improve human health Oregon State University scientists have sequenced the chia genome and in doing so provided a blueprint for future research that capitalizes on the nutritional and human health benefits of the plant.
	Florida researchers are studying 'plant diamond' for carbon capture secrets An indestructible shell that surrounds pollen could be a solution to the warming climate. Florida scientists want to replicate its properties to store carbon.
	Artificial light lures migrating birds into cities, where they face a gauntlet of threats Light pollution has steadily intensified and expanded from urban areas, and with the advent of LED lighting, it is growing in North America by up to 10% per year, as measured by the visibility of stars in the night sky. In our recent study, we found that the glow from cities and urban outskirts can powerfully attract migratory birds, drawing them into developed areas where food is scarcer and they face threats such as colliding with glass buildings.
	New method analyzes relationship between ecosystem biodiversity and multifunctionality of entire landscapes A DFG research group led by the University of Würzburg has developed a method that makes it possible to analyze the relationship between biodiversity within and between ecosystems and the multifunctionality of entire landscapes.
	How can Europe restore its nature? The "Nature Restoration Law" (NRL) requires member states of the EU to implement restoration measures on at least 20 percent of land and marine areas by 2030 and in all ecosystems in need of restoration by 2050. This includes specific targets to rewet peatlands and to increase pollinator populations. The NRL has already overcome various hurdles: most recently, it was approved by the EU Parliament's Environment Committee after delegations of the Parliament and the Council negotiated the final text.
	Insights into the metabolism of plastic-eating bacteria Plastic-eating bacteria could help to curb the global waste problem in the future. But many questions remain unanswered. Researchers at Forschungszentrum Jülich and Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf have now shown for the first time how bacteria of the genus Halopseudomonas break down common plastic coatings made of polyester urethane. The metabolic pathways and enzymes described underline the relevance of the newly isolated bacterium for the biodegradation of plastics and pave the way for its application.
	Scientists sequence genome for threatened whitebark pine Researchers have sequenced the whitebark pine genome, presenting new opportunities to help the threatened, high-altitude tree endure environmental challenges.
	Diets that limit ingredients, not allergens, found to improve GI issues in dogs Restricting the number of ingredients in the diet lessens signs of disease in dogs with persistent gastrointestinal diseases, a study by researchers in the Department of Clinical Sciences in the Cornell College of Veterinary Medicine has found.
	Ribosomal protein exhibits remarkable evolutionary transformation A team of researchers from the Universities of Newcastle and Umeå has discovered that a ribosomal protein exhibits a remarkable evolutionary transformation, with its three-dimensional structure changing drastically while its sequence remains relatively conserved.
	New software paves the way for finding bacteriophages to control bacteria A new bioinformatics software program at Flinders University is paving the way for a rapid expansion of research into bacteriophages, the viruses or phages that play key roles in controlling bacteria.
	Examining the woollybear caterpillar as it makes its seasonal journey to overwinter If you've been watching your step, there's a good chance you may have spotted some fuzzy black caterpillars inching their way across roads, sidewalks or yards over the past several weeks.
	Ensuring proof of origin through marker-free tracing of logs Until now, reliably tracing logs to their origin has been difficult to achieve. Researchers at Fraunhofer IPM and their partners have now shown that logs and trunk sections can be identified based on the structure of the cut surfaces. The recent research project developed a marker-free and tamper-proof method. The optical method allows up to 100% recognition—even under the rough environment conditions of the timber industry.
	New insights into climate response of coniferous forest ecosystems New research has made significant strides in understanding how coniferous forest ecosystems may respond to climatic changes. The study investigates the relationship between tree-ring indices (TRI) and the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) in the context of climate, topography, and soil conditions.
	A CRISPR pioneer looks back as the first gene-editing therapy is approved In 2007, Luciano Marraffini struck out on what was then a scientifically lonely path: to understand CRISPR, which had been discovered in bacteria only about a decade before.
	Flowering in 'Honeycrisp' apple shows that spurs are semiautonomous organs Irregular flowering and biennial bearing are challenging in many apple (Malus × domestica) cultivars such as "Honeycrisp." Apple flowering is influenced by many factors including crop load, fruit weight, seed number, and bourse shoot length. However, it is unclear how these factors exert their control.
	Novel bacteria identification methods might help speed up disease diagnosis Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a bacterial strain that can be responsible for several human diseases. The most serious include malignant external otitis, endophthalmitis, endocarditis, meningitis, pneumonia, and septicemia.
	Raja the elephant, a big draw at the St. Louis Zoo, is moving to Columbus to breed Raja the elephant has been one of the biggest attractions—literally and figuratively—at the St. Louis Zoo for decades. Now, he's moving away.
	Once the enemy, majestic condor wins hearts of Colombian farmers A group of condors rip into the carcass of a calf at the top of a Colombian mountain which rises 4,200 meters above sea level.

Medicine and Health news

	Global research collaboration maps brain development in infancy and early childhood The brains of infants and young children are in continuous and rapid development. These changes are known to go hand in hand with early life learning and the fine-tuning of mental abilities over time.
	Pattern of alcohol intake more accurate indicator of liver disease risk than overall consumption, finds study Those who binge drink and have a certain genetic makeup are six times more likely to develop alcohol-related cirrhosis, according to new research from UCL, the Royal Free Hospital, the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge.
	Spinal cord stimulation shown to reduce pain, improve balance in people with lower limb amputation Spinal cord stimulation can elicit sensation in the missing foot and alleviate phantom limb pain in people with lower limb amputations, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine rehabilitation scientists report today.
	'Long flu' has emerged as a consequence similar to long COVID Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, extensive research has emerged detailing the virus's ability to attack multiple organ systems, potentially resulting in a set of enduring and often disabling health problems known as long COVID. Now, new research from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and the Veterans Affairs St. Louis Health Care System indicates that people hospitalized with seasonal influenza also can suffer long-term, negative health effects, especially involving their lungs and airways.
	Why people with diabetes are more prone to respiratory risk For decades, it has been known that people with diabetes are at a substantially increased risk of developing severe lung disease if they become infected with viruses such as influenza, as well as with bacteria and fungi.
	Gut bacteria of malnourished children benefit from key elements in therapeutic food, study shows A clinical trial reported in 2021 and conducted by a team of researchers from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and the International Center for Diarrhoeal Disease Research in Dhaka, Bangladesh, showed that a newly designed therapeutic food aimed at repairing malnourished children's underdeveloped gut microbiomes was superior to a widely used standard therapeutic food.
	'Reduce and remove' strategy plus living donor transplant successfully cures terminal liver cancer in patient A new treatment strategy for locally advanced liver cancer, known as "reduce and remove," was announced by the Department of Surgery and Department of Clinical Oncology, Center of Cancer Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, LKS Faculty of Medicine of the University of Hong Kong (HKUMed) earlier this year. This innovative approach provides a way for patients with inoperable locally advanced liver cancer to be cured.
	New drug combinations raise hopes of effective, locally administered snakebite treatment New drug combinations could protect snakebite victims from the devastating, life-changing injuries caused by toxic venom, suggests research led by Lancaster University.
	New understanding of devastating type of breast cancer spread could lead to better treatments A new study has increased the understanding of an increasingly common complication of advanced breast cancer. Using a novel approach, researchers have uncovered details of secondary breast cancer in the brain and spinal cord that may help with developing effective treatments for people whose disease progresses in this way.
	Research reveals novel ways of cultivating brain cells to treat and study Scientists from Duke-NUS Medical School and their collaborators have come up with new methods to cultivate brain cells from stem cells to treat and study neurodegenerative diseases. This novel technology forms the basis of two recent research projects under the newly established GK Goh Center for Neuroscience (the GK Goh Center) at Duke-NUS, offering hope for new treatments to patients suffering from neurological conditions such as Alzheimer's disease, ischemic stroke and Parkinson's Disease.
	Demystifying a mammal's brain, cell by cell A group of scientists, including several at Harvard, have dived deeper into the mammalian brain than ever before by categorizing and mapping at the molecular level all of its thousands of different cell types.
	Study explores how individual neurons allow us to understand the sounds of speech In a first-of-its-kind study published in Nature, researchers in the lab of Edward Chang, MD, at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) recorded activity from hundreds of individual neurons while participants listened to spoken sentences, giving us an unprecedented view into how the brain analyzes the sounds in words.
	PFAS pollutants promote cancer cell migration: Study In a new study by researchers at the Yale School of Public Health, two "forever chemicals" spurred cancer cells in the lab to migrate to new positions, an indication that the chemicals could contribute to cancer metastasis in living organisms. The research is published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology.
	Blood group may predict risk of stroke when receiving COVID-19 Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine A large international research collaboration, led by an academic from Royal Holloway, University of London, found that blood groups could help predict the risk of venous strokes associated with the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine.
	Iron accumulation: A new insight into fibrotic diseases Fibrosis is associated with various chronic and life-threatening conditions, including pulmonary fibrosis, liver cirrhosis, kidney disease, and cardiovascular diseases, among others. These conditions collectively contribute to a substantial portion of mortality in developed countries, making fibrotic diseases a critical health problem requiring attention, research, and innovative approaches for diagnosis and treatment.
	New insights into how sensory cells and neurons code for sound in our ears Sensory cells and neurons in the ear communicate by secreting neurotransmitters in response to sound stimuli. Scientists of the University Medical Center Göttingen, the Cluster of Excellence Multiscale Bioimaging, and the Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences describe new details of this process that regulates the release of neurotransmitters and thus controls the transmission of sound stimuli. The results of this work were published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
	New research lays groundwork for personalized dietary supplements A study led by David Berry and Alessandra Riva from the Center for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science (CeMESS) at the University of Vienna has significantly advanced our understanding of prebiotics in nutrition and gut health.
	Study identifies strategy to avoid resistance to cancer therapy Resistance to therapies is one of the obstacles to overcome in cancer treatments. Understanding the mechanisms of this resistance is essential to design strategies that favor tumor cell death. A study led by the Protein Kinases and Cancer group of the Vall d'Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and the Institute of Neurosciences of the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) has deciphered a new mechanism to sensitize cancer cells to a specific therapy that so far has not been effective because of tumor resistance.
	This next generation blue light could potentially promote or hinder sleep on command Blue light from LED lamps and consumer electronics can mess with your sleep because it disrupts production of the natural sleep hormone melatonin. Tinted glasses or displays in night mode can mask, but don't remove, a portion of the disruptive wavelengths. But now, researchers report in ACS Omega that they have designed more "human-centric" LEDs that could potentially enhance drowsiness or alertness on command.
	New insights into what happens in cells in early Alzheimer's Researchers led by the ESRF, the European Synchrotron, have found that amyloid oligomers play a role in speeding up mitochondrial energetics during the early stages of Alzheimer's, in contrast to what has been previously found in more advanced Alzheimer's brain tissues. The results are published in Nature Communications.
	AI study reveals the tongue's unique surface Artificial intelligence (AI) and 3D images of the human tongue have revealed that the surface of our tongues are unique to each of us, new findings suggest. The results offer an unprecedented insight into the biological make-up of our tongue's surface and how our sense of taste and touch differ from person to person.
	New study advances search for accurate blood markers for acute kidney injury Using cells from kidney biopsies, Johns Hopkins Medicine, researchers report progress in the search for more accurate and easier-to-obtain markers to help predict, manage, and assess the treatment of acute kidney injury (AKI). Marked by serious inflammation, AKI can lead to sudden loss of kidney function, and clinicians have long searched for markers that alert them to AKI status without the need for invasive kidney biopsies.
	Researchers identify pathway that controls breast cancer metastasis to the brain Breast cancer is the second most common cause of brain metastasis, which occurs in 10% to 30% of patients with metastatic breast cancer. Breast cancer patients who develop brain metastasis have limited treatment options and poor survival. Moffitt Cancer Center researchers are working to better understand the molecular mechanisms that promote the development and progression of breast cancer brain metastasis to help improve diagnostics and treatments.
	Research sheds light on why brain implants lose functionality Researchers have shed light on why brain implants are tricky to engineer and often lose their functionality once surgically placed into brain tissue.
	Enabling early detection of cancer with AI-based chromatin biomarkers The ability to detect a developing tumor at a very early stage and to closely monitor the success or failure of cancer therapy is crucial for a patient's survival. A breakthrough on both counts has now been achieved by researchers at the Paul Scherrer Institute PSI.
	New study suggests possible targets for multiple sclerosis vaccine development Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease in which the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is thought to play a role that has not yet been fully clarified. In particular, it was previously unclear why almost all people are infected with EBV in the course of their lives, but the virus only triggers MS in a small number of people.
	Unlocking the human genome: Innovative machine learning tool predicts functional consequences of genetic variants In a novel study, researchers from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai have introduced LoGoFunc, an advanced computational tool that predicts pathogenic gain and loss-of-function variants across the genome.
	Next generation COVID-19 immunization strategies could deliver vaccine directly to the respiratory tract The global COVID-19 vaccination campaign saved an estimated 20 million lives. However, while current COVID-19 vaccines provide protection against developing severe disease, they do little to prevent infection and transmission.
	New research identifies opportunities to improve future HIV vaccine candidates An effective HIV vaccine may need to prompt strong responses from immune cells called CD8+ T cells to protect people from acquiring HIV, according to a new study from researchers at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health, and colleagues.
	How the immune system fights to keep herpes at bay Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is extremely common, affecting nearly two-thirds of the world's population, according to the World Health Organization.
	Social distancing was more effective at preventing local COVID-19 transmission than international border closures: Study Elucidating human contact networks could help predict and prevent the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and future pandemic threats. A new study from Scripps Research scientists and collaborators points to which public health protocols worked to mitigate the spread of COVID-19—and which ones didn't.
	Decline in smoking in England has stalled since pandemic A decades-long decline in smoking prevalence in England has nearly ground to a halt since the start of the pandemic, according to a new study led by UCL researchers.
	Eating meals early could reduce cardiovascular risk Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death in the world according to the Global Burden of Disease study, with 18.6 million annual deaths in 2019, of which around 7.9 are attributable to diet. This means that diet plays a major role in the development and progression of these diseases.
	Using mice with humanized immune systems to test cancer immunotherapies Mice with human immune cells are a new way of testing anti-cancer drugs targeting the immune system in pre-clinical studies. Using their new model, a Kobe University research team successfully tested a new therapeutic approach that blindfolds immune cells to the body's self-recognition system and so makes them attack tumor cells.
	When do teens lie to their parents (and when do they tell the truth)? It's a truth universally acknowledged that most teenagers, at one time or another, will hide information from their parents. Some will lie outright.
	Advancing clinical trial accessibility: A novel software breakthrough in enrollment efficiency Clinical trials are vital for advancing treatment options to the clinic but often face challenges in patient enrollment. For example, the Cancer Research Institute estimates that only 3% to 6% of eligible cancer patients in the U.S. participate in trials. Patients may be dissuaded from clinical trial participation by accessibility issues, such as distance and transportation costs.
	Study explores accuracy of computerized ADHD test A new study cautions against using the QbTest as a standalone diagnostic or screening tool for ADHD. Researchers from the Universities of Southampton, Nottingham, Cardiff, and King's College London explored the accuracy and clinical utility of a widely used computerized test for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), called the QbTest. They found that, when used on its own, QbTest is not good enough to diagnose ADHD.
	Moderna CEO says melanoma vaccine could be available by 2025 Moderna CEO Stephane Bancel told AFP his company's experimental vaccine against melanoma could be available in as little as two years, in what would amount to a landmark step against the most serious form of skin cancer.
	Study: D-mannose reduces age-triggered changes in urinary tract that increase susceptibility to UTIs Aging poses a number of challenges to the body's well-being, one of the most important being an increased susceptibility to multiple diseases, including urinary tract infections (UTIs). The connection between aging and more prevalent UTIs is not well understood, but now researchers at Baylor College of Medicine have found an explanation.
	Egocentric coding unveiled: Researchers unlock the brain's spatial perception mechanisms Researchers from the Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology and their collaborators have uncovered the coding principle underlying self-centered (egocentric) representation in spatial perception.
	High cholesterol caused by childhood sedentariness could be reversed with light physical activity Increased sedentary time in childhood can raise cholesterol levels by two thirds as an adult, leading to heart problems and even premature death—but a new study has found light physical activity may completely reverse the risks and is far more effective than moderate-to-vigorous physical activity.
	Clinical trial shows efficacy for atezolizumab combined with carboplatin Immunotherapy in combination with chemotherapy has become an important therapeutic treatment option in some patients with metastatic breast cancer. Which patients will benefit the most, however, remains unclear; current biomarkers such as PD-L1 that are used to predict response are mediocre at best.
	Where patients live impacts whether they pick up their heart-failure medications People who live in neighborhoods with higher levels of poverty and unemployment are less likely to fill their heart-failure drug prescriptions than those living in wealthier areas, a new study shows. The findings not only add to understanding geographic and economic disparities in heart disease care, but also point to new ways to address barriers for patients taking these lifesaving drugs.
	Unraveling the association between neonatal proteins and adult health Research led by Professor John McGrath from the University of Queensland found that the concentration of the C4 protein, an important part of the immune system, was not associated with risk of mental disorders.
	Researchers develop 'potent and specific' compounds to curb cancer growth Proteasomes are protein-degrading complexes that are important for cancer cell survival. Proteasome inhibitors are commonly used to treat diseases such as multiple myeloma and mantle cell lymphoma. Proteasomes have three different active sites but all current FDA-approved inhibitors preferentially target only one active site, known as β5. Despite their success, these drugs have significant limitations including severe side effects and drug resistance.
	New evidence on cervical cancer screening and treatment for women living with HIV Following the announcement of the WHO call to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health problem in 2020, there has been encouraging global progress in implementing and expanding Human papillomavirus (HPV) immunization, and cervical cancer screening and treatment programs.
	Finding the source of debilitating, body-wide muscular pain and weakness Inflammation is an important part of the body's defenses, eliminating threats and repairing damage. When the immune system is overactivated, though, it can turn from friend to foe. Now, researchers from Japan have identified the culprit responsible for one type of harmful inflammation that occurs in certain muscular disorders.
	Science doesn't yet support broad restrictions on teens' access to social media, experts say To understand the path forward in regulating social media, it's helpful to look to a transformative technology from the previous century: the car.
	Mother-led infant massage eases maternal postnatal depression, according to studies Women who participate in mother-led infant massage sessions show a reduction in symptoms of postnatal depression, according to a review published online Dec. 13 in PLOS ONE.
	Poison center calls related to injected weight-loss drugs up 1,500% America's Poison Centers reported nearly 3,000 calls this year involving the weight loss drug semaglutide—a 15-fold increase since 2019, according to CNN.
	Recombinant vaccine confers more protection against influenza A high-dose recombinant influenza vaccine is more effective than standard-dose vaccine among adults aged 50 to 64 years, according to a study published in the Dec. 14 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
	Single dose of mRNA-1345 vaccine safe, effective against RSV in seniors A single dose of mRNA-1345 vaccine is safe and results in lower incidence of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)-associated disease in older patients, according to a study published in the Dec. 14 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
	CDC presents estimates of sexual activity, contraceptive use for teens In 2015 to 2019, 40.5 and 38.7 percent of never-married female and male teenagers had ever had vaginal intercourse with an opposite-sex partner, according to a study published online Dec. 14 in the National Health Statistics Reports, a publication from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
	Sleep disturbances tied to emotional, behavioral difficulties in young children A natural history of sleep disturbances is associated with resolved and incident emotional and behavioral difficulties (EBDs) among preschool-aged children, according to a study published online Dec. 14 in JAMA Network Open.
	Hope brings happiness, builds grit and gives life meaning. Here's how to cultivate it What is hope? In its simplest form, hope is about the future.
	Vitamin D supplements can keep bones strong—but they may also have other benefits to your health Most of us don't worry about getting vitamin D when the weather's warm and the sun is shining. But as winter approaches, accompanied by overcast days and long nights, you may be wondering if it could be useful to take a vitamin D supplement—and what benefit it might have.
	CRISPR and other new technologies open doors for drug development, but which diseases get prioritized? Prescription drugs and vaccines revolutionized health care, dramatically decreasing death from disease and improving quality of life across the globe. But how do researchers, universities and hospitals, and the pharmaceutical industry decide which diseases to pursue developing drugs for?
	New study shows exercise can boost brain health A fascinating link between regular exercise and better brain health has been revealed, according to an international study that included a team of clinical researchers from Pacific Neuroscience Institute's Brain Health Center, located at Providence Saint John's Health Center.
	AI can already diagnose depression better than a doctor and tell you which treatment is best Artificial intelligence (AI) is poised to revolutionize the way we diagnose and treat illness. It could be particularly helpful for depression because it could make more accurate diagnoses and determine which treatments are more likely to work.
	We followed 14 'long haulers' for 3 months. Here's what they told us about living with long COVID At least 65 million people around the world are estimated to have long COVID, which describes the continuation or development of symptoms at least three months after an initial COVID infection.
	Physical and social activities promote healthy brain aging, study finds Physical and social activities in old age have a protective effect on the entorhinal cortex, researchers at UZH have shown. This important area of the brain, which plays a central role in memory, is impaired in patients with Alzheimer's disease, even in the early stages.
	Researchers find link between folic acid and blood cell production Researchers at Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah discovered that the level of blood and immune cells in mouse model offspring would fluctuate based on the amount of folic acid consumed by their mothers during pregnancy.
	News sites continue to stigmatize people's weight, study suggests The largest U.S. and U.K. news sites are continuing to stigmatize people's weight with the images they use, suggests a new peer-reviewed study published in the Journal of Health Communication.
	Sickle cell affects more families in Africa and India, but new gene therapies are out of reach Gautam Dongre's two children in India and Pascazia Mazeze's son in Tanzania live with an inherited blood disorder that turns blood cells into instruments of pain.
	RNA binding protein IGF2BP2 identified as key player in stress-induced dilated cardiomyopathy A new study has unveiled a discovery regarding the role of RNA binding protein IGF2BP2 in stress-induced heart conditions. Researchers from Hebrew University, Hadassah Medical Center and Martin-Luther University Halle-Wittenburg have uncovered the critical role of IGF2BP2.
	Researchers turn mathematical models into health care solutions Two Leiden researchers have demonstrated how mathematics can improve our health care. Daniel Gomon has developed a model that contributes to the quality of care in hospitals. Marta Spreafico works on an app that helps physicians make well-informed decisions about the treatment of a certain type of cancer. "It's great when statistical models can be applied to medical problems."
	SNAP recipients may struggle to meet dietary goals, especially in food deserts The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is the nation's largest nutrition program, helping 41 million participants afford "nutritious food essential to health and well-being."
	Researchers call for changes to tackling chronic pain in children A new study, led by Dr. Emma France and published in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, found children are often left without effective pain management and struggle to access support from health services.
	Addressing racial disparities key to eliminating TB, researchers say Progress toward the elimination of tuberculosis in the United States has been stalled by significant racial and ethnic disparities often masked by state- and national-level data, say University of Michigan researchers.
	New report finds 15% of child deaths in England linked to infections Of child deaths in England over the last three years, 15% are related to infection, according to a new report published on 14 December by the University of Bristol's National Child Mortality Database (NCMD) team. The report uses the NCMD's unique data on all child deaths in England to examine 1,507 infection-related deaths between April 2019 and March 2022.
	New app to bridge information gap between hospitals, nursing homes and offer better care for patients Approximately one in five older adults in the U.S. is transferred to a nursing home following a hospital stay. For many of these patients, an accessible medical record does not accompany them, often negatively affecting the care they receive at the nursing home. This poor information sharing is a significant problem contributing to the adverse events within 45 days of hospital discharge experienced by nearly 40 percent of nursing home residents.
	Menstrual cycles affect day-to-day suicide risk, researchers find Female patients with a history of suicidality experience an increased risk of suicidal ideation or suicidal planning in the days surrounding menstruation, according to a new study by researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago.
	Popular blood thinner associated with higher risk of bleeding complications When diagnosed with a blood clot or atrial fibrillation, patients are often prescribed anticoagulants, or blood thinners, to prevent a future clot.
	Building a better salt substitute: New formula helps reduce high blood pressure Let's face it: Americans eat too much salt. The popular seasoning, also known as sodium chloride, is found in many food favorites, including pizza, chips, burgers, and breads. On average, people consume more than 3,400 milligrams of sodium chloride daily, or roughly over a tablespoon a day, much higher than the under 2,300 milligrams experts recommend.
	Brain imaging technique allows researchers to achieve more with less data Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) uses magnetic fields to create images of the body that allow doctors to diagnose injury or illness more accurately. Susceptibility tensor imaging (STI), a specialized MRI technique, measures the magnetic susceptibility of different tissues in the brain by quantifying how they become magnetized when exposed to the MRI scanner's magnetic field. Researchers and physicians can use such information to better understand, diagnose, and monitor neurological diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS) and Alzheimer's disease.
	Weight regained after weight loss results in less muscle, more fat, study finds A Leicester study that measured the fat mass and fat-free (muscle) mass of dieters suggests that weight loss followed by weight regain has a negative impact on muscle mass.
	Research finds health insurance coverage, access to care continued to decline for sexual minorities during COVID Uninsurance rates among sexual minorities have increased steadily from their low in 2016 in the United States, affecting a population that has historically had fewer opportunities to access comprehensive health services, compared to heterosexual individuals.
	Thinking about God inspires risk-taking for believers, study finds Does thinking about faith make religious people more likely to take leaps? A new study lead by York University's Faculty of Health says yes, finding that participants were more likely to take risks when thinking about God as a benevolent protector.
	Researchers seek to revolutionize health care waiting rooms for underserved communities Researchers from Florida State University have examined how a doctor's office waiting room design can impact health outcomes for women.
	Q&A: Persistent pain in your funny bone? It could be ulnar neuropathy Everyone knows hitting your funny bone isn't actually funny. But what happens when that feeling continues to persist?
	Loneliness and social isolation through the holidays The holiday season, billed as the happiest time of the year, can be lonely, especially for those without close family and friends. Loneliness and social isolation, recognized as an epidemic by the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, have significant health implications.
	Pregnant people can get a shot to protect babies from RSV, but some hit hurdles When Megan Costello heard on the radio this fall that a newly approved vaccine for pregnant people could protect their babies from RSV, the Los Angeles resident immediately started asking how she could get the shot.
	Biology, anatomy, and finance? More med students want business degrees too Jasen Gundersen never considered a career in business when he entered medical school nearly three decades ago to become a rural primary care doctor.
	Physician says hand hygiene, maintaining distance can keep viruses at bay The holiday season is ubiquitous with family gatherings, shopping excursions in busy stores and malls, and workplace potlucks.
	Pediatrician: Three signs your sick child may need to see a health care professional While most common colds, flu, or other illnesses can be treated at home, Dr. Angela Mattke, a pediatrician with Mayo Clinic's Children's Center, says parents should watch for these three signs that their sick child may need to see a health care professional.
	How much could the NHS save if people had healthier lifestyles? Hundreds of millions according to research The NHS spends a lot of time and money looking after people who smoke, or drink too much or don't do enough exercise. Hospital admissions and treatments are an expensive business.
	Pfizer completes purchase of cancer-focused Seagen Pfizer said Thursday it completed a $43 billion takeover of cancer-focused biotech company Seagen that the pharma giant said would enable it to double its oncology platform.
	Q&A: What to know about weight loss drugs The biggest health and nutrition story of 2023 was arguably the exploding popularity of prescription medications to treat obesity, a chronic disease that affects more than four in 10 U.S. adults.
	Being overweight costs society far more than obesity, Norwegian researchers say Norwegians are gaining weight. People who are "just" overweight cost the health system much more than people who are obese.
	UK Report: Recommendations for reducing inequities, improving care for babies of Asian and Black mothers The MBRRACE-UK collaboration, which is co-led by The Infant Mortality and Morbidity Studies (TIMMS) group at the University of Leicester and Oxford Population Health's National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit (NPEU), has today (Dec. 14) published the results of a confidential inquiry into the care of Black and Asian babies born in the U.K. in 2019.
	Novel insights into HBV-hepatocellular carcinoma at single-cell sequencing HBV-related HCC poses a significant global health challenge, characterized by its cellular diversity and complex tumor immune microenvironment. The increasing unmet need in HBV-HCC treatment highlights the need for a deeper understanding of the role of the intricate immune microenvironment, tumor cell plasticity, and dynamics of tumor evolution in HBV-associated hepatic carcinogenesis.
	Australian patients missing out on private health benefits, new report shows The Australian Medical Association has released its 2023 Private Health Insurance Report Card, which shows that the rebates for identical procedures still vary wildly between insurers.

Other Sciences news

	Mothers and children have their birthday in the same month more often than you'd think—and here's why Do you celebrate your birthday in the same month as your mother? If so, you are not alone. The phenomenon occurs more commonly than expected, a new study of millions of families has revealed.
	Facial symmetry doesn't explain 'beer goggles' phenomenon, research shows If you thought blurry eyes were to blame for the "beer goggles" phenomenon, think again.
	Jurors recommend death penalty based on certain looks, but new training can correct the bias Certain facial features—like downturned lips and a heavy brow—are known to make someone appear untrustworthy to others, even though these do not indicate a person's actual character. Such facial biases influence our everyday social interactions as well as high-stakes decisions, including who we hire, or elect to political office.
	Research shows disadvantaged people wait significantly longer for power restoration after major storms Hurricanes and other extreme weather events often affect disadvantaged communities more severely, and extended power outages are some of the most harmful effects. Concerns over the intensification of hurricanes has led to new environmental justice policies that aim to mitigate the unequal impacts of major storms. Now, policy experts and engineers are directing their attention toward illuminating the causes.
	An educational psychologist explains how to think about your ATAR and set post-school goals All this week and into next, Australian Year 12 students are receiving their final results.
	Arguments for and against 'high-stakes' exams: The evidence for using them doesn't stack up Across Australia, students are receiving and digesting important exam results. University students began receiving their semester 2 results at the end of November. This week and early next week, Year 12 students are also receiving their final marks.
	Study shows dollar store expansion pushes out independent grocery stores Dollar stores are rapidly expanding in the U.S., with more than 1,000 new stores opening every year.
	Five minutes of mindfulness can improve kids' reading Engaging middle-school students in brief mindfulness exercises could boost their reading performance—and could offer an effective intervention to help youth from historically minoritized backgrounds, according to a new Cornell study.
	Women from privileged backgrounds pursue prestigious professions over lucrative ones, finds study Women from elite backgrounds are much less likely than men to end up in the most economically rewarding jobs, but they are no less likely to hold prestigious jobs that are respected in society.
	Examining the role of social media likes in follower network evolution In a recent study centered on China's primary social shopping community, researchers shed light on the factors influencing the growth of the follower networks of content creators. The empirical study, published in the International Journal of Computational Science and Engineering, focuses on the role of social media likes in this process, revealing intriguing insights pertinent to the content creators themselves and to marketing executives hoping to benefit from the network reach of those creators.
	The Anthropocene condition: Evolving through social–ecological transformations Drawing together an array of interdisciplinary studies across archaeology, ecology, anthropology, and evolutionary theory, Erle Ellis, professor of geography and environmental systems at the University of Maryland Baltimore County, explains the evolution of the cultural practices that have enabled societies to develop unprecedented capabilities to scale up and transform the ecological systems that sustain them.
	Seattle metro residents near Amazon delivery stations face more pollution but order fewer packages While it is common to see Amazon Prime vans circling the city of Seattle year-round, there might be even more deliveries than usual right now, thanks to the Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals that rang in the holiday season.
	Can an app improve your romantic relationship? Half of all marriages in the United States are likely to fail by the time the spouses reach their 50s. Understandably, many couples are looking for ways to avoid becoming part of that statistic, well aware of a divorce's possible wide-reaching detrimental effects on families, children, personal finances, individual well-being—and direct and indirect costs to society.
	New poll reveals Hispanic vote in the United States is up for grabs in next presidential election While most Hispanics remain registered Democrats, support for the party is eroding, according to the results of the Annual Hispanic Public Opinion Survey.
	The AI industry is on the verge of becoming another boys' club—we're all going to lose out if it does A recent New York Times article released a list of people "behind the dawn of the modern artificial intelligence movement"—and not a single woman was named. It came less than a week after news of a fake auto-generated woman being listed as a speaker on the agenda for a software conference.
	What does a building need to call itself 'accessible'—and is that enough? The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) review and the disability royal commission's final report both highlighted the crucial role of accessible buildings and homes in ensuring the inclusion of people with disabilities.
	How 'benevolent sexism' undermines Asian women with foreign accents in the workplace Immigrants are critical to the Canadian economy, but their talents are under-utilized due to language and accent discrimination, as immigrants often come from non-English or French speaking countries.
	Canadian scientists are still being muzzled, and that risks undermining climate policy Environmental scientists in Canada continue to be stifled in their ability to conduct and communicate their research. Interference in science, also referred to as "muzzling," was a well-documented concern during the Conservative government of the early 2010's, when it gripped the collective consciousness of Canadian federal public sector scientists. Our research sheds light on a broader understanding of the recent interference in environmental sciences in Canada.
	Working women feel unsupported by Christian congregations—even more progressive ones As church membership declines across the United States, a new study from Rice University's Boniuk Institute for the Study and Advancement of Religious Tolerance finds that working women do not feel supported by their clergy and churches, regardless of whether they're involved with a more conservative or liberal congregation.
	Why making things matters to Australia's future Australia's ability to sustain its local manufacturing industry is under threat by a generational loss of crafts and hands-on making expertise.
	Six out of ten aquaculture workers are worried that their job is affecting their health, finds survey The 1,283 workers in the aquaculture sector who have responded to a recent HSE survey are not anxious without good reason. In all, 62% have experienced "near misses" in the last two years. However, there is another threat that is making them even more worried.
	Buy now, pay later: Consumer credit researcher warns of overspending risks this Christmas As the festive season approaches, Dr. Joy Malala, a consumer credit researcher from the University of Warwick, sheds light on the heightened financial burden faced by vulnerable families during this period.

---

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