Science X Newsletter Thu, Feb 8

Dear ,

Here is your customized Science X Newsletter for February 8, 2024:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

Beyond cells: Unveiling the potential of genetic circuits on single DNA molecules

Astronomers discover new supernova remnant

Fusion research facility's final tritium experiments yield new energy record

Ice cores provide first documentation of rapid Antarctic ice loss in the past

Patterns of brain connectivity found to differ between pre-term and term babies

Faulty DNA disposal system found to cause inflammation

Researchers develop model to assess biology of human placental barrier

Researchers identify potential way to treat genetic epilepsy by replacing 'lost' enzyme

NASA climate satellite blasts off to survey oceans and atmosphere of a warming Earth

US to launch next moon mission on Valentine's Day

Combining materials may support unique superconductivity for quantum computing

Discovery of new nematode species that could protect crops without pesticides

Network analysis provides an integrated view of multiple sclerosis

Physicists capture first sounds of heat 'sloshing' in a superfluid, revealing how heat can move like a wave

Fibroblasts in the penis are more important for erectile function than previously thought

Nanotechnology news

	Beyond cells: Unveiling the potential of genetic circuits on single DNA molecules In a new Nature Communications study, researchers have explored the construction of genetic circuits on single DNA molecules, demonstrating localized protein synthesis as a guiding principle for dissipative nanodevices, offering insights into artificial cell design and nanobiotechnology applications.
	Harnessing light-powered nanoscale electrical currents to propel emerging technologies Traditional microelectronic architectures, with transistors to control electrical currents along wires, power everything from advanced computers to everyday devices.
	A new 'metal swap' method for creating lateral heterostructures of 2D materials Electronically conducting two-dimensional (2D) materials are currently hot topics of research in both physics and chemistry due to their unique properties that have the potential to open new avenues in science and technology. Moreover, the combination of different 2D materials, called heterostructures, expands the diversity of their electrical, photochemical, and magnetic properties. This can lead to innovative electronic devices not achievable with a single material alone.
	When nanoplastics are not what they seem: Release of oligomers from polyester textiles Plastic household items and clothing made of synthetic fibers release microplastics, particles less than five millimeters in size that can enter the environment unnoticed. A small proportion of these particles are so small that they are measured in nanometers. Such nanoplastics are the subject of intensive research, as nanoplastic particles can be absorbed into the human body due to their small size—but, as of today, little is known about their potential toxicity.
	A novel micrometer-thick porous coating with unparalleled biomarker detection abilities Aging populations and the tendency to lead a more sedentary lifestyle in many parts of the world are thought to dramatically increase the number of people living with multiple chronic conditions. Moreover, climate change, as well as shifting patterns in land use and travel, keep increasing the risk of infectious diseases that can emerge and spread locally and globally.
	Nanofiber-coated cotton bandages fight infection and speed healing An interdisciplinary team of Cornell researchers has identified an innovative way to harness the antioxidant and antibacterial properties of the botanical compound lawsone to make nanofiber-coated cotton bandages that fight infection and help wounds heal more quickly.

Physics news

	Fusion research facility's final tritium experiments yield new energy record The Joint European Torus (JET), one of the world's largest and most powerful fusion machines, has demonstrated the ability to reliably generate fusion energy, while simultaneously setting a world record in energy output.
	Combining materials may support unique superconductivity for quantum computing A new fusion of materials, each with special electrical properties, has all the components required for a unique type of superconductivity that could provide the basis for more robust quantum computing. The new combination of materials, created by a team led by researchers at Penn State, could also provide a platform to explore physical behaviors similar to those of mysterious, theoretical particles known as chiral Majoranas, which could be another promising component for quantum computing.
	Physicists capture first sounds of heat 'sloshing' in a superfluid, revealing how heat can move like a wave In most materials, heat prefers to scatter. If left alone, a hotspot will gradually fade as it warms its surroundings. But in rare states of matter, heat can behave as a wave, moving back and forth somewhat like a sound wave that bounces from one end of a room to the other. In fact, this wave-like heat is what physicists call "second sound."
	Technique could improve the sensitivity of quantum sensing devices In quantum sensing, atomic-scale quantum systems are used to measure electromagnetic fields, as well as properties like rotation, acceleration, and distance, far more precisely than classical sensors can. The technology could enable devices that image the brain with unprecedented detail, for example, or air traffic control systems with precise positioning accuracy.
	Metamaterial chimera nearly undetectable across visible light, microwave, and infrared spectra A multi-institutional team of optoelectronic and materials engineers in China has developed a type of metamaterial that is nearly invisible across visible light, microwave and infrared spectra. In their paper, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the group describes their inspiration for the material, how it was made and its performance when tested.
	Spiral-shaped lens provides clear vision at a range of distances and lighting conditions Researchers have developed a spiral-shaped lens that maintains clear focus at different distances in varying light conditions. The new lens works much like progressive lenses used for vision correction but without the distortions typically seen with those lenses. It could help advance contact lens technologies, intraocular implants for cataracts and miniaturized imaging systems.
	Versatile light control in WSe₂ achieved Researchers have successfully manipulated distinct exciton species within a hybrid monolayer WSe2-Ag nanowire structure. By exploiting the unique valley-spin locked band structures and electron-hole configurations of TMDs, the team, led by Professor Hongxing Xu, Prof. Xiaoze Liu and Dr. Ti Wang from School of Physics and Technology, has taken a significant step toward practical photonic applications for optical information processing and quantum optics.
	Scientists uncover a new model for the effects of radiation in water systems What happens when radiation hits water? This is a question that has an impact every time you get an X-ray at the doctor's office, given you are mostly made of water. A team of theoretical physicists at DESY has worked on data taken by colleagues from Argonne National Laboratory in the US at the LCLS X-ray laser in California to get a better answer to this question.
	New techniques for making qubits out of erbium Qubits are the building block for quantum technology, and finding or building qubits that are stable and easily manipulated is one of the central goals of quantum technology research. Scientists have found that an atom of erbium—a rare-earth metal sometimes used in lasers or to color glass—can be a very effective qubit.
	Scientists present diamond substrate coated with niobium carbide film for superconducting detectors Diamonds are beautiful gemstones, which thanks to their shimmering sparkle and transparency look great in jewelry, but rough diamonds are much more interesting from a scientific point of view. The physical and chemical properties of diamond have made it a critical component for many devices in optics and electronics.
	Laser manufacturing of spatial resolution approaching quantum limit Since early demonstrations of femtosecond laser as a three-dimensional (3D) processing tool, microdevices with exciting optical, electronic, mechanical, and magnetic functions have been manufactured, by which novel concepts from 3D quantum photonic integrated circuits to intelligent micro-robots are enabled.
	Stable intense supercontinuum light generation from 1kHz femtosecond laser filamentation in air Supercontinuum (SC) white light (the spectrum stretching from the near ultraviolet to the infrared wavelengths) has advanced ultrafast laser spectroscopy in condensed matter science, biology, physics and chemistry. Compared with the frequently-used photonic crystal fibers and bulk materials, femtosecond laser filamentation in gases is damage-immune for SC generation.
	General deep learning framework for emissivity engineering Wavelength-selective thermal emitters (WS-TEs) have been frequently designed to achieve desired target emissivity spectra, as in typical emissivity engineering, for broad applications such as thermal camouflage, radiative cooling, and gas sensing, etc.
	Neural network assisted high-spatial-resolution polarimetry with non-interleaved chiral metasurfaces Polarimetry plays a key role in wide applications from remote sensing and astronomy to biology and microscopy. Traditional polarimetry systems are equipped with a set of polarizers, waveplates, beam-splitters or filters, making the systems bulky and complex.

Earth news

	Ice cores provide first documentation of rapid Antarctic ice loss in the past Researchers from the University of Cambridge and the British Antarctic Survey have uncovered the first direct evidence that the West Antarctic Ice Sheet shrunk suddenly and dramatically at the end of the Last Ice Age, around eight thousand years ago.
	Why olivine and diamonds are best friends and how that could simplify the search for precious gemstones Few gemstones are more difficult to find than diamonds. Geologists from ETH Zurich and the University of Melbourne have now established a link between their occurrence and the mineral olivine. This could make the search for diamonds easier in the future.
	What turned Earth into a giant snowball 700 million years ago? Scientists now have an answer Australian geologists have used plate tectonic modeling to determine what most likely caused an extreme ice-age climate in Earth's history, more than 700 million years ago.
	New study could improve predictions on rising sea levels An innovative scientific study involving an international group of 29 ice sheet experts, and led by the University of Lincoln, U.K., has identified that global climate change-related rises in sea level could be better predicted by gaining a clearer understanding of the Antarctic and Greenland ice sheets.
	Ice ages were not as dry as we thought, according to surprising new Australian cave study During ice ages, dry, frozen terrain extended over much of northern Europe, Asia and North America. Many plants and animals retreated from these desolate, harsh landscapes and sought refuge in pockets of more hospitable territory.
	Temperatures are rising, but soil is getting wetter—why? Soil moisture can determine how quickly a wildfire spreads, how fast a hill turns into a mudslide, and perhaps most importantly, how productive our food systems are. As temperatures rise due to human-caused climate change, some researchers are concerned that soils will dry. However, between 2011 to 2020, soil moisture increased across 57% of the United States during summer, the warmest time of year.
	A volcano in Iceland is erupting again, spewing lava and cutting heat and hot water supplies A volcano in southwestern Iceland erupted Thursday for the third time since December, sending jets of lava into the sky, triggering the evacuation of the popular Blue Lagoon geothermal spa and cutting heat and hot water to thousands of people.
	World sees first 12 months above 1.5C warming level: climate monitor Earth has endured 12 consecutive months of temperatures 1.5C hotter than the pre-industrial era for the first time on record, Europe's climate monitor said Thursday, in what scientists called a "warning to humanity".
	Navy looks to test drinking wells for potential 'forever chemicals' from Chesapeake base Nicole Jones read a poster's laundry list of health effects from drinking water contaminated by chemicals found in firefighting foam: high cholesterol, changes in liver enzymes, preeclampsia in pregnant women, low infant birth weight and cancer.
	Demography and reproductive rights are environmental issues: Insights from sub-Saharan Africa Sub-Saharan Africa's population is growing three times faster than the rest of the world with an average of 4.6 births per woman in 2021. By comparison, the fertility rate in Canada was 1.3 births per woman in 2022.
	Ghana: Kumasi city's unplanned boom is destroying two rivers—sewage, heavy metals and chemical pollution detected Ghana's urban population has more than tripled in the past three decades, from 4 million to nearly 14 million people. Competition for land in cities has increased among various land uses. These trends have led to encroachment in ecologically sensitive areas such as wetlands.
	How an unprecedented magma river surged beneath an Iceland town A river of magma flowed underneath an Icelandic fishing village late last year at a rate never before recorded, scientists said Thursday, as the region suffered yet another dramatic eruption.
	Burning question: what can we expect in a 1.5C world? Massive wildfires exposing millions to toxic smoke, drought shriveling crops and key waterways, destructive storms supercharged by record ocean temperatures—in the last year the world has had a taste of what to expect with warming of 1.5C.
	Pivotal moment for humanity as tipping point threats and opportunities accelerate, report warns An acceleration in threats from Earth system tipping points, which occur when small changes spark often rapid and irreversible transformations, has set humanity on a disastrous trajectory, a new report shows.
	Innovative hybrid models enhance soil moisture forecasting Soil moisture intricately influences climate and hydrological systems by modulating water and energy exchange processes. Accurate predictions of soil moisture are not only instrumental in drought monitoring but are crucial for effective water resource management.
	Tropical cyclone genesis projected to move toward the poles In a recent study published in Geophysical Research Letters, researchers unveil a poleward shift of tropical cyclone (TC) genesis on a global scale as a result of climate change. Led by Dr. Xi Cao from the Institute of Atmospheric Physics, the research team collaborated with experts from institutions including the University of Tokyo, Zhejiang University, Yunnan University, the National Climate Center, and the University of New South Wales.
	Globe breaks heat record for 8th straight month. Golfers get to play in Minnesota's 'lost winter' For the eighth straight month in January, Earth was record hot, according to the European climate agency. That was obvious in the northern United States, where about 1,000 people were golfing last month in a snow-starved Minneapolis during what the state is calling "the Lost Winter of 2023-24."
	Climate change is fueling the disappearance of the Aral Sea. It's taking residents' livelihoods, too Toxic dust storms, anti-government protests, the fall of the Soviet Union—for generations, none of it has deterred Nafisa Bayniyazova and her family from making a living growing melons, pumpkins and tomatoes on farms around the Aral Sea.
	Back from COP28, California climate leaders talk health impacts of warming Wildfire smoke. Drought. Brutal heat. Floods. As Californians increasingly feel the health effects of climate change, state leaders are adopting sweeping policies they hope will fend off the worst impacts—and be replicated by other countries.
	New pollution rules could improve air quality in Bay Area, other parts of California In a significant move aimed at reducing some of the most harmful types of air pollution in the country, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has set tougher standards for fine particulate matter, or soot, saying they would save thousands of lives nationwide.
	Southern California's smog-cutting plan is failing and regulators would rather point fingers than fix it Government officials whose job it is to clean the nation's worst smog from Southern California's air should be embarrassed. Instead of working together to cut lung-damaging ozone pollution, they are wasting time pointing fingers at one another.
	An eight-phase methodology for analyzing microplastics in soil ecosystem In today's world, plastics are used extensively due to their favorable properties and affordable costs. The widespread use of these non-biodegradable materials, however, makes them a waste management nuisance and global environmental concern. It is estimated that by 2050, approximately 12 billion metric tons of plastic waste will be dumped into landfills.
	Uncovering the green miracle of urbanization Between 1990 and 2005, the national average urban fractional vegetation cover (FVC) decreased from 0.38 to 0.35 due to the increase in floor area ratio and impervious surface in urban areas. The decline is particularly pronounced in megacities, small, medium and small cities.
	Influencing factors and contribution rates of oxygen concentration over the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau recalculated In a study published in the journal Science China Earth Sciences, a research team conducted joint observations of ecosystem oxygen production and carbon sinks and near-surface atmospheric oxygen concentrations on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau and meteorological elements at Beijing Fangshan Station from 2018 to 2020.
	Assessment and strategies for sustainable food systems within planetary boundaries Since the Green Revolution in the 1960s, intensive agricultural production practices have laid the foundation for food security. However, these measures are also accompanied by significant resource input and environmental impacts. Meeting the increasing food demand in a sustainable manner becomes a global challenge.

Astronomy and Space news

	Astronomers discover new supernova remnant Astronomers from Curtin University in Australia and elsewhere report the detection of a new supernova remnant (SNR) located some 3,300 light years away. The newfound SNR, designated G321.3-3.9, has an elliptical shape and is estimated to be a few thousand years old. The finding was detailed in a paper published Jan. 30 on the pre-print server arXiv.
	NASA climate satellite blasts off to survey oceans and atmosphere of a warming Earth NASA's newest climate satellite rocketed into orbit Thursday to survey the world's oceans and atmosphere in never-before-seen detail.
	US to launch next moon mission on Valentine's Day US companies are set to launch for the moon on February 14, less than a month since a similar mission ended in failure with the spaceship burning up in the Earth's atmosphere, NASA said Wednesday.
	Active galaxies as standard candles: Is dust the culprit behind discrepancies? When did the universe start? When and how did the first stars and galaxies form? What is the fate of the universe?
	XMM-Newton spots a black hole throwing a tantrum Black holes are like temperamental toddlers. They spill food all the time, but ESA's XMM-Newton has caught a black hole in the act of "flipping over the table" during an otherwise civilized meal.
	Cosmic dark matter web detected in Coma cluster The Subaru Telescope has spotted the terminal ends of dark matter filaments in the Coma cluster stretching across millions of light years. This is the first time that strands of the cosmic web spanning the entire universe have been directly detected. This provides new evidence to test theories about the evolution of the universe.
	Why studying astronauts' microbiomes is crucial to ensure deep space mission success Space exploration is a complex and risky mission that requires careful preparation and a thorough understanding of the challenges inherent to life in space.
	Telescopes show the Milky Way's black hole is ready for a kick The supermassive black hole in the center of the Milky Way is spinning so quickly it is warping the spacetime surrounding it into a shape that can look like a football, according to a new study using data from NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory and the National Science Foundation's Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array (VLA).
	Results from South Pole Telescope's new camera emerge For more than five years, scientists at the South Pole Telescope in Antarctica have been observing the sky with an upgraded camera. The extended gaze toward the cosmos is picking up remnant light from the universe's early formation. Now researchers have analyzed an initial batch of data, publishing details in the journal Physical Review D. The results from this limited dataset hint at even more powerful future insights about the nature of our universe.
	Countdown begins for April's total solar eclipse. What to know about watch parties and safe viewing The sun is about to pull another disappearing act across North America, turning day into night during a total solar eclipse.
	A new generation of spaceplanes is taking advantage of the latest in technology NASA's space shuttle operated in low-Earth orbit for 30 years before its retirement in 2011. However, the US space agency's replacement for this vehicle, Orion, returned to the conical capsule design familiar from the Apollo missions. This was because NASA intended that this newer craft be used for exploring targets in deep space, such as the moon.
	A black hole has cleared out its neighborhood We can't see them directly, but we know they're there. Supermassive black holes (SMBHs) likely dwell at the center of every large galaxy. Their overwhelming gravity draws material toward them, where it collects in an accretion disk, waiting its turn to cross the event horizon into oblivion.
	Chickpeas grown in lunar regolith are stressed but reach maturity, shows study A recent preprint posted to bioRxiv investigates how chickpeas have been successfully grown in lunar regolith simulants (LRS), marking the first time such a guideline has been established not only for chickpeas, but also for growing food for long-term human space missions.
	10 years preparing for 'Armageddon' It's a scenario made famous by the 1998 film "Armageddon": an asteroid is spotted on a collision course with Earth, and experts scramble to plan a space mission to rendezvous with the asteroid and mitigate the danger. It's classic science fiction, but did you know there is a very real group responsible for recommending such a response in real life? And it celebrates its tenth birthday this week.
	Hubble traces 'string of pearls' star clusters in galaxy collisions Contrary to what you might think, galaxy collisions do not destroy stars. In fact, the rough-and-tumble dynamics trigger new generations of stars and presumably accompanying planets.
	NASA's new experimental antenna tracks deep space laser An experimental antenna has received both radio frequency and near-infrared laser signals from NASA's Psyche spacecraft as it travels through deep space. This shows it's possible for the giant dish antennas of NASA's Deep Space Network (DSN), which communicate with spacecraft via radio waves, to be retrofitted for optical or laser communications.

Technology news

	Google rebrands its AI services as Gemini, launches new app and subscription service Google on Thursday introduced a free artificial intelligence app that will enable people to rely on technology instead of their own brains to write, interpret what they're reading and deal with a variety of other task in their lives.
	Disney to invest $1.5 billion in 'Fortnite' maker Epic Games to create games, entertainment The Walt Disney Co. said Wednesday it is paying $1.5 billion for a stake in "Fortnite" maker Epic Games, working with the game developer to create a "games and entertainment universe" that will feature games, shows and characters from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, Avatar and more.
	'Linking our brains and computers': Elon Musk's controversial dive into human experimentation Elon Musk's team has implanted a powerful computer chip inside a living person's brain, a startling step toward a sci-fi future when we can steer computers with our thoughts.
	Comcast to stop using '10G' to describe its internet network. What is 10G anyway? You may have heard the news that the "Xfinity 10G Network" will soon be scrubbed from Comcast's advertising in light of a recent advertising board recommendation.
	Microsoft's Nadella woos Indian developers to the company's AI tools Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella urged in a speech to more than a thousand Indian computer code developers on Thursday that they use the company's artificial intelligence tools being deployed across its products.
	Scientists in UK set fusion record Scientists in Britain announced Thursday they had smashed a record for generating fusion energy in the final experiment using the Joint European Torus (JET) machines.
	TikTok sues EU over content law levy TikTok said on Thursday it is challenging an EU fee to enforce a content moderation law, a day after Facebook owner Meta announced a similar move.
	Biden's 'hard look' at liquefied natural gas exports: How exactly does natural gas fit with US climate goals? The Biden administration has frozen pending decisions on permit applications to export liquefied natural gas, or LNG, to countries other than U.S. free trade partners. During this pause, which will last for up to 15 months, the administration has pledged to take a "hard look" at economic, environmental and national security issues associated with exporting LNG.
	Investigating communication breakdown due to self-heating effect in bulk acoustic wave filters Bulk acoustic wave (BAW) filters are used in various electronic devices, including smartphones, tablets, Wi-Fi routers, and communication systems to help produce smooth and reliable high-frequency radio signals for 5G communications. They are thus important in ensuring efficient communication and data transmission.
	Accelerated renewable energy deployment, energy storage needed for a resilient power grid in Puerto Rico With a lot of solar and wind power, energy storage, and advanced extreme weather impact modeling, Puerto Rico could achieve a 100% renewable power grid by 2050. These and other recommendations are the results of the "Puerto Rico Grid Resilience and Transitions to 100% Renewable Energy Study" (PR100), announced Feb. 7.
	Power outages leave poor communities in the dark longer: Evidence from 15M outages raises questions about recovery times Electricity is essential to just about everyone—rich and poor, old and young. Yet, when severe storms strike, socioeconomically disadvantaged communities often wait the longest to recover.
	US regulator declares AI-voice robocalls illegal US regulators on Thursday declared scam "robocalls" made using voices created with artificial intelligence (AI) as illegal.
	For legacy media studios, streaming has dried up revenue. Can they change the channel? The world's most successful entertainment companies are under economic siege from tech titans such as Netflix, Apple and Amazon, forcing traditional media players to make hard decisions about merging, selling assets or limiting production.
	Disney beats forecasts as streaming struggles improve Disney on Wednesday reported higher than expected profit in the final three months of last year as it strives to adapt to a shift from television to streaming.
	Federal Trade Commission, Amazon spar over antitrust lawsuit that could 'alter' the company In the months since the Federal Trade Commission sued Amazon over allegations of anti-competitive and monopolistic behavior, the two parties have debated the schedule, the scope and the rationale of the case itself.
	Tech companies slash more than 3,900 Bay Area jobs in 2024 as layoffs widen Tech companies have revealed decisions to slash more than 3,900 jobs in the Bay Area so far in 2024, cutbacks fueled by hundreds of staffing reductions in February that hint at a forbidding year for the crucial industry.
	EU waters down law on app gig workers' conditions EU officials said negotiators struck an agreement on Thursday on rules that seek to improve conditions for those working through apps, but member states could still reject the deal.
	A criminal actor is to blame for a dayslong cyberattack on a Chicago hospital, officials say A large children's hospital in Chicago remains hobbled by a cyberattack that began more than a week ago, cutting doctors and nurses off from digital patient records and limiting parents' ability to communicate with their kids' caregivers.

Chemistry news

	First molecular insights into the degradation of the ribosomal 30S subunit A research team from the Department of Chemistry at the Universität Hamburg has succeeded for the first time in identifying at the molecular level the dynamic mechanism used by the enzyme RNase R to degrade the ribosomal 30S subunit. The results of the study were published in the scientific journal Nature.
	Greenhouse gas repurposed in novel experiments Cutting-edge University of Auckland research has converted waste carbon dioxide into a potential precursor for chemicals and carbon-free fuel.
	New process allows full recovery of starting materials from tough polymer composites In a win for chemistry, inventors at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory have designed a closed-loop path for synthesizing an exceptionally tough carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer, or CFRP, and later recovering all of its starting materials.
	Researchers unveil method to detect 'forever chemicals' in under 3 minutes PFAS have earned the name "forever chemicals" with good reason—the man-made compounds, which can take thousands of years to degrade and are found in everything from grease-resistant food packaging to water-repellent clothing, have made their way into nearly half the U.S. tap water supply.
	A novel technique for creating superhydrophobic surfaces Superhydrophobic surfaces, characterized by their ability to repel water with a contact angle above 150° and a sliding angle below 10°, offer a range of applications from self-cleaning and anti-corrosion to oil/water separation and droplet manipulation. Traditionally, creating such surfaces has been challenging, requiring complex, time-consuming, or material-specific methods.
	Cleaned surfaces may be germ-free, but they're not bare Since the outbreak of COVID-19, surfaces in public spaces have been cleaned more often. While disinfectant solutions eliminate germs, they don't leave behind a truly bare surface. They deposit a thin film that doesn't get wiped up, even after giving the surface a good polish. Researchers reporting in ACS ES&T Air show that residues left by commercial cleaning products contain a wider range of compounds that could impact indoor air quality than previously thought.
	Trained AI system learns to design cellular materials for tissue engineering, energy storage Artificial structures called cellular materials have a network of internal spaces within a solid cell-like matrix. Their porous foam-like architecture combines advantages of low density with strength. Researchers at the National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS) and the University of Tsukuba in Japan, supervised by Ikumu Watanabe at NIMS, have applied a form of generative artificial intelligence (AI) to develop a new and improved approach for designing cellular materials with precisely targeted porosity and stiffness.

Biology news

	Discovery of new nematode species that could protect crops without pesticides UC Riverside scientists have discovered a tiny worm species that infects and kills insects. These worms, called nematodes, could control crop pests in warm, humid places where other beneficial nematodes are currently unable to thrive.
	New genetic strategy for preventing breakdown of plant oils needed for biofuels and other products Biologists at the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Brookhaven National Laboratory have demonstrated a new way to boost the oil content of plant leaves and seeds. As described in the journal New Phytologist, the scientists identified and successfully altered key portions of a protein that protects newly synthesized oil droplets. The genetic alterations essentially protect the oil-protector protein so more oil can accumulate.
	Deep learning for real-time molecular imaging National University of Singapore (NUS) researchers have demonstrated that deep learning allows them to observe the dynamics of single molecules more precisely and with less data than traditional evaluation methods. They used convolutional neural networks (CNNs) to observe the movement of single molecules in artificial systems, cells and small organisms. Their findings have been published in the Biophysical Journal.
	First complete genome of a snakefly helps to understand its evolutionary history Snakeflies (Raphidioptera), also known as camel-neck flies, have gained further notoriety with the selection of the Black-necked Snakefly as Insect of the Year 2022 in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. These diurnal, predatory insects have a striking shape and live only in the Northern Hemisphere. However, these dainty representatives of the Neuropterida are often overlooked.
	New technique detects distinct fish populations in a single lake through their environmental DNA Using the tiny fragments of DNA that animals leave behind as they move through an environment is giving researchers an ever-greater insight into where and how they live.
	Act of altruism observed in bull elephant seal A trio of ecologists has observed for the first time, an act of altruism performed by a bull elephant seal. In their paper published in the journal Marine Mammal Science, Sarah Allen, Matthew Lau, and Sarah Codde offer photographic evidence and describe the events they observed.
	Ubiquitin research provides new insights into the cell's labeling machine Ubiquitin ligases regulate many processes in living cells. Depending on how many ubiquitin molecules they attach to the target proteins and in which way, they control the protein's fate.
	How nearly identical RNA helicases drive 'mRNA export' via distinct protein complex pathways Genetic expression, often leading to protein synthesis, requires a complex coordination of molecular machinery across several stages. A vital step in protein-coding gene expression is messenger RNA (mRNA) export, which involves shuttling mature mRNAs from the cell's nucleus to the cytoplasm.
	Scientists develop artificial worm gut to break down plastics A team of scientists from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) has developed an artificial worm gut to break down plastics, offering hope for a nature-inspired method to tackle the global plastic pollution problem.
	Walking on the move: New insights into the neurology of locomotion In a new study, scientists from the University of Cologne gained new insights into the mechanism of the rhythmic activation of nerve cells (neurons) in stick insects that control the leg muscles during walking. The researchers showed that the neurons that activate the depressor muscle in the leg are rhythmically excited, unlike those of the other leg muscles. It had been assumed that all of these so-called motor neurons are activated in the same way by central neural networks.
	Probing proton pumping: New findings on protein folding in bacteriorhodopsin When it comes to drug development, membrane proteins play a crucial role, with about 50% of drugs targeting these molecules. Understanding the function of these membrane proteins, which connect to the membranes of cells, is important for designing the next line of powerful drugs. To do this, scientists study model proteins, such as bacteriorhodopsin (bR), which, when triggered by light, pump protons across the membrane of cells.
	Foul fumes found to pose pollinator problems A team led by researchers at the University of Washington has discovered a major cause for a drop in nighttime pollinator activity—and people are largely to blame.
	Innovative screening can detect 'cancer fingerprint' in dogs Cancer is common in dogs, with some breeds being more prone to certain variations of the disease than others. Recent studies have shown that nearly half of dogs over the age of 10 will develop cancer, making early screening a crucial precaution for dog owners of any breed.
	Alien invasion: Non-native earthworms threaten ecosystems An alien invasion capable of triggering catastrophic changes is underway across North America. At least 70 imported earthworm species have colonized the continent, and represent a largely overlooked threat to native ecosystems, according to a new study by researchers at Stanford University, Sorbonne University, and other institutions.
	New research with implications for drug discovery makes it possible to visualize the smallest protein clusters Penn Engineers have pioneered a new way to visualize the smallest protein clusters, skirting the physical limitations of light-powered microscopes and opening new avenues for detecting the proteins implicated in diseases like Alzheimer's and testing new treatments.
	A fungal plague is killing Georgia's bats. Scientists are fighting back On a bright December morning, three wildlife biologists waded through knee-deep water and past scribbled graffiti into a dark drainage culvert in northeast Georgia.
	Austria's oldest preserved dyes detected in Miocene snail shells Pigments in fossil snail shells from Austria dating back 12 million years are the oldest known preserved dyes from the polyene group, as scientists from the Natural History Museum Vienna and the University of Göttingen have now demonstrated. The research is published in the journal Palaeontology.
	Trees can make farms more sustainable—here's how to help farmers plant more Imagine making one change to a farm field so that as well as producing food, it also generated building materials, fuel and fodder. At the same time, this change would nourish the health of the soil, regulate the micro-climate and support pest-controlling wildlife. In fact, it could even produce a whole other crop.
	Could protecting our proteins help us prevent aging? Existing theories on the chemistry of aging are being turned on their head, thanks in particular to a small, ultra-resistant bacterium capable of "coming back to life" after extremely harmful attacks.
	It's award season: Let's celebrate microbes in movies Usually, show business depicts viruses, bacteria, and other microorganisms as one of the worst menaces to humankind. Entertainment movies influence the way audiences understand and perceive these topics. Yet, few films accurately portray the science of microbiology and its social implications.
	Cold-resistant bacteria found in the Arctic can degrade crude oil The Arctic region is being actively developed by humans, but it negatively affects the environment. The fact is that Arctic soils, which contain little organic matter, are susceptible to the toxic effects of hydrocarbons that get there as a result of the use of diesel fuel for energy and technology.
	Researchers provide genetic explanations for shade-induced biomass allocation in wheat Recent studies have shown a strong correlation between responses to plant density and low light, indicating that the scarcity of light is often a limiting factor in high-density crop communities.
	Poland's 'Bat-mum' saving bats from climate change A Polish pensioner has been dubbed "Bat-mum" for taking care of ailing bats from her ninth-floor flat as the nocturnal mammals increasingly struggle with the effects of climate change.
	New research highlights implications of antibiotic use in human and veterinary medicine A series of five research publications on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) by APC Microbiome Ireland yields new data regarding the implications of antibiotic use in early life and the effects of antibiotics in standard dry cow therapy.
	French navy enforces fishing ban to protect dolphins "They see us, and we see them," said French Navy Lieutenant Dany, board commander of a nimble Falcon 50 surveillance plane flying over the vast Bay of Biscay.
	A baby boom of African penguin chicks hatches at a San Francisco science museum A bounty of 10 African penguin chicks has hatched in just over a year at a San Francisco science museum as part of an effort to conserve the endangered bird.

Medicine and Health news

	Patterns of brain connectivity found to differ between pre-term and term babies A new King's College London scanning study of 390 babies has shown distinct patterns between term and pre-term babies in the moment-to-moment activity and connectivity of brain networks.
	Faulty DNA disposal system found to cause inflammation Cells in the human body contain power-generating mitochondria, each with their own mtDNA—a unique set of genetic instructions entirely separate from the cell's nuclear DNA that mitochondria use to create life-giving energy. When mtDNA remains where it belongs (inside of mitochondria), it sustains both mitochondrial and cellular health—but when it goes where it doesn't belong, it can initiate an immune response that promotes inflammation.
	Researchers develop model to assess biology of human placental barrier During pregnancy, the human placenta plays multiple essential roles, including hormone production and nutrient/waste processing. It also serves as a barrier to protect the developing fetus from external toxic substances. However, the placental barrier can still be breached by certain drugs. In a study appearing in Nature Communications, a team led by researchers at Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU) have developed a trophoblast stem (TS) cell-based organoid model of the placental barrier to support further biological research.
	Researchers identify potential way to treat genetic epilepsy by replacing 'lost' enzyme Scientists at the Francis Crick Institute have found a new treatment target for CDKL5 deficiency disorder (CDD), one of the most common types of genetic epilepsy.
	Network analysis provides an integrated view of multiple sclerosis An international research team has developed a computational biology tool, based on multi-level network analysis, to achieve an integrated vision of multiple sclerosis. This tool could be used to study other complex diseases such as types of dementia.
	Fibroblasts in the penis are more important for erectile function than previously thought Regular erections could be important for maintaining erectile function, according to a new study on mice published in Science by researchers at Karolinska Institutet. "We discovered that an increased frequency of erections leads to more fibroblasts that enable erection and vice versa, that a decreased frequency results in fewer of these cells," says principal investigator Christian Göritz.
	Australian scientists debunk role of 'junk cells' in fight against malaria Researchers from The Australian National University (ANU) have discovered a previously unknown ability of a group of immune system cells, known as atypical B cells (ABCs), to fight infectious diseases such as malaria.
	The ethical dilemmas of preventing the next pandemic Could protecting one group of people from disease, and exposing another to it, be the best way to prevent as many deaths as possible and reduce the impact of a future pandemic? A study led by some La Trobe academics says yes, but the ethical dilemmas it raises might not be worth it.
	AI model provides a hypoglycemia early warning system when driving Low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia) are one of the most dangerous complications of diabetes and pose high risk during cognitively demanding tasks requiring complex motor skills, such as driving a car. The utility of current tools to detect hypoglycemia is limited by diagnostic delay, invasiveness, low availability, and high costs.
	Neurobiologists successfully test novel drug principle in a mouse model and in brain organoids of ALS patients A research team led by Prof. Dr. Hilmar Bading, neurobiologist at Heidelberg University, examined a neuroprotective molecule that belongs to a novel drug class. It is able to inhibit the interactions of certain proteins and has been successfully tested in a mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and in brain organoids of ALS patients.
	Study reveals mechanism that aggravates tuberculosis and reduces survival rates CD4+ T cells have been highlighted in the scientific literature for the important role they play in the immune response to lung infections. However, an article published in the journal Cell Reports shows that an imbalance in the volumes of these defense cells in different parts of the lung in response to infection can do more harm than good.
	Online tool that empowers parents to treat child anxiety could expand access to child mental health services New research from the University of Oxford has revealed that an online program that empowers parents to apply Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) principles in their child's day to day lives is just as effective as traditional talking therapies for child anxiety problems, while substantially reducing the amount of therapist time required and making support more accessible for many families. The approach provides parents online tools and some therapist guidance to help children overcome problems with anxiety.
	Heart organoids simulate pregestational diabetes-induced congenital heart disease An advanced human heart organoid system can be used to model embryonic heart development under pregestational diabetes-like conditions, researchers report in the journal Stem Cell Reports.
	A common medication could save half a million children with diarrhea each year: Why is it underprescribed? Health care providers in developing countries know that oral rehydration salts (ORS) are a lifesaving and inexpensive treatment for diarrheal disease, a leading cause of death for children worldwide—yet few prescribe it.
	Heart-to-heart connection: Collaboration brings a breakthrough science exhibit to life One of the country's best-known science museums, San Francisco's Exploratorium, is located less than three miles north of Gladstone Institutes—proximity that has resulted in creative, high-science collaborations like the permanent exhibit featured in the latest issue of Stem Cell Reports.
	Black women in US murdered six times more often than White women between 1999 and 2020, finds state-level analysis Black women in the U.S. were, on average, six times more likely to be murdered than their White peers over the past 20 years, according to a new analysis published in The Lancet.
	Severe lung damage caused when flu is followed by infection with measles-like virus, study finds Infection with a measles-like virus causes catastrophic lung failure in ferrets previously infected with influenza virus or respiratory syncytial virus, according to a study by researchers in the Center for Translational Antiviral Research at Georgia State University.
	Research team develops blood test to predict psychosis risk and most effective treatments A team of researchers led by Indiana University School of Medicine faculty have developed a breakthrough new blood test for schizophrenia, a psychiatric disorder that includes hallucinations and delusions.
	Researchers uncover genetic factors for severe Lassa fever While combing through the human genome in 2007, computational geneticist Pardis Sabeti made a discovery that would transform her research career. As a then-postdoctoral fellow at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Sabeti discovered potential evidence that some unknown mutation in a gene called LARGE1 had a beneficial effect in the Nigerian population.
	Even with resolution, acute kidney injury in newborns can be life-threatening from very first episode Our resilient kidneys are invaluable members of the body's purification system, and they excel at bouncing back after injury. This even holds true for most sick infants in the neonatal intensive care unit. Because of this remarkable ability, dips in kidney function in infants were often overlooked historically in favor of other pressing diseases or symptoms.
	New PET tracer detects inflammatory arthritis before symptoms appear A novel PET imaging technique can noninvasively detect active inflammation in the body before clinical symptoms arise, according to research published in the February issue of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine. Using a PET tracer that binds to proteins present on activated immune cells, the technique produces images of ongoing inflammation throughout the body, such as rheumatoid arthritis. This makes it easier for physicians to correctly diagnose and treat patients.
	Study shows clinical benefit of a new way of treating advanced ER+ breast cancer A research paper published today in The Lancet Oncology demonstrates that the drug enobosarm, a selective androgen receptor modulator that stimulates the male sex hormone receptor, has anti-tumor effects in estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer patients.
	How sex hormones help gonorrhea fight off antimicrobials and antibiotics Oral birth control packages warn that the medication won't prevent STIs. In the case of gonorrhea, the sexually transmitted bacterium that causes the disease can use those hormones to help it resist antibiotic attacks.
	How one type of lung cancer can transform into another Lung tumors called adenocarcinomas sometimes respond to initially effective treatments by transforming into a much more aggressive small cell lung cancer (SCLC) that spreads rapidly and has few options for treatment. Researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine have developed a mouse model that illuminates this problematic process, known as histological transformation. The findings advance the understanding of how mutated genes can trigger cancer evolution and suggest targets for more effective treatments.
	Reduced cancer risk seen after 10 years since quitting smoking Sustained smoking cessation is associated with reduced cancer risk after 10 years since smoking cessation, according to a study published online in JAMA Network Open.
	Possibility of wildlife-to-human crossover heightens concern about chronic wasting disease Each fall, millions of hunters across North America make their way into forests and grasslands to kill deer. Over the winter, people chow down on the venison steaks, sausage, and burgers made from the animals.
	New study points to supply chain disruptions if the FDA removes ineffective decongestant from the market In a new study of nasal decongestant purchasing patterns, researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine found that phenylephrine remained the most popular choice year after year, despite decades of concerns over a lack of evidence supporting its effectiveness.
	Deadly fungal infection acquired during surgery in Mexico led to death and brainstem, blood supply injuries: Study A life-threatening mold infection known as health care-associated Fusarium solani meningitis can be associated with a delayed, but devastating, injury to the brainstem and its blood supply among those infected, according to physicians from UTHealth Houston.
	Insula in focus: How stress affects alcohol cravings A randomized controlled study conducted by researchers at the Central Institute of Mental Health (CIMH) in Mannheim has examined the effects of stress on neural reactivity to alcohol cues and addiction behavior. The study involved 98 individuals with alcohol problems.
	Stigmatizing language on liver transplant center websites may discourage patients from seeking treatment The vast majority of liver transplant centers in the United States use language on their websites that can be considered stigmatizing through their use of words like "alcoholism," "alcoholic" and "alcohol abuse," potentially hindering care and the willingness of patients to seek treatment, a study by Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) has found.
	Music may bring health benefits for older adults, poll suggests Whether it's singing in a choir, playing the living room piano, joining in hymns at church, or just whistling along with the radio, a new poll finds that nearly all older adults say music brings them far more than just entertainment.
	Researcher: Black men's mental health concerns are going unnoticed and unaddressed Protesters in Winnipeg recently took to the streets to demand accountability after police shot and killed a 19-year-old Black university student on New Year's Eve. Afolabi Opaso was an undergraduate student from Nigeria studying economics at the University of Manitoba.
	Can kimchi really help you lose weight? Hold your pickle. The evidence isn't looking great Fermented foods have become popular in recent years, partly due to their perceived health benefits.
	The brain is the most complicated object in the universe—scientists seek to decode it and read people's minds In the middle of 2023, a study conducted by the HuthLab at the University of Texas sent shockwaves through the realms of neuroscience and technology. For the first time, the thoughts and impressions of people unable to communicate with the outside world were translated into continuous natural language, using a combination of artificial intelligence (AI) and brain imaging technology.
	Psoriasis and eczema have complex causes and consequences that researchers are seeking to uncover In his mid-teens during the 1970s, Maarten de Wit had severe joint pain in multiple parts of his body. He had to wait another three years until the age of 19 before being diagnosed with arthritis.
	Review paper compares two leading pancreatic cancer drugs An in-depth analysis of two common treatments for advanced pancreatic cancer from The University of Toledo has found the combination chemotherapy drug Folfirinox is more likely to promote progression-free survival—a notable benchmark given the speed with which pancreatic cancer can kill.
	Telltale amino acid deficiencies may hold the key to new treatments for long COVID, say researchers A University of Alberta research team brings together immunologists, virologists, rheumatologists and metabolomics experts in an effort to discover exactly what is ailing the sickest long COVID patients and find treatments for them.
	Genetic testing pinpoints cardiovascular risk in patients with aortic disorders A new Mayo Clinic systematic review, published in the Journal of Vascular Surgery has shed light on genetically inherited aortic disorders, highlighting the importance of early diagnosis and treatment for those who have inherited cardiovascular risk.
	Six myths about sexual health Is herpes always contagious or only during outbreaks? Does the pill cause long-term infertility issues? And was female "hysteria" really treated with orgasms by doctors in the past? Every year, there is an entire week dedicated to sex education across Denmark called "week sex" for all ages. So we asked a medical doctor and researcher to dispel or confirm six myths about sex.
	Pregnant women living in states with limited access to abortion found to face higher levels of intimate partner homicide Pregnant women living in states with limited access to abortion are experiencing higher rates of intimate partner homicide, particularly by firearms, according to a new study published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons (JACS).
	New study reveals mechanism of cell death in melanoma cells by cannabis extract A cannabis extract has shown positive results in slowing down melanoma cell growth and increasing cell death rates, a new in-vitro study finds. Researchers from Charles Darwin University (CDU) and RMIT investigated programmed cell death caused by a specific cannabis extract (cannabinoid PHEC-66) from the cannabis sativa plant.
	Social media can reveal who needs the most help Language use in social media can be a useful tool for social scientists, because it reflects living conditions in areas the posts originate from.
	Investigating genetic, environmental risk factors for opioid use disorder A new study by VA Connecticut Healthcare System and Yale School of Medicine researchers assesses how the most up-to-date genetic and psychosocial predictors of opioid use disorder compare and combine when predicting the risk of becoming dependent on opioids.
	Lifting of federal funding ban tied to increase in gun violence research The lifting of a two-decade drought in federal funding for firearm injury prevention research was strongly associated with an increase in both clinical trials and publications on gun violence, according to a new report published in JAMA Surgery.
	The effects of childhood sexual abuse on health and well-being One in five women and one in 13 men are thought to be affected by childhood sexual abuse (CSA). Childhood sexual abuse is a violation of fundamental human rights and its impacts have far-reaching consequences that extend to entire communities and economies. This type of violence can contribute to the persistence of poverty and gender inequality, by often affecting a survivor's ability to pursue education and hindering their economic productivity, affecting not only the survivor but also their local network.
	Higher-dose naloxone spray didn't save more lives, researchers find A new, higher-dose nasal spray for reversing opioid overdoses did not save more lives than the previous standard dose, but it did cause more vomiting and other side effects, researchers wrote in a study published Thursday.
	Journal publisher retracts two studies cited in abortion pill access case Two studies that warned of the harms of the abortion pill have been retracted by the journals' publisher over flaws in the data and conflicts of interest among the researchers.
	Scientists gain new insights into how small intestine works It was the ancient Greeks who first divided the 20-foot length of the small intestine into three parts: The duodenum, the jejunum and the ileum.
	Survey shows transgender, nonbinary people suffer financial strife, stigma Preliminary data from the largest survey examining the quality of life for transgender and nonbinary Americans show they suffer high levels of unemployment and harassment.
	Better identification of adverse effects could enhance the quality of psychotherapy Psychotherapy is a key evidence-based method of treatment and rehabilitation for various mental health disorders, in addition to pharmacotherapy.
	How compassionate mind training can support child mental health Using compassionate mind training as a well-being intervention for school pupils could successfully support child mental health, according to new research by the University of Derby.
	Unveiling potential diagnostic, treatment target for APS-related thrombocytopenia Blood clots and pregnancy loss are commonly recognized features of antiphospholipid syndrome, but thrombocytopenia is the third most prevalent symptom, impacting up to half of antiphospholipid syndrome patients.
	Study: Physical activity can't counter cardiovascular risk associated with sugar-sweetened beverage consumption Contrary to popular belief, the benefits of physical activity do not outweigh the risks of cardiovascular disease associated with drinking sugar-sweetened beverages, according to a new study led by Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health. Jean-Philippe Drouin-Chartier, a professor at Université Laval's Faculty of Pharmacy, was a co-author.
	Q&A: Should heart patients consider taking weight loss medications? Over the last year, prescriptions for medications that can accelerate weight loss in people with diabetes or without it have skyrocketed. Known by brand names like Ozempic and Wegovy, the drugs have gotten a lot of attention for their cost, their potential impact on weight, and their short supply.
	Clues to cancer drug's deadly side effects could make it safer For some leukemia patients, the only potential chemotherapy option is a drug that also carries a high risk of heart failure. This means that some patients who recover from their cancer will end up dying of heart disease brought on by the cure.
	Repeat pre-eclampsia testing does not yield better outcomes for pregnant women, study finds A single test to speed up diagnosis of a serious disease in pregnant women does not need to be repeated, new research has found.
	How does type 1 diabetes alter muscle structure and blood supply? In a recent study conducted by the Institute of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, researchers have provided new insights into the detrimental effects of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) on skeletal muscle structure and capillary networks. Utilizing state-of-the-art 3D imaging technology, this comprehensive study marks a significant leap in understanding the multifaceted impact of T1DM on the body's muscular system.
	For people with memory struggles after brain injuries, the brain's processing speed is the main culprit: Study If you try to save a file while your laptop lags, it won't save. Similarly, when our brains have delayed processing speeds, they "lag" and impair our ability to receive information and store memory. Researchers find that for people with acquired brain injuries (ABI), slower processing speeds—slower rates of absorbing information—make it much more difficult to create and recall memories.
	Research confirms benefits of resistance exercise training in treatment of anxiety and depression A new study by researchers at the University of Limerick in Ireland and at Iowa State University has demonstrated the impact resistance exercise training can have in the treatment of anxiety and depressive symptoms.
	Oral interleukin-23-receptor antagonist peptide shows greater efficacy than placebo for plaque psoriasis For patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis, the interleukin-23-receptor antagonist peptide JNJ-77242113 shows greater efficacy than placebo, according to a study published in the Feb. 8 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
	Video game trauma can last for years, says researcher "Cry of Fear" is a horror video game that explores a wide range of particularly sensitive topics, from depression to self-harm, murder, and suicide. Samuel Poirier-Poulin knows the game well.
	Whether cesarean or vaginal, childbirth experiences greatly affected by 'dehumanizing' treatment, study finds Whether delivering via cesarean or vaginally, patients' overall experiences and perceptions of childbirth are largely determined by the kind of treatment they receive from their medical providers and whether they feel seen and heard, a recent Oregon State University study has found.
	Novel approach improves heart failure outcomes in animal model In 2020, heart failure affected about 6.5 million people in the U.S. and 23 million around the world. Despite recent advances, the five-year survival rate remains approximately 50%, indicating an urgent need for a novel perspective for treating this condition.
	First-of-its-kind analysis gives more precise insight into factors driving up costs for type 2 diabetes patients A new study appearing in BMC Health Services Research from the Texas A&M University School of Public Health suggests that high A1C values, diabetes complications and other comorbidities lead to higher type 2 diabetes overall costs and greater likelihood of cost increases over time. This is especially the case for patients living in rural areas.
	How emotions affect word retrieval in people with aphasia People with aphasia have more trouble coming up with words they want to use when they're prompted by images and words that carry negative emotional meaning, new research suggests.
	AI-based system to guide stroke treatment decisions may help prevent another stroke Ischemic stroke survivors who received care recommendations from an artificial intelligence (AI)-based system had fewer recurrent strokes, heart attacks or vascular death within three months, compared to people whose stroke treatment was not guided by AI tools, according to preliminary late-breaking science presented today at the American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference 2024.
	Evaluating AI-based nodal contouring in head and neck cancer A new study evaluates an artificial intelligence (AI)-based algorithm for autocontouring prior to radiotherapy in head and neck cancer. Manual contouring to pinpoint the area of treatment requires significant time, and an AI algorithm to enable autocontouring has been introduced. The study is published in the journal AI in Precision Oncology.
	Dangerous pregnancy complications linked to COVID-19 DNA changes consistent with life-threatening pregnancy complications have been found in the placentas of pregnant women infected by COVID-19, according to University of Queensland researchers. Their research paper is published in Clinical and Translational Immunology.
	Novel treatment regimen for FLT3-mutated acute myeloid leukemia shows promise in new study Up to 30% of patients newly diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) have an FLT3 gene mutation, which is associated with a high risk of relapse and a very poor prognosis. But clinical studies have shown that drugs called FLT3 inhibitors can extend long-term survival in these patients, especially when given in combination with other treatments.
	Robotic-assisted surgery and navigation don't affect infection risk after hip arthroplasty: Study For patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA), the use of robotic-assisted surgery and surgical navigation techniques is not associated with an increased risk of periprosthetic joint infection (PJI), suggests a study in The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery. The research was led by Alberto V. Carli, MD, and colleagues of Hospital for Special Surgery, New York.
	Social media adverts impact vaping behaviors among young people, study shows Viewing e-cigarette advertisements and content on social media—often endorsed by celebrities and social media influencers—is fueling the popularity of vaping among young users, according to a study from researchers at the University of York.
	CDC is investigating gastrointestinal sickness on luxury cruise ship Queen Victoria The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is investigating an outbreak on a luxury cruise ship where more than 150 people have reported gastrointestinal illness, including diarrhea and vomiting.
	Drugs group AstraZeneca sees annual profit almost double British drugs group AstraZeneca on Thursday said its net profit almost doubled to $6 billion last year, with a strong cancer division helping offset a wipeout for sales of COVID treatments.
	'I want to rest in peace': Ecuador decriminalizes euthanasia Ecuador decriminalized euthanasia on Wednesday, becoming the second Latin American country to allow the procedure, in response to a lawsuit brought by a terminally ill patient.
	Video: What is vascular dementia? An estimated 55 million people are believed to be living with dementia, according to the World Health Organization. Vascular diseases contribute to approximately 25% of all diagnoses.
	New guidelines for reporting clinical trials of biofield therapies released New guidelines for reporting clinical trials of biofield therapies are presented in the Journal of Integrative and Complementary Medicine (JICM). Biofield therapies (BFTs), such as External Qigong, Healing Touch, Reiki, and Therapeutic Touch, are a related group of integrative medicine interventions in which practitioners use their hands on or above a client's body to stimulate healing and well-being.
	Disease sweeping through Gaza's refugee camps Health officials in Gaza are growing increasingly concerned about the spread of disease among displaced communities in the besieged enclave.
	Predictive model of oxaliplatin-induced liver injury based on artificial neural network and logistic regression Since 2004, several clinical studies have reported that patients with OXA frequently experienced adverse effects of liver injury (LI), typically characterized by hepatic sinusoidal injury, splenomegaly, decreased platelet count, and noncirrhotic portal hypertension, which can progress to nodular regenerative hyperplasia with long-term treatment.
	Evaluating the performance of AI-based large language models in radiation oncology In a new study published in the journal AI in Precision Oncology, Nikhil Thaker, from Capital Health and Bayta Systems, and co-authors, evaluated the performance of various LLMs, including OpenAI's GPT-3.5-turbo, GPT-4, GPT-4-turbo, Meta's Llama-2 models, and Google's PaLM-2-text-bison. The LLMs were given an exam including 300 questions, and the answers were compared to Radiation Oncology trainee performance.

Other Sciences news

	Painkiller or pleasure? First conclusive evidence found for intentional use of black henbane in the Roman world A team of archaeologists led by Dr. Maaike Groot from Freie Universität Berlin has provided the first firm evidence that the Romans deliberately collected and used the poisonous seeds of the black henbane plant.
	High-profile incidents of police brutality sway public opinion more than performance of local law enforcement: Study National media coverage of police brutality influences public perceptions of law enforcement more than the performance of people's local police departments, according to data analysis from NYU Tandon School of Engineering, challenging the assumption that public confidence in police depends mostly on feeling safe from local crime.
	Low voice pitch increases standing among strangers, cross-cultural study finds If you're looking for a long-term relationship or to boost your social status, lower your pitch, according to researchers studying the effects of voice pitch on social perceptions. They found that lower voice pitch makes women and men sound more attractive to potential long-term partners, and lower voice pitch in males makes the individual sound more formidable and prestigious among other men.
	Anxiety of head teachers across England 'substantially increased' during the pandemic The anxiety of head teachers across England increased "substantially" throughout the pandemic, finds the largest study of its type to date.
	White actors featured more than non-white actors on American film posters, finds study White actors are featured more frequently and more prominently on posters for American-produced films than non-white actors, despite recent increases in the representation of actors from other ethnic groups, according to a study published in Humanities and Social Sciences Communications.
	About a third of employees have faced bullying at work—here's how to recognize and deal with it The phenomenon of bullying, harassment and sexual abuse in workplaces throughout North America is widespread and harmful to both individuals and organizations. In fact, bullying at work affects up to 30% of workers over time.
	'Digitizing' your wardrobe can help you save money and make sustainable fashion choices Spring is traditionally the season for a good clean—and maybe a clear out. Taking stock and having a bit of a declutter can freshen things up domestically.
	Whether of politicians, pop stars or teenage girls, sexualized deepfakes hold a mirror to our sexist world Victorian MP Georgie Purcell recently spoke out against a digitally edited image in the news media that had altered her body and partially removed some of her clothing.
	AI could help cut voter fraud—but it's far more likely to disenfranchise you, researchers say Imagine the year is 2029. You have been living at the same address for a decade. The postman, who knows you well, smiles as he walks to your door and hands you a bunch of letters. As you sift through them, one card grabs your attention. It says, "Let us know if you are still here."
	Population can't be ignored—it has to be part of the policy solution to our world's problems, says researcher There is a growing consensus that environmental problems, particularly the effects of climate change, pose a grave challenge to humanity. Pollution, habitat destruction, intractable waste issues and, for many, deteriorating quality of life should be added to the list.
	Study visually captures a hard truth: Walking home at night is not the same for women An eye-catching new study shows just how different the experience of walking home at night is for women versus men.
	Air pollution found to impair performance in matriculation exams in mathematical subjects Researchers from the University of Oulu, Finland, investigated how air pollution affects students' performance in matriculation exams, particularly in mathematical subjects. The study revealed that performance declines in exams involving thinking and memorization when fine particulate matter (PM2.5) levels in the school's vicinity increase even slightly.
	Problematic 'zombie leadership' lives on in many cases Outdated perceptions of leadership persist across society despite being repeatedly debunked, University of Queensland research has found.
	Politically conservative CEOs found to think differently about transparency As a purely voluntary form of disclosure, management earnings forecasts may tell us as much about the managers themselves as about their company's financial future. All sorts of personality traits may influence the content and cadence of forecasts, but you would expect core attributes—such as political ideology, which has been likened to an "official religion" in the United States—to be the most salient.
	Virtual reality study finds that environmental interventions may not reduce fear of crime It has long been established that changing an environment can reduce crime. For example, increased light in an area has the potential to discourage would-be offenders by making them more visible.
	Why politics brings out the worst in us Tap into any social media platform, turn on the television or cue up a podcast, and it is easy to find examples of hypocrisy or bad behavior in political discourse, and new research from University of Nebraska–Lincoln political scientists may explain why.
	Endangered by the 49th Parallel: How political boundaries inhibit effective conservation Canada is wasting scarce resources conserving species that are not endangered elsewhere.
	First Nations people must be at the forefront of Australia's renewable energy revolution, say researchers Australia's plentiful solar and wind resources and proximity to Asia means it can become a renewable energy superpower. But as the renewable energy rollout continues, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people must benefit.
	Opinion: Smartphones mean we're always available to our bosses. 'Right to disconnect' laws are a necessary fix Australian workers are set to have the right to disconnect from their workplaces once they clock off for the day.
	Why the UK needs connected strategies for net zero and leveling up The Government's Net Zero Strategy (2022) calls for more attention to community-based action to meet ambitious targets. Similarly, the recently published report of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for "left behind" neighborhoods, "A neighborhood strategy for national renewal" (October 2023) makes a strong commitment to putting local communities in the driver's seat of the leveling up agenda.
	Professor explains what the UK/Canada trade disagreement means for UK farmers With talks between the UK and Canada breaking down over the trade of agriculture products such as beef and cheese, what does it mean for the farming industry and domestic trading in the UK?
	Why Danish consumers keep their electricity company, even though they can save money by switching Most people keep their electricity supplier, even though it's fast and easy to switch to a cheaper competitor. Now an economist has unraveled what's holding people back—and what could ensure cheaper electricity contracts for Danes.
	Thesis: Mediation makes positive impact on suspects in criminal cases The Ph.D. research of UT researcher Jiska Jonas-Van Dijk shows that mediation can positively impact suspects in criminal cases. She will defend her thesis at Maastricht University on Wednesday 7 February.

---

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