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Here is your customized Science X Newsletter for January 26, 2024:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

Exploring the link between aesthetic judgments and 'screen swiping' hand movements
Pet technology, meant to provide help and security for pets and owners, has vulnerabilities of its own
Stars travel more slowly at Milky Way's edge: Galaxy's core may contain less dark matter than previously estimated
'Old smokers' and 'squalling newborns' among hidden stars spotted for first time
Writing by hand may increase brain connectivity more than typing on a keyboard
Soapbark discovery offers a sustainability boost for the global vaccine market
New tool improves the search for genes that cause diseases
Glacier melting destroys important climate data archive
New rapid prototyping method for microscale spiral devices
A ferroelectric dimeric liquid crystal with huge spontaneous polarization and dielectric constant at low temperatures
Confirmation of ancient lake on Mars offers hope that Perseverance rover's soil and rock samples hold traces of life
Using dragonfly wings to study the relationship between corrugated wing structure and vortex motions
Scientists design a two-legged robot powered by muscle tissue
Immunocompromised patients and COVID infections: Who's at risk?
Snake venom research has broad implications for bite treatment

Nanotechnology news

	New rapid prototyping method for microscale spiral devices A team of researchers from Tohoku University and Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) has achieved significant advancement in the field of microfluidics, allowing for precise and efficient manipulation of fluids in three-dimensional microscale environments. This work opens up new possibilities for bioanalytical applications, such as cell separations in the realm of medical diagnostics.
	A ferroelectric dimeric liquid crystal with huge spontaneous polarization and dielectric constant at low temperatures At the Tokyo Tech LG Material & Life Solution Collaborative Research Cluster, a joint research team has developed a ferroelectric dimeric liquid crystal with spontaneous polarization that exceeds (8 μCcm-2) and a dielectric constant that exceeds 8,000 at low temperatures. The findings are published in The Journal of Physical Chemistry B.
	Discovery of high order skyrmions and antiskyrmions Researchers at the University of Augsburg and the University of Vienna have discovered co-existing magnetic skyrmions and antiskyrmions of arbitrary topological charge at room temperature in magnetic Co/Ni multilayer thin films. Their findings have been published in Nature Physics and open up the possibility for a new paradigm in skyrmionics research.
	Locusts' sense of smell boosted with custom-made nanoparticles Our sensory systems are highly adaptable. A person who cannot see after turning off a light in the night slowly achieves superior power to see even small objects. Women often attain a heightened sense of smell during pregnancy. How can the same sensory system that was underperforming can also exceed the expectation based on its prior performance?
	Scientists develop ultrafast hydrogen leak detection As the spread of eco-friendly hydrogen cars increases, the importance of hydrogen sensors is also on the rise. In particular, achieving technology to detect hydrogen leaks within one second remains a challenging task. Accordingly, the development of the world's first hydrogen sensor that meets the performance standards of the U.S. Department of Energy has become a hot topic.
	Researchers develop puffed-up MOFs for improved drug delivery The spongelike structure of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) allows these polymers to possibly carry and deliver a range of therapeutic compounds. Now, researchers reporting in ACS Applied Bio Materials have treated a chromium-containing MOF with a dose of acetic acid, more concentrated than in vinegar, to expand its pore size and surface area. The puffed-up MOF held more ibuprofen or chemotherapy drug than the original version and showed improved performance as a potential drug-delivery vehicle.
	Researchers develop implantable device that can record a collection of individual neurons over months Recording the activity of large populations of single neurons in the brain over long periods of time is crucial to further our understanding of neural circuits, to enable novel medical device-based therapies and, in the future, for brain–computer interfaces requiring high-resolution electrophysiological information.

Physics news

	Using dragonfly wings to study the relationship between corrugated wing structure and vortex motions Scientists from Hiroshima University undertook a study of dragonfly wings in order to better understand the relationship between a corrugated wing structure and vortex motions. They discovered that corrugated wings exhibit larger lift than flat wings.
	In search of muons: Why they switch sites in antiferromagnetic oxides Muon spectroscopy is an important experimental technique that scientists use to study the magnetic properties of materials. It is based on "implanting" a spin-polarized muon in the crystal and measuring how its behavior is affected by the surroundings.
	First demonstration of predictive control of fusion plasma by digital twin Fusion energy is being developed as a solution to global energy problems. In particular, the magnetic confinement method, in which ultra-high temperature plasma is confined by a magnetic field, is the most advanced and is considered to be the most promising method for fusion reactors.
	Physicists identify a surprising phenomenon of aging in materials over time Physicists in Darmstadt are investigating aging processes in materials. For the first time, they have measured the ticking of an internal clock in glass. When evaluating the data, they discovered a surprising phenomenon.
	Turning glass into a 'transparent' light-energy harvester What happens when you expose tellurite glass to femtosecond laser light? That's the question that Gözden Torun at the Galatea Lab at Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne, in collaboration with Tokyo Tech scientists, aimed to answer in her thesis work when she made the discovery that may one day turn windows into single material light-harvesting and sensing devices. The results are published in Physical Review Applied.
	Supercomputers shine new light on ocean turbulence As an ocean wave laps up against a beach, it contains innumerable swirls and eddies. The seawater forms complex patterns at each level, from the waves that surfers catch to ripples too small and fast for the human eye to notice. Each motion sets off another set of motions, cascading through layers of water.

Earth news

	Glacier melting destroys important climate data archive As part of the Ice Memory initiative, Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI) researchers, with colleagues from the University of Fribourg and Ca' Foscari University of Venice as well as the Institute of Polar Sciences of the Italian National Research Council (CNR), analyzed ice cores drilled in 2018 and 2020 from the Corbassière glacier at Grand Combin in the canton of Valais.
	Study shows much more pollution leaking into atmosphere from oil sands operations than thought An international team of chemical and environmental engineers has found that oil sands operations in Canada are emitting significantly more pollutants into the air than previously thought. In their study, reported in the journal Science, the group collected air samples using airplanes and tested them in their lab.
	How waves and mixing drive coastal upwelling systems They are among the most productive and biodiverse areas of the world's oceans: coastal upwelling regions along the eastern boundaries of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. There, equatorward winds cause near-surface water to move away from the coast. This brings cold, nutrient-rich water from the depths to the surface, inducing the growth of phytoplankton and providing the basis for a rich marine ecosystem in these regions.
	PFAS 'forever chemicals' being spread on world's ski slopes, study reveals Skiers keen for slick runs are leaving toxic PFAS "forever chemicals" behind on ski slopes, research by The James Hutton Institute in Aberdeen and the University of Graz in Austria has revealed.
	Silica may influence microbial communities in hydrothermal fields In recent years, the hydrothermal alteration of olivine has attracted the attention of geologists, biologists, and chemists. It significantly influences the physical and chemical properties of the oceanic lithosphere, and it plays an important role for the recycling of volatiles (such as water and carbon) in subduction zones.
	Coastal chemistry improves methane modeling Scientists at Oak Ridge National Laboratory are using a new modeling framework in conjunction with data collected from marshes in the Mississippi Delta to improve predictions of climate-warming methane and nitrous oxide emissions from soils in coastal ecosystems. Their work has been published in Journal of Advances in Modeling Earth Systems.
	Study tracks how wetland tree stem emissions vary by season, location, and hydrological conditions The recent rise in atmospheric methane (CH4) has drawn increased attention to the potent greenhouse gas, which is approximately 45 times more powerful than carbon dioxide at trapping heat in the atmosphere. About 60% of global methane emissions are anthropogenic, primarily from fossil fuel burning and other activities in the transportation and agriculture sectors. The remainder of the methane budget comes from natural ecosystem processes.
	Technology alone won't save us from the climate crisis, researcher says If European countries rely solely on technological advances, they won't be able to limit global heating to 1.5°. Households will also need to change their lifestyles. This "inconvenient truth" is the result of calculations done by industrial ecologist Stephanie Cap. "It's not a popular message, but it does show that individual actions matter."
	Study explores the connection between nitrogen oxides control and SNA, ozone reduction Sulfate-nitrate-ammonium (SNA) and other atmospheric aerosols play a significant role in influencing both atmospheric and environmental conditions. These aerosols impact climate directly through scattering and absorbing solar radiation, thus influencing the Earth's radiative balance.
	Climate crisis prompts Biden to halt new gas export facilities The United States, which ships more liquefied natural gas (LNG) than any other country, is hitting pause on new export facilities, the Biden administration announced Friday in a step hailed as vital to tackling the climate crisis.
	Sahara dust shrouds Senegal capital prompting air quality warning The Senegalese capital is usually bathed in sunshine but for a fourth consecutive day on Friday the city on the Atlantic coast was shrouded in a pallid cloud.

Astronomy and Space news

	Stars travel more slowly at Milky Way's edge: Galaxy's core may contain less dark matter than previously estimated By clocking the speed of stars throughout the Milky Way galaxy, MIT physicists have found that stars further out in the galactic disk are traveling more slowly than expected compared to stars that are closer to the galaxy's center. The findings raise a surprising possibility: The Milky Way's gravitational core may be lighter in mass, and contain less dark matter, than previously thought.
	'Old smokers' and 'squalling newborns' among hidden stars spotted for first time 'Hidden' stars including a new type of elderly giant nicknamed 'old smoker' have been spotted for the first time by astronomers. The mystery objects exist at the heart of our Milky Way galaxy and can sit quietly for decades—fading almost to invisibility—before suddenly puffing out clouds of smoke, according to new research published in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society.
	Confirmation of ancient lake on Mars offers hope that Perseverance rover's soil and rock samples hold traces of life If life ever existed on Mars, the Perseverance rover's verification of lake sediments at the base of the Jezero crater reinforces the hope that traces might be found in the crater.
	Astronomers analyze masses, orbital properties and atmospheric features of six exoplanets A recently discovered solar system with six confirmed exoplanets and a possible seventh is boosting astronomers' knowledge of planet formation and evolution. Relying on a globe-spanning arsenal of observatories and instruments, a team led by researchers at the University of California, Irvine has compiled the most precise measurements yet of the exoplanets' masses, orbital properties and atmospheric characteristics.
	NASA's Lucy ready for 2024 mission milestones After its successful first asteroid encounter in 2023, NASA's Lucy mission has its sights firmly set on its main targets, the never-before-explored Jupiter Trojan asteroids. In 2024, the Lucy spacecraft will transition from its current orbit around the sun—one that just skims the inner-edge of the main asteroid belt—to a new orbit that will carry it beyond the orbit of Jupiter and into the realm of the Trojan asteroids. This will be done in two steps: A series of deep space maneuvers and an Earth gravity assist.
	We're heading for Venus: ESA approves EnVision ESA's next mission to Venus was officially "adopted" today by the Agency's Science Program Committee. EnVision will study Venus from its inner core to its outer atmosphere, giving important new insight into the planet's history, geological activity and climate.
	Hubble views NGC 3384, a galaxy settling into old age NGC 3384, visible in this image, has many of the characteristic features of so-called elliptical galaxies. Such galaxies glow diffusely, are rounded in shape, display few visible features, and rarely show signs of recent star formation. Instead, they are dominated by old, aging, and red-hued stars.
	Image: Hubble captures Arp 295 One of the galaxies from a galactic group known as Arp 295 is visible in this new NASA Hubble Space Telescope image, along with part of the faint 250,000-light-year-long bridge of stars and gas that stretches between two of the galaxies. The galaxies have passed close enough together that their mutual gravity created this cosmic streamer.
	Salsa's last dance targets reentry over South Pacific Launched in 2000, Cluster is a unique constellation of four identical spacecraft investigating the interaction between the sun and Earth's magnetosphere—our shield against the charged gas, energetic particles and magnetic field coming from our star.
	Scientists propose an updated time scale scheme of the Earth's moon The moon's evolutionary history is divided into three distinct phases based on the temporal interplay of exogenic and endogenic processes in altering the moon. These phases are defined as Eon-level time scale units, which provide insights into the temporal dynamics of lunar evolution:
	Collaborating to build a more efficient rocket Sal Rodriguez, a nuclear engineer at Sandia National Laboratories, is forging a rocket revolution with the help of the University of New Mexico and student Graham Monroe.
	Why Venus died Venus is only slightly smaller than the Earth, and so has enjoyed billions of years of a warm heart. But for this planet, sometimes called Earth's sister, that heat has betrayed it. That planet is now wrapped in suffocating layers of a poisonous atmosphere made of carbon dioxide and sulfuric acid. The pressures on the surface reach almost 100 times the air pressure at Earth's sea level. The average temperatures are more than 700°F, more than hot enough to melt lead, while the deepest valleys see records of more than 900°.
	Early life was radically different than today All modern life shares a robust, hardy, efficient system of intertwined chemicals that propagate themselves. This system must have emerged from a simpler, less efficient, more delicate one. But what was that system, and why did it appear on, of all places, planet Earth?

Technology news

	Pet technology, meant to provide help and security for pets and owners, has vulnerabilities of its own Pet owners are increasingly turning to technology for various pet care purposes such as feeding, health monitoring and activity and movement tracking. Much of this technology operates via devices and apps connected to the Internet of Things (IoT), thereby presenting privacy and security risks to those who use them.
	Scientists design a two-legged robot powered by muscle tissue Compared to robots, human bodies are flexible, capable of fine movements, and can convert energy efficiently into movement. Drawing inspiration from human gait, researchers from Japan crafted a two-legged biohybrid robot by combining muscle tissues and artificial materials. Published on January 26 in the journal Matter, this method allows the robot to walk and pivot.
	3D printed electronic skin provides promise for human-machine interaction With more than 1,000 nerve endings, human skin is the brain's largest sensory connection to the outside world, providing a wealth of feedback through touch, temperature and pressure. While these complex features make skin a vital organ, they also make it a challenge to replicate.
	Electrolyte additive increases charging rate of lithium metal batteries On a mission to build better electric vehicle batteries, chemists at the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Brookhaven National Laboratory have used an electrolyte additive to improve the functionality of energy-dense lithium metal batteries. By adding a compound called cesium nitrate to the electrolyte that separates the battery's anode and cathode, the research team has significantly improved the charging rate of lithium metal batteries while maintaining a long cycle life.
	Google announces the development of Lumiere, an AI-based next-generation text-to-video generator A team of AI researchers at Google Research has developed a next-generation AI-based text-to-video generator called Lumiere. The group has published a paper describing their efforts on the arXiv preprint server.
	How silicon can improve the performance of solid-state batteries High-performance batteries are required for a wide range of applications, and demand for them is growing rapidly. This is why the research and development of electrochemical energy storage systems, including those for electromobility, is one of the most important areas of work in materials science worldwide. The focus is not only on the charging capacities and charging speeds of the batteries, but also on the life span, safety, availability of raw materials and the CO2 balance.
	Study shows coal-based product could replace sand in concrete The world's reliance on concrete, the second most consumed material after water, is leading to an environmental and resource crisis, with sand mining rates outstripping natural replenishment.
	What you should know if you're about to fly on a Boeing Max 9 Boeing 737 Max 9 jetliners will carry passengers in the United States again, starting this weekend, for the first time since they were grounded after a panel blew out of the side of one of the planes.
	EU law prompts Apple to make major changes to App Store in Europe Apple has announced major changes to its services in Europe that will allow iPhone users to download alternative app stores for the first time, as the US tech giant yields to new EU antitrust regulations.
	England's Cambridge targets Silicon Valley status Cambridge, the English city renowned for its university, scientific breakthroughs and status as a technology hub, has its sights on becoming the next Silicon Valley.
	OpenAI CEO Altman visits S.Korea for Samsung, SK Hynix meetings: Reports ChatGPT creator OpenAI's CEO, Sam Altman, has arrived in South Korea to meet with the leaders of chip giants Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, reports said Friday.
	Predictive model detects potential extremist propaganda on social media The militant Islamic State group, or ISIS, lost its physical territory in 2019, but it remains an active force on social media, according to researchers from the Penn State College of Information Sciences and Technology, who set out to better understand the group's online strategies.
	Researchers develop a multiscale feature modulation network for advanced underwater image enhancement Researchers led by Prof. Wang Rujing from the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science of the Chinese Academy of Sciences developed a simple and effective multi-scale feature modulation network for underwater image enhancement.
	New research combats burgeoning threat of deepfake audio With every passing day, it seems like it is getting harder to trust what you see—and hear—on the internet. Deepfakes and doctored audio have become easier to create with the press of a button. New research by three School of Information students and alums will make it easy to determine the authenticity of an audio clip.
	Spreadsheet errors can have disastrous consequences, yet we keep making the same mistakes Spreadsheet blunders aren't just frustrating personal inconveniences. They can have serious consequences. And in the last few years alone, there have been a myriad of spreadsheet horror stories.
	Swimming pools could slash bills by harvesting heat from servers. Here's how to make it work My teenage son regularly complains about his room being too warm, even during winter. While the rest of the house is at a comfortable temperature, the video game PC he plays emits a significant amount of heat.
	Why are so many robots white? Problems of racial and gender bias in artificial intelligence algorithms and the data used to train large language models like ChatGPT have drawn the attention of researchers and generated headlines. But these problems also arise in social robots, which have physical bodies modeled on nonthreatening versions of humans or animals and are designed to interact with people.
	In the market for a car? Soon you'll be able to buy a Hyundai on Amazon, and only a Hyundai This is the year you can finally buy a car on Amazon. Well, one kind. Eventually.
	Study examines AI chatbots in public organizations From providing fast, 24-hour service, multilingual support and reducing staff workloads, the benefits of artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots are numerous. The technology also holds the potential to improve services across industries, including health care, sales and government. Still, many questions about chatbots remain, particularly when it comes to adoption and implementation within the public sector.
	Study shows sustainable tech can make existing UK homes carbon zero Inefficient UK homes, which were built decades ago, can now do away with their gas boilers and get all their energy needs off-grid by retrofitting a combination of existing renewable energy technologies, new research shows.
	NASA autonomous flight software successfully used in air taxi stand-ins In late October, two research helicopters from the manufacturer Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company, made a dozen test flights over Long Island Sound, Connecticut taking care to avoid other aircraft in the area around them. Except the ordinary-looking helicopters were flying autonomously—guided by NASA-designed software—and those other aircraft were virtual, part of a simulation to test pilotless flight systems. This was the first time two autonomous aircraft were flying at one another using NASA designed collision avoidance software.
	Magnetic-biased chiral molecules enable highly oriented perovskite films In the realm of clean energy, metal halide perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have emerged as a focus, capturing significant attention for their extraordinary advancements. In just over a decade, their certified power conversion efficiency (PCE) has skyrocketed to 26.1%, approaching the upper limits seen in traditional crystalline silicon cells. What sets PSCs apart is their potential to surpass the 30% PCE threshold.
	Search and rescue system using a fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicle Conventional search and rescue operations after major disasters face many problems. A team from Malaysia writing in the International Journal of Vehicle Autonomous Systems, now suggests a practical solution that involves a real-time human detection system using a fixed-wing Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV).
	Architecture professor adapts vibration reduction device for residential use A family purchased an upscale home in the suburbs of New York City with an open-floor plan, but they weren't happy with the floor vibration in certain rooms. Homes built with longer spans and fewer partitions are structurally sound, but the design trend often means noticeable vibration when you walk across the floor.
	Powering the future: Unlocking the role of hydrogen in lithium-ion batteries Lithium-ion batteries stand out as one of the most prevalent rechargeable battery technologies in the present era. Within these batteries, lithium-cobalt oxides (LiCoO2) are widely used as the materials for positive electrodes or cathodes (the conductors through which electric current either enters or exits a substance). The cathode plays a pivotal role in lithium-ion batteries and influences their capacity, performance over many charge-discharge cycles, and ability to manage heat.
	EU hails 'change' as Apple opens App Store to competition The European Union's digital enforcer celebrated on Friday the "change" underway in the tech world after Apple yielded to a new EU law by announcing it would allow alternative app stores on the iPhone for the first time.
	What if American nuclear power plants could be less expensive American nuclear power plants generate more than 20% of the electricity, and half of the carbon-free electricity, in the United States. The nation's pressing demand for even more electricity—specifically carbon-free electricity that does not contribute to climate change—is spurring interest in advanced nuclear technologies. It is also leading many to ask if the nuclear power industry, sometimes labeled more expensive to maintain and operate than other clean energy industries, can modernize itself and present a more compelling bottom line.
	Microsoft Teams outage blocks access, limits features for some users Microsoft Teams is experiencing an outage that has blocked access and limited features for some users.
	Quality control at heart of latest Boeing crisis Boeing is facing intensifying scrutiny over its quality control practices in the aftermath of a near-catastrophic Alaska Airlines flight three weeks ago when a panel blew out.
	Biden administration awards nearly half a billion dollars for Northern California offshore wind project In the latest significant step for California's efforts to build offshore wind farms in the Pacific Ocean, the Biden administration has awarded nearly half a billion dollars for a project to construct and deploy hundreds of huge turbines to float 20 miles off the state's coast.
	Outrage over deepfake porn images of Taylor Swift Fans of Taylor Swift and politicians, including the White House, expressed outrage on Friday at AI-generated fake porn images of the megastar that went viral on X and were still available on other platforms.

The water in the air originates from both natural and forced evaporation, with condensation being the final and crucial step in water harvesting. Condensation involves nucleation, growth, and shedding of water droplets, which are then collected.

Revolutionizing plastics: Upcycling agricultural waste boosts performance and sustainability

Researchers from Thailand have pioneered the conversion of waste HDPE milk bottles into high-stiffness composites, using PALF reinforcement for a 162% increase in flexural strength and 204% in modulus. This eco-friendly upcycling boosts mechanical properties while sequestering carbon, presenting a promising path for sustainable materials.

Biology news

	Soapbark discovery offers a sustainability boost for the global vaccine market A valuable molecule sourced from the soapbark tree and used as a key ingredient in vaccines, has been replicated in an alternative plant host for the first time, opening unprecedented opportunities for the vaccine industry.
	Snake venom research has broad implications for bite treatment Studying how rattlesnakes regulate their venom gives us important insight into how their genes are controlled. It also highlights the challenges in treating snakebites, according to new research in the journal Genome Biology and Evolution.
	Cultivated meat production costs could fall significantly: Bovine muscle engineered to produce their own growth signals Cellular agriculture—the production of meat from cells grown in bioreactors rather than harvested from farm animals—is taking leaps in technology that are making it a more viable option for the food industry. One such leap has now been made at the Tufts University Center for Cellular Agriculture (TUCCA), led by David Kaplan, Stern Family Professor of Engineering, in which researchers have created bovine (beef) muscle cells that produce their own growth factors, a step that can significantly cut costs of production.
	Spatial model predicts bumblebee exposure to pesticide use It has long been known that agricultural pesticides are one of the greatest threats to bees and other essential pollinators. What farmers have lacked is an understanding of how different pesticides, applied at various times on a variety of crops, affect the risk of exposure to bees living near the fields.
	Study finds water quality of Europe's rivers is generally better, but not consistent River regulation, invasive animal and plant species, global climate change, and pollution—humans are severely impacting the ecosystems of rivers and streams.
	The first flowers evolved before bees—so how did they become so dazzling? Colorful flowers, and the insects and birds that fly among their dazzling displays, are a joy of nature. But how did early relationships between flower color and animal pollinators emerge?
	Genomic analysis sheds light on how seagrasses conquered the sea Seagrasses provide the foundation of one of the most highly biodiverse, yet vulnerable, coastal marine ecosystems globally. They arose in three independent lineages from their freshwater ancestors some 100 million years ago and are the only fully submerged, marine flowering plants.
	Seaweed 'could survive nuclear war, avert famine,' says new study Imagine a catastrophic event that blocked out the sun, such as the eruption of a large volcano, or even a nuclear war.
	Marine biologist shows how computers are quick and reliable in counting seals Computers can count seals from aerial photographs with lightning speed and reliability. Based on their spatial patterns, the tiny dots on the aerial images can even be assigned to one of the two major species of seals in the Wadden Sea. That is shown in the thesis that marine biologist Jeroen Hoekendijk will defend on January 26 in Wageningen.
	Discovery of a third RNA virus lineage in extreme environments There are numerous RNA virus species on Earth. However, their diversity and evolution as well as roles in the ecosystem remain unclear.
	Flying foxes pollinate forests and spread seeds: Here's how we can make peace with our noisy neighbors Flying foxes. Megabats. Fruit bats. Whatever name you choose, these fox-faced creatures are remarkable. Our four species help pollinate eucalyptus trees in eastern Australia, spread the seeds of rainforest trees, and make our summer skies spectacular. They're some of the largest bats in the world.
	The emergence of JN.1 is an evolutionary 'step change' in the COVID pandemic: Why this is significant Since it was detected in August 2023, the JN.1 variant of COVID has spread widely. It has become dominant in Australia and around the world, driving the biggest COVID wave seen in many jurisdictions for at least the past year.
	The botanical imperialism of weeds and crops: How alien plant species on the First Fleet changed Australia Locally grown produce fills Australian shops, but almost all of these species were imported, as native as cane toads. Icons of Australian agriculture, like the Big Banana and Big Pineapple, proudly display the regions' crops, but these are newcomers to the continent.
	Why surface materials matter in health care settings Health care facilities serve as havens for patients seeking treatment for disease and injury. However, they can also be home to a hidden world of microbes, lurking in places and devices that lead to life-threatening infections.
	Scientists develop high-precision droplet printing platform for single cell phenotype screening With the rapid development of genome synthesis and editing technologies, droplet-based single-cell phenotype screening has become increasingly important. However, precise and high-throughput distribution of target droplets into specific macroscopic media for downstream multi-omics analysis remains a technical challenge.
	How the seabed could be a refuge for gorgonian coral forests threatened by marine heat waves Over the last 20 years, the world's oceans have experienced a significant increase in episodes of high-sea surface temperatures, known as marine heat waves.
	Peach-palm waste and Trichoderma stromaticum: The potential of cost-effective amylase production Amylases are among the most important biotechnological and industrial enzymes that can be applied in various sectors, such as food, pharmaceuticals, textiles, chemicals, paper, and detergents.
	Probiotics might help portly pooches shed pounds If your dog is looking like he needs to drop some weight, a new study shows probiotics might do the trick.
	Addressing the future of Norway's pink salmon In recent years, the presence of pink salmon in Norwegian rivers has dramatically increased. Fishermen, anglers and researchers alike are concerned that this non-native species could pose a significant threat to native species and ecosystems. Moreover, the fact that pink salmon decomposes and ultimately dies during its spawning stage can lead to severe contamination of the rivers it inhabits.
	Shedding light on grapevine growth: Unraveling the impact of LED light quality on photosynthesis and carbon metabolism Grapevines, essential for wine and raisins, suffer losses due to poor establishment and decline of newly planted vines. Advances in manipulating nursery light spectra show promise for healthier vines, yet the exact mechanisms are unclear.

Medicine and Health news

	Exploring the link between aesthetic judgments and 'screen swiping' hand movements Humans commonly evaluate the beauty of other humans, as well as objects, places, natural landscapes, and even animals. The innate human tendency to make aesthetic judgments has been the topic of numerous psychological studies, yet its neural and cognitive underpinnings are not yet fully understood.
	Writing by hand may increase brain connectivity more than typing on a keyboard As digital devices progressively replace pen and paper, taking notes by hand is becoming increasingly uncommon in schools and universities. Using a keyboard is recommended because it's often faster than writing by hand. However, the latter has been found to improve spelling accuracy and memory recall.
	New tool improves the search for genes that cause diseases A new statistical tool developed by researchers at the University of Chicago improves the ability to find genetic variants that cause disease. The tool, described in a new paper published January 26, 2024, in Nature Genetics, combines data from genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and predictions of genetic expression to limit the number of false positives and more accurately identify causal genes and variants for a disease.
	Immunocompromised patients and COVID infections: Who's at risk? Early in the pandemic, clinicians noticed that certain immunocompromised patients were experiencing persistent SARS-CoV-2 infections, some lasting weeks to months at a time.
	Nasopharyngeal lymphatics found to be crucial for draining cerebrospinal fluid from the brain In a study published in Nature, South Korean researchers led by Director Koh Gou Young of the Center for Vascular Research within the Institute for Basic Science (IBS) have uncovered a distinctive network of lymphatic vessels at the back of the nose that plays a critical role in draining cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from the brain.
	Neuroscientists uncover therapeutic potential of low-dose ionizing radiation for traumatic brain injury, ischemic stroke Traumatic brain injury (TBI) and ischemic stroke are major public health concerns and leading causes of death and disability worldwide. A research team led by City University of Hong Kong (CityU) neuroscientists recently discovered that low-dose ionizing radiation (LDIR), such as X-ray irradiation, can reduce lesion size and reverse motor deficits in TBI and ischemic stroke mice, demonstrating that LDIR may be a promising therapeutic strategy for TBI and stroke patients.
	Study shows a drink before bed can cause reductions in REM sleep A team of neuroscientists and sleep researchers at E.P. Bradley Hospital Sleep Research Laboratory, working with colleagues from Brown University and Providence VA Medical Center, has found that rather than improving sleep, consuming an alcoholic beverage before bed can cause a reduction in REM sleep. The group describes their sleep experiments in the journal Sleep.
	'Cancer-cooling' protein puts bowel cancer on ice A protein in the immune system can be manipulated to help overcome bowel cancer, according to new research from The Australian National University (ANU). The research is published in Science Advances.
	Genomic 'butterfly effect' explains risk for autism spectrum disorder Researchers in the RIKEN Center for Brain Science (CBS) examined the genetics of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) by analyzing mutations in the genomes of individuals and their families. They discovered that a special kind of genetic mutation works differently from typical mutations in how it contributes to the condition.
	Stem cell study shows how gene activity modulates the amount of immune cell production in mice As people age or become ill, their immune systems can become exhausted and less capable of fighting off viruses such as the flu or COVID-19. In a new mouse study published in Science Advances, researchers from the USC Stem Cell lab of Rong Lu describe how specific gene activity could potentially enhance immune cell production.
	Researchers discover why one type of chemotherapy works best in bladder cancer Tisch Cancer Institute researchers have discovered that a certain type of chemotherapy improves the immune system's ability to fight off bladder cancer, particularly when combined with immunotherapy.
	Decoding how the brain manages the appetite for salt and water Staying hydrated and consuming appropriate amounts of salt is essential for the survival of terrestrial animals, including humans. The human brain has several regions constituting neural circuits that regulate thirst and salt appetite, in intriguing ways.
	Customer shopping habits highlight risk of iodine deficiency in vegan diets Switching to alternative milk and removing seafood from your diet could lead to an iodine deficiency, which may have a negative impact on long-term health, a new study shows.
	Researchers discover inherited genetic mutations can predict interval breast cancer An investigation conducted by researchers at Karolinska Institutet has led to a discovery in breast cancer diagnostics and treatments that could reshape screening programs and clinical approaches. The study, published in JAMA Oncology, unravels the impact of rare genetic variants on interval breast cancers, providing new insights into tailored screening strategies.
	Passive exposure can speed up learning, new research shows Learning a new skill takes deliberate practice over time, but passive exposure to the subject matter at hand can help speed up the process, new University of Oregon research in mice suggests.
	Using fMRI, a new vision study finds promising model for restoring cone function In the retinas of human eyes, the cones are photoreceptor cells responsible for color vision, daylight vision, and the perception of small details. As vision scientists from the Division of Experimental Retinal Therapies at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Gustavo D. Aguirre and William A. Beltran have been working for decades to identify the basis of inherited retinal diseases. They have previously shown they could recover missing cone function by reintroducing a copy of the normal gene in photoreceptor cells.
	Common cold or COVID-19? Some T cells are ready to combat both Scientists at La Jolla Institute for Immunology (LJI) have found direct evidence that exposure to common cold coronaviruses can train T cells to fight SARS-CoV-2. In fact, prior exposure to a common cold coronavirus appears to partially protect mice from lung damage during a subsequent SARS-CoV-2 infection.
	Health disparities in cardiometabolic disease seen within racial subgroups Health disparities are seen in the prevalence of cardiometabolic diseases by disaggregated racial and ethnic subgroups, according to research published in the Jan. 25 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
	2004 to 2019 saw increase in isotretinoin use in girls, women From 2004 to 2019, there was an increase in isotretinoin use among girls and women of childbearing age in Germany, according to a study published online Jan. 25 in PLOS Medicine.
	Schools are using surveillance tech to catch students vaping, snaring some with harsh punishments When Aaliyah Iglesias was caught vaping at a Texas high school, she didn't realize how much could be taken from her.
	Study finds ER visits related to emergency contraception dropped significantly over 14-year period Following federal approval for over-the-counter emergency contraception in 2006, emergency departments across the U.S. saw dramatic decreases in related visits and medical charges, a new study suggests.
	Oncology trial shows positive results for patients with muscle-invasive urothelial carcinoma Patients with muscle-invasive urothelial cancer and a high risk of recurrence after surgery may have a new treatment option. The Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology has announced positive results from the Phase III AMBASSADOR (A031501) trial for the adjuvant treatment of patients with localized muscle-invasive urothelial carcinoma (MIUC) and locally advanced urothelial carcinoma.
	1 in 20 people has no sense of smell: Here's how they might get it back During the pandemic, a lost sense of smell was quickly identified as one of the key symptoms of COVID. Nearly four years later, one in five people in the UK is living with a decreased or distorted sense of smell, and one in twenty have anosmia—the total loss of the ability to perceive any odors at all. Smell training is one of the few treatment options for recovering a lost sense of smell—but can we make it more effective?
	Blood test could diagnose patients with deadly brain tumors, including glioblastoma A simple blood test could help diagnose patients with the deadliest form of brain cancer, sparing them from undergoing invasive, highly-risky surgery.
	Locked-in syndrome is predominant outcome when children survive drowning, large study confirms It is a far cry from the traditionally thought-of "vegetative state" in which the mind is absent while the body lives on. Indeed, it is the opposite. Children with "locked-in syndrome," unable to move or speak, are awake and fully aware of their surroundings.
	Clues to autism's causes may lie in the gut Professor Alessio Fasano, a gastroenterologist at Massachusetts General Hospital in the US, has several relatives and friends raising children with autism—a neurological disorder characterized by impaired social behavior—so is keenly aware of the challenges faced by families that have children with autism.
	As patients live longer, new criteria needed for prostate cancer trials A lack of cancer progression could be used as a substitute for overall survival in metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer clinical trials, according to a new meta-analysis published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, an approach that could accelerate research and allow new treatments to reach patients faster.
	Revival of heart stress test could change how patients are diagnosed A heart test that has been downgraded in the international guidelines for its perceived inaccuracy has been given a jolt of life after a new study confirms its veracity when put to the test against contemporary standards.
	Race and ethnicity may affect whether and where hospitals transfer patients Black patients in Florida are transferred to public hospitals more often than white patients, even when comparing patients from the same hospital with similar health conditions and the same insurance, according to new research led by Charleen Hsuan, assistant professor of health policy and administration at Penn State.
	Treatment can do more harm than good for prostate cancer. Why active surveillance may be better Although about 1 in 8 men in the U.S. will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime, only about 1 in 44 will die from it. Most men diagnosed with prostate cancer die from other causes, especially those with a low-risk prostate cancer that usually grows so slowly it isn't life-threatening.
	Psychologists finds that when listening to music to relieve stress 'genre doesn't matter' Feeling stressed? "Take Me Home, Country Roads," "Nothing Else Matters" or "Baby One More Time" might calm you down again. Psychologist and music scientist Krisna Adiasto discovered that music genre doesn't seem to play a role in the songs we choose to recover from stress, but the songs that work do have shared characteristics. Krisna Adiasto will receive his doctorate from Radboud University on 29 January.
	Q&A: More Americans could benefit from Paxlovid for COVID infection One of the best tools for preventing severe complications from COVID infection is the prescription antiviral drug Paxlovid. But not nearly as many people who could benefit from it are being prescribed it, says Amesh Adalja, MD, FIDSA, a senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security who specializes in infectious diseases and pandemic preparedness.
	Targeted anti-smoking messages for LGBTQ+ young women In the U.S., young women who identify as LGBTQ+ are up 4.8 times more likely to smoke cigarettes than their heterosexual peers.
	Study links social media use to increased inflammation over time A University at Buffalo social scientist has extended a line of research that has already suggested an association between social media use and inflammation with a rigorous new study that showed that same association over time.
	COVID-19 pandemic perceived as less serious than other health problems, suggests 7-country survey Researchers from seven Environment for Development (EfD) centers plus the EfD Global Hub, located at the University of Gothenburg, have conducted an extensive survey on how serious people perceive COVID-19.
	Social withdrawal in kids, teens may signal higher suicide risk later: Study If your preteen or teen skips school activities and social events, it may be more than the typically moody behavior of adolescence, new research warns.
	Dexmedetomidine cuts incidence of postpartum depression after C-section For women with prenatal depression undergoing cesarean delivery, dexmedetomidine reduces the incidence of positive postpartum depression (PPD) screening, according to a study published online Jan. 25 in JAMA Network Open.
	Sclerostin shown to be key protein for cardiovascular health in patients with type 2 diabetes A study carried out by the MP20-Biomarkers of Metabolic and Bone Diseases research group at the Biohealth Research Institute in Granada (ibs.GRANADA), led by UGR Professor Manuel Muñoz Torres, has provided significant insights into the role of sclerostin in protecting against atherosclerosis in patients with type 2 diabetes.
	Maternal autistic traits linked to risk for adverse birth outcomes A higher level of maternal autistic traits is associated with an increased risk for adverse birth outcomes, according to a study published online Jan. 23 in JAMA Network Open.
	App enhances nurses' care coordination competency for critically ill patients To improve the care coordination competency of nurses involved in the management of critically ill patients on life support, an electronic app—NCCCS—was developed by Associate Professor Chie Takiguchi of Toho University and Professor Tomoko Inoue of International University of Health and Welfare.
	New study on how parents experience their children's sports injuries A new review paper focuses on how parents experience and are affected by their children's sports injuries. The research is published in the journal Sport in Society.
	Signs of accelerated aging found in brains of individuals with alcohol use disorder The brains and blood of people with a history of excessive drinking show cellular evidence of premature aging. In a new study published in Alcohol: Clinical and Experimental Research, DNA taken from people with alcohol use disorder showed signs of changes in genetic regions indicative of increased biological age. Accelerated biological aging may help explain why excessive alcohol use has been shown to be a significant risk factor for premature death and neurodegenerative diseases.
	Female reproductive milestones may be risk factors for diabetes and high cholesterol later in life A new review of available evidence led by researchers at the Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute suggests that female reproductive characteristics may be overlooked as risk factors that contribute to later metabolic dysfunction.
	Shortened antibiotic treatment for ventilator-associated pneumonia in ICU patients just as effective as standard course Less is also better—that is what researchers have found while conducting a tri-nation clinical trial to see if shorter courses of antibiotics are as effective as longer prescriptions of the drug to treat ventilator-associated pneumonia.
	New tool helps predict progression of Alzheimer's About 55 million people worldwide are living with dementia, according to the World Health Organization. The most common form is Alzheimer's disease, an incurable condition that causes brain function to deteriorate.
	Underground zine normalizes the taboo of vulvodynia Opening Up, a zine created by grassroots organization Tight Lipped, advocates for people with chronic vulvovaginal and pelvic pain. The 80-page zine, which was first published in 2020, is filled with art illustrations, Q&A interviews, handwritten letters and poems from people living with conditions including vulvodynia, vestibulodynia (a form of vulvodynia and a general term for pain in the vestibule), pelvic-floor dysfunction (when the pelvic floor muscles function abnormally) and vulvar lichen sclerosus (a skin condition that primarily affects the genital skin).
	Toolkit for reducing cervical cancer risk Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women globally, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. In the U.S., cervical cancer is no longer a common cause of cancer death because of the use of a screening test called a Pap smear, which detects changes in cervical cells.
	Most state abortion bans have limited exceptions, but it's hard to understand what they mean More than a year after the Supreme Court found there is no fundamental right to get an abortion, 21 states have laws in effect that ban abortion well before fetal viability, generally allowing it only in the first trimester.
	A supervised toothbrushing toolkit to tackle tooth decay in children A new toolkit to increase supervised toothbrushing for younger children aims to address health equalities caused by tooth decay.
	Too many athletes develop reproductive problems, says researcher Many athletes compete at the peril of their reproductive health. "This applies to both men and women. Competitive training can affect sex hormones and the ability to have children," says Professor Anthony Hackney.
	Neural network enables objective assessment of breast symmetry A newly developed neural network is highly accurate in identifying key landmarks important in breast surgery—opening the potential for objective assessment of breast symmetry, suggests a study in the February issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
	Video: Fighting disease with a smart watch? That's genius In the U.S., an average of nearly 70,000 children under the age of 5 are hospitalized with RSV every year, and nearly 7 million people have died from COVID-19 worldwide.
	The impact of electric cooking on reducing nitrogen dioxide–related diseases in urban China In a study published in the journal Eco-Environment & Health, researchers from Tsinghua University used modeled NO2 exposure concentrations, exposure-response relationships with lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and diabetes mellitus, and baseline disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) to estimate the disease burden attributable to NO2 exposure in urban China in 2019.
	What are the symptoms of an enlarged prostate and how is it treated? The announcement that King Charles III was admitted to a private hospital Friday to undergo a procedure for an enlarged prostate has sparked interest in what is an extremely common condition among older men.

Other Sciences news

	Parent–child interaction found to promote pro-environmental behavior through family well-being, nature connectedness The deterioration of global ecosystems and environmental problems, such as global climate warming, extreme weather events, and severe pollution threaten the human environment. Implementing pro-environmental behaviors is one of the effective ways to solve environmental problems. How to promote behavioral change and implement more pro-environmental behaviors through family education has become a social research focus.
	Study explores how opposing viewpoints may have impacted vaccine hesitancy As the COVID-19 pandemic raged throughout the country in 2020, politics, memes and public messaging converged to dramatically influence individuals' decisions regarding the in-development COVID vaccines, according to a new article by researchers at the University at Albany's Massry School of Business and Washington State University's Carson College of Business.
	Dogs in the middle ages: What medieval writing tells us about our ancestors' pets In the middle ages, most dogs had jobs. In his book De Canibus, the 16th-century English physician and scholar John Caius described a hierarchy of dogs, which he classified first and foremost according to their function in human society.
	Women still face gender inequalities at work post-pandemic The COVID-19 pandemic brought the longstanding economic inequalities between women and men into sharp focus. From the onset of the pandemic, up until the summer of 2022, economic gender gaps continued to widen.
	The world could soon see its first trillionaire. But how to measure the net worth of the ultra-rich? A recent Oxfam International report found that the world's ultra-rich are getting vastly richer—so much so that the first trillionaire is due within a decade.
	Facial features linked to stereotypes and social class perception Social class is a powerful hierarchy that determines many privileges and disadvantages in society. Research shows that people are quick to form impressions of other people's social class standing, which can have important consequences—but what specifically drives these impressions, and their relationship to judgements of harmful or advantageous stereotypes, has remained unknown.
	Study finds powerful narrative can drive policy action, cultural change The ability to grab listeners with a compelling story, complete with heroes, villains and victims, is not only a must for great literature, it is increasingly a tool for changing policy.
	Political polarization may slow legislation, make higher-stakes laws likelier The United States House of Representatives held more than 700 votes in 2023, but fewer than 30 bills were signed into law. Partisan politics may explain why, with polarization potentially causing enough friction to slow down the legislative process and make the passage of fewer, farther-reaching public laws likelier, according to researchers.
	Community-controlled schools can create better education outcomes for First Nations students In Australia, more than a dozen independent, community-controlled First Nations schools were set up in the 1970s and '80s. These schools, some still in operation, offered culturally and linguistically relevant education to First Nations students reflecting Indigenous ways of knowing, being and doing.

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