Science X Newsletter Mon, Jan 22

Dear ,

Here is your customized Science X Newsletter for January 22, 2024:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

Research suggests European Alps eroding slower than >10,000 years ago

A cation replacement method to realize highly performing electrolytes for multivalent metal batteries

Astronomers investigate the properties of a peculiar cataclysmic variable

Miniature VR goggles for mice could advance neuroscience research

A pure water-fed membrane-electrode-assembly system for electrocatalytic reduction of carbon dioxide

Scientists spin naturalistic silk from artificial spider gland

Faulty machine translations litter the web

Shallow soda lakes show promise as cradles of life on Earth

Cobalt-free batteries could power cars of the future

The Megalodon was more slender than depicted in movies, study shows

Study shows a computerized decision support system reduces high-risk drug combinations in ICU patients

Saturday Citations: The cutest conservationists; a weird stellar object; vitamins good for your brain

Japan says 'possibility' Moon lander power can be restored

Scientists make COVID receptor protein in mouse cells

Protein discovery could help solve prostate cancer drug resistance

Nanotechnology news

	Scientists trap krypton atoms to form one-dimensional gas For the first time, scientists have successfully trapped atoms of krypton (Kr), a noble gas, inside a carbon nanotube to form a one-dimensional gas.
	Innovative membrane platform enables analysis 'down to a handful of gas atoms' Northwestern University researchers have developed a novel method to host gas molecules as they are being analyzed in real time, using honeycomb structures found in nature as inspiration for an ultra-thin ceramic membrane they incorporated to encase the sample.
	Fingerprinting biomolecules with the help of sound A team of researchers from the Institute for Optoelectronic Systems and Microtechnology at Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM) has designed a biosensor capable of identifying proteins and peptides in quantities as low as a single monolayer. For that, a surface acoustic wave (SAW), a kind of electrically controlled nano earthquake on a chip, is generated with an integrated transducer to act on a stack of 2D materials coated with the biomolecules to be detected.

Physics news

	Manipulated hafnia paves the way for next-generation memory devices Scientists and engineers have been pushing for the past decade to leverage an elusive ferroelectric material called hafnium oxide, or hafnia, to usher in the next generation of computing memory. A team of researchers including the University of Rochester's Sobhit Singh published a study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences outlining progress toward making bulk ferroelectric and antiferroelectric hafnia available for use in a variety of applications.
	Unlocking the secrets of the universe through neutrinoless double beta decay The discovery that neutrinos have mass was groundbreaking. However, their absolute mass remains unknown. Neutrinoless double beta decay experiments aim to determine whether neutrinos are their own antiparticles and, if so, provide a means to determine the mass of the neutrino species involved.
	Enabling distributed quantum sensors for simultaneous measurements in distant places A research team has succeeded in implementing a distributed quantum sensor that can measure multiple spatially distributed physical quantities with high precision beyond the standard quantum limit with few resources. Their findings are published in the journal Nature Communications.
	Performing complex-valued linear transformations using spatially incoherent diffractive optical networks The bulk of the computing in state-of-the-art neural networks comprises linear operations, e.g., matrix-vector multiplications and convolutions. Linear operations can also play an important role in cryptography. While dedicated processors such as GPUs and TPUs are available for performing highly parallel linear operations, these devices are power-hungry, and the low bandwidth of electronics still limits their operation speed. Optics is better suited for such operations because of its inherent parallelism and large bandwidth and computation speed.
	New research sheds light on a phenomenon known as 'false vacuum decay' An experiment conducted in Italy, with theory support from Newcastle University, has produced the first experimental evidence of vacuum decay.
	Research reveals quantum topological potential in material New research into topological phases of matter may spur advances in innovative quantum devices. As described in a new paper published in the journal Nature Communications, a research team including Los Alamos National Laboratory scientists used a novel strain engineering approach to convert the material hafnium pentatelluride (HfTe5) to a strong topological insulator phase, increasing its bulk electrical resistance while lowering it at the surface, a key to unlocking its quantum potential.
	Astrophysicists offer theoretical proof of traversable wormholes in the expanding universe The expansion of the universe at some stage of evolution is well described by the Friedmann model. It was derived from general relativity a hundred years ago, but it is still considered one of the most important and relevant cosmological models.

Earth news

	Research suggests European Alps eroding slower than >10,000 years ago Deglaciation during the Holocene (last ~17,000 years) has had significant impacts on the surrounding mountainous environments as glaciers retreated and left distinct landforms in their wake, such as debris ridges (moraines) deposited at the snout during retreat.
	Shallow soda lakes show promise as cradles of life on Earth Charles Darwin proposed that life could have emerged in a "warm little pond" with the right cocktail of chemicals and energy. A study from the University of Washington, published this month in Communications Earth & Environment, reports that a shallow "soda lake" in western Canada shows promise for matching those requirements. The findings provide new support that life could have emerged from lakes on the early Earth, roughly 4 billion years ago.
	Clusters of atmospheric rivers are costlier than expected Early in 2023, a series of storms dumped record-breaking amounts of rain and snow across California. Flooding, power outages, and mudslides from the deluge resulted in 21 deaths and more than $3 billion in losses.
	One billion people left dangerously exposed to heat stress by gaps in climate monitoring 2023 was the hottest year on record. Humidity is rising too. Heat and humidity are a dangerous combination, threatening all aspects of our lives and livelihoods.
	Scientists warn missing Russian data causing Arctic climate blind spots Loss of scientific data from Russia's Arctic monitoring stations following the invasion of Ukraine has worsened information gaps that could have serious implications for tracking and predicting climate change globally, researchers warned Monday.
	Six ways inequality holds back climate action Are improvements to green technologies, like better batteries and more efficient solar panels, enough on their own to tackle climate change? Unfortunately not. Our behavior and lifestyles must change too.
	Flipping Indigenous regional development in Newfoundland upside-down: Lessons from Australia In an era of "global boiling" the Canadian government has set ambitious targets to transition towards a net-zero future with important caveats that this transition must be fair and inclusive.
	Trash TV: Streaming giants are failing to educate youth about waste recycling. Why it matters As a new parent, I've had the joy of watching animated cartoons with my two-year-old son. His favorite show is "Trash Truck," on Netflix, featuring a tight-knit ensemble of five characters: a trash truck, a young boy, a raccoon, a bear and a mouse. The show offers valuable life lessons, emphasizing the importance of friendship, sharing, love for animals and respect for parents.
	Old forests critically important for slowing climate change, merit immediate protection from logging Forests are an essential part of Earth's operating system. They reduce the buildup of heat-trapping carbon dioxide in the atmosphere from fossil fuel combustion, deforestation and land degradation by 30% each year. This slows global temperature increases and the resulting changes to the climate. In the U.S., forests take up 12% of the nation's greenhouse gas emissions annually and store the carbon long term in trees and soils.
	Colombian mission to Antarctica analyzes climate change footprints Colombia's 10th Antarctic Expedition is making its way to the far reaches of the continent, exploring remote and almost untouched places inhabited by penguins, whales and the occasional seal.
	Indonesia's Mount Merapi unleashes lava as other volcanoes flare up, forcing thousands to evacuate Indonesia's Mount Merapi erupted Sunday, spreading searing gas clouds and avalanches of lava down its slopes as other active volcanoes flared up across the country, forcing the evacuation of thousands.
	Congo's blackwater Ruki River is a major transporter of forest carbon, study shows The Congo Basin of central Africa is well known for its network of rivers that drain a variety of landscapes, from dense tropical forests to more arid and wooded savannas. Among the Congo River's large tributaries, the Ruki is unique in its extremely dark color, which renders the water opaque below a few centimeters' depth.
	Opinion: Why billionaires should take the lead and declare their own emissions-cutting targets The annual glitzy gathering of world leaders and billionaire CEOs in Davos, Switzerland, allows us to marvel once again at the environment-wrecking effects of private jets and lavish lifestyles.
	It is time to draw down carbon dioxide but shut down moves to play God with the climate The global effort to keep climate change to safe levels—ideally within 1.5°C above pre-industrial temperatures—is moving far too slowly. And even if we stopped emitting CO2 today, the long-term impacts of the gas already in the air would continue for decades. For these reasons, we will soon have to focus not only on halting but on reversing global warming.
	Study of decommissioned onshore gas field highlights hydrogen storage concerns A study exploring the potential of a decommissioned gas field in Scotland as a major hydrogen store has highlighted concerns over potential leaks and recommended that it shouldn't be used.
	Ocean biodiversity could be protected with green hydrogen byproduct, study shows Climate change, warming temperatures and an increase in nutrient density in the world's oceans are causing a steady loss of oxygen in the marine environment and posing a serious threat to biodiversity.
	Study uncovers the dynamics of extreme climate events in Guangdong using satellite data A study published in the journal Satellite Navigation, researchers from Southern University of Science and Technology harnessed high-resolution data from an extensive network of GNSS stations focusing on Guangdong province, a region highly susceptible to climate variability.
	Novel graph neural network models enhance precipitation forecasting In the AI era, pure data-driven meteorological and climate models are gradually catching up with and even surpassing traditional numerical models. However, significant challenges persist in current deep learning models, such as low physical consistency and suboptimal forecasting of divergent winds.
	Fierce winter weather slams US, dozens dead Unrelenting storms have pummeled the United States over the past week, leading to at least 50 weather-related deaths, officials and US media reported Friday, as large swathes of the country brace for new winter wallops.
	Dozens buried, three killed in southwest China landslide Dozens of people were buried and three were confirmed killed when a landslide struck a remote and mountainous part of southwestern China on Monday.
	GOP state senator, environmental groups find common ground on Indiana carbon storage bill An Indiana Senate bill authored by state Sen. Rick Niemeyer, R-Lowell, would impose additional procedural requirements on a planned carbon dioxide sequestration project by petroleum giant BP. Niemeyer's bill has been lauded by environmental activists who have concerns over the proposal's efficacy and impact.
	Nigeria's polluted economic hub Lagos bans styrofoam, plastics Nigeria's Lagos State, which includes the country's sprawling economic capital of more than 20 million people, has announced a ban on styrofoam and single-use plastics to curb pollution.

Astronomy and Space news

	Astronomers investigate the properties of a peculiar cataclysmic variable Astronomers from Turkey and Russia have performed optical observations of a magnetic cataclysmic variable known as SRGA J213151.5+491400. Results of the observational campaign, presented Jan. 11 on the pre-print server arXiv, yield important insights into the properties of this peculiar system.
	Japan says 'possibility' Moon lander power can be restored Japan switched off its moon lander almost three hours after a historic touchdown to allow for a possible recovery of the craft when the sun hits its solar panels, the space agency said Monday.
	Salad in space? New research says it's not a healthy choice Lettuce and other leafy green vegetables are part of a healthy, balanced diet—even for astronauts on a mission.
	Black hole, neutron star or something new? We discovered an object that defies explanation Sometimes astronomers come across objects in the sky that we can't easily explain. In our new research, published in Science, we report such a discovery, which is likely to spark discussion and speculation.
	Japan becomes the fifth country to land a spacecraft on the moon Japan became the fifth country in history to reach the moon when one of its spacecrafts without astronauts successfully made a soft landing on the lunar surface early Saturday.
	James Webb Space Telescope: Finally, the edge of the universe and beyond Launched in 2021 on Christmas Day, the James Webb Space Telescope is the most complex, precise and powerful space observatory ever built.
	US space company upbeat on next Moon mission despite lander's demise The head of the American space company whose lunar lander failed this week in its mission to reach the Moon expressed optimism Friday that the next attempt would achieve its goal.
	Iran says launches satellite in new aerospace milestone Iran's Revolutionary Guards launched a research satellite Saturday, a minister said, putting it into a higher orbit in a new milestone for its aerospace program that has faced Western criticism.
	European crew arrives at ISS on private mission An all-European crew including Turkey's first astronaut arrived at the International Space Station on Saturday on a voyage chartered by Axiom Space.
	NASA regains contact with mini-helicopter on Mars NASA has re-established contact with its tiny helicopter on Mars, the US space agency said Saturday, after an unexpected outage prompted fears that the hard-working craft had finally met its end.
	New stem cell research to take flight into space A Mayo Clinic research experiment will be part of a payload that launches into space from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, on Jan. 29, subject to weather conditions and other factors. The research team from the lab of Dr. Abba Zubair is preparing stem cells for the flight to test how the absence of gravity plays a role in bone loss.
	Peregrine Ion Trap Mass Spectrometer returns to Earth after eventful mission The Peregrine Ion Trap Mass Spectrometer (PITMS) has returned to Earth after an eventful ten days in space, burning up on re-entry over the Pacific Ocean.
	Study uncovers the non-isotropic nature of tropospheric delay for high-precision GNSS positioning Global navigation satellite systems (GNSSs) provide invaluable positioning data for countless applications, from everyday navigation to scientific research. Tropospheric delays, caused by the refractive properties of the atmosphere, significantly impact the accuracy of GNSS positioning.
	New US Postal Service stamps feature iconic NASA Webb images The U.S. Postal Service has issued two new Priority Mail stamps celebrating NASA's James Webb Space Telescope, the largest, most powerful, and most complex telescope ever put in space. The stamps, issued Jan. 22, feature images of the cosmos captured by Webb since it began its science mission in 2022. Webb is a mission led by NASA in partnership with ESA (European Space Agency) and CSA (Canadian Space Agency).

Technology news

	A cation replacement method to realize highly performing electrolytes for multivalent metal batteries As the use of electric and hybrid vehicles increases in many countries worldwide, the development of safe and better-performing battery technologies becomes increasingly crucial. Most notably, engineers have been trying to increase the safety and energy capacity of batteries while also ensuring their scalability and slowing down their degradation over time.
	A pure water-fed membrane-electrode-assembly system for electrocatalytic reduction of carbon dioxide The sustainably powered, electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide (CO2) into useful chemicals and feedstock could help to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, allowing industries to reuse released CO2 in beneficial ways. Most of the strategies for realizing this introduced so far, however, have notable limitations, including a poor stability over long periods of time.
	Faulty machine translations litter the web Near the end of the last century, Bill Gates saw the prospect of unifying citizens of nearly 200 countries, speaking more than 7,000 languages, coming together in common dialogue through the suddenly burgeoning web community.
	A soft swimming robot without wires or batteries that can test for contaminants A team of biomedical engineers and roboticists affiliated with multiple institutions across China has developed a type of small, soft robot that can swim through water and test for contaminants. In their paper published in the journal Science Advances, the team notes that the robot can be powered and controlled using radio waves.
	Implementing artificial neural network hardware systems by stacking them like 'neuron-synapse-neuron' structural blocks With the emergence of new industries such as artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, and machine learning, the world's leading companies are focusing on developing next-generation artificial intelligence semiconductors that can process vast amounts of data while consuming energy efficiently.
	New sustainable method for creating organic semiconductors Researchers at Linköping University, Sweden, have developed a new, more environmentally friendly way to create conductive inks for use in organic electronics such as solar cells, artificial neurons, and soft sensors. The findings, published in the journal Nature Communications, pave the way for future sustainable technology.
	Biomechanics model that shows how humans efficiently walk at varied speeds could pave way for new robotics We typically don't think about it while doing it, but walking is a complicated task. Controlled by our nervous system, our bones, joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments and other connective tissues (i.e., the musculoskeletal system) must move in coordination and respond to unexpected changes or disturbances at varying speeds in a highly efficient manner. Replicating this in robotic technologies is no small feat.
	Researchers unlock energy-efficient solution to global water crisis Researchers at NYU Tandon School of Engineering achieved a major breakthrough in Redox Flow Desalination (RFD), an emerging electrochemical technique that can turn seawater into potable drinking water and also store affordable renewable energy.
	'Electronic skin' continuously monitors nine markers that indicate a stress response In the latest of a series of innovative designs for wearable sensors that use sweat to identify and measure physiological conditions, Caltech's Wei Gao, assistant professor of medical engineering, has devised an "electronic skin" that continuously monitors nine different markers that characterize a stress response.
	New candidate for universal memory is fast, low-power, stable and long-lasting We are tasking our computers with processing ever-increasing amounts of data to speed up drug discovery, improve weather and climate predictions, train artificial intelligence, and much more. To keep up with this demand, we need faster, more energy-efficient computer memory than ever before.
	Researchers investigate strange transient responses of organic electrochemical transistors Organic mixed ionic–electronic conductors (OMIECs) are a highly sought-after class of materials for non-conventional applications, such as bioelectronics, neuromorphic computing, and bio-fuel cells, due to their two-in-one electronic and ionic conduction properties.
	Scientists advance affordable, sustainable solution for flat-panel displays and wearable tech A research team led by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) has developed "supramolecular ink," a new technology for use in OLED (organic light-emitting diode) displays or other electronic devices. Made of inexpensive, Earth-abundant elements instead of costly scarce metals, supramolecular ink could enable more affordable and environmentally sustainable flat-panel screens and electronic devices.
	Researchers develop new green technology for producing hydrogen using renewable energy A group of researchers from the Technion Faculty of Materials Science and Engineering has presented a new technology for producing green hydrogen using renewable energy. Their breakthrough was recently published in Nature Materials.
	Injectable water filtration system could improve access to clean drinking water More than 2 billion people, approximately a quarter of the world's population, lack access to clean drinking water. A new, portable and affordable water filtration solution created by researchers at The University of Texas at Austin aims to change that.
	Fast-charging lithium battery seeks to eliminate 'range anxiety' A team in Cornell Engineering has created a new lithium battery that can charge in under five minutes—faster than any such battery on the market—while maintaining stable performance over extended cycles of charging and discharging.
	AI learns to simulate how trees grow and shape in response to their environments A research team from Purdue University's Department of Computer Science and Institute for Digital Forestry, with collaborator Sören Pirk at Kiel University in Germany, has discovered that artificial intelligence can simulate tree growth and shape.
	Face recognition technology follows a long analog history of surveillance and control based on physical features American Amara Majeed was accused of terrorism by the Sri Lankan police in 2019. Robert Williams was arrested outside his house in Detroit and detained in jail for 18 hours for allegedly stealing watches in 2020. Randal Reid spent six days in jail in 2022 for supposedly using stolen credit cards in a state he'd never even visited.
	Mac at 40: User experience was the innovation that launched a technology revolution Technology innovation requires solving hard technical problems, right? Well, yes. And no. As the Apple Macintosh turns 40, what began as Apple prioritizing the squishy concept of "user experience" in its 1984 flagship product is, today, clearly vindicated by its blockbuster products since.
	Sony 'terminates' Indian merger with Zee Sony "terminated" on Monday the $10-billion merger of its Indian operations with local rival Zee Entertainment that would have created a new streaming giant in the world's most populous nation.
	Fit at 40: the revolutionary Apple Mac in numbers Forty years ago Steve Jobs revolutionized personal computing by launching the Apple Macintosh, the first PC with a user-friendly mouse and graphical interface that helped the machines enter the everyday lives of people for the first time.
	Mac computers could ride AI wave or be left behind Forty years after igniting a PC revolution, Apple's Mac is stronger than ever and could reach new glory due to AI computing—or be left behind.
	How plagiarism-detection programs became an unlikely political weapon The plagiarism accusations first struck Claudine Gay when a right-wing activist published several examples of unattributed text from the Harvard president's academic writings. Though insufficient attribution wasn't the only controversy swirling around Gay—her response to congressional questions about antisemitism on campus played a much bigger role—it was the tipping point that forced her resignation this month.
	OpenAI bans bot impersonating US presidential candidate ChatGPT creator OpenAI removed a bot impersonating a longshot US presidential candidate's voice, enforcing limits on how political campaigns can use its AI capabilities.
	Researchers unveil new way to counter mobile phone 'account takeover' attacks Computer science researchers have developed a new way to identify security weaknesses that leave people vulnerable to account takeover attacks, where a hacker gains unauthorized access to online accounts.
	Q&A: Why the US doesn't yet have 'high-speed' rail, and why that could soon change Recent investments in rail infrastructure has some asking: Are we witnessing the arrival of high-speed rail, heralding a long-awaited shift away from vehicle emissions toward eco-friendly mass transit?
	Hybrid machine learning method boosts resolution of electrical impedance tomography Electrical impedance tomography (EIT) is a non-destructive imaging technique used to visualize the interior of materials. In this method, an electric current is injected between two electrodes, creating an electric field, and other electrodes measure distortions caused by the presence of foreign objects inside the material.
	Dungeons, dragons and environmental justice: Games teach kids climate action Lil Milagro Henriquez recognizes the power of using imagination to create change. As the executive director and founder of the Mycelium Youth Network (MYN), a climate resilience organization in Oakland, California, Henriquez has found a unique way to teach youth about the environment and climate justice through gameplay.
	University campus buildings can offer testing sites for energy efficiency, flexibility innovations The way buildings consume energy will continue to undergo massive upheavals in the next decade to adapt to electricity decarbonization efforts and the accompanying electrical grid changes. Improving building energy efficiency and flexibility—which account for three-fourths of electricity consumption and one-third of carbon dioxide emissions in the United States—offers an opportunity to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emission goals.
	Microsoft says state-backed Russian hackers accessed emails of senior leadership team members State-backed Russian hackers broke into Microsoft's corporate email system and accessed the accounts of members of the company's leadership team, as well as those of employees on its cybersecurity and legal teams, the company said Friday.
	Wanted crypto boss Do Kwon's Terraform files for US bankruptcy South Korean entrepreneur Do Kwon's Terraform Labs, whose cryptocurrencies crashed dramatically in 2022, is seeking bankruptcy protection in the United States, according to court documents filed Sunday.
	Federal officials recommend that airlines inspect door plugs on some older Boeing jets as well The Federal Aviation Administration recommends that airlines inspect the door plugs on certain Boeing 737s that are older than the Max 9 jetliner that suffered a blowout of a similar panel during a flight this month.

Chemistry news

	Cobalt-free batteries could power cars of the future Many electric vehicles are powered by batteries that contain cobalt—a metal that carries high financial, environmental, and social costs.
	Scientists solve long-standing block copolymer research conundrum through polymer chain end modifications Plumber's nightmare structure presents itself as an assemblage where all exits seem to converge inward—a plumber's nightmare but an anticipated uniqueness for researchers, suggesting distinctive traits divergent from traditional materials. Nonetheless, this intricate configuration was deemed unattainable, bordering on the realm of the impossible.
	New reagent improves process of making sulfur-containing compounds that may be used in medicines During the past decade, there has been significant development of new sulfur containing compounds that are used in various industries, including pharmaceuticals and agricultural products. Sulfoximines, sulfonimidoyl fluorides and sulfonimidamides are types of sulfur-containing chemical compounds that have wide-ranging potential as therapeutic drugs. However, the synthesis process for these compounds is complex and has several limitations.
	Researchers develop high-efficiency carbon dioxide electroreduction system for reducing carbon footprint Global warming continues to pose a threat to human society and ecological systems, and carbon dioxide accounts for the largest proportion of the greenhouse gases that dominate climate warming.
	Scientists increase the solubility of an effective antidepressant by a factor of 1,600 The anti-anxiety drug diazepam causes side effects: drowsiness, confusion, and nausea. The same applies to the antidepressant amitriptyline. A possible solution to the problem could be a new compound, GML-3. It simultaneously exhibits the anti-anxiety activity of diazepam and the antidepressant activity of amitriptyline. At the same time, it is devoid of most of their side effects. However, it is not used in pharmaceuticals since it is poorly soluble in water; this is a necessary condition to create convenient dosage forms based on the drug.

Biology news

	Scientists spin naturalistic silk from artificial spider gland Researchers have succeeded in creating a device that spins artificial spider silk that closely matches what spiders naturally produce. The artificial silk gland was able to re-create the complex molecular structure of silk by mimicking the various chemical and physical changes that naturally occur in a spider's silk gland.
	The Megalodon was more slender than depicted in movies, study shows A new study shows the Megalodon, a gigantic shark that went extinct 3.6 million years ago, was more slender than earlier studies suggested. This finding changes scientists' understanding of Megalodon behavior, ancient ocean life, and why the sharks went extinct.
	Scientists make COVID receptor protein in mouse cells A team of scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Brookhaven National Laboratory and Columbia University has demonstrated a way to produce large quantities of the receptor that SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, binds to on the surface of human cells. That binding between the now-infamous viral spike protein and the human "ACE2" receptor is the first step of infection by the virus. Making functional human ACE2 protein in mouse cells gives scientists a new way to study these receptors and potentially put them to use. In addition, as described in a paper just published in the journal Virology, the method could facilitate the study of other complex proteins that have proven difficult to produce by other means.
	Follow the salt: Connecting salt concentrations and motion in roundworms Joint research led by Ayaka Matsumoto and Yuichi Iino of the University of Tokyo demonstrates that temporal decrease in salt concentration leads to the activation of the neck motor neuron of roundworms, but only in a specific phase of its activity.
	CRISPR off-switches: A path towards safer genome engineering? Using CRISPR, an immune system bacteria use to protect themselves from viruses, scientists have harnessed the power to edit genetic information within cells. In fact, the first CRISPR-based therapeutic was recently approved by the FDA to treat sickle cell disease in December 2023. That therapy is based on a highly studied system known as the CRISPR-Cas9 genetic scissor.
	Scientists unravel key steps in the road to DNA repair Researchers from Tokyo Metropolitan University have been studying DNA repair by homologous recombination, where the RecA protein repairs breaks in double-stranded DNA by incorporating a dangling single-strand end into intact double strands, and repairing the break based on the undamaged sequence.
	Mouse study finds genetic variation determines the actions of gene regulatory factors A recent study from the University of Eastern Finland shows that genetic variation determines chromatin accessibility and the binding of transcription factors. Chromatin consists of DNA and proteins attached to it. The density of this packaging is regulated by transcription factors, and DNA accessibility is required for gene expression. The research is published in the journal Nucleic Acids Research.
	How to design policies that support both aquaculture and small-scale fisheries Marine aquaculture has expanded dramatically over the last two decades to meet growing demand for aquatic foods, but this growth can sometimes come at a cost. New Stanford-led research published in npj Ocean Sustainability explores how investments in the aquaculture industry can affect small-scale marine fisheries, and how policy changes can support livelihoods, equity, and sustainability.
	Food from urban agriculture has carbon footprint six times larger than conventional produce, study shows A new University of Michigan-led international study finds that fruits and vegetables grown in urban farms and gardens have a carbon footprint that is, on average, six times greater than conventionally grown produce.
	How archaea toggle the nitrogen-uptake switch to avoid overeating By tightly regulating nitrogen uptake, microorganisms avoid overeating nitrogen and thus wasting energy. Scientists from the Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology now reveal how some methanogenic archaea manage to do so.
	Student discovers 200-million-year-old flying reptile in Somerset Gliding winged-reptiles were among the ancient crocodile residents of the Mendip Hills in Somerset, researchers at the University of Bristol have revealed.
	Study reveals how some bacterial infections become chronic In the early 1900s, a cook named Mary Mallon, better known as "Typhoid Mary," spread Salmonella Typhi, the causative agent of typhoid fever, to dozens of her patrons even though she showed no symptoms. Many people today harbor pathogenic Salmonella bacteria for years without feeling sick, making them potential sources of new infections.
	'Water bear' genomes reveal the secrets of extreme survival Tardigrades may be nature's ultimate survivors. While these tiny, nearly translucent animals are easily overlooked, they represent a diverse group that has successfully colonized freshwater, marine, and terrestrial environments on every continent, including Antarctica.
	Study shows RNAs do work outside of cells to guide the immune system Ribonucleic acids (RNAs) are the ultimate cellular insiders. They perform several critical jobs, such as ferrying genetic instructions from a living organism's DNA to its protein-making machinery (a process key to cellular processes) and controlling which genes are activated. All of these processes are conducted within the safe confines of the cellular membrane.
	Study of gigantism in whales provides clues to genomic mechanism involved in tumor suppression The functioning of certain regions of a few genes in cetaceans (whales, porpoises and dolphins) may explain why the Blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus) can reach lengths of up to 30 meters—almost 10 m more than a bus—while the Bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) is 4 m long at most. It can also help toward the development of new cancer treatments.
	Whale calves found stealing milk from other mothers Research from The University of Western Australia has found some southern right whale calves are little "milk thieves."
	Researchers observe tiny pseudoscorpion riding on a scorpion A recent study led by Yoram Zvik, Dr. Sharon Warburg and Dr. Efrat Gavish-Regev from the National Natural History Collections at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem documented the first observation of phoresy involving a myrmecophile pseudoscorpion on a myrmecophile scorpion.
	Study finds S. aureus' surface-sticking ability not evenly distributed over cell envelope Infections caused by the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus have a significant impact on human health, with tens of thousands of hospital patients dying every year from infections due to the S. aureus "superbug." Stopping the spread of bacteria like S. aureus will require not only the development of new antibiotics to which antimicrobial resistance has not been established, but also a better understanding of how these germs adhere to surfaces and from where they can enter the human body. In hospitals, surfaces that may be infected with S. aureus include catheters and implants.
	Prescribed burning could be making Aussie forests more flammable Disturbing natural forests with activities such as logging and prescribed burning can make them more flammable, research from The Australian National University (ANU) and Curtin University has found. The research is published in the journal Biological Reviews.
	Immune cells drive sex reversal in zebrafish, a discovery that could improve treatments for female infertility Mutations that disrupt development of germ cells cause infertility or birth defects. Mutations that cause female infertility in humans, such as mutations in the gene BMP15, also cause infertility in zebrafish. However, female zebrafish can undergo a complete reversal of sex traits.
	Don't blame the sharks: Research reveals why more hooked tarpon are being eaten In wave-making research recently published in Marine and Coastal Fisheries, a team of researchers, led by biologists at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, has quantified the rate at which great hammerhead sharks are eating Atlantic tarpon hooked by anglers at Bahia Honda, Florida—one of the prime tarpon fishing spots in the Florida Keys.
	Tiny worm, giant leap: Discovery of highly specific fatty acid attachment to proteins In a world where the intricacies of molecular biology often seem as vast and mysterious as the cosmos, a new study delves into the microscopic universe of proteins, unveiling a fascinating aspect of their existence. This revelation could hold profound implications for the understanding and treatment of a myriad of human diseases.
	Bloom and bust: New study details exactly how terrible algae is for Florida's economy Algal blooms can mean toxic fumes, green muck, nasty stench, and death for seagrass and marine animals. All of it is bad for Florida's economy, and sometimes human health. But just how bad has been murky—until now.
	Electric utilities push back on proposal to remove Eklutna River hydropower dam The Alaska Native village of Eklutna and Anchorage Assembly leaders are calling for the removal of the Eklutna River hydropower dam that provides cheap power in Southcentral Alaska, as electric utilities propose ways to reduce the dam's environmental harms.
	Fixing the cormorant disaster on the Columbia: 'How could this have come out any worse?' White streaks of bird waste paint the steel trusses beneath the Astoria-Megler Bridge over the Columbia River. Every flat surface and hidey-hole of this bridge is stuffed and stippled with nests. Black birds roost on the girders, evenly spaced as beads on a string, then take wing: double-crested cormorants.
	Drone chase highlights dangers to owls and breeding birds On her way home from work on a recent wintry night, Kathy Keane ran into a group of people quietly watching a pair of great horned owls perched on a tree in Lincoln Park.
	Wolves and elk are (mostly) welcome back in Poland and Germany's Oder Delta region, survey shows An online survey conducted in Germany and Poland shows that large parts of the participants support the return of large carnivores and herbivores, such as wolves and elk, to the Oder Delta region, according to a study published in People and Nature.
	Deepwater Horizon oil spill study could lead to overhaul of cleanup processes worldwide New research by the University of Stirling could lead to major improvements in marine oil spill cleanup processes.
	Researchers develop new plant-derived urease inhibitor to improve fertilizer performance Researchers from the Institute of Applied Ecology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences have developed a new plant-based inhibitor that can improve the efficiency and stability of fertilizers. The inhibitor, derived from natural plants, can slow down the breakdown of urea in the soil and increase the nitrogen uptake by crops. The research team has obtained a U.S. patent for their invention, which is the first of its kind in China.
	'Lonely' giraffe in Mexico begins long journey to new home A "lonely" giraffe living in harsh conditions in northern Mexico is heading to a safari park to begin a new life after a campaign by animal rights activists.
	Do wolves make deer hunting over bait harder? Whether or not wolves might affect hunting with bait has been a long-standing question—a recreational tradition that is controversial inside and outside the hunting community. While baiting increases the opportunity for a successful shot and more immediate kill, it creates a predictable food source that concentrates deer and deer scent, attracting wolves.
	Endosomal stress, a newly defined organelle stress, induces inflammation via ubiquitin signaling The endosome is an essential organelle located at the center of membrane traffic and mainly sorts plasma membrane proteins internalized by endocytosis in cooperation with ubiquitination, especially lysine-63-linked polyubiquitin chains (K63 ubiquitin chains).
	Scientists count penguins on remote sub-Antarctic island Researchers from British Antarctic Survey (BAS) have carried out aerial surveys of the remote volcanic Zavodovski Island in the sub-Antarctic to count the largest penguin colony in the world.
	'The Meg' shark was actually quite thin, scientists say The prehistoric megalodon is known as one of the most fearsome creatures the world has ever known, a horrifyingly giant shark immortalized in the monster movie "The Meg".
	Colorado secures next wolf supply source from tribes in another Pacific Northwest state Native American tribes in eastern Washington will supply up to 15 wolves to Colorado next winter under a new agreement that marks a major step forward for the state's reintroduction efforts.
	Investigating the presence of environmental rare earth elements in activated sludge systems The pandemic has triggered a major increase in the use of medical facilities and drugs, which has exacerbated pollution in wastewater biochemical treatment systems. Pollution from environmental rare earth elements (REE) has increased due to the widespread use of REE in medical applications.

Medicine and Health news

	Miniature VR goggles for mice could advance neuroscience research Mice are among the animal species most employed in neuroscience studies, as they are mammals (i.e., their brain is in some ways similar to the human brain) and their genetics or behaviors can be easily manipulated in experimental settings. While training mice to complete specific tasks is straightforward, reliably examining their brain processes when they are outside of laboratory environments is challenging, due to the inability to bring imaging technologies outdoors, the risk that the mice will escape, and/or other complications.
	Study shows a computerized decision support system reduces high-risk drug combinations in ICU patients A multicenter study led by Amsterdam UMC and conducted in nine Dutch Intensive Care Units (ICUs) has shown that tailoring a computerized decision support system (CDSS) to the ICU environment significantly reduced the number of high-risk drug combinations administered to ICU patients. It also improved monitoring ICU patients when avoiding such combinations was not possible, and reduced the length of patients' stay in the ICU. This study is published in The Lancet.
	Protein discovery could help solve prostate cancer drug resistance Researchers have identified a receptor protein known as CHRM1 as a key player in prostate cancer cells' resistance to docetaxel, a commonly-used chemotherapy drug to treat advanced cancer that has spread beyond the prostate.
	A 'radically different' way of looking at Parkinson's disease An international research team led by Krembil Brain Institute Neurologist and Senior Scientist, Dr. Anthony Lang, has proposed a new model for classifying Parkinson's disease (PD).
	A new drug candidate can shrink kidney cysts Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD), the most common form of polycystic kidney disease, can lead to kidney enlargement and eventual loss of function. The disease affects more than 12 million people worldwide, and many patients end up needing dialysis or a kidney transplant by the time they reach their 60s.
	Scientists develop an agent capable of selectively inhibiting the body's stress response Stress isn't merely an oppressive feeling we experience when we're overwhelmed; it's the body's natural reaction to acute or persistent strain. This stress response is what enables us to quickly adapt to danger or a shift in conditions. But if this response—which is essential for survival—gets out of control and becomes a permanent state, it can trigger a wide range of negative effects: obesity, cardiovascular diseases, increased susceptibility to infection, memory disorders and depression are all typical effects of chronic stress.
	Researching a new treatment option for severe blood disorders of the bone marrow When people develop myelodysplastic neoplasms (MDS), the healthy maturation of blood cells is impaired. Severe forms, known as higher-risk MDS, are characterized by rapid progression, severe symptoms and often a transition to acute leukemia. Patients for whom potentially curative or intensive treatments, such as stem cell transplantation or high-dose chemotherapy, are not suitable, have very few alternative treatment options.
	Cancer grade probing system method evaluates model tumor malignancy An important part of choosing the most suitable cancer therapy is understanding the malignancy of the tumor; however, current methods for evaluating brain tumor malignancy are invasive and have a high risk of complications.
	A newly characterized form of tau may be involved in initiating Alzheimer's disease The tau protein accumulates in abnormal shapes in the brains of individuals with Alzheimer's disease (AD), but the early steps of tau misfolding and aggregation are unknown.
	Research overturns previous findings on potential Parkinson's disease target A new study has found a molecule hailed as a potential drug candidate for Parkinson's disease is no longer an effective therapeutic option. The WEHI-led research has debunked over 10 years of research that suggested a specific 'activator molecule' could be used to enhance the activity of a protein linked to early-onset Parkinson's disease, PINK1.
	Association found between dark chocolate consumption, reduced risk of essential hypertension A team of cardiologists at Shaoxing People's Hospital, working with a colleague from Zhuji People's Hospital, both in China, has found an association between consumption of dark chocolate and reductions in the risk of essential hypertension.
	How aging alters brain cells' ability to maintain memory A team of scientists from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) has demonstrated that communication among memory-coding neurons—nerve cells in the brain responsible for maintaining working memory—is disrupted with aging and this process can begin in middle age.
	New approach to robotic mastectomy can preserve full breast and nipple sensation When I was a child, my grandma was diagnosed with breast cancer. She had a radical mastectomy at 55, which back then meant removing all her muscle, skin, and breast tissue—a disfiguring surgery that resulted in lingering pain, swelling, and complete loss of sensation in her chest.
	Improving antiviral medication for COVID-19 to give more patients access to treatment Researchers from the University of Alberta (U of A) are working to improve the only oral antiviral approved for COVID-19 infections in the hopes of expanding its use in populations that need it most.
	New strategy to boost prostate cancer treatment efficacy Rutgers researchers can predict which patients will benefit from a popular prostate cancer drug—and they have devised a strategy that may make the treatment work longer.
	Mechanism linking anxiety to testosterone discovered by scientists A study has unveiled a significant link between anxiety disorders and a brain receptor known as TACR3, as well as testosterone.
	Novel approach identifies people at risk of developing TB A novel approach to studying the progression of tuberculosis (TB) from infection to disease has identified and treated people at increased risk of developing the disease that current methods of testing would not.
	Thinning of brain region may signal dementia risk 5–10 years before symptoms A ribbon of brain tissue called cortical gray matter grows thinner in people who go on to develop dementia, and this appears to be an accurate biomarker of the disease five to 10 years before symptoms appear, researchers from The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (also called UT Health San Antonio) report.
	'Smart speaker' shows potential for better self-management of type 2 diabetes Type 2 diabetes patients have access to an assortment of digital health tools, including mobile apps for iPhones and remote patient monitoring devices, all of which help them manage their blood glycemic levels. They can test at home, usually with a glucometer, then communicate that data to their care team via an app or web portal, by calling on the phone, or by waiting for an appointment.
	How the brains of healthy older adults perceive color There is a difference between how the brains of healthy older adults perceive color compared to younger adults, finds a new study led by UCL researchers.
	Healthy eating and activity reverse aging marker in kids with obesity, study finds A genetic marker linked to premature aging was reversed in children with obesity during a six-month diet and exercise program, according to a recent study led by the Stanford School of Medicine.
	How the brain responds to reward is linked to socioeconomic background MIT neuroscientists have found that the brain's sensitivity to rewarding experiences—a critical factor in motivation and attention—can be shaped by socioeconomic conditions.
	Research team develops new tools to improve pancreatic cancer patient care Cedars-Sinai Cancer investigators have used a unique precision medicine and artificial intelligence (AI) tool called the Molecular Twin Precision Oncology Platform to identify biomarkers that outperform the standard test for predicting pancreatic cancer survival. Their study, published in Nature Cancer, demonstrates the viability of a tool that could one day guide and improve treatment for all cancer patients.
	Team develops bioengineered material to rapidly stop bleeding in patients on blood thinners More than 11 million people in the United States take anticoagulation or antiplatelet medications, such as heparin or aspirin, to treat serious conditions like heart attack and stroke. However, these medications also put patients at risk of life-threatening bleeding in the case of injury or during surgery.
	Could bizarre visual symptoms be a telltale sign of Alzheimer's? A team of international researchers, led by UC San Francisco, has completed the first large-scale study of posterior cortical atrophy, a baffling constellation of visuospatial symptoms that present as the first symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. These symptoms occur in up to 10% of cases of Alzheimer's disease.
	Netflix's 'You Are What You Eat' uses a twin study. Why studying twins is so important for science A new Netflix documentary, "You Are What You Eat," showcases sets of identical twins as they adopt different diets. For eight weeks one twin follows a vegan diet while the other one follows an omnivorous diet. The experiment is compelling because, being genetically identical, the health of each twin is very similar before the trial.
	Excessive social media use during the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated adolescent mental health challenges How does time spent online, and especially social media, affect the brains and behaviors of children and youth?
	Measles is most infectious disease known to science. Adults should consider getting another MMR vaccine Imagine a disease more infectious than any other known to medical science, that would kill 2.6 million young children every year and leave millions more with deafness and even brain damage. It sounds like something from pandemic horror fiction, but such a disease does exist—measles.
	New criteria for sepsis in children based on organ dysfunction Clinician-scientists from Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago were among a diverse, international group of experts tasked by the Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM) with developing and validating new data-based criteria for sepsis in children.
	Digital dice and youth: 1 in 6 parents say they probably wouldn't know if teens were betting online As young people increasingly have access and exposure to online gambling, only one in four parents say they have talked to their teen about some aspect of virtual betting, a national poll suggests.
	Check your 'fun parts': What a new sexual health campaign for young Aussies gets right and wrong The Australian government recently launched a new campaign, Beforeplay, to promote better sexual health among young people.
	Hospital discharge practices could improve health of infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia The chronic lung disease bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) affects a significant number of infants who were born early and have underdeveloped lungs. They typically require lengthy specialized care in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) before they can go home with their families.
	How to stay healthy during cold, flu and COVID-19 season Winter is here, inflicting its usual array of symptoms—coughs, nasal congestion, fatigue and fever—and, this year, a new COVID-19 variant is dominating the scoreboard.
	Diagnostic accuracy high in emergency departments Diagnostic accuracy is high in the emergency department, with about 5.7 percent of patients misdiagnosed, according to a report published Dec. 15 by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.
	Study identifies new PD-1 immune checkpoint mechanism promoting Merkel cell carcinoma growth Programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) is an important target for immune checkpoint inhibitor therapies that block its signaling and boost T-cell activity. PD-1 inhibitors have been approved for treating various types of cancer.
	Liver can generate palmitic acid to maintain brain health, study suggests Researchers at the University of Toronto have found that palmitic acid, one of the most common fats in human milk, meats, and dairy products, is made by the liver and sent to the developing brain when it's low in the diet.
	Cameroon starts world's first malaria vaccine program for children Cameroon will be the first country to routinely give children a new malaria vaccine as the shots are rolled out in Africa.
	In one Oklahoma town, most everyone knows someone who has been sued by the hospital It took little more than an hour for Deborah Hackler to dispense with the tall stack of debt collection lawsuits that McAlester Regional Medical Center recently brought to small-claims court in this Oklahoma farm community.
	A vaccine to live in space? What's happening in a Florida lab may help aging seniors, too Traveling by plane isn't always easy on the body. And neither is space travel. Astronauts often experience atrophy, the loss of bone and muscle, during their months living in space's zero gravity. People on Earth also tend to see their bones and muscles weaken as they age, increasing risk of injuries from falls.
	'Emergency' or not, COVID is still killing people: Here's what doctors advise to stay safe With around 20,000 people dying of COVID in the United States since the start of October, and tens of thousands more abroad, the COVID pandemic clearly isn't over. However, the crisis response is, since the World Health Organization and the Biden administration ended their declared health emergencies last year.
	What should parents know before heading to the emergency department Sooner or later, you will find yourself taking your child to the emergency department—it's bound to happen. Nearly 30 million children visit the ED each year in the United States.
	Women and minorities bear the brunt of medical misdiagnosis, find studies Charity Watkins sensed something was deeply wrong when she experienced exhaustion after her daughter was born.
	Good and bad news for people with low back pain Low back pain is a major cause of disability around the globe, with more than 570 million people affected. In the United States alone, health care spending on low back pain was $134.5 billion between 1996 and 2016, and costs are increasing.
	Energy drinks linked to poor sleep quality and insomnia among college students Knocking back energy drinks is linked to poor quality sleep and insomnia among college students, finds a large Norwegian study published in the open access journal BMJ Open.
	Mutational signatures of cancer: Can passengers set a direction for prognosis? An editorial paper was published in Oncoscience by researcher Peeter Karihtala from the University of Helsinki and University Hospital Comprehensive Cancer Center, titled, "The mutational signatures of cancer: can passengers set a direction for prognosis?"
	Millions in the UK are being urged to get vaccinations during a surge in measles cases U.K. health officials on Monday urged millions of parents to book their children for missed measles, mumps and rubella shots during a sharp increase in the number of measles cases and the lowest vaccination rates in a decade.
	'Shredding' unique genetic features of cancer cells with CRISPR-Cas3 Cornell researchers have taken an important step toward harnessing CRISPR gene editing in "targeted, safe and potent" cancer treatment, according to Ailong Ke, professor of chemistry and chemical biology in the College of Arts and Sciences.
	Dietary fiber affects more than your colon: How the immune system, brain and overall health benefit too There's no shortage of advice about what to eat, including hype about the latest superfoods that will help you live to 100, or about the newest restrictive diets that claim to help you lose weight and look beautiful. As a researcher from the Farncombe Family Digestive Health Research Institute, I'm well aware that there is no universal "healthy diet" that will work for everyone.
	Wondering how to talk to your teen about drugs? Start the conversation early, be honest and avoid judgment With several drug overdoses already this season, and recent news of three new recreational drugs identified by the drug checking service in Canberra, many parents of teenagers will be wondering how they can keep their kids safe from harmful drugs.
	Men with inflammatory joint disease less likely to be childless than healthy peers, research suggests Men with inflammatory joint disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis, are less likely to be childless and have more children than their healthy peers, suggests research published online in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases.
	You can now order all kinds of medical tests online: Research shows this is (mostly) a bad idea Many of us have done countless rapid antigen tests (RATs) over the course of the pandemic. Testing ourselves at home has become second nature.
	Quality improvement intervention links high-risk prenatal patients at safety-net health centers with primary care Researchers assessed the development and implementation of a quality improvement learning collaborative's (QILC) intervention to link high-risk prenatal patients with primary care. The aims of the study were twofold: To identify any quantitative impact of the intervention on postpartum and primary care utilization for high-risk prenatal patients and to explore the Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) participants' experiences of working with a QI collaborative.
	Older adults spend three weeks each year receiving health care outside the home: Study A cross-sectional study of more than 6,500 adults aged 65 years and older found that, on average, older adults spent three weeks each year getting health care outside the home. In this nationally representative group, 11% of older adults spent 50 or more days each year receiving health care services. These days spent obtaining health care outside the home, or health care contact days, are a new patient-centered metric for evaluating care for older adults. The study is published in Annals of Internal Medicine.
	Report shows more than half of mental health care visits conducted via video-based telemedicine An analysis of clinical outpatient data found that telemedicine rates remain high following the COVID-19 pandemic, with more than half of mental health care visits being conducted remotely via video conferencing.
	Fastest growth in childhood overweight/obesity in England among children 11 to 15 years old, finds study The fastest and highest growth in the prevalence of childhood obesity in England has been among 11–15-year-olds, rising from 30% in 1995 to 38% in 2019, finds a detailed analysis of national data, published online in the Archives of Disease in Childhood.
	Analysis shows gene therapy beneficial and likely cost-effective for patients with sickle cell disease A modeling study comparing the cost-effectiveness of gene therapy versus common care for patients with sickle cell disease found that gene therapy is beneficial in this patient population and likely cost-effective if the price stays below $2 million per person. The findings are published in Annals of Internal Medicine.
	Six surprising things about placebos everyone should know Placebos have been studied more than any treatment in the history of medicine, yet they remain mysterious.
	Unnecessary cataract surgery? Some do it to improve their eyesight, but it's not without risk Judy is an accomplished consultant who regularly travels for business meetings. She came to see me because she was finding her contact lenses uncomfortable and wanted to explore other options—notably surgical alternatives.
	Researchers develop first ever guideline for cancer screening in rare muscle disease Researchers from the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Manchester Biomedical Research Center (BRC) and University of Manchester have been instrumental in developing the first guideline for cancer screening in an inflammatory muscle disease called "myositis," which has an increased cancer risk.
	More sport-based mental health interventions needed for young males Sports-based interventions show great promise in supporting positive change in mental health outcomes—but few mental health interventions have specifically targeted young males in sport settings, and Flinders University researchers say this needs to be increased.
	Study finds racial disparities exist in restraint utilization at minority-serving safety hospital A new study that contributes additional data to a growing body of evidence demonstrating disparities in restraint use in the emergency department (ED) has been published in Academic Emergency Medicine (AEM),. The study, titled "Disparities in use of physical restraints at an urban, minority-serving hospital emergency department" evaluates the association between race/ethnicity and the use of restraints in an ED population at a minority-serving, safety-net institution.
	What factors affect patients' decisions regarding active surveillance for low-risk prostate cancer? Because low-risk prostate cancer is unlikely to spread or impact survival, experts and guidelines recommend active surveillance, which involves regular monitoring and thus avoids or delays treatment like surgery or radiation therapy and their life-changing complications.
	Office air conditioning can reduce the risk of harm from bushfire smoke, research shows Air conditioning in our workplaces doesn't just cool the air—it can also help trap particles from bushfire smoke and reduce our exposure to potentially harmful elements like soluble mercury, sulfate and nitrate, new research shows.
	Oil-rich Gulf youth not so fond of Mediterranean diet: Dietary habits cause of high prevalence of obesity and diabetes Young people in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), particularly young women, have shown a low appetite for Mediterranean diet (MD), going mainly for refined grains and sweets rather than fruit and vegetables.
	Researchers call for renewed safety efforts to protect children from liquid laundry detergent poisoning A new study conducted by researchers at the Center for Injury Research and Policy of the Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital and the Central Ohio Poison Center investigated trends in calls to poison centers across the country for exposures to liquid laundry detergent packets.
	Future direction for stroke care in Ireland from perspectives of stroke survivors, caregivers and medical professionals A new study from RCSI's School of Population Health has found that future developments to Irish stroke services, according to those who are most impacted, must prioritize specialist community-based rehabilitation, ongoing support for life after stroke and better information and support for navigating services.
	Zebrafish's eye muscles give hope for people with muscular dystrophy diseases Muscular dystrophies are a group of diseases in which proteins in the muscles do not function properly, either through inherited or spontaneous mutations. This, in turn, leads to muscle tissue breaking down over time and patients eventually become wheelchair-bound and often die prematurely due to the muscles that help with breathing or the heart stop working.
	Cameroon launches historic large-scale malaria jab campaign Cameroon on Monday launched the first malaria vaccination program to be offered nationwide and as a matter of routine, in a step the WHO has described as "historic".
	The vaping warning labels paradox: Encouraging adults, dissuading kids Getting tobacco vaping warning labels right for both adults and teens has proven complex, as regulators confront two public health challenges: How to promote e-cigarette use as an alternative for adults who smoke cigarettes, while warning teens who use e-cigarettes of the potential long-term consequences, which include nicotine addiction and exposure to toxic chemicals.
	Q&A: South Africa's aging population comes with new challenges—how best to adapt to them Young people—under the age of 15—currently make up 29% of South Africa's population. But this will soon change: the aged portion of the population is forecast to rise from 2030, bringing many challenges. Lauren Johnston, an economics and political economy expert, recently published a paper on the subject. We asked her to put the developments into perspective.
	Fluid dynamics plays a key role in predicting cardiovascular dangers An arterial inflammatory disease called atherosclerosis is the United States' leading cause of death, but about half of American adults over 45 have the condition and don't know it, according to the National Institutes of Health. Characterized by plaque buildup inside the arteries, the vascular superhighways that push blood from the heart to the rest of the body, the condition often goes overlooked until it has become serious.
	Evidence shows risks associated with energy drinks in children Energy drinks are associated with an increased risk of mental health issues among children and young people, including anxiety, stress, depression, and suicidal thoughts, a new study has found.
	Financial stress linked to worse biological health, finds study People who experience stressful life events or circumstances are more likely to have worse biological health, as indicated by biomarkers involved in the interaction between our immune, nervous and endocrine systems, according to a new study by UCL researchers.
	Experts outline how to reduce COVID-19 health inequalities for ethnic minority groups An international collaborative led by The University of Manchester and the University of Leicester has published a new paper that outlines how to reduce COVID-19 health inequity among ethnic minority groups.
	Aerobic exercise could help fight liver diseases, animal study suggests According to a study conducted on animal models and published in the journal Metabolism, aerobic exercise could help fight non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, the most common liver disease worldwide: it affects nearly 24% of the global population and it usually causes a certain stigma among the affected people.
	Study finds low-frequency ultrasound can improve oxygen saturation in blood Research conducted by a team of scientists from Kaunas universities, Lithuania, revealed that low-frequency ultrasound influences blood parameters. The findings suggest that ultrasound's effect on hemoglobin can improve oxygen's transfer from the lungs to bodily tissues.
	Advancing noninvasive diagnosis of NASH: Potential of sequential ultrasound molecular imaging in NAFLD/MAFLD Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), recently renamed metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), is spectrum of diseases that ranges from non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).
	New approaches to treating diverse bile duct cancers prevalent in southeast Asia An international study has effectively targeted three distinct groups in cholangiocarcinoma (CCA)—or cancer of the bile duct—with drug inhibitors. These findings, published in the journal Gut, deepen our understanding of the mechanisms that cause CCA to develop and propose new therapeutic targets for this lethal disease. This research is of particular relevance to the Southeast Asian region, where bile duct cancer is endemic.
	Five misconceptions about weight loss drugs Following pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly's announcement of the launch of an online portal to connect consumers to its anti-obesity drugs, interest in weight loss medication has spiked, taking the internet by storm.
	Injuries, burnout keep too many kids from sticking with sports: Report Sports provides many physical and mental health benefits to children and teens, but many quit due to injury, overtraining and burnout.
	Q&A: Expert discusses new report on how access to transportation affects public health In a country of suburban sprawl and endless highways, most Americans need a car in order to complete such basic tasks as going to work, getting groceries, and seeing the doctor. Those without cars are at the mercy of uneven sidewalks and unpredictable transit systems, meaning they don't often get where they need to go, says Megan Latshaw, associate professor in the Department of Environmental Health and Engineering at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
	Experts recommend caution on the use of non-sugar sweeteners Despite ongoing concerns about the health impacts of non-sugar sweeteners such as aspartame, sucralose and stevia, these sweeteners are increasingly found in a variety of foods and beverages, including those aimed at children. A viewpoint published in JAMA Pediatrics by three experts on the topic emphasizes that research on the health effects of non-sugar sweeteners in children is urgently needed.
	Quality of life outcomes stable with neurostimulation in Parkinson disease: Study For patients with Parkinson disease (PD), differences in quality of life (QOL) outcomes are seen with deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus (STN-DBS), according to a study published online Jan. 18 in JAMA Network Open.
	Sleep disorders found to differ for autism, ADHD versus typical development For most types of sleep disorders, there are significant differences for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and those with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) compared with typically developing (TD) children, according to a study published online Dec. 29 in Autism Research.
	Risk factor control may modify link between HIV status and heart disease Control of dyslipidemia and diabetes, but not hypertension, reduces the association of HIV status with cardiovascular disease (CVD), according to a study published online Jan. 16 in Clinical Infectious Diseases.
	New biomarkers for active lupus nephritis discovered New biomarkers with improved diagnostic performance for early detection of lupus nephritis have been discovered in the University of Houston lab of Chandra Mohan, a pioneer in lupus research. Early identification of renal involvement in lupus and prompt treatment are essential in reducing the pain, suffering and eventual mortality it causes.
	Scientists identify mutations that cause inherited kidney disease Genetic changes or mutations can cause hereditary kidney disease, which can eventually lead to dialysis or the need for kidney transplantation. Identifying the cause of inherited kidney disease is the first step in identifying a treatment.
	Cholangiocarcinoma: New organ-on-chip aims at accelerating research and personalized medicine It is only a few centimeters in size and can be held between two fingers, but hidden in the micro-channels carved inside it is a three-dimensional and highly faithful model of a biliary tract cancer called cholangiocarcinoma, complete with its tumor microenvironment. This 3D model is built starting from a sample of patient's cancer cells and thus it represents a patient-specific "organ-on-chip": a technology made possible only through a multidisciplinary approach that merges biomedicine, physics and engineering.
	Bone marrow adipocytes provide early sign of progression from MGUS to multiple myeloma A new research perspective titled "Bone marrow adipocytes provide early sign for progression from mgus to multiple myeloma" has been published in Oncotarget.
	Melanoma overdiagnosis soars among white Americans, study finds More than half of all melanoma diagnoses among white Americans may be overdiagnosed, according to a new study led by a researcher at Dell Medical School at the University of Texas at Austin.
	California officials warn people to not eat raw oysters from Mexico which may be linked to norovirus Health officials in Southern California are warning people to avoid eating raw oysters from parts of Mexico after more than 200 people recently fell ill with suspected cases of norovirus.
	Tips to help your skin thrive this winter Winter isn't kind to your skin. Dry, cold weather causes dryness, and you might even develop "winter rash"—dry, irritated skin that's red, bumpy, flaky and burns. That's why it's prime time to step up your skincare routine.
	Penicillin allergy? Maybe not Penicillin belongs to a group of antibiotics used by health care professionals to combat a wide array of bacterial infections, including strep throat, ear infections and pneumonia. Penicillin, one of the most widely prescribed antibiotics, is also one of the most frequently reported medication allergies.
	When private equity comes to town, hospitals can see cutbacks, closures Peggy Malone walks the quiet halls of Crozer-Chester Medical Center, the Pennsylvania hospital where she's worked as a registered nurse for the past 35 years, with the feeling she's drifting through a ghost town.
	Information about the salmonella outbreak involving meats sold at Costco and Sam's Club The salmonella outbreak previously linked to charcuterie meats sold at Sam's Club also has been connected to meats from the same company sold at Costco. And, the CDC says, the outbreak's reached 22 states.
	WHO chief warns pandemic accord hangs in the balance The World Health Organization chief fears plans for a global pandemic preparedness agreement will fall apart amid wrangling and disinformation, warning on Monday that future generations "may not forgive us".
	Biden administration takes new steps to ensure access to abortion On what would have been the 51st anniversary of the landmark Roe v. Wade ruling, the Biden Administration has announced new measures it will take to further protect a woman's access to abortion.
	Why the UK's 20-meter number plate eyesight test isn't fair Less than half of UK motorists surveyed by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) know they must be able to read a number plate from 20 meters away in order to drive safely.
	British Gymnastics' new rules on weighing athletes—a sticking plaster solution On November 29 2023, British Gymnastics (BG) released a new policy banning coaches from weighing gymnasts. The governing body's CEO, Sarah Powell, described the new rule as a "significant and positive step forward for the sport."
	Lack of fluoridated water a health risk for disadvantaged Queenslanders Researchers have found Queenslanders from lower socio-economic areas are at higher risk of dental disease due to a lack of fluoridated water.
	Caffeine consumption: Some sources may surprise you You probably know that tea and coffee contain caffeine, but did you know it also can be found in other drinks, food and some medications?
	Emergency cardiovascular care impact goal outlines three target needs Only 10% of people who experience a cardiac arrest survive. In new challenge goals outlined in the American Heart Association Emergency Cardiovascular Care 2030 Impact Goals and Call to Action to Improve Cardiac Arrest Outcomes, the American Heart Association's volunteer advisory Emergency Cardiovascular Care Committee makes the case for doubling survivorship to 20%.
	Respiratory viruses down in WA, but still circulating at high levels Holiday season has passed. Gatherings have slowed. But don't let your guard down just yet—experts say we're still in the midst of respiratory virus season.
	Extra vigilance at beaches needed as school holidays raise coastal drowning risk, shows study A study has found that adults, and not just children, are at increased risk of drowning at the beach during school holidays.
	Evaluating the effectiveness of locally led digital public health campaigns Kingston University academics and staff from the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames' Department of Health Behaviors and Public Health Services have published an evaluation of the effectiveness of a series of locally led digital public health campaigns.
	Avoid inflammatory food to help save aging muscles, says researcher If you're aged over 65 and having trouble unscrewing a jar or climbing a staircase, you may want to check your diet for inflammatory foods.
	Researcher details his personal battle with cancer On January 3, 2024, Mikhail V. Blagosklonny M.D., Ph.D., from Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center published a new brief report in Oncoscience titled "My battle with cancer. Part 1."

Other Sciences news

	Saturday Citations: The cutest conservationists; a weird stellar object; vitamins good for your brain There are fields of scientific research that involve neither vast cosmic phenomena nor extremely cute animals, but those are topics of high salience in Saturday Citations, and this week is no exception. And we'll probably play the odds and say next week won't be either.
	Best of Last Week—map of possible earthquakes, unique robot grows itself, VA most efficient hospital system It was a good week for geoscience research as a team led by the U.S. Geological Survey created a new map that shows where damaging earthquakes are most likely to occur in the U.S. Among other things, it shows that nearly 75% of the country could experience a damaging quake sometime in the foreseeable future. Also, team members on the international IODP expedition Hellenic Arc Volcanic Field found evidence of one of the largest explosive eruptions ever recorded in the Aegean Sea in the Greek archipelago of Santorini. And a global team of ocean and climate experts uncovered a new marine source of carbon emissions into the atmosphere—sediment disturbed by fishers dragging nets across the ocean floor.
	A peek into the cooking pot: Burnt food remains document 5,000-year-old food preparation Researchers from the Collaborative Research Center (CRC) 1266 at Kiel University (CAU) have been able to prove, in the first archaeobotanical study of burnt food residues on the surface of ceramic vessels, how varied the meals prepared in Eastern Holstein 5,000 years ago were.
	Organizations in crises may benefit from jazz ensemble model Organizational leaders may benefit from operating more like a jazz ensemble during crises in order to utilize their resources in unconventional ways, according to new research from Rice University.
	New research examines how assumptions affect motion capture technology Motion capture technology has applications in a wide range of fields, including entertainment, medicine, and sports, to name a few. But what if the measurements these systems were based on were rooted in social practices and biased assumptions, leading to errors that become ingrained over time?
	Migration can be a good thing for the environment. Here's how Amsterdammers are proud of their city. But it turns out that people who have moved there from other parts of the world are just as concerned about keeping the place green and pleasant. We surveyed Amsterdam residents and found, among other things, that recent migrants were just as likely to recycle as those born and raised in the city.
	Employers should use skill-based hiring to find hidden talent, address labor challenges A concerning trend known as qualification inflation has been plaguing hiring practices for years. Qualification inflation—also known as degree inflation—refers to the growing number of employers requiring degrees and extensive experience for jobs.
	Military interests are pushing new nuclear power, and the UK government has finally admitted it The UK government has announced the "biggest expansion of the [nuclear] sector in 70 years." This follows years of extraordinarily expensive support.
	DNA from Stone Age chewing gum sheds light on diet, disease in Scandinavia's ancient hunter-gatherers Some 9,700 years ago on an autumn day, a group of people were camping on the west coast of Scandinavia. They were hunter-gatherers that had been fishing, hunting and collecting resources in the area.
	Listening to racialized students is an important step toward equitable education, researcher says Debates among researchers, educators and parents continue about the successes and challenges with French immersion programs across English-speaking parts of Canada.
	Australian-first study examines impacts of long COVID on intimate partner violence victim-survivors An Australian-first study by researchers at Monash University has examined the impact of long COVID on victim-survivors' experiences of intimate partner violence.
	Report finds 'false positive' field drug tests lead to wrongful convictions A new research report providing the first-ever comprehensive analysis of presumptive drug field test usage across law enforcement agencies in the United States has been released by the Quattrone Center for the Fair Administration of Justice at the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School.
	Lawyers are rapidly embracing AI: Here's how to avoid an ethical disaster Imagine a world where legal research is conducted by lightning-fast algorithms, mountains of contracts are reviewed in minutes and legal briefs are drafted with the eloquence of Shakespeare. This is the future promised by AI in legal practice. Indeed, AI tools are transforming this landscape already, venturing from science fiction into the everyday realities of lawyers and legal professionals.
	Navigating the 'big little leap' to kindergarten No matter how well children are prepared for kindergarten, their transition to the classroom during the first few months plays a key role in their success, a new study suggests.
	Cultivating gender equality could cut corruption, research suggests A study in the European Journal of International Management has looked at the complex relationship between gender, governance, and corruption in Europe. The research analyzed evidence from 35 European countries between the years 2010 and 2020 to discern the nuanced relationship between heightened gender inequality and increased corruption. Fundamentally, the research found that a substantial female presence in decision-making positions, especially in societies with robust legal frameworks, was associated closely with transparency and lower levels of corruption.
	The hidden impact of virtual communication for student teams Higher education classrooms are increasingly becoming more virtual, as even students who attend in-person classes are opting to use virtual communication when working on team assignments. New research that examined the team dynamics of undergraduate students finds that instructors often overlook the negative impacts of virtual communication on student teams who are enrolled in on-campus courses.
	Researcher proposes more equitable subway stations for the elderly and mobility handicapped The number of elderly and mobility handicapped individuals has been increasing in South Korea. Statistics show that the number of elderly will increase over the next decade. Hence, the interest in equity for these people is becoming increasingly prominent.
	To make science more approachable, 'Curiosity' series takes viewers behind the scenes of scientists' lives Stepping inside Erin Adams' lab at the University of Chicago is a bit overstimulating.
	Is linking time in the office to career success the best way to get us back to work? Working from home introduced in response to the harsh pandemic lockdowns in 2020 was expected to be a short term arrangement with staff returning to the office as soon as restrictions were lifted.
	Many women still live in poverty, but we can change this In its recent gender snapshot, the United Nations noted that: "Globally, in 2023, women aged 55 to 59 are more likely to live in extreme poverty than men."
	Sexual minority young people in Canada more likely to experience harmful police contact, finds study While there has been much public scrutiny and research on police interactions and violence towards sexual minorities in the United States, there is a gap in the current literature on how sexual minorities fare with law enforcement contact in Canada.
	Female leadership key to community 'saving itself' in unprecedented trauma, says report As the two-year anniversary of the devastating Northern Rivers' flooding looms, a report has shown the female-led response to the trauma prevailed where authorities failed.

---

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