Science X Newsletter Tue, Feb 6

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Here is your customized Science X Newsletter for February 6, 2024:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

New findings from JWST: How black holes switched from creating to quenching stars
'Time to eat': Videos show that toe-tapping by frogs may be a strategy to draw out prey
Altermagnets: A new chapter in magnetism and thermal science
Astronomers examine the behavior of X-ray pulsar Swift J0243.6+6124
A deep reinforcement learning approach to enhance autonomous robotic grasping and assembly
New species of Jurassic pterosaur discovered on the Isle of Skye
Frequent marine heat waves in the Arctic Ocean will be the norm, says new study
A protective layer applied to gold nanoparticles can boost its resilience
How a city is organized can create less-biased citizens
Breaking boundaries in quantum photonics: New nanocavities unlock new frontiers in light confinement
AI reads ancient scroll buried by Vesuvius eruption
New cell therapy shows promise with acute respiratory distress syndrome patients
Healthy living builds 'cognitive reserve' in brain that may prevent dementia
Research team develops metamaterial to enable real-time shape and property control
Artificially intelligent software provides a detailed look at jets of plasma used to treat cancer

Nanotechnology news

	A protective layer applied to gold nanoparticles can boost its resilience For the first time, researchers including those at the University of Tokyo have discovered a way to improve the durability of gold catalysts by creating a protective layer of metal oxide clusters. The enhanced gold catalysts can withstand a greater range of physical environments than unprotected equivalent materials can.
	Breaking boundaries in quantum photonics: New nanocavities unlock new frontiers in light confinement In a significant leap forward for quantum nanophotonics, a team of European and Israeli physicists has introduced a new type of polaritonic cavities and redefined the limits of light confinement. This pioneering work, detailed in a study published in Nature Materials, demonstrates an unconventional method to confine photons, overcoming the traditional limitations in nanophotonics.
	Researchers create coating solution for safer food storage In a collaborative effort to improve the food industry, Dr. Mustafa Akbulut, professor of chemical engineering, and Dr. Luis Cisneros-Zevallos, professor of horticultural science, have developed a two-step coating solution for galvanized steel that is more hygienic and reduces the risk of corrosion.
	Deciphering the deep dynamics of electric charge Research led by Oak Ridge National Laboratory's Marti Checa and Liam Collins has pioneered a groundbreaking approach, described in the journal Nature Communications, toward understanding the behavior of an electric charge at the microscopic level.
	Building a DNA nanoparticle to be both carrier and medicine Scientists have been making nanoparticles out of DNA strands for two decades, manipulating the bonds that maintain DNA's double-helical shape to sculpt self-assembling structures that could someday have jaw-dropping medical applications.
	Nanomedicine advancement shows potential for personalized point-of-care therapeutics Stefan Wilhelm, an associate professor in the Stephenson School of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Oklahoma, and several students in his Biomedical Nano-Engineering Lab have recently published an article in the journal Nano Letters that outlines their recent important nanomedicine advancement.
	Guanine synthesis yields new insights into nitrogen's role in nanocarbon catalysis Recently, carbon-based catalysts—especially nitrogen-doped nanocarbons—have emerged as sustainable, reliable alternatives to the metal catalysts traditionally used to support chemical reactions.

Physics news

	Altermagnets: A new chapter in magnetism and thermal science In a new study, scientists have investigated the newly discovered class of altermagnetic materials for their thermal properties, offering insights into the distinctive nature of altermagnets for spin-caloritronic applications.
	Artificially intelligent software provides a detailed look at jets of plasma used to treat cancer Artificially intelligent software has been developed to enhance medical treatments that use jets of electrified gas known as plasma. The computer code predicts the chemicals emitted by plasma devices, which can be used to treat cancer, promote healthy tissue growth and sterilize surfaces.
	New ion cooling technique could simplify quantum computing devices A new cooling technique that utilizes a single species of trapped ion for both computing and cooling could simplify the use of quantum charge-coupled devices (QCCDs), potentially moving quantum computing closer to practical applications.
	NIF fusion breakeven claims peer reviewed and verified by multiple teams Five independent teams of researchers have reviewed the work and claims made by a group at the National Ignition Facility (NIF) who announced in December 2022 that they had achieved the first laser-powered fusion reaction that exceeded "scientific breakeven"—in which more energy was produced by a manmade fusion reaction than consumed by the reaction.
	New approach to predict properties of undiscovered nuclei and border of nuclear landscape With new generation radioactive-ion beam facilities, previously challenging experiments can be conducted for discovering new isotopes and for revealing physics related to the exotic nuclei far from the β-stability valley, which deepens the understanding of the origins of the chemical elements in the universe.
	Building images photon-by-photon to increase the information content provided by microscopes The world of laser scanning microscopy is quickly evolving, thanks to the advent of fast and compact detector arrays. These arrays replace the typical single-element detector of traditional confocal laser scanning microscopes, enabling new and unique capabilities.
	Zero-index metamaterials and the future In the realm of materials science, electromagnetic (EM) metamaterials have emerged as a revolutionary class of engineered composites capable of manipulating electromagnetic waves in ways never before possible. Unlike their naturally occurring counterparts, EM metamaterials derive their extraordinary properties from their unique structural arrangements, allowing them to exhibit unattainable electromagnetic characteristics in conventional materials.
	Revolutionizing next-generation VR and MR displays with a novel pancake optics system Augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR) and mixed reality (MR) have expanded perceptual horizons and ushered in deeper human-digital interactions that transcend the confines of traditional flat panel displays.
	Multi-dimensional multiplexing optical secret-sharing framework with cascaded liquid crystal holograms Information security has become particularly crucial under the background of the big data era. Optical secret-sharing schemes encrypt information and physically divide it into different shares. Information can only be decrypted by cascading a sufficient number of shares.

Earth news

	Frequent marine heat waves in the Arctic Ocean will be the norm, says new study Marine heat waves will become a regular occurrence in the Arctic in the near future and are a product of higher anthropogenic greenhouse-gas emissions, according to a study just released by Dr. Armineh Barkhordarian from Universität Hamburg's Cluster of Excellence for climate research CLICCS.
	Looking into the possibility of volcanic lightning being the spark that ignited life on Earth An international team of geologists, Earth scientists and mineralogists has found evidence suggesting that volcanic lightning may have fixed huge amounts of atmospheric nitrogen, allowing life on Earth to get its start.
	Research reveals 28% of COVID-19 recovery spending could harm climate adaptation How to adapt to the impacts of climate change—and who should pay—was a key topic of debate at COP28. New research from the University of Oxford analyzes 8,000 government policies across 88 countries to reveal how COVID-19 recovery spending contributed to climate adaptation and resilience.
	Researchers find that dust in the atmosphere is feeding algae in mountain lakes The world's freshwater systems are in a sort of a climate-change cocktail—rising temperatures, fluctuating levels of environmental acidity and shifting concentrations of dissolved nutrients that settle into the lakes, ponds and wetlands of the world are tweaking the recipe of these complex and delicate freshwater systems, causing fundamental shifts in the way they function.
	Pollution risks worsening global water scarcity: Study Water scarcity could affect three billion more people than previously expected by mid-century, with increased pollution rendering river sources "unsafe" for humans and wildlife, researchers warned Tuesday.
	Geoscientists find Pacific plate is scored by large undersea faults that are pulling it apart A team of geoscientists from the University of Toronto is shedding new light on the century-old model of plate tectonics, which suggests the plates covering the ocean floors are rigid as they move across the Earth's mantle.
	A new origin story for deadly Seattle fault The Seattle fault zone is a network of shallow faults slicing through the lowlands of Puget Sound, threatening to create damaging earthquakes for the more than four million people who live there.
	Structural geology study assesses potential effect of elastic differential stress on development of mineral fabrics Earth is a stressed planet. As plates move, magma rises, and glaciers melt—just to mention a few scenarios—rocks are subject to varying pressure and compressional and extensional forces. The effect of these stresses on rock mineralogy and texture is of great interest to the tectono-metamorphic community. Yet the link between process and outcome remains elusive.
	Is it time for a Category 6 for super cyclones? No—warnings of floods or storm surges are more useful When a tropical cyclone forms, people who live in its path anxiously monitor news of its direction—and strength. If a Category 5 storm with wind speeds of 250 kilometers per hour is heading for you, you prepare differently than you would for a Category 1 with wind speeds of 65 km/h.
	Climate change will strike Australia's precious World Heritage sites—and Indigenous knowledge is a key defense From Kakadu to Uluru and the Great Barrier Reef, to Sydney Opera House and the convict sites, Australia's list of World Heritage places is incredibly diverse. Each site represents the culture, nature and history of this land, in its own way.
	Dangerous climate tipping points will affect Australia. The risks are real and cannot be ignored, say researchers In 2023, we saw a raft of news stories about climate tipping points, including the accelerating loss of Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets, the potential dieback of the Amazon rainforest and the likely weakening of the Atlantic Meridional Ocean Circulation.
	Clues from the ice age can help restore Swedish streams Human intervention has destroyed critical habitats for salmon and trout in Swedish streams. Researchers at Umeå University have discovered crucial clues to help restore the streams to their natural state.
	Climate models often miss how plants respond to drought, research suggests Plants both absorb carbon dioxide and release water vapor through their stomata, or pores on their leaves. In drought conditions, plants close these pores to conserve water, and this reduces their carbon dioxide uptake as well.
	The planet is dangerously close to this climate threshold: What 1.5°C really means The alarm bells are loud and clear. Federal and international climate officials recently confirmed that 2023 was the planet's hottest year on record—and that 2024 may be even hotter.
	The surprising secrets of extreme snowfall events in Utah's central Wasatch Major snowstorms in Utah's Wasatch Mountains are both a blessing and a curse. They deliver much-needed moisture that supplies water to the state's biggest metropolitan area and fluffy light snow to support the world's finest powder skiing.
	New warning: South Australia needs to gear up for more climate extremes As temperature records tumble, and the threat of bushfires and dry conditions looms large, an international study by Flinders University and Argentinian researchers renews the urgency of calls to make more concerted efforts to prepare for climate extremes in South Australia.
	The largest body of water west of the Mississippi disappeared 130 years ago. Now it's back The San Joaquin Valley of California, despite supplying a significant percentage of the country's food, is nevertheless a dry, arid place. Fresno, at the heart of the valley, receives just over 10 inches of rain a year on average, according to the National Weather Service, and sometimes as little as 3.
	Q&A: Extreme weather is necessitating a shift in humanitarian action Andrew Kruczkiewicz has spent much of his career trying to get ahead of the weather. As a meteorologist and senior staff researcher at the Columbia Climate School, Kruczkiewicz's current research focuses on extreme weather events and the application of climate and weather data and forecasting to reduce disaster risk and facilitate humanitarian action.
	Q&A: Climate expert explains why atmospheric rivers are causing historic rainfall in California In December 1861, intense rainfall began pounding central California, thrashing the state for the next 43 days. The rain, which scientists now think was caused by atmospheric rivers, killed thousands of people and destroyed the state's economy, transforming the Central Valley into a sea nearly the size of Lake Ontario.
	El Nino brings hunger, drought fears to Madagascar In a small village in southern Madagascar, dozens of women shelter from the scorching sun under a tree as they wait to weigh their children.
	Secondary eyewall formation in upper- and lower-layer vertical wind shear simulated in idealized tropical cyclones About 80% of intense tropical cyclones (TCs) possess concentric eyewalls—namely, the primary and secondary eyewalls. The intensity of the TC can vary considerably during secondary eyewall formation (SEF) and eyewall replacement, posing a great challenge to predicting TC intensity.
	Deep learning forecasts Antarctic sea ice trends for 2024—projected to remain close to historical lows The year 2023 stands out as the warmest year on record globally, accompanied by the highest recorded ocean temperatures. Amidst these extreme and unusual climatic conditions, Antarctic sea ice extent (SIE), after breaking the second consecutive satellite-recorded low in February 2023, failed to recover at an average rate in the autumn and winter months.
	2023: A year of climate extremes The year 2023 was full of climate extremes. The global average temperature this year was 1.48 degrees Celsius above the pre-industrial average. At the same time, there were exceptional heat waves and droughts, extreme storms and catastrophic rainfall.
	EU eyes 90% cut to greenhouse gases by 2040 The EU on Tuesday urged a 90-percent cut to its greenhouse gas emissions by 2040, even as the bloc's transition to a greener future was clouded by a widespread farmers' revolt.
	Canada ice fishing season gets off to late start due to warm weather On a frozen river in Canada, a cluster of brightly colored cabins stand out against the white snow as vehicles crawl to and fro.
	Deadly California storm brings unrelenting rain, flooding A powerful storm lashing California on Monday has left at least three people dead and caused devastating mudslides and flooding, after dumping months' worth of rain in a single day.
	Study explores the health and economic burden of air pollution Air pollution, a primary environmental risk factor, poses a significant health and financial burden to countries. In China, rapid economic growth has resulted in severely deteriorated air quality and a significant financial burden on its citizen's health.

Astronomy and Space news

	New findings from JWST: How black holes switched from creating to quenching stars Astronomers have long sought to understand the early universe, and thanks to the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), a critical piece of the puzzle has emerged. The telescope's infrared detecting "eyes" have spotted an array of small, red dots, identified as some of the earliest galaxies formed in the universe.
	Astronomers examine the behavior of X-ray pulsar Swift J0243.6+6124 By analyzing the data from the Neutron star Interior Composition Explorer (NICER), astronomers from the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) in Ahmedabad, India and elsewhere, have performed a detailed X-ray timing and spectral study of an ultraluminous X-ray pulsar designated Swift J0243.6+6124. Results of the study, presented January 26 on the pre-print server arXiv, deliver important insights into the behavior of this pulsar.
	Lunar sample returned by China's 2020 lunar mission contains minerals that provide clues to the moon's history Earth's moon achieved its Swiss cheese appearance from celestial objects crashing into its surface, forming impact craters. But craters weren't all that was left behind; the intense pressure and temperature of such a collision also impacted the rocks and dust covering the lunar surface, known as regolith, altering its mineral composition and structure. Analyzing the resulting minerals provides modern researchers clues to the moon's past.
	BINGO radio telescope will be able to detect and locate the brightest bursts of energy, says study A 40 meter-wide radio telescope being built in northeastern Brazil will be able to detect and locate mysterious flashing blasts of energy that are brighter than whole galaxies, according to a new study from the University of Portsmouth published in Astronomy & Astrophysics.
	Small satellite may shape centaur rings The unique two thin rings around the Centaur Chariklo could be shaped by an even smaller satellite. Chariklo is a Centaur, which are small bodies similar to asteroids in size but to comets in composition, that revolve around the sun in the outer solar system, mainly between the orbits of Jupiter and Neptune.
	Extreme eruption on young sun-like star signals savage environment for developing exoplanets Astronomers have detected an extreme eruption from a young star that became more than a hundred times brighter in only a few hours. This discovery offers new insight into how young sun-like stars behave early in their lives, and their impact on the development of any of their newborn planets.
	A long, long time ago in a galaxy not so far away: Research unearths clues to conditions of the early universe Employing massive data sets collected through NASA's James Webb Space Telescope, a research team led by a Rutgers University–New Brunswick astronomer is unearthing clues to conditions existing in the early universe.
	Newly discovered carbon monoxide-runaway gap can help identify habitable exoplanets The search for habitable exoplanets involves looking for planets with similar conditions to the Earth, such as liquid water, a suitable temperature range and atmospheric conditions. One crucial factor is the planet's position in the habitable zone, the region around a star where liquid water could potentially exist on the planet's surface.
	Overnight SpaceX launch set for NASA Earth science probe A NASA satellite that will look at the tiniest parts of the air and ocean is set for an overnight launch from the Space Coast after a years-long path to the launch pad that staved off repeated attempts by the Trump administration to cancel the mission.
	Hubble views ESO 185-IG013 This new NASA Hubble Space Telescope image shows ESO 185-IG013, a luminous blue compact galaxy (BCG). BCGs are nearby galaxies that show an intense burst of star formation. They are unusually blue in visible light, which sets them apart from other high-starburst galaxies that emit more infrared light. Astrophysicists study BCGs because they provide a relatively close-by equivalent for galaxies from the early universe. This means that BCGs can help scientists learn about galaxy formation and evolution that may have been happening billions of years ago.
	What is dark energy? Inside our accelerating, expanding universe Some 13.8 billion years ago, the universe began with a rapid expansion we call the Big Bang. After this initial expansion, which lasted a fraction of a second, gravity started to slow the universe down. But the cosmos wouldn't stay this way. Nine billion years after the universe began, its expansion started to speed up, driven by an unknown force that scientists have named dark energy.
	Studying lake deposits in Idaho could give scientists insight into ancient traces of life on Mars Does life exist elsewhere in the universe? If so, how do scientists search for and identify it? Finding life beyond Earth is extremely difficult, partly because other planets are so far away and partly because we are not sure what to look for.
	NASA's laser navigation tech to enable commercial lunar exploration Later this month, NASA's commercial lunar delivery services provider Intuitive Machines will launch its Nova-C lunar lander carrying several NASA science and technology payloads, including the Navigation Doppler Lidar (NDL). This innovative guidance system, developed by NASA's Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia, under the agency's Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD), can potentially revolutionize landing spacecraft on extraterrestrial worlds.
	Virgin Galactic grounds space tourism flight after piece of ship accidentally detaches Virgin Galactic has grounded its current space tourism flight after a small part of its mothership unintentionally detached, the company announced Monday.
	Heritage ERS-2 satellite to reenter Earth's atmosphere Throughout its 16-year working life, the second European Remote Sensing satellite, ERS-2, returned a wealth of information that revolutionized our perspective of our planet and understanding of climate change. As well as leaving a remarkable legacy of data that still continue to advance science, this outstanding mission set the stage for many of today's satellites and ESA's position at the forefront of Earth observation.
	NASA's Juno probe makes another close flyby of Io The Juno spacecraft has revealed some fascinating things about Jupiter since it began exploring the system on July 4th, 2016. Not only is it the first robotic mission to study Jupiter up close while orbiting it since the Galileo spacecraft, which studied the gas giant and its satellites from 1995 to 2003. Juno is also the first robotic explorer to look below Jupiter's dense clouds to investigate the planet's magnetic field, composition, and structure. The data this has produced is helping scientists address questions about how Jupiter formed and the origins of the solar system.
	NASA tests new spacecraft propellant gauge on lunar lander It's easy to measure fuel in tanks on Earth, where gravity pulls the liquid to the bottom. But in space, the game changes. Quantifying fuel that's floating around inside a spacecraft's tank isn't so simple.
	What's made in a thunderstorm and faster than lightning? Gamma rays A flash of lightning. A roll of thunder. These are normal stormy sights and sounds. But sometimes, up above the clouds, stranger things happen. Our Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope has spotted bursts of gamma rays—some of the highest-energy forms of light in the universe—coming from thunderstorms. Gamma rays are usually found coming from objects with crazy extreme physics like neutron stars and black holes. So why is Fermi seeing them come from thunderstorms?

Technology news

	A deep reinforcement learning approach to enhance autonomous robotic grasping and assembly Semi-autonomous and autonomous robots are being introduced in a growing number of real-world environments, including industrial settings. Industrial robots could speed up the manufacturing of various products by assisting human workers with basic tasks and lightening their workload.
	Research team develops metamaterial to enable real-time shape and property control Inspired by the remarkable adaptability observed in biological organisms like the octopus, a breakthrough has been achieved in the field of soft robotics. A research team, led by Professor Jiyun Kim in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at UNIST has successfully developed an encodable multifunctional material that can dynamically tune its shape and mechanical properties in real time.
	Researchers figure out optimal stiffness-toughness trade-off Using 3D printing, researchers at the U of A and Massachusetts Institute of Technology have developed a novel approach for achieving an optimal combination of stiffness and toughness in microstructured composites.
	Exploring the eating experience of a pneumatically-driven edible robot: Perception, taste, and texture In a landmark study, Associate Professor Yoshihiro Nakata of the University of Electro-Communications, Japan, in collaboration with researchers from Osaka University, conducted research on edible robotics. Published in PLOS ONE, this study is the first to explore the experience of consuming a moving edible robot.
	Chemists decipher reaction process that could improve lithium-sulfur batteries Lithium-sulfur batteries can potentially store five to 10 times more energy than current state-of-the-art lithium-ion batteries at much lower cost. Current lithium-ion batteries use cobalt oxide as the cathode, an expensive mineral mined in ways that harm people and the environment. Lithium-sulfur batteries replace cobalt oxide with sulfur, which is abundant and cheap, costing less than one-hundredth the price of cobalt.
	Self-extinguishing batteries could reduce the risk of deadly and costly battery fires In a newly published study in Nature Sustainability, we describe our design for a self-extinguishing rechargeable battery. It replaces the most commonly used electrolyte, which is highly combustible—a medium composed of a lithium salt and an organic solvent—with materials found in a commercial fire extinguisher.
	Research team improves fuel cell durability with fatigue-resistant membranes A novel approach to address environmental challenges is developing and commercializing robust hydrogen fuel cells. These cells contain a polymer electrolyte membrane that serves as a barrier between the electrodes (the conductors that enable the flow of electricity through a substance). This membrane conducts protons but inhibits the movement of electrons, hydrogen molecules, and oxygen molecules.
	Japan game maker Nintendo reports solid profit on a jump in Super Mario sales Nintendo reported healthy sales and profits on the back of the hit "Super Mario Bros. Wonder" game, prompting the Japanese video game maker to raise its full fiscal year forecasts.
	Toyota raises annual net profit forecast as chip shortage eases Japan's Toyota raised its annual net profit forecast to a record high on Tuesday, reporting strong sales in all regions in the first three quarters as the global semiconductor shortage eases.
	Meta wants industry-wide labels for AI-made images Meta on Tuesday said it is working with other tech firms on standards that will let it better detect and label artificial intelligence-generated images shared with its billions of users.
	Ultrafast reservoir production forecasting boasts speed and accuracy Imagine a task that used to take 11 minutes now taking less time than the blink of an eye. Couple that speed increase with 97% accuracy, and these are the results researchers at Texas A&M University achieved when combining machine learning, neural networks and novel compression tactics in a new project advancing reservoir production forecasts.
	Precast pier system for accelerated bridge construction in seismic regions To the untrained eye it may not look like much, but you can see a piece of groundbreaking concrete on Interstate 15 at Exit 80 in Fort Hall thanks to the work of researchers at Idaho State University.
	New study finds 'sweet spot' for length of yarn-shaped supercapacitors As interest in wearable technology has surged, research into creating energy-storage devices that can be woven into textiles has also increased. Researchers at North Carolina State University have now identified a "sweet spot" at which the length of a threadlike energy storage technology called a "yarn-shaped supercapacitor" (YSC) yields the highest and most efficient flow of energy per unit length.
	E-bikes hold huge promise for sustainable transport in rural tourist areas, says researcher I first rode an e-bike after a day out exploring the fells on foot a few years ago. Instead of driving back to my accommodation, I traveled 40km through the Lake District on an e-bike and I was surprised by how easy it was, even after a physically demanding day. Since then, I've been researching the potential for people to shift from cars to e-bikes and recently found that rural areas have the greatest capability to replace car travel and cut carbon emissions.
	Revolutionizing batteries: Coffee grounds power high-performance sodium-ion anodes In a study published in the journal Carbon Resources Conversion, a team of researchers from Kazakhstan and South Korea reported the successful synthesis of P-doped hard carbon using coffee grounds as a precursor and H3PO4 as the doping agent.
	Illustrating the relationship between pedestrian movement and urban characteristics using large-scale GPS data Transit-oriented development (TOD) is a widely endorsed strategy for sustainable urban planning that encourages walking and transit ridership. In the context of TOD, assessing pedestrian behavior is crucial; for instance, walking behavior around railway stations is commonly quantified using pedestrian volumes. However, areas with similar pedestrian volumes may exhibit variations in walking distances and time spent around stations, necessitating a more comprehensive assessment approach.
	EU strikes deal on clean tech to compete with China, US EU states and lawmakers clinched a deal on Tuesday to expand Europe's clean tech production, from solar and wind to carbon capture, as the bloc faces off with China and the United States.
	Where are the new AI jobs? Just ask AI Together, D.C., Virginia and Maryland lead the nation in the percentage of job postings requiring artificial intelligence (AI) skills, and overall, the D.C. region is the second-biggest hub of new AI jobs, according to a new mapping project led by University of Maryland researchers.
	Companies can become more creative by adapting their strategy to include AI and generative AI New research published in the British Journal of Management, led by a Royal Holloway academic, suggests that organizations who are willing to adapt their strategy and adopt new AI solutions will see higher levels of creativity.
	The head of FAA pledges to hold Boeing accountable for any violations of safety rules The new chief of the Federal Aviation Administration says the agency will use more people to monitor aircraft manufacturing and hold Boeing accountable for any violations of safety regulations.
	Taiwan chip giant TSMC announces second Japan plant TSMC will build a second foundry in Japan, the semiconductor giant and its local partners announced Tuesday, weeks before its first in the country officially opens.
	Toyota to invest $1.3B at Georgetown, Kentucky, factory to build battery packs and new electric SUV Toyota says it will invest $1.3 billion at its huge factory complex in Georgetown, Kentucky, in part so it can build an all-new three-row electric SUV to be sold in the U.S.
	NTSB says bolts on Boeing jetliner were missing before a panel blew out in midflight last month Bolts that helped secure a panel to the frame of a Boeing 737 Max 9 were missing before the panel blew off the Alaska Airlines plane last month, according to accident investigators.
	New position paper on transparent life cycle assessment of plastics recycling Life cycle assessments are often used as a basis for decision-making when selecting environmentally friendly processes, input materials or services for plastics recycling. But what does a comparable and transparent ecological assessment that meets different requirements look like?
	Heating Quebec's schools can be easier and cheaper thanks to a new study A new system to heat Quebec schools during cold winter months could help keep students more comfortable, improve the amount of solar-heated clean ventilation, and save school boards a bundle.
	Postal Service, once chided for slow adoption of EVs, announces plan to cut greenhouse gas emissions The U.S. Postal Service announced sweeping plans Tuesday to reduce greenhouse emissions by diverting more parcels from air to ground transportation, boosting the number of electric vehicles, cutting waste sent to landfills and making delivery routes more efficient.

Chemistry news

	GPT-3 transforms chemical research Artificial intelligence is growing into a pivotal tool in chemical research, offering novel methods to tackle complex challenges that traditional approaches struggle with. One subtype of artificial intelligence that has seen increasing use in chemistry is machine learning, which uses algorithms and statistical models to make decisions based on data and perform tasks that it has not been explicitly programmed for.
	Solving an age-old mystery about crystal formation A million years ago, the oldest known species to walk upright like a human, the Homo erectus, had a human-like fascination with crystals. Historians can even pin down the possible reasons—crystals didn't look like anything around at the time—trees, valleys, mountains. Crystals were a material to ponder, a fascinating diversion for the mind.
	Researchers develop cluster glass for fluorescence and nonlinear optical properties Glass can be synthesized through a novel "crystal-liquid-glass" phase transformation. Crystalline materials can be fine-tuned for desired properties such as improved mass transfer and optical properties through coordination chemistry and grid chemistry design principles.
	Mystery of novel clove-like off-flavor in orange juice solved A research team led by the Leibniz Institute for Food Systems Biology at the Technical University of Munich has solved the mystery of a novel clove-like off-flavor in orange juice, the cause of which was previously unknown.
	Structural isomerization of individual molecules using a scanning tunneling microscope probe An international research team has succeeded for the first time in controlling the chirality of individual molecules through structural isomerization. The team, led by NIMS, the Osaka University Graduate School of Science and the Kanazawa University Nano Life Science Institute (WPI-NanoLSI), also succeeded in synthesizing highly reactive diradicals with two unpaired electrons. They accomplished these tasks using a scanning tunneling microscope probe at low temperatures.
	Researchers reveal elusive bottleneck holding back global effort to convert carbon dioxide waste into usable products Think of it as recycling on the nanoscale: a tantalizing electrochemical process that can harvest carbon before it becomes air pollution and restructure it into the components of everyday products.
	Biotrickling filter supports efficient hydrogen-methane conversion for biological biogas upgrading Biological hydrogen-methane conversion refers to the production of methane through the action of microorganisms using hydrogen generated by electrolysis of water with residual power and carbon dioxide present in biogas. This approach promises to overcome the limitations of hydrogen storage, lowering the financial burden of biogas upgrading, and enabling carbon-negative utilization of CO2 in biogas.

Biology news

	'Time to eat': Videos show that toe-tapping by frogs may be a strategy to draw out prey It is well known that some species of frogs tap their posterior toes as they are seeking prey; this can be seen in many videos posted online. However, only a few studies to date have looked at the tapping habit itself, and not much is known about the reason behind it.
	New species of Jurassic pterosaur discovered on the Isle of Skye A new species of pterosaur from specimens found on the Isle of Skye, Scotland, has been announced by scientists from the Natural History Museum, University of Bristol, University of Leicester, and University of Liverpool.
	Making ends meet: Researchers find that a protein superglue is crucial for DNA damage repair Our DNA undergoes constant damage and repair. The most severe damage happens when the DNA breaks into two pieces, known as a double-strand DNA break. It creates two loose DNA ends that, if left unfixed, can lead to cell death. Researchers from the Biotechnology Center (BIOTEC) of the Dresden University of Technology have now answered the long-standing question of what keeps the broken DNA ends from being separated.
	New findings on Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron physiology under bile stress Researchers from the Würzburg Helmholtz Institute for RNA-based Infection Research (HIRI) deployed CRISPR interference for the first time for the functional characterization of the gut mutualist Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron. They identified a small ribonucleic acid (sRNA) that modulates the microorganisms' growth in the presence of bile.
	Fossils reveal plant–insect interactions across the Triassic–Jurassic boundary in south China A recent study of fossil plants reveals plant–insect interactions across the Triassic–Jurassic boundary in the Sichuan Basin, South China. This study was conducted by an international research team led by Prof. Wang Yongdong from the Nanjing Institute of Geology and Paleontology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (NIGPAS), in collaboration with Prof. Stephen McLoughlin from the Swedish Museum of Natural History.
	New research shows AI dog personality algorithm could match you with your new 'best friend' A multi-disciplinary research team specializing in canine behavior and artificial intelligence has developed an AI algorithm that automates the high-stakes process of evaluating potential working dogs' personalities. They hope to help dog training agencies more quickly and accurately assess which animals are likely to succeed long term in careers such as aiding law enforcement and assisting persons with disabilities.
	An ancient Australian air-breathing fish from 380 million years ago Alice Spring's Finke River (Larapinta), often cited as one of the oldest rivers in the world, once hosted waters teeming with bizarre animals—including a sleek predatory lobe-finned fish with large fangs and bony scales.
	Scientists develop new biocontainment method for industrial organisms Researchers in the Manchester Institute of Biotechnology (MIB) at The University of Manchester have developed a new biocontainment method for limiting the escape of genetically engineered organisms used in industrial processes.
	A new virus-like entity has just been discovered—'obelisks' explained Biological entities called obelisks have been hiding—in large numbers—inside the human mouth and gut. These microscopic entities, which were recently discovered by a team at Stanford University, are circular bits of genetic material that contain one or two genes and self-organize into a rod-like shape.
	Microfluidic environments alter microbe behaviors, opening potential for engineering their social evolution Microbes are social beings. Much like humans, they communicate and cooperate with each other to solve problems bigger than themselves. In a microbial community, there will even be free riders and others that police them.
	Researchers discover key to molecular mystery of how plants respond to changing conditions A team of researchers from the University of Massachusetts Amherst recently published a pioneering study that answers a central question in biology: How do organisms rally a wide range of cellular processes when they encounter a change—either internally or in the external environment—to thrive in good times or survive the bad times?
	Innovative detection system allows researchers to differentiate oak wilt and drought Oak forests play a vital role in our ecosystem, providing climate regulation and erosion control across North America. However, these forests face compounding threats from drought and oak wilt, and it can be challenging to tell these two issues apart.
	Research team identifies new approach to tackling bacterial infections Researchers at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai have identified a new approach to controlling bacterial infections. The findings are described in Nature Structural & Molecular Biology.
	Apex predators not a quick fix for restoring ecosystems, 20-year study finds A Colorado State University experiment spanning more than two decades has found that removal of apex predators from an ecosystem can create lasting changes that are not reversed after they return—at least, not for a very long time.
	India's tigers climb high as climate, human pressure rises Tigers in India have been photographed in high-altitude mountains rarely seen before, with experts suggesting relentless human pressure and a heating climate are driving them from traditional hunting grounds.
	Researchers serve up a guide to help kickstart new fermented foods Fermentation isn't just for beer or sourdough bread anymore. University of Alberta research published in the Annual Review of Food Science and Technology is honing in on how to best choose new bacterial cultures to dish up to food manufacturers for fermenting new plant-based products.
	Global warming and invasive species threaten seagrass meadows in the Mediterranean The rise in sea temperature and salinity in the Mediterranean and the immigration of invasive species could endanger the structure and biodiversity of its seagrass meadows, which play an essential role in the marine environment.
	Scientists study levels of toxic mercury in Antarctic seals, whales A gunshot interrupts the peaceful sleep of a leopard seal, lying nonchalantly on a small piece of ice floating in the shadow of an Antarctic glacier.
	New research shows how bats 'leapfrog' their way home at night A silent ballet takes place above our heads at night as Britain's bat populations leave their roosts to forage for food. Although their initial movement away from roosts is fairly well understood, until recently little was known about how they returned home.
	Berry tasty: The fruits emerging from new breeding and processing Research is helping strawberries and raspberries become more resilient to climate change and snacks become healthier.
	Perils of pet scat—so much more than just unsightly and smelly, it can spread disease Have you ever been out on a walk, and as you take that next step, you feel the slippery squish of feces under your foot?
	Microplastics found in Nile River's tilapia fish The Nile is one of the world's most famous rivers. It's also Africa's most important freshwater system. About 300 million people live in the 11 countries it flows through. Many rely on its waters for agriculture and fishing to make a living.
	Is your pet exposed to secondhand smoke? Here are the (serious) health risks Our pets share our homes, lifestyles, and sometimes even our food and beds. For many pets, this close contact with humans can include exposure to secondhand smoke from cigarettes and other air pollutants. This may have serious health consequences for our animal companions.
	Two new freshwater fungi species in China enhance biodiversity knowledge Researchers have discovered two new freshwater hyphomycete (mold) species, Acrogenospora alangii and Conioscypha yunnanensis, in southwestern China.
	Decoding the molecular networks of early human development New international research shines a light on the role of transcription factors during early embryonic development. Transcription factors are proteins that are critical for gene regulation. The study unveiled more than 1,000 protein–protein interactions, particularly spotlighting the previously underappreciated paired-like homeobox (PRDL) family of transcription factors that are active only in early embryonic stages.
	FrogID has just logged its one millionth frog The world's largest frog project has thrived because of citizen scientists using the FrogID app, the brainchild of a UNSW biologist.
	Beam me up: Using lasers to detect moth migrations The year is 1941. The British military is installing new-age radar systems to detect German aircraft bound for Great Britain, intent on destruction. Fast forward to 2024. Researchers at North Carolina State University are installing advanced laser-based systems to detect another flying foe: Moths.
	Ultrasound can save fish in hydropower rivers The phenomenon of gas supersaturation occurs when air enters water-filled hydropower inlets and is then exposed to high pressure. When this water is subsequently released into the river below the hydropower plant, it's almost like opening a bottle of champagne, filling the river with bubbles.
	New insights into how epilancin 15X kills bacteria Antimicrobial resistance has emerged as a global threat that requires urgent attention. In a new study published in Frontiers in Microbiology, researchers have investigated how the antibiotic epilancin 15X kills bacteria.
	Unlocking artemisinin production secrets in Artemisia annua: The role of DBR2-like gene variations Artemisia annua is the only known plant source of potent antimalarial artemisinins, and its chemotypes are classified as low- and high-artemisinin producing (LAP and HAP). However, the different mechanisms of artemisinin production by these two chemotypes are still not fully understood.
	Manipulating host defenses: Unveiling the role of a powdery mildew effector in grapevine infection Powdery mildew, caused by Erysiphe necator, is a significant threat to grapevine health, utilizing secreted effector proteins (CSEPs) to suppress plant defenses. Despite knowledge of plant immune mechanisms, the specific roles of E. necator's CSEPs in infection remain largely unknown.
	Metals could reveal corals' past lives Coral reefs worldwide face dire threats from ocean warming, increasing acidification, pollution, and other stressors. Understanding how corals respond to stress and how they evolved along with their environments is critical for designing interventions to protect reef ecosystems.
	RNA splicing regulation discovery provides insight into bone diseases In today's aging societies, bone and joint diseases are becoming increasingly common. For example, in Japan alone, over 12 million people suffer from osteoporosis, a condition that severely weakens bones and makes them fragile. If we are to find effective treatments for such disorders, understanding the cellular processes involved in the maintenance of bone and joint tissue is an essential first step.
	Pore power: High-speed droplet production in microfluidic devices Over the past two decades, microfluidic devices, which use technology to produce micrometer-sized droplets, have become crucial to various applications. These span chemical reactions, biomolecular analysis, soft-matter chemistry, and the production of fine materials.
	Complex tree canopies found to help forests recover from moderate disturbances Extreme events wipe out entire forests, dramatically eliminating complex ecosystems as well as local communities. Researchers have become quite familiar with such attention-grabbing events over the years. They know less, however, about the more common moderate-severity disturbances, such as relatively small fires, ice storms, and outbreaks of pests or pathogens.
	Reasons not to hug, snuggle or kiss chicks and chickens Sometimes it hurts to dispel facts with science, but a Texas A&M AgriLife expert said even though there is a National Snuggle a Chicken Day (celebrated on Jan. 8), he hopes people don't hug and kiss baby chicks and chickens without proper awareness and precautions.
	Florida zoo welcomes furry baby Hoffman's two-toed sloth An adorable, furry baby Hoffman's two-toed sloth has made its debut at zoo in Florida.
	Unveiling biosynthesis of hyperoside: A pathway to sustainable production in Hypericum monogynum Hyperoside, a beneficial flavonoid galactoside found in both medicinal and edible plants, plays a critical role in plant growth, self-defense, and breeding, as well as in human health through its numerous pharmacological properties. However, the biosynthetic pathway of hyperoside in plants, including its original source, Hypericaceae, has not been systematically elucidated yet.
	Uncovering genetic metabolite markers associated with anthracnose resistance to blueberry fruit rot Anthracnose fruit rot (AFR), caused by the fungal pathogen Colletotrichum fioriniae, is the most destructive and widespread fruit disease of blueberry, impacting fruit quality and yield. The reliance on fungicides prompts the need for sustainable solutions, highlighting the importance of breeding AFR-resistant cultivars. Research points to quercetin glycosides in blueberries with potential antifungal properties against AFR, yet the genetic and biochemical underpinnings of resistance are poorly understood. This knowledge gap underscores the urgency to explore the genetic basis and phytochemical defenses against AFR to develop environmentally friendly, resistant blueberry varieties.

Medicine and Health news

	New cell therapy shows promise with acute respiratory distress syndrome patients Promising trial results indicate that a new type of cell therapy could improve the prognosis of those who are critically ill with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) resulting from severe COVID-19.
	Healthy living builds 'cognitive reserve' in brain that may prevent dementia New research suggests healthy lifestyles can help stave off dementia, perhaps by building a resilient 'cognitive reserve' in the aging brain.
	Extra fingers and hearts: Pinpointing changes to our genetic instructions that disrupt development Our genomes provide the instructions for proper growth and development. Millions of genomic switches, known as enhancers, control the location and timing of gene expression, which in turn ensures the correct proteins are made in the right cells at the right time throughout our lives.
	Italian scientists reveal a mechanism of resistance pancreatic cancer cells use to evade therapies Italian scientists from Università Cattolica at Rome have discovered an important genetic mechanism that pancreatic cancer cells employ to evade therapies, paving the way to new drugs for a killer disease. The tumor evades treatments by implementing a "favorable genetic reshuffling," strategically playing its best cards to thwart cures.
	Study finds COVID vaccine for pregnant women safe for newborn infants Results of the largest study, to date, on the safety of newborn babies whose mothers were vaccinated against COVID-19 during pregnancy show no increased risks for babies, and for some serious neonatal complications—lower risks. The study is a collaboration between Swedish and Norwegian researchers and is published in the journal JAMA.
	A common add-on in IVF may be an expensive waste of time, study reveals One of the most common add-ons to IVF procedures undertaken in Australia and globally by infertile couples may be a waste of time as well as expensive and invasive, and maybe even reduce the chances of success, according to a report in The Lancet.
	Study identifies molecular mechanisms of rare neurodevelopmental disorder Investigators from the laboratory of Alicia Guemez-Gamboa, Ph.D., assistant professor of neuroscience, have discovered new molecular mechanisms of PACS1 syndrome, a rare neurodevelopmental disorder, according to findings published in Nature Communications.
	Researchers develop a robust platform to generate cells to enhance cancer immunotherapy efficacy A joint research team has used stem cells to generate human immune cells for application in cancer immunotherapy. By replicating the natural process through which our bodies generate immune cells, this breakthrough platform is expected to significantly enhance cancer-targeting efficacy.
	World-first discovery may enable an effective long-term lupus treatment Australian researchers have worked out how to fix a defect that causes lupus, and hope their world-first discovery will offer effective long-term treatment.
	Scientists develop experimental medication that shows promise in treating diabetic macular edema Diabetes can lead to eye problems, and a common one is diabetic macular edema (DME), causing vision loss. A study published in Nature Medicine suggests a new experimental drug could someday help make treatment of DME more successful and longer-lasting.
	New growth factor for the liver identified A healthy liver is capable of completely regenerating itself. Researchers from Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf (HHU), University Hospital Düsseldorf (UKD) and the German Diabetes Center (DDZ) have now identified the growth factor MYDGF (Myeloid-Derived Growth Factor), which is important for this regenerative capacity.
	Immune networks in tumors found to prime responses to personalized immunotherapy Through an analysis of tumor samples collected over time from patients with advanced melanoma, a Ludwig Cancer Research study has identified a set of preexisting conditions in tumors that predict whether such patients are likely to respond to a personalized immunotherapy known as adoptive T-cell therapy (ACT) using tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL).
	New study identifies gene believed to be responsible for ALS and dementia Researchers at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine have discovered why a gene, when mutated, is a common cause of two debilitating brain diseases: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD).
	Examining how T cells combat tuberculosis La Jolla Institute for Immunology (LJI) is working to guide the development of new tuberculosis vaccines and drug therapies. Now, a team of LJI scientists has uncovered important clues to how human T cells combat Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacterium that causes TB. Their findings were published recently in Nature Communications.
	Treating and preventing abnormal heart beats with stem cell muscle grafts New research conducted at The Westmead Institute for Medical Research (WIMR) has solved a complication that could occur following an experimental procedure to repair damaged heart muscle. Currently, when a heart muscle is repaired with stem cells, there is a risk of developing an abnormal heartbeat. The research, conducted on animal models, has found a way to identify cells that are likely to have an abnormal beat, and that a combination therapy of existing drugs can control and potentially stop this abnormality.
	Mapping changes to metabolic pathways during pregnancy A large team of ob-gyns, regenerative medicine and fetal development specialists and metabolic researchers in China has tested macaques and mapped many of the changes that happen to metabolic pathways in primates during pregnancy.
	A machine learning framework that encodes images like a retina EPFL researchers have developed a machine learning approach to compressing image data with greater accuracy than learning-free computation methods, with applications for retinal implants and other sensory prostheses.
	Study reveals fatty acids hold clue to creating memories Researchers at the University of Queensland have revealed the crucial role of saturated fatty acids in the brain's consolidation of memories.
	Researchers create a new tool to rapidly diagnose genetic mutations Dr. Pierre Billon, Ph.D., was frustrated with the time it took to get genetic analysis done at specialized private labs. The results of the DNA samples that he needed for his research weren't available for weeks and sometimes months. Outsourcing to genome facilities was also expensive.
	Exposure to gun violence is associated with suicidal behavior in Black adults Black adults who have been exposed to gun violence are more likely to have lifetime suicidal ideation, according to a study by Rutgers Health researchers.
	Experimental compound extends life in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis mouse model UT Southwestern Medical Center researchers have identified an experimental molecular compound that improved survival among cellular models and mouse models of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), the fatal neurodegenerative disease. Their findings, reported in Cell Death & Disease, offer promise for the potential development of treatments for ALS, which has no effective therapy.
	Study finds Schwann cells play a vital role in pain and touch sensations Special receptor cells under the skin enable us to feel pain and touch. But Schwann cells also play a key role in detecting such stimuli, researchers at the Max Delbrück Center report in Nature Communications. This discovery opens new avenues for pain therapy.
	Heart-on-a-chip: A microfluidic marvel shaping the future of cardiovascular research In a major step forward in drug development, researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have developed a tool for building a system known as heart-on-a-chip (HoC).
	Flu virus variants resistant to new antiviral drug candidate lose pathogenicity, study finds Influenza A viruses with induced resistance to a new candidate antiviral drug were found to be impaired in cell culture and weakened in animals, according to a study by researchers in the Center for Translational Antiviral Research at Georgia State University.
	Newly discovered genetic malfunction causes rare lung disease In a recent study, investigators from Rockefeller University and other institutions have discovered a never-before-documented genetic disorder that causes the improper functioning of macrophages.
	Study finds strongest evidence to date of brain's ability to compensate for age-related cognitive decline Scientists have found the strongest evidence yet that our brains can compensate for age-related deterioration by recruiting other areas to help with brain function and maintain cognitive performance.
	Research team discovers potential Alzheimer's drug A potential new drug to prevent Alzheimer's disease in people with the so-called Alzheimer's gene has been discovered by a University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) research team led by Sue Griffin, Ph.D.
	Odors may prompt certain brain cells to make decisions Researchers at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus have discovered that odors stimulate specific brain cells that may play a role in rapid "go/no-go" decision-making.
	Prior Zika infection increases risk of subsequent severe dengue and hospitalization, study concludes A study led by Brazilian researchers shows that people who have had the Zika virus run a higher risk of subsequently having severe dengue and being hospitalized. The finding is highly relevant to the development of a Zika vaccine.
	New platform provides deep insights into T cell responses against novel cancer vaccine BioMed X and the Universitätsmedizin Mannheim (UMM) announced the publication of two manuscripts in the field of cancer immunology in the journal Science Advances. The main objective of the collaboration was to understand the role of specific T cell responses in a patient with an aggressive subtype of diffuse glioma who showed sustained remission after receiving a neoepitope peptide vaccine at the University Hospital Mannheim.
	New analysis reveals many excess deaths attributed to natural causes are actually uncounted COVID-19 deaths A new study provides the most compelling data yet to suggest that excess mortality rates from chronic illnesses and other natural causes were actually driven by COVID-19 infections, disproving high-profile claims that have attributed these deaths to other factors such as COVID vaccinations and shelter-in-place policies.
	Preterm births linked to 'hormone disruptor' chemicals may cost the United States billions Daily exposure to chemicals used in the manufacture of plastic food containers and many cosmetics may be tied to nearly 56,600 preterm births in the U.S. in 2018, a new study shows. The resulting medical costs, the authors of the report say, were estimated to reach a minimum of $1.6 billion and as much as $8.1 billion over the lifetime of the children.
	New research shows that ultrasound can be used to detect placenta problems in small unborn babies A Doppler ultrasound that measures the blood flow of small unborn babies can reveal whether or not the placenta is working properly. In case of repeated deviations from these Doppler measurements, additional monitoring of the unborn baby would be necessary. Such deviations indicate a higher risk of oxygen deficiency and other health problems for the baby. This study by Amsterdam UMC in collaboration with UMC Groningen and 17 other Dutch hospitals is published in the British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.
	Police seizures of psychedelic drugs are soaring throughout the US, study shows Seizures by law enforcement officials of psilocybin, a compound found in psychedelic mushrooms, have increased by 369% since 2017, a new study shows. The authors say their findings may signal growing availability and public awareness of the hallucinogenic drug, along with possible heightened risks associated with recreational and unsupervised use of the drug.
	Sudarshan kriya yoga shows benefits for physician well-being Sudarshan Kriya yoga (SKY) may aid physician well-being and mental health, according to a study published online Jan. 31 in JAMA Network Open.
	Clinician decision support can reduce unspecified testing in primary care, study suggests For older primary care patients, clinician decision support can reduce unspecified testing compared with traditional case-based education alone, according to a study published online Feb. 6 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
	Leisure-time physical activity linked to lower odds of falls Participation in leisure-time physical activity at the recommended level or above is associated with reduced odds of noninjurious and injurious falls, according to a study published online Jan. 31 in JAMA Network Open.
	FDA panel addresses accuracy issues with pulse oximeters and skin tone On Friday, a U.S. Food and Drug Administration advisory panel addressed the ongoing issue of less accurate readings from pulse oximeters when used by individuals with darker skin.
	Endolymphatic hydrops asymmetry can distinguish Meniere disease patients from controls Endolymphatic hydrops (EH) asymmetry can differentiate patients with Meniere disease (MD) from normal controls, according to a study published online Dec. 21 in Frontiers in Neurology.
	Study finds patients with polycystic ovary syndrome have increased risk for suicide Patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) have an increased risk for suicide, according to a study published online Feb. 6 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
	How does Zika virus replicate and transmit from mother to fetus? In 2015, an outbreak of Zika virus, driven by a heavy rain season and subsequent boom in the virus's host mosquito population, caused thousands of babies in Brazil to be born with severe birth defects. Zika virus is unique among flaviviruses, which also include West Nile, dengue and yellow fever viruses, in its ability to transmit from an infected mother to her unborn child.
	Cancer patients who suffered a major adverse financial event more likely to be diagnosed with advanced stage disease New findings led by researchers at the American Cancer Society (ACS) and the National Cancer Institute (NCI) show more than one-third of cancer patients had a major adverse financial event—bankruptcy, lien, or eviction—before their cancer diagnosis. These patients with adverse financial events (AFEs) had a later-stage diagnosis compared with patients with no events. The findings are published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
	South American cities release mosquitoes to stem disease When Waldeir Barbosa da Silva explained to his family that he was going to release hundreds of thousands of mosquitoes into the open, infected with a bacterium, they were surprised.
	New DNA methylation-based method for precise assessment of pancreas cell composition In a study published in Diabetes, Prof. Yuval Dor and his research team from Hebrew University have introduced a new approach for accurately assessing cell composition in the human pancreas and islets. The research addresses a critical need in understanding the genesis of diabetes and offers an alternative to traditional protein marker-based methods.
	As cancer treatment advances, patients and doctors push back against drugs' harsh side effects For cancer patients, the harsh side effects of powerful drugs have long been the trade-off for living longer. Now, patients and doctors are questioning whether all that suffering is necessary.
	Study reveals gap in cancer screening for First Nations people A study by The University of Western Australia has found disparities in cancer screenings for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the Northern Territory.
	Re-excision rates after breast-conserving surgery pose ongoing challenges, high reoperation rates and costs Rates of re-excision after initial breast-conserving surgery in women with breast cancer remain high across the United States, leading to an increased cost of care and a higher risk of postoperative complications, according to new research from UTHealth Houston.
	Trial finds that mobile patient lifts help ICU patients recover A recent randomized, controlled trial in Tokyo, Japan, has unveiled the positive impact of early mobilization, assisted by mobile patient lifts, on the recovery of ventilated intensive care unit (ICU) patients. The debate surrounding the efficacy of early mobilization in ICU has persisted for an extended period.
	Males born to obese mothers more likely to suffer health issues as adults, study finds Males born to obese women are more likely to be overweight at birth and develop metabolic complications in later life, including liver disease and diabetes. The way that male sex hormones activate pathways in the developing liver is partly to blame.
	Heavy cannabis use increases risk of developing an anxiety disorder, study suggests According to new research, 27% of individuals who had an emergency department visit for cannabis use developed a new anxiety disorder within three years.
	The uncertain fate of patients needing life-saving dialysis treatment in Gaza More than 100 days into the brutal assault on Gaza, over 27,000 Palestinians have been killed—of whom 60 percent have been children and women—and 66,000 injured, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
	Genetic diseases: How scientists are working to make DNA repair (almost) a piece of cake I have always been fascinated by genetics, a branch of biology that helps explain everything from the striking resemblance between different members of a family to the fact that strawberry plants are frost-resistant. It's an impressive field!
	No more BMI, diets or 'bad' foods: Why changing how we teach kids about weight and nutrition is long overdue How many of us recall having to calculate our body-mass index (BMI) as children at school, prompting comparisons of our weight with that of our peers? Or perhaps we remember references to calories and diets in the classroom.
	Q&A: How 'Ozempic shaming' illuminates complexities of treating weight problems The frenzy of demand for new, FDA-approved drugs like Ozempic, used to treat diabetes, has been fueled in part by reports that celebrities like Oprah Winfrey, Elon Musk, and various social media influencers have lost significant amounts of weight in relatively short time. But it also hit a cultural nerve.
	Blood cancer discovery identifies high-risk patients, could improve outcomes University of Virginia Cancer Center researchers have developed a new way to identify patients with acute myeloid leukemia who are at high risk of poor outcomes, which could one day lead to more tailored treatments and improved patient results.
	What do your blood test results mean? A toxicologist explains the basics of how to interpret them Your blood serves numerous roles to maintain your health. To carry out these functions, blood contains a multitude of components, including red blood cells that transport oxygen, nutrients and hormones; white blood cells that remove waste products and support the immune system; plasma that regulates temperature; and platelets that help with clotting.
	Children's high-impact sports can be abuse—experts explain why Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is a brain disorder likely caused by repeated head injuries. It was first described as dementia pugilistica and punch drunk syndrome almost 100 years ago. CTE continues to be a serious risk associated with high-impact sports, such as boxing, American football and rugby.
	Dietary supplements and protein powders a 'wild west' of unregulated products Dietary supplements are a big business. The industry made almost US$39 billion in revenue in 2022, and with very little regulation and oversight, it stands to keep growing.
	Diabetic retinopathy tied to lower vision-related quality of life Vision-related quality of life (VRQoL) declines with the presence and higher severity of diabetic retinopathy (DR), according to a review published online Feb. 1 in JAMA Ophthalmology.
	Mixed reality feasible for reducing anxiety in blood donors Mixed reality (MR) is feasible and safe and may reduce anxiety among blood donors, according to a study published online Jan. 29 in Transfusion.
	Diagnosed with macular degeneration? Here's what you need to know Age-related macular degeneration can lead to vision loss in seniors, but new therapies have offered fresh hope for preserving eyesight later in life, eye experts say.
	Vaccines may work better if arms are alternated for each shot When getting vaccines, switching arms for each dose may produce greater immunity than having the jabs delivered into the same arm.
	CDC restarts national anti-smoking campaign, with focus on menthols The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has resumed a national campaign that uses the stories of former smokers to warn Americans about the many health dangers of tobacco.
	Surge in syphilis cases leads some providers to ration penicillin When Stephen Miller left his primary care practice to work in public health a little under two years ago, he said, he was shocked by how many cases of syphilis the clinic was treating.
	Youth drinking is declining—myths about the trend busted Alcohol consumption among younger generations has been declining for years. And with many pubs and cocktail bars now catering to the sober and "sober curious", it's easier than ever to opt out.
	Engineers develop model to better understand injuries to babies caused by violent shaking Shaking a baby violently can cause head and neck injuries, blindness and in some cases even death. Researchers at TU Delft, faculty of Mechanical Engineering, are using a dummy baby and computer models to map the accelerations that act on the head during shaking. They want to be able to assess the risk of injury more accurately. This could eventually lead to more clarity in legal cases on the subject.
	New guidelines for genetics research focus on equity, inclusion Researchers at the University of Oregon have come up with new recommendations designed to promote inclusive and equitable genetics research, an area where medical science has had a checkered history.
	Can taking a plunge in icy water after your workout be beneficial? From ice bucket challenges to polar plunges, people have embraced being doused with or dunked in icy water to raise money for their favorite causes. But can cold water immersion have benefits beyond fundraising?
	New models show how human behavior influences pandemic trends Nearly four years after the first case of COVID-19 reached the United States, researchers want to learn more about what impacted varying rates of the virus' outbreak and spread. One question in particular piqued the interest of a team of researchers across the country: Why were there such varied COVID-19 death rates across the world, even though implemented policies were not that different?
	How a coronary calcium scan assesses heart attack risk Do you know your risk of coronary artery disease, the most common form of heart disease?
	Are environmental toxins reducing men's fertility? In a study that signals potential reproductive and health complications in humans, now and for future generations, researchers from McGill University, the University of Pretoria, Université Laval, Aarhus University, and the University of Copenhagen, have concluded that fathers exposed to environmental toxins, notably DDT, may produce sperm with health consequences for their children.
	Consistent health insurance is critical for pediatric cancer patients, finds study Inconsistent Medicaid enrollment was associated with a higher risk of death in pediatric cancer patients, according to a new study from the Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis.
	Long and irregular work hours may impair sleep People who have atypical work patterns, such as shift workers and those who work on the weekend, have worse quality and quantity of sleep, compared to those who work a typical 35–40 hour week, according to a new study.
	Researcher explores sex-specific features of HIV Early in her career, Johns Hopkins physician-scientist Eileen Scully began to explore ways that viral infections such as HIV, SARS-CoV-2 and tuberculosis manifest differently in individuals. One particular interest: The differences between biological males and females in how HIV is acquired and how it progresses.
	Gender wage gaps persist among health care workers Though women perform 77% of health care jobs nationally, gender wage gaps persist, potentially contributing to lower lifetime earnings for millions of women and deterring professional advancement.
	A breast cancer drug, susceptible to resistance, can be restored to effectiveness, researchers demonstrate In a new paper published in Cancer Research, researchers at MUSC Hollings Cancer Center have shown that targeting a protein called TACC3 (transforming acidic coiled-coil containing protein 3) can restore the effectiveness of the breast cancer drug T-DM1 if the cancer cells have developed resistance.
	Study finds cost-driven housing moves lead to disruptions in federal assistance programs Across the United States, a growing number of families with low income are being displaced from their homes due to inability to afford rising housing costs.
	Factors other than weaker variants behind reduced mortality in COVID-19: Study Researchers at Karolinska Institutet, together with partners in the Horizon Europe EuCARE project, have shown that the reduced mortality from COVID-19 is not necessarily due to the fact that later variants, such as omicron, have been less severe. Rather, the reduced mortality seems to be due to several other factors, such as immunity from previous vaccinations and previous infections.
	Research reveals heat stress risks for construction workers One of the first steps towards improving anything is awareness. Risks, dangers, and problems can often be resolved, as long as someone is waving the red flag.
	Advances in pediatric sepsis biomarkers: A pediatric investigation review Sepsis is a life-threatening condition triggered by a severe infection. Severe sepsis and septic shock are progressive stages of sepsis associated with multi-organ failure and death. Mortality for pediatric sepsis ranges from 4% to 50%, depending on illness severity, risk factors, and geographic location. The risk of recurrence after surviving severe sepsis is significantly high in most cases.
	Review explores personalized brain mapping and navigated neuromodulation Brain atlases aid in understanding the intricate human brain, supporting research on functional circuits, behaviors, and diagnostics. They come in structural and functional forms, revealing anatomy and active areas during processes.
	Research examines benefits of perioperative radiotherapy for treating liver cancer with high recurrence risk More than two-thirds of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who receive surgical interventions experience recurrence owing to lack of an established perioperative treatment. Now, researchers from Korea University have performed a meta-analysis to examine the oncological benefits of administering radiotherapy before or after surgery. The findings suggest that perioperative radiotherapy decreases the chances of recurrence in patients, improving their survival rate.
	Researchers show first clear relationship between amount of CTE pathology, severity of symptoms Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is a neurodegenerative disease defined by hyperphosphorylated tau (p-tau) protein accumulating in a particular pattern in specific regions of the brain. Currently, CTE can only be diagnosed at autopsy. Like similar brain diseases, the clinical symptoms in life of people diagnosed with CTE after death can vary, and there has been robust debate as to what symptoms, if any, are caused by CTE pathology.
	Could artificial intelligence help or hurt medical research articles? Since its introduction to the public in November 2022, ChatGPT, an artificial intelligence system, has substantially grown in use, creating written stories, graphics, art, and more with just a short prompt from the user. But when it comes to scientific, peer-reviewed research, could the tool be useful?
	Improving functional recovery of the brain and heart after traumatic brain injury A new study in the Journal of Neurotrauma has shown that Angiotensin II type 2 receptor (AT2R) activation improves neurological and cardiac deficiencies caused by traumatic brain injury (TBI) in mice. AT2R activation is known to exert protective roles in the brain and heart.
	Understanding neurodiversity across the UK population: Study A new study has provided insight into how experiences and features of neurodiversity vary among adults in the UK.
	Alterations in the blood immune system found to increase cancer risk An international team of researchers has identified the genetic basis and biological processes that influence cancer risk related to alterations in the number of immune cells present in the blood. This is a significant advance in understanding how the immune system can prevent the appearance of tumors.
	Women may find it harder to adjust to later life divorce and break-ups than men Women may find it harder to emotionally adjust to divorce or a relationship breakup in later life than men do, if patterns of antidepressant use are indicative, suggests a large long-term study published online in the Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health.
	We must tackle female ageism in sports and exercise science, urge researchers Action is urgently needed to address the dearth of older women in sports and exercise science, not only for the sake of the growing numbers of female athletes, but women's health in general, urge a group of international researchers in an editorial, published online in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.
	Study: Using Nutrition Facts labels linked to healthier eating choices among 8th and 11th grade students Using the Nutrition Facts labels to make food choices is significantly associated with healthy eating among 8th and 11th grade students in Texas, although the proportion of students using nutrition labels to make their food choices is low, according to research from UTHealth Houston.
	Trust in doctors, not public officials, boosts COVID-19 vaccination "Trust me, I'm a doctor." While this expression has become an advertising slogan and meme, physicians and nurses continually rank among the most trusted professions in the U.S.
	Study finds novel weight-loss telewellness program makes financial sense Community-based, online weight loss programs focused on physical and spiritual needs are a cost-effective way to improve wellness among vulnerable populations, according to a new economic analysis.
	Epigenetic drift underlies epigenetic clock signals, but responds uniquely to various factors A new research paper titled "Epigenetic drift underlies epigenetic clock signals, but displays distinct responses to lifespan interventions, development, and cellular dedifferentiation" has been published in Aging.
	High weekly physical activity levels linked to lower kidney disease risk in diabetes and overweight/obesity Clocking up high weekly levels of moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity is linked to a lower risk of developing chronic kidney disease in overweight/obese people with type 2 diabetes, finds research published online in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.
	Open fireplaces could decrease life expectancy by up to 1.6 years, suggests modeling study A recent study published in the Journal of Building Engineering shows that using open fireplaces for housewarming can decrease your life expectancy for up to 1.6 years, due to the fine particles that are emitted in the firewood combustion. These are the results of an experimental and computational modeling study led by the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Lisbon.
	Exploring perceptions of manhood and masculinities among disabled violently injured Black men Black men with firearm-acquired disabilities face negative physical and psychological impacts on their manhood, independence and mobility, according to a Rutgers Health study.
	Making art shows promise in residential treatment setting for substance abuse disorder Art therapy is a common activity for people receiving treatment for a substance use disorder, but the therapeutic value of making art as part of treatment programs hasn't been researched sufficiently.
	Study suggests improvements needed for patient-reported outcome data in genitourinary cancer clinical studies Patient-reported outcomes are important indicators of how cancer drugs impact patients' lives. By assessing the benefits and risks of drugs from a patient's perspective, scientists and physicians can improve the development of patient-centered drugs and care.
	Novartis to swallow German cancer-drug maker Swiss pharmaceutical giant Novartis said this week it had agreed to buy German biotech firm MorphoSys for 2.7 billion euros ($2.9 billion), giving it access to a new blood cancer treatment.
	Study: Chemoradiotherapy patients more likely to have mixed infections and should start antibiotic therapy immediately Pulmonary malignancy is one of the most frequent and fatal cancers in older patients. Studies have shown that lung cancer patients have a high incidence of lower respiratory tract infections. This is due to the fact that these patients usually have airway obstruction, sticky sputum that is not easy to cough up, destruction of mucosal surfaces, and treatment with radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
	A study in the Australian state of Victoria finds overall decrease in abortion rates La Trobe University researchers have credited new contraceptive methods, such as long-acting reversible contraceptives, for the overall decrease in abortion rates among child-bearing women in Victoria, despite regional and rural areas witnessing an increase. These and other findings are reported in the Medical Journal of Australia.
	Child health and the US pediatric subspecialty workforce: Planning for the future Colin Orr, MD, MPH, assistant professor in the Department of Pediatrics, is a co-author of a supplement article published in Pediatrics on Feb. 1.
	Baseline findings among hospitalized mucormycosis patients: A multicentric ambispective cohort study in India Mucormycosis is a relatively rare but serious fungal infection increasingly recognized for its poor prognosis and high mortality. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the incidence of mucormycosis reached high levels during 2021–2022 in India.
	Researchers demonstrate that a machine learning model predicts oxaliplatin benefit The current standard of care for treating patients with stage 3 colon cancer is to use adjuvant therapy with FOLFOX, a combination of the drugs fluorouracil, leucovorin, and oxaliplatin. Although effective, the use of oxaliplatin can lead to known adverse events, mainly neurotoxicity that may be chronic.
	Brazil on dengue fever alert ahead of carnival Sao Paulo opened an emergency operations center Tuesday to deal with a surge in dengue fever cases that has hit Brazil and South America just as millions of tourists arrive for carnival celebrations.

Other Sciences news

	How a city is organized can create less-biased citizens The city you live in could be making you, your family, and your friends more unconsciously racist. Or, your city might make you less racist. It depends on how populous, diverse, and segregated your city is, according to a new study that brings together the math of cities with the psychology of how individuals develop unconscious racial biases.
	AI reads ancient scroll buried by Vesuvius eruption Three researchers on Monday won a $700,000 prize for using artificial intelligence to read a 2,000-year-old scroll that was scorched in the eruption of Mount Vesuvius.
	Ancient DNA helps researchers elucidate the structure of a prehistoric community from Southeast Asia Deciduous and evergreen forests dominate the limestone karst formations of the northwestern highlands of Thailand. A vast number of caves and rock shelters intersperse the mountains.
	Reading on screens instead of paper is a less effective way to absorb and retain information, suggests research Research suggests that reading on screens is a less effective way to absorb and retain information than reading the old-fashioned way, but why? And when so many of us are noticing shortening attention spans, how do we learn to concentrate on books again?
	The influence of voting advice web tools is limited during elections with authoritarian candidates, study shows The influence of online vote advice tools designed to help voters discover more about candidates is limited when elections are affected by authoritarianism, a recent study shows.
	Green space vital to student well-being during COVID-19 pandemic, finds study Access to green space played an important part in protecting the mental well-being of students when the country was in its third national lockdown due to COVID-19.
	Female food-delivery riders in China falsely accused of selling sex—what it tells us about women in the workplace Life isn't easy for the approximately 1 million women working as takeaway delivery riders in China. Though their numbers appear to be rising as delivering food is convenient for fitting around childcare or retraining for new careers, these women have to live with gender pay gaps and various other inequities.
	Researchers: Black travelers want authentic engagement, not check boxes After the murder of George Floyd in 2020, when travel brands—including Delta Air Lines, Hilton and Enterprise—pronounced their support for diversity and the Black Lives Matter movement, our research group was motivated to conduct a study that collected data of the travel experiences of more than 5,000 Black people and people of color.
	Driving the best possible bargain now isn't the best long-term strategy, according to game theory Conventional wisdom says that you should never leave money on the table when negotiating. But research in my field suggests this could be exactly the wrong approach.
	Opinion: Peer review isn't perfect—I teach others how to do it and I've seen firsthand how it comes up short When I teach research methods, a major focus is peer review. As a process, peer review evaluates academic papers for their quality, integrity and impact on a field, largely shaping what scientists accept as "knowledge." By instinct, any academic follows up a new idea with the question, "Was that peer reviewed?"
	Artificial intelligence for the financial market: Machine learning can enhance stock return prediction In the complex world of financial markets, accurately forecasting stock prices is a significant challenge. One approach relies on enhancing the information from stock market anomalies, factors influencing a stock's return. Traditional methods that combine information from these anomalies often reach their limits, especially in global stock investments.
	Generative AI in the classroom risks further threatening Indigenous inclusion in schools It is well documented that Australian teachers face challenges incorporating Indigenous perspectives and content in their classrooms. The approach can sometimes be somewhat tokenistic, as if the teacher is "ticking a box". We need a more culturally responsive teaching workforce.
	Study identifies ways to better help children experiencing homelessness A new qualitative study of families experiencing homelessness suggests public service systems need to do a better job of working with parents to support homeless children. The study also identifies key barriers limiting children's access to support programs, such as unrealistic eligibility requirements and a failure to make parents aware of existing programs.
	Social media algorithms amplify misogynistic content to teens: Report Social media algorithms amplify extreme content, such as misogynistic posts, which normalizes harmful ideologies for young people, finds a new report co-authored by Professor Nicola Shaughnessy from the University's School of Arts.
	How AI could change our relationship with religion Science and faith are often kept in two distinct boxes that hardly ever intersect. However, I believe that as AI becomes more mainstream, it will fundamentally alter our engagement with faith and spirituality.
	Do digital technologies offer a better way to loan people money? A new paper in the Quarterly Journal of Economics finds that a new form of digital technology—essentially preventing people from using an asset for which they have a loan if they don't make payments, rather than repossessing the asset itself—may be a better way for lenders to secure loans, particularly for loan recipients in developing countries.
	Household food waste reduced through whole-family food literacy intervention Food waste is a global issue, with the estimated value of wasted food totaling $230 billion CAD in 2023. In Canada, estimates suggest half of the food wasted occurs at the household level, which roughly equals $1,000 CAD per family per year. A recent research brief in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior has demonstrated the feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness of a family-based food literacy program that promotes meal preparation and food waste reduction.
	New research describes how ADHD gives entrepreneurs an edge The brains of people with ADHD function in ways that can benefit them as entrepreneurs, according to research from the West Virginia University John Chambers College of Business and Economics.
	Does naming a behavior encourage people to do it? A new study says yes Researchers from Zeppelin University, University of Cologne, and UNSW Sydney have published a new study that explores marketing uses for "behavioral labeling," or giving behaviors specific names or tags to encourage people to adopt those behaviors.
	Archaeologists probe mysterious Canadian shipwreck A shipwreck believed to date from the 19th century has washed up on the snow-covered shores of Canada's Atlantic island province of Newfoundland, attracting a bevy of looky-loos and archaeologists probing its mysterious past.
	Preliminary research finds children already exercise caution online but also calls for stronger safety measures Children routinely interact with people they don't know online and respond with caution when approached, but they want tech companies and governments to do more to keep them safe according to preliminary research findings released on Safer Internet Day.
	Report finds that four people die in custody every week in Scotland A new report led by the University of Glasgow has revealed 244 people have died while detained in custody or under the control of the state in a one-year period in Scotland—an average of four every week.

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