Science X Newsletter Thu, Feb 15

Dear ,

Here is your customized Science X Newsletter for February 15, 2024:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

Scientists map the largest magnetic fields in galaxy clusters using synchrotron intensity gradient

Detection of a new state in the protein folding process

Astronomers investigate the atmosphere of a nearby cold brown dwarf

New 'time travel' study reveals future impact of climate change on coastal marshes

US company's lunar lander rockets toward the moon for a touchdown attempt next week

Space surgery: Doctors on ground operate robot on ISS for first time

Researchers think they know why sugar-free candy and gum gives some people gas

Researchers discover that a rare fat molecule helps drive cell death

Ancient retroviruses played a key role in the evolution of vertebrate brains, suggest researchers

Root microbes may be the secret to a better tasting cup of tea

Researchers observe highly excited 'roaming' energy pathway in chemical reactions

Applying a small voltage to a catalyst can increase the rates of common reactions used in manufacturing, study finds

Using text analytics, scientists map the spread of potato blight prior to the Irish potato famine

Large study finds telehealth is as safe as a visit to the clinic for abortion pills

New treatment for a rare and aggressive cancer improves survival rates in breakthrough clinical trial

Nanotechnology news

	'μkiss': A new method for precision delivery of nanoparticles and small molecules to individual cells The delivery of experimental materials to individual cells with exactness and exclusivity has long been an elusive and much sought-after ability in biology. With it comes the promise of deciphering many longstanding secrets of the cell.
	Scientists develop new technology to identify individual full-length human proteins In a study published in Nature Nanotechnology, scientists from Delft University of Technology present a new technique to identify proteins. Proteins carry out essential functions in our cells, while playing a crucial role in diseases like cancer and COVID-19 infection. The researchers identify proteins by reading out the fingerprint, and comparing the fingerprint to patterns from a database.
	Nanodiamonds could hold key to cool clothing Researchers from RMIT University are using nanodiamonds to create smart textiles that can cool people down faster. Their study, published in the journal Polymers for Advanced Technologies, found fabric made from cotton coated with nanodiamonds, using a method called electrospinning, showed a reduction of 2–3°C during the cooling down process compared to untreated cotton.
	Research team discovers two-dimensional waveguides The U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL), in collaboration with Kansas State University, has discovered slab waveguides based on the two-dimensional material hexagonal boron nitride. This milestone has been reported in the journal Advanced Materials.
	Researchers capture strange behavior of laser-excited gold New research, conducted at the Department of Energy's SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, illuminates the strange behavior of gold when zapped with high-energy laser pulses.
	Study finds new inhalable therapy is a big step forward in lung cancer research Lung cancer is one of the most common cancers and has one of the lowest survival rates in the world. Cytokines, which are small signaling proteins, such as interleukin-12 (IL-12), have demonstrated considerable potential as robust tumor suppressors. However, their applications are limited due to a multitude of severe side effects.

Physics news

	Scientists report first look at electrons moving in real-time in liquid water In an experiment akin to stop-motion photography, scientists have isolated the energetic movement of an electron while "freezing" the motion of the much larger atom it orbits in a sample of liquid water.
	A first in the lab: A tiny network of microparticles that is both strong and flexible Daniela Kraft's group has succeeded in creating a network of microparticles that is both strong and completely flexible. This may sound simple, yet they are the first in the world to succeed in doing so. The achievement represents a real breakthrough in soft matter physics. The study is published in Physical Review Letters.
	Altermagnetism experimentally demonstrated Ferromagnetism and antiferromagnetism have long been known to scientists as two classes of magnetic order of materials. Back in 2019, researchers at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU) postulated a third class of magnetism, called altermagnetism. This altermagnetism has been the subject of heated debate among experts ever since, with some expressing doubts about its existence.
	Innovative technique reveals that leaping atoms remember where they have been University of Oxford researchers have used a new technique to measure the movement of charged particles (ions) on the fastest ever timescale, revealing new insights into fundamental transport processes. These include the first demonstration that the flow of atoms or ions possesses a "memory." The study, "The persistence of memory in ionic conduction probed by nonlinear optics," has been published in Nature.
	Unlocking the full potential of Auger electron spectroscopy Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) is an incredibly useful technique for probing material samples—but current assumptions about the process ignore some of the key time-dependent effects it involves. So far, this has resulted in overly-simplified calculations, which have ultimately prevented the technique from reaching its full potential.
	New thermometry method reveals that compressing a gas may lead to cooling An international research team from Innsbruck and Geneva has developed a new thermometry method to measure temperatures for low-dimensional quantum gases. With this method it was found that compressing a gas may lead to cooling. The results on this counterintuitive phenomenon have just been published in Science Advances.
	A new record for atom-based quantum computers: 1,000 atomic qubits and rising Making quantum systems more scalable is one of the key requirements for the further development of quantum computers because the advantages they offer become increasingly evident as the systems are scaled up. Researchers at TU Darmstadt have recently taken a decisive step toward achieving this goal.
	A new design for quantum computers Creating a quantum computer powerful enough to tackle problems we cannot solve with current computers remains a big challenge for quantum physicists. A well-functioning quantum simulator—a specific type of quantum computer—could lead to new discoveries about how the world works at the smallest scales.
	Uncovering the physics of how electrons screen against conductivity-killer in organic semiconductors California's Silicon Valley and Utah's Silicon Slopes are named for the element most associated with semiconductors, the backbone of the computer revolution. Anything computerized or electronic depends on semiconductors, a substance with properties that conduct electrical current under certain conditions. Traditional semiconductors are made from inorganic materials—like silicon—that require vast amounts of water and energy to produce.
	A star like a Matryoshka doll: New theory for gravastars The interior of black holes remains a conundrum for science. In 1916, German physicist Karl Schwarzschild outlined a solution to Albert Einstein's equations of general relativity, in which the center of a black hole consists of a so-called singularity, a point at which space and time no longer exist. Here, the theory goes, all physical laws, including Einstein's general theory of relativity, no longer apply; the principle of causality is suspended.
	New nuclei can help shape our understanding of fundamental science on Earth and in the cosmos In creating five new isotopes, an international research team working at the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB) at Michigan State University has brought the stars closer to Earth.
	Study shows promise of transceiver-based sensing for active monitoring of fiber networks Researchers have successfully used a coherent transceiver prototype to detect polarization changes that preceded a cable break in a live network. The work, which is one of the first demonstrations of field-based measurements for an active cable break, shows the potential of transceiver-based sensing for actively monitoring and improving the stability of fiber networks.

Earth news

	New 'time travel' study reveals future impact of climate change on coastal marshes A new Tulane University study published in Nature Communications offers a glimpse into the possible impact of climate change on coastal wetlands 50 years or longer into the future.
	Trapping sulfate to benefit health, industry and waterways Scientists have developed a new method to measure and remove sulfate from water, potentially leading to cleaner waterways and more effective nuclear waste treatments.
	Mapping how deforested land in Africa is used Africa's forested areas—an estimated 14 % of the global forest area—are continuing to decline at an increasing rate—mostly because of human activities to convert forest land for economic purposes. As natural forests are important CO2 and biodiversity reservoirs, this development has a significant impact on climate change and affects the integrity of nature.
	How do oceans start to close? New study suggests the Atlantic may 'soon' enter its declining phase A new study, resorting to computational models, predicts that a subduction zone currently below the Gibraltar Strait will propagate further inside the Atlantic and contribute to forming an Atlantic subduction system—an Atlantic ring of fire. This will happen 'soon' in geological terms—in approximately 20 million years.
	Study finds oxygen rise in the tropical upper ocean during the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum Oxygen is fundamental to sustaining life on Earth. The ocean gets its oxygen from its uppermost layers in contact with the atmosphere. As our planet continues to warm, the ocean is gradually losing its capacity to absorb oxygen, with severe consequences on marine ecosystems and human activities that depend on them. While these trends will likely continue in the future, it remains unclear how ocean oxygen will redistribute across the ocean interior, where ocean currents and biological degradation of biomass dominate over atmospheric diffusion.
	Study shows methane emissions from wetlands increase significantly over high latitudes Wetlands are Earth's largest natural source of methane, a potent greenhouse gas that is about 30 times more powerful than carbon dioxide at warming the atmosphere. A research team from the Department of Energy's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) analyzed wetland methane emissions data across the entire Boreal-Arctic region and found that these emissions have increased by approximately 9% since 2002.
	Common mineral in red soils tends to lock away trace metals over time, study finds Trace metals are nutrient elements, like zinc, that animals and plants need in small amounts to function properly. Animals generally get trace metals in their diets or through environmental exposures, while plants take their trace minerals up from soil. If we get too little, we may experience a deficiency, but the opposite can also be true: Too much of a trace metal can be toxic.
	New study finds little-known toxic crop chemical in four out of five people tested A new Environmental Working Group study has found chlormequat, a little-known pesticide, in four out of five people tested. Because the chemical is linked to reproductive and developmental problems in animal studies, the findings suggest the potential for similar harm to humans.
	Which countries are most likely to make the deep sustainability turn? A new study has shed light on the transformative potential of countries in achieving sustainable development. The research, conducted by a team of researchers at the University of Tartu, challenges conventional wisdom by suggesting that a country's ability to enact transformative change is not solely determined by its wealth or environmental impact.
	Conflict in Ukraine found to be causing significant greenhouse gas emissions An international team of scientists examined the first 18 months since the beginning of the conflict in Ukraine, exploring its consequences beyond the loss of life, with the primary focus on military emissions. Their findings underscore limitations in the current emission reporting framework of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
	Group of united academics publish 'scientists' warning' on climate and technology Throughout human history, technologies have been used to make people's lives richer and more comfortable, but they have also contributed to a global crisis threatening Earth's climate, ecosystems, and even our own survival.
	New study describes how chemical composition of US air pollution has changed over time A new study published in Atmospheric Environment by researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has analyzed space and time trends for fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in the continental United States to track the progress of regulatory actions by federal, state and local authorities aimed at curbing air pollution.
	Earthquake fatality measure offers new way to estimate impact on countries A new measure that compares earthquake-related fatalities to a country's population size concludes that Ecuador, Lebanon, Haiti, Turkmenistan, Iran and Portugal have experienced the greatest impact from fatalities in the past five centuries.
	Bangkok says work from home as pollution blankets city Bangkok city employees have been told to work from home to avoid harmful air pollution, as a layer of noxious haze blanketed the Thai capital on Thursday.
	Groundwater upsurge floods homes in Libyan coastal town Much of Libya is bone-dry desert but one Mediterranean coastal town is suffering the opposite problem—its houses and fields have been inundated by a mysterious upsurge of groundwater.
	Multimillion-dollar homes on the edge after landslide crumbles Orange County cliff The three multimillion-dollar estates perched high on the edge of a Dana Point bluff boast some of the most magnificent views in Orange County: unobstructed panoramas of the crystal blue Pacific, boats moored in the harbor and, on a clear day, Santa Catalina.

Astronomy and Space news

	Scientists map the largest magnetic fields in galaxy clusters using synchrotron intensity gradient In a new study, scientists have mapped magnetic fields in galaxy clusters, revealing the impact of galactic mergers on magnetic-field structures and challenging previous assumptions about the efficiency of turbulent dynamo processes in the amplification of these fields.
	Astronomers investigate the atmosphere of a nearby cold brown dwarf Using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), astronomers have observed a nearby cold brown dwarf designated WISEPA J182831.08+265037.8 (or WISE 1828 for short). The observations delivered important insights into the composition of the object's atmosphere. The new findings were published Feb. 8 on the preprint server arXiv.
	US company's lunar lander rockets toward the moon for a touchdown attempt next week Another private U.S. company took a shot at the moon Thursday, launching a month after a rival's lunar lander missed its mark and came crashing back.
	Space surgery: Doctors on ground operate robot on ISS for first time Earth-bound surgeons remotely controlled a small robot aboard the International Space Station over the weekend, conducting the first-ever such surgery in orbit—albeit on rubber bands.
	Scientists find evidence of geothermal activity within icy dwarf planets A team co-led by Southwest Research Institute found evidence for hydrothermal or metamorphic activity within the icy dwarf planets Eris and Makemake, located in the Kuiper Belt. Methane detected on their surfaces has the tell-tale signs of warm or even hot geochemistry in their rocky cores, which is markedly different than the signature of methane from a comet.
	Life as a planetary regulator: Researchers propose an experimental test According to the Gaia hypothesis, which was proposed by the scientists Lovelock and Margulis in the 1970s, our planet should have been getting progressively warmer for millions of years, while our oceans should have been progressively more acidic as well. The fact that this hasn't happened suggests a planet-wide complex system that is self-regulating, with planetary life and geological processes working together to stabilize planetary geology and climate. Despite its importance, this idea could not be previously tested due to its planetary scale.
	Russia launches supply rocket to ISS Russia on Thursday launched a supply rocket to the International Space Station, one of the rare Russia-US projects kept alive since Russia's offensive against Ukraine.
	Flame burns out on NASA's long-running spacecraft fire experiment NASA recently concluded the final mission of its Spacecraft Fire Safety Experiment, or Saffire, putting a blazing end to an eight-year series of investigations that provided insights into fire's behavior in space.
	Euclid's 'twin' arrives at ESA mission control ESA's Euclid observatory has begun to survey billions of galaxies on a quest to uncover the secrets of dark matter and dark energy from its vantage point 1.5 million km from Earth.
	Spot the king of planets: Observe Jupiter Jupiter is our solar system's undisputed king of the planets. Jupiter is bright and easy to spot from our vantage point on Earth, helped by its massive size and banded, reflective cloud tops. Jupiter even possesses moons the size of planets: Ganymede, its largest, is bigger than the planet Mercury. What's more, you can easily observe Jupiter and its moons with a modest instrument, just like Galileo did over 400 years ago.

Technology news

	Discovery of new Li ion conductor unlocks new direction for sustainable batteries One of the grand challenges for materials science is the design and discovery of new materials that address global priorities such as Net Zero.
	Research team develops wearable device for fashionable personal thermal comfort Imagine adjusting your clothes to beat the summer heat or winter chill just by changing the temperature of your clothes, on the go. Wearable thermal control devices promise just that, offering portable personal thermal comfort. Not only that, but these devices also have other applications such as providing temperature feedback in virtual and augmented reality and offering thermotherapy for heat issues among others.
	An integrated shuffler optimizes the privacy of personal genomic data used for machine learning By integrating an ensemble of privacy-preserving algorithms, a KAUST research team has developed a machine-learning approach that addresses a significant challenge in medical research: How to use the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to accelerate discovery from genomic data while protecting the privacy of individuals.
	Using AI to develop enhanced cybersecurity measures A research team at Los Alamos National Laboratory is using artificial intelligence to address several critical shortcomings in large-scale malware analysis, making significant advancements in the classification of Microsoft Windows malware and paving the way for enhanced cybersecurity measures. Using their approach, the team has set a new world record in classifying malware families.
	Ubisoft launches long-awaited 'Skull and Bones' video game After years of production headwinds, Ubisoft's oft-delayed pirate video game "Skull and Bones" is set to launch on Friday.
	Cisco Systems to lay off more than 4,000 workers in latest sign of tighter times in tech Internet networking pioneer Cisco Systems is jettisoning more than 4,000 employees, joining the parade of technology companies in a trend that has helped boost their profits and stock prices while providing a sobering reminder of the job insecurity hanging over an industry increasingly embracing artificial intelligence.
	Google boosts Paris's ambition to become Europe's AI epicenter US tech giant Google opened Thursday an AI research hub in Paris, part of a trend for big tech firms to base teams working on cutting-edge products in European centers.
	'Behind the times': Washington tries to catch up with AI's use in health care Lawmakers and regulators in Washington are starting to puzzle over how to regulate artificial intelligence in health care—and the AI industry thinks there's a good chance they'll mess it up.
	Finding love: Would you let AI help you make the first move? For better or worse, artificial intelligence is permeating our lives. It can edit student term papers, help playwrights craft dramas and assist doctors in treating patients.
	Waymo issues recall after 2 of its vehicles strike the same pickup truck Waymo is issuing a recall for the first time due to a software concern after two of its self-driving vehicles hit the same pickup truck that was being towed.
	Researchers suggest historical precedent for ethical AI research If we train artificial intelligence (AI) systems on biased data, they can, in turn, make biased judgments that affect hiring decisions, loan applications, and welfare benefits—to name just a few real-world implications. With this fast-developing technology potentially causing life-changing consequences, how can we make sure that humans train AI systems on data that reflects sound ethical principles?
	Four Xbox exclusives heading to rivals in big shift Microsoft on Thursday shook up the video game world with word it is making some once-exclusive Xbox video games available for play on rival consoles.
	Volkswagen-backed Scout Motors, in nod to past, toasts start of construction of electric SUV plant Scout Motors celebrated the start of construction on its $2 billion electric SUV plant in South Carolina on Thursday not with a line of people in suits with shovels but with a nod to the company's gasoline-powered past.
	Bitcoin's renewed euphoria as price keeps rising Bitcoin is forecast to keep on rising after hitting fresh two-year highs above $50,000 on Thursday, leaving analysts to wonder whether investors have moved on from recent cryptocurrency setbacks, including scandals.
	New machine learning method predicts future data patterns to optimize data storage Researchers have developed a new machine-learning technique that helps computer systems predict future data patterns and optimize how information gets stored. They found these predictions could provide up to a 40% speed boost on real-world data sets.
	Airbus targets 800 aircraft deliveries for 2024 even as supply chain issues linger Airbus plans to deliver more aircraft to customers in 2024 even as supply chain headaches continue to afflict the European airplane maker.
	German chancellor welcomes Microsoft's $3.5 billion AI investment in Germany German Chancellor Olaf Scholz welcomed an announcement Thursday by Microsoft that it would invest almost 3.3 billion euros ($3.5 billion) in Germany over the next two years to massively expand its data center capacities for applications in the field of artificial intelligence and cloud computing.
	Ford CEO says company will rethink where it builds vehicles after last year's autoworkers strike Last fall's contentious United Auto Workers' strike changed Ford's relationship with the union to the point where it will "think carefully" about where it builds future vehicles, Ford's top executive said Thursday.
	Pennsylvania courts say it didn't pay ransom in cyberattack, and attackers never sent a demand Pennsylvania's state courts agency said Thursday that it never received a ransom demand as part of a cyberattack that briefly shut down some of its online services earlier this month and prompted a federal investigation.
	Musk fights US state of Delaware after Tesla pay debacle Elon Musk is on the warpath against Delaware and its powerful business court, moving his SpaceX company out of the eastern US state after a judge struck down his $56 billion compensation package at Tesla.

Chemistry news

	Researchers observe highly excited 'roaming' energy pathway in chemical reactions Scientists have observed so-called roaming chemical reactions, those that at certain points move away from the lowest minimum energy path of least resistance, in highly excited energy states for the first time.
	Applying a small voltage to a catalyst can increase the rates of common reactions used in manufacturing, study finds A simple technique that uses small amounts of energy could boost the efficiency of some key chemical processing reactions, by up to a factor of 100,000, MIT researchers report. These reactions are at the heart of petrochemical processing, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and many other industrial chemical processes.
	Superbug killer: New synthetic molecule highly effective against drug-resistant bacteria A new antibiotic created by Harvard researchers overcomes antimicrobial resistance mechanisms that have rendered many modern drugs ineffective and are driving a global public health crisis.
	Study shows how proteins guide electrons to the right place Cells need energy to function. Researchers at the University of Gothenburg can now explain how energy is guided in the cell by small atomic movements to reach its destination in the protein. Imitating these structural changes of the proteins could lead to more efficient solar cells in the future.
	Do AI-driven chemistry labs actually work? New metrics promise answers The fields of chemistry and materials science are seeing a surge of interest in "self-driving labs," which make use of artificial intelligence (AI) and automated systems to expedite research and discovery. Researchers are now proposing a suite of definitions and performance metrics that will allow researchers, non-experts, and future users to better understand both what these new technologies are doing and how each technology is performing in comparison to other self-driving labs.
	Scientists develop color-changing dyes that light up cellular activity Scientists from Trinity, in collaboration with the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI), have developed special fluorescent, color-changing dyes that, for the first time, can be used to simultaneously visualize multiple distinct biological environments using only one singular dye.
	Researchers develop protocol for rapid detection of antibiotic-resistant bacteria A paper-based platform developed by researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and Jawaharlal Nehru Center for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR) could help quickly detect the presence of antibiotic-resistant, disease-causing bacteria.
	Scientists achieve first total synthesis of potentially anti-rheumatic sesquiterpene merillianin An avenue that scientists are currently exploring for the development of novel pharmaceuticals involves the synthesis of bioactive compounds found in Chinese herbal medicine. This collaborative effort, combining traditional knowledge with modern scientific methods, focuses on pharmaceutically relevant compounds found in medicinal plants for large-scale synthesis.
	Researchers use electron beams to eradicate forever chemicals in water Using nonstick cookware to fry your bacon and eggs can make your life easier at that moment, but scientists believe there may be long-term consequences because the chemicals used to make it nonstick are so difficult to destroy. Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances—commonly known as PFAS and often called forever chemicals—are everywhere.

Biology news

	Detection of a new state in the protein folding process Scientists have discovered a new, intermediate state in the process of protein folding, showing folding can occur in two stages, one fast and the next found to be much slower. The findings are published in the journal Physical Review Letters.
	Researchers discover that a rare fat molecule helps drive cell death Columbia researchers have found that a rare type of lipid is a key driver of ferroptosis, a form of cell death discovered by Columbia professor Brent Stockwell.
	Ancient retroviruses played a key role in the evolution of vertebrate brains, suggest researchers Researchers report in the journal Cell that ancient viruses may be to thank for myelin—and, by extension, our large, complex brains.
	Root microbes may be the secret to a better tasting cup of tea You'd think the complex flavor in a quality cup of tea would depend mainly on the tea varieties used to make it. But a study appearing in the journal Current Biology shows that the making of a delicious cup of tea depends on another key ingredient: the collection of microbes found on tea roots. By altering that assemblage, the authors showed that they could make good-quality tea even better.
	Using text analytics, scientists map the spread of potato blight prior to the Irish potato famine North Carolina State University researchers used text analytics on both historic and modern writing to reveal more information about the effects and spread of the plant pathogen—now known as Phytophthora infestans—that caused the 1840s Irish potato famine and that continues to vex breeders of potatoes and tomatoes.
	Researchers introduce new model that bridges rules of life at the individual scale and the ecosystem level Researchers at Michigan State University and the Carnegie Institution for Science have developed a model that connects microscopic biology to macroscopic ecology, which could deepen our understanding of nature's laws and create new opportunities in ecosystem management.
	Misguided reforestation programs threaten vast area of Africa's tropical grasslands, study warns New research led by the University of Liverpool reveals the scale of misguided reforestation projects across Africa. The study reveals that an area the size of France is under threat by forest restoration initiatives due to inappropriate restoration in the form of tree planting.
	New study examines ATP synthase at acidic state to reveal how the enzyme functions A collaborative effort led by Stuti Sharma, Ph.D., Assistant Professor in the Department of Biochemistry & Cell Biology at Stony Brook University, resulted in a promising study toward a better understanding of mitochondrial adenosine triphosphate (ATP) synthase. The work is highlighted in a paper published this month in Nature Structural & Molecular Biology.
	Diving deeper into our oceans: Underwater drones open new doors for global coral reef research At the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST), scientists at the Marine Genomics Unit, in collaboration with the Japanese telecommunications company NTT Communications, have identified the genera of mesophotic corals using eDNA collected by underwater drones for the first time.
	Asexual propagation of crop plants gets closer with new study When the female gametes in plants become fertilized, a signal from the sperm activates cell division, leading to the formation of new plant seeds. This activation can also be deliberately triggered without fertilization, as UZH researchers have shown. Their findings, published in Science, open new avenues for the asexual propagation of crop plants.
	Application of ultrasound found to greatly speed up motility of human sperm A team of engineers at Monash University in Australia has found that exposing human sperm to ultrasound can cause them to swim faster. In their study, published in the journal Science Advances, the group exposed human semen samples to ultrasonic waves and measured changes in sperm motility.
	Researchers remotely map crops, field by field Crop maps help scientists and policymakers track global food supplies and estimate how they might shift with climate change and growing populations. But getting accurate maps of the types of crops that are grown from farm to farm often requires on-the-ground surveys that only a handful of countries have the resources to maintain.
	How a wayside weed builds up explosive force to hurl seeds Hairy bittercress is one of those plants that hurl their seeds in all directions to spread them effectively. A research team has now discovered that to do this, the plant uses a previously unknown mechanism that makes the seed pods contract and snap open, acting almost like a muscle.
	Scientists discover 'jumping genes' determine cabbage's exterior The genetic differences between pointed cabbage and cauliflower are greater than those between humans and chimpanzees. Nevertheless, they are considered the same species. Researchers from Wageningen and China mapped the extensive genetic variation of cabbage (Brassica oleracea) to enable more targeted breeding, for example, to create crops with a higher nutritional value or that are more resilient against disease. The study is published in Nature Genetics.
	Scientists discover microbe unique to New Zealand Professor Matthew Stott co-leads a team of researchers from Canterbury and Waikato universities that has identified an endemic genus of geothermal microorganisms—a discovery believed to be a world-first.
	Discovery could lead to new RNA therapeutics for many cancers Australian scientists have made a major discovery that could underpin the next generation of RNA-based therapeutics and lead to more potent and longer-lasting RNA-based drugs with an even wider array of potential uses.
	An evolutionarily conserved pathway that achieves a peaceful co-existence with genomic parasites Transposable elements are mobile genetic elements that can relocate within the genome and disrupt the normal function of genes, but are at the same time a source of evolutionary diversity. The lab of Tugce Aktas at the Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics has identified a novel pathway that keeps the activity of transposons in somatic cells in check after they have been transcribed.
	RNA-dependent protein research advances the fight against malaria New work by a team led by scientists at the University of California, Riverside, has taken research one step closer to designing new therapies to fight and eradicate malaria thanks to a lab technique called R-DeeP.
	SPNS2 found to be directly exporting S1P for signaling, can be inhibited When an enemy invades, defenders are ferried to the site to neutralize the marauders. In the human body, a protein carrier called SPNS2 transports S1P molecules from endothelial cells to rally immune cell response in infected organs and tissues.
	Important molecular pathway for control of aging discovered One of the ways cells in different kinds of tissue communicate is by exchanging RNA molecules. In experiments with roundworms of the species Caenorhabditis elegans, researchers at the State University of Campinas (UNICAMP) in Brazil found that when this communication pathway is dysregulated, the organism's lifespan is shortened.
	Researchers identify human activities as drivers of biodiversity decline in central Mexico's reserves New research shows the diversity of plant and animal life in 14 tropical reserves in Mesoamerica has plummeted since 1990 as roads and cattle ranches have expanded into protected areas. Large mammals, birds, and reptiles are disappearing, while disease-carrying insects and rodents are on the rise.
	New research reveals New York Bight is an important year-round habitat for endangered fin whales The New York Bight is an important year-round habitat for endangered fin whales, according to new research examining fin whale song patterns.
	Interaction between two common oral bacteria creates chemical compound responsible for bad breath In a study published last month in mSystems, researchers from Osaka University revealed that the interaction between two common types of oral bacteria leads to the production of a chemical compound that is a major cause of smelly breath.
	Study reveals how cells keep telomerase in check The natural ends of chromosomes appear alarmingly like broken DNA, much as a snapped spaghetti strand is difficult to distinguish from its intact counterparts. Yet every cell in our bodies must have a way of differentiating between the two because the best way to protect the healthy end of a chromosome also happens to be the worst way to repair damaged DNA.
	A different picture of the Serengeti: Competition for food drives planet's remaining mass migration of herbivores Upending the prevailing theory of how and why multi-species mass-migration patterns occur in Serengeti National Park, researchers from Wake Forest University have confirmed that the millions-strong wildebeest population pushes zebra herds along in competition for the most nutrient-dense grasses.
	Car fumes, weeds pose double whammy for fire-loving native plants Springtime brings native wildflowers to bloom in the Santa Monica Mountains, northwest of Los Angeles. These beauties provide food for insects, maintain healthy soil and filter water seeping into the ground—in addition to offering breathtaking displays of color.
	Programming cells to organize their molecules may open the door to new treatments Researchers can engineer cells to express new genes and produce specific proteins, giving the cells new parts to work with. But, it's much harder to provide cells with instructions on how to organize and use those new parts. Now, new tools from University of Wisconsin–Madison researchers offer an innovative way around this problem.
	Exotic cats' ability to recognize familiar human caregivers' voices In a recent PeerJ study, Professor Jennifer Vonk from Oakland University presents compelling evidence that exotic cats possess the remarkable ability to discriminate between familiar and unfamiliar human voices.
	Scientists are unraveling the secrets of red and gray squirrel competition In a first of its kind study, researchers have identified significant differences between the diversity of gut bacteria in gray squirrels compared to red squirrels which could hold the key to further understanding the ability of gray squirrels to outcompete red squirrels in the UK.
	Rhinos are returned to a plateau in central Kenya, decades after poachers wiped them out Conservationists in Kenya are celebrating as rhinos were returned to a grassy plateau that hasn't seen them in decades.
	A salamander hiding in Eastern Kentucky is rare, but is it on the verge of extinction? If you've seen a strange light and a shadowy figure stalking the bluffs of Eastern Kentucky at night, it's likely not a cryptid but Kentucky Fish and Wildlife biologist John MacGregor.
	Australia's shot-hole borer beetle invasion has begun, but we don't need to chop down every tree under attack A new pest attacking Perth's trees threatens to spread across Australia, damaging crops and native forests as well as our urban forest. To control its spread, the Western Australian government is chopping down hundreds of established trees. But these losses may be in vain.
	Florida coral reef still struggling after 2023 heat wave Coral reefs off the Florida Keys islands are struggling to recover from last summer's record-breaking heat wave, new data showed Thursday, in another sign of the devastating impacts of human-caused climate change.
	Researcher discusses how dicamba drifts A decision this month by the U.S. District Court of Arizona has overturned the Environmental Protection Agency's 2020 reapproval of three dicamba-containing products produced by agricultural companies Bayer, Syngenta and BASF.
	Fishermen, ecologists unite in northern France against 'sea bulldozer' Environmental activists and fishermen on Thursday joined forces to protest in northern France against a new giant fishing trawler factory, warning the vessel risked wrecking livelihoods and the environment.
	Scientific report reveals livestock as the key factor in cheatgrass spread A report released today illuminates the causes of cheatgrass spread and compares the effectiveness of various methods to restore invaded plant communities.

Medicine and Health news

	Researchers think they know why sugar-free candy and gum gives some people gas Researchers at UC Davis have identified changes in the gut microbiome that can result in an inability to digest sorbitol. Sorbitol, a sugar alcohol, is used in sugar-free gum, mints, candy and other products. It is also found naturally in apricots, apples, pears, avocadoes and other foods. At high levels, sorbitol can cause bloating, cramps and diarrhea. For some people, even a small amount causes digestive upset, a condition known as sorbitol intolerance.
	Large study finds telehealth is as safe as a visit to the clinic for abortion pills A large national study has found that video visits, texting and mailing pills are all effective, as the U.S. Supreme Court considers limiting access to telemedicine abortion.
	New treatment for a rare and aggressive cancer improves survival rates in breakthrough clinical trial An innovative treatment significantly increases the survival of people with malignant mesothelioma, a rare but rapidly fatal type of cancer with few effective treatment options, according to results from a clinical trial led by Queen Mary University of London. The findings have been published in JAMA Oncology.
	Neural activity study shows the brain processes direct speech and its echo separately Echoes can make speech harder to understand, and tuning out echoes in an audio recording is a notoriously difficulty engineering problem. The human brain, however, appears to solve the problem successfully by separating the sound into direct speech and its echo, according to a study published in PLOS Biology by Jiaxin Gao from Zhejiang University, China, and colleagues.
	Environmental monitoring offers low-cost tool for typhoid fever surveillance Researchers can accurately track where typhoid fever cases are highest by monitoring environmental samples for viruses called bacteriophages that specifically infect the bacterium that causes typhoid fever. Senjuti Saha of the Child Health Research Foundation in Bangladesh and colleagues report these findings in a study published in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases.
	Magnetically operated robot can move through arteries to treat stroke patients A team of roboticists at Multi-Scale Robotics Lab, ETH Zurich, working with several hospitals in Switzerland, has developed a magnetically operated robot that could potentially be used to treat people after a stroke. Their paper is published in the journal Science Robotics.
	Targeting the microenvironment rather than a specific cell type could be the key to healing injured hearts A new study published in Nature Cardiovascular Research has unveiled a remarkable discovery that may have far-reaching implications for the treatment of heart disease.
	Why leukemic stem cells not harmed by chemotherapy begin to grow and produce AML cells after treatment The mystery of why myeloid leukemia starts to grow again after chemotherapy has killed the bulk of malignant cells, and how growth may be blocked by repurposed drugs, has potentially been solved through new research.
	Erosion blockade breakthrough: Clinical trial signals hope for hand osteoarthritis Researchers at Ghent University Hospital, Ghent University, and VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research, show that antibody therapy can be effective against erosive hand osteoarthritis. Using the antibody denosumab leads to bone remodeling and the prevention of erosive joint damage. This is the first evidence that erosive progression can be halted in this disease. The results appear in Nature Medicine.
	Common human gene mutations linked to a range of health conditions A common human gene mutation combination—found in about 5% of the U.K.'s Black population as well as millions of people worldwide with recent African ancestry—has been linked to a number of health conditions and poor health outcomes in new research.
	For treatment-resistant depression, two drugs may be better than one Treating stubborn cases of depression in older adults is challenging, and often requires multiple treatments, says UConn Health psychiatrist David Steffens. His review in the New England Journal of Medicine gives doctors evidence-based advice on how to help depressed patients who don't feel better on the first or second try.
	Study finds our brains are 'programmed' to learn more from people we like Our brains are "programmed" to learn more from people we like—and less from those we dislike. This has been shown by researchers in cognitive neuroscience in a series of experiments. Their findings are published in Communications Psychology.
	Mouse study finds birth coincides with rapid changes in gene activity During its gestation, the house mouse starts out as a single fertilized cell and three weeks later is ready to enter the world as a free-living pup composed of more than 500 million cells.
	New study offers hope for hundreds of thousands impacted each year by aggressive brain cancer New research by the University of Sussex could help to increase life expectancy and improve treatment for an aggressive brain cancer, which impacts thousands of people every year in the UK, and hundreds of thousands worldwide.
	Viagra could help treat oxygen-deprived newborns, clinical trial finds Treatments to help babies who run out of oxygen during pregnancy or at birth (neonatal encephalopathy) are limited. Therapeutic hypothermia is the only option used to prevent brain damage in such cases, but 29% of babies who receive it still develop significant neurological sequelae. The first phase of a new clinical study conducted at the Montreal Children's Hospital (MCH) shows that the administration of sildenafil, marketed under the brand name Viagra, could be a possible solution.
	Study: Traumatic brain injury leads to widespread changes in neural connections A head injury serious enough to affect brain function, such as that caused by a car accident or sudden fall, leads to changes in the brain beyond the site of impact, Tufts University School of Medicine scientists report in the journal Cerebral Cortex. In an animal model of traumatic brain injury, the researchers found that both hemispheres work together to forge new neural pathways in an attempt to replicate those that were lost.
	Widely used AI tool for early sepsis detection may be cribbing doctors' suspicions Proprietary artificial intelligence software designed to be an early warning system for sepsis can't differentiate high- and low-risk patients before they receive treatments, according to a new study from the University of Michigan.
	Antidepressant use lower in mothers who have support from grandparents, study finds Mothers are less likely to take antidepressants if their own parents and parents-in-law are healthy and live close by, a new study finds.
	School uniform policies linked to students getting less exercise School uniform policies could be restricting young people from being active, particularly primary school-aged girls, new research suggests.
	Language and culture may influence how our brains process emotional faces Body language and the understanding thereof is a crucial part of communication. It is often assumed that humans can innately recognize other's emotions, but there is growing evidence that the ability to decipher these emotions is not instinctive but shaped by people's culturally shared understanding of emotions.
	New sepsis test provides faster and reliable results Every year some 49 million cases of sepsis occur, and 11 million sepsis-related deaths occurred worldwide in 2017, according to a study reported by the WHO. This accounts for 20% of all global deaths.
	Experts say 'diet weed' can be dangerous "Diet weed" is a phrase used to describe Delta-8 products, which are often synthetic recreations of a chemical compound found in cannabis. First popularized following the 2018 Farm Bill that permitted the sale of hemp, Delta-8 users have reported improvements to their sleep, anxiety and pain without feeling any of the intoxicating effects often associated with marijuana.
	In fight over Medicare payments, the hospital lobby shows its strength In the battle to control health care costs, hospitals are deploying their political power to protect their bottom lines.
	'GoFundMe' has become a health care utility GoFundMe started as a crowdfunding site for underwriting "ideas and dreams," and, as GoFundMe's co-founders, Andrew Ballester and Brad Damphousse, once put it, "for life's important moments." In the early years, it funded honeymoon trips, graduation gifts, and church missions to overseas hospitals in need. Now GoFundMe has become a go-to platform for patients trying to escape medical billing nightmares.
	Study looks at access to U.S. burn centers using 2019 data Access disparities to burn centers persist, with lower access in the South and West and for those with lower income, according to a research letter published online Feb. 14 in JAMA Surgery.
	Study finds frexalimab has favorable effect on relapsing multiple sclerosis For patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis, the anti-CD40L monoclonal antibody frexalimab has a favorable effect on the number of new gadolinium-enhancing T1-weighted lesions, according to a study published in the Feb. 15 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
	Data show 38.6 percent of 9- to 17-year-olds have received at least one HPV vaccine dose In 2022, 38.6 percent of children aged nine to 17 years had received one or more doses of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, according to a February data brief published by the National Center for Health Statistics.
	Study reveals accelerated aging in women living with HIV Women with HIV experience accelerated DNA aging, a phenomenon that can lead to poor physical function, according to a study led by Stephanie Shiau, an assistant professor in the Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology at the Rutgers School of Public Health.
	What are 'collarium' sunbeds? Here's why you should stay away Reports have recently emerged that solariums, or sunbeds—largely banned in Australia because they increase the risk of skin cancer—are being rebranded as "collarium" sunbeds ("coll" being short for collagen).
	Running or yoga can help beat depression, research shows—even if exercise is the last thing you feel like At least one in ten people have depression at some point in their lives, with some estimates closer to one in four. It's one of the worst things for someone's well-being—worse than debt, divorce or diabetes.
	Finding joy in the little things really can benefit well-being—a scientist explains Find joy in the little things. This piece of folk advice has been around for eons, and is one that many of us try to live by. But is there actually any real benefit to this practice?
	Using 'trip killers' to cut short bad drug trips is potentially dangerous As interest in psychedelics has grown, so has interest in ways to end a bad trip. Recent research reveals that people are giving potentially dangerous advice on social media on how to stop a trip that is less than pleasurable.
	Overconsumption of fructose by parents increases risk of cardiometabolic disease in offspring, study shows Offspring of rats that consume excessive amounts of fructose develop disturbances in the autonomic nervous, cardiovascular, and metabolic systems at an early age, increasing the risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes and obesity in adulthood, according to a study conducted by Brazilian scientists. The study is published in the International Journal of Obesity.
	'It is hijacking my brain'—a team of experts finds ways to help young people addicted to social media Many people have compared the addictive nature of social media to cigarettes. Checking your likes, they say, is the new smoke break. Others say the unease over social media is just the next round of moral panic about new technologies.
	Q&A: Nitazenes are a powerful class of street drugs emerging across the US Two deaths in Boulder County, Colorado, in 2023 are the latest in the U.S. to be blamed on the powerful class of synthetic opioids called nitazenes. Most health systems cannot detect nitazenes, so the exact number of overdoses is unknown, but they're implicated in more than 200 deaths in Europe and North America since 2019, including . One of the two Boulder County deaths is linked to a new formulation called N-Desethyl etonitazene, which was identified by a national laboratory, and is thought to be the first related death.
	Bacteria in your gut can improve your mood: Research in mice tries to zero in on the crucial strains Probiotics have been getting a lot of attention recently. These bacteria, which you can consume from fermented foods, yogurt or even pills, are linked to a number of health and wellness benefits, including reducing gastrointestinal distress, urinary tract infections and eczema. But can they improve your mood, too?
	Why forgetting is a normal function of memory—and when to worry Forgetting in our day to day lives may feel annoying or, as we get older, a little frightening. But it is an entirely normal part of memory—enabling us to move on or make space for new information.
	Recommendations for biomarker-based diagnosis of neurocognitive disorders Experts from 11 European scientific associations and organizations and a patient advocacy association (Alzheimer Europe) have collaborated to define a diagnostic pathway focused on each individual case that enables the right tests to be identified according to the symptoms profile.
	Dementia researchers share recruitment strategies for pragmatic clinical trial According to the Alzheimer's Association, more than 6.5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer's disease, and one in three older adults will die with the disease or another form of dementia. There's also a growing need for improved care and support, not only for persons living with dementia but also for their caregivers.
	Spice: The 'zombie drug' being found in some vape liquids Five teenagers in London were hospitalized recently after smoking vapes containing the drug known as spice. This incident is only the latest in what appears to be a growing problem in the UK with unregulated vape liquids, especially those marketed as containing THC or cannabis.
	Food for thought: Obesity may affect the brain too Calorie-filled meals with little nutrition are suspected of having an impact on decision-making and of causing an overweight trap.
	Burnout rate high among Michigan nurses, survey finds Ninety-four percent of Michigan nurses report emotional exhaustion, with younger nurses significantly more likely to report burnout than colleagues over 45, according to a University of Michigan School of Nursing survey.
	Researchers identify potential 'missing link' for why South Asians have higher rates of heart disease A new study led by researchers at St. Michael's Hospital has found that South Asians with either heart disease or diabetes had fewer vascular regenerative and reparative cells compared to white European patients. These findings present a clue as to why South Asians have a greater risk for cardiometabolic diseases, such as heart disease, stroke and diabetes.
	Chronic fatigue syndrome: Number of patients expected to double due to long-term effects of COVID-19 pandemic Up to 80,000 people in Austria are estimated to suffer from chronic fatigue syndrome, also known as ME/CFS or myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome. The number of ME/CFS patients is expected to rise drastically due to long-term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, research in the field has neither identified mechanisms of disease onset nor causal treatment approaches.
	Choice and consistent shift patterns could improve nurses' work-life balance Research by the University of Southampton has found nurses value both choice and consistency in their shift patterns to help balance work with commitments in their home life. Providing a good work-life balance is one way of helping to retain nurses in the NHS to ensure safe levels of care at a time of large shortfalls in staff.
	AI tools better at predicting heart transplant rejection than standard clinical method, finds study More than 4,500 heart transplants were performed in the U.S. in 2023. While the lifesaving operation improves the quality of life and longevity for most recipients, organ rejection remains a risk, with acute rejection occurring in up to 32% of recipients within the first year.
	Researchers find new way to deliver treatment to infants at risk of cerebral palsy Delivering critical early-life medication to newborns at risk of cerebral palsy from suspected brain injury will be safer thanks to a University of Alberta research team.
	Researchers study how interactions between neurons and astrocytes may relate to anxiety Anxiety is often attributed to an unconscious assessment of the environment and detection of potential danger. While moderate anxiety is therefore advantageous for survival, excessive anxiety can lead to psychiatric disorders.
	Researchers identify immunomodulatory drug as a potential treatment for Parkinson's disease Parkinson's disease is one of the most common diseases affecting the motor and nervous system. It has no treatment yet, and the pathology causes a deterioration of motor skills due to dopaminergic neuronal death, the neurons that synthesize dopamine, which is a brain neurotransmitter that controls the volunteer movements.
	FDA approves iloprost for severe frostbite Aurlumyn (iloprost), a vasodilator, has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat severe frostbite. The injected medication lowers the risk for finger or toe amputation.
	Many people with schizophrenia have stable cognition over 20 years: Study There are varying cognitive trajectories over 20 years among individuals with schizophrenia spectrum disorders, according to a study published online on Feb. 12 in Psychological Medicine.
	Cefepime-taniborbactam superior to meropenem for complicated UTI For adults with complicated urinary tract infection (UTI), including acute pyelonephritis, cefepime-taniborbactam is superior to meropenem, according to a study published in the Feb. 15 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
	Half of US health care workers say they've witnessed racism against patients: Report Nearly half of health care workers nationwide say they've seen discrimination against patients while on the job, a new report reveals.
	Opioid exposure linked to increased odds of preterm birth Opioid exposure is associated with increased odds of spontaneous preterm birth, according to a study published online on Feb. 14 in JAMA Network Open.
	Adults living alone have higher reported feelings of depression Adults living alone have higher reported feelings of depression than those living with others, according to a study published online Feb. 15 in National Health Statistics Reports, a publication from the National Center for Health Statistics.
	Burnout: A new tool for identifying people at risk It is not uncommon for people to "hit the wall" at work and experience burnout for short or long periods of time.
	How parents can help moderate the development of ADHD symptoms Parents of young children with an excitable or exuberant temperament could adapt their parenting style to help moderate their child's potential development of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), according to a new study co-authored by a University of Waterloo researcher.
	How does diet before and during pregnancy affect your child? Every mother wants to have the healthiest child she can, and new research shows that the nutritional status of the mother during pregnancy can affect outcomes for the baby—with male and female offspring affected differently.
	Common coronaviruses circulate twice yearly in Malawi, in contrast to annual winter peaks in more temperate climates Common human coronaviruses circulate twice yearly in Malawi, in contrast to annual winter peaks in more temperate climates, according to new data.
	From pills to pulses: Electrifying medicine using the peripheral nervous system The central (CNS) and peripheral (PNS) nervous system work together to coordinate and regulate the functions of our body in addition to hosting our human intelligence. The CNS is the control center and includes the brain and the spinal cord. While the brain processes information, makes decisions, and sends out instructions, the spinal cord and the associated PNS is the communication highway that carries nerve signals to and from the brain.
	Outlining the future of theranostics in neurooncology Nuclear medicine has the potential to change the landscape of theranostics in neurooncology, according to a new article published in The Journal of Nuclear Medicine (JNM). With recent advances in techniques to permeate the brain-blood barrier (BBB), the prospect of using radiopharmaceuticals to treat brain tumors such as meningiomas, gliomas, brain metastases, and pediatric brain tumors is promising.
	Immunocompromised population shown to react well to COVID-19 vaccine First-year Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine (HMSOM) student Elizabeth Titova leveraged her background in phlebotomy and scientific research to publish a new clinical study around COVID-19 vaccination in Microbiology Spectrum.
	Helping caregivers assist people with dementia in eating at home For many people with dementia and the caregivers helping them live at home, mealtime is no picnic.
	Protein-rich breakfasts found to boost satiety and concentration A new Danish study has explored the link between diet and cognitive function, and the results reveal that a protein-rich breakfast can increase satiety and improve concentration. This is important knowledge in a society with increasing obesity rates and lifestyle-related diseases, say researchers.
	Researchers reveal how diabetes weakens gum defense Periodontitis (PD) is a common complication in individuals with diabetes mellitus (DM). Despite the profound implications for overall health, the complex bidirectional relationship between them lacks a comprehensive understanding so far, leaving the precise nature of their immunological connection inadequately understood. Prior studies focusing on local immune responses in gingival tissue fall short of capturing the systemic immunological relationship.
	Hispanic patients with respiratory failure found much more likely to be oversedated Hispanic individuals who are hospitalized with respiratory failure are five times more likely than non-Hispanic patients to receive deep sedation while on a ventilator, according to a new study published in the Annals of the American Thoracic Society.
	More people die after smoking drugs than injecting them, US study finds Smoking has surpassed injecting as the most common way of taking drugs in U.S. overdose deaths, a new government study suggests.
	Lyme disease case counts in the US rose by almost 70% in 2022 due to a change in how it's reported Lyme disease cases in the U.S. jumped nearly 70% in 2022, which health officials say is not due to a major increase of new infections but instead a change in reporting requirements.
	Study highlights global prevalence of overtreatment for women in labor and potentially dire consequences There are approximately 130 million births per year. A substantial proportion of the women giving birth are treated with oxytocin or undergo cesarean sections.
	Ancient viruses responsible for our big brains and bodies: Study Ancient viruses that infected vertebrates hundreds of millions of years ago played a pivotal role in the evolution of our advanced brains and large bodies, a study said Thursday.
	Why do(n't) people support being nudged towards healthier diets? You may not realize it, but "nudge" has been used by businesses, policymakers and governments for years to prod the public into making different choices. Small changes in our environment can "nudge" us into different behaviors without restricting the options available to us. For example, printing the low-calorie options in bold on a menu, or showing the calorie information, might change what we choose to eat.
	Using cannabis can ease cravings for street-level drugs, new research suggests New findings from researchers at the University of British Columbia suggest that cannabis could play a role in addressing the ongoing opioid overdose crisis.
	Study: GV1001 reduces neurodegeneration and prolongs lifespan in mouse model of Alzheimer's disease A new research paper titled "GV1001 reduces neurodegeneration and prolongs lifespan in 3xTg-AD mouse model through anti-aging effects" has been published in Aging.
	Inequities in HIV testing, diagnosis and care for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities People with disabilities are often at higher risk for exposure to HIV due to barriers in engaging health care and other systemic factors and are thus considered a priority for prevention and testing efforts. However, these efforts don't always extend to people with intellectual disabilities due to the perception that people with intellectual disabilities are mostly asexual.
	Researchers are developing a new device to improve treatment of anal fistula A consortium of University of Birmingham researchers, clinicians and industry partners is developing a novel device that could revolutionize the clinical management of anal fistula.
	New bone tool could offer speedy screening for new treatments targeting pain in osteoarthritis Researchers at St George's, University of London have developed a simple tool to measure irregularities in the cartilage and bone tissue of people with osteoarthritis, which aims to speed-up screening for tissue changes and testing new treatments for those with chronic pain.
	States target health insurers' 'prior authorization' red tape Christopher Marks noticed an immediate improvement when his doctor prescribed him the type 2 diabetes medication Mounjaro last year. The 40-year-old truck driver from Kansas City, Missouri, said his average blood sugar reading decreased significantly and that keeping it within target range took less insulin than before.
	South Korean doctors rally against government plans to increase the number of medical students Hundreds of South Korean doctors rallied in the capital, Seoul, and other cities on Thursday against a government plan to boost the number of medical students.
	How worried should I be about cryptosporidiosis? Am I safe at the pool? You might have heard of something called "cryptosporidiosis" recently, closely followed by warnings to stay away from your local swimming pool if you've had diarrhea.
	Wrong RSV shots given to some pregnant women, young kids More than two dozen toddlers and at least 128 pregnant women received RSV vaccines they should not have gotten, U.S. health officials say.
	Refugees find work faster thanks to preventive mental health care Job market participation of refugees lags significantly behind that of other migrant groups and Dutch natives. To ensure better participation among this group, we must also focus on their mental health. So argues José Muller-Dugic, who will receive her Ph.D. at Radboud University on 26 February. She developed Mosaic, a positive psychology course for refugees.
	Safer consumption and drug checking facilities key to addressing drug harms in Edinburgh, report finds Safer drug consumption facilities (SDCF) and drug checking could be key to addressing drug harms in the city of Edinburgh, according to University of Stirling experts in substance use.
	Q&A: Health experts cover winter's myriad health challenges We know you're thinking about it: Turning the corner from winter into spring. Although warmer days are on the horizon, the effects of weeks of gray, winter days are real. For some, winter weather comes with a particular dose of biological adversity: seasonal affective disorder, appropriately known as SAD. Follow along for a Q&A with University of Missouri psychiatrist Arpit Aggarwal to learn what SAD is and how to combat its symptoms. He also provides tools and techniques to give your mental health a boost to conquer the last remnants of the dark season.
	Q&A: Healthy gums, healthy heart; what's the connection? Healthy gums are imperative to a healthy mouth, but what about your cardiovascular health? In honor of Heart Month, Dr. Frank Nichols, professor of periodontics at the UConn School of Dental Medicine, unravels the underlying connection between gum health and heart health.

Other Sciences news

	Cave art in Patagonia found to be oldest pigment-based cave art in South America An international team of scientists reports that cave art at a site in Patagonia is the oldest of its type ever found in South America. In their study, published in the journal Science Advances, the group conducted radiocarbon dating of the material used to create the art thousands of years ago.
	Study reveals Neolithic groups from the south of the Iberian Peninsula first settled in Andalusia 6,200 years ago The first Neolithic farmers and shepherds in Andalusia settled permanently on the island of San Fernando, Cadiz, 6,200 years ago, where they continued to collect and consume shellfish throughout the year, preferably in winter.
	Most people would be equally satisfied with having one child as with two or three, finds research Picture your ideal family. Do you have children? How many?
	Suicide rates in the US are on the rise. A new study offers surprising reasons why After a long, steady decline in national suicide rates, those numbers began steadily ticking up in the late 1990s and have generally risen ever since, with nearly 50,000 people in the U.S. taking their own lives in 2022, up 3% from the previous year.
	How Chinese migrants in Los Angeles Chinatown gained self-reliance In the late 1800s and early 1900s, anti-Chinese sentiment in the United States was high, as working-class laborers in the country viewed Chinese workers as a threat.
	Can we be inoculated against climate misinformation? Yes—if we prebunk rather than debunk, researchers say Last year, the world experienced the hottest day ever recorded, as we endured the first year where temperatures were 1.5°C warmer than the pre-industrial era. The link between extreme events and climate change is clearer than ever. But that doesn't mean climate misinformation has stopped. Far from it.
	The rise of robo-retail: Who gets left behind when retail is automated? Canada's first robotic cafe, RC Coffee, opened in Toronto in October 2020. The flagship location of the coffee chain revived the long-dormant retail concept of the automat: a restaurant where food and drinks are served by technology, rather than human staff.
	For professional women, having high-status connections can backfire, reveals study Women working in organizations are frequently encouraged to cultivate connections to high-status individuals based on a prominent social network theory. But new research conducted in China and the United States suggests that having high-status connections can backfire for women.
	New research demonstrates synergy between social cohesion and volunteering There is a virtuous circle between volunteering and social cohesion, offering wider benefits to communities according to new research led by Kent and Belong—the Cohesion and Integration Network.
	Study shows background checks don't always check out Employers making hiring decisions, landlords considering possible tenants and schools approving field trip chaperones all widely use commercial background checks. But a new multi-institutional study co-authored by a University of Maryland researcher shows that background checks themselves can't be trusted.
	Is an end to single-use plastic bags in sight? Single-use plastics cause pollution, harm wildlife, deplete resources, pose health risks, and create waste management challenges, necessitating urgent action for reduction and better management. A study in the Global Business and Economics Review has identified drivers for the consumer shift away from single-use plastics.
	Hiring 'problem directors' can knock up to 64% off a firm's value Companies that appoint directors with a track record of questionable professional conduct cause an increase in reckless corporate risk-taking and could see up to 64 percent of a firm's value knocked off, a new study has found.
	Studies recommend increased research into achievement, engagement to raise student math scores A new study into classroom practices, led by Dr. Steve Murphy, has found extensive research fails to uncover how teachers can remedy poor student engagement and perform well in math.
	Digital literacy expert explains differences between reading in print and online Rachel Karchmer-Klein, associate professor in the College of Education and Human Development at the University of Delaware, co-designed a research study where a group of high-achieving eighth graders were asked to engage with a digital narrative text. The story incorporated written words, sound, static images and video animations. The students quickly figured out they had to interact with it similarly to playing a video game in order to keep the story moving along.
	Spaces to remake and mend clothes would bring new life into shopping centers, study says Spaces to remake and mend clothes would bring much-needed life back into shopping centers and high streets, a new study says.
	Dating app users less satisfied with relationship status than non-users, finds study Mobile dating apps are a popular way to meet people. They promise a fun partner and a happy love life. However, a new study by Radboud University researchers shows that people who use dating apps actually tend to be overall less satisfied with their relationship status than those who don't.
	Study finds Massachusetts school desegregation program benefits K-12 students A new study has found that a long-standing voluntary school desegregation program in Massachusetts has a significant positive impact on the urban students who take part in it.
	State laws governing debt collection lawsuits vary widely and most still offer little protection to consumers While most states have laws that specifically govern debt collection lawsuits, the laws vary widely and few offer protections for consumers, according to new data released today by the Center for Public Health Law Research at Temple University Beasley School of Law.
	Know a secret you're burning to share? Read this first instead of becoming an 'a-hole' Listen, do you want to know a secret? Do you promise not to tell? Good—because if you tell, people will often think you're an "a-hole."
	Exploring why we all hate to wait Back in 1981, Tom Petty sang that the waiting is the hardest part. New research from The University of Texas helps to explain why.
	Study finds individual tests cannot predict optimal teams When hiring people to be on teams, many organizations believe the best team must include the "best" individuals. Organizations construct IQ tests, pose scenarios, assign scores to applicants, or develop criteria to identify the "best." These tests, however, may be a bad idea, according to a recent study by Scott Page of the University of Michigan and Lu Hong of Loyola University Chicago. They looked at when it makes sense to compose teams by testing individuals.
	New study reveals four critical barriers to building healthier Canadian cities Many streets around the globe are becoming increasingly inhospitable to children and the elderly due to compounding traffic and road safety concerns which deter these groups from active transport, like walking or cycling. The recent emphasis on designing cities that cater to the well-being of individuals from ages eight to 80 isn't just a catchy phrase, but a vital requirement to accommodate evolving demographic realities.
	Addressing anti-Black racism is key to improving well-being of Black Canadians, says researcher Anti-Black racism continues to be a major determinant of poor health and social outcomes for Black Canadians. Addressing this racism within Canadian institutions—like the health care system, justice system, the child welfare system and education—has far-reaching implications.
	A new tool for UK police forces to improve rape investigations A new tool for police forces to improve rape investigations has been created by UofG academics as part of the UK Home Office Operation Soteria.
	Research shows studies with more diverse teams of authors get more citations Diverse research is more impactful in the business management field, with female influence growing stronger in the past decade, finds a new study from the University of Surrey.

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