Science X Newsletter Fri, Feb 23

Dear ,

Be an ACS Industry Insider: https://solutions.acs.org/industryinsider/

Sign-up and get free, monthly access to articles that cover exciting, cutting edge discoveries in Energy, Environmental Science and Agriculture.

---

Here is your customized Science X Newsletter for February 23, 2024:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

Astronomers detect a new short-period brown dwarf

Male glass frogs that care for offspring found to have smaller testes

An inchworm-inspired robot with enhanced transport capabilities

Larger-than-expected prehistoric mammal species uncovered in Patagonia

Super strong magnetic fields leave imprint on nuclear matter

Improving social symptoms of depression with a common anesthetic

Intravesical gemcitabine/docetaxel as an alternative therapy for patients with non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer

America returns spaceship to the Moon, a private sector first

Scientists discover neural pathway that explains the escalation of fear responses

Children's drawings contain valuable information about how they think

Investigators find that streams connected to groundwater show improved detoxification and microbial diversity

Engineers 3D print the electromagnets at the heart of many electronics

Ladybug scents offer a more ecologically friendly way to protect crops

Study reveals racial disparities in school enrollment during COVID-19

A calming neurotransmitter can also be excitatory, study finds

Nanotechnology news

	Researchers develop hemostatic agent from mussels and silkworm cocoons to stop organ bleeding In recent news, there has been a case where a patient experienced pain due to a surgical procedure involving sutures, resulting in the unintended presence of gauze within the patient's body. Gauze is typically employed to control bleeding during medical interventions, aiding in hemostasis. However, when inadvertently left in the body, it can lead to inflammation and infection.
	Lab-spun sponges form perfect scaffolds for growing skin cells to heal wounds A new technique for electrospinning sponges has allowed scientists from the University of Surrey to directly produce 3D scaffolds—on which skin grafts could be grown from the patient's own skin.
	Polymer-based tunable optical components allow for metasurfaces that can switched with light A material coating, whose light refraction properties can be precisely switched between different states, has been developed by an interdisciplinary research team from the Chemistry and Physics departments at the University of Jena. The team, led by Felix Schacher, Sarah Walden, Purushottam Poudel, and Isabelle Staude, combined polymers that react to light with so-called metasurfaces.
	New technique for sorting micro-particles uses sound waves Thanks to the rapid progress in tiny tech, we've been mainly using microfluidics to sort tiny particles by size. But now, there's a new way to sort them by shape, which could be a big deal for medical tests and chemistry. A recent study introduces a new method using sound waves to separate oddly shaped particles from round ones without needing any labels. This breakthrough could lead to better ways to deliver drugs or diagnose diseases by offering a smarter approach to sorting these tiny particles.

Physics news

	Super strong magnetic fields leave imprint on nuclear matter A new analysis by the STAR collaboration at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC), a particle collider at the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Brookhaven National Laboratory, provides the first direct evidence of the imprint left by what may be the universe's most powerful magnetic fields on "deconfined" nuclear matter. The evidence comes from measuring the way differently charged particles separate when emerging from collisions of atomic nuclei at this DOE Office of Science user facility.
	How to track important changes in a dynamic network Networks can represent changing systems, like the spread of an epidemic or the growth of groups in a population of people. But the structure of these networks can change, too, as links appear or vanish over time. To better understand these changes, researchers often study a series of static "snapshots" that capture the structure of the network during a short duration.
	Scientists closer to finding quantum gravity theory after measuring gravity on microscopic level Scientists are a step closer to unraveling the mysterious forces of the universe after working out how to measure gravity on a microscopic level.
	Researchers develop a computer from an array of VCSELs with optical feedback In our data-driven era, solving complex problems efficiently is crucial. However, traditional computers often struggle with this task when dealing with a large number of interacting variables, leading to inefficiencies such as the von Neumann bottleneck. A new type of collective state computing has emerged to address this issue by mapping these optimization problems onto something called the Ising problem in magnetism.

Earth news

	Study shows cloud clustering causes more extreme rain Understanding cloud patterns in our changing climate is essential to making accurate predictions about their impact on society and nature. Scientists at the Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA) and the Max-Planck-Institute for Meteorology published a study in the journal Science Advances that uses a high-resolution global climate model to understand how the clustering of clouds and storms impacts rainfall extremes in the tropics. They show that with rising temperatures, the severity of extreme precipitation events increases.
	Ice melt barriers disappearing at twice the rate compared to 50 years ago, study finds Undersea anchors of ice that help prevent Antarctica's land ice from slipping into the ocean are shrinking at more than twice the rate compared with 50 years ago, research shows.
	Global warming found to increase the diversity of active soil bacteria Warmer soils harbor a greater diversity of active microbes, according to a new study from researchers at the Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science (CeMESS) at the University of Vienna.
	Forever chemicals reach extraordinary levels in wildlife at Holloman Air Force Base A team of researchers from The University of New Mexico's Museum of Southwestern Biology (MSB) have reported unexpectedly high levels of chemical contamination in wild birds and mammals at Holloman Air Force Base, near Alamogordo, N.M. in new research published in Environmental Research.
Climate change not to blame for deadly Chile Fires: researchers Neither human-induced climate change nor the El Nino weather phenomenon were determining factors in the devastating forest fires that killed more than 130 people in Chile this month, according to the results of an international study revealed Thursday.
	California faces an uphill battle against plastic Given its green bona fides, it's no surprise that California was the first state in the nation to ban single-use plastic bags 10 years ago. Many were hopeful that would make a dent in the plastic pollution crisis, one canvas tote bag at a time. But if you've been to a California supermarket recently, you may have noticed that plastic bags aren't gone—they're just thicker.
	EPA raises concerns about Georgia's handling of toxic coal ash The federal Environmental Protection Agency has notified counterparts at the Georgia Environmental Protection Division that they believe the state may be allowing Georgia Power to store toxic coal ash in ways that are "less protective" than federal standards require.
	Unprecedented anticyclonic anomaly in northeast Asia triggers extreme weather events and prolonged marine heat wave A study published in Advances in Atmospheric Sciences has revealed the unprecedented nature of an anticyclonic anomaly that occurred over Northeast Asia in July 2021. It not only played a pivotal role in the catastrophic extreme precipitation experienced in Henan Province in central China, but also caused a prolonged and intense marine heat wave in the Japan Sea—the strongest event of its kind in the western North Pacific in the past four decades.
	Scientists improve timing of fog warnings by detecting changes in atmospheric electric field A foggy day in London town just got even more predictable. Scientists have discovered how to increase early warnings for fog, from around half an hour to up to two hours before it happens, by detecting changes in the atmospheric electric field.
	Assessing soil carbon stocks accurately Researchers from Teagasc have published an article in Geoderma Regional highlighting the consequences of not measuring soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks in Irish grassland soils precisely. Quantifying changes in SOC, either carbon sequestration or losses into the atmosphere, requires accurate determination of soil bulk density, which is only achieved by accounting for soil stone content (rock fragments higher than 2 mm in size).
	Wetlands, parks and botanical gardens the best ways to cool cities during heat waves, finds study Wetlands, parks and even botanical gardens among the best ways to cool cities during heat waves—says biggest-ever global study
	'Zombie' blazes and drought: Canada headed for another brutal fire season Beneath the ground in Western Canada, dozens of so-called "zombie fires" that started last year are still burning.
	Climate change is fanning the flames of NZ's wildfire future. Port Hills is only the beginning, researcher says Last week, wildfire burned through 650 hectares of forest and scrub in Christchurch's Port Hills. This is not the first time the area has faced a terrifying wildfire event.
	Solving Singapore's urban heat island effect According to Singapore's Meteorological Service, Singapore has been warming up twice as fast compared to the rest of the world.

Astronomy and Space news

	Astronomers detect a new short-period brown dwarf While analyzing the data from the Next Generation Transit Survey (NGTS), an international team of astronomers has discovered a new brown dwarf. The newfound object, designated NGTS-28Ab, orbits its host star in just about 30 hours. The finding was reported in a paper posted February 15 on the preprint server arXiv.
	America returns spaceship to the Moon, a private sector first For the first time since the Apollo era, an American spaceship has landed on the Moon: an uncrewed commercial robot, funded by NASA to pave the way for US astronauts to return to Earth's cosmic neighbor later this decade.
	Researchers find destruction of oceans' worth of water per month in Orion Nebula An international team, including Western astrophysicists Els Peeters and Jan Cami, has found the destruction and re-formation of a large quantity of water in a planet-forming disk located at the heart of the Orion Nebula.
	If Hycean worlds really exist, what are their oceans like? Astronomers have been on the hunt for a new kind of exoplanet in recent years—one especially suited for habitability. They're called Hycean worlds, and they're characterized by vast liquid water oceans and thick hydrogen-rich atmospheres. The name was coined in 2021 by Cambridge astronomer Nikku Madhusudhan, whose team got a close-up look at one possible Hycean world, K2-18b, using the James Webb Space Telescope in 2023.
	How we could snoop on extraterrestrial communications networks The conditions for life throughout the universe are so plentiful that it seems reasonable to presume there must be extra-terrestrial civilizations in the galaxy. But if that's true, where are they? The Search for Extra-terrestrial Intelligence (SETI) program and others have long sought to find signals from these civilizations, but so far there has been nothing conclusive.
	Solar physics: Why study it? What can it teach us about finding life beyond Earth? Universe Today has investigated the importance of studying impact craters, planetary surfaces, exoplanets, and astrobiology, and what these disciplines can teach both researchers and the public about finding life beyond Earth. Here, we will discuss the fascinating field of solar physics (also called heliophysics), including why scientists study it, the benefits and challenges of studying it, what it can teach us about finding life beyond Earth, and how upcoming students can pursue studying solar physics. So, why is it so important to study solar physics?
	Lander 'alive and well' after company scores first US moon landing since Apollo era The moon's newest arrival was said to be "alive and well" a day after making the first U.S. landing in half a century, but flight controllers were still trying to get a better handle on its bearings.

Technology news

	An inchworm-inspired robot with enhanced transport capabilities Soft robots inspired by animals can help to tackle real-world problems in efficient and innovative ways. Roboticists have been working to continuously broaden and improve these robots' capabilities, as this could open new avenues for the automation of tasks in various settings.
	Engineers 3D print the electromagnets at the heart of many electronics Imagine being able to build an entire dialysis machine using nothing more than a 3D printer.
	Mixed-dimensional transistors enable high-performance multifunctional electronic devices The downscaling of electronic devices, such as transistors, has reached a plateau, posing challenges for semiconductor fabrication. However, a research team led by materials scientists from City University of Hong Kong (CityU) recently discovered a new strategy for developing highly versatile electronics with outstanding performance using transistors made of mixed-dimensional nanowires and nanoflakes.
	A type of cyberattack that could set your smartphone on fire using its wireless charger A team of security experts at the University of Florida working with security audit company CertiK has found that a certain class of cyberattacks could cause a smartphone to catch fire via its wireless charger. The team has posted a paper describing their research and results on the arXiv preprint server.
	Cheap mini-EVs sparkle in China's smaller, poorer cities Tiny electric cars weave through traffic in southern China, their cheap and cheerful designs bringing a touch of colour to the EV revolution in the country's overlooked cities.
	Commercial shipment marks big step for safer, more efficient nuclear fuels On a chilly December evening in eastern Idaho, a semi-tractor trailer truck pulls off the desert highway and up to the gate at the Department of Energy's Materials and Fuels Complex.
	Diversifying data to beat bias AI holds the potential to revolutionize health care, but it also brings with it a significant challenge: bias. For instance, a dermatologist might use an AI-driven system to help identify suspicious moles. But what if the machine learning model was trained primarily on image data from lighter skin tones, and misses a common form of skin cancer on a darker-skinned patient?
	A novel deep learning modeling approach guided by mesoscience Deep learning modeling that incorporates physical knowledge is currently a hot topic, and a number of excellent techniques have emerged. The most well-known one is the physics-informed neural networks (PINNs).
	New study shows how pyrolysis tech could improve life in rural India A new approach to waste management could help villages in rural India cut indoor air pollution, improve soil health, and generate clean power, researchers say.
	How the world can achieve climate goals with clean hydrogen production Driving on hydrogen and using it to heat our homes could be a solution to the climate problem. At least, if we start producing it in the right, clean way. Leiden researchers mapped out the global environmental impact of hydrogen production and looked ahead to 2050. They published their work in Energy & Environmental Science.
	Rammed earth construction: Researchers look to the past to improve sustainability Researchers at UBC Okanagan are revisiting old building practices—the use of by-products and cast-offs—as a way to improve building materials and the sustainability of the trade.
	Researchers introduce biomineralization as a sustainable strategy against microbial corrosion in marine concrete Microbially induced corrosion (MIC) is a prevalent issue in marine environments, leading to structural damages such as cracking in concrete infrastructure. This corrosion poses a persistent challenge, significantly reducing the lifespan of marine structures and resulting in substantial economic losses.
	Is the future of open source software at risk due to protestware? SMU Associate Professor Christoph Treude examines the foundations for studies on open-source software and protestware.
	Navigating the depths: Exploration in underwater navigation using acoustic beacons A team from the Naval University of Engineering in Wuhan, China, has created novel algorithms that rectify inertial errors using sparse acoustic signals. This exploration offers a novel method for the issue of underwater navigation, where traditional satellite systems are ineffective due to their signals' inability to penetrate water effectively.
	AT&T says the outage to its US cellphone network was not caused by a cyberattack AT&T said the hourslong outage to its U.S. cellphone network Thursday appeared to be the result of a technical error, not a malicious attack.
	Reddit strikes $60M deal allowing Google to train AI models on its posts, unveils IPO plans Reddit has struck a deal with Google that allows the search giant to use posts from the online discussion site for training its artificial intelligence models and to improve services such as Google Search.
	Tech titans yield to new EU rules before March deadline 2024 will be a year of change for the world's biggest tech companies as they bow to EU rules that come into force next month, shaking up how Europeans use vastly popular platforms from Google to Instagram.
	Florida lawmakers pass kids' social media ban, bill heads to governor Florida lawmakers moved Thursday toward enacting one of the strictest bans on children's use of social media in the United States, sending to the governor a bill to keep those under 16 off such platforms.
	Man Utd's Ratcliffe unveils electric Ineos car Manchester United's new co-owner Jim Ratcliffe unveiled Friday his Ineos group's latest 4x4 vehicle, which will come in two electric versions as the British billionaire criticized range limits on 'green' cars.

Chemistry news

	Chemical labeling method provides new approach for recording cellular activities In living cells, a vast number of transient events occur simultaneously, each of them important for a given cell in carrying out its function. The faithful recording of these transient activities is a prerequisite for a molecular understanding of life, yet obtaining such recordings is extremely challenging.
	Using light to control the catalytic process Nature is amazing. It has developed in living organisms the ability to regulate complex biochemical processes with remarkable efficiency. Enzymes, natural catalysts, play a pivotal role in this regulation, ensuring the fulfillment of various physiological needs throughout a cell's lifespan.
	Researchers design novel microfluidic module for controlling the porosity of manufactured materials Porous materials are essential for many chemical processes, such as light harvesting, adsorption, catalysis, energy transfer, and even new technologies for electronic materials. Therefore, many efforts have been made to control the porosity of different manufactured materials.

Biology news

	Male glass frogs that care for offspring found to have smaller testes A small international team of animal behavior researchers has found that species of glass frogs whose males help care for offspring tend to have smaller testes than species whose males do not help care for offspring. In their study, published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B, the group went into the tropical rain forests in Ecuador and Brazil to study the behavior of glass frogs over the course of several months.
	Larger-than-expected prehistoric mammal species uncovered in Patagonia A multi-institutional team of archaeologists and paleontologists has unearthed and identified a new species of mammal from the Maastrichtian age. In their paper published in the journal Scientific Reports, the researchers note that the mammal was much larger than any other known examples of its kind.
	Investigators find that streams connected to groundwater show improved detoxification and microbial diversity Streams with ample connections to shallow groundwater flowpaths have greater microbial diversity and are more effective at preventing toxic forms of metals—often products of upstream mining—from entering and being transported downstream. These streams are also better at detoxifying those metals already present.
	Ladybug scents offer a more ecologically friendly way to protect crops The use of pesticides, while beneficial for global food security, wreaks havoc on natural ecosystems and human health. To address this issue, Penn State researchers have turned to an unlikely enforcer to protect crops: the ladybug. The team, led by Sara Hermann in the Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences, developed a novel pest management tool by leveraging the chemical ecology of predator-prey interactions between ladybugs and aphids.
	Researchers produce 3D model of the ribosome and visualize how it is made Human cells contain ribosomes, a complex machine that produces proteins for the rest of the body. Now the researchers have come closer to understanding how the ribosome works.
	A fruit fly's wing offers clues into how wounds heal How long it takes for cells to close a fruit fly's wound can tell us a lot about the healing process in the early developmental stages of humans, and potentially treatments that prevent long-term damage.
	Researchers reveal how cells regenerate protein factories at the endoplasmic reticulum The synthesis of proteins in the cell is a key process of life. By this means, the genetic code of the genome is translated into the amino acid sequence of proteins. The process is complex—and has been studied in detail for decades.
	Protected lands provide a last stand for critically endangered vultures in West Africa Among the fastest-declining birds in the world, African vultures battle many of the problems commonly plaguing wildlife today, such as habitat loss, hunting, and poisoning, but they also face a more unique set of obstacles.
	Killer instinct drove evolution of mammals' predatory ancestors, scientists suggest The evolutionary success of the first large predators on land was driven by their need to improve as killers, researchers at the University of Bristol and the Open University suggest.
	Paleontologists discover a 240-million-year-old 'Chinese dragon' An international team of scientists from China, the U.S. and Europe has studied new fossils of the marine reptile Dinocephalosaurus orientalis. This research has made it possible to fully describe the bizarre, very impressive animal for the first time.
	Researchers identify a key player in chromatin regulation in Arabidopsis thaliana Chromatin is a unique DNA and protein complex that makes up the chromosomes. Specific proteins (histones) wind up the DNA like small cable drums to package the long DNA. A cable drum (consisting of four pairs of histones) with coiled DNA is called a nucleosome and is the smallest unit of chromatin.
	Biomolecular condensates: Regulatory hubs for plant iron supply Iron is a micronutrient for plants. Biologists from the Institute of Botany at Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf (HHU) describe in a study, which has now been published in the Journal of Cell Biology, that regulatory proteins for iron uptake behave particularly dynamically in the cell nucleus when the cells are exposed to blue light—an important signal for plant growth. They found that the initially homogeneously distributed proteins relocated together into "biomolecular condensates" in the cell nucleus shortly after this exposure.
	Potential gene targets for managing cassava whitefly, a viral diseases vector threatening food security Whiteflies, particularly the African cassava whitefly (Bemisia tabaci, SSA1-SG1), pose a significant threat to agricultural productivity in sub-Saharan Africa by transmitting viruses that cause cassava brown streak disease and cassava mosaic virus disease. In a new study published in PeerJ, Dr. Tadeo Kaweesi and his team at the National Agricultural Research Organization identify potential gene targets that could revolutionize the management of this devastating pest and prove vital for food security in the region.
	New Zealand opens first 'kiwi hospital' for injured birds New Zealand on Friday opened its first hospital exclusively treating kiwi birds, and vets have already nursed the first patient back to health—a chick nicknamed "Splash" that tumbled into a swimming pool.
	California to fight invasive plants in Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta with herbicide treatments In its fight against invasive aquatic plants in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta, the California State Parks' Division of Boating and Waterways says it will begin a regiment of herbicide treatments that will last through the end of 2024.
	An increase in blood-sucking black flies is expected in Germany Researchers from Goethe University Frankfurt and the Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Center have modeled the spatial distributional patterns of black flies in Hesse, North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate and Saxony for the first time.
	Assessment of China's protected areas needs refining, study finds The urgency of conserving biodiversity and natural habitats is critical worldwide. Balancing human needs with a growing recognition of the need to conserve and protect diversity is challenging. Despite positive progress, China's protected areas (PAs) management system still has unresolved issues.
	Shimmering seaweeds and algae antennae: Sustainable energy solutions under the sea How could tiny antennae attached to tiny algae speed up the transition away from fossil fuels? This is one of the questions being studied by Cambridge researchers as they search for new ways to decarbonize our energy supply, and improve the sustainability of harmful materials such as paints and dyes.
	Strategic grazing could boost conservation of 'near-threatened' sage-grouse A multi-agency study, spearheaded by researchers from the University of Nevada, Reno's College of Agriculture, Biotechnology & Natural Resources and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, underscores the impacts of strategic cattle grazing, particularly on restoring the declining population of the greater sage-grouse bird, a keystone species in the Great Basin region.
	Bacteria can develop resistance to drugs they haven't encountered before. Scientists figured this out decades ago Do bacteria mutate randomly, or do they mutate for a purpose? Researchers have been puzzling over this conundrum for over a century.
	How advanced genetic testing can be used to combat the illegal timber trade According to Interpol, the organization dedicated to facilitating international police cooperation, between 15% and 30% of the world's traded timber comes from illegal sources. This is an estimated annual value of US$51–152 billion dollars.
	Altering the circadian clock adapts barley to short growing seasons To ensure that plants flower at the right time of year, they possess an internal clock that enables them to measure the amount of daylight during a day. In a study published in the journal Plant Physiology, biologists from Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf (HHU) describe that the mutation of a specific gene makes the flowering time of barley almost entirely independent of day length. This mutation can be useful for breeding varieties adapted to altered climatic conditions with relatively mild winters and hot, dry summers.
	Disentangling nature's contributions to international trade Researchers have developed a multistep process to quantify the dependency of international trade and nature's contributions to people. With their new approach, which has been published in People and Nature, the researchers hope to improve knowledge about the complex relationship between nature and international trade.
	Big lemming populations are important for far more than just predators The number of lemmings (Lemmus lemmus) in the mountains can fluctuate sharply from one year to the next. Years when populations explode are called lemming years. These population explosions are important for many other species. More predators and birds of prey, for example, do better and often have more offspring than usual when there are plenty of lemmings around.
	First reports of severe coral bleaching this summer as the Great Barrier Reef warms up As ocean temperatures continue to warm over the Great Barrier Reef this summer, James Cook University scientists have reported areas of moderate to severe coral bleaching around the Keppel Islands offshore from Rockhampton.
	Research into marine plastic pollution reveals bacterial enzymes actively degrading plastic A new study led by researchers at the University of Stirling has uncovered the crucial roles of bacteria living on plastic debris. The research also identifies rare and understudied bacteria that could assist in plastic biodegradation, offering new insights for tackling plastic pollution.
	Protecting the peppers: Unlocking the potential of the sterile insect technique For the first time, researchers in Canada have investigated the use of the sterile insect technique for controlling populations of the pepper weevil, Anthonomus eugenii, an economically significant crop pest in North America.
	New species of fungi potentially harmful to humans identified in freshwater ecosystems A study by the Mycology and Environmental Microbiology Unit of the Universitat Rovira i Virgili has identified new species of fungi that may cause infections or diseases in people and animals. Carried out in river ecosystems, the research is part of a project on biodiversity and the role played by a large group of fungi, the ascomycetes, in the aquatic ecosystem.
	Research provides insight into constructing gene regulatory networks Gene regulatory networks (GRNs) depict the regulatory mechanisms of genes within cellular systems as a network, offering vital insights for understanding cell processes and molecular interactions that determine cellular phenotypes. Transcriptional regulation, a prevalent type for regulating gene expression, involves the control of target genes (TGs) by transcription factors (TFs).

Medicine and Health news

	Improving social symptoms of depression with a common anesthetic In a recent study published in Molecular Psychiatry, researchers from Osaka University have used a mouse model of depression to reveal that one form of ketamine (a common anesthetic) in low doses can improve social impairments by restoring functioning in a specific brain region called the anterior insular cortex.
	Intravesical gemcitabine/docetaxel as an alternative therapy for patients with non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer Bladder cancer is one of the more common cancers worldwide. It is considered a major health care problem with a high financial burden. Of these cases, 75% are non-muscle-invasive, which characterizes dangerous diseases with a high risk of recurrence (up to 70% within five years of diagnosis) and progression (up to 40% within five years of diagnosis).
	Scientists discover neural pathway that explains the escalation of fear responses Scientists have discovered a new neural pathway involved in how the brain encodes the transition to high-intensity fear response behaviors that are necessary for survival, according to a recent study published in Nature.
	Children's drawings contain valuable information about how they think Children's ability to draw recognizable objects and to recognize each other's drawings improves concurrently throughout childhood, according to a new study from Stanford University.
	A calming neurotransmitter can also be excitatory, study finds A neurotransmitter previously thought only to calm neurons may also play a role in waking them up, according to a study published in the journal PLOS Biology, a discovery which challenges the textbook view of how neurons communicate with one another in the brain.
	Researchers identify protein integral to gut health, may lead to treatments for inflammatory bowel disease La Trobe University researchers have identified a protein that is integral to gut health, providing an important lead in the search for a treatment for people with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Research published in Communications Biology shows for the first time that in mice, the removal of the protein BECLIN1 causes a condition with similarities to IBD.
	Researchers explore whether gut microbes cause some COVID-19 patients to have higher blood clot risk A gut microbial metabolite called 2-methylbutyrylcarnitine (2MBC) plays a role in exacerbating thrombosis—the formation of blood clots—researchers report February 23 in the journal Cell Metabolism. The results also revealed that 2MBC is accumulated in individuals with COVID-19, potentially explaining why these patients are at increased risk of thrombosis.
	New brain stimulation technique shows promise for treating brain disorders The human brain's adaptability to internal and external changes, known as neural plasticity, forms the foundation for understanding cognitive functions like memory and learning, as well as various neurological disorders.
	New research shows babies use immune system differently, but efficiently Scientists have long believed that a newborn's immune system was an immature version of an adult's, but new research from Cornell University shows that newborns' T cells—white blood cells that protect from disease—outperform those of adults at fighting off numerous infections.
	Cell engineering team links cancer drug to potential therapy for Alzheimer's disease In experiments with lab-grown brain cells and mouse models, scientists at Johns Hopkins Medicine say they have discovered that a cell surface protein called Lag3 is not only a biological target for FDA-approved drugs that stimulate the immune system to attack cancer, but also may be a target for a drug designed to clean up "misfolded" Tau proteins linked to Alzheimer's disease.
	Research reveals how cancer hijacks immune cells to promote tumor growth A new research study led by A*STAR.Singapore Immunology Network (A*STAR.SIgN) has found that neutrophils—one of the most abundant white blood cells in our body—change drastically in certain cancers, adopting a new function whereby they promote tumor growth.
	Zinc discovery holds promise for people with cystic fibrosis University of Queensland researchers have identified an opportunity to reduce infections in people living with cystic fibrosis (CF). Professor Matt Sweet, Dr. Kaustav Das Gupta and Dr. James Curson from UQ's Institute for Molecular Bioscience have discovered a fault in the bacteria-killing function of immune cells in people with CF and a potential way to get around it.
	New tool for assessing diarrhea-related dehydration is built for global deployment For adults and older children, dehydration from diarrhea is a common, pervasive threat: Annually, more than 1 million die from it.
	Study shows glucagon is key for kidney health Glucagon, a hormone best known for promoting blood sugar production in the liver, also appears to play a key role in maintaining kidney health. When UT Southwestern Medical Center researchers removed receptors for this hormone from mouse kidneys, the animals developed symptoms akin to chronic kidney disease (CKD).
	Fibroblast cells play a key role in resolving joint inflammation, new study finds In a significant breakthrough in inflammatory arthritis research, a study published today (Feb. 23) in Nature Immunology has revealed that inflammation-associated fibroblasts—a type of cell in connective tissues—can switch phenotype and stabilize specific immune cell populations in the joint, promoting the resolution of inflammation.
	Transmembrane protein variants found to cause a new developmental disorder A recent study has discovered a biological role of a specific transmembrane protein called TMEM208. The research, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, showed that a majority of fruit flies lacking this gene do not survive, and the few that do survive have many developmental defects.
	Genetic signature may predict response to immunotherapy for non-small cell lung cancer A new study identified a set of 140 genes that may help predict enhanced disease-free survival in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with a combination of immunotherapy and low-dose radiation. The results, published in Cell Reports Medicine, suggested that this "gene signature" could be used to identify a subclass of lung tumors that is more likely to be eradicated by immunotherapies.
	Study: 'Hexaplex' vaccine aims to boost flu protection Recombinant protein vaccines, like the Novavax vaccine used to fight COVID-19, offer several advantages over conventional vaccines. They're easy to produce precisely. They're safe and potentially more effective. And they could require smaller doses.
	Your heart changes in size and shape with exercise—this can lead to heart problems for some athletes and gym rats Exercise has long been recognized by clinicians, scientists and public health officials as an important way to maintain health throughout a person's lifespan. It improves overall fitness, helps build strong muscles and bones, reduces the risk of chronic disease, improves mood and slows physical decline.
	Statement on safety and efficacy of polygenic risk score assessment for embryo selection: Points to consider Should we be using polygenic risk score assessment for embryo selection? Providing in-depth analysis, the Social, Ethical and Legal Issues Committee of the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) has released a new Points to Consider statement to assist health care professionals and patients in understanding the safety and utility of preimplantation genetic testing for polygenic disorders (PGT-P) as a clinical service.
	Neuroscientist uses AI to map learning, decision-making, to discover how brains work With trial and error, repetition and praise, when a puppy hears "Sit," they learn what they're expected to do. That's reinforcement learning, and it's a complex subject that fascinates neuroscientist Ryoma Hattori, Ph.D., who recently joined The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation & Technology.
	Suicide screening should not be limited to those with psychiatric history, suggests experts Nearly one in five who attempt suicide do so without meeting criteria for an antecedent psychiatric disorder, according to a study published online Feb. 21 in JAMA Psychiatry.
	Percentage of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections up since September 2023, research shows The percentage of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections decreased during the pandemic, but has increased since September 2023, according to research published in the Feb. 22 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
	Should you worry about measles in South Florida? What to know as school cases found It often starts with a cough. Red, watery eyes. A high fever. You might think it's a normal cold. Perhaps it's the flu.
	Food for a happy heart It's only about the size of your fist. Yet it pumps about 2,000 gallons of blood throughout your body every day. If you could stretch out the complex network of blood vessels in your body through which your heart pumps oxygen and nutrients, it would extend over 60,000 miles.
	Poll shows strong support among Black voters for menthols ban Black voters support a ban on menthol cigarettes by a wide margin, refuting claims that such a ban would be strongly opposed by Black Americans, a new survey shows.
	Wake-up call for us all to establish regular healthy sleeping patterns It's official. Getting the recommended seven to nine hours of sleep a night is currently out of reach for almost one-third of the population as Flinders University experts found 31% of adults had average sleep durations outside the recommended range.
	Mouse study shows long COVID-19 infection linked with tangled protein that causes Alzheimer's disease With a newly developed mouse model that more accurately represents human infection with COVID-19, Johns Hopkins scientists say they have found long-term infection with SARS-CoV-2 results in brain deposits of clumped and tangled Tau proteins commonly found in people with Alzheimer's disease.
	Torn neck arteries may be more common than once thought Along each side of the neck are a pair of arteries that supply blood to the brain. It's rare for one of those blood vessels to tear. But it's one of the most common causes of a stroke in younger adults, according to a new report that comes on the heels of research showing that cases appear to be rising, especially among women.
	Helping clinicians embrace family-centered rounds If you've ever been hospitalized, you may have experienced this: groups of doctors coming in and talking about you like you're not there or addressing you in a perfunctory manner, using medical jargon you don't understand.
	Researcher develops bilingual health care app With hospital emergency departments overwhelmed and Canadians feeling frustrated by a lack of primary care access, a free webapp developed at the University of Ottawa is providing trusted information about preventative health care to empower the public to take control of their own health.
	Study suggests people in urban areas with more green space have better mental health A new study from the Texas A&M University School of Public Health suggests that city dwellers who have more exposure to urban green spaces require fewer mental health services.
	Having a 'regular doctor' can significantly reduce GP workload, study finds If all GP practices moved to a model where patients saw the same doctor at each visit, it could significantly reduce doctor workload while improving patient health, a study suggests.
	Expanding federal programs may help to increase the behavioral health workforce The U.S. is facing a severe shortage of behavioral health providers —those who care for people with mental health or substance use issues. In recent years, demand for behavioral health treatment has grown, and this shortage is now dire.
	Mothers' dieting habits and self-talk have profound impact on daughters, say psychologists Weight loss is one of the most common health and appearance-related goals.
	Early-life airborne lead exposure associated with lower IQ and self-control: Study Children who lived in areas with higher levels of airborne lead in their first five years of life appeared to have slightly lower IQs and less self-control, with boys showing more sensitivity to lead exposure, according to a new study from the NIH Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Program.
	Genes affect your blood pressure from early childhood, data show Certain genes associated with hypertension affect blood pressure from early in life, and they increase the risk of cardiovascular disease as you get older. But you can do something about it.
	Model suggests increased use of Paxlovid could cut hospitalizations, deaths and costs Increased use of Paxlovid, the antiviral drug used to treat COVID-19, could prevent hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations and save tens of billions of dollars a year, according to a new epidemiological model published by researchers at The University of Texas at Austin. In fact, epidemiologists found that treating even 20% of symptomatic cases would save lives and improve public health.
	Patient mindset training helps care teams A new study from Stanford University, published Jan. 19 in Patient Education and Counseling, evaluates the effectiveness of patient mindset training on provider learning and behavior.
	Remote patient monitoring tied to better dialysis technique survival Remote patient monitoring (RPM) may improve technique survival in patients on automated peritoneal dialysis (APD), according to a study published in the February issue of Kidney International Reports.
	Fungal keratitis prevalence twice as high in rural versus nonrural areas Fungal keratitis prevalence appears to be twice as high in rural versus nonrural areas, according to a research letter published in JAMA Ophthalmology.
	Disparities in transgender prostate screening uptake driven by clinicians Clinician recommendations are the most significant factor in driving prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening in transgender women, according to a study published online Feb. 14 in JAMA Network Open.
	Deadly opioid detected in wastewater for the first time University of Queensland researchers and international collaborators have found a deadly synthetic drug in wastewater in the United States—the first such detection globally.
	New study shows glycan sugar coating of IgG immunoglobulin can predict cardiovascular health When people hear about predicting heart disease, most will think of cholesterol levels. While cholesterol is a major contributor to heart disease, a recent study from Brigham and Women's Hospital, a founding member of Mass General Brigham, found that a glycan biomarker of IgG is also an important predictor for cardiovascular diseases (CVD).
	Researcher makes promising discoveries on role of vitamin B6 in pancreatic cancer Vitamin B6 is beneficial in many ways, notably for its role in maintaining a strong immune system. However, when pancreatic cancer develops, its cells also need vitamin B6 to replicate. During the ensuing tug-of-war over a limited supply of vitamin B6, pancreatic cancer almost always emerges as the victor. A researcher at the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine is following a promising trail of clues in an effort to reverse that reality.
	Assessing the efficacy and viability of artificial skin in patients with severe burns UGR scientists have demonstrated the efficacy and viability of the artificial skin UGRSKIN, an advanced therapy medicinal product (ATMP) they developed in 2012, which has proven to be highly beneficial in the treatment of patients with major burns. Moreover, it does not cause any side effects or significant complications.
	Chemotherapy method uses patient's own cells as trojan horse to direct cancer-killing drugs to tumors Lung cancer is not the most common form of cancer, but it is by far among the deadliest. Despite treatments such as surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy, only about a quarter of all people with the disease will live more than five years after diagnosis, and lung cancer kills more than 1.8 million people worldwide each year, according to the World Health Organization.
	New research challenges conventional picture of Parkinson's disease Parkinson's disease, the second most common type of progressive dementia after Alzheimer's disease, affects nearly 1 million people in the U.S. and an estimated 10 million individuals worldwide. Each year, close to 90,000 new cases of Parkinson's disease are diagnosed in the U.S.
	Dos and don'ts developed for direct oral anticoagulants Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are a common treatment for patients with a wide variety of cardiovascular conditions. DOACs are the preferred treatment over vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) for many patients with atrial fibrillation or venous thromboembolism since the latter would have a higher risk of intracranial bleeding and a more complex dosing routine. However, new research suggests that DOACs should not be the first line of treatment for every patient who needs to treat or prevent blood clots.
	Research finds relaxing words heard during sleep can slow the heart down Center of Research Cyclotron at the University of Liège reveals that the sleeping body also reacts to the external world during sleep, explaining how some information from the sensory environment can affect sleep quality.
	Researchers identify new choice of therapy for rare autoimmune disease EGPA An international team has identified a new therapeutic for patients with a rare autoimmune disease called eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA). A biologic drug called benralizumab has been shown to be non-inferior to mepolizumab in the treatment of EGPA.
	Pioneering statewide genomic screening in South Carolina Physicians and scientists have known for many years that our genetics not only shape our physical features like our smiles but also our risk for developing certain diseases.
	Bushfire smoke affects children differently. Here's how to protect them Bushfires are currently burning in Australian states including Victoria, Tasmania, Western Australia and South Australia. In some areas, fire authorities have warned residents about the presence of smoke.
	Is it possible to predict when prejudice will occur? What if it were possible to use a scientific model to predict hate crimes, protests, or conflict? Researchers at McGill University and University of Toronto have begun the groundwork to develop a formal predictive model of prejudice, similar to meteorological weather predictions.
	Italian researchers unveil new robotic exoskeleton for lower limbs TWIN is the name of the new robotic exoskeleton for lower limbs, designed and developed by Rehab Technologies IIT—INAIL, the joint laboratory between the Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT-Italian Institute of Technology) and the Prosthetic Center of INAIL (the prosthetic unit of the National Institute for Insurance against Accidents at Work), which will allow patients to wear it more easily.
	German parliament votes to legalize recreational cannabis The German parliament voted Friday to legalize the possession and controlled cultivation of cannabis starting in April, despite fierce objections from the opposition and medical associations.
	EU watchdog gives new ALS treatment thumbs up Europe's medicines watchdog gave the green light Friday to a new treatment for a rare form of the neurodegenerative disease ALS, saying it should reduce the symptoms of the deadly illness.
	Predicting optimal medical interventions Welcome to the world of modern medicine. Computer vision tools can accurately detect suspicious skin lesions or predict coronary artery disease from scans. Data-driven robots are guiding minimally invasive surgery.

Other Sciences news

	Study reveals racial disparities in school enrollment during COVID-19 Student enrollment in districts that provided in-person schooling in fall 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic showed a greater decline among nonwhite students than white students.
	Mindfulness at work protects against stress and burnout, study finds A new study has revealed that employees who are more mindful in the digital workplace are better protected against stress, anxiety and overload.
	How to build your own robot friend: Making AI education more accessible From smart virtual assistants and self-driving cars to digital health and fraud prevention systems, AI technology is transforming almost every aspect of our daily lives—and education is no different. For all its promise, the rise of AI, like any new technology, raises some pressing ethical and equity questions.
	Mass shooting lockdown drills help schoolchildren feel safer, US study suggests Lockdown drills, practiced to help prepare children for shooting incidents at school, make those who have been exposed to violence feel safer, a new study of thousands of students in the US indicates.
	New study identifies 13 strategies for advancing racial and ethnic equity in the academic health sciences Amid continued debate over how to advance diversity and equity in higher education following the Supreme Court's decision striking down affirmative action, researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital and Northeastern University have issued a "roadmap" of strategies to help academic health institutions maintain their commitments to racial and ethnic diversity among their students, staff, and faculty in academic health sciences.
	Study suggests anti-Black racism may account for conservatives' negative reactions to jobs requiring DEI statements According to new research from Rice University and the University of Nebraska at Omaha, conservative-leaning job applicants indicate being less likely to pursue positions that require personal statements on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), and those negative reactions are not independent of anti-Black racism.
	'Climate contrarianism' is down but not out, expert says In 2011, Max Boykoff attended the 2011 Heartland Institute's Sixth International Conference on Climate Change in Washington, D.C., to better understand how the prominent conservative think tank was influencing the climate debate.
	'Why can't I wear a dress?' What schools can learn from preschools about supporting trans children A new group of young children has just started school for the first time, with many excited about new friends, uniforms and being at "big school."
	The danger of reading too much into IQ tests, and the crucial cognitive skills they don't measure Many people object to intelligence tests. Some say IQ test scores are too often abused. They says it's unfair that when children "fail" these tests it can mean they receive a worse secondary education than their more successful peers—sentencing them to a lifetime of disadvantage.
	How people get sucked into misinformation rabbit holes, and how to get them out As misinformation and radicalization rise, it's tempting to look for something to blame: the internet, social media personalities, sensationalized political campaigns, religion, or conspiracy theories. And once we've settled on a cause, solutions usually follow: do more fact-checking, regulate advertising, ban YouTubers deemed to have "gone too far."
	Study finds 'cruel well-being' approach adds to teachers' stress New Curtin research has found the challenges and problems faced by overworked teachers are being compounded by expectations placed on them to manage their own well-being, while the impact of working conditions and broader policies on teacher welfare are often ignored.
	Generative AI can accelerate study time, research shows Time plays a crucial role in higher education learning and influences learning progress and the achievement of academic goals. Shortening learning time through AI-supported, personalized approaches can help to reduce drop-out rates and increase enrollment rates.
	Mapping out a novel way to assess the effectiveness of development aid Assessing the effectiveness of international aid across Indonesia, the world's fourth most populous country and an archipelago of around 17,000 islands, is no easy task. But that has not deterred Singapore Management University Assistant Professor of Political Science (Education), Nathan Peng.
	How do people allocate risks between themselves and others? Whether you are conscious of it or not, the decisions you make every day involve risk.
	School focus on grades and test scores linked to violence against teachers Violence against teachers is likely to be higher in schools that focus on grades and test scores than in schools that emphasize student learning, a new study has found.
	Artifact could be linked to Spanish explorer Coronado's expedition across Texas Panhandle It's a small piece of obsidian, just over 5 centimeters long, likely found on a hard-scrabble piece of ranchland in the Texas panhandle. But when SMU anthropologist Matthew Boulanger looks at it, he gets a mental image of Spanish explorer Francisco Vasquez de Coronado making his way across the plains more than 470 years ago in search of a fabled city of gold.
	Study analyzes how lies affect economic decisions Psychology and Economics come together in a recent line of research, led by Ismael Rodríguez-Lara, Professor at the University of Malaga, who studies how lies affect economic decisions.
	Support for increasing low-wage workers' compensation: The role of fixed-growth mindsets New York City Mayor Eric Adams came in for criticism in early 2022 for suggesting that low-paid workers such as restaurant and retail staff were low-skilled and did not "have the academic skills to sit in the corner office."
	Marketing experts measure brain waves and skin current to predict emotions Machines still can't think, but now they can validate your feelings, based on new research from New Jersey Institute of Technology Assistant Professor Jorge Fresneda.
	Nearly 10 million UK households in crisis due to health inequity from cold homes The lack of meaningful action to tackle Britain's cold homes over the last decade has intensified existing inequalities—with many millions of households now at the point of crisis, finds a new report from the UCL Institute of Health Equity (UCL IHE).
	Online brand advocacy and Gen Z consumer behavior Understanding the dynamics of online brand advocacy is increasingly important in today's digital landscape, particularly for businesses targeting Generation Z (Gen Z) consumers. A study in the International Journal of Internet Marketing and Advertising surveyed 221 students intending to explore the factors influencing online brand advocacy behavior and its impact on purchase intentions and also examining the involvement of social media.

---

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