Science X Newsletter Tue, Dec 12

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Here is your customized Science X Newsletter for December 12, 2023:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

Field-induced superconductivity in quantum materials

Study shows that large language models can strategically deceive users when under pressure

Brain tissue on a chip achieves voice recognition

The top Medical Xpress articles of 2023

Daily singing workout keeps songbird males attractive, study shows

Ukraine has lost almost 20% of its scientists due to the war, study finds

Roman 'backwater' bucked Empire's decline, archaeologists reveal

New plasma instability sheds light on the nature of cosmic rays

New study sheds light on how much methane is produced from Arctic lakes and wetlands

Patients told to get pregnant to treat endometriosis despite lack of evidence, research shows

The 'one-pot' nanosheet method catalyzing a green energy revolution

New approach overcomes long-standing limitations in optics to enhance the efficiency of Mie scattering

Model shows New Zealand should expect 15-meter tsunami every 580 years

Fine-tuning gold nanoparticles in tellurite glass for unique photonics

Scientists release the recipe for lab-grown coffee to accelerate creation of new coffee ecosystem

Nanotechnology news

	The 'one-pot' nanosheet method catalyzing a green energy revolution A research group from the Institute for Future Materials and Systems at Nagoya University in Japan has developed a new 'one-pot' method to make nanosheets using less rare metals. Their discovery should allow for the energy-making process to be more eco-friendly. The journal ACS Nano published the study.
	A new microfabrication strategy for multifunctional 3D artificial sharkskin Sharks in nature swim at high speeds in a deep ocean due to their high drag reduction ability. Water flows around the sharkskin become disrupted by staggered and overlapping microscale structures named denticles. In addition to this surface roughness, water slips at a fluid-solid interface with multiple groove-like microriblets on individual microdenticles.
	A nanoprobe with a barcode: Sensors detect active proteases Protein-splitting enzymes play an important role in many physiological processes. Such proteases are generally present in an inactive state, only becoming activated under certain conditions. Some are linked to diseases like infections or cancer, making it important to have methods that can selectively detect active proteases.
	Carbon nanotubes have progressed toward energy and health applications, but misconceptions remain The increasing use of carbon nanotubes (CNTs)—and a proposal in the European Union to ban the entire class of materials—highlights the need for an updated and standardized approach to assess human and environmental impacts of CNTs and products that contain them, according to a new collaborative study co-authored by Rice University researchers.
	New technology to assemble three-dimensional structures using gold nanoparticles confined in nanocapsules A research group led by Assoc. Prof. Shota Kuwahara of Toho University and Assoc. Prof. Masato Kuwahara of Nagoya University has developed a new technology that enables the creation of three-dimensional structures of gold nanoparticles confined within silica nanocapsules.

Physics news

	Field-induced superconductivity in quantum materials Field-induced superconductivity occurs when an applied magnetic field increases or induces superconductivity. In a new report published in Science Advances, Joshua J. Sanchez and a team of scientists applied stress as a switch between a field tunable superconducting state and a robust non-field tunable state, to mark the first demonstration of a strain-tunable, superconducting spin valve with infinite magnetoresistance.
	New approach overcomes long-standing limitations in optics to enhance the efficiency of Mie scattering When you look up at the sky and see clouds of wondrous shapes, or struggle to peer through dense, hazy fog, you're seeing the results of "Mie scattering," which is what happens with light interacts with particles of a certain size. There is a growing body of research that aims to manipulate this phenomenon and make possible an array of exciting technologies.
	Fine-tuning gold nanoparticles in tellurite glass for unique photonics Silicate glass is a commonly-used glass found in most households, in drinking glasses or windowpanes for example. The integration of gold nanoparticles (NPs) in silicate glass has been used in art and decoration for centuries. These NPs impact the way the silicate glass interacts with light through the now well-known phenomenon called localized surface plasmon resonance.
	Researchers observe a hallmark quantum behavior in bouncing droplets In our everyday classical world, what you see is what you get. A ball is just a ball, and when lobbed through the air, its trajectory is straightforward and clear. But if that ball were shrunk to the size of an atom or smaller, its behavior would shift into a quantum, fuzzy reality. The ball would exist as not just a physical particle but also a wave of possible particle states. And this wave-particle duality can give rise to some weird and sneaky phenomena.
	Study paves way for development of advanced quantum networks The ability to transmit information coherently in the band of the electromagnetic spectrum from microwave to infrared is vitally important to the development of the advanced quantum networks used in computing and communications.
	Researcher discovers new technique for photon detection University of Central Florida researcher Debashis Chanda, a professor at the NanoScience Technology Center, has developed a new technique to detect photons—elementary particles that span from visible light to radio frequencies and are instrumental in carrying cellular communication.
	A scheme for realizing nonreciprocal interlayer coupling in bilayer topological systems The exchange of energy and environment is inevitable in any physical system, so non-Hermitian systems that can be described by non-Hermitian Hamiltonians are ubiquitous. There are two kinds of non-Hermitian Hamiltonians, describing nonreciprocal systems with anisotropic coupling, also referred to as nonreciprocal coupling, and gain-loss systems.
	Making precision calculations at the cusp of the high-luminosity LHC era There are many open questions about the Standard Model of particle physics (SM), which is currently the best description we have of the world of particle physics. Experimental and theoretical physicists vie with each other in a healthy competition to scrutinize the SM and identify parts of it that require further explanation, beyond the model's well-known shortcomings, such as neutrino masses.

Earth news

	New study sheds light on how much methane is produced from Arctic lakes and wetlands When it comes to greenhouse gases, methane is one the biggest contributors. Not only is it massively abundant—it's about 25 times more potent than carbon dioxide at trapping heat in the atmosphere.
	Model shows New Zealand should expect 15-meter tsunami every 580 years A team of geographers, Earth scientists and environmental scientists affiliated with several institutions in New Zealand, working with that country's National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research, has found that it is possible to model the number and type of tsunamis that are likely to strike a given area over a given period of time.
	Discovery of 72-kilometer fault line on Canada's Vancouver Island A team of geologists, mineralogists and Earth and ocean scientists affiliated with institutions in Canada, the U.S. and France has discovered a 72-kilometer fault line on Canada's Vancouver Island. In their project, reported in the journal Tectonics, the group discovered the fault line after finding evidence of an earthquake on the Saanich Peninsula thousands of years ago.
	Study shows how hurricane acted as a highway to transport microplastics to remote part of Newfoundland When a hurricane approaches and crosses land, severe damage can occur—often leaving an obvious trail of physical destruction. What's less obvious to the naked eye is how these storms can carry harmful microplastics across the world.
	Wildfires can unlock toxic metal particles from soils, study finds Wildfires can transform a benign metal in soils and plants into toxic particles that easily become airborne, according to a new study from Stanford University.
	Supercharged heat waves like Washington's deadliest will strike harder and more often, study says North America's 2021 heat wave was Washington's deadliest weather-related disaster, claiming over 100 lives in the evergreen state and many others in neighboring regions. Scientists not only suggest that such heat waves will grow more intense and strike more often—in new work published in npj Climate and Atmospheric Science, they reveal the underlying mechanism behind these strengthened heat waves.
	Long dormant volcanoes can erupt rapidly and explosively, says Ciomadul study Can a volcano erupt after tens of thousands of years of dormancy? If so, how can this be explained and what makes volcanic eruptions more dangerous?
	The hidden impacts of climate change on a freshwater ecosystem From melting glaciers to rising sea levels, from raging wildfires to devastating floods, society has grown increasingly aware of the increasingly frequent climate crises. But what about its subterranean flow? A research group led by Li Dongfeng at the College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University (PKU), has published a paper pertaining to this topic in Science Advances.
	Climate change research: If warming approaches 2°C, a trickle of extinctions will become a flood As delegates discuss the climate crisis in Dubai for COP28, the dazzling variety of life found on Earth hangs in the balance.
	New report outlines opportunities to remove CO2 at the gigaton scale Scientists from more than a dozen institutions have completed a first-of-its-kind high-resolution assessment of carbon dioxide removal potential in the United States, charting a path to achieve a net-zero greenhouse gas economy by 2050.
	Warmest Arctic summer caused by accelerating climate change The Arctic saw its warmest ever summer in 2023, the result of accelerating human-caused climate change that is pushing ecosystems and the people that depend on them into uncharted territory, according to an official report Tuesday.
	Climate negotiators eye compromise on fossil fuel exit Negotiators awaited a new draft deal on the fate of fossil fuels as UN climate talks went into overtime in Dubai on Tuesday after nations pushing for a phase-out clashed with Saudi-led oil producers.
	Viewpoint: The importance of sustainability metrics to sustainability management Every student of management knows that performance measurement is an essential element of effective management. To paraphrase the great management scholar Peter Drucker, you can't manage something if you can't measure it.
	Understanding the key to predicting heat events in Central Europe The surface temperature of the North Atlantic plays an important role in the occurrence of heat waves in Europe. However, researchers at the GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research in Kiel have shown that it is not high water temperatures but low water temperatures that are responsible for heat events on land.
	UN climate summit runs overtime as fury mounts on fossil fuels The world's climate negotiators on Tuesday haggled beyond a host-imposed deadline for a deal as at-risk nations voiced fury over a proposed compromise that stops short of phasing out fossil fuels.
	Indigenous peoples' dissenting views on Arctic drilling fuels debate Members of Congress agree that the administration needs to consider the concerns of indigenous communities when taking actions on oil and gas leasing in the Arctic. There is just disagreement on whose concerns should be prioritized.
	Climate change imperils Southern California's coastal rail corridor, panelists say Climate change is "wreaking havoc" on the coastal rail corridor from Santa Barbara to San Diego, Sen. Catherine Blakespear said at a Senate Transportation Subcommittee meeting in San Clemente.
	California wants farms to capture methane from cow manure. Neighbors say it's killing them At a massive dairy farm in the San Joaquin Valley, nearly 14,000 Holstein cows crane their necks through feeding stalls and gnaw leisurely on alfalfa.
	Investigating microfiber pollution The fashion industry is facing several growing social and environmental sustainability issues; from clothing textile waste to the prospect of widespread microfiber pollution (MSF). For the latter, we struggle to even define the problem. While we know that huge amounts of microfibers are entering our ecosystems, we don't yet know the impact this is having.
	Video: Permafrost thaw: A silent menace Ice is without doubt one of the first casualties of climate change, but the effects of our warming world are not only limited to ice melting on Earth's surface. Ground that has been frozen for thousands of years, called permafrost, is thawing—adding to the climate crisis and causing serious issues for local communities.

Astronomy and Space news

	New plasma instability sheds light on the nature of cosmic rays Scientists from the Leibniz Institute for Astrophysics Potsdam (AIP) have discovered a new plasma instability that promises to revolutionize our understanding of the origin of cosmic rays and their dynamic impact on galaxies.
	Potential signs of life on Mars might be easier to find than first thought A school science experiment is answering questions that are out of this world. While there had been concerns that any evidence of organic matter on Mars might be obscured by the planet's geology, new research suggests this might not be the case.
	Encounter with humpback whales reveals potential for nonhuman intelligence communication A team of scientists from the SETI Institute, University of California Davis and the Alaska Whale Foundation, had a close encounter with a non-human (aquatic) intelligence. The Whale-SETI team has been studying humpback whale communication systems in an effort to develop intelligence filters for the search for extraterrestrial intelligence.
	NASA's Perseverance rover deciphers ancient history of Martian lake Marking its 1,000th Martian day on the Red Planet, NASA's Perseverance rover recently completed its exploration of the ancient river delta that holds evidence of a lake that filled Jezero Crater billions of years ago. The six-wheeled scientist has to date collected a total of 23 samples, revealing the geologic history of this region of Mars in the process.
	French 'Baguette One' rocket project gets funding A French-led consortium said Tuesday it has received funding for its project to develop an innovative low-cost small rocket called "Baguette One" and launch it into space.
	Halley's comet is finally headed back to the sun: When you can see it The most famous comet of all is headed back toward Earth. Halley's comet reached aphelion—its farthest point from the sun—on Dec. 8, at which point it began its long journey back to the sun.
	Blue Origin announces space launch next week, first since 2022 crash Blue Origin said on Tuesday it was aiming to launch its New Shepard suborbital rocket next week, the first mission since an uncrewed crash in September 2022 set back Jeff Bezos' space company.
	Images: Moon, asteroids and new rockets topped the world's space news in 2023 The moon, asteroids and brand new rockets topped the world's space news in 2023.
	How and when to see the Geminid meteor shower in the UK Stargazers will have a chance to enjoy one of the most spectacular meteor showers of the year later this week, as the Geminids reach their peak.

Technology news

	Study shows that large language models can strategically deceive users when under pressure Artificial intelligence (AI) tools are now widely employed worldwide, assisting both engineers and non-expert users with a wide range of tasks. Assessing the safety and reliability of these tools is thus of utmost importance, as it could ultimately help to better regulate their use.
	Brain tissue on a chip achieves voice recognition Clusters of lab-raised brain cells connected to a computer are capable of elementary speech recognition and math problems.
	Single-use e-cigarettes contain batteries that last hundreds of cycles despite being discarded While the lithium-ion batteries in disposable electronic cigarettes are discarded after a single use, they can continue to perform at high capacity for hundreds of cycles, according to a study published December 12 in the journal Joule.
	Researcher leads breakthrough in production of green carbon monoxide using light A team of advanced materials chemistry researchers have made a significant breakthrough in the use of light to convert carbon and carbon dioxide (CO2) into carbon monoxide (CO).
	Recyclable, plant-based material could take a spin on next generation of wind turbines About three years ago, National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) researchers Robynne Murray, Nicholas Rorrer, and their team set out on a mission to make an easily recycled resin to serve as the central glue holding a wind turbine blade together.
	Artificial intelligence for safer bike helmets and better shoe soles Bike helmets that absorb the energy of an impact, running shoes that give you an extra boost with every step, or implants that behave just like natural bone. Metamaterials make such applications possible. Their inner structure is the result of a careful design process, following which 3D printers produce structures with optimized properties.
	Research shows electric flare stack technology significantly reduces carbon emissions Researchers have used new technology to create an electric flare stack that significantly reduces CO2 emissions compared to gas flares that are currently used by oil refineries to control pollution.
	Artificial intelligence systems found to excel at imitation, but not innovation Artificial intelligence (AI) systems are often depicted as sentient agents poised to overshadow the human mind. But AI lacks the crucial human ability of innovation, researchers at the University of California, Berkeley have found.
	Epic Games wins antitrust lawsuit against Google over barriers to its Android app store A federal court jury has decided that Google's Android app store has been protected by anticompetitive barriers that have damaged smartphone consumers and software developers, dealing a blow to a major pillar of a technology empire.
	Google's Gemini AI hints at the next great leap for the technology: Analyzing real-time information Google has launched Gemini, a new artificial intelligence (AI) system that can seemingly understand and talk intelligently about almost any kind of prompt—pictures, text, speech, music, computer code and much more.
	San Francisco's airport runways are among the fastest-sinking in the nation, research finds After measuring minute elevation changes on runways at 15 coastal airports around the United States, researchers found that of airport runways sinking or subsiding, San Francisco (SFO) tops the subsidence chart at nearly 10 millimeters (0.4 inches) per year, while Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is the slowest.
	Google's Epic legal defeat threatens $200 billion app store industry Google's legal defeat at the hands of Fortnite maker Epic Games Inc. threatens to roil an app store duopoly with Apple Inc. that generates close to $200 billion a year and dictates how billions of consumers use mobile devices.
	Scientists develop environment-friendly and cost-effective approach to store energy and cool buildings in hot climates A group of scientists have discovered a new application to generate and store chilled water to reduce the impact of air conditioning on the environment, reduce energy consumption, and lower dependence on fossil fuels.
	AI study creates faster and more reliable software University of Stirling researchers have trained ChatGPT to produce faster versions of a software program. Making software run faster and more reliably is challenging and time-consuming for software developers.
	Is the price of your iPhone going to go up? How supply chain shifts are reshaping the global economy Apple is doing it. Samsung is doing it. Even Nike is doing it.
	Balancing security and usability in mobile applications Mobile applications have become a ubiquitous part of daily life for millions of people. They have transformed the way in which we communicate, share information, do business, entertain ourselves, and manage many aspects of our lives from shopping and transport to holidays and health care. A study in the International Journal of Electronic Finance has looked at security issues associated with personal data processing in this interconnected landscape.
	Metal steam turbine blade shows cutting-edge potential for critical, large 3D-printed parts Researchers at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory became the first to 3D-print large rotating steam turbine blades for generating energy in power plants.
	Guidance on evaluating a privacy protection technique for the AI era Here's a tricky situation: A business that sells fitness trackers to consumers has amassed a large database of health data about its customers. Researchers would like access to this information to improve medical diagnostics. While the business is concerned about sharing such sensitive, private information, it also would like to support this important research. So how do the researchers obtain useful and accurate information that could benefit society while also keeping individual privacy intact?
	Insights from a comprehensive vehicle lifecycle study for carbon reduction in transportation Transportation is the third largest contributor to global carbon emissions. Addressing this issue is important for countries worldwide. High-speed railways (HSR) are considered the main direction for the future of intercity transportation due to their high degree of electrification. However, there has been a lack of relevant data to support how much carbon reduction high-speed rail travel can bring about and the most effective regulatory approaches for various transportation modes.
	Analysis confirms California's Salton Sea region to be a rich domestic lithium resource On Nov. 28, The U.S. Department of Energy announced results of the most comprehensive analysis to date quantifying the domestic lithium resources in southern California's Salton Sea region.
	Boeing promotes insider to chief operating officer, putting her in the discussion about the next CEO Boeing has promoted the head of its services business to chief operating officer, putting the female executive in discussion as a potential heir apparent to CEO David Calhoun in a male-dominated industry.
	China's homegrown C919 aircraft arrives in Hong Kong in maiden flight outside the mainland A Chinese C919 jet arrived in Hong Kong on Tuesday in the Chinese-made plane's first foray outside of mainland China as its manufacturer prepares to take on Airbus and Boeing in the market for single-aisle commercial aircraft.
	South Africa to build new nuclear plants: govt South Africa, battling crippling power blackouts, plans to add 2,500 megawatts of new nuclear generation, the government announced Tuesday.
	Fungi and flatworms: Scientists want more diverse nature emojis Too many cats, not enough crustaceans: The current emoji catalog doesn't accurately represent the breadth of biodiversity seen in nature—and that hurts conservation efforts, according to scientists.
	IBM debuts next-gen quantum processor and IBM quantum system two, extends roadmap to advance quantum utility At the annual IBM Quantum Summit in New York, IBM debuted IBM Quantum Heron, the first in a new series of utility-scale quantum processors with an architecture engineered over the past four years to deliver IBM's highest performance metrics and lowest error rates of any IBM Quantum processor to date.
	Video game expo E3 gets permanently canceled One of the highest-profile video game conventions is being shut down permanently, its organizers said Tuesday.
	'New era': Berlin-Paris sleeper train completes maiden trip A new sleeper service between Berlin and Paris arrived in the French capital on Tuesday, reflecting a growing drive for night trains as an alternative to short-haul flights.
	Renault sells Nissan stake as part of rebalanced alliance Renault said Tuesday that it was selling to Nissan part of the stake it owns in the Japanese automaker as the two companies rebalance their alliance.
	Japan wants to cut carbon. But one of the world's worst nuclear accidents is making it harder A quarter-mile inland from the eastern Japanese coastline, a sprawling complex of solar panels, robotic lawnmowers and the world's largest hydrogen power plant stands as a monument to the country's zero-carbon aspirations.
	Boeing says deliveries of new planes are up, generating much-needed cash for the aircraft maker Boeing said Tuesday that it delivered 56 commercial planes in November, an increase as the company tries to fix manufacturing problems that have disrupted production of its best-selling aircraft.
	ASML, Samsung ink 700mn chip plant deal as S.Korea president visits Dutch tech giant ASML and Samsung Tuesday signed a deal worth around 700 million euros to build a semiconductor research plant in South Korea, as President Yoon Suk Yeol wrapped up day one of a technology-focused visit.
	Australian, American charged with running crypto Ponzi scheme An Australian man and a US national have been charged in California with operating a cryptocurrency Ponzi scheme, the Justice Department said Tuesday.

Chemistry news

	Optimization of hard–soft material interfaces: A 3D printed imitation of bone–tendon connections Most people can relate to having a laptop charger break right where the flexible cable meets the solid adapter. This is just one example of how difficult it is to effectively interface hard and soft materials. Using a unique 3D printing process, TU Delft researchers produced hybrid multi-material interfaces that reached a remarkable closeness to nature's design of bone–tendon connections. Their research findings, recently published in Nature Communications, have numerous potential applications.
	Research progress in pump-probe experiments at high-intensity laser facilities The reaction kinetics of energetic materials is a key factor in determining the detonation characteristics and safety. The complexity of the reaction process and the lack of experimental means remain a notable challenge in experimental research and fine modeling. To accurately predict the detonation and safety properties of energetic materials, it is necessary to clarify the reaction mechanism and dynamic process.
	Researchers develop chiral boryl radical catalysts in asymmetric catalysis Researchers from the University of Science and Technology of China of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and collaborators, have developed an innovative chiral boryl radical catalysis method, enabling asymmetric catalytic radical cycloisomerization reactions. The study was published in Science.
	Researchers review miniaturized electrochemical sensor technologies for rapid heavy metal detection Heavy metals (HMs) are metals with high densities and atomic weights. Originating from geological processes or human activities, including mining, industrial production, and petrochemical plants, they are toxic to humans and animals and considered as common pollutants in the environment.
	Scientists use large scientific facilities to test the synthesis and characterization of polymeric nitrogen Polymeric nitrogen (PN), formed under high temperature and pressure conditions, is considered an ideal high energy density material (HEDM). Its application prospects extend beyond the field of energetic materials, showing significant relevance in the field of fundamental physics.
	Exploring how the convergence of automation and AI reshapes organic chemistry research Recently, National Science Open magazine published online a review article led by Professor Fanyang Mo (School of Materials Science and Engineering, Peking University) and Professor Yuntian Chen (Eastern Institute of Technology, Ningbo).

Biology news

	Daily singing workout keeps songbird males attractive, study shows Every year in the Christmas season it becomes clear again that some people are amazingly skilled singers, like Mariah Carey and George Michael. Their singing can stir strong emotions.
	Scientists release the recipe for lab-grown coffee to accelerate creation of new coffee ecosystem Two years after the scientists in Finland successfully made coffee in a laboratory, VTT Technical Research Center of Finland Ltd has released detailed information on the process. Published in the Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry, the scientific paper describes the exact process the scientists used to produce coffee starting from the original coffee plant itself, and establishing cell cultures to alter its aroma in the roasting process, caffeine content, flavor analysis, and sensory profiling by a panel of tasters.
	Extremely rare half female, half male bird captured on film A striking and extremely rare half female, half male bird has been spotted by a University of Otago zoologist.
	Migratory bats can detect the Earth's magnetic field, behavioral experiments show Pipistrelle bats have a magnetic compass and calibrate it at sunset, according to a new study. An international team of researchers led by the University of Oldenburg has used behavioral experiments to show that two different components of the Earth's magnetic field influence the orientation of these animals. Like birds, they seem to be sensitive to magnetic inclination.
	Could the 'central dogma' of biology be misleading bioengineers? Today, medicines based on antibodies—proteins that fight infection and disease—are prescribed for everything from cancer to COVID-19 to high cholesterol. The antibody drugs are supplied by genetically-engineered cells that function as tiny protein-producing factories in the laboratory.
	Scientists discover how bacteria build protein signals in cells during infection New research from Oregon Health & Science University could one day lead to therapies that prevent or treat diseases and infections tied to a protein that's found in all human cells.
	New comprehensive genome data on soil invertebrates provide insights into their biodiversity With the "MetaInvert" project, scientists are providing extensive genomic data on 232 species of previously little-studied organisms. They are tiny, enormously diverse, and widespread in the soil: soil invertebrates such as springtails, horn mites, millipedes and nematodes. These animals, which are often only visible under a microscope, fulfill important tasks in the soil ecosystem.
	Zoo-housed carnivores react positively to novel improvements to their enclosures, study suggests Nottingham Trent University research revealed how carnivores became significantly more active and engaged more with their enclosures when given additional enrichment such as different types of feeding, new structures, the introduction of manipulable objects and techniques to trigger their smell senses.
	This Japanese 'dragon' terrorized ancient seas Researchers have described a Japanese mosasaur the size of a great white shark that terrorized Pacific seas 72 million years ago.
	Eight ways to tone down the Christmas lights to help wildlife, and why we should The Australian government has launched a campaign asking people to "switch off light pollution" to protect wildlife. So, what does the science say? Should we rethink Christmas lights?
	People worry Christmas beetles are disappearing. Researchers are gathering citizen data to see the full picture In eastern Australia, the arrival of the summer holidays has traditionally been heralded by big iridescent beetles known as Christmas beetles due to their appearance during the Christmas season.
	Experts provide a new theory for why larger mammals tend to have longer faces A horse walks into a bar and the bartender asks, "why the long face"? It's one of the oldest puns in the book, and there's no shortage of entertaining answers.
	Customizing mRNA is easy, which makes it the next frontier for personalized medicine—a molecular biologist explains While using mRNA as medicine is new, mRNA has been inside you for your entire life. The cells in your body create mRNAs that serve as instructions to make specific proteins you need to function. Researchers can create new mRNAs to correct those instructions when they aren't working.
	Underwater architects: The 'burrowing effect' of foraminifera on marine environments Dr. Dewi Langlet, a scientist at the Evolution, Cell Biology and Symbiosis Unit at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST), studies foraminifera, single-cell organisms with shells made of calcium carbonate. He and his collaborators have shown for the first time that the burrowing of single-celled organisms in marine ecosystems affects oxygen distribution and bacterial diversity in sea sediments. Their findings have been published in the journal Biogeosciences.
	A global biodiversity tipping point as first marine fish extinction declared A species of ray, so rare it has only ever been recorded once back in the late 1800s, has been declared extinct after an assessment by an international team led by Charles Darwin University (CDU). The loss of the Java Stingaree, a small relative of stingrays, is the first marine fish extinction as a result of human activity.
	Researchers identify molecular basis for morphological diversity of amniote skull A research group led by Associate Professor Masayoshi Tokita explored the molecular basis generating the diversity of amniote skull morphology, using embryos of several amniote species as materials.
	Pesticide pollution threatens shellfish safety, estuary study finds New research led by Southern Cross University has found a cocktail of nasty pesticides in oysters and water from one of the NSW North Coast's dominant rivers.
	Climate change causing 60% of plants and insects to fall out of sync Seasonal timings of plants are advancing an average of four times faster than insects, throwing key interactions like pollination out of sync. This is according to new findings from researchers at the University of Oxford and Chinese Academy of Sciences that will be presented at the British Ecological Society Annual Meeting in held Belfast December 12–15.
	Waterbird numbers up after La Niña years: Aerial survey Widespread flooding and environmental flows have been a boon for our waterbirds and wetlands—but long-term decline is persisting.
	How 'sleeping' microorganisms can determine the fate of a population Microorganisms that temporarily "go to sleep" play an important role in the evolution and survival of a population. Mathematician Shubhamoy Nandan conducted research on the effect of this characteristic called "dormancy" in a novel mathematical model.
	Q&A: Finding more sustainable ways to use plastics in agriculture Every year, according to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, some 12.5 million tonnes of plastic are used in agricultural production worldwide. Plastic is a boon to farmers, but leads to large quantities of macro-, micro- and nanoplastics accumulating in soils and other receiving environments. The particles even seep into the food chain.
	Study finds configuration of green spaces in cities determines the characteristics of their birds An international team including researchers from the University of Granada (UGR) and the National Museum of Natural Sciences (MNCN-CSIC), has studied the distribution of 115 species of birds in spring and 72 that spend the winter in nine European cities.
	Japan zoo probes possible mass squirrel poisoning A Japanese zoo has launched a probe after apparently massacring 31 of its 40 squirrels by mistake with treatments meant to kill parasites, officials said.
	Jordan's mission to save its ancient olive trees Every morning, Jordanian farmer Ali Saleh Atta swallows two cloves of garlic with a cup of olive oil before heading out to check on his ancient olive trees.
	Koalas suffer in the heat: How Australians can help this summer As we brace for an unusually hot summer, spare a thought for koalas. They will be out and about in search of love, food and water in the searing heat.
	Interior Department weighs in on Miami Wilds fight, warns critical bat habitat at risk Hours before a planned vote on the Miami Wilds water park, federal wildlife regulators released a letter declaring the development site "environmentally sensitive" and likely "essential" for protecting an endangered bat.
	Livestock associations sue Colorado, U.S. Fish and Wildlife to delay gray wolf reintroduction The Colorado Cattlemen's Association and Gunnison County Stockgrowers' Association sued Colorado Parks and Wildlife and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service this week to delay the reintroduction of gray wolves into Colorado.
	Novel early-detection method aims to stem disease spread in animal trade A new article published in the journal Methods in Ecology and Evolution by researchers describes a simplified method to detect a deadly fungus killing European salamanders. The ability to rapidly find the fungus is significant as the disease, although not detected in the U.S., could impact the millions of amphibians and salamanders annually imported.
	Long-term green manuring strengthens core microbiomes in driving multiple functions across vertical soil profiles: Study A study published in the journal Science China Life Sciences was led by Prof. Weidong Cao (Institute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences) and Prof. Zongxian Che (Institute of Soil and Fertilizer and Water-saving Agriculture, Gansu Academy of Agriculture Sciences).

Medicine and Health news

	The top Medical Xpress articles of 2023 It was a good year for medical research as a team of toxicologists at Birjand University of Medical Sciences in Iran delved into the possible effects of cinnamon on memory and learning. In reviewing several past studies, they found that cinnamon and some of its active components could have positive effects on the functioning of the human brain, boosting memory and learning.
	Patients told to get pregnant to treat endometriosis despite lack of evidence, research shows Research shows patients with endometriosis are being told to plan a pregnancy to help manage or treat the condition, despite a lack of evidence to show it reduces symptoms. The controversial advice has prompted calls to improve medical education about endometriosis.
	Cannabis exposure linked to 1.5-times higher risk of unhealthy pregnancy outcomes In the past 10 years, the percentage of Americans who use medical marijuana has more than doubled as state-level legalization becomes increasingly common. But despite its prevalence as a medication, the full health effects of cannabis remain unknown, especially for specific populations—such as pregnant people—that might be especially at risk of health complications.
	Patients can interrupt immune-suppressing medicines to boost immunity provided by COVID-19 booster, finds study A major clinical trial, led by experts at the University of Nottingham, has shown that people with inflammatory conditions are able to improve the antibody response from a COVID-19 booster vaccination by interrupting their treatment for two weeks immediately after having the vaccine.
	Genetic 'protection' against depression was no match for pandemic stress, finds study of first-year college students Living through a historic pandemic while handling the stress of the first year of college sent one-third of students in a new study into clinical depression. That's double the percentage seen in previous years of the same study.
	Brain dynamics of the 'wave of death' highlighted for the first time When brain oxygenation is cut off for a prolonged period, the electrical activity of the cerebral cortex is quickly reduced to zero. But that's not the end of the story.
	Researchers use AI to discover two new genetic variants for Alzheimer's disease Research scientists at CSIRO, Australia's national science agency, have used artificial intelligence (AI) to further unlock the genetic secrets to Alzheimer's disease.
	AI unlocks new insights in neurodegenerative disease research Neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's, are a growing challenge in health care, affecting millions globally. They are characterized by a progressive decline in neural function and manifest in a range of debilitating symptoms. And as our lifespans increase, the incidence of neurodegenerative diseases increases with the aging global population.
	New evidence suggests link between gut health and Parkinson's disease While previous studies suggest Parkinson's disease begins in the gut and spreads to the brain, how the process occurs has been elusive. Now, a pre-clinical study led by Duke Health researchers provides new evidence that bolsters the gut-brain connection.
	Bone transcription factor controls nervous system gene expression, finds study An established transcription factor known for bone formation also supports specialized cells in the central nervous system to promote brain tissue stiffness, findings that could inform new therapeutics for neuronal regeneration, according to a Northwestern Medicine study published in Neuron.
	Understudied cell in the brain could be key to treating glioblastoma Glioblastoma is one of the most treatment-resistant cancers, with those diagnosed surviving for less than two years. In a new study published in npj Genomic Medicine, researchers at the University of Notre Dame have found that a largely understudied cell could offer new insight into how the aggressive, primary brain cancer is able to resist immunotherapy.
	For metastatic prostate cancer, immunotherapy may have unexpected potential Immunotherapy has been disappointing as a prostate cancer treatment, but a new Columbia study suggests that the powerful treatments have potential when the disease starts to spread.
	New computer tools can reconstruct 3D brain from biobank photos Researchers have developed a suite of free tools for analyzing vast amounts of brain dissection photographs at brain banks worldwide to enhance understanding of neurodegenerative diseases.
	New 'atherosclerosis atlas' sheds light on heart attacks, strokes University of Virginia School of Medicine researchers have created an "atlas of atherosclerosis" that reveals, at the level of individual cells, critical processes responsible for forming the harmful plaque buildup that causes heart attacks, strokes, and coronary artery disease.
	Two COVID-19 vaccines show robust boosting potential in clinical trial Two Melbourne-made COVID-19 vaccines have shown strong potential to be an improved approach for boosting immunity to SARS-CoV-2 variants according to interim results of a Phase 1 clinical trial.
	New AI-powered algorithm could better assess people's risk of common heart condition A new artificial intelligence (AI) model designed by Scripps Research scientists could help clinicians better screen patients for atrial fibrillation (or AFib)—an irregular, fast heartbeat that is associated with stroke and heart failure. The model picks up on tiny variations in a person's normal heartbeat that signify AFib risk, which standard screening tests cannot detect.
	Mouse study successfully regenerates thyroid glands in the spleen Patients undergoing total thyroidectomy typically require lifelong oral levothyroxine sodium (L-T4) treatment. While effective in maintaining basic serum hormone levels, this treatment falls short in restoring the dynamic, responsive regulatory capacity of triiodothyronine (T3), essential for critical physiologic regulatory functions. Clinical data indicates that T3 deficiency can elevate the risk of hypertension, cardiac dysfunction, and other metabolic or mental health conditions.
	Study shows smoking likely leads to brain shrinkage Smoking likely shrinks the brain, according to a study by researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. The good news is that quitting smoking can prevent further loss of brain tissue—but still, stopping smoking doesn't restore the brain to its original size. Since people's brains naturally lose volume with age, smoking effectively causes the brain to age prematurely, the researchers said.
	Study shows obese flies live longer on a diet at any age Old, obese flies get healthier and live longer if put on a diet, University of Connecticut researchers report on Dec. 8 in PNAS. If the effect holds true for humans, it would mean it's never too late for obese people to improve their health with diet.
	New drug helps narrow racial survival disparity in patients with acute myeloid leukemia: Study Non-Hispanic Black patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) are living longer, now that new therapies are available, according to a study presented by researchers from the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine and Penn Medicine's Abramson Cancer Center at the 65th American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting and Exposition.
	Patients with common form of acute myeloid leukemia report better quality of life when treated with quizartinib In a study led by researchers at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, patients recently diagnosed with a common and aggressive form of acute myeloid leukemia reported having improved quality of life when a newly approved drug was part of the treatment plan.
	Scientists find new, better way to develop vaccines A new paper in Biology Methods & Protocols indicates that researchers in Germany have developed a new system to display epitopes in mammal cells for immunization studies. They believe that this method can help scientists greatly in immunization efforts.
	Collaborative study shows CAR-T cell therapy safe, effective even for high-risk patients CAR-T cell therapy is a safe and effective treatment for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), even for patients regarded as high risk due to comorbidities.
	Combination immunotherapy produces high response rate in early results of trial targeting high-risk follicular lymphoma Researchers conducting a Phase 2 clinical trial at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine say a new combination of antibody therapies produced a "surprisingly high" response rate in patients with high-risk follicular lymphoma, a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
	5 countries in East and southern Africa have anthrax outbreaks, WHO says, with 20 deaths reported Five countries in East and southern Africa are in the middle of outbreaks of the anthrax disease, with more than 1,100 suspected cases and 20 deaths this year, the World Health Organization said Monday.
	Nearly 40% of type 2 diabetes patients stop taking their second-line medication, finds study Most patients with type 2 diabetes will end up needing to add a second-line medication after metformin—the go-to primary drug for glucose management—to control their blood sugar levels. But adherence to these second-line drugs can be hit or miss, reports a new Northwestern Medicine study.
	Analysis finds US female gun violence victims less likely to die than male victims, despite same injury severity Female victims of gun violence in the US are less likely to die than their male counterparts, despite having similar injury severity, finds a seven-year analysis of a US national injury database, published in the open access journal Trauma Surgery & Acute Care Open.
	Grade difficulty of skatepark features like ski runs to curb fall risk, say researchers To curb the risk of falls, it may be worth grading skateboard parks like ski runs according to the popularity of the metal and concrete features they contain and the level of expertise required, conclude researchers in the journal Injury Prevention.
	Study exposes opportunities for strengthening cancer drugs trials in China More than one-eighth of the randomized trials of cancer drugs seeking regulatory approval in China in recent years used inappropriate controls to test the effectiveness and safety of the drugs, according to a new study published December 12 in the open access journal PLOS Medicine by Professor Xiaodong Guan of Peking University, China, and colleagues.
	Mantle cell lymphoma patients see improved outcomes with oral combination of ibrutinib and venetoclax The targeted therapy combination of ibrutinib and venetoclax significantly improved progression-free survival (PFS) and achieved an overall remission rate in 82% of patients with relapsed/refractory mantle cell lymphoma (MCL), according to researchers at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.
	Research looks at heavy metals in our food and the risk of cancers, other serious health conditions The problem of food-borne metal contamination has taken on new urgency, thanks in part to a 2021 US Congressional Report detailing high levels of metals found in infant food pulled off grocery shelves. (More recently, high levels of lead were discovered in children's fruit puree pouches.)
	Researchers: Health service quality must be a priority, not an afterthought Countries need to ensure continuous attention to the quality of their health care services, including during emergencies, contends a new collection of articles launched in the British Medical Journal (BMJ). The authors call for greater investment and political attention to quality issues—not just access—as a cornerstone of universal health coverage.
	Toolkit helps researchers develop more equitable and representative research Without representative participation, clinical trials cannot accurately reflect how medical interventions impact patients—introducing bias and affecting research quality. This can result in reluctance to offer treatments to specific groups, contributing to health inequality.
	Social phobia amid COVID-19 pandemic? You're not alone The trend of increased social phobia in the modern era, especially among youth, has become a topic that researchers have been pursuing and tackling in the long term. Simultaneously, almost three years after the outbreak of COVID-19, the world is only now beginning to understand and analyze the profound impact this pandemic has had on the world.
	Miniature marvels: Wireless millirobots successfully navigate arteries For the first time ever, wireless millirobots navigated a narrow blood vessel both along and against arterial flow. Researchers from the University of Twente and Radboudumc inserted the screw-shaped robots in a detached aorta with kidneys where they controlled them using a robotically controlled rotating magnet. The researchers plan to further develop the technology to be able to remove blood clots.
	Study confirms safety of new flow-diverting stent in the treatment of brain aneurysms A new study, published in the Journal of Neurointerventional Surgery, has assessed the safety of updated Pipeline Vantage Embolization Devices (PEDV) used to stop blood flow into brain aneurysms as a part of treatment.
	Clinical trial finds cell therapy improves quality of life in advanced heart failure Stem cell-based therapy improved quality of life for patients with advanced heart failure, Mayo Clinic researchers and international collaborators discovered in a late-stage multinational clinical trial. In one of the largest studies of cell intervention after a heart attack, patients reported their daily hardship lessened when stem cells optimized for heart repair supplemented the standard of care.
	Antimicrobial resistance now hits lower-income countries the hardest, but superbugs are a global threat Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the World Health Organization's most urgent health challenges for the next decade. While AMR is a global threat, a tale of two worlds emerges, highlighting the heightened vulnerability of low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
	Planning to use drugs at a festival on a scorching summer day? Here's why extreme heat might make MDMA riskier Sydney and other parts of Australia have just experienced a significant heat wave, with temperatures reaching highs of well over 40°C. In Sydney in particular, the extreme heat has coincided with a bustling schedule of live music events, attracting large crowds despite the sweltering conditions.
	Cardiologist explains how pacemakers and defibrillators interact with the electrical system of the heart Your heart's job is to keep your pulse steady to pump blood throughout your body. Sometimes your heart rate is slower when you're relaxing, and sometimes it's faster when you're exercising or stressed. If your heart's ability to keep the beat starts to go awry, cardiac electrophysiologists like me look for outside help from an implantable device.
	Liquid biopsy predicts immunotherapy response and toxicity in patients with advanced lung cancer Using a "liquid biopsy" to study genetic material from tumors shed into the bloodstream together with immune cells could help clinicians predict which patients with advanced lung cancers are responding to immunotherapies and which patients may develop immune-related side effects several months later, according to research directed by investigators at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center, the Bloomberg~Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy and Allegheny Health Network Cancer Institute in Pittsburgh.
	Dopamine menus: The science behind the trend, and how it might help people with ADHD Menus are usually something you'd expect to come across in a restaurant. But one social media influencer went viral recently for sharing a different kind of menu—a "dopamine menu" or dopamenu.
	Adults with cognitive disabilities are more likely to have worse experiences with health care system: Study People with cognitive disabilities—like autism, attention deficit and memory loss—are less satisfied with their health care than those in the general population, according to a study published by a Rutgers researcher.
	Study reveals inequities in access to cancer clinical trials in Canada People living in less populated, rural or remote areas are missing out on last-ditch but potentially life-saving cancer clinical trials, according to a recent study by a University of Alberta oncologist that puts the onus on Canada's health regulatory bodies to ensure equity.
	Online space created for knowledge sharing of rare-disease research Patients with rare diseases have traditionally been the subjects of medical research. However, in recent years, their role has begun to shift from 'research participants' to 'experts with a lived experience,' with some being involved in study planning, design and interpretation. Additionally they may soon be involved in helping pick the most important areas to prioritize for research.
	ChatGPT shows poor performance in answering drug-related questions ChatGPT provided no response or incomplete or wrong answers to nearly three-quarters of drug-related questions reviewed by pharmacists, according to a study presented at the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists Midyear Clinical Meeting, held from Dec. 3 to 7 in Anaheim, California.
	U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends behavioral interventions for pediatric weight loss The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends intensive behavioral interventions for children and teenagers with a high body mass index (BMI). This recommendation forms the basis of a draft recommendation statement published online Dec. 12.
	Virological suppression sustained with very early ART in neonates with HIV-1 For neonates with in utero HIV-1, very early antiretroviral therapy (ART) can achieve sustained virological suppression, according to a study published online Dec. 4 in The Lancet HIV.
	Heart attacks spike during holidays: Tips to protect yourself Late December is typically a time when holiday stress and winter weather can collide, creating a perfect recipe for a rise in heart attacks and stroke.
	Surgery does not result in better outcomes for pituitary apoplexy Three-month outcomes are similar with medical and surgical management of pituitary apoplexy (PA), according to a study recently published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.
	Metformin added to insulin not beneficial for T2D in pregnancy For pregnant women with type 2 diabetes, the addition of metformin to insulin does not affect composite adverse neonatal outcomes, according to a study published in the Dec. 12 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
	Noisy holiday toys are no gift to a child's hearing Parents moaning over the noise from a new Christmas toy is a time-honored holiday tradition.
	White women overrepresented in gynecologic cancer trials White women are disproportionately represented in clinical trials for gynecologic cancers, according to a study published online Dec. 7 in JAMA Network Open.
	Avoiding 'wine teeth' at those holiday parties The holidays are all about parties, and parties are all about drinking wine. But if you're a red wine lover, how do you avoid stained teeth?
	Model based on age: Routine lab tests predicts atherosclerotic CVD accurately The CANHEART (Cardiovascular Health in Ambulatory Care Research Team) Lab Models can predict atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) with similar accuracy to more complex models, according to a study published online Dec. 12 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
	COPD set to reach about 600 million cases worldwide by 2050 The prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is projected to continue increasing through 2050, approaching 600 million patients with COPD globally by 2050, according to a study published online Dec. 7 in JAMA Network Open.
	Less recurrence seen with endoscopic submucosal dissection of large lesions For patients with large benign colonic lesions, endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is associated with reduced recurrence at six months compared with endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR), according to a study published online Dec. 12 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
	High BMI in adolescence linked to early chronic kidney disease in young adulthood High body mass index (BMI) in late adolescence is associated with early chronic kidney disease (CKD) in young adulthood, according to a study published online Dec. 11 in JAMA Pediatrics.
	States strive to get opioid overdose drug to more people Posing as shoppers, a team of researchers from the University of Mississippi called nearly 600 pharmacies across the state and asked a simple, yes-or-no question, "Do you have naloxone that I can pick up today?"
	Black individuals more likely to experience inequities in early diagnosis and treatment of Lyme disease A new study out of the Johns Hopkins Medicine Lyme Disease Research Center has revealed disparities in the diagnosis and treatment of Lyme disease between Black and White patients with the condition. Researchers say the data, which draws on participants' medical histories, whether from Johns Hopkins Medicine or other institutions, highlights issues in the nation's medical education on Lyme disease.
	Study suggests physical activity reduces women's risk of developing breast cancer before menopause Regular leisure time physical activity may reduce the risk of breast cancer for women before menopause, according to new researchers from The Institute of Cancer Research, London.
	Researchers find increased intestinal permeability is precursor of celiac disease in pediatric study Researchers from Mass General for Children and Italy have identified a potential biomarker preceding the development of celiac disease autoimmunity in children.
	More Americans than Canadians use alcohol to dull their pain, according to study From exercise and over-the-counter medications to alcohol use and prescription drugs, North Americans report using a number of different strategies to manage and prevent day-to-day pain. Some of these strategies are useful to mitigate pain, and others, like alcohol, are actually counterproductive and can make pain worse.
	Expert discusses making HIV vaccines more powerful An MIT research team led by Professor Darrell Irvine has developed a novel kind of vaccine adjuvant: A nanoparticle that can help to stimulate the immune system to generate a stronger response to a vaccine. These nanoparticles contain saponin, a compound derived from the bark of the Chilean soapbark tree, along with a molecule called MPLA, each of which helps to activate the immune system.
	Alcohol abuse increases sensitivity of coronavirus infection Lung airway cells of people with alcohol use disorder developed "enhanced inflammation" three days after being infected with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, according to a new study from Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta and the University of Georgia.
	Study finds no soil-transmitted hookworm in Alabama children, despite ongoing sanitation, public health crisis A study published in Emerging Infectious Diseases found no cases of soil-transmitted hookworm in hundreds of tested children, refuting a long thought public health concern that linked the illness to the ongoing sanitation crisis plaguing Alabama's Black Belt region.
	'Vaccine apartheid' caused by gap in access between richer and poorer countries While the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic is behind us, research continues on the role of vaccines—their effectiveness as well as factors that contribute to a resistance to being vaccinated, and the worldwide availability of the vaccine.
	Black patients less likely to receive lifesaving stroke treatments Almost 800,000 Americans suffer a stroke each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
	High incidence of strangulation found among patients who experienced intimate partner violence A new study underscores the alarming occurrence of intimate partner violence (IPV) as the cause of assault-related injuries resulting in anoxia, or the complete lack of oxygen flow to tissues and organs. Led by investigators from Brigham and Women's Hospital, a founding member of the Mass General Brigham health care system, the study found that IPV accounted for 40 percent of assault-related anoxia occurrences and 30 percent of neck contusions (bruising).
	New test predicts risk of cognitive dysfunction in older surgery patients Identifying an older patient who is at risk for post-operative cognitive dysfunction might be done in the blink of an eye—literally.
	Drinking during the super bowl linked to more aggressive parenting among mothers, unlike on valentine's day Alcohol use on certain special occasions may contribute to harsher parenting by mothers, according to an innovative study. The findings compare drinking and parenting behaviors on Super Bowl Sunday and Valentine's Day and may help create environments conducive to positive parenting.
	Researchers identify distinct mechanisms underlying reading errors in stroke survivors A new study has unveiled three distinct cognitive deficits contributing to reading difficulties in individuals with left-sided neglect dyslexia, a condition that often follows a right hemisphere stroke.
	Low-gluten beer still a risk for those with celiac disease, says study Celiac disease (CD) sufferers could be persuaded to forego beer as research from Edith Cowan University (ECU) found that several purportedly low or reduced gluten beers contain equivalent or higher amounts of gluten proteins than regular beers.
	Mammograms found to increase when patients self-schedule Having the ability to self-schedule mammograms was associated with a 15 percentage point increase following through with getting the screening, according to research from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. The paper was published today in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.
	Two biomarkers in saliva could provide a means to detect pain in people with dementia A team from the UCO's Nursing Department has determined the presence of two pain biomarkers and their levels in saliva as a tool to diagnose pain, effectively and non-invasively, in people with dementia and communication problems
	Researchers develop potential vaccine against antibiotic-resistant enterococci Creating new vaccines is one of several possible strategies in the fight against antibiotic-resistant bacteria, in addition to using fewer antibiotics and using them smarter.
	Silent carriers: Long-standing SARS-CoV-2 RNA in respiratory vesicles The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, has posed unprecedented challenges worldwide. While extensive efforts have focused on understanding the clinical features, diagnosis, and treatment of COVID-19, certain aspects of the virus behavior, such as reactivation and recurrence, remain elusive.
	Caregiving can be stressful, but it could also lower risk of depression: Study Becoming a caregiver to an aging parent or spouse can be stressful, but a new study from a researcher at The University of Texas at Austin is questioning the idea that family caregiving is also a risk factor for depression.
	Research paves the way for predicting disease progression for incurable cancer Researchers have come one step closer to answering why, in some patients, a type of lymphoma changes from indolent to aggressive, and in particular, they are closer to identifying which patients are at high risk of this change happening.
	Japanese researchers warn that rates of urgent dialysis and death are on the rise High blood pressure is called the silent killer because symptoms can remain hidden until a medical crisis strikes. You might think hypertension is no longer serious because blood pressure medication is widely available, but newly reported trends in people with dangerously high blood pressure might change your mind.
	Study: Tat-heat shock protein 10 ameliorates age-related phenotypes in the hippocampus A new research paper, titled "Tat-heat shock protein 10 ameliorates age-related phenotypes by facilitating neuronal plasticity and reducing age-related genes in the hippocampus," was published in the journal Aging
	Managing medication for loved ones Some older people struggle with remembering to take their medications or organizing them effectively. Adult children, like yourself, can help by taking steps to monitor and update medication lists. Doing this can help prevent potential health complications, while also providing peace of mind for both you and your mom.
	Young people in Norway lack knowledge about healthy food, concludes study Young people in Norway lack knowledge about healthy food. This is revealed in a recent study conducted at the University of Agder (UiA), published in Public Health Nutrition.
	England Rugby captain's decision to prioritize mental health could inspire more athletes to do the same England Rugby Union captain Owen Farrell recently announced he was deciding to step away from international duties. The 32-year-old said his decision to sit out of the 2024 Six Nations tournament was so that he could prioritize his and his family's mental well-being.
	Surge in patients fuels burnout among mental health experts Mental health practitioners are seeing an increasing number of patients since the pandemic, leading them to struggle with burnout and managing their own emotional health, according to the results of a new survey by Wiley, one of the world's largest publishers and a global leader in research and learning. As a result, some patients may not be receiving the amount of care they need.
	Caring for LGBTQ+ nursing home residents in culturally appropriate and inclusive ways There have been few studies of LGBTQ+ older adults residing in nursing homes. A new article from faculty of Regenstrief Institute and Indiana University explores the care of the growing number of LGBTQ+ older adults living in these facilities. The paper highlights the experiences and needs of this population, outlines best facility practices, and presents valuable resources for culturally appropriate and inclusive care.
	Research proposes new MRI technology for non-invasive assessment of interstitial fluid flow Interstitial fluid flow is closely related to drug delivery and distribution, playing a crucial role in their therapeutic effects on tumors. However, few non-invasive measurement methods are available for measuring low-velocity biological fluid flow.
	Pfizer expects to complete purchase of Seagen on Thursday Pfizer announced Tuesday that it expects to complete this week its $43 billion acquisition of cancer-focused biotech company Seagen after clearing key regulatory hurdles.
	Study explores ways to reduce inflammation and preserve bone health with prunes A new study published in The Journal of Nutrition shows daily consumption of prunes may reduce inflammation markers connected to bone signaling pathways and reduce the effects of bone loss among postmenopausal women.

Other Sciences news

	Ukraine has lost almost 20% of its scientists due to the war, study finds Until the early morning of February 24, 2022, Ukrainian scientist Olena Iarmosh did not believe there would be a Russian invasion of Ukraine. Iarmosh grew up and had settled in Kharkiv, her beloved city in Eastern Ukraine and only 40 km away from the Russian border, where she worked for more than 16 years as a lecturer in higher education before fleeing to Switzerland. At approximately 5 a.m., she awoke to the sounds of bombing, hoping that they were merely the loud sounds of technical maintenance at the local power plant.
	Roman 'backwater' bucked Empire's decline, archaeologists reveal A rare roofed theater, markets, warehouses, a river port and other startling discoveries made by a Cambridge-led team of archaeologists challenge major assumptions about the decline of Roman Italy.
	Environmental stress rather than genetics influenced height differences in early Neolithic people: Study The difference in height between female and male individuals in northern Europe during the Early Neolithic (8,000–6,000 years before present, bp) may have been influenced by cultural factors, a paper published in Nature Human Behaviour suggests. The findings indicate that height differences during this period cannot be explained by genetic and dietary factors alone.
	The plague came from Egypt: Myth or reality? Many reports from antiquity about outbreaks of plague mention Egypt as the source of pestilences that reached the Mediterranean. But was this really the case? Researchers from the University of Basel are conducting a critical analysis of the ancient written and documentary evidence combined with archaeogenetic findings to add some context to the traditional view.
	Survey results suggest men with expensive cars seen as having a higher mating value A team of behavioral scientists at Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, in Brazil, has found via survey results that people view men who drive luxurious cars as having a higher mating value and other positive attributes. In their study, reported in the journal Personality and Individual Differences, the group conducted two surveys involving people driving expensive cars.
	How a drought led to the rise of skateboarding in 1970s California Why did professional skateboarding arise in southern California in the 1970s? Was it a coincidence, or was it a perfect storm of multiple factors?
	Attainment gap between UK white and minority ethnic medical students varies by ethnicity and medical school The size of the gap in academic achievement between white and minority ethnic medical students in the UK varies considerably, depending on their individual ethnicity and which medical school they attended, finds the largest study of its kind, published in the open access journal BMJ Open.
	How getting a second car mechanic's opinion can stop you being ripped off You leave your car at the mechanic for a routine service. When your mobile rings, you are stricken by unwelcome news: The mechanic goes through a list of parts that urgently need replacing to avoid a breakdown in the middle of the freeway. After accepting your fate, you never learn whether you really needed to replace those parts, or if the mechanic has just ripped you off.
	Researcher: Teens don't know everything, and those who acknowledge that fact are more eager to learn If you, like me, grew up in the 1980s and 1990s, you may have come across the classic refrigerator magnet, "Teenagers, leave home now while you still know everything."
	Digital platforms like TikTok could help China extend its censorship regime across borders China's drive to expand its influence through soft power mechanisms like censorship is coming into sharper focus, especially under Xi Jinping's leadership. Recently, the social media app TikTok has become a prominent symbol of this global strategy.
	How Christmas music in adverts and shops harnesses nostalgia to encourage you to spend more In my research, I have spent a good deal of time speaking with people from across the world about their relationship with sound and music—how it features in their everyday lives and how it influences their attitudes and behavior. One of the most consistent findings is that, irrespective of culture or place, we are largely unaware of how what we hear affects how we think and act.
	What's the point of giving gifts? An anthropologist explains this ancient part of being human Have you planned out your holiday gift giving yet? If you're anything like me, you might be waiting until the last minute. But whether every single present is already wrapped and ready, or you'll hit the shops on Christmas Eve, giving gifts is a curious but central part of being human.
	Could UPS and FedEx get holiday packages to their destinations faster? This research suggests yes Every year, parcel delivery companies—think UPS and FedEx—hire tens of thousands of seasonal driver helpers to handle the deluge of presents that arrive with the holidays. At peak times, shipping firms depend on their helpers just as much as Santa depends on his elves. And those companies could save millions of dollars each year—and shave time off their deliveries—simply by tweaking the roles they gave those workers to be more efficient, my colleagues and I recently found.
	Researchers: Hamas' use of sexual violence is an all-too-common part of modern war, but not in all conflicts The United Nations, women's groups and human rights groups are facing criticism for not quickly condemning Hamas fighters for raping and sexually violating Israelis during the Oct. 7, 2023, attack.
	Citizen science project blends school curriculum to create eco warriors They're among our youngest citizens, but when children learn about sustainability in their own backyard, they're more likely to protect the environment, say University of South Australia researchers.
	Poverty trap: Some jobs are no protection against destitution Many working people in Europe are at risk of economic hardship, prompting EU researchers to seek policy answers.
	Research finds police bodycams more important than race, gender in public's assessment of use-of-force cases Police body-worn cameras (BWCs) are the most important tool to provide an accurate and honest assessment of encounters between law enforcement and civilians, according to a new study co-written by a University of Massachusetts Amherst public policy researcher.
	Replacing 'you' with 'we' can make a message less threatening, and less likely to be censored Ever been in a situation where you just can't get your message across? New research by Zakary Tormala and Mohamed Hussein suggests that you might want to rethink which pronouns you deploy.
	Finding a better way to use cameras to reduce crime Areas of a middle Georgia city have experienced a 20% reduction in crime after deploying a system of mobile cameras guided by an algorithm developed by Georgia Tech researchers.
	One in three UK men open to having more than one partner, study shows A third of UK men are open to the idea of having more than one wife or long-term girlfriend, according to a new Swansea University study.
	Translating humorous children's poetry? Content matters most Translating poetry is notoriously difficult. Translating poetry in such a way that the humorous nature of a poem remains intact is even more difficult, even though it is precisely jokes that can encourage children to read more, notes Ph.D. candidate Alice Morta.
	You can always become a better reader, say researchers Our reading skills, and understanding of a text, depend on several factors.
	Study highlights benefits of user-generated content to digital platform Many online platforms (e.g., Huffpost, Wikipedia) host user-generated content (UGC) and content developed by professional reporters.
	Assessing loan applicants' credit risk via smartphone activities helps improve financial inclusion, finds study Financial technology (FinTech)—innovation in the delivery of financial services and products—has grown in popularity, expanding access to finance for millions of people. But while promoting inclusive finance to accelerate economic growth and financial sustainability is considered a good idea, there are challenges to balancing the socioeconomic tradeoffs.
	Is age linked to the picture of the perfect partner? How do women picture the partner of their dreams? And how does this vary between women based on their age? A team of researchers led by the University of Göttingen investigated the complex relationships between age and preferences for a partner in a large, international sample of single women.
	Human trafficking, sexual abuse, exploitation: 'Loss and damage' fund will not compensate, says researcher (In this article, aliases are used to protect people's identity.)
	Child abductions can be hard to identify, and people may not know they are witnessing a serious crime On a summer's day in January 1970, three-year-old Cheryl Grimmer was kidnapped from Fairy Meadow Beach in Wollongong, New South Wales. This is the last time Cheryl was seen. Cheryl remains missing, 53 years later. She is one of the 2,500 people considered to be a long-term missing person in Australia.
	Q&A: Polarization in the Netherlands actually is not that bad Discussions about important societal issues, whether they relate to domestic or foreign affairs, on the street and in academia, seem to be intensifying. The heightened tone, personal attacks, and polarization are characteristic of these discussions. Is this a prevailing feature of our time, or is it just our perception? Who should take the lead in countering polarization—the government or citizens?
	Evidence-based policymaking: New study on international perspectives and best-practice models In order to tackle challenges facing society, such as the energy transition, digitalization, or pandemics, structured, transparent, and fact-based political decision-making processes are needed. Analysis based on science can provide the basis for better-informed decisions.

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