Science X Newsletter Thu, Jan 4

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Here is your customized Science X Newsletter for January 4, 2024:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

Pulsations detected from the XZ Ursae Majoris system

Cognitive maps in some brain regions are compressed during goal-seeking decision-making

Breakthrough in designing complicated all-α protein structures

New roles for autophagy genes in cellular waste management and aging

Genomic 'tweezer' ushers in a new era of precision in microbiome research

The surprisingly resourceful ways bacteria thrive in the human gut

Scientists solve mystery of how predatory bacteria recognizes prey

Researchers investigate pulsations of the ultra-luminous X-ray pulsar M82 X-2

Researchers discover that tiredness experienced by long COVID patients has a physical cause

Scientists use high-tech brain stimulation to make people more hypnotizable

Scientists uncover key brain pathway mediating panic disorder symptoms

Gender parity in autism research: Synaptic similarities challenge focus on male models

Immune atlas at cell level points to new combination treatment for incurable childhood cancer

Stem cell scientists develop game-changing organoid model to study human cerebellar development and disease

Study reveals new genetic link between anorexia nervosa and being an early riser

Nanotechnology news

	Soft microrobots with super-compliant picoforce springs as onboard sensors and actuators The integration of mechanical memory in the form of springs has for hundreds of years proven to be a key enabling technology for mechanical devices (such as clocks), achieving advanced functionality through complex autonomous movements. Currently, the integration of springs in silicon-based microtechnology has opened the world of planar mass-producible mechatronic devices from which we all benefit, via air-bag sensors for example.
	Researchers develop efficient and accessible single-molecule platform for detecting various amylin species A research team led by The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) has developed an optical plasmonic tweezer-controlled Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) platform that utilizes on-and-off control of light to probe various amylin species in mixtures at the single-molecule level, unveiling the heterogeneous structures of pH-dependent amylin species, and the secrets behind amyloid aggregation mechanisms associated with type 2 diabetes.
	Progress in the investigation of ultrafast electron dynamics using short light pulses When electrons move within a molecule or semiconductor, this occurs on unimaginably short time scales. A Swedish-German team, including Dr. Jan Vogelsang from the University of Oldenburg, has now made significant progress towards a better understanding of these ultrafast processes: The researchers were able to track the dynamics of electrons released from the surface of zinc oxide crystals using laser pulses with spatial resolution in the nanometer range and at previously unattained temporal resolution.
	Nanoparticle transport across the blood brain barrier increases with Alzheimer's and age, study finds Neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease affect more than 270 million people worldwide. AD is the leading cause of dementia, resulting in memory loss due to atrophy of neurons in the hippocampus, which is the part of the brain that regulates learning and memory.
	Even far below freezing, ice's surface begins melting as temperatures rise Physics is filled with mysteries. To find a few worth exploring, look no further than an ice cube. At room temperature, of course, the cube will melt before your eyes. But even far below freezing, ice can shift in barely perceptible ways that scientists are still trying to understand. Using imaging tools at the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Argonne National Laboratory, researchers have detected a phenomenon known as premelting at temperatures far lower than those previously observed.
	Research team develops novel high-performance photoelectrode that uses zinc oxide nanopagoda array A research team consisting of members of the Egyptian Petroleum Research Institute and the Functional Materials Engineering Laboratory at the Toyohashi University of Technology, has developed a novel high-performance photoelectrode by constructing a zinc oxide nanopagoda array with a unique shape on a transparent electrode and applying silver nanoparticles to its surface.

Physics news

	Hunting for elusive tetraneutrons with thermal fission The possible emission rate of particle-stable tetraneutron, a four-neutron system whose existence has been long debated within the scientific community, has been investigated by researchers from Tokyo Tech. They looked into tetraneutron emission from thermal fission of 235U by irradiating a sample of 88SrCO3 in a nuclear research reactor and analyzing it via γ-ray spectroscopy.
	Researchers propose conditions for maximizing quantum entanglement Entanglement is a property of quantum physics that is manifested when two or more systems interact in such a way that their quantum states cannot be described independently. In the terminology of quantum physics, they are said to be entangled, i.e. strongly correlated. Entanglement is of paramount importance to quantum computing. The greater the entanglement, the more optimized and efficient the quantum computer.
	New insights on how light interacts with magnets for better sensors and memory tech Professor Amir Capua, head of the Spintronics Lab within the Institute of Applied Physics and Electrical Engineering at Hebrew University of Jerusalem, announced a pivotal breakthrough in the realm of light-magnetism interactions. The team's unexpected discovery reveals a mechanism wherein an optical laser beam controls the magnetic state in solids, promising tangible applications in various industries.
	New theoretical framework unlocks mysteries of synchronization in turbulent dynamics Weather forecasting is important for various sectors, including agriculture, military operations, and aviation, as well as for predicting natural disasters like tornados and cyclones. It relies on predicting the movement of air in the atmosphere, which is characterized by turbulent flows resulting in chaotic eddies of air.
	New code developed for tokamak plasma rotation and transport analysis A team led by Prof. Lyu Bo and Dr. Bae Cheonho from the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has developed a new code to analyze the multi-fluid plasma rotation and transport properties in tokamak plasmas, including the Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST).
	Breaking the 10-petawatt limit with a new laser amplification Ultra-intense ultrashort lasers have a wide-ranging scope of applications, encompassing basic physics, national security, industrial service, and health care. In basic physics, such lasers have become a powerful tool for researching strong-field laser physics, especially for laser-driven radiation sources, laser particle acceleration, vacuum quantum electrodynamics, and more.

Earth news

	Maximizing circular economy strategies for rare earth elements supply Circular economy strategies could significantly boost the low-carbon global transition and make sure that rare earth elements (REE) do last longer, reveals new study published in Nature Geoscience.
	High levels of mercury traced to particular cell types in brains of mammals Exposure to mercury (Hg) is extremely neurotoxic in most chemical forms. Even scientists who study mercury compounds are at risk due to potential exposure to Hg. Renowned physicist Michael Faraday suffered from Hg poisoning due to prolonged exposure to Hg vapors, leading him to halt his research at the age of 49 due to deteriorating health. Another example is lab chemist Karen Wetterhahn who was killed by dimethylmercury poisoning after a few drops escaped from a pipette and landed on one of her latex-gloved hands.
	Seismic and infrasonic signals used to characterize Nord Stream pipeline events Seismic events that coincided with sudden drops in pressure within the Nord Stream 1 and 2 natural gas pipelines in September 2022 alerted the world to the rupture of pipelines in the western Baltic Sea. The suspected act of sabotage, which reportedly used explosive charges to rupture the pipelines, is still under investigation by multiple countries.
	German emissions at 70-year low as coal use drops German emissions were at their lowest point in around 70 years as Europe's largest economy managed to reduce its dependence on coal faster than expected, a study published Thursday showed.
	Plate tectonics in the Archean: Observation versus interpretation The plate tectonics theory established in the 20th century has been successful in interpreting many geological phenomena, processes, and events that have occurred in the Phanerozoic.
	Seawater dynamics in an underexplored Antarctic fjord About 150 kilometers north of the Antarctic Peninsula lie the South Shetland Islands, a cluster of more than a dozen islands that harbor glaciers, volcanoes, and a tundra ecosystem with penguins and seals. On the southwestern side of King George Island, glacial meltwater meets salty seawater in a narrow, little-explored fjord known as Marian Cove.
	Private sector funding key to climate transition, World Bank chief says The World Bank is working to slash how long it takes to get financing projects off the ground as part of a push to speed up and scale up the 79-year-old development lender, its president told AFP on Wednesday.
	Flood-prone communities in Oregon have low trust in agencies responsible for helping them, survey shows Tillamook residents have always dealt with flooding—they sit at the confluence of five rivers where coastal storm surges and high tides push in large amounts of seawater. But the heavy rains that washed out roads, forced vehicle rescues and prompted a state of emergency in early December is a reminder that more frequent and severe flooding will come with climate change and sea-level rise.
	Multifactor weighting method for enhanced composite images In a study published in the Journal of Remote Sensing on 28 September 2023, a team of researchers from the Chinese Academy of Forestry and the University of Maryland has developed a sophisticated Multifactor Weighting (MFW) method for creating clear, seamless, and radiometrically consistent image composites using all available Landsat 8 and Sentinel 2 images in Google Earth Engine.
	Talking about climate solutions Climate change can be demoralizing. For years, scientists have been carefully documenting how the Earth is warming ever faster. One inglorious climate record follows another; 2023 was by far the warmest year since measurements began. The consequences can be felt as extreme weather events all over the world. Meanwhile, global greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise, while effective international climate policy measures are still lacking.

Astronomy and Space news

	Pulsations detected from the XZ Ursae Majoris system Astronomers have conducted a photometric and spectroscopic study of an Algol-type binary, known as XZ Ursae Majoris (or XZ UMa for short). Results of the study, presented in a paper published December 21 on the pre-print server arXiv, indicate that this binary is a pulsating system.
	Researchers investigate pulsations of the ultra-luminous X-ray pulsar M82 X-2 Using NASA's Chandra spacecraft and ESA's XMM-Newton satellite, Chinese astronomers have inspected the pulsations of an ultra-luminous X-ray pulsar known as M82 X-2. Results of the study indicate that the pulsar showcases a long-term spin-down trend. The study was detailed in a paper published December 28 on the pre-print server arXiv.
	Cosmic chemistry unveils stellar dance: ALMA telescope discovers hidden orbit secrets A team of international scientists, armed with the powerful ALMA telescope array in Chile, has unraveled the cosmic mysteries surrounding a dying star, revealing an intricate celestial dance shaped by unusual chemistry.
	NASA's Hubble observes exoplanet atmosphere changing over 3 years By combining several years of observations from NASA's Hubble Space Telescope along with conducting computer modeling, astronomers have found evidence for massive cyclones and other dynamic weather activity swirling on a hot, Jupiter-sized planet 880 light-years away.
	China's FAST observatory is playing a key role in the search for aliens Some years ago I remember running the SETI at Home screensaver and would watch it for hours to see if any peaks appeared naively thinking they might be signals from an alien civilization. There is no doubt that the search for extraterrestrials (ET) has captivated the minds of many people across the years.
	Two companies will attempt the first US moon landings since the Apollo missions a half-century ago China and India scored moon landings, while Russia, Japan and Israel ended up in the lunar trash heap.

Technology news

	Researchers 3D print components for a portable mass spectrometer Mass spectrometers, devices that identify chemical substances, are widely used in applications like crime scene analysis, toxicology testing, and geological surveying. But these machines are bulky, expensive, and easy to damage, which limits where they can be effectively deployed.
	Researchers develop high-performance, stretchable solar cells With the market for wearable electric devices growing rapidly, stretchable solar cells that can function under strain have received considerable attention as an energy source. To build such solar cells, it is necessary that their photoactive layer, which converts light into electricity, shows high electrical performance while possessing mechanical elasticity. However, satisfying both of these two requirements is challenging, making stretchable solar cells difficult to develop.
	Researchers develop AI-driven machine-checking method for verifying software code A team of computer scientists led by the University of Massachusetts Amherst recently announced a new method for automatically generating whole proofs that can be used to prevent software bugs and verify that the underlying code is correct.
	US teen becomes first human to beat Tetris A US teenager has beaten classic computer game Tetris, forcing it into a game-ending glitch in a feat previously achieved only by artificial intelligence.
	A jet's carbon-composite fiber fuselage burned on a Tokyo runway. Is the material safe? The fuselage of the jetliner involved in a collision on a Tokyo runway was made from carbon-composite fibers, and the incident is renewing concern about the challenges of putting out fires involving the material.
	Microsoft's new AI key is first big change to keyboards in decades Computer keyboards are making room for an artificial intelligence chatbot button as Microsoft unveils its first major keyboard redesign in three decades.
	AI is our 'Promethean fire': Using it wisely means knowing its true nature and our own minds Future historians may well regard 2023 as a landmark in the advent of artificial intelligence (AI). But whether that future will prove utopian, apocalyptic or somewhere in between is anyone's guess.
	Electric vehicles and the challenge of fire risks in car parks Due to the urgent need to cut fossil fuel emissions, the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) is both inevitable and essential. The EU is aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from transport by 90% by 2040, and foresees 13 million zero and low-emission vehicles on the roads by 2025. Several European countries have introduced their own measures to encourage the uptake of EVs.
	Driverless cars that default to stopping when encountering a problem can cause chaos on roads While self-driving vehicles are being deployed in numerous cities globally, persistent controversies continue to challenge their deployment.
	Viewpoint: AI could make cities autonomous, but that doesn't mean we should let it happen You are walking back home. Suddenly the ground seems to open and a security drone emerges, blocking your way to verify your identity. This might sound far-fetched but it is based on an existing technology—a drone system made by the AI company Sunflower Labs.
	AI is here, and everywhere: Three AI researchers look to the challenges ahead in 2024 2023 was an inflection point in the evolution of artificial intelligence and its role in society. The year saw the emergence of generative AI, which moved the technology from the shadows to center stage in the public imagination. It also saw boardroom drama in an AI startup dominate the news cycle for several days. And it saw the Biden administration issue an executive order and the European Union pass a law aimed at regulating AI, moves perhaps best described as attempting to bridle a horse that's already galloping along.
	Electric vs. gasoline vehicles: Is EV ownership competitive in your area? Is it actually cheaper to own an electric vehicle instead of a gas vehicle? It depends. University of Michigan researchers say that where you live matters. For instance, a midsize SUV costs more to own in Detroit than in San Francisco—one of the most expensive cities in the country.
	Want to share a ride? New study identifies factors that influence ride-splitting New research from a group including a University of Massachusetts Amherst engineer has helped identify the most important characteristics to increase adoption of ride-splitting platforms like UberX Share.
	Spain generated record 50% of power from renewables in 2023 Spain generated more than half of its electricity from renewable sources such as wind and solar power in 2023 in a "historic" record, the national power grid said Thursday.
	Breaking new ground in aerial imaging: The AVIID dataset and visible-to-infrared image translation A study published on 10 November 2023, in the Journal of Remote Sensing, has made significant strides in aerial visible-to-infrared image translation. It offers advantages like lower cost, higher efficiency, and enhanced downstream task performance, addressing issues like lack of datasets, methodological surveys, and comprehensive evaluation systems for image quality.
	Resurrection consent: It's time to talk about our digital afterlives Should the deceased be digitally resurrected by grieving friends, lovers and relatives? A new study captures current attitudes and highlights the need for urgent research and policy work.
	New report identifies types of cyberattacks that manipulate behavior of AI systems Adversaries can deliberately confuse or even "poison" artificial intelligence (AI) systems to make them malfunction—and there's no foolproof defense that their developers can employ. Computer scientists from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and their collaborators identify these and other vulnerabilities of AI and machine learning (ML) in a new publication.
	Biden administration announces $162 million to expand computer chip factories in Colorado and Oregon The Biden administration is providing $162 million to Microchip Technology to support the domestic production of computer chips—the second funding announcement tied to a 2022 law designed to revive U.S. semiconductor manufacturing.
	German car sales up in 2023 but electric models lose ground Sales of new cars in Germany increased in 2023, official data showed Thursday, but an end to government subsidy programs saw electric vehicles lose ground on fossil-fuel models.
	Ford US vehicle sales neared two million in 2023 Auto giant Ford sold almost two million vehicles in the United States last year, the company said Thursday, buoyed by accelerating electric vehicle sales and continued growth in internal combustion engine trucks.
	SpaceX accused of unlawfully firing employees who were critical of Elon Musk A U.S. labor agency has accused SpaceX of unlawfully firing employees who penned an open letter critical of CEO Elon Musk and creating an impression that worker activities were under surveillance by the rocket ship company.
	Amazon shutters last Fresh Pickup grocery store Amazon has shuttered the last of its two Fresh Pickup facilities, marking the end of its experiment with a drive-in and drop-off grocery service.
	Opinion: Hydrogen isn't clean if it adds to climate pollution The Inflation Reduction Act, signed by President Joe Biden more than a year ago, is a game-changing law that invests hundreds of billions of dollars to fight climate change and boost renewable energy.
	Connecting rural African communities one bus at a time In urban African communities, communication infrastructure has made it possible for people to share information quickly and easily. However, the same cannot be said for rural areas where there are tight resource constraints and a lack of investment opportunities. In these isolated regions where houses are kilometers apart, residents are not able to reliably communicate, regardless of what kind of information they are transmitting.

Chemistry news

Research aims to convert greenhouse gas into valuable products with electricity Researchers at Case Western Reserve University are developing ways to convert waste into fuels and other products, using processes that are energy efficient and powered by renewable sources.

Biology news

	Breakthrough in designing complicated all-α protein structures A team of researchers has developed an innovative method to design complicated all-α proteins, characterized by their non-uniformly arranged α-helices as seen in hemoglobin. Employing their novel approach, the team successfully created five unique all-α protein structures, each distinguished by their complicated arrangements of α-helices. This capability holds immense potential in designing functional proteins.
	New roles for autophagy genes in cellular waste management and aging Autophagy, which declines with age, may hold more mysteries than researchers previously suspected. In the January 4th issue of Nature Aging, it was noted that scientists from the Buck Institute, Sanford Burnham Prebys and Rutgers University have uncovered possible novel functions for various autophagy genes, which may control different forms of disposal including misfolded proteins—and ultimately affect aging.
	Genomic 'tweezer' ushers in a new era of precision in microbiome research In a landmark study published in the journal Nature Methods, researchers at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai have unveiled mEnrich-seq—an innovative method designed to substantially enhance the specificity and efficiency of research into microbiomes, the complex communities of microorganisms that inhabit the human body. The paper is titled "mEnrich-seq: methylation-guided enrichment sequencing of bacterial taxa of interest from microbiome."
	The surprisingly resourceful ways bacteria thrive in the human gut The gut microbiome is so useful to human digestion and health that it is often called an extra digestive organ. This vast collection of bacteria and other microorganisms in the intestine helps us break down foods and produce nutrients or other metabolites that impact human health in a myriad of ways.
	Scientists solve mystery of how predatory bacteria recognizes prey A decades-old mystery of how natural antimicrobial predatory bacteria are able to recognize and kill other bacteria may have been solved, according to new research.
	Fossil birds: Surfaces of cervical vertebrae show conspicuous tubercles that may have served as 'internal bony armor' An international research team has examined unusual skeletal structures of various European bird fossils from the Eocene. The bone surfaces of the approximately 40- to 50-million-year-old cervical vertebrae show conspicuous tubercles, whose origin as yet remained elusive.
	Scientists engineer plant microbiome for the first time to protect crops against disease and cut use of pesticides Scientists have engineered the microbiome of plants for the first time, boosting the prevalence of 'good' bacteria that protect the plant from disease. The findings published in Nature Communications by researchers from the University of Southampton, China and Austria, could substantially reduce the need for environmentally destructive pesticides.
	Discovery raises hopes of more temperature tolerant wheat Gene-editing techniques have helped to identify a temperature tolerance factor that may protect wheat from the increasingly unpredictable challenges of climate change.
	Study warns of widespread population collapse of African raptors An international team of researchers has found that Africa's birds of prey are facing an extinction crisis. The study, co-led by researchers from the School of Biology at the University of St Andrews and The Peregrine Fund, warns of declines among nearly 90% of 42 species examined, and suggests that more than two-thirds may qualify as globally threatened.
	Australian fossil suggests photosynthesis evolved at least 1.75 billion years ago The oldest evidence of photosynthetic structures reported to date has been identified inside a collection of 1.75-billion-year-old microfossils, a Nature paper reveals. The discovery helps to shed light on the evolution of oxygenic photosynthesis.
	Marine snails study helps clarify debate on how to view major evolutionary transitions Significant evolutionary changes happen gradually as opposed to in dramatic "monster" steps, biologists have discovered, answering the long-debated question as to how game-changing innovations like flight, vision, and the bearing of live offspring came to be.
	Brazilian researchers discover two novel peptides with biotechnological potential in snake venom Brazilian snake and spider venoms continue to be a source of new discoveries with biotechnological potential. Two recently published studies show how this is possible even in relatively well-studied species such as the lancehead pit viper Cotiara (Bothrops cotiara) and the South American bushmaster (Lachesis muta).
	Unlocking the secrets of disease-causing fungus Aspergillus fumigatus An international team of researchers, led by Professor Gustavo Goldman of the University of São Paulo and Maynooth University's Dr. Özgür Bayram, has unveiled ground-breaking findings on Aspergillus fumigatus, which can cause deadly disease in humans.
	New evidence that insect wings may have evolved from gills How did insect wings originate? This is a question that represents an unsolved mystery of insect evolution. Despite many years of research, it is still not entirely clear from which body structure insect wings actually evolved and what their original function was when they were not yet efficient enough to perform active flight.
	Why are bees making less honey? Study reveals clues from five decades of data Honey yields in the U.S. have been declining since the 1990s, with honey producers and scientists unsure why, but a new study by Penn State researchers has uncovered clues in the mystery of the missing honey.
	Single-cell precision: New screening method greatly accelerates cyanobacterial analysis Cyanobacteria, as unique photosynthetic prokaryotic organisms, possess the extraordinary ability to directly convert sunlight, seawater, and carbon dioxide into a wide variety of bio-based products.
	How drinking sustainable wine can help vineyards and the planet The current global food and beverage system is unsustainable.
	How industrial agriculture is disturbing the nitrogen cycle and undermining conditions for life on Earth Six of our nine planetary boundaries have now been crossed—and industrial agriculture are the main culprit. That is what a team of scientists under Johan Rockström reported in an article published in September..
	How scientists are helping plants get the most out of photosynthesis Photosynthesis is the starting point for almost every food chain, sustaining most life on Earth. You would be forgiven, then, for thinking nature has perfected the art of turning sunlight into sugar. But that isn't exactly true. If you struggle with life goals, it might reassure you to know even plants haven't yet reached their full potential.
	Eliminating hidden hunger: How biofortification can improve nutrition at home and abroad Researchers from the John Innes Centre and the Max-Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology are calling for biofortification to play an integrated role in national and international food strategies to relieve the global problem of hidden hunger.
	Revising estimates of crops' water loss could help conserve groundwater As the state sitting above the largest portion of the United States' largest aquifer, Nebraska relies on groundwater not just for hydrating but irrigating. In growing corn, soybean and other crops, Nebraska farmers irrigate roughly 60% of their fields—more than 8 million acres, the most of any U.S. state.
	Africans discovered dinosaur fossils long before the term 'paleontology' existed, researchers say Credit for discovering the first dinosaur bones usually goes to British gentlemen for their finds between the 17th and 19th centuries in England. Robert Plot, an English natural history scholar, was the first of these to describe a dinosaur bone, in his 1676 book The Natural History of Oxfordshire. Over the next two centuries dinosaur paleontology would be dominated by numerous British natural scientists.
	Spiders really may be more scared of you than you are of them Spiders have evolved creative strategies to allow them to thrive in habitats across the globe. The one thing that seems to elude them though, is the ability to charm the humans that they encounter.
	Vitamin discovered in rivers may offer hope for salmon suffering from thiamine deficiency disease Oregon State University researchers have discovered vitamin B1 produced by microbes in rivers, findings that may offer hope for vitamin-deficient salmon populations. The findings were published in Applied and Environmental Microbiology.
	Conflict in full swing: Forest bats found to avoid large areas around fast-moving wind turbines Not only do many bats die at wind turbines, the turbines also displace some species from their habitats over large areas. When the turbines are in operation at relatively high wind speeds, the activity of bat species that hunt in structurally dense habitats such as forests drops by almost 80% within a radius of 80 to 450 meters around the turbine.
	Revisiting Israel's freshwater fish species list through cutting-edge DNA barcoding technology A recent study led by Dr. Roni Tadmor-Levi in the group of Prof. Lior David and a team of researchers from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Tel Aviv University, has shed new light on Israel's freshwater fish biodiversity.
	Harnessing sensors, smart devices, and AI could transform agriculture Biosensing engineer Azahar Ali, assistant professor of animal sciences and biological systems engineering at Virginia Tech, is bracing for the arrival of a fourth agricultural revolution.
	Study evaluates pink rib disorder tolerance in lettuce germplasm in humid subtropical environments Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) is primarily produced in the United States in California, Arizona, and Florida, with a production value of $2.7 billion (USDA-NASS 2021). Florida produces an estimated 3% of the total lettuce in the United States (USDA-NASS 2019), primarily in the Everglades Agricultural Area, which is a humid subtropical region in southern Florida. Despite this relatively low proportion of the industry in the United States, lettuce grown in Florida has significant market demand because it is harvested during winter and spring months.
	Oysters in Norway can help sick shellfish in Europe Flat oysters, commonly known as oysters, are considered a delicacy. As a species, they prefer warmer waters and are typically found just below the tidal zone at depths of a few meters.

Medicine and Health news

	Cognitive maps in some brain regions are compressed during goal-seeking decision-making Human decision-making has been the focus of a wide range of research studies. Collectively, these research efforts could help to understand better how people make different types of everyday choices while also shedding light on the neural processes underpinning these choices.
	Researchers discover that tiredness experienced by long COVID patients has a physical cause Researchers from Amsterdam UMC and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU) have discovered that the persistent fatigue in patients with long COVID has a biological cause, namely mitochondria in muscle cells that produce less energy than in healthy patients. The results of the study were published in Nature Communications.
	Scientists use high-tech brain stimulation to make people more hypnotizable How deeply someone can be hypnotized—known as hypnotizability—appears to be a stable trait that changes little throughout adulthood, much like personality and IQ. But now, for the first time, Stanford Medicine researchers have demonstrated a way to temporarily heighten hypnotizablity—potentially allowing more people to access the benefits of hypnosis-based therapy.
	Scientists uncover key brain pathway mediating panic disorder symptoms Overwhelming fear, sweaty palms, shortness of breath, rapid heart rate—these are the symptoms of a panic attack, which people with panic disorder have frequently and unexpectedly. Creating a map of the regions, neurons, and connections in the brain that mediate these panic attacks can provide guidance for developing more effective panic disorder therapeutics.
	Gender parity in autism research: Synaptic similarities challenge focus on male models New study reveals striking similarities in synaptic abnormalities and behavioral patterns between male and female mouse models of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The study challenges the traditional focus on male subjects in ASD research and highlights the critical importance of including both sexes in investigations.
	Immune atlas at cell level points to new combination treatment for incurable childhood cancer A detailed 'atlas' of neuroblastoma tumors points to a new target for immunotherapy. Scientists from the Princess Máxima Center for pediatric oncology in the Netherlands mapped this childhood tumor at the level of individual cancer and immune cells. In doing so, they discovered a brake on the immune system that can be blocked with existing immunotherapy. The results in the lab are promising; preparations for a clinical study are underway.
	Stem cell scientists develop game-changing organoid model to study human cerebellar development and disease In a first for USC Stem Cell scientists, the laboratory of Giorgia Quadrato has pioneered a novel human brain organoid model that generates all the major cell types of the cerebellum, a hindbrain region predominantly made up of two cell types necessary for movement, cognition, and emotion: granule cells and Purkinje neurons.
	Study reveals new genetic link between anorexia nervosa and being an early riser New research indicates that the eating disorder anorexia nervosa is associated with being an early riser, unlike many other disorders that tend to be evening-based such as depression, binge eating disorder and schizophrenia.
	ChatGPT found to have very low success rate in diagnosing pediatric case studies A trio of pediatricians at Cohen Children's Medical Center, in New York, has found ChatGPT's pediatric diagnostic skills to be considerably lacking after asking the LLM to diagnose 100 random case studies. In their study, reported in the journal JAMA Pediatrics, Joseph Barile, Alex Margolis and Grace Cason tested ChatGPT's diagnostic skills.
	A regimen for treating environmental enteric dysfunction A team of medical researchers at Washington University School of Medicine, working with colleagues from the University of Zambia School of Medicine and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, has developed a regimen for treating children with environmental enteric dysfunction. For their project, reported in the journal Science Translational Medicine, the group studied environmental enteric dysfunction in children living in Zambia and possible ways to treat it.
	Eye signage in surgical theater areas has potential to decrease incivility Australian researchers have successfully trialed a novel experiment to address offensive and rude comments in operating theaters by placing "eye" signage in surgical rooms.
	Comparing human and mouse Purkinje cells to better understand human brain complexity A multi-institutional team of brain researchers has discovered some of the ways that the human brain has evolved to allow for better cognitive processing by comparing certain nerve cells from the brains of mice and humans. In their project, reported in the journal Communications Biology, the group studied Purkinje cells in the two species.
	Using static electricity to enhance biomedical implant durability Medical technology innovations achieved by integrating science and medicine have improved the quality of life for patients. Especially noteworthy is the emergence of electronic devices implanted in the body, such as in the heart or brain, which enable real-time measurement and regulation of physiological signals, presenting new solutions for challenging conditions like Parkinson's disease. However, technical constraints have hindered the semi-permanent use of electronic devices after their implantation.
	Researchers find gut microbes can affect COVID vaccine response Researchers from Karolinska Institutet in Sweden have discovered that the gut microbiome can influence how well people respond to mRNA COVID vaccines. The study, published in the journal npj Biofilms and Microbiomes, suggests that certain bacteria in the gut can enhance the immune response to the vaccine, whereas other bacteria may weaken it.
	Removing a protein could prevent aging and obesity from evolving into metabolic diseases, research suggests As we age and gain excess weight, our body's cells undergo stress. This stress is marked by an overproduction of a chemical compound known as ROS (reactive oxygen species), adversely affecting the cells.
	Scientists identify a molecular anchor that stabilizes mitochondria near synapses to support memory formation When experiencing new things, the structure and function of our neurons and their connections are rapidly being remodeled. This process, known as synaptic plasticity, is critical for us to learn and adapt. However, these changes require a lot of energy.
	Researchers identify and manipulate neural circuits for risk/reward decision-making in primates Life consists of infinite possibilities—appearing in the real world as multiple choices, that then require decision-making in order to determine the best course of action. However, with every choice there also exists a certain amount of uncertainty or "risk." Therefore, behind every decision, lies an intricate evaluation process that balances the risks and rewards associated with taking such actions.
	Supercharging CAR-T cells for cancer treatment At EPFL's School of Engineering, Professor Li Tang's Laboratory of Biomaterials for Immunoengineering has made significant strides in cancer treatment research. In laboratory settings, this innovative CAR-T therapy has consistently eradicated cancerous tumors in mouse models.
	Proof-of-concept study presents a blood test that can identify genetic diseases in fetuses A research team from Odense University Hospital and the University of Southern Denmark has developed an innovative screening test. With a blood sample from the expectant mother, they can scrutinize all the genes in the fetus.
	Chicken eggs could provide low-cost opportunities for cancer imaging research In a paper published in npj Imaging, King's researchers have assessed the use of fertilized chicken eggs as an alternative model that can resolve both ethical and economic issues for preclinical cancer research.
	High folic acid and low B12 can affect fetal brain development in mice Folate is a B vitamin and a necessary nutrient to prevent neural tube defects, such as spina bifida. Folic acid, a synthetic form of folate, has been added to vitamins, breakfast cereals, and other products in the U.S. and more than 80 other countries to ensure pregnant women get adequate amounts. However, new research suggests there may be such a thing as too much folic acid.
	Treating tuberculosis when antibiotics no longer work Researchers have identified new antibiotic molecules that target Mycobacterium tuberculosis and make it less pathogenic for humans. In addition, some of the discovered substances may allow for a renewed treatment of tuberculosis with available medications—including strains of the bacterium that have already developed drug resistance.
	Classifying the natural history of asymptomatic malaria Detecting malaria in people who aren't experiencing symptoms is vital to public health efforts to better control this tropical disease in places where the mosquito-borne parasite is common. Asymptomatic people harboring the parasite can still transmit the disease or become ill later, after initially testing negative.
	Variants in synaptic scaffolding protein PPFIA3 discovered to cause new syndromic neurodevelopmental disorder An international collaborative study has recently discovered that variants in the PPFIA3 gene cause a previously unknown syndromic neurodevelopmental disorder.
	Researchers identify molecular link between gut bacteria and excitatory brain signaling in C. elegans A new study published in Nature Cell Biology by Mark Alkema, Ph.D., professor of neurobiology at University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, establishes an important molecular link between specific B12-producing bacteria in the gut of the roundworm C. elegans and the production of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter important to memory and cognitive function.
	YAP and TAZ: Protein partners identified as potential key for fetal bone development A pair of proteins, YAP and TAZ, has been identified as conductors of bone development in the womb and could provide insight into genetic diseases such as osteogenesis imperfecta, known commonly as "brittle bone disease."
	More hospitals are requiring masks as flu and COVID-19 cases surge More U.S. hospitals are requiring masks and limiting visitors as health officials face an expected but still nasty post-holiday spike in flu, COVID-19 and other illnesses.
	Alzheimer's drugs might get into the brain faster with new ultrasound tool, study shows Scientists have found a way to help Alzheimer's drugs seep inside the brain faster—by temporarily breaching its protective shield.
	Minimizing immunotherapy's potentially harmful side effects Recent advances in treating multiple myeloma, the second most common blood cancer, and other blood malignancies are providing improved outcomes—and hope—to patients worldwide.
	Study finds preconception stress may affect health of women undergoing fertility treatment Stress during pregnancy is known to influence health outcomes, but a new study from Mass General Brigham researchers suggests that stress levels before pregnancy are also important to evaluate.
	Research identifies PLK4 as promising therapeutic target for TP53 mutated acute myeloid leukemia A research team led by Professor Anskar Leung Yu-hung, from the Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, LKS Faculty of Medicine, the University of Hong Kong (HKUMed), has identified PLK4 as a novel therapeutic target for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) carrying the TP53 mutation. AML is a deadly disease, for which there is currently a lack of effective treatment options.
	Study uses new tools, machine learning to investigate major cause of blindness in older adults Age-related macular degeneration is a common disease of aging and a leading cause of blindness in older adults, although blindness can be prevented if AMD is treated early. Advanced AMD is treatable only in about 15% of cases by injecting medications directly into the eye, which is burdensome and expensive for patients and their families.
	Q&A: Worm study raises concern about DEET's effect on reproduction Researchers have uncovered evidence hinting that the most common bug spray ingredient, DEET, might cause reproductive problems by affecting the formation of egg cells during pregnancy.
	Seizures identified as potential cause of sudden unexplained death in children In a study designed to better understand sudden, unexpected deaths in young children, which usually occur during sleep, researchers have identified brief seizures, accompanied by muscle convulsions, as a potential cause.
	Incomplete notification and underreporting of snakebites can hinder public health actions, study suggests Approximately 28,000 snakebites caused by venomous snakes of medical importance are reported annually in Brazil, according to Health Ministry data. The number is certainly a significant underestimate because many snakebites are not reported.
	Research makes important discovery about pulmonary sequelae after COVID-19 infection A collaborative study sought to identify the sequelae associated with long-term pulmonary dysfunction (L-PDD) in patients with COVID-19.
	The science behind building healthy habits can help you keep your New Year's resolution Every New Year, millions of people make resolutions, with the most common resolutions being health-related. Despite their popularity, up to 80% of resolutions fail, mostly within a few weeks. As a result, many people make the same resolutions year after year.
	Dyspraxia affects children's well-being. How parents and caregivers can help It's likely at least one child in every classroom has movement difficulties in the form of developmental coordination disorder (DCD), also known as developmental dyspraxia.
	The study of dreams: Scientists uncover new communication channels with dreamers In his sci-fi film "Inception," (2010), Christopher Nolan imagined his protagonist slipping into other people's dreams and even shaping their contents. But what if this story wasn't so far away from real life?
	Radiation therapy takes advantage of cancer's poor DNA repair abilities. Experts explain how Nearly half of all cancer patients undergo radiation therapy as part of their care. Ionizing radiation, or the emission of high-energy waves or particles, works as a therapy by damaging a cancer cell's DNA. It's an effective tool for killing cancer cells because they are generally much less adept at DNA repair compared to healthy cells. Damaging specific parts of DNA prevents cancer cells from reproducing, effectively killing them.
	Women, Black men less likely to receive lifesaving heart failure treatments: Study Access to potentially lifesaving heart failure treatments has increased in recent years, but women and Black men remain far less likely to receive them, new research suggests.
	Research shows more lives can be saved if ambulance staff receive AI support Assessing how seriously injured a person is, involves weighing up lots of different parameters fast. If health care professionals could get support making fast-paced, life-critical decisions from an AI tool, more lives could be saved. This has been shown by research from Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden, along with the University of Gothenburg and the University of Borås.
	New technique could improve liver fibrosis treatment Chronic liver disease, a growing threat to global health, often progresses silently in its early stages. Detecting its precursor, steatotic liver disease (SLD), and advanced liver fibrosis before complications arise is crucial to prevent devastating outcomes. The newly developed Chronic Liver Disease (CLivD) score offers a promising non-invasive approach to this challenge.
	AI-driven study redefines right heart health assessment with novel predictive model In a milestone study, researchers from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai have harnessed the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the assessment of the heart's right ventricle, which sends blood to the lungs.
	Study finds Paxlovid treatment does not reduce risk of long COVID A team of researchers from UC San Francisco has found that Paxlovid (Nirmatrelvir-ritonavir) did not reduce the risk of developing long COVID for vaccinated, non-hospitalized individuals during their first COVID-19 infection. They also found a higher proportion of individuals with acute symptoms rebound and test-positivity than previously reported.
	Transgender, gender-diverse individuals report acne-related stigma Transgender and gender-diverse individuals report experiencing acne-related stigma, according to a study published online Jan. 3 in JAMA Dermatology.
	Study shows liquefied petroleum gas does not reduce stunted growth in infants An intervention that replaces biomass fuel (e.g., wood, dung, or agricultural crop waste) with liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) for cooking does not reduce the risk for stunted growth in infants, according to a study published in the Jan. 4 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
	FDA looking into new risks with popular weight-loss drugs The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is investigating reports of additional dangers linked to several wildly popular weight-loss drugs.
	Liquefied petroleum gas does not affect severe pneumonia risk in infants, finds study An intervention that replaces biomass fuel (e.g., wood, dung, or agricultural crop waste) with liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) for cooking does not affect the incidence of severe pneumonia among infants, according to a study published in the Jan. 4 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
	Q&A: Stressed out? Why mindfulness and meditation help us cope with the world In a world fraught with anxiety, stress, and environmental and humanitarian disasters, people are looking for ways to cope. Many have turned to practices originating in ancient eastern philosophies for guidance. Among these is mindfulness, which is linked to meditation.
	School uniforms may trigger sensory overload in kids sensitive to fabrics—recent research can help Many people live with what's known as sensory over-reactivity or over-responsiveness. Those with this condition experience an over-reaction to sensory stimuli, such as touch. When overstimulated, the brain triggers a fight-or-flight response, which can lead to irritability, withdrawing from people, and temper tantrums.
	Weight loss: Why listening to your circadian rhythm may be important When it comes to losing weight, many people want to know what the best diet is. But increasing research shows that when you eat may just as important for your health and weight as what you eat.
	Liso-cel cost-effective for second-line relapsed/refractory lymphoma Lisocabtagene maraleucel (liso-cel), a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy, is cost-effective for second-line diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) therapy, according to a study published online Dec. 28 in Blood Advances.
	New antibiotic slays deadly superbug in early trial Researchers report that a new type of antibiotic has proved its mettle against a deadly superbug.
	Cancer patients face frightening delays in treatment approvals Marine Corps veteran Ron Winters clearly recalls his doctor's sobering assessment of his bladder cancer diagnosis in August 2022.
	'AGGA' inventor testifies his dental device was not meant for temporomandibular joint disorder or sleep apnea A Tennessee dentist who has been sued by multiple temporomandibular joint disorder and sleep apnea patients over an unproven dental device he invented has said under oath that he never taught dentists to use the device for those ailments—contradicting video footage of him telling dentists how to use it.
	An electrophysiological breakthrough for diabetic brain studies A research team has successfully demonstrated low-invasive neural recording technology in the brain tissue of diabetic mice. This was achieved using a small needle-electrode with a diameter of 4 µm.
	Study offers a different explanation as to why only 36% of psychology studies replicate In light of an estimated replication rate of only 36% out of 100 replication attempts conducted by the Open Science Collaboration in 2015 (OSC2015), many believe that experimental psychology suffers from a severe replicability problem.
	Can product warning labels communicate the dangers of sugar? Society seems addicted to sugar, but individuals who consume large quantities increase their risk of obesity and other health problems. Can warning labels on sweets curb consumption? Researchers at the University of Göttingen have investigated how such labels can influence purchasing behavior.
	Improving patient safety using principles of aerospace engineering Approximately 13 billion laboratory tests are administered every year in the United States, but not every result is timely or accurate. Laboratory missteps prevent patients from receiving appropriate, necessary, and sometimes lifesaving care. These medical errors are the third-leading cause of death in the nation.
	New insulin mixture could make life easier for patients with type 1 diabetes Norwegians are at the top of the list when it comes to new annual cases of type 1 diabetes among children, young people and adults. The disease is caused when the pancreas doesn't make enough insulin. There is no cure, and patients must take insulin for the rest of their lives.
	Team develops new population risk prediction model for likelihood of ICU admission and survival A significant obstacle to improving care and outcomes for intensive care unit (ICU) patients is the unexpected nature of becoming seriously ill. Which groups of patients are likely to become severely ill, and will they survive their ICU stay?
	Sudden hearing loss study: High-dose therapy does not lead to better outcomes than the standard treatment In the case of sudden hearing loss, high-dose therapy with common medications is not more effective than standard treatment but is associated with a higher risk of side effects. This is the main result of a large-scale Germany-wide randomized controlled trial with more than 300 patients led by the University Medicine Halle.
	Better mental, physical health in older people tied to living near nature Even small differences in the availability of urban green and blue spaces may be associated with better mental and physical health in older adults, according to a Washington State University study.
	Harnessing nature to improve the well-being of city dwellers Nature is being harnessed in the EU to improve the well-being of city dwellers, including people suffering from loneliness.
	CAR T cell therapy for T cell lymphoma shows promise in phase I trial Researchers at the Center for Cell and Gene Therapy at Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children's Hospital, and Houston Methodist Hospital have developed a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy targeting T-cell lymphoma, an aggressive and difficult-to-treat cancer.
	Understanding the role of a new enzyme in the development of autism spectrum disorder Over the past decades, scientists have made substantial progress unveiling the underlying mechanisms behind many psychiatric disorders. Every year, new genetic mutations or protein dysregulations are identified as potential culprits for the symptoms and sometimes even the root causes of complex neurological diseases, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD), schizophrenia, and Alzheimer's.
	An innovative approach for evaluating muscle coordination and fatigue Surface electromyography (sEMG) is a traditional method used to measure the electrical activity of muscles during physical activity. This method has remained unchanged for over 70 years and involves the use of two standard approaches.
	Researchers find disparities in rates of certain preterm births A team of researchers from Drexel University and Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) studied how different circumstances of preterm birth may indicate the health of the parents and their surrounding community at a geographic level. These findings indicate the need for community-level health interventions that could reduce the number of preterm births. The findings are published in the American Journal of Epidemiology.
	Study finds hidden physical health costs for minority youth overcoming adversity When youth thrive despite difficult circumstances, they are usually lauded for their accomplishments. However, overcoming adversity may have a hidden physiological cost, especially for minority youth. A study from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign looks at physiological changes among high-striving minority youth in early adolescence.
	Metastatic cancer patients more likely to survive at academic and high-volume hospitals when given immunotherapy: Study A new study led by Yale Cancer Center researchers at Yale School of Medicine has revealed a significant increase in patients starting immunotherapy within one month of death. Using a national clinical database, the researchers focused on patients with metastatic melanoma, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and renal cell carcinoma (RCC). They were treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors from the point of FDA approval, through to 2019. The melanoma cohort began treatment in 2012 and the RCC and NSCLC cohorts in 2016.
	Robotic surgery improves outcomes for most colon cancer patients, finds study Robotic surgery offers significant benefits over laparoscopic procedures for many patients undergoing colectomies for colon cancer, according to a study by UT Southwestern Medical Center.
	Early nerve intervention found to reduce pain and complications after amputation Performed early—at the time of amputation—a procedure called targeted muscle reinnervation (TMR) can reduce pain scores and prevent complications related to abnormal nerve regrowth, suggests a new study in the journal Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
	Deaths tied to 'fake Xanax' street drug are increasing Three twenty-somethings in Chicago took a street drug they thought was a harmless form of Xanax. All three were found collapsed and unresponsive eight hours later by one of their mothers, who had them rushed to the hospital. After multiple seizures, fever and heart damage, all three are thought to have recovered, but not before spending many days hospitalized.
	Bipolar disorder linked to early death more than smoking Having bipolar disorder—a serious mental illness that can cause both manic and depressed moods—can make life more challenging. It also comes with a higher risk of dying early. Now, a study puts into perspective just how large that risk is, and how it compares with other factors that can shorten life.
	Most babies with sickle cell disease face double disadvantage, say researchers As if starting life with a potentially disabling genetic blood disease wasn't enough, a study shows that almost two-thirds of babies born with sickle cell disease are born to mothers who live in disadvantaged areas.
	Study shows liraglutide results in increased insulin sensitivity independent of weight loss A recent study published in the journal Diabetes demonstrates that a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonist, a member of a class of medication used to treat type 2 diabetes and obesity, can lead to a rapid improvement in insulin sensitivity.
	Newsom urges support for March ballot measure to reform California's mental health system Gov. Gavin Newsom gathered with city leaders and public safety officials Wednesday to urge support of Proposition 1, an overhaul of the state's mental health system that will be on California's March 5 primary election ballot.
	Health consequences among COVID-19 convalescent patients 30 months post-infection in China In August 2022, 217 COVID-19 convalescent patients who had been diagnosed with COVID-19 in February 2020 were recruited for a new study. These convalescent patients were residents of multiple districts in Wuhan, China.

Other Sciences news

	New technology interprets archaeological findings from Biblical times A breakthrough achieved by researchers from four Israeli universities—Tel Aviv University, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Bar-Ilan University and Ariel University—will enable archaeologists to identify burnt materials discovered in excavations and estimate their firing temperatures.
	Evidence of ancient medieval feasting rituals uncovered in grounds of historic property An early medieval cemetery has been discovered within the grounds of Fonmon Castle, near Barry, South Wales.
	The strange story of the grave of Copernicus Nicholas Copernicus was the astronomer who, five centuries ago, explained that Earth revolves around the sun, rather than vice versa. A true Renaissance man, he also practiced as a mathematician, engineer, author, economic theorist and medical doctor.
	Ancient Roman wine production may hold clues for battling climate change It is no secret that the Romans were heavy wine drinkers. Estimates put the average Roman male's consumption at a liter or more of diluted wine per day. The drink was also a symbol of civilized behavior, and widely used as a drug, medicine and ritual beverage. Winemaking was therefore a widespread and very profitable activity, and vine growing dominated much of the agricultural landscape.
	Global triggers: Why these five big issues could cause significant problems in 2024 The tensions between the US and China made the global economy shudder in 2023. The ramifications of the Ukrainian war echoed beyond the country's border. In Africa, the coup d'état in Niger and Gabon contributed to the global democratic retreat of recent years and the Hamas/Israel conflict has so far resulted in thousands of deaths.
	UK urged to get ready for disaster with new national crises plan—but research reveals the dark side of prepping What would you do if everyday life was suddenly turned upside down? Thanks to recent Hollywood blockbusters, the increasing popularity of everyday survivalism and a climate of volatile, uncertain times (war, weather, accelerating technology), visions of the apocalypse seem to be having a moment.
	No one can predict how financial markets will behave with absolute certainty. Here's why Some stock market enthusiasts claim to be able to predict financial market trends with fantastic accuracy.
	Four tips for a healthy news diet in 2024, from an expert in media psychology The start of the new year brings inevitable pressure to start fresh, with new hobbies, exercise regimes and healthy diets. But there is one diet you may not have thought of improving this year: your media and news consumption.
	Workers in their teens and early 20s are more likely to get hurt than older employees, says researcher Think about your first job. Maybe it was delivering pizza, bagging groceries, bussing tables or doing landscaping work. Did you get enough training to avoid potential injuries? Chances are, you didn't—and your boss or supervisor just told you to get to work.
	Researcher: Being humble is a good New Year's resolution, but it requires knowing what you value most As the New Year gets going, many of us make resolutions to better our lives and our selves. Counselors and psychologists alike will tell you that the key to self-improvement is being humble.
	Leadership style may indirectly affect how employees speak up about food safety Proper food safety procedures prevent foodborne illnesses and are vital to preventing crises in the food service and hospitality industries. A new study from researchers in the Penn State School of Hospitality Management found that the leadership style within an organization can influence how employees speak up to correct or prevent food safety issues.
	Homicides in US dropped by 12% in 2023, but country set a record for mass shootings, says expert The year 2023 established tragic highs for gun violence, according to James Alan Fox, a Northeastern professor.
	'Leaveism' and 'presenteeism' continue even when employers are more flexible. Here's how to be happier at work Way back in February 2020, before most of us really knew anything about COVID, we wrote an article for The Conversation about "leaveism" and its impact on flexible working. Barely a month later, the world was bracing for a pandemic that would inadvertently create the largest (forced) working experiment of all time.
	Values and traditions slow transition to sustainability in classical concert industry, finds study There is a growing interest in sustainability among orchestras, ensembles and concert halls in Germany, in terms of reducing their environmental impacts, and in relation to programming, such as creating concert formats that engage with sustainability on a thematic level. Is the classical concert industry contributing to the broader transformation of society towards sustainability? RIFS researchers see room for improvement, finding that many institutions and orchestral musicians are not sufficiently self-critical in their approach to sustainability issues.
	Study reveals a higher market valuation of cash holdings of firms adopting electronic voting Firms worldwide are increasingly adopting electronic voting, enabling shareholders to cast their votes online instead of attending shareholder meetings in person. Shareholders can enjoy superior accessibility to the meetings with electronic voting compared to those with traditional and in-person setups. Despite the emerging popularity of electronic voting in recent years, there is limited evidence of its impact on governance.
	Pollution-tracking citizen science project offers New York students a breath of fresh air Climate change is one of the biggest issues of the 21st century, a crisis that affects the fate of the entire world as well as our place in it. A warming Earth will destroy ecosystems, flood cities, and lead to countless suffering and death for people worldwide. Part of the challenge of dealing with climate change is helping people understand its complex impacts.
	Does self-checkout impact grocery store loyalty? In an effort to reduce costs and improve customer satisfaction, retailers have implemented self-checkouts in stores across the country. They have become increasingly popular, but some brands like Walmart are removing self-checkouts in some locations while adding more in others.
	The (wrong) reason we keep secrets: Research finds fears of judgment are overblown In and out of the workplace, people often keep adverse information about themselves secret because they worry that others will judge them harshly. But those fears are overblown, according to new research from the McCombs School of Business.
	Students build science identity through immersive research experience Each summer, community college students from Colorado and surrounding states converge on the CU Boulder campus to participate in an immersive nine-week research program. A recent CIRES-led study reveals that when the students head home, they don't just take new scientific and professional skills with them—they also leave with more confidence in their ability to do science and a greater sense of belonging in the science community.
	Persons with developmental disabilities were socially isolated during the pandemic, Norwegian study finds In a new study published in the Tidsskrift for omsorgsforskning (Journal of Care Research), researchers from the Regional Center for Obesity Research and Innovation (ObeCe) at St. Olavs Hospital and the University of Agder uncovered human rights violations in five assisted living facilities for people with developmental disabilities in Central Norway.
	Expert advice to help young people keep their New Year's resolutions If you have resolved to take better care of your mental health this year, you might as well start first thing in the morning. Saying positive affirmations aloud can help you get into a positive mindset and cancel out patterns of negative thinking. And they are easy to find—just look to your favorite books or songs.
	Women and younger workers more likely to be underemployed, UK report finds A new research study has found that women, and younger workers, are among those most likely to be affected by underemployment, either working below their potential or preference in terms of hours spent in work, the wages earned, or the skills they use in their jobs.

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