Science X Newsletter Wed, Dec 20

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Here is your customized Science X Newsletter for December 20, 2023:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

Computational event-driven vision sensors that convert motion into spiking signals

FAST detects three new pulsars in an old globular cluster

Planetary scientists simulate oxidation of iron by giant impact during atmospheric evolution of early Earth

3D atomic details of next-generation medium- and high-entropy alloys revealed for first time

Using AI, researchers identify a new class of antibiotic candidates that can kill a drug-resistant bacterium

New brain-like transistor performs energy-efficient associative learning at room temperature

New insight on how neural dynamics vary during spontaneous behavior

Weight loss through slimming found to significantly alter microbiome and brain activity

An electric nudge to the head could help doctors operate a surgical robot, suggests new research

A 360-degree heads-up display view could warn drivers of road obstacles in real time

Researchers develop novel method to improve disease prediction across diverse ancestries

Why paint does not dry slower in a humid environment

Scientists uncover link between ocean weather and global climate, using mechanical rather than statistical analysis

Study shows spinal cord injury causes acute and systemic muscle wasting: Severity depends on location of the injury

Smell's sensory magic emerges from mechanism that tailors each of nose's sensory cells, mouse study suggests

Nanotechnology news

	Using 'waste' product from recent NASA research, scientists create transformative nanomaterials Researchers at the University of Sussex have discovered the transformative potential of Martian nanomaterials, potentially opening the door to sustainable habitation on the red planet.
	Study details how biomimetic nanomaterials can minimize damage after a heart attack Jason R. McCarthy, Ph.D., associate professor of biomedical research and translational medicine and scientific operations director at MMRI, recently published a study titled, "Biomimetic Nanomaterials for the Immunomodulation of the Cardiosplenic Axis Post-Myocardial Infarction."
	Unveiling the singular symmetry in facet-engineered 2D materials growth In a crystal, facets refer to the planes composed of different atom arrangements. In nature, crystals tend to form a polyhedral shape due to multi-facets, and realizing a single-facet in a crystal is very challenging. Nonetheless, in a study published in Advanced Powder Materials, a group of researchers from China outlined a new synthesis approach that can synthesize large-area 2D materials with atomic thickness and expose single-facet at the same time.

Physics news

	Why paint does not dry slower in a humid environment A team of physicists at The University of Edinburgh working with an infection and immunity specialist with the university's Roslin Institute has, via experimentation, validated a theory to explain why paint dries at the same rate regardless of humidity levels. The study is published in Physical Review Letters.
	Aerogel could become the key to future terahertz technologies High-frequency terahertz waves have great potential for a number of applications including next-generation medical imaging and communication. Researchers at Linköping University, Sweden, have shown, in a study published in the journal Advanced Science, that the transmission of terahertz light through an aerogel made of cellulose and a conducting polymer can be tuned. This is an important step to unlock more applications for terahertz waves.
	Researchers demonstrate how magnetism can be actively changed by pressure Magnetism occurs depending on how electrons behave. For example, the elementary particles can generate an electric current with their charge and thereby induce a magnetic field. However, magnetism can also arise through the collective alignment of the magnetic moments (spins) in a material. What has not been possible until now, however, is to continuously change the type of magnetism in a crystal.
	How do quark-gluon-plasma fireballs explode into hadrons? Quark gluon plasma (QGP) is an exciting state of matter that scientists create in a laboratory by colliding two heavy nuclei. These collisions produce a QGP fireball. The fireball expands and cools following the laws of hydrodynamics, which govern how fluids behave in various conditions. Eventually, subatomic particles (protons, pions, and other hadrons, or particles made up of two or more quarks) emerge and are observed and counted by detectors surrounding the collision.
	What have the stars done for humankind? Professor Roberto Trotta from Imperial College London's Department of Physics is a theoretical physicist by training and astrophysicist by trade. His work explores how statistics and machine learning can help us turn complex datasets from telescopes on Earth and in space into real-life understanding.
	Why string theory requires extra dimensions String theory found its origins in an attempt to understand the nascent experiments revealing the strong nuclear force. Eventually another theory, one based on particles called quarks and force carriers called gluons, would supplant it, but in the deep mathematical bones of the young string theory physicists would find curious structures, half-glimpsed ghosts, that would point to something more. Something deeper.

Earth news

	Scientists uncover link between ocean weather and global climate, using mechanical rather than statistical analysis An international team of scientists has found the first direct evidence linking seemingly random weather systems in the ocean with climate on a global scale. Led by Hussein Aluie, an associate professor in the University of Rochester's Department of Mechanical Engineering and staff scientist at the University's Laboratory for Laser Energetics, the team reported their findings in Science Advances.
	Traces of sunscreen agents found in the snow at the North Pole Traces of sunscreen agents were found at the North Pole, on the glaciers of the Svalbard archipelago. They were mainly deposited in winter, when night falls over the Arctic.
	Research findings may improve flood warnings for millions living on the Indian subcontinent In 2018, in the Indian state of Kerala, more than 400 people died in a single series of floods that displaced millions. Flooding is a regular feature of the yearly monsoon season in tropical Asia, but until now, it has been difficult to predict how and when the ordinarily heavy monsoon rainfall would ratchet up into a nightmare event of severe flooding.
	Number of people affected by tropical cyclones has increased sharply since 2002 The number of people affected by tropical cyclones has nearly doubled from 2002 to 2019, reaching nearly 800 million people in 2019, according to a new study.
	Emissions and evasions in the battle against climate change The world's top fossil fuel firms subtly reset online conversations about climate change by ignoring discussions of extreme weather in favor of sharing praise for their own sustainability work, according to a new research paper in Nature's npj | Climate Action series.
	Scientists provide recipe to halve pollution from food production A major report for the United Nations has put forward solutions to halve nitrogen pollution from agriculture and the food system in Europe, including reducing meat and dairy consumption, fertilizer use and food waste.
	Carbon pricing alone is not enough—other measures are needed to meet Paris Agreement targets, say researchers As the world grapples with the dramatic effects of record temperatures in recent months, the United Nations has issued a dire warning about the potential for average global temperature increases to hit a "hellish" 3 C by the end of the century.
	Satellite analysis of rivers could provide improved flood warnings A new way to monitor the flow of rivers from satellites could provide a valuable early warning system for flood risk, scientists say.
	Carbon in, carbon out: Australia's 'carbon budget' assessment reveals astonishing boom and bust cycles If you really want to know how much Australia contributes to the amount of carbon dioxide (CO₂) in the atmosphere, you have to study all the "sources" and "sinks."
	How long will the volcanic eruption in Iceland last? It depends how much magma needs to come out, expert says The signs started appearing in early November, and people waited anxiously as earthquakes and ground swells indicated a volcanic eruption near Grindavik, Iceland, was imminent.
	Glitter is ready-made microplastic pollution—time to ditch it this Christmas A few months ago, shoppers in Germany were reported to have been stockpiling decorative glitter. That's because it is now officially banned in the EU.
	Volcanic eruption lights up Iceland after weeks of earthquake warnings—a geologist explains what's happening Lava erupted through a fissure in Iceland's Reykjanes Peninsula on Dec. 18, 2023, shooting almost 100 feet (30 meters) in the air in its early hours.
	Air pollution reductions during pandemic lockdown open up a way to preserve the Himalayan glaciers, says study Reducing air pollution to levels similar to those during the coronavirus pandemic could protect the glaciers in the Himalayas and prevent them from disappearing by the end of the century. This is the conclusion reached by an international research team analyzing the situation during the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020.
	Photos: Rivers and fountains of red-gold volcanic lava light up the dark skies in Icelandic town Rivers of lava spewed from a fissure in the mountainside, snaking downwards and erupting in fountains of red and gold molten rock when the Fagradalsfjall volcano erupted this week near a small fishing town in southwestern Iceland.
	Adaptive toolkit projects the impact of green infrastructure provisions on stormwater runoff and pollutant load The implementation of green infrastructure in retrofit projects to reduce flooding and pollution is a significant challenge in space-constrained and overly-developed communities which also have complex underground utility systems.
	New ND-GAIN data shines spotlight on small islands' climate vulnerability and adaptation efforts "We will not sign our death certificate," said Toeolesulusulu Cedric Schuster at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) last week, calling for a clear commitment to phasing out fossil fuels.
	Vape deals are everywhere this Christmas—here's how to deal with the horrific waste problem Vape deals are all over the place in the run-up to Christmas. Vape kits, e-liquids and accessories are being widely promoted as stocking fillers, frequently with upwards of 50% off.
	Permafrost: A ticking time bomb beneath our feet Nearly a quarter of the Earth's land surface is permanently frozen. These areas, known as permafrost, are found in northern polar regions and at high altitudes. But the permafrost is now starting to thaw—with potentially disastrous consequences for the climate. Here, we look at what scientists currently know about this potential threat.

Astronomy and Space news

	FAST detects three new pulsars in an old globular cluster Using China's Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope (FAST), astronomers have discovered three new pulsars in an old Galactic globular cluster known as Messier 15. Two of them turned out to be long-period pulsars, while the remaining one spins so rapidly that it was classified as a millisecond pulsar. The finding was reported in a paper published Dec. 11 on the pre-print server arXiv.
	Planetary scientists simulate oxidation of iron by giant impact during atmospheric evolution of early Earth Giant-impact driven redox processes in the atmosphere and magma ocean may have played crucial roles during the evolution of the Earth. However, the absence of rock records from the time or era makes it challenging to understand these processes.
	Research charts stellar birthplaces in the Whirlpool galaxy for the first time An international research team led by the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy (MPIA) and involving the University of Bonn has mapped the cold, dense gas of future star nurseries in one of our neighboring galaxies with an unprecedented degree of detail. The data will enable the researchers for the first time to mount an in-depth study of the conditions that exist within the gas during the early stages of star formation outside the Milky Way at the scale of individual star-forming regions.
	Supercomputer provides new suite of Lyman-α forest simulations for illustrating large-scale structure of universe Like a celestial beacon, distant quasars make the brightest light in the universe. They emit more light than our entire Milky Way galaxy. The light comes from matter ripped apart as it is swallowed by a supermassive black hole. Cosmological parameters are important numerical constraints astronomers use to trace the evolution of the entire universe billions of years after the Big Bang.
	Fermi mission creates 14-year time-lapse of the gamma-ray sky The cosmos comes alive in an all-sky time-lapse movie made from 14 years of data acquired by NASA's Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope. Our sun, occasionally flaring into prominence, serenely traces a path through the sky against the backdrop of high-energy sources within our galaxy and beyond.
	Less launch pad damage by SpaceX's Starship bodes well for Space Coast facility Although SpaceX's massive Starship and Super Heavy is still exploding mid-air during test flights, the fixes made to the launch pad have both company founder Elon Musk and NASA happy and could bode well for a pad planned for Florida's Space Coast.
	Can Webb find the first stars in the universe? The universe's very first stars had an important job. They formed from the primordial elements created by the Big Bang, so they contained no metals. It was up to them to synthesize the first metals and spread them out into the nearby universe.
	Mighty MURI brings the heat to test new longwave infrared radiometer NASA's new Multiband Uncooled Radiometer Instrument (MURI) features a novel bolometer that detects infrared radiation without a cryogenic cooler, greatly reducing the cost and complexity of dispatching infrared radiometers into low-Earth orbit.
	Prepping for data from the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope As part of a plan to prepare for the quantity and range of data that will be coming in from the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, currently scheduled to launch by May 2027, NASA has granted funding to five project infrastructure teams (PITs), which will write software, run simulations, and plot out optimal uses of the telescope's data stream.
	Hubble presents a holiday globe of stars To celebrate the holiday season, the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope has captured the galaxy known as UGC 8091, which resembles a sparkling festive snow globe. With a dazzling array of wavelengths of light captured by filters on Hubble's premier scientific instruments, the millions of stars in this galaxy are being explored in more depth than ever before.
	International astronaut will be invited on future NASA moon landing An international astronaut will join U.S. astronauts on the moon by decade's end under an agreement announced Wednesday by NASA and the White House.

Technology news

	Computational event-driven vision sensors that convert motion into spiking signals Neuromorphic vision sensors are unique sensing devices that automatically respond to environmental changes, such as a different brightness in their surrounding environment. These sensors mimic the functioning of the human nervous system, artificially replicating the ability of sensory neurons to preferentially respond to changes in the sensed environment.
	New brain-like transistor performs energy-efficient associative learning at room temperature Taking inspiration from the human brain, researchers have developed a new synaptic transistor capable of higher-level thinking.
	A 360-degree heads-up display view could warn drivers of road obstacles in real time Researchers have developed an augmented reality heads-up display that could improve road safety by displaying potential hazards as high-resolution three-dimensional holograms directly in a driver's field of vision in real time.
	Researchers find they can stop degradation of promising solar cell materials Georgia Tech materials engineers have unraveled the mechanism that causes degradation of a promising new material for solar cells—and they've been able to stop it using a thin layer of molecules that repels water.
	Large language models repeat conspiracy theories and other forms of misinformation, research finds New research into large language models shows that they repeat conspiracy theories, harmful stereotypes, and other forms of misinformation.
	A flexible solution to help artists improve animation draws on 200-year-old geometric foundations Artists who bring to life heroes and villains in animated movies and video games could have more control over their animations, thanks to a new technique introduced by MIT researchers.
	Battery technology achieves record high sodium-metal cycling rates While lithium-ion batteries currently dominate the industry, serious concern remains about the limited availability of lithium used in these batteries. Conversely, sodium-ion batteries provide a more sustainable alternative due to the tremendous abundance of salt in our oceans, thereby potentially providing a lower-cost alternative to the rapidly growing demand for energy storage.
	Toyota subsidiary to halt all shipments over rigged safety tests Toyota subsidiary Daihatsu said Wednesday it will suspend shipments of all car models in Japan and abroad, following news it had rigged safety tests.
	US bans pharmacy Rite Aid from facial recognition use Pharmacy group Rite Aid was ordered Tuesday to stop using facial recognition for the next five years by a US regulator, which said the company falsely identified consumers as shoplifters using the technology.
	Artificially intelligent 'Coscientist' automates scientific discovery A non-organic intelligent system has for the first time designed, planned and executed a chemistry experiment, Carnegie Mellon University researchers report in the Dec. 21 issue of the journal Nature.
	Transformative achievements of deep learning have led several scholars to ask 'can AI think like a human?' In a perspective, Athanassios S. Fokas considers a timely question: whether artificial intelligence (AI) can reach and then surpass the level of human thought. The article is published in the journal PNAS Nexus.
	Edmunds testers seek out the fastest charging electric vehicles How much range an electric vehicle has is a primary consideration for many EV shoppers in determining which one they should purchase. But nearly as important is how quickly an EV can charge at a public fast-charging station. After all, the quicker you can charge your EV, the quicker you can get back on the road and continue driving.
	Study shows AI image-generators being trained on explicit photos of children Hidden inside the foundation of popular artificial intelligence image-generators are thousands of images of child sexual abuse, according to a new report that urges companies to take action to address a harmful flaw in the technology they built.
	Opinion: Tesla recalls over 2 million vehicles, but it still needs to address confusing marketing On Dec. 12, the U.S. Department of Transportation issued a recall regarding Autosteer, a feature included in Tesla's semi-autonomous suite Autopilot, because "there may be an increased risk of a collision."
	Computer vision system estimates speed of vehicles driving on the same road in real-time Engineers of ICAI Group of the School of Computer Science of the University of Malaga have developed a computer vision system that estimates the speed of vehicles driving on the same road in real-time.
	Changing face of invention in the age of AI With the widespread adoption of generative AI tools like ChatGPT, we can no longer assume that new ideas and inventions are solely the result of human effort. As an organization driven by innovation and invention, Intellectual Property (IP) is CSIRO's primary output. So, what does this mean for inventors and the IP they create?
	Fraud is a problem so big we need to start teaching children how to spot it in schools Have you or someone you know been a victim of fraud? If so, that's not unusual.
	Researchers mold model for more nimble networks Roughly three decades since the dawn of the World Wide Web, the process by which data pings around the internet and to our devices has, by design, remained largely unchanged.
	Smart speakers, wearables, sensors: How up-to-date are such permanently connected IoT devices? By 2023, billions of Internet of Things (IoT) devices found their way into almost every area of life, industry and critical infrastructures. As these permanently connected smart devices process very sensitive data, their up-to-dateness is essential—especially in times of hacker attacks, data misuse or industrial espionage.
	FTC proposes strengthening children's online privacy rules to address tracking, push notifications The Federal Trade Commission is proposing sweeping changes to a decades-old law that regulates how online companies can track and advertise to children, including turning off targeted ads to kids under 13 by default and limiting push notifications.
	AI bots lack human touch to be inventors, UK top court rules Artificial intelligence programs can't be named as an inventor for patents, the U.K.'s top court said in a crucial ruling refusing to put machines on a near-equal footing with humans.
	China's Alibaba names CEO Eddie Wu to head its e-commerce business as its growth falters China's Alibaba Group says its CEO Eddie Wu will head its core e-commerce business, as the company seeks to drive growth and fend off fast-growing online shopping rivals like Pinduoduo.
	On yer bike: London firms turn to cargo bikes On a busy north London street, plumber Ben Hume-Wright zipped through the heavy rush-hour traffic to his next job by bike.
	Online video games, the latest hunting grounds for drug cartels Narcotics police the world over are sprucing up their video game skills, as cartels go increasingly online to sell drugs and recruit dealers.
	Congressional candidate becomes the first in the world to use an AI robot to call voters Pennsylvania congressional candidate Shamaine Daniels has a new campaign staffer named Ashley who has made thousands of calls to voters.
	EU court sides with Ryanair over Air France-KLM aid A top EU court annulled on Wednesday the approval of a pandemic state aid program for Air France-KLM that had been challenged by Irish rival Ryanair and Malta Air.
	EU toughens rules on three major porn platforms The European Union on Wednesday added three pornographic websites to its list of online platforms that are large enough to come under tougher safety regulation.
	Wood-burning stoves: Combining electrostatic precipitators and catalytic converters is the best way to reduce pollutants In Germany, there are millions of small firing systems; wood-burning stoves for domestic use in which logs are burned. In the process, a lot of particulate and gaseous pollutants are released into the atmosphere: ultrafine soot particles, carbon monoxide, highly volatile organic substances such as formaldehyde, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and many more. The number of substances released runs into the thousands, and some of them affect each other, which makes them even more hazardous.
	US electric scooter company Bird files for bankruptcy US electric scooter rental company Bird announced Wednesday that it filed for bankruptcy protection as the once-hot startup reorganizes itself.
	Tracking roadway savings from coast to coast Oak Ridge National Laboratory researchers have identified the most energy-efficient 2024 model year vehicles available in the United States, including electric and hybrids, in the latest edition of the Department of Energy's Fuel Economy Guide.

Chemistry news

	3D atomic details of next-generation medium- and high-entropy alloys revealed for first time Alloys, which are materials such as steel that are made by combining two or more metallic elements, are among the underpinnings of contemporary life. They are essential for buildings, transportation, appliances and tools—including, very likely, the device you are using to read this story. In applying alloys, engineers have faced an age-old trade-off common in most materials: Alloys that are hard tend to be brittle and break under strain, while those that are flexible under strain tend to dent easily.
	Meet 'Coscientist,' your AI lab partner: System succeeds in planning and carrying out real-world chemistry experiments In less time than it will take you to read this article, an artificial intelligence-driven system was able to autonomously learn about certain Nobel Prize-winning chemical reactions and design a successful laboratory procedure to make them. The AI did all that in just a few minutes—and nailed it on the first try.
	Mineral coatings could enable shelf-stable mRNA therapies A protective mineral coating identified by University of Wisconsin–Madison biomedical engineering researchers could allow powerful messenger RNA therapeutics like COVID-19 vaccines to be stored at room temperature, making them more accessible to lower-resourced communities across the world.
	Artificial intelligence unravels mysteries of polycrystalline materials Researchers at Nagoya University in Japan have used artificial intelligence to discover a new method for understanding small defects called dislocations in polycrystalline materials, materials widely used in information equipment, solar cells, and electronic devices, that can reduce the efficiency of such devices. The findings were published in the journal Advanced Materials.
	New reusable and recyclable environmentally friendly hydrogel Princeton researchers have created a new type of hydrogel that is recyclable, yet still tough and stable enough for practical use (and reuse).
	Researchers create a glass that sifts carbon dioxide Separating carbon dioxide molecules from gas mixtures requires materials with extremely fine pores. Researchers from Friedrich Schiller University Jena, in cooperation with the University of Leipzig and the University of Vienna, have now found a novel way to do this.
	Scientists innovate 'hook and slide' method to improve drug discovery Historically, one of the primary ways organic chemists have explored and created compounds is by constructing a carbon skeleton and making modifications to its structure. But instead of building a carbon skeleton from scratch to make new compounds, UChicago scientists have developed a new method where they can insert atoms within an already existing carbon framework.
	Adding a small amount of solid carbon to copper boosts its conductivity A common carbon compound is enabling remarkable performance enhancements when mixed in just the right proportion with copper to make electrical wires. It's a phenomenon that defies conventional wisdom about how metals conduct electricity.
	Using carbonated water in chromatography makes for a greener process, new study finds Editors and reviewers of the journal Green Chemistry have highlighted a new study from the University of Texas at Arlington investigating how to make common chemical techniques more environmentally friendly as one of its "hot" articles for 2023.
	Ultra-small, shape-shifting GEMS offer an easier and cheaper way to improve MRI imaging Microscopic magnetic probes that change shape in response to their environment may greatly enhance magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). However, producing the probes, which are still experimental and have not yet been used in humans, has required access to a clean room and expertise in nanofabrication, limiting their widespread use.
	Screen-printed pesticide detection Researchers have developed an innovative method for detecting harmful organophosphorus (OP) chemicals, presenting a significant advancement in environmental monitoring for pesticide contaminants. They provide details in the International Journal of Intelligent Enterprise.
	Sustainable, more efficient synthesis route of hyaluronic acid polymers for biomedical applications Hydrogels—polymer networks with high water content—can act as a tissue mimic, providing conditions for a viable culture of embedded cells, with various applications in biomedical engineering such as tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.

Biology news

	Using AI, researchers identify a new class of antibiotic candidates that can kill a drug-resistant bacterium Using a type of artificial intelligence known as deep learning, MIT researchers have discovered a class of compounds that can kill a drug-resistant bacterium that causes more than 10,000 deaths in the United States every year.
	World's smallest 'fanged' frogs found in Indonesia In general, frogs' teeth aren't anything to write home about—they look like pointy little pinpricks lining the upper jaw. But one group of stream-dwelling frogs in Southeast Asia has a strange adaptation: two bony "fangs" jutting out of their lower jawbone. They use these fangs to battle with each other over territory and mates, and sometimes even to hunt tough-shelled prey like giant centipedes and crabs.
	Declines in insect numbers are largely driven by losses of more abundant species, find researchers Researchers at iDiv looked at long-term trends of land-based insects, such as beetles, moths, and grasshoppers, and found that decreases in the number of the formerly most common species have contributed most to local insect declines. Common or abundant insect species are those species that are locally found in the highest numbers, but which species these are differ among locations. The study's findings, published in Nature, challenge the idea that changes in insect biodiversity result from rarer species disappearing.
	Research offers a reason why diversity in plant species causes higher farming yield, solving 'a bit of a mystery' A study appearing in Nature Communications based on field and greenhouse experiments at the University of Kansas shows how a boost in agricultural yield comes from planting diverse crops rather than just one plant species: Soil pathogens harmful to plants have a harder time thriving.
	A 19-million-year-old fossil jaw bone hints the biggest whales first evolved somewhere unexpected Baleen whales are the titans of the ocean, the largest animals to have ever lived. The record holder is the blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus), which can reach lengths of up to 30 meters. That's longer than a basketball court.
	Researchers examine waste removal in cells, identifying segments of protein that play a role in RNA and DNA breakdown If we don't take out the trash regularly, our homes become unpleasant and even a danger to our health. The same applies to our cells: If excess proteins and strands of genetic material aren't removed, the cell and ultimately the entire organism can fall ill. For example, scientists suspect there is a connection between Alzheimer's and mutations that cause defects in cellular garbage removal. What's more, tests with mice have shown that suppressing the breakdown of DNA and RNA can trigger serious autoimmune diseases.
	How researchers are 'CReATiNG' synthetic chromosomes faster and cheaper A new technique invented by researchers at the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Science may revolutionize the field of synthetic biology. Known as CReATiNG (Cloning Reprogramming and Assembling Tiled Natural Genomic DNA), the method offers a simpler and more cost-effective approach to constructing synthetic chromosomes. It could significantly advance genetic engineering and enable a wide range of advances in medicine, biotechnology, biofuel production and even space exploration.
	Study finds spider silk is more robust in areas with heavy rainfall Whether spider silk is stronger and tougher depends on the environmental influences to which it is exposed. Researchers have conducted a study in which they show that spider webs are particularly robust in areas of heavy rainfall.
	Researchers discover that plant RNA defense systems hide in unassuming 'bubbles' to fight mold invasions UC Riverside scientists have discovered a stealth molecular weapon that plants use to attack the cells of invading gray mold.
	Molecular pump study explores how brine shrimp thrive in high salinity Brine shrimp of the genus Artemia are small crustaceans that can thrive in environments where sodium concentrations are as high as 25% (more than eight times typical ocean sea water). Also known by the household pet trademark "sea monkeys," these animals are abundant in inland salt lakes where brine-fly larvae are the only other animals known to exist.
	A mechanism-based theory of cellular and tissue plasticity Cells and tissue are known to undergo significant irreversible deformations during processes such as tissue formation and embryo development. A research team led by Professor Yuan Lin from the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Hong Kong (HKU) has made a major new breakthrough in showing how plastic strain develops in individual cells and then propagates within the tissue.
	Study shows color of dragonflies changes throughout the year The color of dragonfly communities reacts to seasonal variation in solar radiation. Over the last 30 years, however, this color pattern has changed—probably as a result of climate change.
	Rare museum specimen reveals new insights into how trilobites curled themselves into a ball A team of evolutionary biologists at Harvard University's Museum of Comparative Zoology and Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, has learned more about how trilobites curled themselves into a ball based on a rare find in the museum's collection. In their paper published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B, the group describes how the unique specimen was found and how it was studied to learn more about its characteristics.
	Study suggests domestication of dogs led to darker irises A team of animal science specialists at Teikyo University of Science, working with a colleague from Showa University, all in Japan, has found that most dogs have an eye color that is darker than their closet wolf relative, suggesting that darker eye color has evolved due to domestication. In their study, reported in the journal Royal Science Open Science, the group compared the eye color of multiple wolves and dogs.
	Scientists engineer bacteria to make two valuable products from plant fiber We often look to the smallest lifeforms for help solving the biggest problems: Microbes help make foods and beverages, cure diseases, treat waste and even clean up pollution. Yeast and bacteria can also convert plant sugars into biofuels and chemicals traditionally derived from fossil fuels—a key component of most plans to slow climate change.
	Team discovers relationship between DNA replication timing and how genes fold into 3D structures inside cell nucleus The intricate process of duplicating genetic information, referred to as DNA replication, lies at the heart of the transmission of life from one cell to another and from one organism to the next. This happens by not just copying the genetic information; a well-orchestrated sequence of molecular events must also happen at the right time.
	Shipwrecks teem with underwater life, from microbes to sharks Humans have sailed the world's oceans for thousands of years, but they haven't all reached port. Researchers estimate that there are some three million shipwrecks worldwide, resting in shallow rivers and bays, coastal waters and the deep ocean. Many sank during catastrophes—some during storms or after running aground, others in battle or collisions with other vessels.
	Expansin genes shown to drive heteroblastic leaves in Ceratopteris chingii Heteroblasty is a developmental trajectory event in which plants undergo rapid ontogenetic changes in multiple traits, as exemplified by the transition from distinct juvenile to adult leaves. Heteroblastic leaves allow plants to adapt to environmental heterogeneity and serve as a prime example of adaptive evolution.
	Elucidating the mechanism of autophagosomes shaping with a flexible web A research group led by Professor Nobuo Noda of Hokkaido University has reconstituted the membrane invagination process required to form autophagosomes in vitro for the first time, showing that this process is mediated by Atg8 protein that plays a central role in autophagy, and a group of enzymes that carry out its lipidation reaction.
	Sharing agricultural data: Distributed ledger technology for enhanced machine learning in plant phenotyping Plant phenotyping which explores the interplay between plant genotypes and their environment, has advanced with automated, high-throughput screening in greenhouses. However, managing the resulting extensive datasets is complex, and sharing such data is restricted due to its costly and technical nature.
	Novel spectral phenotyping and deep learning approach unveiled for GM rice seed detection Cereals, crucial for food and biofuel, are increasingly using genetically modified (GM) technology in production to enhance resistance and nutrition. Despite biosafety concerns, precise detection methods like PCR are complex and expert-dependent. Advanced spectroscopic techniques, including near infrared and terahertz, are emerging as simpler alternatives for identifying GM organisms by analyzing spectral signatures.
	Few-shot learning transforms leaf trait analysis in bioenergy crop Populus trichocarpa Image-based plant phenotyping has become crucial in understanding plant biology and agriculture. However, distinguishing relevant biological structures from the background remains a challenge, particularly in low-contrast situations. While deep learning has enhanced feature extraction in computer vision, its application in plant phenotyping is hindered by the need for extensive image annotation.
	Advancements in RBG imaging and deep learning for accurate fusarium head blight assessment Fusarium head blight (FHB) is a widespread floral disease in wheat that causes significant yield losses and produces harmful mycotoxins, posing serious health risks. Recent research has focused on improving disease detection, with hyperspectral imaging proving effective but limited by cost and time. Consequently, Red-Green-Blue (RGB) imaging has gained prominence due to its affordability and speed, even though it captures only the visible spectrum.
	The emerging role of genomics and high-throughput phenomics in sugarcane breeding Sugarcane, a crucial worldwide food and bioenergy crop, accounts for approximately 80% of the world's sugar production, with its largest cultivation in Brazil and India. As the 5th largest crop by production value and acreage, it presents unique breeding challenges due to its complex polyploid genome, derived from interspecific hybridization.
	Uncovering the role of beta diversity in ecosystems As climate change progresses, scientists want to better understand how species interact across habitats to preserve diversity. Key to these efforts is the concept of beta diversity, which explores species that thrive exclusively in specific habitats. The University of Minnesota's Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve in East Bethel is an ideal place to study beta diversity because it gives researchers access to many distinct habitats in one place.
	Elevating our understanding of inner ear sound amplification Our ability to detect different sounds intensities and pitches with great sensitivity is largely due to the inner ear's ability to decode sound waves and amplify individual frequencies. Since the discovery of the anion transporter homolog prestin as the molecular membrane motor responsible for sound amplification in the inner ear in 2000, it has been the subject of great interest, given prestin's inclusion in the Solute Carrier 26 (SLC26) protein family.
	Agroecological research: A software tool for advanced plant growth, pest and disease modeling Agroecological transition, particularly in modeling agronomical systems, stands as a burgeoning research area with a focus on assessing intricate interactions within environmental systems. However, this field faces challenges in integrating models from diverse disciplines, each with its unique methodologies and frameworks.
	New insights into how to improve modeling of crop nitrogen–biomass relations for wheat nitrogen management Wheat, vital for global food security, faces challenges of increased demand and limited arable land. Nitrogen (N) fertilizers, crucial for high yields, may adversely affect both plant growth and the environment, underscoring the importance of efficient N management.
	New larks revealed in Africa Researchers at Uppsala University, together with colleagues at the Swedish Museum of Natural History, the University of Gothenburg, and institutions in seven other countries, have studied the relationships between five closely related species of larks that occur in Africa south of the Sahara. Two of these have not been observed for decades, so the researchers analyzed DNA from museum specimens, some of which were over 100 years old.
	MAVS found to antagonize human stem cell senescence as a mitochondrial stabilizer A recent study led by Professor Weiqi Zhang, affiliated with the Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and the China National Center for Bioinformation, in collaboration with Professors Guang-Hui Liu and Jing Qu from the Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, has successfully illuminated the intricate molecular mechanism through which the protein MAVS, associated with the innate immune response, governs the senescence of human stem cells.
	Novel 3D canopy modeling pipeline unravels key factors in maize photosynthesis Boosting energy conversion at the canopy level is crucial for augmenting biomass and crop productivity, with factors like leaf photosynthesis efficiency, canopy architecture, and leaf chlorophyll content playing vital roles.
	Advanced 3D imaging techniques boost understanding of root systems for food security The increasing frequency of extreme weather events and global population growth present challenges to food security, emphasizing the need for resilient and high-yielding crops. Central to this challenge is understanding Root System Architecture (RSA), influenced by soil conditions.
	Threatened urban wetlands play a crucial role in biodiversity and sustainability, says study Researchers at the University of Helsinki have studied and documented the historical transformation of the urban wetlands and ponds in the Helsinki region from the 19th century to the present. Based on their findings, historical urban wetlands can be divided into three categories:
	EU looks to downgrade wolf protection status The European Commission said Wednesday it wants to change the protection status of wolves—allowing them to be hunted—based on new data suggesting the animals pose a rising threat to livestock.
	New method provides molecular insight into protein-protein interactions Proteins are building blocks of our bodies, but they do not work solo. They form partners to facilitate in different biological processes that keep us going. However, analyzing how proteins interact at a molecular level can be challenging. Now, a research team from Japan reveals the secrets behind these "protein partnerships."
	Five things you probably have wrong about the T rex An icon from the age of dinosaurs, Tyrannosaurus rex has featured in everything from blockbuster movies to the shape of chicken nuggets. As a creature to be feared for its bone-crushing bite or ridiculed for its inability to give a high five, T rex has captured the imagination of children and adults alike.
	Tree plantations can get better with age, but original habitats are best Older tree plantations can be more attractive to animals who are looking for a new home than younger plantations, according to a new study from the University of Surrey. In the tropics, older plantations also welcome a greater variety of different plants and animals—though sadly, Christmas tree plantations do not become more biodiverse over time.
	How will climate change affect how predators hunt prey? As climate change warms the planet, weather patterns are likely to shift. Even the consistency of snow—how fluffy it is, for example—could change.
	Pathways for enhancing sustainability and resilience in India's critical small dairy operations India—with a dairy sector mainly composed of small dairy farms—is one of the largest milk producers in the world and home to more dairy cows than any other country. Its small farms feed millions and are critical sources of employment, income, and nutrition.
	Same and different: A new species of pit viper from Myanmar Finding and describing new species can be a tricky endeavor. Scientists typically look for distinctive characters that can differentiate one species from another.
	Fungi-cranberry pairings have unsuspected potential, finds new study At many winter holiday tables, cranberries have pride of place as an accompaniment to roast turkey and an ingredient in sparkling cocktails.
	Unlocking the secrets of grapevine immunity: Study reveals how Eutypa lata metabolites activate plant defense mechanisms Over the past decade, grapevine trunk diseases (GTDs) have emerged as a significant threat to viticulture, causing economic losses, increased management costs and lower wine quality. Traditional defense methods, like using arsenite, have now been banned due to their high toxicity. However, the occurrence of GTDs is increasing in vineyards worldwide as consequence of climate change, there is an urgent need for new strategies to suppress the outbreak of symptoms.
	Korean study develops efficient SNP marker system for lettuce cultivar identification Lettuce (L. sativa L., 2n = 2x = 18) is an agriculturally important leafy vegetable cultivated predominantly in temperate climates and produced in large quantities in Korea. The complete decoding of its genome and the analysis of around 45,000 genes have advanced cultivar development. However, distinguishing closely related lettuce cultivars remains a challenge, particularly due to their morphological diversity and similar genetic profiles.
	Grouse shooting in Scotland has an alarming death toll—and not just for game birds The Scottish moors are considered areas of outstanding beauty, and often assumed to be "wild" and "untamed." However, these landscapes are the result of management techniques that are now under scrutiny by the Scottish government.

Medicine and Health news

	New insight on how neural dynamics vary during spontaneous behavior Past studies have consistently linked the spontaneous behaviors of mammals to variations in the activity of neurons within the cerebral cortex, the outer layer of the mammalian brain. However, the complex relationships between patterns of cortical activity and behavior have remained poorly understood.
	Weight loss through slimming found to significantly alter microbiome and brain activity Worldwide, more than one billion people are obese. Obesity is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and some cancers. But permanently losing weight isn't easy: complex interactions between body systems such as gut physiology, hormones, and the brain are known to work against it. One method for weight loss is intermittent energy restriction (IER), where days of relative fasting alternate with days of eating normally.
	An electric nudge to the head could help doctors operate a surgical robot, suggests new research People who received gentle electric currents on the back of their heads learned to maneuver a robotic surgery tool in virtual reality and then in a real setting much more easily than people who didn't receive those nudges, a new study shows.
	Researchers develop novel method to improve disease prediction across diverse ancestries A team of scientists from Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai has developed a groundbreaking statistical technique, "BridgePRS," to enhance disease prediction in people of non-European ancestry, particularly those of African descent. This development represents a substantial step towards reducing health care inequities and a future of more personalized and precise medical interventions based on genetic information. Details of their work were published in Nature Genetics on Wednesday, December 20.
	Study shows spinal cord injury causes acute and systemic muscle wasting: Severity depends on location of the injury Acute spinal cord injury (SCI) patients lose body weight and muscle mass, despite being on a high-calorie diet while in the intensive care unit. Their muscle wasting is substantial and extends beyond what can explained by inactivity or denervation (loss of nerve supply) alone.
	Smell's sensory magic emerges from mechanism that tailors each of nose's sensory cells, mouse study suggests The mammalian nose is a work of evolutionary art. Its millions of nerve cells, each tailored with just one of thousands of specific odor-chemical receptors encoded in the genome, can collectively distinguish a trillion distinct scents. Those sensations, in turn, inform many behaviors, from assessing food options to discerning friends from foes to sparking memories.
	Scientists uncover secrets of brain development: Extensive neural migration continues after birth The human brain continues to be built after we are born for far longer than previously recognized, suggests research by Shawn Sorrells, assistant professor of neuroscience in the Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences. Sorrells's research on postnatal brain development, published in the journal Nature, shines light on fundamental processes that contribute to the development of important brain functions, such as learning, memory and spatial navigation.
	Review highlights rise in psychiatric disorders linked to increased cannabis use The widespread use of cannabis (marijuana) and its increased potency are associated with a rise in cannabis-related psychiatric conditions, according to a new University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) review article that was published in the New England Journal of Medicine. It highlights the urgent need for doctors to screen for and treat patients who are experiencing symptoms of cannabis use disorder, which means they are experiencing significant problems from their use of the drug.
	Giving video games this Christmas? New research underlines need to be aware of loot box risks Recent controversy has surrounded the concept of loot boxes—the purchasable video game features that offer randomized rewards but are not governed by gambling laws.
	New treatment reverses Alzheimer's disease signs, improves memory function in preclinical study A "chaperone" molecule that slows the formation of certain proteins reversed disease signs, including memory impairment, in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease, according to a study from researchers at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania.
	Study discovers novel biomarker for vascular aging and neurodegeneration Decreased activity of a specific signaling pathway in brain vessels was linked to a decline in vascular function and subsequent neurodegeneration, according to a recent Northwestern Medicine study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation.
	Finding and targeting a tumor's sweet spot to eradicate aggressive form of leukemia A highly aggressive common form of leukemia which is activated by mutations in signaling molecules is maintained by a web of regulatory proteins downstream of these signals.
	E-cigarette use is rising among pregnant adolescents, study finds The increased use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) among adolescents is a relatively recent phenomenon; not surprisingly, University at Buffalo researchers have now determined that e-cigarette use is also rising among pregnant adolescents, according to their study published Dec. 13 in JAMA Network Open.
	Researchers develop novel intranasal mask to protect respiratory tract from viral aerosols Researchers from two State Key Laboratories in Institute of Process Engineering (IPE) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences have developed a novel intranasal mask to protect the respiratory tract from viral aerosols. It showed satisfactory protection in a mouse model, digital human nasal model, and human respiratory tract model.
	Novel immunometabolism approach pioneers single-cell spatial metabolomics Ahmet Coskun and his collaborators plan to create a chemical atlas of all the immune cells in the human body, a 3D micromap to help clinicians navigate the complex role of the entire immune system in the presence of different diseases.
	Study: Spinal cord stimulation a potential new way to treat depression A pilot clinical trial led by University of Cincinnati researchers at the Lindner Center of HOPE found electrical stimulation of the spinal cord is feasible, well-tolerated and shows therapeutic potential to treat depression.
	Antimicrobial resistance leads to more deaths and illnesses in the WHO African region than anywhere else: Study Over 1.05 million deaths were associated with antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and 250,000 deaths were attributable to AMR in the WHO African region, posing an unprecedented health threat. That's according to a new study published in The Lancet Global Health.
	Exploiting epitope overlaps: A new approach to vaccine development Vaccine development aims at protecting as many people as possible from infections. Short protein fragments of pathogens, so-called epitopes, are seen as a promising new approach for vaccine development.
	Scientists discover a framework in the brain for organizing the order of things Scientists at NTNU's Kavli Institute for Systems Neuroscience in Norway have discovered a pattern of activity in the brain that serves as a template for building sequential experiences.
	Researchers uncover on/off switch for breast cancer metastasis Despite their promise, immunotherapies fail to treat many cancers, including over 80% of some of the most advanced breast cancers. And many of those patients who do respond still experience metastases eventually. New research from Stanford University and the Arc Institute has revealed a better way to predict and improve patient responses.
	Research suggests statins may slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease Statins could slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease, at least for some patients. This is the result of a new study led by Karolinska Institutet published in Alzheimer Research and Therapy. But the researchers are cautious in their interpretations and see the results as a first step in a research journey that may eventually provide the answer.
	Beetroot juice supplement found to lower blood pressure, improve exercise capacity in people with COPD A 12-week course of daily beetroot juice supplement for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) lowered blood pressure and improved how far patients could walk in six minutes in research published in the European Respiratory Journal.
	Digital training program improves quality of life for care residents with dementia—even during the COVID-19 pandemic Quality of life for people with dementia living in residential and nursing home care substantially improved after staff took part in a digital training program that was specially adapted to COVID-19 restrictions. The training also led to a significant drop in the prescription of potentially harmful sedative medications to residents.
	Cardiologist offers advice on the best cooking fats for healthy cholesterol levels Are you trying to remember which fat is the good fat to use in the kitchen? If you are confused about whether to use unsaturated fats, polyunsaturated, monounsaturated or saturated fats when cooking, it's understandable. It can be confusing.
	'Rapidly increasing' COVID-19 subvariant JN.1 dominating the Northeast US The rapidly growing JN.1 coronavirus subvariant is now responsible for approximately one-third of new COVID-19 infections in the Northeast U.S., compared to about 20% of new infections across the country as a whole.
	Air pollution increases heart attacks in nonsmokers, study finds Air pollution is associated with significant increases in heart attacks among nonsmokers, according to a study presented at the European Society of Cardiology Congress 2022, held from Aug. 26 to 29 in Barcelona, Spain.
	Four people have died, as of Dec. 15, from salmonella-tainted cantaloupe in the United States In an outbreak of Salmonella illness tied to cantaloupes that began last month, 302 people in 42 states have now fallen ill. As of Dec. 15, four people had died and 129 had been hospitalized, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
	FDA inspectors find lead levels in tainted applesauce 2,000 times higher than proposed standards The U.S. Food and Drug Administration inspectors have found levels of toxic lead 2,000 times higher than proposed standards in cinnamon samples gathered at a facility in Ecuador linked to tainted applesauce pouches.
	Research examines link between adverse childhood experiences and future risk of mortality University of Limerick (UL), Ireland research has shed new light on the link between childhood adversity and future risk of death. A major international study led by researchers at UL and published in the journal Psychosomatic Medicine has examined the association between adverse childhood experiences and the increased risk of premature mortality.
	Potentially harmful 'trip-killers' to cut short 'bad' drug trips, emerging concern, warn doctors The use of potentially harmful 'trip-killers' to cut short 'bad drug trips' after taking psychedelics, such as LSD or magic mushrooms, is an emerging concern, warn doctors in a research letter, published online in Emergency Medicine Journal.
	Endometrial cancer: New insights into a deadly disparity Endometrial cancer—which develops in the lining of the uterus (womb) and is sometimes called uterine cancer—is on the rise in the U.S. In 1987, there were 35,000 cases annually. That number has nearly doubled in 2023 to more than 66,000 cases.
	New PET tracer noninvasively identifies cancer gene mutation, allows more precise diagnosis, therapy A novel PET imaging tracer has been proven to safely and effectively detect a common cancer gene mutation that is an important molecular marker for tumor-targeted therapy. By identifying this mutation early, physicians can tailor treatment plans for patients to achieve the best results. This research was published in the December issue of the Journal of Nuclear Medicine.
	Study finds natto consumption inhibits arteriosclerosis by altering intestinal microflora, suppressing inflammation Natto is widely recognized for inhibiting arteriosclerosis, yet its underlying mechanism remains elusive. Researchers led by the University of Tsukuba studied the effects of natto on arteriosclerosis in mice. The findings, published in Scientific Reports showed that consuming natto induced changes in the intestinal microflora, suppressing inflammation and preventing arteriosclerosis.
	Moderate low-carbohydrate diet found to be beneficial for adults with type 1 diabetes A moderate low-carbohydrate diet for adults with type 1 diabetes has advantages over traditional diet. The average blood sugar level is reduced and the time with good values during a 24 hour period is increased, without any negative health impact. This has been shown in a study carried out at the University of Gothenburg.
	Researchers find about a quarter of mitochondrial disease patients suffer from malnutrition A healthy diet is a key factor in making sure both children and adults have enough energy to get through the day. However, patients with primary mitochondrial disease have an additional challenge, since mitochondria function as the "batteries" of our cells, and the disease can impair the function of mitochondria and affect energy levels.
	New health mapping study pinpoints cancer risk factors at local level A new QUT-led study that maps health statistics in Australia highlights the disparities in small area-level data and identifies communities where people may have unhealthy behaviors that could lead to cancer.
	Study finds connection between light levels and mental health: Climate change could also have impact In Finland, there is a clear increase in the number of sick days taken due to depression, anxiety and sleep disorders in October and November, whereas the number of absences is lower than expected between June and September. In late autumn, the number of sick days taken is almost twice as high as in the summer and about a quarter higher than in early autumn. On the other hand, manic episodes related to bipolar disorder occur more frequently than expected during the spring and summer, when there are more daylight hours, and less frequently than expected during darker times of year.
	Health officials push to get schoolchildren vaccinated as more US parents opt out When Idaho had a rare measles outbreak a few months ago, health officials scrambled to keep it from spreading. In the end, 10 people, all in one family, were infected, all unvaccinated.
	What's the difference between physical and chemical sunscreens? And which one should you choose? Sun exposure can accelerate aging, cause skin burns, erythema (a skin reaction), skin cancer, melasmas (or sun spots) and other forms of hyperpigmentation—all triggered by solar ultraviolet radiation.
	A step-by-step approach for testing pesticides for their possible role in Parkinson's disease There is increasing evidence that pesticides play a role in the development of Parkinson's disease. But these substances are not sufficiently tested for their possible role in this disease. Researchers from the Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, among others, propose a step-by-step testing approach that should guarantee the safety of pesticides.
	Study unveils role of mitochondria in dietary fat processing The maintenance of a balanced lipid homeostasis is critical for our health. While consumption of excessive amounts of fatty foods contributes to metabolic diseases such as obesity and atherosclerosis, fat is an indispensable component of our diet. Digested lipids supply the body with essential building blocks and facilitate the absorption of important vitamins.
	What you can do now to prevent memory loss For many, minor memory loss, sometimes referred to as a senior moment, is a normal part of aging. However, more significant memory loss that disrupts your life can be an early sign of dementia. Older adults are at risk for dementia and both the prevalence and incidence of dementia grow with increasing age. Though 3% of older adults between 65 and 69 years of age have evidence of dementia, 35% of those 90 years of age and older have dementia.
	Emotional problems in young people were rising rapidly even before the pandemic There was a substantial increase in emotional problems among young people in Wales in the years immediately before the pandemic, research from Cardiff University shows.
	Legal but not available: How powerful international banks are limiting accessibility of cannabis A new study suggests that despite cannabis being legal in certain jurisdictions, such as Canada and Uruguay and 24 U.S. states, restrictions imposed by the international control of drugs and finance mean it is often not available.
	Patients largely support online GP consultations, study finds Most patients felt online GP consultations were quicker, more flexible, and more efficient than traditional consulting methods, in the largest study of patient views on the topic ever carried out.
	Drug shown to block artery fat takes a major step forward Scientists at the University of Aberdeen have demonstrated the further success of a drug previously reported to "block" fat in the arteries.
	Getting better and protecting others when you have a virus Winter's arrival and the drop in temperatures that come with it means it's a good time to take stock of what to do—and what not to do—when you're feeling sick.
	WHO declares JN.1 a COVID variant of interest as it spreads widely The new COVID variant known as JN.1 was named a "variant of interest" by the World Health Organization on Tuesday, which means health officials are now closely tracking its rapid spread across the globe.
	Peripheral blood haplo-SCT feasible for leukemia patients 70 years and older For patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML)/myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) aged 70 years and older, haploidentical stem cell transplantation (Haplo-SCT) using a nonmyeloablative conditioning regimen (NMAC) is feasible, with no early nonrelapse mortality (NRM), according to a study published online Nov. 3 in Bone Marrow Transplantation.
	Researchers develop first high-precision dual-color optoelectronic brain probe A team of researchers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst has developed the first dual-color optoelectronic neural probe.
	Key health department jobs don't exist, according to the federal government Several key public health occupations are lacking a Standard Occupational Classification code (SOC), including disease intervention specialists, public health nurses, policy analysts, and program managers, and without valid SOC matches and detailed data on local and state government health departments, the U.S. Department of Labor's data cannot be used to count the number of public health workers serving as our nation's frontline biodefense.
	AI could help in the early diagnosis of autism, study finds Artificial intelligence, coupled with data from an iPad coloring game, could assist in early diagnosis of autism, a new USC study shows.
	Perspective on management of LDCT findings on low-dose computed tomography examinations for lung cancer screening Annual low-dose CT screening has been recently shown to result in high cure rates of over 80%, but methods of conducting a lung cancer screening program vary and best practices have yet to emerge.
	New study sheds light on the connection between the microbiome and kidney stones A new study from Lawson Health Research Institute and Western University published in the journal Microbiome has found changes in the microbiome in multiple locations in the body are linked to the formation of kidney stones.
	Brain lesions in former football players linked to vascular, brain changes Signs of injury to the brain's white matter called white matter hyperintensities, as seen on brain scans, may be tied more strongly to vascular risk factors, brain shrinkage, and other markers of dementia in former tackle football players than in those who did not play football, according to a study published in Neurology.
	'Great British Bake Off' Christmas desserts not as naughty as you may think Christmas desserts from "The Great British Bake Off" are more likely to use ingredients that are associated with reductions, rather than increases, in the risk of death or disease, suggests research published in the Christmas issue of The BMJ.
	Spike in morning after pill sales in the U.S. after New Year celebrations Sales of emergency contraception are estimated to rise by around 10% in the US in the week after the New Year holiday, suggesting that this period is associated with increased risks of unprotected sex compared with other holidays, finds a study published in the Christmas issue of The BMJ.
	Study finds AI language model failed to produce appropriate questions, answers for medical school exam With concerns mounting that artificial intelligence (AI) could have a profound impact on traditional teaching in academic settings, many question the role of ChatGPT, a sophisticated AI language model that can generate content that mimics human conversation.
	More than morning sickness: Researcher studies hyperemesis gravidarum survivor stories Imagine waking up one morning feeling ill, like you've come down with an unrelentingly bad stomach bug.
	Management of refractory or relapsed classic Hodgkin lymphoma in Brazil A new review paper titled "Current perspectives on the management of refractory or relapsed classic hodgkin lymphoma in Brazil: Balancing efficacy, safety, and tolerability" has been published in Oncotarget.
	Want to keep Gen Z off vaping? Teach them about the industry's marketing tactics, study says Young adults who are more familiar with e-cigarette marketing practices are more likely to have attitudes against vaping than those unaware of the industry's marketing, according to a study led by Drexel University public health researchers published this month in the journal Tobacco Control.
	Exploring artificial general intelligence for radiation oncology An estimated 600,000 people in the United States succumb to cancer every year. Beyond surgery, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy, radiotherapy has shown to be a standard and effective treatment option for nearly 50–70% of cancer patients.
	Researchers reveal benefits and risks of continuing oral anti-coagulation therapy after catheter ablation Catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF) has become a common procedure worldwide. An expert consensus statement on catheter ablation for AF recommends the continuation of oral anticoagulants after the post-ablation period should be based on the patient's risk of stroke and preferences; however, few recent large studies are focusing on the risks and benefits of continuing oral anticoagulation therapy after catheter ablation for AF.
	Inhaled statins show promise as effective asthma treatment Statins are a class of drugs commonly used to lower bad cholesterol, but can they also treat obstructive airway diseases, such as asthma?
	Physicians investigate the effect of preoperative midazolam in older patients for the first time Prof. Mark Coburn and PD Dr. Ana Kowark from the Department of Anesthesiology and Operative Intensive Care Medicine at the University Hospital Bonn (UKB) have conducted the largest randomized study to date on the effect of preoperative, orally administered midazolam in older patients. Placebo-controlled, the physicians revealed that midazolam does not impair patient satisfaction and safety when used in low doses. The results are published in JAMA Surgery.
	World's first reconstructive surgery on the central lymphatic system using a microsurgery robot Because it was not possible to remove a hard-to-reach bulge in the central lymphatic system, a team of doctors from the Department of Plastic Surgery and Hand Surgery at the University Hospital Zurich (USZ) created a new drain to relieve the patient's agonizing lymph congestion. For the first time, a microsurgical operating system was used for such a procedure.
	Does 'belongingness' matter in the health professions? Hannah Lauck hopes to someday become an anesthesiologist specializing in pediatrics.
	Benidipine calcium channel blocker improves cigarette smoke-induced lung emphysema: Study A new research paper titled "Benidipine calcium channel blocker promotes the death of cigarette smoke-induced senescent cells and improves lung emphysema" has been published in Aging.
	Kidney dysfunction linked to heart failure with preserved ejection fraction Mild and moderate kidney dysfunction are associated with left ventricular diastolic dysfunction and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), according to a study published online Nov. 27 in ESC Heart Failure.
	Assisted reproductive technology not tied to higher BMI in childhood, finds study Being born after assisted reproductive technology (ART) is not associated with higher body mass index (BMI) at age 5 to 8 years, according to a study published online Dec. 19 in PLOS Medicine.
	Social determinants of health needs more likely for patients with emergency department encounters Patients with emergency department encounters are more likely to screen positive for social determinants of health (SDOH) needs, according to a research letter published online Dec. 19 in JAMA Network Open.
	Study identifies factors for disparities in preoperative goals-of-care documentation rates For a cohort of veterans, disparities in preoperative life-sustaining treatment (LST) documentation rates persist based on race and ethnicity, rurality of residence, and history of mental health disability, according to a study published online Dec. 19 in JAMA Network Open.
	Wastewater sequencing reveals community and variant dynamics of the collective human virome In the not-so-distant future, people might be able to tune in to their favorite news source for an update on their community health status, just as they check on the local weather forecast.
	Gamma brain stimulation could help combat Alzheimer's disease, says new study A review in the Journal of Internal Medicine explores the potential of non-invasive interventions such as light, sound, and magnets to stimulate gamma brain waves for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Such strategies may be beneficial because Alzheimer's disease is characterized by reduced fast brain oscillations in the gamma range (30–100 Hz).
	Mediterranean diet 'a straightforward approach' among many nutritional options for improving IVF success chance: Study Adjuvant therapies to help infertile women conceive by IVF—especially those whose treatments have been unsuccessful in the past—are now a common feature both before and during the treatment cycle. Now, a new analysis of the evidence for many nutritional supplements and diets thought to improve outcomes in IVF has concluded that adopting a Mediterranean diet during treatment would offer a single straightforward approach with good evidence of benefit in contrast to that of a Western diet.
	How does the inability to burp affect daily life? The inability to burp—called retrograde cricopharyngeus dysfunction (R-CPD)—is caused by failure of the throat's cricopharyngeal muscle to relax to allow the outward passage of gas. An interview-based study in Neurogastroenterology & Motility that included 199 adults affected by the condition reveals the impact of R-CPD on quality of life.
	Losing a parent during childhood may contribute to separation anxiety and anxious attachment in women Women who lost a parent early in life may be more likely to experience separation anxiety with romantic partners during adulthood, according to a study published in Stress and Health. In addition to feeling distressed when separated from their partners, these women may also experience anxious attachment, or worry that significant others will not be available at times of need.
	New research indicates that steroid creams can affect bone health New research indicates that higher doses of topical corticosteroids, which are commonly used to treat inflammatory skin conditions, are linked with elevated risks of osteoporosis and bone fractures associated with osteoporosis. The findings are published in the Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology and are based on information from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database.
	Hospital doctors in England start longest strike yet over pay Hospital doctors in England hit out Wednesday at a perceived "brain drain" from the country's state-funded National Health Service (NHS), as they began their longest strike action yet in a protracted pay battle.
	Clinical social worker offers advice on the right way to talk with someone who has cancer The holidays are a joyous occasion for most people. But for someone with cancer or other serious illness, it can be a time of overwhelming anxiety and fear. And as family and friends get together, it's important to show that you care without coming across as insensitive.
	Eight tips to navigate Christmas if you have a fussy eater or child with allergies Food-focused celebrations like Christmas can be very stressful for parents with children who can't eat just everything. Perhaps they are selective eaters or have allergies and intolerances.
	What happens to your vagina as you age? The vagina is an internal organ with a complex ecosystem, influenced by circulating hormone levels which change during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, breastfeeding and menopause.
	French pharma firm ordered to pay millions over deadly diabetes drug A French appeals court on Wednesday ordered pharmaceutical firm Servier to pay more than $460 million in damages over a scandal involving a diabetes drug linked to hundreds of deaths.
	Noma officially recognized by WHO as a neglected tropical disease Noma, also known as cancrum oris or gangrenous stomatitis, is now officially recognized as a neglected tropical disease (NTD), according to an announcement made by the World Health Organization (WHO).
	Using genomics to track malaria in the US For the first time in 20 years, locally transmitted cases of malaria have been reported in the U.S.
	Have yourself a food-safe Christmas It's that time of the year. Tables get decorated, fridges get loaded and we gather in the spirit of the most wonderful season of all. From salads to desserts, Christmas is a time of variety in foods, and a heaven for our senses. But nothing can spoil the fun as much as a sick stomach in the aftermath of a cheerful celebration.
	Best practice guidance for designing and utilizing slice testing approach for diagnostics The Association for Molecular Pathology (AMP) today published a report that explores specific considerations for a slice testing strategy for diagnostics, including gene selection, analytic performance, coverage, quality, and interpretation.
	Emergency department visit rate 72.2 per 1,000 adults with diabetes in 2020 to 2021 In 2020 to 2021, the emergency department visit rate was 72.2 visits per 1,000 adults with diabetes, with the rate increasing with age, according to a December data brief published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Center for Health Statistics.
	Vertigo: A common symptom with many different causes The first step in treating vertigo is understanding its cause. Many conditions can trigger vertigo an expert says.

Other Sciences news

	Evaluating truthfulness of fake news through online searches increases chances of believing misinformation: Study Conventional wisdom suggests that searching online to evaluate the veracity of misinformation would reduce belief in it. But a new study by a team of researchers shows the opposite occurs: Searching to evaluate the truthfulness of false news articles actually increases the probability of believing misinformation.
	Ancient Sahul's submerged landscapes reveal a mosaic of human habitation New research conducted by a team of archaeologists and Earth scientists has shed light on the ancient landscapes of Sahul, the Pleistocene (Ice Age) landmass comprising Australia and New Guinea.
	Research reveals man born thousands of miles to the east traveled to Cambridgeshire 2,000 years ago Scientists from the Francis Crick Institute, Durham University, and MOLA Headland Infrastructure have discovered that a man who lived between AD 126–228 during the Roman period did not originally come from a rural farmstead near where he was buried, but likely thousands of miles away, possibly outside of the Roman Empire.
	Revealing close and distant relatives in ancient DNA with unprecedented precision If two persons are biologically related, they share long stretches of DNA that they co-inherited from their recent common ancestor. These almost identically shared stretches of genomes are called IBD ("Identity by Descent") segments. Up to the sixth-degree relatives—such as second to third cousins would be, or a great great great great grandparent—the two relatives even share multiple IBD segments. Personal genomics companies such as 23andme or Ancestry detect those segments routinely in DNA of their customers, and use this signal to distinctively reveal biological relatives in their databases.
	Rise of archery in Andes Mountains dated to 5,000 years ago—earlier than previous research When did archery arise in the Americas? And what were the effects of this technology on society?
	Social media posts may be viewed differently by others compared to how users perceive themselves In a new study, viewers of Facebook users' posts came away with perceptions of the users that differed from the users' own self-perceptions. Qi Wang and colleagues at Cornell University, New York, US, present these findings in the open-access journal PLOS ONE on December 20, 2023.
	Specific characteristics of Ukrainian refugees linked to tendency to move farther west In a survey study comparing Ukrainian refugees living in Kraków, Poland with those farther away from Ukraine in Vienna, Austria, those in Vienna tended to have higher education levels, more prior work experience, and greater willingness to remain in their new area of residence. Judith Kohlenberger of the Vienna University of Economics and Business, Austria, and colleagues present these findings in the open-access journal PLOS ONE on December 20, 2023.
	Researchers extol skills of ancient Egyptian medics Cleopatra would have been in safe hands if she really had been bitten by a snake, or affected by any number of illnesses, say University of Manchester Egyptologists.
	Same-sex couples divide household chores more fairly—here's what they told researchers works best Who does which household chores—or who does the most—is a perennial source of tension for many couples. From cleaning the toilet to taking out the trash, it's sometimes the little things that can cause the biggest trouble.
	Study shows that information-sharing prevents selfishness from becoming contagious by raising reputational concerns How is cooperation affected when people can receive secondhand information about what others are contributing?
	Do subtitled films really help you learn languages? In general, films in the original language and versions with subtitles in a range of different languages are both widely available in Europe. If the main aim of subtitles is allowing viewers to understand dialogue in films where they don't know the language, subtitles are also being seen to an ever-greater extent through an educational lens.
	Self-portraits give voice to vulnerable Cambodian fishing communities A study that used photos taken by participants to spark conversation reveals firsthand accounts of how climate change, land use and dams on the Mekong River are threatening the future of the communities dependent on those ecosystems.
	Anthropologist offers blueprint for new ways of being and relating to others in wake of disaster Aidan Seale-Feldman knows a thing or two about what it's like to witness a disaster. She was working in Nepal in 2015 when a 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck the central region of the country, followed by a 7.3-magnitude aftershock, both of which claimed the lives of more than 9,000 people in total once the ground had ceased heaving and the dust had finally settled. The event changed her life—and her work—forever.
	AI risks turning organizations into self-serving organisms if humans removed With human bias removed, organizations looking to improve performance by harnessing digital technology can expect changes to how information is scrutinized.
	How AI alters middle managers' work The introduction of artificial intelligence is a significant part of the digital transformation bringing challenges and changes to the job descriptions among management. A study conducted at the University of Eastern Finland shows that integrating artificial intelligence systems into service teams increases demands imposed on middle management in the financial services field.
	How a program giving millions to residents to improve their neighborhoods also risks entrenching inequality Over the past quarter-century, the idea has taken hold among politicians across the spectrum that one of the best ways to address inequality is to give local communities the resources to do the work themselves. Provide them with funding, and they can spend it on the projects that their communities really need. But our research has shown that while many of these projects can be very positive, they can also entrench existing inequalities.
	Long-run decline in US poverty continued in recent years despite pandemic, new report shows Poverty has fallen by 27 percentage points since 1980, according to new research from the University of Notre Dame, the University of Chicago and Baylor University. This change is in sharp contrast with official U.S. Census Bureau numbers indicating that poverty has fallen a mere 1.5 percentage points in that time.
	Ballerinas are stepping into sensor suits so one Christmas you may be able to understand the nuances of The Nutcracker Throughout the festive season, countless individuals delight in the enchantment of ballet spectacles such as "The Nutcracker." Though the stories of timeless performances are widely known, general audiences often miss the subtle narratives and emotions dancers seek to convey through body movements—and they miss even more when the narratives are not based on well-known stories.

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