Science X Newsletter Wed, Feb 14

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Here is your customized Science X Newsletter for February 14, 2024:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

Study hints at an early shift towards a more positive attitude in middle-aged people
J0526+5934 is an ultra-short period double white dwarf, observations show
Altermagnetism: A new type of magnetism, with broad implications for technology and research
Nearly 15% of Americans deny climate change is real, AI study finds
Do apes have humor? Study shows that great apes playfully tease each other
Tiny crustaceans discovered preying on live jellyfish during harsh Arctic night
Promising new therapeutic approach for treating metastatic pancreatic cancer
Pesticides to help protect seeds can adversely affect earthworms' health
AI tool predicts function of unknown proteins
Changing the color of commonly used agricultural nets lessens insect damage to Kujo leek fields
Researchers edge closer to delivering personalized medicine to cancer patients
Scientists discover hidden army of lung flu fighters
Some pre-Roman humans were buried with dogs, horses and other animals
New treatment developed to dramatically slow down the progression of blindness-causing retinal diseases
Nanoparticles 'hitchhike' on immune cells to catch cancer metastasis early

Nanotechnology news

	Nanoparticles 'hitchhike' on immune cells to catch cancer metastasis early Lymph nodes are the canaries in the coal mine of our immune system—firing into gear at the first indication of illness, then sending immune cells where they're needed in the body to fight infection and disease.
	Microscopy method overcomes the traditional resolution limit for the fast co-tracking of molecules Researchers at Ludwig Maximilian University (LMU) have developed an innovative method to simultaneously track rapid dynamic processes of multiple molecules at the molecular scale.
	Treating liver cancer with microrobots piloted by a magnetic field Canadian researchers led by Montreal radiologist Gilles Soulez have developed a novel approach to treat liver tumors using magnet-guided microrobots in an MRI device.
	Nanomedicine paves the way for new treatments for spinal cord injury In a study published in Advanced Materials, researchers have demonstrated that an innovative nano-vector (nanogel), which they developed, is able to deliver anti-inflammatory drugs in a targeted manner into glial cells actively involved in the evolution of spinal cord injury, a condition that leads to paraplegia or quadriplegia.

Physics news

	Altermagnetism: A new type of magnetism, with broad implications for technology and research There is now a new addition to the magnetic family: thanks to experiments at the Swiss Light Source SLS, researchers have proved the existence of altermagnetism. The experimental discovery of this new branch of magnetism is reported in Nature and signifies new fundamental physics, with major implications for spintronics.
	Fundamental equation for superconducting quantum bits revised Physicists from Forschungszentrum Jülich and the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology have uncovered that Josephson tunnel junctions—the fundamental building blocks of superconducting quantum computers—are more complex than previously thought.
	A new optical metamaterial makes true one-way glass possible A new approach has allowed researchers at Aalto University to create a kind of metamaterial that has so far been beyond the reach of existing technologies. Unlike natural materials, metamaterials and metasurfaces can be tailored to have specific electromagnetic properties, which means scientists can create materials with features desirable for industrial applications.
	A 'quantum leap' at room temperature: Ultra-low noise system achieves optical squeezing In the realm of quantum mechanics, the ability to observe and control quantum phenomena at room temperature has long been elusive, especially on a large or "macroscopic" scale. Traditionally, such observations have been confined to environments near absolute zero, where quantum effects are easier to detect. But the requirement for extreme cold has been a major hurdle, limiting practical applications of quantum technologies.
	Deciphering quantum enigmas: The role of nonlocal boxes in defining the boundaries of physical feasibility A team of scientists from the University of Ottawa is offering insights into the mysteries of quantum entanglement. Their recent study, titled "Extending the known region of nonlocal boxes that collapse communication complexity" and published in Physical Review Letters (PRL), discloses that various theoretical quantum theory extensions are considered non-physical when tested against the principle of non-trivial communication complexity.
	Super-resolution microscopy harnesses digital display technology In the ever-evolving realm of microscopy, recent years have witnessed remarkable strides in both hardware and algorithms, propelling our ability to explore the infinitesimal wonders of life. However, the journey towards three-dimensional structured illumination microscopy (3DSIM) has been hampered by challenges arising from the speed and intricacy of polarization modulation.

The Amazon rainforest could approach a tipping point, which could lead to a large-scale collapse with serious implications for the global climate system. A new Nature study by an international research team including scientists from the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact research (PIK) reveals that up to 47% of the Amazonian forest is threatened and identifies climatic and land-use thresholds that should not be breached to keep the Amazon resilient.

Climate indices and precipitation anomalies reveal stark implications for the Middle East

A new study led by Dr. Assaf Hochman from the Institute of Earth Sciences at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem sheds light on the complex dynamics of sub-seasonal precipitation anomalies in the Middle East, revealing significant correlations with key climate indices. The research offers valuable insights into the predictability of rainfall patterns crucial for both society and the environment.

San Diego State University report calls Tijuana River contamination 'a public health crisis'

A new report from researchers at San Diego State University, citing "untreated sewage, industrial waste, and urban run-off due to inadequate infrastructure and urbanization," calls the Tijuana River "a public health crisis" that imperils the good health of a wide range of people who live, recreate and work near the polluted waterway, particularly when wet weather causes floods to spread.

Astronomy and Space news

	J0526+5934 is an ultra-short period double white dwarf, observations show Using ground-based telescopes, an international team of astronomers has observed a binary system containing at least one white dwarf, designated J0526+5934. The observational campaign has revealed that the binary is composed of two white dwarfs on an ultra-short period. The finding was reported in a paper published February 6 on the pre-print server arXiv.
	Study of Mars morphology and mineralogy suggests it may have once had active volcanism and crustal recycling A small international team of Earth scientists, geologists and astronomers has conducted a study of Mars morphology and mineralogy and discovered that the planet may have experienced volcanism and crustal recycling during its formative years. For their research, published in the journal Nature Astronomy, the group analyzed a particular region of the red planet known to host inactive volcanos.
	eROSITA X-ray sky survey measurements show consistency with the cosmic microwave background The analysis of how galaxy clusters, the largest objects in the universe, evolve over cosmic time has yielded precise measurements of the total matter content and its clumpiness, report scientists of the German eROSITA consortium, led by the Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics and with participation of the University of Bonn.
	Passing stars altered orbital evolution of Earth and other planets, astronomers find Stars that pass by our solar system have altered the long-term orbital evolution of planets, including Earth, and, by extension, modified our climate.
	NASA telescopes find new clues about mysterious deep space signals What's causing mysterious bursts of radio waves from deep space? Astronomers may be a step closer to providing one answer to that question. Two NASA X-ray telescopes recently observed one of such events—known as a fast radio burst—mere minutes before and after it occurred. This unprecedented view sets scientists on a path to understand these extreme radio events better.
	Are we about to find out the moon's origin? Japan's space agency says it may now have clues An unmanned lunar spacecraft has captured and transmitted data analyzing 10 lunar rocks, a greater-than-expected achievement that could help provide clues about the origin of the moon, a Japan space agency official said Wednesday.
	'Beyond what's possible': New JWST observations unearth mysterious ancient galaxy Our understanding of how galaxies form and the nature of dark matter could be completely upended after new observations of a stellar population bigger than the Milky Way from more than 11 billion years ago that should not exist.
	Saturn's largest moon most likely uninhabitable A study led by Western astrobiologist Catherine Neish shows the subsurface ocean of Titan—the largest moon of Saturn—is most likely a non-habitable environment, meaning any hope of finding life in the icy world is dead in the water.
	Japan space agency says test flight for new flagship rocket is rescheduled for Saturday Japan's space agency says its new flagship H3 rocket will have a second test flight on Saturday, two days later than an initially planned liftoff that was postponed due to a bad weather forecast at the launch site in southwestern Japan.
	Another overnight sonic boom possible from SpaceX launch of moon-bound lander Another commercial company is trying to become the first to land on the moon with a planned overnight launch atop a SpaceX rocket that could bring another sonic boom to Central Florida.
	European satellite to crash back to Earth within week A large satellite which ended its mission 13 years ago will come crashing down to Earth in an uncontrolled manner within the next week, but there is almost zero chance it will hurt anyone, the European Space Agency has said.
	Image: Hubble captures globular cluster NGC 2298 This new NASA Hubble Space Telescope view shows the globular cluster NGC 2298, a sparkling collection of thousands of stars held together by their mutual gravitational attraction. Globular clusters are typically home to older populations of stars, and they mostly reside in the dusty outskirts of galaxies.
	Cathedral termite mounds inspire lunar structure design NASA has big plans for its Artemis program—to return Americans to the moon for the first time since 1972 and establish a lunar base for humans by the end of the decade.
	New NASA mission will study ultraviolet sky, stars, stellar explosions As NASA explores the unknown in air and space, a new mission to survey ultraviolet light across the entire sky will provide the agency with more insight into how galaxies and stars evolve. The space telescope, called UVEX (UltraViolet EXplorer), is targeted to launch in 2030 as NASA's next Astrophysics Medium-Class Explorer mission.

Technology news

	Engineers reveal chemicals responsible for 'black ice' on railway lines A new insight into how leaves transform into slippery layers on railway lines, causing delays for passengers and costing the rail industry millions of pounds every year, has been revealed by engineers at the University of Sheffield.
	Wormlike, limbless robots that navigate obstacle courses could be used for search and rescue one day Scientists have been trying to build snakelike, limbless robots for decades. These robots could come in handy in search-and-rescue situations, where they could navigate collapsed buildings to find and assist survivors.
	Novel metamaterial allows ultrasound detection of hidden structural faults A high-efficiency circular vibration/polarization ultrasonic conversion technology capable of detecting internal fractures, which can occur in various directions within a structure, has been developed by a joint research team led by Min-woo Kweun of the Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials and Yoon Young Kim of the Seoul National University College of Engineering.
	Amid artificial intelligence boom, AI girlfriends—and boyfriends—are making their mark A few months ago, Derek Carrier started seeing someone and became infatuated.
	Sony's profit rises on growing sales of music, games, pictures, sensors Japanese electronics and entertainment company Sony's profit rose 13% in October-December on growing sales of music, image sensors and video games, the company said Wednesday.
	AI giants to unveil pact to fight political deepfakes Tech giants including Meta, Microsoft, Google and OpenAI are working on a pact to jointly crack down on AI content intended to deceive voters ahead of crucial elections around the world this year, companies involved said Tuesday.
	With California mandating zero emissions, Bay Area agencies are split on hydrogen vs. electric In September, the governing board of Santa Cruz Metro made a big bet on the future of green public transit when it approved the purchase of 57 buses fueled by hydrogen—the largest order of hydrogen-fueled buses made so far in the U.S.
	Microsoft says US rivals are beginning to use generative AI in offensive cyber operations Microsoft said Wednesday that U.S. adversaries—chiefly Iran and North Korea and to a lesser extent Russia and China—are beginning to use its generative artificial intelligence to mount or organize offensive cyber operations.
	Lyft shares rocket 62% over a typo in the company's earnings release Lyft shares jumped 62% after the closing bell Tuesday thanks in part to a typo in the ride-hailing company's earnings release that appears to have sent investors' auto-trading algorithms—or "bots"—into a buying frenzy.
	World demand for liquefied natural gas jumps 50% by 2040: Shell British energy group Shell on Wednesday forecast that world demand for liquefied natural gas would jump more than 50 percent by 2040, fueled by China dumping coal.
	Perovskite solar cell technology goes greener with antinomy A team of researchers led by Center for Hybrid and Organic Solar Energy (CHOSE), Electronic Engineering Department at Tor Vergata University of Rome has developed the first air-stable lead (Pb) and tin (Sn)-free perovskite solar modules, fabricated with an antimony (Sb)-based perovskite-inspired material (PIM) as the light absorber. The results are published in the journal ACS Energy Letters.
	Artificial intelligence needs to be trained on culturally diverse datasets to avoid bias Large language models (LLMs) are deep learning artificial intelligence programs, like OpenAI's ChatGPT. The capabilities of LLMs have developed into quite a wide range, from writing fluent essays, through coding to creative writing. Millions of people worldwide use LLMs, and it would not be an exaggeration to say these technologies are transforming work, education and society.
	Bringing AI up to speed—autonomous auto racing promises safer driverless cars on the road The excitement of auto racing comes from split-second decisions and daring passes by fearless drivers. Imagine that scene, but without the driver—the car alone, guided by the invisible hand of artificial intelligence. Can the rush of racing unfold without a driver steering the course? It turns out that it can.
	AI tools produce dazzling results—but do they really have 'intelligence'? Sam Altman, chief executive of ChatGPT-maker OpenAI, is reportedly trying to find up to US$7 trillion of investment to manufacture the enormous volumes of computer chips he believes the world needs to run artificial intelligence (AI) systems. Altman also recently said the world will need more energy in the AI-saturated future he envisions—so much more that some kind of technological breakthrough like nuclear fusion may be required.
	Five reasons to heat your home using infrared fabric Imagine heating your home from the ceiling, not from underfloor heating or radiators. Once installed like wallpaper, hi-tech infrared fabric emits heat in a similar way to the sun's rays. This could be a logical way to add low-carbon heat into existing homes that need retrofitting to improve energy efficiency.
	Four ways AI could help to respond to climate change—despite how much energy it uses Advanced AI systems are coming under increasing criticism for how much energy they use. But it's important to remember that AI could also contribute in various ways to our response to climate change.
	Online images reinforce gender stereotypes more than text: study Images on the internet reinforce gender stereotypes—such as doctors being men or nurses women—more than text, contributing to a lasting bias against women, a US-based study said Wednesday.
	Second new Georgia reactor begins splitting atoms in key step to making electricity A nuclear power plant in Georgia has begun splitting atoms in the second of its two new reactors, Georgia Power said Wednesday, a key step toward providing carbon-free electricity.
	Clean energy and conservation collide in California coastal waters Two of President Joe Biden's biggest priorities—conservation and the switch to clean energy—are colliding in the ocean off California's quiet Central Coast.
	GM is nearly doubling the road miles where drivers can use its partially automated driving system General Motors is adding about 350,000 miles (563,000 kilometers) of roadways in the U.S and Canada to the area where drivers can use the company's "Super Cruise" partially automated driving system.
	Mathematicians build an algorithm for 5G network slicing One of the features of 5G networks is so-called slicing, which is segmentation of the network. Physically, the network remains the same but is logically divided into slices depending on current requests. This approach guarantees a given level of signal quality. Resources are allocated dynamically to a specific segment: If some resources are not currently being used, they can be redirected to another segment.
	Battery manufacturing project develops novel laser patterning process to alter electrode microstructure Gotham City's Dark Knight boasts an impressive collection of technological marvels, but the superhero scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE's) National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) have cutting-edge capabilities of their own.
	Aim policies at hardware to ensure AI safety, say experts A global registry tracking the flow of chips destined for AI supercomputers is one of the policy options highlighted by a major new report calling for regulation of "compute"—the hardware that underpins all AI—to help prevent artificial intelligence misuse and disasters.
	Musk's X feeds monetization of wartime misinformation Influencers on X are monetizing misinformation about conflicts in the Middle East, leveraging the platform's contentious policies that researchers say prioritize engagement over accuracy.
	New phone? How to get your old one ready to pass on Does the act of removing the sim card from an old phone prevent anyone from accessing any of the personal information that might still be recoverable?
	German auto supplier Continental says to cut 7,150 jobs German auto supplier Continental said Wednesday it would cut some 7,150 posts worldwide by 2025 as the difficult switch to electric vehicles forces companies in the sector to retool.
	Italy fines BAT, Amazon over heated tobacco ads Italy's competition authority on Wednesday fined British American Tobacco's Italian division six million euros ($6.4 million) and Amazon one million euros for misleading advertising of a heated tobacco product.
	Cyberattacks on hospitals are likely to increase, putting lives at risk, experts warn Cybersecurity experts are warning that hospitals around the country are at risk for attacks like the one that is crippling operations at a premier Midwestern children's hospital, and that the U.S. government is doing too little prevent such breaches.
	Upscaling a technology for large-scale carbon storage SINTEF researchers are applying methodologies used to transport oil and gas in their efforts to upscale a technology for carbon capture and storage. This is good news for the climate.
	An AI analysis service platform for predicting outcomes in e-sports tournaments ETRI's researchers have developed an AI-powered e-sports analysis platform that provides real-time win rate prediction services by analyzing gameplay screens. This platform was notably applied to the highly popular League of Legends (LoL) during a recent international e-sports tournament, garnering positive feedback.
	Renault bounces back in 2023 with net profit of 2.2 bn euros French automaker Renault on Wednesday said it had bounced back into profit in 2023 as sales rose due to new models and price increases that helped it attain a record margin.

Chemistry news

	Scientists use AI to identify new materials for carbon capture Generative AI techniques, machine learning, and simulations give researchers new opportunities to identify environmentally friendly metal-organic framework materials.
	Discovery of new plant protein fold may be seed for anti-cancer drugs University of Michigan researchers are celebrating their discovery of a new plant biochemistry and its unusual ability to form cyclic peptides—molecules that hold promise in pharmaceuticals as they can bind to challenging drug targets.
	Thermally engineering templates for highly ordered self-assembled materials Self-assembled solidifying eutectic materials directed by a template with miniature features demonstrate unique microstructures and patterns as a result of diffusion and thermal gradients caused by the template. Despite the template trying to force the material to solidify into a regular pattern, when the template carries a lot of heat it also can interfere with the solidification process and cause disorder in the long-range pattern.
	Scientists improve materials for reconstructive and plastic surgery Researchers from IOCB Prague and their colleagues from Ghent University in Belgium have been working on improving the properties of gelatin-based materials, thereby expanding the possibilities of their use mainly in medicine. In a paper published in ACS Applied Engineering Materials, they have presented 3D-printable materials that can be easily monitored using an X-ray machine or through computed tomography (CT).

Biology news

	Do apes have humor? Study shows that great apes playfully tease each other Babies playfully tease others as young as eight months of age. Since language is not required for this behavior, similar kinds of playful teasing might be present in non-human animals.
	Tiny crustaceans discovered preying on live jellyfish during harsh Arctic night In the dark and cold of the months-long polar night, food resources are limited. Some groups of marine organisms in the polar regions overcome this challenge by going into a metabolic resting state in winter, surviving on reserves accumulated during the short growth season.
	Pesticides to help protect seeds can adversely affect earthworms' health While pesticides protect crops from hungry animals, pesky insects, or even microbial infections, they also impact other vital organisms, including bees and earthworms. Now, research published in Environmental Science & Technology Letters reveals that worms are affected by the relatively small amounts of chemicals that can leach out of pesticide-treated seeds. Exposure to nonlethal amounts of these insecticides and fungicides resulted in poor weight gain and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) damage in the worms.
	AI tool predicts function of unknown proteins A new artificial intelligence (AI) tool that draws logical inferences about the function of unknown proteins promises to help scientists unravel the inner workings of the cell.
	Changing the color of commonly used agricultural nets lessens insect damage to Kujo leek fields Red nets are better at keeping away a common agricultural insect pest than typical black or white nets, according to a new study. Researchers have experimented with the effect of red, white, black and combination-colored nets on deterring onion thrips from eating Kujo leeks, also called Welsh onions. In both lab and field tests, red nets were significantly better at deterring the insect than other colors.
	Tawny owl's pale gray color linked to vital functions ensuring survival in extreme conditions A recent genetic discovery has revealed that the pale gray plumage of the tawny owl is linked to crucial functions that aid the bird's survival in cold environments. As global temperatures rise, dark brown plumage is likely to become more common in tawny owls living in colder areas. The article was published in Molecular Ecology.
	Riverine fish numbers increase amidst environmental challenges Surprising trends in the abundance and species richness of riverine fish across the globe have been unveiled in a new study.
	Imperfect mimicry in spiders and insects mainly shaped by adaptive processes rather than constraints, finds study Two natural scientists at Macquarie University, working with an evolutionary specialist at the University of New South Wales, all in Australia, have found that imperfect mimicry in spiders and insects is likely mainly shaped by adaptive processes rather than constraints, or chance.
	High-tech spray can prevent and cure rusty plant threat Researchers from The University of Queensland have developed a treatment that can both prevent and cure infection caused by an invasive fungal disease devastating native Australian plants.
	Researchers find having good neighbors and few top predators make predatory fish populations more resilient A regime shift is gradually spreading through the archipelagos of the Swedish Baltic Sea coast, where shallow bays, previously dominated by pike and perch have one by one become dominated by one of their prey species, the three-spined stickleback.
	Discovery of a subset of human short introns that are spliced out by a novel mechanism The well-known essential pre-mRNA splicing factor U2AF heterodimer (U2AF2–U2AF1) has been identified as mediating early splicing reactions in all introns of different lengths. However, Dr. Kazuhiro Fukumura in the Akila Mayeda lab at Fujita Health University has discovered that a subset of short introns with truncated polypyrimidine tracts are spliced by the RBM17–SAP30BP complex instead of U2AF heterodimer. Dr. Fukumura's team has proposed a unique mechanism in which SAP30BP guides RBM17 to active early spliceosomes.
	Study finds climate change has contributed to the spatial expansion of West Nile virus in Europe West Nile virus is an emerging pathogen in Europe and represents a public health threat in previously non-affected European countries. Occurring in a cycle involving transmission between bird and mosquito species, this virus can be transmitted to humans by mosquitoes and induce West Nile fever.
	New insights in the regulation of genetic information exchange Within every cell in our body, our DNA is tightly bundled with proteins to form structures known as chromosomes. The commonly known shape of a chromosome relates to an X-shaped appearance in many organisms. The formation of the X-shaped chromosome results from a close connection at a site called the centromere. This centromere acts as a link between the sister chromatids, the identical copies that are created during DNA replication.
	By growing animal cells in rice grains, scientists dish up hybrid food From lab-grown chicken to cricket-derived protein, these innovative alternatives offer hope for a planet struggling with the environmental and ethical impacts of industrial agriculture. Now, Korean scientists add a new recipe to the list—cultured beef rice—by growing animal muscle and fat cells inside rice grains.
	Previously ignored DNA sequence found to play important role in brain development An international research team has discovered that a previously overlooked repetitive DNA element known as Long Interspersed Nuclear Element (L1) helps maintain neural progenitor cells, and thus plays an important role in mammalian brain development.
	Synthetic fibers and tire abrasion found to have the strongest impact on corals Corals feed on plankton that they catch from the seawater. Due to the increasing pollution of the oceans, they also ingest tiny plastic particles. Sometimes, the corals are unable to expel the microplastics from their bodies. Instead, they store it in their calcareous skeleton, which can be bad for some species: they grow more slowly and develop coral bleaching or necrosis.
	New understanding of avian eggshell attachment has implications for medical, egg industries Athletes often suffer injuries to ligaments in their knees, particularly to the anterior cruciate ligament or ACL. While surgery to replace these torn ligaments is becoming increasingly common around the world it often needs to be repeated. That's because it has proved challenging to anchor fibrous, soft and wet ligament grafting material into hard bone.
	Controlling root growth direction could help save crops and mitigate climate change Above ground, plants stretch toward the sun. Below ground, plants tunnel through the earth. As roots soak up water and nutrients from surrounding soil, they grow and stretch to develop distinct root system architectures. The root system architecture determines whether roots remain in the shallow soil layers or grow steeper and reach deeper soil layers.
	When placed outdoors, female lab mice behave very differently When you take the lab away, female mice are more likely to play, according to a new Cornell study.
	A secret war between cane toads and parasitic lungworms is raging across Australia When the first cane toads were brought from South America to Queensland in 1935, many of the parasites that troubled them were left behind. But deep inside the lungs of at least one of those pioneer toads lurked small nematode lungworms.
	Genome sequencing unveils mutational impacts of radiation on mammalian cells The recent release of the wastewater from Japan's Fukushima nuclear disaster stirred apprehension regarding the health implications of radiation exposure. Classified as a Group 1 carcinogen, ionizing radiation has long been associated with various cancers and genetic disorders, as evidenced by survivors and descendants of atomic bombings and the Chernobyl disaster.
	Love songs lead scientists to new populations of Skywalker gibbons found in Myanmar Skywalker gibbon couples wake up each morning and sing to each other, their voices echoing across the forest canopy of their home. The primate's endearing love song helped scientists confirm what was formerly a strong hunch: Myanmar has the largest population of endangered Skywalker gibbons on Earth.
	DNA reveals that unique microorganisms evolved at poles Communities of microorganisms at the bottom of polar lakes evolved independently from other regions, influenced by the particular geological, biological, and climate history of their regions. The unique character of the microbial communities underscores the urgent need for the inclusion of these lifeforms in management plans for the polar regions.
	Using three AI protein prediction tools, study uncovers new wrinkles in the folding story of 'orphan' proteins When Profs. Joel Sussman and Israel Silman were asked to mentor Chinese students online during the COVID-19 pandemic, the last thing they expected to come out of the experience was highly innovative research on protein evolution that could change our understanding of the way new proteins come into being.
	How great fossil sites shape our understanding of evolutionary relationships between fossil groups A new study published in the journal PLOS ONE explores the weight great fossil sites have on our understanding of evolutionary relationships between fossil groups—the lagerstätten effect—and for the first time, has quantified the power these sites have on our understanding of evolutionary history.
	Charlotte, a stingray with no male companion, is pregnant in her mountain aquarium Charlotte, a rust-colored stingray the size of a serving platter, has spent much of her life gliding around the confines of a storefront aquarium in North Carolina's Appalachian Mountains.
	Second critically endangered gorilla born at London Zoo in a month A critically endangered western lowland gorilla has been born at London Zoo, the second of the apes to be born at the facility in a month, the zoo said on Tuesday.
	'Fortress' conservation policies threaten the food security of rural populations, says researcher Barriers created by "fortress conservation"—as in the near-total sectioning off of land for conservation without human interference—are threatening important dietary diversity for the up to 1.5 billion people around the world who rely on wild foods, from bushmeat to wild vegetables and fruit.
	New logging rules in New South Wales put the greater glider closer to extinction Forty years ago when my colleagues and I did spotlighting surveys, the southern greater glider was the most common animal we'd see. Now, this amazing species is endangered. In many areas it is hard to find; in others it has been lost altogether.
	Viewpoint: Wildlife selfies harm animals, even when scientists share images with warnings in the captions One of the biggest privileges of being a primatologist is spending time in remote locations with monkeys and apes, living near these animals in their habitats and experiencing their daily lives. As a 21st-century human, I have an immediate impulse to take pictures of these encounters and share them on social media.
	Microbial biomanufacturing using chemically synthesized non-natural sugars as substrate Biomanufacturing using biomass sugars such as corn obtained from agriculture is attracting attention as an environmentally friendly technology. However, the supply of such conventional biomass sugars is limited in relation to the huge demand for the production of fuels and chemical products, leading to concerns about competition with food due to the expansion of industrial use.
	Critical habitats at risk: Three-quarters of vegetation types in the Americas are under-protected A study published in Global Ecology and Conservation has found that three-quarters of the distinct habitats in North, Central, and South America fall below the Global Biodiversity Convention's target of 30% protection.
	Fish in the upper Danube could be just as endangered in the future as in the past, but for different reasons Rivers belong to the most threatened ecosystems on Earth. While many studies have projected climate change effects on species, little is known about the severity of these changes compared to historical alterations.
	Irrigation strengthens climate resilience in Mali The installation of small-scale irrigation systems in communities in Mali led to lasting increases in agricultural productivity, decreases in local child malnutrition, and decreases in local conflict, providing resilience to climate change.
	Q&A: How climate change is impacting the maple syrup industry In the depths of winter, sugar on snow is a yearly treat many Vermonters eagerly anticipate. But with winters warming and snow barely on the ground in some parts of the state, climate change presents a host of challenges for Vermont's iconic maple industry.
	Studying the otherworldly sounds in Antarctic waters In freezing Antarctic waters, amid bobbing chunks of floating ice, the hums, pitches and echoes of life in the deep are helping scientists understand the behavior and movements of marine mammals.
	Genetic variants identified in miracle fruit pulp transcriptomes Miracle fruit (Synsepalum dulcificum) is the botanical source of miraculin, a natural, noncaloric sweetener. Miracle fruit (Synsepalum dulcificum) is native to West Africa, where it has been used for more than 100 years to increase the palatability of local foods.
	Dairy cows fed botanicals-supplemented diets use energy more efficiently Supplementing the feed of high-producing dairy cows with the botanical extract capsicum oleoresin, obtained from chili peppers, or a combination of that extract and clove oil resulted in the animals using feed energy more efficiently and emitting less methane from their largest stomach, according to a new study conducted by Penn State researchers.
	Cold-water coral found to trap itself on mountains in the deep sea Corals searching for food in the cold and dark waters of the deep sea are building higher and higher mountains to get closer to the source of their food. But in doing so, they may find themselves trapped when the climate changes.
	Video of wolf killing northern Minnesota deer becomes political fodder A lone gray wolf bolted past a logger last week, on the edge of a clear cut forest in northern St. Louis County. The wolf ran past a giant industrial saw and leaped over felled trees in pursuit of what was either a young doe or an antlerless buck. Seconds later, the wolf killed the deer on the other side of a neatly stacked pile of freshly cut logs, oblivious to the logger, who captured the chase on video.
	Fluffy nuisance: Paris sends Invalides rabbits into exile Tourists and Parisians have long been accustomed to the sight of wild rabbits frolicking around the lawns of the historic Invalides memorial complex, one of the French capital's great landmarks.
	Donkeys are unsung heroes in Ethiopia's humanitarian crisis—and they could do even more with better support Conflict and drought in the Tigray region of northern Ethiopia has triggered a humanitarian crisis. The Ethiopian government says 16 million people across the country are facing food shortages, with almost half of those suffering emergency or severe levels of food insecurity.
	Is it safe to feed farmed salmon with bristle worms raised on fish excrement? In Norway it is currently prohibited to provide animals with feed derived from the same animals' own "value chain." But this legislation is not based on science.

Medicine and Health news

	Study hints at an early shift towards a more positive attitude in middle-aged people Past psychology studies have found that on average, older adults tend to view the world in a more positive light than younger adults. People in their 30s to 50s, in fact, often display a negativity bias, which essentially means that they are more prone to remember unfavorable and information interpret neutral events in a negative light.
	Promising new therapeutic approach for treating metastatic pancreatic cancer A research paper published in Nature Cancer details new insights into the role of efferocytosis—the burying of dead cells—in pancreatic cancer that spreads to the liver.
	Researchers edge closer to delivering personalized medicine to cancer patients For the first time, Purdue researchers prove that measuring mechanical motions in living cancer tissues is a viable and promising approach for predicting chemoresistance
	Scientists discover hidden army of lung flu fighters Scientists have long thought of the fluid-filled sac around our lungs merely as a cushion from external damage. Turns out, it also houses potent virus-eating cells that rush into the lungs during flu infections.
	New treatment developed to dramatically slow down the progression of blindness-causing retinal diseases A research team has successfully incorporated anti-inflammatory drugs into a hydrogel to suppress inflammation in the retina and effectively deliver the drugs to the inflamed area.
	Faster brain hemorrhage treatment increases survival odds, new study finds Taking an anticoagulant, or blood-thinning medication, can increase one's risk of—or exacerbate—a brain bleed, also known as a brain hemorrhage, which is the deadliest type of stroke. Now, new research finds that faster treatment for these patients is associated with a greater likelihood of survival.
	'Flash and Freeze-fracture' technique allows for neuronal insights into medial habenula Fear and addiction exert significant influence within society. Managing them is often challenging, as they are driven by intricate neuronal circuits in our brains. Understanding the underlying molecular mechanisms is crucial to intervene when these processes malfunction.
	Shedding light on the synaptic complexities of vision An individual retinal cell can output more than one unique signal, according to a Northwestern Medicine study published in Nature Communications, a finding that sheds new light on the complexities of how vision functions in mammals.
	Marital harmony—or conflict—accounts for nearly 10% of the variation in mental health self-assessments, study finds Australian adults who report a good relationship that meets their original expectations tend to score higher in mental health, while adults who report loving their spouse but wished they had never entered the relationship and note relationship problems tend to score significantly lower in mental health, according to a survey of almost 7,000 Australian adults published in PLOS ONE by Bernard Kwadwo Yeboah Asiamah-Asare and colleagues.
	New immunotherapy for multiple myeloma proves to be more effective in the lab than CAR-T treatment already in use Immunotherapy is already improving treatment options for many cancer types, but research groups keep exploring ways to boost the body's immune response against the tumor.
	Researchers uncover mechanisms behind enigmatic shapes of neutrophil nuclei Nearly 150 years ago, scientists discovered that specialized blood cells serve a vital role in immune system protection against infection and illness.
	Researchers characterize the immune landscape in cancer Researchers have unveiled a detailed understanding of immune responses in cancer, marking a significant development in the field. The findings were published in the February 14 online issue of Cell in a paper titled "Pan-cancer proteogenomics characterization of tumor immunity."
	Case study: Drug-resistant bacteria responds to phage-antibiotic combo therapy It was a last-ditch effort. For years doctors had tried to keep a patient's recurrent drug-resistant bacterial blood infection at bay, but it kept coming back and antibiotics were no longer working.
	Gargling away the 'bad' bacteria in type 2 diabetes There is growing evidence that ongoing inflammation in the mouth, such as that seen in gum disease, in addition to causing bad breath is associated with serious diseases such as Alzheimer's disease or type 2 diabetes. Now, researchers from Osaka University have identified an easy way to fight the bacterial cause.
	Researchers identify peptides produced by the proteasome that degrade damaged proteins The waste system of living cells, the proteasome, not only shreds disused or damaged proteins, it also supports the immune system by recognizing virally infected or cancerous cells by producing protein fragments, so-called immunopeptides.
	Wound-homing molecule found to accelerate tissue repair One of the key goals of medical science is to speed up the healing of tissue injuries in a way that doesn't enable the forming of less functional scar tissue in the affected areas. Professor Tero Järvinen at Tampere University in Finland is leading research that's seeking solutions to achieve this goal.
	Scientists uncover technique to cut off cancer's fuel supply Scientists at The University of Texas at Austin have discovered how an aggressive and deadly form of leukemia fuels its growth. In an experimental study, they were able to curb the cancer's growth without harming healthy cells. The finding provides clues for future drug developers about how to increase the effectiveness of one type of chemotherapy.
	Smoking shown to have long-term effects on the immune system Like other factors such as age, sex, and genetics, smoking has a major impact on immune responses. This is the finding recently made by a team of scientists at the Institut Pasteur using the Milieu Intérieur cohort of 1,000 healthy volunteers, established to understand variability in immune responses. In addition to its short-term impact on immunity, smoking also has long-term consequences.
	Male fertility gene discovery reveals path to success for sperm Discovery of a pair of genes that work in perfect harmony to protect male fertility, could provide new insights into some unexplained cases of the most severe form of infertility, research suggests.
	Novel drug combination shows promise for advanced HER2-negative breast cancer A novel three-drug combination achieved notable responses in patients with advanced HER2-negative breast cancer, according to new research directed by investigators from the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center.
	Liver cancer: A promising avenue for more effective immunotherapies A research team of Canadian and French scientists, led by INRS professor Maya Saleh, has been investigating immunotherapy resistance in certain patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) associated with steatotic liver disease. The findings are published in the journal Cell Reports.
	Key genes linked to DNA damage and human disease uncovered More than one hundred key genes linked to DNA damage have been uncovered through systematic screening of nearly 1,000 genetically modified mouse lines in a new study published in Nature.
	A new test could predict how heart attack patients will respond to mechanical pumps Every year, around 50,000 people in the United States experience cardiogenic shock—a life-threatening condition, usually caused by a severe heart attack, in which the heart can't pump enough blood for the body's needs.
	Research team creates novel rabies viral vectors for neural circuit mapping A research team led by the University of California, Irvine has created 20 new recombinant rabies viral vectors for neural circuit mapping that offer a range of significant advantages over existing tools, including the ability to detect microstructural changes in models of aging and Alzheimer's disease brain neurons.
	Genetic study clarifies the link between birth weight and adult morbidity A unique Finnish study has investigated the link between growth conditions in the womb and cardiovascular disease in adulthood. The results highlight the importance of shared genetic factors between mother and child.
	A sense of touch: ASICs are the receptor for a proton synaptic messenger between Merkel cells and an afferent nerve Transduction is the changing of one form of energy into another, such as a spoken voice changed into radio waves by a cellphone.
	Study proposes framework to standardize biomarkers of aging and accelerate clinical use Biomarkers are measurable characteristics that can be used to evaluate normal biological processes, diseases, or responses to treatment in patients. Using biomarkers to assess biological aging, or the increase in molecular and cellular damage over time, has recently gained popularity for its potential to predict longevity and quality of life. However, there are currently no guidelines for standardizing the development and validation of biomarkers of aging—a necessary process to ensure accurate and reliable outcomes in the clinic.
	Live from the brain: Visual cues inform decision to cooperate Eye contact and body language are critical in social interaction, but exactly how the brain uses this information in order to inform behavior in real time is not well understood.
	New algorithm disentangles intrinsic brain patterns from sensory inputs Maryam Shanechi and her team have developed a new machine learning method that reveals surprisingly consistent intrinsic brain patterns across different subjects by disentangling these patterns from the effect of visual inputs. The work has been published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
	New epigenetic clocks reinvent how we measure age What causes us to age? New "clocks" developed by researchers may help point to the answers. Investigators from Brigham and Women's Hospital, a founding member of the Mass General Brigham health care system, unveil a new form of epigenetic clock—a machine learning model designed to predict biological age from DNA structure.
	New digital therapy reduces anxiety and depression in people living with long-term physical health conditions A therapist-guided digital cognitive behavioral therapy reduced distress in 89% of participants living with long-term physical health conditions, a new King's College London study finds. The findings appear in Psychological Medicine.
	Menopause and migraines: New findings point to power of prevention For middle-aged women plagued by migraines, or hot flashes and night sweats, another worry may linger in the backs of their minds: whether these experiences have set them up for a heart attack, a stroke or another cardiovascular crisis.
	What is Alaskapox? Recent death brings attention to virus seen in small animals For nine years, Alaska health officials have been aware of an unusual virus causing rare, relatively mild illnesses in the Fairbanks area. But a recent case in another part of the state—this one resulting in a man's death—has brought new attention to the so-called Alaskapox virus.
	COVID-19 tied to significant increase in outpatient health care Outpatient use increases significantly in the month after COVID-19 infection when compared with uninfected individuals, according to a study published online Feb. 9 in JAMA Network Open.
	Tobacco use in pregnancy linked to neurocognitive deficits in offspring Maternal tobacco use during pregnancy (MTDP) is associated with child neurocognitive deficits at ages nine to 12 years, according to a study published online Feb. 13 in JAMA Network Open.
	Data show 2016 to 2022 saw increase in rate of maternal syphilis There was an increase in maternal syphilis rates in women giving birth in the United States from 2016 to 2022, according to a February data brief published by the National Center for Health Statistics.
	University of Washington program tries unique approach to help older adults with depression Sitting in his Capitol Hill apartment, Russ Welti knew the answer to his problem. Still, he felt stuck, as a familiar sensation weighed on him.
	Little by little: How small changes can lead to heart health Switching from an unhealthy diet and sedentary lifestyle to healthy eating and exercise can be daunting. In this expert alert, Juan Cardenas Rosales, M.D., an internal medicine physician and medical director of the international medicine practice at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida, shares small steps and one big one that can lead to a heart-healthy life.
	How addicted are you to your phone? America by the numbers Twelve years—that's how much time the average American spends on their smartphone in a lifetime. It's the result of four hours and 37 minutes a day, every day, in screen time use.
	Q&A: Device harvests heartbeat energy to extend pacemaker battery life Heartbeats could one day help power something beyond hearts. A pacemaker is a device that helps regulate abnormal heart rates using electrical pulses. Leadless pacemakers, which are placed in the heart and don't have wires like conventional transvenous pacemakers, are becoming more popular. However, their batteries only last five to 12 years, and it's difficult to retrieve the device when the battery is drained.
	Study finds Black women prefer Black obstetric providers due to experiences of discrimination and fear Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention demonstrate that Black women in the United States are three times more likely to die from a pregnancy-related cause than are white women. Health disparities among people of color are the result of broader social and economic inequities rooted in racism and discrimination.
	Global health photographers navigate murky ethical waters for clients Global health photography is often caught between photojournalistic intentions of accurately reflecting local communities and marketing directives to create attention-grabbing imagery, according to a study published in PLOS Global Public Health by Arsenii Alenichev from Oxford Population Health, the University of Oxford, United Kingdom, and colleagues.
	Fewer births on weekends and holidays than weekdays, data analysis of births from 1979–2018 in Japan shows Significantly more babies were born on a weekday instead of weekend day or holiday, reveals a large-scale analysis of 21 million births in Japan over almost four decades published February 14, 2024 in the open-access journal PLOS ONE by Miho Sassa from the University of Tokyo, Japan, and colleagues.
	How to help children and the family dog stay safe when they play together It's no wonder owning a family dog is popular in the UK—research shows that our well-being can increase with dog ownership, and there's even evidence that children's development can benefit if they share their home with a dog.
	Maternal death rates in the UK have increased to levels not seen for almost 20 years—experts explain why Maternal death rates are widely considered to reflect a country's overall well-being and the quality of the health care system.
	Recognizing when someone is having a seizure—and how you can help during those first critical moments Approximately 1 in 26 people develop epilepsy, a condition in which someone experiences recurring and unprovoked seizures. But experiencing a seizure does not always mean a person has epilepsy. Seizures can be provoked by acute head injuries, alcohol withdrawal and high blood sugar, among other things. Approximately 1 in 10 people will experience a seizure during their lifetime.
	Several companies are testing brain implants—why is there so much attention swirling around Neuralink? Putting a computer inside someone's brain used to feel like the edge of science fiction. Today, it's a reality. Academic and commercial groups are testing "brain-computer interface" devices to enable people with disabilities to function more independently. Yet Elon Musk's company, Neuralink, has put this technology front and center in debates about safety, ethics, and neuroscience.
	Global health research suffers from a power imbalance. Decolonizing mentorship can help level the playing field Mentorship is a cornerstone of the infrastructure supporting global health. Transferring knowledge, developing skills and cultivating a supportive professional environment among researchers and clinicians around the world are key to achieving health equity on a global scale.
	A patch a day? Why the vitamin skin patches hyped on social media might not be for you Vitamin patches are trending on social media and advertised in posts and podcasts.
	Walking, jogging, yoga and strength training found to ease depression Walking or jogging, yoga and strength training seems to be the most effective exercises to ease depression, either alone or alongside established treatments such as psychotherapy and drugs, suggests an evidence review published by The BMJ.
	Experts call for innovative strategies to address global blood crisis, form new coalition Billions of people live in parts of the world that are so remote from the nearest hospital facility with a functioning blood bank that they are termed "blood deserts." Researchers from Brigham and Women's Hospital, a founding member of the Mass General Brigham health care system, and Harvard Medical School have spearheaded a new global collaborative to address the pressing issue of extreme blood unavailability in rural settings and propose short-term strategies to address the urgent need for blood.
	Huge delays in dealing with complaints against UK drug companies revealed Processing times for complaints against drug companies suspected of having breached their industry code of practice have more than tripled in a nearly two-decade period, an investigation by The BMJ has found.
	Suicidality among individuals with substance use disorders increased in 2020: Study Individuals with substance use disorders (SUDs) were significantly more likely to consider, plan and attempt suicide than those without SUDs in 2020, according to a new study by researchers at Penn State. Adolescents and women with SUDs were also more likely to experience suicidality—the term for ideating and planning suicide—than others. The findings, the researchers said, suggest improved remote and hybrid access to prevention interventions may be especially important in school settings.
	Ultra-processed foods score worse on food package labeling Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) contain more calories, fat, saturated fat, sugar and salt than minimally processed foods—but not all UPFs are unhealthy, according to new research from UCL.
	Colostrum provides long-lasting immunity boost for babies, finds study The first form of mother's milk a baby receives after birth, known as colostrum, can dramatically alter its susceptibility to worm infections months to years later, according to an international study published in Allergy.
	Adjuvant methylprednisolone role examined in acute ischemic stroke For patients with acute ischemic stroke secondary to large-vessel occlusion (LVO) undergoing endovascular thrombectomy, adjuvant low-dose methylprednisolone does not improve the degree of overall disability, according to a study published online Feb. 8 in the Journal of the American Medical Association to coincide with the annual American Stroke Association International Stroke Conference, held from Feb. 7 to 9 in Phoenix.
	Intensive meditation intervention found to ameliorate schizophrenia symptoms An intensive meditation-based intervention (iMI) significantly improves positive symptoms, particularly refractory hallucinations and delusions, in male patients with schizophrenia, according to a study published online on Feb. 6 in Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences.
	CDC may consider loosening COVID isolation guidance New, proposed guidance being weighed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that Americans who test positive for COVID-19 no longer need to routinely stay home for five days.
	Companies are adopting feminist narratives to influence women's health, researchers argue Feminist health narratives are being co-opted by commercial interests to market new technologies, tests, and treatments that are not backed by evidence, argue researchers in The BMJ today.
	Doctors found to be quitting over stress and cost of finding suitable childcare Securing suitable childcare for the irregular and long working hours demanded by a medical career is a crippling financial burden and a draining source of stress for doctor parents, reveals an exclusive snapshot survey by The BMJ today.
	COVID-19 vaccination and boosting during pregnancy found to protect infants for six months Women who receive an mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccination or booster during pregnancy can provide their infants with solid protection against symptomatic COVID-19 infection for at least six months after birth, according to a study from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health.
	Researchers uncover key molecule influencing vascular aging A new study shows how the molecule Sox9 is involved in a positive feedback loop that accelerates the aging of blood vessels, which could be used as a target for new therapies.
	Study: New treatment method helps reduce suicide risk among military and veterans Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is common among U.S. military veterans. It's also linked with a higher risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors.
	Researchers discover potential treatments for common complication following bone marrow transplant Researchers from the University of Missouri School of Medicine have found potential treatments for two different types of common complications following bone marrow transplantation.
	Study finds hospital data more detailed than police records of crash site data collection A new study into the police and hospital data recorded after major road accidents has provided key insights into better management of traffic safety and public health strategies—particularly for the most vulnerable road users.
	Research suggests tai chi outperforms conventional exercise in improving mobility and balance for seniors While tai chi is understood to be beneficial for functional mobility and balance in older adults, such benefits are not well understood due to a large variance in research study protocols and observations.
	Study finds patients happy to get support on how to lose weight during routine dental appointments As public health experts search for new ways to tackle the obesity crisis, a Loughborough University study has found that patients would welcome support from their dentist on weight management.
	Filter study dispels common myths about Valley fever A new study of Valley fever spores collected from air filters around the Phoenix metro area is helping a research team led by scientists from the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen), part of City of Hope, dispel some common myths about exposure to the fungus known as Coccidioides, or 'cocci' for short.
	Research reveals dramatic implications with using the tibia loading model to treat osteoporosis Research by Ph.D. student Saira Farage-O'Reilly highlights how the direction of applying external force to the bone dramatically affects the strength of mouse tibia.
	Routinely changing surgical gloves and instruments is cost-effective and safer, finds trial Surgeons who routinely change surgical gloves and instruments are incurring similar costs to those using the same equipment, a new study has found.
	New review finds Indigenous people more likely to have a stroke Indigenous people may be more likely to have a stroke than non-Indigenous people, according to a systematic review that looked at populations around the world. The review is published in Neurology.
	Addressing barriers to young adults seeking help for eating disorders With only 1 in 4 young adults seeking help for an eating disorder, a new study by Flinders University experts flags a number of problems preventing more people from using an effective early intervention service program available in the community.
	New research advances potential HIV cure strategy Published in the Journal of Infectious Diseases, new research led by the University of Minnesota Medical School offers a new avenue of hope in the fight against chronic human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection.
	Higher homicide rates in Central America, Caribbean coincide with increase in US firearm manufacturing When the United States manufactures and imports more firearms, firearm homicide rates in Central American and Caribbean countries also increase, according to a study led by University of Michigan researchers published in Injury Prevention.
	How can organizations get better quality food to more people? Nearly 1 in 10 people worldwide suffer from food insecurity, or inconsistent access to enough nutritious food.
	Borderline personality disorder patients more likely to seek hospital care, finds study A new study published in The Primary Care Companion For CNS Disorders by Flinders University has uncovered links between a patient's initial diagnosis of borderline personality disorder, or BPD, and their recurrent visits to hospital.
	Better quality health care needed for children in detention, says report Children in detention and after they return to the community require better quality health care due to their ongoing, complex health needs, a new report has found.
	Bioinks with improved electromechanical properties for 3D printing of cardiac BioRings Scientists at the Centre de recherche Azrieli du CHU Sainte-Justine, affiliated with Université de Montreal, have developed a device that accurately simulates the electrical activity, mechanics and physiology of a human heart.
	Genetic keys to cardiovascular health: A study from Mexico City In Mexico City, researchers at the Instituto Nacional de Cardiología Ignacio Chávez have studied genetic underpinnings of one of the most pressing public health challenges of our times: cardiovascular disease (CVD).
	Case study features successful treatment of the oldest patient to achieve remission for leukemia and HIV City of Hope, one of the largest cancer research and treatment organizations in the United States, treated the oldest person to be cured of a blood cancer and then achieve remission for HIV after receiving a blood stem cell transplant from a donor with a rare genetic mutation. Research published in the New England Journal of Medicine today demonstrates that older adults with blood cancers who receive reduced intensity chemotherapy before a stem cell transplant with donor cells that are resistant to HIV may be cured of HIV infection.
	Latch On Study: Breastfeeding among mothers who are overweight or obese can be significantly increased Breastfeeding rates among women who are overweight or obese can be increased by providing education and support, according to new research.
	Paradigm shift: How a risk-based program is changing health care use and outcomes for children with high-risk asthma Le Bonheur Children's Hospital's risk-based innovation program Changing High-Risk Asthma in Memphis through Partnership (CHAMP) has significantly decreased health care use related to asthma by targeting barriers to asthma care, according to research published in the Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.
	Magnetic resonance-guided adaptive radiation therapy may improve survival in pancreatic cancer patients A study co-led by researchers at Miami Cancer Institute, part of Baptist Health South Florida, has found that ablative stereotactic magnetic resonance (MR)-guided adaptive radiation therapy may improve local control (LC) and overall survival (OS) in patients with borderline resectable (BRPC) and locally advanced pancreas cancer (LAPC). Long-term outcomes from the Phase 2 SMART trial demonstrate encouraging OS and limited toxicity as published recently in Radiotherapy and Oncology.
	Is surgery the best option for ruptured Achilles tendons in young adults? An Achilles tendon rupture typically means surgery for many patients.
	New study examines dermal injections and their impact on skin aging Chronic exposure of human skin to ultraviolet light causes premature aging, or photoaging. As the skin undergoes photoaging, type I collagen bundles, which are found in the dermis beneath the top layer of the skin and provide strength and support to skin, become fragmented. This leads to wrinkles, fragility and loss of support and elasticity.
	New study confirms double the risk of dementia after mouth herpes simplex virus People who have had the herpes virus at some point in their lives are twice as likely to develop dementia compared to those who have never been infected. A new study from Uppsala University confirms previous research on whether herpes can be a possible risk factor for dementia.
	The roles of USP1 in Ewing sarcoma A new research paper titled "Roles of USP1 in Ewing sarcoma" has been published in Genes & Cancer.
	Cities know that the way police respond to mental crisis calls must change. But how? Philadelphia police officers Kenneth Harper and Jennifer Torres were in their patrol car sitting at a red light when a call came in over the 911 radio dispatch.
	Bushfires in Victoria: How to protect yourself if the air is smoky where you live Bushfires broke out yesterday in western Victoria during a day of extreme weather conditions across the state. Although authorities have reported the situation is easing, emergency services continue to fight blazes in the Grampians National Park around the towns of Bellfield and Pomonal.
	Review addresses medicolegal issues and disorders of consciousness A narrative review article in a themed issue on disorders of consciousness (DoC) guest edited by Dr. Caroline Schnakers and Dr. Nathan Zasler in the journal NeuroRehabilitation addresses the topic of the medicolegal challenges of litigating cases involving patients with DoC.
	Genetic and therapeutic landscapes in cohort of pancreatic adenocarcinomas using NGS and machine learning A new research paper titled "Genetic and therapeutic landscapes in cohort of pancreatic adenocarcinomas: next-generation sequencing and machine learning for full tumor exome analysis" has been published in Oncotarget.

Other Sciences news

	Nearly 15% of Americans deny climate change is real, AI study finds Using social media data and artificial intelligence, a new University of Michigan-led study reveals that nearly 15% of Americans deny that climate change is real.
	Some pre-Roman humans were buried with dogs, horses and other animals Some people from an ancient community in what is now northern Italy were interred with animals and animal parts from species such as dogs, horses and pigs. The reasons remain mysterious, but might indicate an enduring companion relationship between these humans and animals, or religious sacrificial practices, according to a study published in PLOS ONE by Zita Laffranchi from the University of Bern, Stefania Zingale from the Institute for Mummy Studies, Eurac Research Bozen, Umberto Tecchiati from the University of Milan, and colleagues.
	Study finds emojis are differently interpreted depending on gender, culture, and age of viewer Gender, culture, and age all appear to play a role in how emojis are interpreted, according to a study published in PLOS ONE by Yihua Chen, Xingchen Yang and colleagues from the University of Nottingham, UK.
	Vittrup Man crossed over from forager to farmer before being sacrificed in Denmark, study finds Vittrup Man was born along the Scandinavian coast before moving to Denmark, where he was later sacrificed, according to a study published in PLOS ONE by Anders Fischer of the University of Gothenburg, Sweden and colleagues.
	New evidence of independent written language on Easter Island before arrival of Europeans A team of philologists, chemists, environmental physicists and engineers affiliated with several institutions across Europe has found evidence of an undeciphered script on wooden tablets created on Easter Island that represents an independent writing system. Their paper is published in the journal Scientific Reports.
	Online images may be turning back the clock on gender bias A picture is worth a thousand words, as the saying goes, and research has shown that the human brain does indeed better retain information from images than from text. These days, we are taking in more visual content than ever as we peruse picture-packed news sites and social media platforms.
	Did Eurasia's dominant East-West axis 'turn the fortunes of history'? Guns, Germs, and Steel (1997) is Jared Diamond's Pulitzer Prize-winning effort to explain the contrasting histories of Native Americans, Africans, and aboriginal Australians vs. Europeans and Asians. One of his intriguing proposals was that Eurasian political and military dominance could be partially explained by its unique continental orientation.
	Anthropologists' research unveils early stone plaza in the Andes Two University of Wyoming anthropology professors have discovered one of the earliest circular plazas in Andean South America, showcasing monumental megalithic architecture, which refers to construction that uses large stones placed upright with no mortar.
	Research finds that getting low-income people the help they need is more effective when stigma is reduced There are pervasive stereotypes that Americans who are low-income and access government assistance are lazy, lack a work ethic, and are even morally inferior. This stigma has been shown to have many negative consequences.
	Showing love on Valentine's Day by embracing disability Valentine's Day is a time when love and intimacy are celebrated with fervor. Yet, the challenges some face in this regard are not often recognized. In particular, people with disabilities face discrimination and obstacles when seeking love, affection and sexual fulfillment.
	Researcher: Immigrants do work that might not otherwise get done, bolstering the US economy Although Congress is failing to pass laws to restrict the number of migrants arriving in the U.S., a majority of Americans—about 6 in 10—believe there's an immigration crisis along the Mexico-U.S. border. Politicians who want fewer people to move here often cast those arriving without prior authorization as a burden on the economy.
	'Analog uncanny': How this weird and experimental side of TikTok is forging the future of horror Director Kyle Edward Ball's feature film debut, Skinamarink, achieved unexpected commercial success last year after going viral on TikTok.
	Written accounts reveal how sexual assault claims were dealt with in the Middle Ages Written testimonies from the medieval period show sexual assault being successfully reported to the authorities, despite legal, social and even family obstacles. This took place, we must remember, in a society which had next to nothing by way of forensic measures, so reporting a crime of any sort often meant that people had to be taken at their word.
	Schools may be underestimating how many kids are homeless School districts could be severely underestimating how many kids are homeless in their communities, allowing those children to fall through the cracks, a new study warns.
	State-owned enterprises experience greater regulatory scrutiny when acquiring firms abroad: Study New research shows that state-owned enterprises (SOEs) experience greater regulatory scrutiny when acquiring firms in foreign economies, thus increasing the costs of the acquisition.
	New paths in climate change education: Drama as a key to change? Given the pressing challenges of climate change, education is increasingly seen as a key to transformative adaptation to a changing environment. A study, conducted in collaboration between the Leibniz Center for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF) and the University of Victoria (Canada), takes a closer look at an innovative approach: the use of drama in climate change education.
	Investigating restrictions in the workplace that keep women from top positions in Japan and South Korea In recent decades, women in Japan and South Korea have been catching up in terms of educational achievements and economic activity. Yet the number of women in leadership positions is still lagging behind. Ph.D. candidate Yorum Beekman investigated why this is.
	Examining gender mismatch and bias in people‐centric operations Considerable research has been devoted to studying gender bias in the physical workplace, especially in the fields of management and economics.
	Violence prevention can transform Canadian hockey culture—but only if implemented properly The recent charges against five members of Canada's gold medal-winning 2018 world junior hockey team in connection with an alleged sexual assault has thrust Hockey Canada and its issues back into the public eye.
	Case study: The evolution of a series of participant-centered workshops Ludmila Tyler, senior lecturer in the biochemistry and molecular biology (BMB) department, is co-first author of a paper in the journal Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Education that reflects on the lessons learned from the first full year of Inclusive Community for the Assessment of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology/BMB Learning (ICABL) workshops.
	Introducing competition between schools involves a lot of work and major costs, Swedish study shows After the introduction of the freedom to choose between upper secondary schools in 1992, it took nearly 10 years for upper secondary school heads in a municipality to start seeing themselves as competitors for school students. Any analysis of change from a later perspective needs to bear in mind that a transition of this kind takes a good deal of organizing, costs a lot of money and takes many years to become established.
	New year brought increased consumer interest in food and nutrition resolutions Food or nutrition-related New Year's resolutions were more popular among consumers going into 2024 compared to last year, according to the January Consumer Food Insights Report. This year 25% of consumers responded "yes" when asked if they had any food- or nutrition-related New Year's resolutions, up 6 percentage points from the response to the same question last year.

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