Science X Newsletter Tue, Feb 27

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Here is your customized Science X Newsletter for February 27, 2024:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

Researchers offer theoretical description of topological water wave structures

Researchers show Reddit users caused the famous GameStop 'short squeeze'

Elusive immune cells dwelling in 'hidden niches' of the bone marrow may be key to SARS-CoV-2 vaccination

Variable star V708 Car has an unusual chemical composition, study finds

New species of ancient vampire squid unearthed in Luxembourg

Lake bottom testing shows plastics migrating down into sediment layers

Pythagoras was wrong: There are no universal musical harmonies, study finds

Learning and memory problems in Down syndrome linked to alterations in genome's 'dark matter'

AI-driven lab speeds catalysis research

Innovative therapies for ischemic stroke: Novel bicarbonate-sensing G protein-coupled receptor shows promise

Linking environmental influences, genetic research to address concerns of genetic determinism of human behavior

Smartphone app uses AI to detect depression from facial cues

Bariatric surgery more effective than medical and lifestyle interventions for diabetes control and remission: Study

First DNA study of ancient Eastern Arabians reveals malaria adaptation

Nanotweezers manipulate bacteriophages with minimal optical power, a breakthrough for phage therapy

Nanotechnology news

	Nanotweezers manipulate bacteriophages with minimal optical power, a breakthrough for phage therapy Scientists at EPFL have developed a game-changing technique that uses light to manipulate and identify individual bacteriophages without the need for chemical labels or bioreceptors, potentially accelerating and revolutionizing phage-based therapies that can treat antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections.
	An alternate arrangement: How a propeller-shaped isomer can improve organic solar cells Imagine technology as a race car speeding down a track—it can only go as fast as its engine allows. But just when it seemed like organic solar cells hit a roadblock, along comes 3PNIN, a game-changing molecule shaped like a propeller, ready to turbocharge their progress and break through barriers.
	Unconventional piezoelectricity in ferroelectric hafnia Hafnium oxide thin films are a fascinating class of materials with robust ferroelectric properties in the nanometer range. While the ferroelectric behavior is extensively studied, results on piezoelectric effects have so far remained mysterious.
	Nanocrystals set new hydrogen production activity record under visible and near-infrared irradiation The sunlight received by Earth is a mixed bag of wavelengths ranging from ultraviolet to visible to infrared. Each wavelength carries inherent energy that, if effectively harnessed, holds great potential to facilitate solar hydrogen production and diminish reliance on non-renewable energy sources. Nonetheless, existing solar hydrogen production technologies face limitations in absorbing light across this broad spectrum, particularly failing to harness the potential of near infrared (NIR) light energy that reaches Earth.
	Improving lithium-sulfur batteries with metal-organic framework-based materials Current lithium-ion battery technology does not have the energy density necessary to meet the demands for renewable energy. In theory, lithium-sulfur batteries could be a viable alternative with a higher specific capacity and energy density. However, sulfur has disadvantages that currently limit its practical adoption.

Physics news

	Researchers offer theoretical description of topological water wave structures Topological wave structures are wave patterns that exhibit specific topological properties, or in other words, properties that remain unvaried under smooth deformations of a physical system. These structures, such as vortices and skyrmions, have attracted significant attention within the physics research community.
	Trapping and excitation of the simplest molecule: Precise measurement matches theoretical predictions The simplest possible molecule H2+ was one of the very first molecules to form in the cosmos. This makes it significant for astrophysics, but also an important object of research for fundamental physics. However, it is difficult to study in experiments.
	Merons realized in synthetic antiferromagnets The electronic devices we use on a day-to-day basis are powered by electrical currents. This is the case with our living room lights, washing machines, and televisions, to name but a few examples. Data processing in computers also relies on information provided by tiny charge carriers called electrons.
	Diamonds are a chip's best friend: Research determines spin-orbit effects on exciton complexes Besides being "a girl's best friend," diamonds have broad industrial applications, such as in solid-state electronics. New technologies aim to produce high-purity synthetic crystals that become excellent semiconductors when doped with impurities as electron donors or acceptors of other elements.
	Tunable VO₂ cavity enables multispectral manipulation from visible to microwave frequencies Optical materials capable of dynamically manipulating electromagnetic waves are an emerging field in memories, optical modulators, and thermal management. Recently, their multispectral design preliminarily has attracted much attention, aiming to enhance their efficiency and integration of functionalities. However, the multispectral manipulation based on these materials is challenging due to their ubiquitous wavelength dependence restricting their capacity to narrow wavelengths.

Earth news

	Lake bottom testing shows plastics migrating down into sediment layers A team of environmentalists, geographers and ecologists affiliated with several institutions in Europe has found that microplastics have migrated into multiple sediment layers in three lakes in Latvia. In their study, published in the journal Science Advances, the group drilled core samples from three lakes in Latvia and analyzed their contents for microplastics.
	Advancing climate change research and policy demands knowledge from Indigenous Peoples, study says As you read this, many regions of the world are implementing crisis plans against drought while, simultaneously, torrential rains wreak havoc in other corners of the planet, submerging cities and crops under the forces of wild waters.
	You may be breathing in more tiny nanoparticles from your gas stove than from car exhaust A new Purdue University study has found that cooking on your gas stove can emit more nano-sized particles into the air than vehicles that run on gas or diesel, possibly increasing your risk of developing asthma or other respiratory illnesses.
	Tsunami on the plains: Researchers find that sea waves once swept Canadian Prairie Provinces Hundreds of millions of years ago, an earthquake sent a series of massive waves across the ancient sea that covered part of Western Canada and the northern United States.
	Plastic pellets blight Belgian town as EU weighs action Buried in the soil, dotting riverbanks and bobbing along streams: a small Belgian town has waged a years-long fight against creeping pollution from plastic pellets—which the EU now has in its sights.
	To collaborate or confront? New research provides key insights for environmental NGOs Just after dawn, volunteers for a Toronto-based NGO called the Fatal Light Awareness Program (FLAP) Canada make their way along the streets of the city's downtown core. FLAP's mission is to limit the number of migratory birds injured or killed due to collisions with windows. These volunteers are looking for dead or injured birds that fell to the ground after hitting windows during the spring and fall migrations.
	Antarctica provides at least $276 billion a year in economic benefits to the world, new research finds All humanity benefits from Antarctica and the Southern Ocean that surrounds it. To some, these benefits may seem priceless. But in our market-driven world, calculating the economic value of the environment can be a useful tool in garnering support for its protection.
	Our breathing Earth: A review of soil respiration science The ground beneath our feet is exhaling. Steadily and without pause, through a process called soil respiration, plant roots and microbes release carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere.
	Research demonstrates benefits of decarbonization, renewable energy on public health outcomes A noticeable change filled the air last summer—an actual change in air quality. Wildfires in Canada produced smoke-filled skies and wood-burnt, chemically scented air. National media showed images of orange-tinged skies in New York City and other urban areas. Unhealthy air quality plagued much of the United States during our hottest months, and at various times several U.S. cities had the worst air quality in the world.
	Unveiling the sustainability landscape in cultural organizations: A global benchmark Are museums, theaters, and opera houses truly walking the talk when it comes to social and environmental sustainability? The University of Lausanne (UNIL) delved into this pressing question, conducting an international survey with over 200 major cultural organizations. The verdict? While there's significant room for improvement across the spectrum, Anglophone countries lead the charge.
	WTO braces for battles on fisheries, agriculture in UAE talks The world's trade ministers are set for tough negotiations on Tuesday at a WTO meeting in Abu Dhabi, with fisheries and agriculture taking centre stage.
	Swimming in sewage: UK water forecasts are not keeping people safe, say researchers The UK's bathing water forecasts need urgent improvement to prevent beach goers from swimming in sewage without warning, a new study has shown.

Astronomy and Space news

	Variable star V708 Car has an unusual chemical composition, study finds An international team of astronomers has performed spectroscopic observations of a variable star known as V708 Car. Results of the observational campaign, reported in a paper published February 20 on the pre-print server arXiv, indicate that this star has an unusual chemical composition.
	Study offers improved look at Earth's ionosphere New measuring techniques will enable improved measurements of the Earth's ionosphere, a key to studying and reducing the impact of space weather.
	Dust growth model finds planets may form more easily than previously thought The building blocks of new planets could form more easily than previously thought, according to calculations by a team led by a RIKEN astrophysicist.
	Korean researchers create an electrostatic environment that simulates the moon's surface Continuous research is being conducted globally on using the moon as an advanced base for deep space exploration, and Korea is no exception in these efforts. The Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology (KICT) successfully implemented an electrostatic environment that simulates the moon's surface conditions, not in space but on Earth. The researchers also assessed its performance and effectiveness.
	Exploring galaxy groups and clusters and their brightest galaxies within the cosmic web A common belief among astronomers is that galaxy groups and clusters differ mainly in the number of galaxies they contain—there are fewer galaxies in groups and more in clusters. Led by Maret Einasto, astronomers at Tartu Observatory of the University of Tartu decided to look into that and discovered even more differences between groups and clusters.
	A NASA mission that collided with an asteroid didn't just leave a dent. It reshaped the space rock A frequent idea in sci-fi and apocalyptic films is that of an asteroid striking Earth and causing global devastation. While the probabilities of this kind of mass extinction occurring on our planet are incredibly small, they are not zero.
	Researchers leverage machine learning to improve space weather predictions There are three levels of severity for space storms: geomagnetic storms, solar radiation storms and radio blackouts. These storms produce different effects on Earth, including satellite, GPS, communications and electrical grid issues, as well as health dangers for astronauts and people on high-altitude flights. Geomagnetic storms also produce the beautiful auroras that are commonly observed in polar regions.
	Rough landing cuts short historic private moon lander mission After the historic return of the U.S. to the surface of the moon after more than 50 years last week, a private company's lunar lander will likely have its mission cut short because of how it landed.
	If exoplanets have lightning, it'll complicate the search for life Discovering exoplanets is almost routine now. We've found over 5,500 exoplanets, and the next step is to study their atmospheres and look for biosignatures. The James Webb Space Telescope is leading the way in that effort. But in some exoplanet atmospheres, lightning could make the JWST's job more difficult by obscuring some potential biosignatures while amplifying others.
	Could tardigrades have colonized the moon? Just over five years ago, on 22 February 2019, an unmanned space probe was placed in orbit around the moon. Named Beresheet and built by SpaceIL and Israel Aerospace Industries, it was intended to be the first private spacecraft to perform a soft landing. Among the probe's payload were tardigrades, renowed for their ability to survive in even the harshest climates.
	Electrodes in spacesuits could protect astronauts from harmful dust on Mars To quote NASA associate administrator Jim Reuter, sending crewed missions to Mars by 2040 is an "audacious goal." The challenges include the distance involved, which can take up to six months to traverse using conventional propulsion methods. Then there's the hazard posed by radiation, which includes increased exposure to solar particles, flares, and galactic cosmic rays (GCRs). And then there's the time the crews will spend in microgravity during transits, which can take a serious toll on human health, physiology, and psychology.
	Toppled moon lander sends back more images, with only hours left until it dies A moon lander that ended up on its side managed to beam back more pictures, with only hours remaining before it dies.
	Using AI to enhance satellite imagery to monitor the planet A new method to assess different satellite designs using a powerful AI technique to more cheaply monitor our planet from space has been published in the journal Remote Sensing Letters.
	Highlights of results from space station science in 2023 The International Space Station is a microgravity research lab hosting groundbreaking technology demonstrations and scientific investigations. More than 3,700 investigations conducted to date have generated roughly 500 research articles published in scientific journals. In 2023, the orbiting lab hosted more than 500 investigations.
	China names its capsule and lander for its upcoming human lunar missions In a recent announcement, the Chinese Space Agency (CSA) unveiled the names for its forthcoming lunar mission components. The CSA have been working toward sending humans to the moon through a series of robotic missions. The 22-ton capsule that is taking the astronauts to the moon is called Mengzhuo (translates to "dream vessel") and the lander has been named Lanyue (meaning "embracing the moon"). Assuming all goes to plan, they will send two humans and a rover to the surface of the moon by 2030.
	FAA closes investigation into SpaceX Starship's double-explosion 2nd flight As SpaceX continues to gear up for flight No. 3 of its massive Starship and Super Heavy from Texas, the Federal Aviation Administration has closed the investigation into the second flight that resulted in explosions of both the booster and upper stages back in November.
	Argentina authorizes Starlink, rival Amazon Kuiper Argentina on Monday gave authorization for the deployment of Starlink, the satellite internet service of Elon Musk—a fan of the South American country's self-styled new "anarcho-capitalist" President Javier Milei.
	Artemis II crew, recovery teams train for final phase of moon mission NASA astronaut and Artemis II pilot Victor Glover is assisted by U.S. Navy personnel as he exits a mockup of the Orion spacecraft in the Pacific Ocean during training Feb. 25, while his crewmates look on.

Technology news

	Researchers develop non-contact touch sensors for robotics A radical new type of touch sensor for robotics and other bio-mimicking (bionic) applications is so sensitive it works even without direct contact between the sensor and the objects being detected. It senses interference in the electric field between an object and the sensor, at up to 100 millimeters from the object.
	Movies of ultrafast electronic circuitry in space and time Researchers at the University of Konstanz have successfully filmed the operations of extremely fast electronic circuitry in an electron microscope at a bandwidth of tens of terahertz. The study is published in Nature Communications.
	E-kerosene strategy unveiled to achieve carbon-neutral air travel International flights can transport us to most of the world's major cities within a day or two and later bring us home—often for less than a thousand dollars per seat. This jet-setting, however, comes with a heavy carbon emissions cost. Flying coach from Los Angeles to London adds more carbon into the atmosphere than the average lifetime carbon contribution of those living in many of the world's developing countries.
	New AI model could streamline operations in a robotic warehouse Hundreds of robots zip back and forth across the floor of a colossal robotic warehouse, grabbing items and delivering them to human workers for packing and shipping. Such warehouses are increasingly becoming part of the supply chain in many industries, from e-commerce to automotive production.
	Wearable sticker turns hand movements into communication Imagine wearing a thin flexible sticker that can turn your hand or finger movement into communication without you having to say a word or tap a touch screen. Researchers have developed a new type of wearable sensor that can accomplish this futuristic feat and could open new possibilities for rehabilitation applications and help those with disabilities to communicate more easily.
	Enter the gridworld: Using geometry to detect danger in AI environments Spacetime is a conceptual model that fuses the three dimensions of space (length, width, and breadth) with the fourth dimension of time. By doing so, a four-dimensional geometric object is created. Researchers have recently used a similar way of thinking to study AI environments, leading to a unique reframing of AI problems in geometric terms.
	Microsoft's new deal with France's Mistral AI is under scrutiny from the European Union The European Union is looking into Microsoft's partnership with French startup Mistral AI as part of its broader review of the booming generative artificial intelligence sector to see if it raises any competition concerns.
	Smartphone makers charge ahead to make better batteries A smartphone that can be charged in fewer than 40 minutes. Even better: a tiny nuclear battery that could keep it running for 50 years.
	Robot dogs and flyng cars: mobile gadget highlights Tech companies showcased countless connected gadgets at the world's biggest wireless telecom fair, the four-day Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, which wraps up on Thursday.
	Electric school buses are gaining traction in Bay Area schools It was seven years ago that Matthew Belasco started worrying about the health of students riding the bus at Pittsburg Unified in California. As he watched hundreds of youth pile onto the big yellow vehicles each day, his eyes focused on the black plume of diesel smoke belching from the tailpipe.
	Is there an alternative to 10,000 kilometers of new transmission lines? Yes—but you may not like it Building transmission lines is often controversial. Farmers who agree to host new lines on their property may be paid, while other community members protest against the visual intrusion. Pushback against new lines has slowed development and forced the government to promise more consultation.
	Renewable energy innovation isn't just good for the climate—it's also good for the economy As the climate crisis escalates, there are urgent and difficult choices that need to be made to drastically reduce our carbon emissions before more irreparable damage is done.
	70% of Australians don't feel in control of their data as companies hide behind meaningless privacy terms Australian consumers don't understand how companies—including data brokers—track, target and profile them. This is revealed in new research on consumer understanding of privacy terms, released by the non-profit Consumer Policy Research Centre and UNSW Sydney today.
	E-bike incentives are a costly way to cut carbon emissions, but they also promote health, equity and cleaner air E-bikes have captured widespread attention across the U.S., and for good reason. They are the most energy-efficient way to move from place to place, providing exercise in the process, and offer enough assistance while pedaling uphill or into headwinds to make them usable for many types of riders.
	Innovative blockchain technology balances privacy with regulatory compliance In a recent study published in Blockchain: Research and Applications, researchers have developed a protocol called Privacy Pools that enhances privacy on blockchain transactions while complying with regulatory standards.
	NIST releases version 2.0 of cybersecurity framework The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has updated the widely used Cybersecurity Framework (CSF), its landmark guidance document for reducing cybersecurity risk. The new 2.0 edition is designed for all audiences, industry sectors and organization types, from the smallest schools and nonprofits to the largest agencies and corporations—regardless of their degree of cybersecurity sophistication.
	Researchers use AI, Google Street View to predict household energy costs on large scale Low-income households in the United States are bearing an energy burden that is three times that of the average household, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. In total, more than 46 million U.S. households carry a significant energy burden—meaning they pay more than 6% of their gross income for basic energy expenses such as cooling and heating their homes.
	Thick-film conductive ink suitable for large-area, large-current printed electronics A thick-film, electrically conductive ink suitable for printing electronic circuits and sensors on the surfaces of films and other substrates to manufacture printed electronics has been jointly developed by NIMS, Sumitomo Metal Mining Co., Ltd. (based in Minato City, Tokyo), N.E. CHEMCAT CORPORATION (based in Minato City, Tokyo) and Priways Co., Ltd. (a NIMS-founded startup based in Tsukuba, Ibaraki).
	Supramolecule combination of fullerene and metalloporphyrin improves zinc-air battery function Zinc-air batteries are an inexpensive, powerful battery alternative that can be used on a small scale to power electronics or on a large scale for electric vehicles or energy storage. These batteries work when oxygen from the air oxidizes zinc, but the difficulty in oxygen activation, which degrades battery performance, has prevented their wide commercial adoption.
	Using multimodal deep learning to detect malicious traffic with noisy labels The success of a deep learning-based network intrusion detection systems (NIDS) relies on large-scale, labeled, realistic traffic. However, automated labeling of realistic traffic, such as by sand-box and rule-based approaches, is prone to errors, which in turn affects deep learning-based NIDS.
	New computer models can help improve airport landing delays Airport operations are affected by the unpredictable nature of flight times, departure delays, weather conditions, and other factors.
	Research introduces new approach for detecting deepfakes Research published in the International Journal of Ad Hoc and Ubiquitous Computingintroduces a new approach to tackling the challenges posed by deepfake technology, which generates manipulated media content that closely resembles authentic footage.
	Customizable carbon and its potential impact on green energy There's a lot of research about moving away from carbon as an energy source, but what if, instead, the carbon that is being used is applied to its full capacity?
	Customizing sulfone electrolyte in lithium-ion batteries improves their safety and performance In our technologically dependent society, the mobility, dependability, and safety of our devices—including phones and laptops—are critical. Just as important is our ability to easily charge and recharge these devices so they are available when we need them.
	Imaging grain boundaries that impede lithium-ion migration in solid-state batteries A NIMS research team has developed a new technique to image grain boundaries obstructing lithium-ion migration in solid-state batteries—a promising type of next-generation battery.
	AI among us: Social media users struggle to identify AI bots during political discourse Artificial intelligence bots have already permeated social media. But can users tell who is human and who is not?
	Long-stalled Geneva motor show revs again as Renault, MG, BYD electrics roll onto its smaller stage MGThe century-old Geneva motor show is back in action for the first time in five years, and organizers are desperately trying to rev up its fortunes.
	UK 'net zero' economy bucks recession: study Britain's green economy grew in 2023 to buck a broader recession, according to a report released Tuesday that urged politicians heading into a general election to stick with climate-friendly investments.
	Notorious ransomware group launched cyberattack on UnitedHealth Group A ransomware group known as Blackcat was responsible for launching a cyberattack last week at UnitedHealth Group that resulted in nationwide disruption of prescription orders, Reuters reported Feb. 26.
	Sony to cut about 900 jobs in its PlayStation unit as layoffs in technology, gaming sector continue Sony will cut about 900 jobs in its PlayStation division, or about 8% of its global workforce, becoming the latest company in the technology and gaming sector to announce layoffs.
	Aluminum-magnesium laminates provide promising materials for aerospace and automotive industries Magnesium alloys are prized in aerospace, automotive, and electronics for their lightness and strength, but they are limited by poor corrosion resistance. To overcome this, researchers have developed Al/Mg/Al laminates, cladding magnesium with aluminum to combine their strengths: lightness and better corrosion resistance. Various methods such as co-extrusion, casting, and welding have been explored, with rolling emerging as a preferred technique for its flexibility and efficiency.

Chemistry news

	AI-driven lab speeds catalysis research Researchers have developed a "self-driving" lab that uses artificial intelligence (AI) and automated systems to provide in-depth analyses of catalytic reactions used in chemical research and manufacturing. The new tool, called Fast-Cat, can provide more information in five days than is possible in six months of conventional testing.
	A novel catalyst for efficient oxidation of inactive alkanes A discovery in the field of catalysis has emerged from the laboratories of Professor Jaeheung Cho and his team in the Department of Chemistry at UNIST. Their pioneering work has led to the development of a copper(II)–alkylperoxo complex that could revolutionize the realms of synthetic chemistry and industrial applications. The study is published in ACS Catalysis.
	New dyeing method could help jeans shrink toxic problem Can the multi-billion-dollar denim industry keep producing blue jeans in every shape, size and silhouette, while shrinking oversized levels of hazardous pollution? Research published Tuesday suggests a new dye could be a step in the right direction.
	Research team develops a more durable coating against ice Ice-repellent coatings have been around for some time, but until now they have been very sensitive and detach quite quickly from the surfaces they are meant to protect. A research team led by Anna Maria Coclite and Gabriel Hernández Rodríguez from the Institute of Solid State Physics at Graz University of Technology (TU Graz) has now succeeded in remedying this shortcoming. They have developed a highly ice-repellent coating that adheres to a wide variety of materials and is very resistant to abrasion.
	Researcher proposes paradigm shift in enzyme biochemistry Although you may never have heard of the cytochrome P450 superfamily of enzymes, these proteins play diverse and critical roles in humans through the metabolic processing of drugs, pesticides, fatty acids, fat-soluble vitamins, and chemical carcinogens and the biosynthesis of essential steroids, including sterols.
	Eco-friendly catalyst and materials research explores pathways to renewable energy The search for sustainable and affordable energy conversion technologies has highlighted the importance of the oxygen reduction and oxygen evolution reactions (ORR and OER). These processes are crucial for the efficiency of devices such as fuel cells and electrolyzers but have traditionally relied on costly noble metals as catalysts. This dependency poses significant barriers to broader adoption and scalability.

Biology news

	New species of ancient vampire squid unearthed in Luxembourg A trio of paleontologists in Germany has found a fossilized vampire squid that they dated to 183 million years ago. In their paper published in the Swiss Journal of Palaeontology, Robert Weis, Ben Thuy and Dirk Fuchs describe where the fossil was found, its condition, and how it compares to modern vampire squids.
	Linking environmental influences, genetic research to address concerns of genetic determinism of human behavior It has long been known that there is a complex interplay between genetic factors and environmental influences in shaping behavior. Recently it has been found that genes governing behavior in the brain operate within flexible and contextually responsive regulatory networks. However, conventional genome-wide association studies (GWAS) often overlook this complexity, particularly in humans where controlling environmental variables poses challenges.
	Researchers observe the structural heterogeneity of a lipid scramblase Researchers from Nano Life Science Institute (WPI-NanoLSI), Kanazawa University report in Nature Communications that TMEM16F, a transmembrane protein that facilitates the passive movement of phospholipids and ions across membranes, explores a larger conformational landscape than previously thought in order to perform its unique functions.
	Disinfection tech uses low-temperature plasma to remove E. coli from hydroponically grown crops A group led by researchers at Nagoya University and Meijo University in Japan has developed a disinfection technology that uses low-temperature plasma generated by electricity to cultivate environmentally friendly hydroponically grown crops. This innovative technology sterilizes the crops, promoting plant growth without the use of chemical fertilizers. Their findings appear in Environmental Technology & Innovations.
	Increasing soil salinity: New discovery may help make crops more resilient Salination causes harvests to fail across the globe. Plants die, or their growth is stunted. Researchers of Wageningen University & Research (WUR) have discovered that a local regulator protein encourages root growth in saline soil, which allows the plant to develop under these adverse conditions.
	Microbial comics: RNA as a common language, presented in extracellular speech-bubbles Single-celled organisms, such as bacteria and archaea, have developed many ways to communicate with each other. For example, they might use tiny so-called extracellular vesicles (EVs)—membrane-enveloped packages smaller than 200 nm in diameter (0.0002 mm). The organisms produce them by budding from their membrane into the surrounding space.
	Fluorescent protein outshines the competition when imaging cells Delicate cellular structures and dynamic processes within cells that were hitherto unseen could be revealed by the next generation of a green fluorescent protein developed by chemists at RIKEN.
	A 12 mm fish produces 140-decibel sound to communicate in turbid waters An international research team, along with Senckenberg scientist Dr. Ralf Britz, has studied Danionella cerebrum, a small species of fish with a length of no more than 12 millimeters. Despite its diminutive size, the fish can produce sounds close to its body of over 140 decibels—comparable to a jet engine during take-off in 100 meter distance.
	Herbaria's use and importance grows with climate change There are more than 350,000 species of flowering plants on Earth, yet only 12 of them separate humans from starvation. And, Charles Davis says, 2 out of 5 plant species are likely to go extinct in the near future because of land use and climatic changes caused by people.
	Scientists use blue-green algae as a surrogate mother for 'meat-like' proteins Researchers from the University of Copenhagen have not only succeeded in using blue-green algae as a surrogate mother for a new protein—they have even coaxed the microalgae to produce "meat fiber-like" protein strands. The achievement may be the key to sustainable foods that have both the "right" texture and require minimal processing.
	Vital seagrasses in gulf of Mexico are retreating amid rapid sea level rise The Gulf of Mexico is experiencing sea level rise two to three times as fast as the global average due to a combination of warmer waters and wind circulation patterns. Now, a newly released long-term study from marine scientists at The University of Texas at Austin has found rising sea levels can be linked to a loss of valuable seagrass habitats in Texas.
	Extinctions could result as fish change foraging behavior in response to rising temperatures Fish are changing how they search for and consume prey in warmer waters, with models suggesting that extinctions will become more likely due to this behavior change, according to a new study published in Nature Climate Change.
	Gardeners can help identify potentially invasive plants The critical role of gardeners in identifying 'future invaders'—ornamental plants that could become invasive species—has been revealed by researchers from the University of Reading and the Royal Horticultural Society.
	Why 2024 will likely be a banner year for Texas bluebonnets Millions of bluebonnets will soon bloom across Texas, blanketing parks, pastures and highway shoulders in that most recognizable hue.
	Could a couple of Thai otters have helped the UK's otter population recover? Our study provides a hint Otter populations crashed in Britain around the 1960s from the lethal effects of chemical pollution in rivers and lakes—or so we thought. Our research has looked more closely at what happened to otters in Britain over the last 800 years and has revealed a more complex picture.
	As Varroa spreads, now is the time to fight for Australia's honey bees—and you can help A tiny foe threatens Australian beekeepers' livelihood, our food supply and the national economy. First detected in New South Wales in 2022, the Varroa mite is now established in Australia.
	Q&A: 'What is this, "The Handmaid's Tale"?' Exploring moral questions posed by controversial IVF ruling Is a frozen embryo a child? The Alabama Supreme Court says yes. In ruling this month that three couples who lost frozen embryos in a storage facility accident could sue for wrongful death of a minor child, the court wrote that the "natural, ordinary, commonly understood meaning" of the word "child" includes an "unborn child"—whether that's a fetus in a womb or an embryo in a freezer.
	Severity of disturbance plays pivotal role in determining long-term recovery dynamics after industrial disaster: Study Understanding the impact of ecological disturbances on ecosystems and monitoring their recovery process is vital for ecologists. Disturbances of high intensity and severity, known as "large and infrequent disturbances" (LIDs), pose significant challenges as they are often unplanned and complex events. Long-term surveys play a crucial role in comprehending the recovery process by smoothing out variations in communities and explaining subtle changes in community assembly.
	Even modern hydropower plants pose major threat to river habitats, finds study Even modern and supposedly gentler hydropower plants cause considerable damage to river ecosystems. This is shown by a study by Prof. Jürgen Geist from the Chair of Aquatic Systems Biology at the TUM School of Life Sciences published in the Journal of Applied Ecology.
	Innovative computational tools provide new insights into the polyploid wheat genome A new review led by Associate Professor Weilong Guo (College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China) explores the polyploid wheat genome through new computational tools. The research is published in the journal aBIOTECH.
	Discovery shows how cells defend themselves during stressful situations A recent study by an international research team has unveiled an exciting discovery about how our cells defend themselves during stressful situations. The research, published in EMBO Reports, shows that a tiny modification in the genetic material, called ac4C, acts as a crucial defender, helping cells create protective storage units known as stress granules. These stress granules safeguard important genetic instructions when the cell is facing challenges. The new findings could help shed light on relevant molecular pathways that could be targeted in disease.
	Projected climate change scenarios portend the disappearance of the Balearic boxwood The Balearic boxwood (Buxus balearica), a species common in eastern Andalusia, is able to trap moisture from the fog and convey it to the ground, making it a valuable tool in times of drought.
	Research confirms exogenous methyl jasmonate can enhance tomato resistance Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is the most widely cultivated and consumed horticultural crop. At present, saline-alkali is an important abiotic stress source that affects tomato production. Exogenous methyl jasmonate (MeJA) can enhance the resistance of tomatoes to various stresses, but its exact mechanism is still unclear.
	Blocking fertilization of parasite-causing malaria opens new doors in eradication efforts More than 400 people develop malaria every minute, and it can be fatal if not diagnosed and treated at the first sign of symptoms. Eliminating the disease will require interventions that stop the transmission of the parasite from mosquitoes to humans.
	Ecologist cautions researchers to look more closely at apparent mismatches between birds and their prey Climate change may speed up the emergence of insects in northern countries at the end of winter. This may cause breeding birds migrating from the south to come too late to benefit from the insect peak if they do not adjust their travel schedules to the new situation.
	Walleye struggle with changes to timing of spring thaw, researchers find Walleye are one of the most sought-after species in freshwater sportfishing, a delicacy on Midwestern menus and a critically important part of the culture of many Indigenous communities. They are also struggling to survive in the warming waters of the Midwestern United States and Canada.
	Researchers find molecular mechanism that regulates powdery mildew resistance in cucumbers A team from the department of Cucurbitaceae Vegetable Genetics and Breeding, at the Institute of Vegetables and Flowers (IVF, CAAS) has made important progress in the molecular mechanism of powdery mildew (PM) resistance in cucumber.
	Growth regulator 5-aminolevulinic acid enhances the cold resistance of tomato plants Low temperature stress, as one of the main abiotic stresses, severely hinders plant growth and has adverse effects on crop yield and quality. 5-Aminolevulinic acid (ALA), a growth regulator widely present in animals and plants, has been extensively utilized in plant cold resistance processes due to its efficient, non-toxic, and easily degradable characteristics.
	Costa Rica coffee farmers innovate as rainfall plummets Costa Rican coffee farmers were once blessed with abundant rains but as precipitation grows fickle they are being forced to innovate to keep producing one of the world's favorite brews.

Medicine and Health news

	Elusive immune cells dwelling in 'hidden niches' of the bone marrow may be key to SARS-CoV-2 vaccination Although immunologists have developed a deep reservoir of knowledge illuminating how antibodies respond to vaccination against SARS-CoV-2, little is known about the elusive cells that produce infection-fighting antibodies.
	Learning and memory problems in Down syndrome linked to alterations in genome's 'dark matter' Researchers at the Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG) have found that the Snhg11 gene is critical for the function and formation of neurons in the hippocampus. Experiments with mice and human tissues revealed that the gene is less active in brains with Down syndrome, potentially contributing to the memory deficits observed in people living with the condition. The findings are published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry.
	Innovative therapies for ischemic stroke: Novel bicarbonate-sensing G protein-coupled receptor shows promise Cells actively rely on maintaining an appropriate acid–base balance to support optimal function. Under normal physiological settings, the pH inside cells remains within a controlled range. However, disruptions in this equilibrium have been linked to a wide range of health conditions, both minor and catastrophic.
	Smartphone app uses AI to detect depression from facial cues Dartmouth researchers report they have developed the first smartphone application that uses artificial intelligence paired with facial-image processing software to reliably detect the onset of depression before the user even knows something is wrong.
	Bariatric surgery more effective than medical and lifestyle interventions for diabetes control and remission: Study Bariatric surgery is more effective than medical and lifestyle modifications for achieving long-term type 2 diabetes control and remission, according to new research led by a University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine surgeon-scientist and published in JAMA.
	Bile acid breakthrough: Researchers team up for microbiome discoveries Ask someone what they think of when they hear the phrase "bile acids," and you might get a few unpleasant answers.
	Enzyme checkpoint identified in tumor-associated macrophages A study by a scientific team from the University of Vienna and the MedUni Vienna, recently published in Cellular & Molecular Immunology, shows that the enzyme phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase (PHGDH) acts as a metabolic checkpoint in the function of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) and thus affects tumor growth. Targeting PHGDH to modulate the cancer-fighting immune system could be a new starting point in cancer treatment and improve the effectiveness of clinical immunotherapies.
	Proteogenomics reveal prognostic markers of small cell lung cancer, advance development of precision therapies Researchers in China have reported the first large-scale study characterizing the proteomics and phosphoproteomics of small cell lung cancer (SCLC) clinical cohorts, providing a comprehensive picture of the proteogenomics landscape of SCLC.
	Insights into epigenetics: The humanized FKBP5 mouse as a model organism The candidate gene FKBP5 is involved in the development of stress-related psychiatric disorders. A few years ago, researchers at the MPI discovered that it is increasingly activated in the brains of patients and can permanently alter the stress response. It therefore makes sense to develop a therapeutic approach that blocks this gene.
	High-intensity exercise can reverse neurodegeneration in Parkinson's, study suggests High-intensity exercise induces brain-protective effects that have the potential to not just slow down but possibly reverse the neurodegeneration associated with Parkinson's disease, a new pilot study suggests.
	Skin aging: A synergy between cigarette smoke and sunlight Combined exposure of the skin to cigarette smoke and UV rays could lead to faster premature aging, according to a study by Université Laval and the Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval.
	Researchers examine the benefits of COVID-19 nasal spray vaccination A research team at Freie Universität Berlin has conducted a comprehensive comparison of the efficacy of a mucosal, replication-competent but fully attenuated virus vaccine, sCPD9-ΔFCS, with the monovalent mRNA vaccine BNT162b2 in preventing the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 variants.
	COVID-19 antiviral treatment should be taken for longer, says study The currently recommended five-day course of molnupiravir, an antiviral treatment, may not be long enough to treat COVID-19, according to a new paper involving UCL researchers.
	Visual prosthesis simulator offers a glimpse into the future In collaboration with their colleagues at the Donders Institute, researchers at the Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience have developed a simulator that enables artificial visual observations for research into visual prostheses. This open-source tool is available to researchers and offers those who are interested an insight into future applications.
	Transcription factor found to play pivotal role in development of right-sided colon cancers The colon is often thought of as one organ, but the right and left parts of the colon have different molecular features in cancers. New research in mice from investigators at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center demonstrates that these regions also have distinct transcriptional programs, or cellular processes, that regulate the development of normal and cancerous cells.
	New study shows a role for cholesterol in pain perception When you stub your toe or bump your head, you know that rubbing the injury can lessen the ouch. But how? New research from the lab of Scott B. Hansen, Ph.D., shows how physical pressure on cells can reduce pain signals, while excessive cholesterol clumps in cell membranes can interfere with that process.
	Study finds diabetes medicine behind false positive urine test A doctor at the Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, in Philadelphia, found that a patient at the center had experienced a false positive urine test after taking empagliflozin, an SGLT2 inhibitor, used to treat diabetes.
	How human cytomegalovirus hijacks the immune system The human cytomegalovirus, HCMV for short, lies dormant unnoticed in the body of most people for their entire lives. In immunocompromised individuals, however, the virus can cause life-threatening infections. It infects dendritic cells, a specific type of cell in the immune system.
	Study confirms benefits of auricular acupuncture to treat depression Auricular acupuncture, recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) and offered as an integrative practice since 2006 by the SUS (Sistema Única de Saúde), Brazil's national health service, is safe for patients with depression and effectively reduces symptoms of this mental health disorder, according to a study conducted by researchers at the University of São Paulo (USP) and the University of Southern Santa Catarina (UNISUL).
	New study links placental oxygen levels to fetal brain development A new study shows oxygenation levels in the placenta, formed during the last three months of fetal development, are an important predictor of cortical growth (development of the outermost layer of the brain or cerebral cortex) and is likely a predictor of childhood cognition and behavior.
	Research identifies predictor of outcomes, chemoresistance for ovarian cancer patients Newly published research from an international consortium led by the University of Minnesota's Masonic Cancer Center has the potential to transform the landscape of ovarian cancer treatment.
	Researchers make precious headway into a genetic form of Alzheimer's disease UC Santa Barbara researchers and collaborators in Colombia, Brazil and Germany are progressing toward an understanding of mechanisms that underlie Alzheimer's disease, in particular an early-onset, genetic form that has afflicted generations of an extended family in Colombia. They also shed some light on a woman from that family who managed to beat the odds.
	UK cancer treatment falls behind other countries, research finds People in the UK have been treated with chemotherapy and radiotherapy less often than patients in comparable countries, and faced long waits for treatments, according to two new studies published in The Lancet Oncology.
	Researchers uncover new clues about links between parent age and congenital disorders A new paper in Genome Biology and Evolution finds that the link between paternal age and rare congenital disorders is more complex than scientists had previously thought.
	New data analysis supports hedonic overdrive model in high-fat diet-induced mice High-fat diets cause obesity in male mice. The underlying mechanism, however, remains controversial. After assessing three contrasting ideas, researchers have determined that the hedonic overdrive model provides the best fit, according to a new study.
	Living near pubs, bars and fast-food restaurants could be bad for heart health Living close to pubs, bars and fast-food restaurants may lead to a higher risk of heart failure, according to new research published in Circulation: Heart Failure.
	Abdominal fat depots can impact brain health and cognition in individuals at high risk for Alzheimer's disease The impact of abdominal fat on brain health and cognition is generally more pronounced in middle-aged men at high risk of Alzheimer's disease than in women, according to researchers at Rutgers Health.
	GZ17-6.02 with bexarotene kills mycosis fungoides cells: Study A new research paper titled "GZ17-6.02 interacts with bexarotene to kill mycosis fungoides cells" has been published in Oncotarget.
	Study shows seladelpar beneficial for patients with primary biliary cholangitis For patients with primary biliary cholangitis, more receiving the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor delta (PPARδ) agonist seladelpar have a biochemical response and alkaline phosphatase normalization, according to a study published online Feb. 21 in the New England Journal of Medicine.
	Peru has declared a health emergency in most of its provinces as dengue cases soar Peru declared a health emergency in most of its provinces on Monday due to a growing number of dengue cases that are occurring at a time of higher than usual temperatures caused by the El Nino weather pattern.
	Concerted efforts urgently needed to meet 2030 Global Alcohol Action Plan targets Concerted international efforts are urgently needed to meet the targets set out in the 2030 Global Alcohol Action Plan (GAAP) and avert "dire consequences" for low and middle income countries, where alcohol markets are expanding, warn health scientists in the open access journal BMJ Global Health.
	Poorly controlled asthma emits same quantity of greenhouse gas as 124,000 homes each year in the UK: Study Patients whose asthma is poorly controlled account for eight times excess greenhouse gas emissions compared with those whose condition is well controlled—equivalent to that produced by 124,000 homes each year in the U.K. This result has been published online in the journal Thorax.
	Sinusitis linked to 40% heightened risk of rheumatic disease The common inflammatory condition sinusitis is linked to a 40% heightened risk of a subsequent diagnosis of rheumatic disease, particularly in the five to 10 years preceding the start of symptoms, according to research published in the open access journal RMD Open.
	How AI could improve speed, accuracy of response to infectious disease outbreaks in hospitals and even prevent them A new research review to be given at a pre-congress day for this year's European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ECCMID 2024) will highlight the potential artificial intelligence (AI) has to improve the speed and accuracy of investigations into infectious disease outbreaks in hospitals, and potentially provide real-time information to stop or prevent them. The talk will be by Dr. Jonas Marschall, Division of Infectious Diseases, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, U.S.
	AI has 'huge potential' in infection control, as long as the right questions are asked and safeguards are in place A new research review to be given at a pre-congress day for this year's European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ECCMID 2024) will look at the many ways artificial intelligence can help prevent infectious disease outbreaks including ensuring staff wear personal protective equipment correctly and managing day-to-day hospital activities such as medication prescription and cleaning.
	Study finds pesticide use linked to Parkinson's in Rocky Mountain, Great Plains region Pesticides and herbicides used in farming have been linked to Parkinson's disease in the Rocky Mountain and Great Plains region of the country, according to a preliminary study released today, February 27, 2024, that will be presented at the American Academy of Neurology's 76th Annual Meeting taking place April 13–18, 2024, in person in Denver and online.
	Researchers look at environmental impacts of AI tools in radiology As artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly used in radiology, researchers caution that it's essential to consider the environmental impact of AI tools, according to a focus article published in Radiology.
	Reaching federal youth sport participation goal could save US billions of dollars A first-of-its-kind study suggests increasing the percentage of youth in the United States who participate in sports to meet a Healthy People 2030 goal could improve children's physical and mental health and save $80 billion.
	Is ketamine an antidepressant, wellness trend or dangerous drug? When an autopsy revealed that actor Matthew Perry died of "acute effects of ketamine," it put fresh attention on an ongoing debate in the field of psychiatry: What's the right balance between expanding access to a drug that can treat depression and imposing boundaries to prevent its abuse?
	Health care workers push for their own confidential mental health treatment States are redefining when medical professionals can get mental health treatment without risking notifying the boards that regulate their licenses.
	The science behind why we snack, and how to do it better From boredom to corporate marketing, there are a lot of reasons people snack. And not all snacks are the same. Some can boost your diet, while others can leave you feeling bloated and tired. In America, many snackers are having more of the latter.
	Neighborhood poverty in childhood increases risk of death by unnatural causes, study finds The degree of neighborhood poverty in early childhood is significantly associated with death by unnatural causes in early adulthood, according to a study published online Feb. 23 in JAMA Network Open.
	How frontotemporal dementia changes the brain: Research is untangling its genetic causes About 55 million people worldwide suffer from dementia such as Alzheimer's disease. On Feb. 22, 2024, it was revealed that former talk show host Wendy Williams had been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia, or FTD, a rare type of dementia that typically affects people ages 45 to 64. Bruce Willis is another celebrity who was diagnosed with the syndrome, according to his family. In contrast to Alzheimer's, in which the major initial symptom is memory loss, FTD typically involves changes in behavior.
	Study in mice finds keratin microsphere gel is a promising tool for hair growth Keratin microsphere gel, consisting of keratin-based microspheres that swell in water to form a gel, has shown efficacy in promoting hair follicle growth in murine models. Its potential application as an active ingredient in hair regrowth treatments with minimal side effects is anticipated.
	The consequences of prenatal exposure to drugs, a growing crisis in rural America Nearly 1 in 12 newborns in the United States in 2020—or about 300,000 infants—were exposed to alcohol, opioids, marijuana or cocaine before they were born. Exposure to these substances puts these newborns at a higher risk for premature birth, low birth weight and a variety of physical and mental disabilities.
	Omega-3 fatty acids are linked to better lung health, particularly in patients with pulmonary fibrosis Omega-3 fatty acids have garnered significant interest among patients and clinicians for their potential protective health effects, including lung health. In our recently published research, my colleagues and I found that higher dietary intake of omega-3 fatty acids is linked to better lung function and longer survival in patients with pulmonary fibrosis, a chronic respiratory disease.
	Drug shortage: What will happen if you run out of ADHD medication? Imagine how scary it would be for someone with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) to suddenly find that their essential medication is no longer available at the pharmacy. It is a harsh reality for millions around the world who rely on these drugs to manage their symptoms.
	A blow to the heart can kill you—or bring you back to life I first became aware of the notion of the "touch of death" as a teenager—after watching Uma Thurman as the Bride finally kill Bill using the five-point-palm exploding-heart technique. More recently, news has broken that the death of political prisoner, Alexei Navalny, may have been a result of a single, forceful blow to the chest—apparently a trademark of the KGB.
	A pandemic that won't go away—as COVID enters its fifth year, NZ needs a realistic strategy February 28 marks four years since COVID-19 was first reported in Aotearoa New Zealand. Many of us are probably surprised this virus is still causing a pandemic.
	I want to eat healthily. So why do I crave sugar, salt and carbs? We all want to eat healthily, especially as we reset our health goals at the start of a new year. But sometimes these plans are sabotaged by powerful cravings for sweet, salty or carb-heavy foods.
	From a 'magic mineral' to the stuff of nightmares: a 6,700-year history of asbestos Asbestos is making national news once again after being found in contaminated mulch used in hundreds of locations, including schools and hospitals, across Sydney and regional New South Wales.
	Partially replacing red/processed meat with plant protein can increase lifespan and mitigate climate change: Study The latest Canada's Food Guide presents a paradigm shift in nutrition advice, nixing traditional food groups, including meat and dairy, and stressing the importance of plant-based proteins. Yet, the full implications of replacing animal with plant protein foods in Canadians' diets are unknown.
	Study describes five cutting-edge advances in biomedical engineering IEEE, the world's largest technical professional organization dedicated to advancing technology for humanity, and the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society (IEEE EMBS), today published a detailed position paper on the field of biomedical engineering titled "Grand Challenges at the Interface of Engineering and Medicine."
	Alabama ruling frozen embryos are equivalent to living children has worrying implications for IVF In December 2020 in Alabama, a hospital patient gained unauthorized access to an adjoining IVF storage facility, which was not adequately secured. The patient is said to have removed several frozen embryos, which they then dropped on the floor, owing to a freeze-burn to their hand. The embryos were destroyed.
	How to calm your child after a nightmare Most parents have experienced it: Your young child wakes up distraught, sure that the nightmare they've just suffered through is real.
	Eye ointments sold at Walmart, CVS recalled due to infection risk Eye ointment products made in India and sold in the United States at Walmart, CVS and other retailers are being recalled due to a danger of infection.
	How eating disorders can damage the heart Every 52 minutes, someone in the U.S. dies from an eating disorder. Some of those deaths will be from cardiovascular complications.
	Students explore the use of AI to treat speech disfluency Artificial intelligence, including machine learning systems, could help mental health clinicians optimize treatments for speech disfluency, or interruptions in the regular flow of speech.
	Are ChatGPT exercise recommendations just what the doctor ordered? Since its debut in late 2022, people have experimented with using the AI (artificial intelligence) chat bot ChatGPT for everything from recipe planning to answering trivia to helping with homework. But ChatGPT has been mired in issues concerning its accuracy.
	Study finds concussions alter connectivity among brain regions The University of Nebraska–Lincoln's Heather Bouchard and Doug Schultz are speaking of airports and blizzards, missed flights and reroutes. Surprising subjects, maybe, for a couple of researchers who study not the logistics of air travel but the effects of concussion on the brain.
	CBD found to ease anxiety without the risks of THC Cannabis products high in the nonintoxicating compound CBD can quell anxiety better than THC-dominant products—and without the potential side effects, new University of Colorado Boulder research suggests.
	New monoclonal antibody for treating cerebral ischemia injury A research team from the LKS Faculty of Medicine at the University of Hong Kong (HKUMed) has successfully developed a neutralizing monoclonal antibody, 6H2, which targets a harmful protein known to exacerbate damage caused by ischemic stroke.
	Study reveals parental smoking and childhood obesity link transcends socioeconomic boundaries A study into parental smoking and childhood obesity has challenged previous notions by revealing that the links between the two are not confined to a specific socioeconomic group.
	Norovirus: What to know and how to avoid it If you've been bit by a stomach bug lately, you're not alone. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is reporting significant norovirus activity across the country, especially in the West and Northeast.
	Cellular therapy increases survival in recurring B-cell lymphoma: Clinical trial A two-year follow-up clinical trial found that a new personalized cellular therapy treatment for relapsed or refractory B-cell lymphoma demonstrated strong safety and improved overall survival in patients, according to findings published in Blood.
	First-ever public database of nationwide opioid transactions The weight of the opioid crisis is heavy.
	Live video streaming from trauma incidents to emergency medical services is feasible, finds study Live video streaming, used via 999 callers' smartphones, could aid emergency medical services' decision-making about how many and what type of emergency medical personnel and vehicles to send to major trauma incidents.
	Poor sleep health associated with muscle dysmorphia in Canadian young adults Getting enough sleep is crucial for our body to maintain vital health functions and is especially important for the growth and development of adolescents and young adults.
	Team studies medical validity of deep learning models in diagnosing drowning A research team from Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine undertook a detailed examination of the medical validity of deep learning models using post-mortem imaging for diagnosing drowning. The results reveal an inconsistency between the deep learning models' results and the medical professionals' observations.
	Researchers perform in-home test of adaptive robot interface for a person with quadriplegia No one could blame Carnegie Mellon University students Akhil Padmanabha and Janavi Gupta if they were a bit anxious this past August as they traveled to the Bay Area home of Henry and Jane Evans.
	What motivates high-quality medical care: Is it all about money? In many economics sectors, financial incentives are considered an effective means of motivating both employees and managers to deliver top performance. Incentives—and their counterpart, financial disincentives, in particular—are a recurring topic in debates about health care reform in Germany and other countries. So far, however, there is little scientific evidence that bonuses for high-quality medical treatment also result in better health outcomes for patients.
	New drug could unlock benefits of immunotherapy for more patients A new drug could offer a powerful way to sensitize tumors to immunotherapy, a new trial suggests. The results have been published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation.
	Swedish study finds highest quality in residential elder care homes without profit incentives The consequences of privatization for Swedish welfare have been discussed for many years, especially concerning elderly care. Today, about 20% of all residential care homes are run by non-municipal actors. A new study published in the Journal of Public Administration Research and Theory shows that these actors succeed differently at delivering high-quality care to the elderly.
	An easy-to-use tool for enhanced lives after kidney transplantation An international group of researchers develop a user-friendly, reliable, and valid tool to measure the ability of people to engage with their lives after kidney transplantation.
	Researchers find connection between autobiographical memory and aphantasia People with aphantasia lack visual imagination. Researchers from the University Hospital Bonn (UKB), the University of Bonn and the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) investigated how the lack of mental imagery affects long-term memory.
	Trans identity in minors: Review evaluates current evidence on use of puberty blockers and cross-sex-hormones In Western Europe, the number of children and adolescents who do not identify with their sex assessed at birth and who therefore seek help is rapidly increasing. An updated systematic review recently published in Zeitschrift für Kinder- und Jugendpsychiatrie und Psychotherapie (Journal of child and adolescent psychiatry and psychotherapy) evaluates the current evidence on the use of puberty blockers and cross-sex-hormones in minors with gender dysphoria as insufficient, and therefore emphasizes the particular importance of psychological and psychotherapeutic interventions for this vulnerable group.
	Heart disease research challenges 'one size fits all' aspirin guidelines Heart disease researchers have identified a group of patients for whom international guidelines on aspirin use for heart health may not apply.
	Norovirus spikes across the Northeast The "stomach bug" is unfortunately making the rounds these days. Norovirus rates in the Northeast are now at their highest levels since April, according to the CDC. The positive "stomach flu" rates in the Northeast are currently higher than the rest of the country.
	Study finds teens benefit from 'forest bathing'—even in cities Youth mental health in urban environments is significantly better when more nature is incorporated into city design. A new study from University of Waterloo researchers suggests that forest bathing, the simple method of being calm and quiet among the trees, observing nature around you while breathing deeply, can help youth de-stress and boost health and well-being.
	Assessing ischemic stroke risk at an early stage using tear fluid, mitochondria and AI-based data Every year, more than 100 million people worldwide suffer a stroke. Ischemic strokes (cerebral infarction) are the most common, but they can also occur silently and therefore often go undetected. This can result in serious illnesses such as dementia, depression or even suicide.
	Study shows daylight saving time has minimal effect on heart health A recent Mayo Clinic study examining the effects of daylight saving time (DST) on heart health suggests that the impact is likely minimal.
	Drug-resistant tuberculosis responds rapidly to bedaquiline-based second-line therapy Patients who have drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB) have a similar microbiological response to bedaquiline-based second-line medications as patients with drug-sensitive TB taking first-line regimens, according to researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York and GHESKIO Centers in Haiti.
	The anti-aging effect of vitamin D and its receptor in Drosophila midgut A new research paper titled "The anti-aging effect of vitamin D and vitamin D receptor in Drosophila midgut" has been published in Aging.
	New research finds that exposure to odorant-based HDAC inhibitors could delay neurological disease onset Imagine if we could inhale scents that delay the onset of cancer, inflammation, or neurodegenerative disease. Researchers at the University of California, Riverside, are poised to bring this futuristic technology closer to reality.
	Researchers identify enzyme key to training cells to fight autoimmune disorders Researchers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst recently released a first-of-its-kind study focusing on the rare autoimmune disorder aplastic anemia to understand how a subset of cells might be trained to correct the overzealous immune response that can lead to fatal autoimmune disorders. The research, published in Frontiers in Immunology, identifies a specific enzyme known as PRMT5, as a key regulator of suppressive activity in a specialized population of cells.
	Study reveals key details of HPV role in head and neck cancer microenvironment Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a type of cancer that affects the mucous membranes of the mouth, nose, and throat. HNSCC is typically associated with tobacco exposure, alcohol abuse, and viral infections. The links between human papillomavirus (HPV) infection status and the molecular characteristics of HNSCC are not clearly defined.
	Researchers find unexpected connection between SARS-CoV-2 and fragile X syndrome How does coronavirus spread through the body? A new study, available on the preprint server bioRxiv, can help us answer that question. Professor Jakob Nilsson from the Novo Nordisk Center for Protein Research is one of the researchers responsible for the study.
	New model for understanding the brain paves the way for more accurate diagnoses and treatments How does our brain interact with our body, and how is its functioning conditioned by physical and environmental conditions? Despite the significant breakthroughs in neuroscience, these questions remain largely unanswered.
	Female psychopaths 'more common than we think,' says researcher Female psychopaths are up to five times more common than previously thought, according to an expert who will present his work at the Cambridge Festival later this month.
	Scientists find butyrate's possible anticancer potential is cell-type specific Scientists with the USDA's Agricultural Research Service, Grand Forks Human Nutrition Research Center and the University of Massachusetts, examined how butyrate, one of the short-chain fatty acids found in the gut, suppresses the growth of different colon cancer cells in the laboratory.
	Diet linked to preeclampsia among low-income Hispanic women during pregnancy A study led by the Keck School of Medicine of USC has found that certain combinations of foods consumed during pregnancy may be linked to a higher likelihood of developing preeclampsia, a potentially life-threatening blood pressure condition that can have serious consequences for both mother and baby.
	Exposure to secondhand smoke during chemotherapy makes treatment less effective, study finds People who are diagnosed with head and neck cancer often receive a standard type of chemotherapy as part of their treatment. If they are exposed to secondhand smoke during chemotherapy—even if they have never smoked themselves—the treatment may be far less effective at killing cancer cells. That finding, considered the first of its kind, was revealed in a study recently published by researchers at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences.
	N₂O laughing matter: Self-adjusted nitrous oxide takes the pain out of prostate cancer screening procedure Each year, more than a million transrectal biopsies are performed in the United States. The primary technique for diagnosing and monitoring prostate cancer, a transrectal biopsy, entails removing tissue from the prostate gland by inserting a thin needle through the rectal wall. Patients are awake for the procedure, and though typically given a nerve block to prevent pain during the procedure, many patients still experience physical and psychological discomfort.
	Remote online genetic education programs can spur testing for inherited susceptibility to cancer, study suggests Even as it's become clear that an inherited susceptibility to some cancers is more common than once thought, genetic testing of family members of cancer patients hasn't increased as much as experts had hoped. A new study led by researchers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Brigham and Women's Hospital demonstrates that a remote online genetic education program can be a powerful motivator for people with a family history of cancer to undertake genetic testing.
	Task force concludes that evidence is lacking for iron deficiency screening in pregnancy The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force concludes there is currently insufficient evidence regarding screening and supplementation for iron deficiency anemia (IDA) during pregnancy. These findings form the basis of a draft recommendation statement published online Feb. 27.
	Rodeo sport safety: Injuries and prevention It's time to giddy up for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, where spectators watch cowboys and cowgirls in their respective rodeo sports. While rodeo athletes make their efforts look simple, rodeo is one of the most strenuous sports, that—like any sport—can lead to different injuries. A Baylor College of Medicine orthopedic trauma surgeon details safety measures in rodeo sport.
	Childhood cancer survivors at higher risk of death following heart issues: Risk factors should be addressed earlier New research from VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center and VCU Health Pauley Heart Center indicates that survivors of childhood cancer are at a significantly higher risk of death following a major cardiovascular event—including heart failure, heart attack or stroke—than the general public.
	How new drug approvals are reshaping treatment for eosinophilic esophagitis Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is an allergic inflammatory disorder that affects the esophagus, causing distressing symptoms such as difficulty swallowing in adolescents and adults, and vomiting and abdominal pain in children.
	Recommendations for young children's screen time do more harm than good, says researcher Recommendations from the WHO on limiting screen time for children under the age of five are almost impossible to follow, and risk causing unnecessary anxiety and stigmatization of parents of young children. This is according to a study from Lund University in Sweden on the digital media habits of young children. Instead, the researchers recommend that parents support their children by exploring digital media alongside them.
	France makes mincemeat of 'veggie steak' label The French government issued a decree Tuesday banning the term "steak" on the label of vegetarian products, saying it was reserved for meat alone.
	Pregnancy care was always lacking in jails: It could get worse It was about midnight in June 2022 when police officers showed up at Angela Collier's door and told her that someone anonymously requested a welfare check because they thought she might have had a miscarriage.
	Lawsuits claim South Carolina kids underwent unnecessary genital exams during abuse investigations Warning: Some readers may find graphic details in this article to be offensive or disturbing.
	Young people are drinking less in real life—film and TV paint a different picture The new "Mean Girls" is a fresh take on a classic teen comedy, this time appealing to a new audience: Gen Z. So how does the film paint the new generation? As one that loves to drink.
	How applied economics maximizes kidney transplants In the year 2000, there were 13,600 kidney transplants in the United States. Just 22 years later, that number topped 25,000—in part because of some creative thinking from Dr. Al Roth, an economist and Stanford University professor, and his colleagues.
	Understanding and protecting against foodborne illness Each year, 1 in 6 Americans gets sick from eating contaminated food. In total, researchers have identified more than 250 foodborne diseases, which have been traced to all kinds of foods, according to Tufts experts.
	New research describes the patterns of COVID-19 outbreaks in Scotland's care homes, beyond the first wave of infections A study, undertaken by the University of Glasgow in partnership with the Advanced Care Research Center, University of Edinburgh, has demonstrated the severe effects of COVID-19 on people living in care homes during the second wave of infections, despite considerable improvement in measures to protect residents.
	Q&A: Combating prostate cancer stigma When U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was diagnosed with prostate cancer, his illness was largely kept quiet from the public. Though Austin faced scrutiny for not being more forthcoming about his health, experts like Daniela Wittmann Ph.D., L.M.S.W. say prostate cancer is often difficult for men to discuss openly.

Other Sciences news

	Researchers show Reddit users caused the famous GameStop 'short squeeze' Three years ago, the stock price of the company GameStop soared over 1,625% in just a week. While it's been speculated the primary cause was unprecedented, organized action among Reddit users using a trading strategy known as a "short squeeze," researchers have now definitively shown a causal relationship between activity on Reddit and the wild market phenomenon. They have published their findings on the pre-print server arXiv.
	Pythagoras was wrong: There are no universal musical harmonies, study finds The tone and tuning of musical instruments has the power to manipulate our appreciation of harmony, new research shows. The findings challenge centuries of Western music theory and encourage greater experimentation with instruments from different cultures.
	First DNA study of ancient Eastern Arabians reveals malaria adaptation People living in ancient Eastern Arabia appear to have developed resistance to malaria following the appearance of agriculture in the region around five thousand years ago, a new study reveals.
	A physical model to quantify the quality of stones selected as tools by Stone Age hunter–gatherers Early hunter–gatherers from the Middle Stone Age in southern Africa were selecting the most suitable material available for stone tools and spearheads more than 60,000 years ago, according to a study by Dr. Patrick Schmidt from the University of Tübingen's Early Prehistory and Quaternary Ecology section.
	Expert tests if AI can help teach students accounting ChatGPT will not be replacing human teachers anytime soon, with a study into the technology's capabilities finding it can't help students critically understand academic assessment solutions.
	Want to encourage allyship? Highlight its appreciation, research shows Allyship—the practice of relatively advantaged group members acting with the intention to support, advocate and improve circumstances for relatively disadvantaged groups—is critical to promoting more inclusive and equitable organizations.
	Smart learning software helps students study math during lockdowns and beyond Intelligent tutoring systems for math problems helped pupils remain or even increase their performance during the pandemic. This is the conclusion of a new study led by the Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg (MLU) and Loughborough University in the U.K.
	Researchers find three companies own more than 19,000 rental houses in metro Atlanta Three corporate landlords control nearly 11% of the single-family homes available for rent in metro Atlanta's core counties, according to a new analysis led by Taylor Shelton, a geographer at Georgia State University.
	Mathematicians discover how to stop sloshing using porous baffles Studies by applied mathematicians at the University of Surrey are helping to identify ways of reducing how much liquids slosh around inside tanks.
	How three hours could add up to a better retirement Older workers who completed an evidence-based retirement planning course reduced their expected retirement age by an average of just over a year, felt more confident in making financial decisions, and felt better prepared to leave the workforce.
	Sustainable solutions to overconsumption challenges in modern marketing Professor of Marketing at the Anderson School of Management, Catherine Roster, provides insight into the marketing world of overconsumption and a shift in mindset to sustainability long-term.
	How Tumblr raised a generation of feminists Like so many millennials, my teenage years on the multimedia microblogging platform, Tumblr, introduced me to feminist politics, which inspired my burgeoning interest in gender and feminism at university. My experiences as a Tumblr teen at the height of its popularity inspired my book, Feminist Fandom: Media Fandom, Digital Feminisms, and Tumblr, which examines the platform in the early- to mid-2010s.
	Silence broken on gender pay gaps but we must hold organizations to account, says workplace diversity expert The exposure of the gender pay gaps in large Australian organizations is a turning point for gender equality, but more must be done to hold employers to account, says a University of South Australia researcher.
	With an aging population, 'silver tourism' an avenue for industry growth There is a significant opportunity to take advantage of the untapped market of "silver tourism," paving the way to not only grow the economy but also offer an ever-increasing aging population the opportunity to maintain quality of life.

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