Science X Newsletter Wed, Feb 7

Dear ,

Here is your customized Science X Newsletter for February 7, 2024:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

Research team takes a fundamental step toward a functioning quantum internet

Study finds that microglia could regulate sleep via the modulation of norepinephrine transmission

Finding the best predictor for a galaxy's metallic content

How molecular systems at the origin of life may have evolved: Rise of the nanomachines

Can an experimental cell phone app screen coughs for TB? Scientists say 'yes'

Mimas' surprise: Tiny moon holds young ocean beneath icy shell

A Filipino fruit dove reveals its secrets

Chronic jet lag leads to human liver cancer in a mouse model

Innovation in stone tool technology involved multiple stages at the time of modern human dispersals, study finds

Astrophysicists crack the case of 'disappearing' sulfur in planetary nebulae

Researchers find a molecular mechanism related to neuronal death

3D printing technology for tissue: Researchers combine hydrogels and fibers

Adaptive robot can open all the doors

Environmentally-friendly InSb/InP colloidal quantum dots for fast and sensitive short-wave infrared photodetectors

Novel drug could protect brains from damage after repeat concussions

Nanotechnology news

	How molecular systems at the origin of life may have evolved: Rise of the nanomachines By attaching molecules together, scientists at Université de Montréal think they've found how molecular systems at the origin of life evolved to create complex self-regulating functions.
	3D printing technology for tissue: Researchers combine hydrogels and fibers In the latest study by Prof. Dr. Leonid Ionov, Professor of Biofabrication, and his team at the University of Bayreuth, various types of hydrogels were extensively tested for the 3D printing of tissues. A hydrogel is a water-retaining and also water-insoluble polymer. In addition, the cell containing–hydrogels, also known as bioink, are combined with fibers to create a composite material.
	Environmentally-friendly InSb/InP colloidal quantum dots for fast and sensitive short-wave infrared photodetectors Applications such as LIDAR, 3D imaging for mobile devices, automotive and augmented/virtual reality or night vision for surveillance, rely on the development of short-wave infrared (SWIR) photodetectors. These devices are capable of seeing in the region of the spectrum that is invisible to our eye since they operate in the spectral window of 1-2 µm.
	Very small pores make a big difference in filtering technology Nanoporous membranes have been shown to be valuable tools for filtering out impurities from water and numerous other applications. However, there's still much work to be done in perfecting their designs. Recently, the lab of Prof. Amir Haji-Akbari has demonstrated that exactly where the nanosized holes are placed on the membrane can make a big difference. The results are published in ACS Nano.
	A new approach for fast and cost-effective pathogen detection The ability to detect diseases at an early stage or even predict their onset would be of tremendous benefit to doctors and patients alike. A research team led by Dr. Larysa Baraban at the Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR) develops intelligent, miniaturized biosensor devices and systems using nanomaterials to determine biomolecules and cells as well as biochemical reactions or processes as disease markers.
	Curved carbon nanotubes enhance electrocatalysts for carbon neutrality Electrocatalysis plays a vital role in developing clean energy, greenhouse gas removal and energy storage technologies. A study co-led by City University of Hong Kong (CityU) researchers found that single-walled carbon nanotubes are excellent substrates for enhancing greenhouse gas conversion through molecular curvature.
	Advanced measurements unravel nanoscale phenomena in tungsten diselenide Semiconductor 2D materials are a few atoms thick, and some of them exhibit localized emission, where light is emitted from such a small part of the layer that only one photon at a time is produced. This localized emission has unique properties and is vital to new quantum technologies, especially in optoelectronic and quantum device applications.
	MXene-coated devices can guide microwaves in space and lighten the payload One of the most important components of satellites that enable telecommunication is the waveguide, which is a metal tube for guiding radio waves. It is also one of the heaviest payloads satellites carry into orbit. As with all space technology, reducing weight means reducing the amount of expensive and greenhouse gas-producing fuel it takes to launch a rocket or increasing the number of devices carried by the same rocket to space.
	Evaluation of on- and off-target effects of self-assembled EGFR siRNA delivery system In a study published in the Clinical and Translational Medicine, a Nanjing University research group evaluated the on- and off-target effects of self-assembled siRNA delivery system.
	Enrichment of anchoring sites via supramolecular halogen bonds for efficient perovskite nanocrystal LEDs Colloidal semiconductor nanoparticles can be viewed as a complex of an inorganic single crystal core and a monolayer of organic ligands. The location and type of ligand anchoring on the nanocrystal surface are critical to the nanocrystal morphology, size, bonding patterns, adsorption-desorption processes, and overall stability, optoelectronic properties, etc.

Physics news

	Research team takes a fundamental step toward a functioning quantum internet Research with quantum computing and quantum networks is taking place around the world in the hopes of developing a quantum internet in the future. A quantum internet would be a network of quantum computers, sensors, and communication devices that will create, process, and transmit quantum states and entanglement and is anticipated to enhance society's internet system and provide certain services and securities that the current internet does not have.
	Quantum simulation with ultracold fermions unveils pairing pseudogap A research team has, for the first time, observed and quantitatively characterized the many-body pairing pseudogap in unitary Fermi gases. This achievement, pursued by the ultracold atomic community for nearly two decades, resolves longstanding debates regarding the existence of a pairing pseudogap in these gases. It also supports pairing as a possible origin of the pseudogap in high-temperature superconductors, within the framework of preformed-pair superconductivity theory.
	Scientists shed light on the inner workings of a new class of unconventional superconductors A team of scientists from the U.S. Department of Energy's Ames National Laboratory and SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory has provided new data and analysis on infinite-layer nickelates. This material is a recently discovered class of unconventional superconductors. The results provide new insights into how these superconductors work and how they differ from other superconductors.
	Hall effect uncovers hidden symmetry in spin-ice Physicists from the University of Augsburg succeeded in distinguishing chiral orders with similar magnetization but an opposite sense of rotation through electrical measurements at low temperatures. This is relevant for fundamental research on complex magnets and possible applications for magnetic data storage. The results were published in Nature Physics.
	Q&A: Expert explains the 'physics of AI' The development of a new theory is typically associated with the greats of physics. You might think of Isaac Newton or Albert Einstein, for example. Many Nobel Prizes have already been awarded for new theories.
	Quantum materials: A new state of matter with chiral properties An international research group has discovered a new state of matter characterized by the existence of a quantum phenomenon called chiral current. These currents are generated on an atomic scale by a cooperative movement of electrons, unlike conventional magnetic materials whose properties originate from the quantum characteristic of an electron known as spin and their ordering in the crystal.
	High fidelity spatial mode quantum gates enabled by diffractive neural networks Reliable quantum gates are the fundamental component of quantum information processing. However, achieving high-dimensional unitary transformations in a scalable and compact manner with ultrahigh fidelities remains a great challenge.
	Perovskite single-pixel detector for efficient extraction of meta-images in complex environments Information technology plays a pivotal role in contemporary society, influencing aspects such as social communication, audio-visual entertainment in daily life, and the integration of cloud computing and the Internet of Things in industrial production.
	Whole-infrared-band camouflage with dual-band radiative heat dissipation Camouflage refers to the ability to reduce the signal captured by detectors, thereby improving survival rates. However, the combination of detectors operating in multiple spectral bands poses a significant challenge, necessitating the development of multiband camouflage technologies. Besides, camouflage usually conflicts with radiative heat dissipation demands, which have significant contributions to the thermal management of objects.
	Submonolayer biolasers: Lower gain, higher sensitivity Designing sensitive and single-use biosensors for early diagnosis remains a major challenge. Scientists in China have invented submonolayer lasers on optical fibers as ultrasensitive and disposable biosensors.

Earth news

	Psychology study unearths ways to bolster global climate awareness and climate action An international team of scientists has created a tool that can aid in increasing climate awareness and climate action globally by highlighting messaging themes shown to be effective through experimental research.
	New study sheds new light on forests' role in climate and water cycle Forests, which cover a third of Earth's land surface, are pivotal in carbon storage and the water cycle, though the full scope of their impact remains to be fully understood. In a new study published in Nature Communications, researchers from Stockholm University and international colleagues provide new insights into the complex role forests play in the climate system and water cycle.
	Replacing animal-based foods with alternative proteins would unlock land for carbon removal, say researchers Researchers report that replacing 50% of animal products with alternative proteins by 2050 could free up enough agricultural land to generate renewable energy equivalent in volume to today's coal-generated power while simultaneously removing substantial CO2 from the atmosphere.
	On Hawaii's Kilauea, little stresses add up Hawaii's Kilauea volcano is one of the most active in the world. Its eruption in 2018 was its largest in 200 years and among the costliest volcanic disasters in U.S. history. Devastating as it was to the Hawaiian landscape, Kilauea's eruption proved a boon to science. Researchers were there to collect unprecedented seismic and other data and say we might use it to understand the stresses that lead to major earthquakes.
	Natural gas flare samples collected by aircraft reveal high variation in nitrogen oxides emission estimates Natural gas flaring, or burning, is commonly used in parts of the United States to dispose of the gas byproduct from oil extraction. The flare's combustion converts hydrocarbons to carbon dioxide and water, which lessens the climate impact and reduces the safety concerns of the natural gas on site but also produces nitrogen oxides, or NOx.
	One in 10 premature births linked to plastic chemicals: Study One in 10 premature births in the United States have been linked to pregnant women being exposed to chemicals in extremely common plastic products, a large study said on Wednesday.
	Spain sees warmest January on record Spain has just experienced its warmest January since current records began in 1961, national weather office Aemet said Wednesday, after temperatures neared 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit) in some regions.
	Australian researchers develop new method to more accurately spot underground nuclear tests A more accurate way of identifying underground nuclear tests, including those conducted in secret, has been developed by researchers at The Australian National University (ANU).
	Greenland Climate Network measurement series reprocessed For 30 years, researchers operated a network of weather stations on Greenland in harsh conditions. The dataset from this highly relevant climate research has now been reprocessed and published in an article in Earth System Science Data. The publication is also an appreciation of the lifework of former WSL director Prof. Dr. Konrad Steffen, who died in an accident in Greenland in 2020.
	The wetland model of urban sustainability Writing in the International Journal of Global Environmental Issues, a team from Japan explains that "wetlands play an important role in a sustainable urban future." They add that these environmental regions provide ecological services to the cities in which they are sited as well as sustaining wildlife and even allowing the transmission and development of Indigenous culture.
	CyberShake study uses Summit supercomputer to investigate earthquake hazards Researchers at the Statewide California Earthquake Center, or SCEC, are unraveling the mysteries of earthquakes by using physics-based computational models running on high-performance computing systems at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The team's findings will provide a better understanding of seismic hazards in the Golden State.
	Multiple city hubs, dispersed parks found to keep metro areas cooler Metropolitan areas with multiple city centers and dispersed green spaces mitigate extreme heat more effectively than those with one dominant city, an analysis by Cornell city planning scholars finds.
	Study: 'Legacy' phosphorus delays water quality improvements in Gulf of Mexico The same phosphorous that fertilizes the thriving agriculture of the Midwest is also responsible for a vast "dead zone" in the Gulf of Mexico near the Mississippi Delta. Efforts to reduce the amount of phosphorus that enters the Mississippi River system are underway, but research led by the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign suggests that remnants of the contaminant are left behind in riverbeds for years after introduction and pose an overlooked—and lingering—problem.
	A new map tool for monitoring pan-Arctic trends of permafrost landscape change Permafrost (from "permanent" and "frost") is ground that continuously remains at or below 0° C for at least two consecutive years. Around 15% of the land surface in the Northern Hemisphere is underlain by permafrost, which often contains and preserves biomass accumulated throughout millennia and thus acts as a carbon sink.
	Mud and debris are flowing down hillsides across California. What causes the slides? When rainstorms like this week's powerful atmospheric river hit California, the earth begins to move.
	How an Oklahoma earthquake showed danger remains after years of quakes becoming less frequent After a dramatic spike in earthquakes in the early 2010s, state regulators in Oklahoma began taking steps to limit the injection of wastewater from oil and gas extraction deep into the ground. As a result, the number of earthquakes, particularly large ones, declined steadily over the years.
	Contaminated soil landslide threatens Danish village A small hamlet in the west of Denmark is facing an unusual existential threat: a landslide of contaminated waste that is bearing down on the community and a nearby river.
	Ghana struggling with tsunami of secondhand clothes It takes Nii Armah and his crew of 30 fishermen hours to haul their weighty nets to shore on the bustling Korle-Gonno beach of Ghana's capital Accra.
	Biden strengthens US soot regulations, angering industry President Joe Biden's administration on Wednesday announced tough new air quality standards it said were sorely needed to protect the health of vulnerable communities, though industry groups have said the move would harm domestic manufacturing.
	How political issues hindered Turkey's 2023 earthquake response Two major earthquakes shook southern Turkey on February 6, 2023. Over 50,000 people lost their lives and nearly 2 million people—many of whom were Syrian refugees—were evacuated from the country's affected provinces.
	New UN weather agency chief says rate of global warming is speeding up The new chief of the World Meteorological Organization said it looks to her that the rate of human-caused climate change is accelerating and that warming has triggered more Arctic cold outbreaks in North America and Europe, weighing in on two issues that divide climate scientists.
	Charting the course to eco-friendly steel: China's blueprint for cleaner air and a cooler planet China, the world's top steel producer, is at a crossroads due to its iron and steel industry's heavy CO2 emissions and pollution contribution, spotlighting the urgent need for greener practices. This necessity stems from the industry's impact on air quality and global climate change, driving the push towards adopting sustainable and low-emission technologies to ensure environmental protection and adherence to international climate commitments.
	Chile's deadly wildfires extinguished Firefighters said Wednesday they had extinguished all wildfires in Chile's coastal region of Valparaiso, where flames razed entire communities and left 131 dead.
	Creativity helps the disempowered to highlight climate emergency concerns, study shows Creativity can help promote environmental justice and support the disempowered to highlight their concerns about sustainability issues, a study shows.

Astronomy and Space news

	Finding the best predictor for a galaxy's metallic content A team of astronomers has found that the total mass of stars in a galaxy is not a good predictor of the galaxy's abundance of heavier elements, a surprising result according to previous studies. Instead, the gravitational potential of a galaxy is a much better predictor. The findings are published in the journal Astronomy & Astrophysics.
	Mimas' surprise: Tiny moon holds young ocean beneath icy shell Hidden beneath the heavily cratered surface of Mimas, one of Saturn's smallest moons lies a secret: a global ocean of liquid water. This astonishing discovery, led by Dr. Valéry Lainey of the Observatoire de Paris-PSL and published in the journal Nature, reveals a "young" ocean formed just 5 to 15 million years ago, making Mimas a prime target for studying the origins of life in our solar system.
	Astrophysicists crack the case of 'disappearing' sulfur in planetary nebulae Two astrophysicists from the Laboratory for Space Research (LSR) at the University of Hong Kong (HKU) have finally solved a 20-year-old astrophysical puzzle concerning the lower-than-expected amounts of the element sulfur found in planetary nebulae (PNe) in comparison to expectations and measurements of other elements and other types of astrophysical objects.
	Will this new solar maximum solve the puzzle of the sun's gamma-ray picture? A new study, published in The Astrophysical Journal, has produced a compressed 14-year movie of the sun observed in gamma rays, a visualization tool which revealed that—contrary to the expected uniform distribution of these high energy photons—the solar disk can become brighter on the polar regions. This tendency for the sun's glow in the gamma rays to be dominant at the highest latitudes is evident during the peak of solar activity, as could be seen in June of 2014.
	Testing shows some bacteria could survive under Mars conditions An international team of radiation specialists, biologists and infectious disease experts has found four types of bacteria that are capable of surviving exposure to the hostile Mars environment. In their study, published in the journal Astrobiology, the group exposed four human-infectious bacteria to Mars-like conditions.
	Gamma-ray bursts: Harvesting knowledge from the universe's most powerful explosions The most powerful events in the known universe—gamma-ray bursts (GRBs)—are short-lived outbursts of the highest-energy light. They can erupt with a quintillion (a 10 followed by 18 zeros) times the luminosity of our sun. Now thought to announce the births of new black holes, they were discovered by accident.
	Astronomers measure the mass of the Milky Way by calculating how hard it is to escape If you want to determine your mass, it's pretty easy. Just step on a scale and look at the number it gives you. That number tells you the gravitational pull of Earth upon you, so if you feel the number is too high, take comfort that Earth just finds you more attractive than others. The same scale could also be used to measure the mass of Earth. If you place a kilogram mass on the scale, the weight it gives is also the weight of Earth in the gravitational field of the kilogram. With a bit of mass, you have the mass of Earth.
	ALMA gets a new hydrogen maser The Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) has just received a "heart transplant," high in the Atacama Desert in Northern Chile. ALMA, the most complex astronomical observatory ever built on Earth, installed a new hydrogen maser. This upgrade marks an essential investment, setting a new standard in reliability for observations.
	NASA's Roman telescope to use rare events to calculate expansion rate of universe Astronomers investigating one of the most pressing mysteries of the cosmos—the rate at which the universe is expanding—are readying themselves to study this puzzle in a new way using NASA's Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope. Once it launches by May 2027, astronomers will mine Roman's wide swaths of images for gravitationally lensed supernovae, which can be used to measure the expansion rate of the universe.
	NASA to demonstrate autonomous navigation system on moon When the second CLPS (Commercial Lunar Payload Services) delivery is launched to the moon in mid-February, its NASA payloads will include an experiment that could change how human explorers, rovers, and spacecraft independently track their precise location on the moon and in cis-lunar space.
	For your processing pleasure: The sharpest pictures of Jupiter's volcanic moon Io in a generation NASA's Juno spacecraft has just made the closest flybys of Jupiter's moon Io that any spacecraft has carried out in more than 20 years. An instrument on this spacecraft called "JunoCam" has returned spectacular, high-resolution images—and raw data are now available for you to process, enhance, and investigate.
	Axiom Space astronauts depart space station for 2-day ride home to Florida The first human spaceflight of the year is headed home as the four crew of the Axiom Space Ax-3 mission climbed aboard the SpaceX Crew Dragon Freedom and departed the International Space Station on Wednesday heading for a planned Friday morning splashdown off Florida's coast.

Technology news

	Adaptive robot can open all the doors A small team of roboticists at Carnegie Mellon University has developed a training regimen that allows a robot to start out with limited abilities, such as carrying out a certain task like opening doors or drawers, and to improve as it teaches itself how to modify its techniques when faced with previously unseen challenges.
	Researchers raise expectations for commercialization of high-energy-density all-solid-state batteries Researchers are actively working on non-flammable solid electrolytes as a safer alternative to liquid electrolytes commonly found in lithium-ion batteries, which are vulnerable to fires and explosions.
	Resting found to boost performance of lithium metal batteries Next-generation electric vehicles could run on lithium metal batteries that go 500 to 700 miles on a single charge, twice the range of conventional lithium-ion batteries in EVs today.
	Study unveils scalable and efficient photoelectrode modules for green hydrogen production In a development toward practical photoelectrochemical water splitting, a research team has achieved a technological breakthrough in the production of green hydrogen. Through their innovative approach, the team has overcome the challenges of efficiency, stability, and scalability in photoelectrodes, paving the way for practical implementation. The study is published in the journal Nature Energy.
	International research team develops new hardware for neuromorphic computing In the future, modern machines should not only follow algorithms quickly and precisely, but also function intelligently—in other words, in a way that resembles the human brain. Scientists from Dortmund, Loughborough, Kiev and Nottingham have now developed a concept inspired by eyesight that could make future artificial intelligence much more compact and efficient.
	EVs that go 1,000 kilometers on a single charge: New gel may make it possible Futuristic advancements in AI and health care stole the limelight at the tech extravaganza Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2024. However, battery technology is the game-changer at the heart of these innovations, enabling greater power efficiency. Importantly, electric vehicles are where this technology is being applied most intensely.
	Inexpensive, carbon-neutral biofuels are finally possible When it comes to making fuel from plants, the first step has always been the hardest—breaking down the plant matter. A new study finds that introducing a simple, renewable chemical to the pretreatment step can finally make next-generation biofuel production both cost-effective and carbon-neutral.
	3D printed nanocellulose upscaled for green architectural applications For the first time, a hydrogel material made of nanocellulose and algae has been tested as an alternative, greener architectural material. The study, from Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden and the Wallenberg Wood Science Center, shows how the abundant sustainable material can be 3D printed into a wide array of architectural components, using much less energy than conventional construction methods.
	AI can use human perception to help tune out noisy audio Researchers have developed a new deep learning model that promises to significantly improve audio quality in real-world scenarios by taking advantage of a previously underutilized tool: Human perception.
	Getting to know the 'ghost' inside batteries: An in-depth examination of tiny short-circuits An Argonne team developing materials for solid-state batteries has taken an unexpected detour to investigate tiny short-circuits known as soft-shorts. Their insights will benefit battery researchers around the world.
	Q&A: Researcher discusses how newly developed method can help robots identify objects in cluttered spaces Imagine a coffee cup sitting on a table. Now, imagine a book partially obscuring the cup. As humans, we still know what the coffee cup is even though we can't see all of it. But a robot might be confused.
	Smart earrings can monitor a person's temperature Smart accessories are increasingly common. Rings and watches track vitals, while Ray-Bans now come with cameras and microphones. Wearable tech has even broached brooches. Yet certain accessories have yet to get the smart touch.
	Bluesky, a social network championed by Jack Dorsey, opens for anyone to sign up Bluesky, a Twitter-like social network championed by Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey, has emerged from its cocoon and is now allowing anyone to create an account and join the service.
	Powerful answers to energy questions may be blowing in the wind While wind farms have become a widely popular method of generating energy, researchers are now looking at the impact of these large farms on wind patterns and the surrounding environment.
	Snap shares plummet after disappointing results Shares in social media company Snap, which runs the youth-focused Snapchat, plummeted on Tuesday after the company posted disappointing earnings.
	Why fashion's 'recycling' is not saving the planet In H&M's flagship Paris store it is hard to find clothes that don't claim to be made from "recycled materials".
	Alibaba approves additional $25 billion share buyback as revenue disappoints Chinese e-commerce firm Alibaba Group Holding on Wednesday approved an additional $25 billion authorization to its share buyback program, amid lower-than-expected sales revenue for the last quarter of 2023.
	MEMS accelerometer based on stiffness tuning for improved motion detection technology MEMS accelerometers, essential for various high-tech applications, face challenges with temperature-induced accuracy drifts. Despite their widespread use in electronics, navigation, and monitoring systems, their performance is compromised by temperature effects on mechanical and electronic components, leading to inaccuracies.
	Using AI to monitor the internet for terror content is inescapable—but also fraught with pitfalls Every minute, millions of social media posts, photos and videos flood the internet. On average, Facebook users share 694,000 stories, X (formerly Twitter) users post 360,000 posts, Snapchat users send 2.7 million snaps and YouTube users upload more than 500 hours of video.
	Researchers develop and test the first unmanned forestry machine A study published in the Journal of Field Robotics assessed the world's first unmanned machine designed for autonomous forestry operations.
	From waste to resource: New sustainable process transforms sewage sludge into activated carbon Sewage sludge is the solid waste resulting from wastewater treatment. According to data from the Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge, 1.2 million tons of this waste were produced in Spain in 2021 alone, and its management is a growing problem.
	In a first for Uber since becoming a public company, an annual profit Uber posted its first full-year profit since going public in 2019 and its stock hit an all-time high Wednesday as strong bookings in the final quarter of the year pushed profit and revenue beyond Wall Street expectations.
	An expert discusses the state of cryptocurrencies Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin were created to circumvent the monopoly on money held by nation states and central banks. The digital currencies were to function more democratically and be widely disseminated. But the opposite has happened, blockchain researcher Claudio Tessone notes.
	Japan's electric vehicle transition by 2035 may be insufficient to combat the climate crisis, but there are solutions Researchers at Kyushu University have found that Japan's current policy of stopping the sale of gas vehicles by 2035 and transitioning only to hybrids and electric vehicles may be insufficient to reduce the country's CO2 emissions and prevent it from reaching its decarbonization target goals. In fact, emissions may temporarily increase.
	Your personal data is political: Computer scientists find gaps in the privacy practices of campaign websites Would you trust a random political canvasser to do whatever they wanted with your resume, your friends' email addresses—and perhaps your profile pictures?
	Decoding thermophotovoltaic efficiency The field of solar cells has witnessed exponential development over the past decades. Evaluating the performance of solar cells has been simple because all devices can be compared given a single metric, the efficiency, which is measured under standardized conditions.
	Can solar geoengineering save the world? The concept of solar geoengineering—blocking the sun's radiation to slow Earth's warming—is no longer just the realm of science fiction. In 2023, the U.S. government and the UN released reports on the topic. Whether or not solar geoengineering can save the world is up for debate, and Tony Harding, an assistant professor in the School of Public Policy, is contributing to the conversation.
	Ford posts $523 million 4Q net loss on accounting charge for pensions but beats analyst estimates Ford Motor Co. on Tuesday reported that it swung to a net loss in the fourth quarter due to a large accounting charge on pension plans and the effects of a six-week strike at multiple factories by the United Auto Workers union.
	Ex-staff accuse SpaceX of sexual harassment, discrimination Former employees at Elon Musk's SpaceX have expanded their legal case against the rocket-making company that they accuse of discrimination and sexual harassment.
	Networks unite to create new sports streaming platform ESPN, Fox and Warner Bros Discovery have reached agreement on a new streaming platform for live sports content, the companies said on Tuesday.
	EU court backs Ryanair in Dutch aid case for KLM A top EU court on Wednesday again annulled the approval of a pandemic state aid program for Dutch airline KLM, handing a fresh victory to its Irish rival Ryanair.
	Vanguard quietly embraces AI in $13 billion of quant stock funds Vanguard Group, famous for its old-school investment ethos and reluctance to chase newfangled technologies like crypto, has been quietly using machine learning across several active stock funds with a combined $13 billion under management.
	Labor's fuel-efficiency standards may settle the ute dispute—but there are still hazards on the road Australia looks set to adopt fuel-efficiency standards after the Albanese government on Sunday revealed options for the long-awaited policy. The government says the reform would lead to more cars that are cheaper to run, eventually saving Australians about A$1,000 per vehicle each year.

Chemistry news

Green doesn't always mean clean: Cleaning products urgently need better regulation, researchers warn Many cleaning products labeled as "green" emit just as many harmful chemicals as regular products, new research has revealed.

Examining how molecular orbitals determine stability Carboxylic acid dianions (fumarate, maleate, and succinate) play a role in coordination chemistry and, to some extent, also in the biochemistry of body cells. An HZB team at BESSY II has now analyzed their electronic structures using RIXS in combination with DFT simulations. The results provide information not only on electronic structures but also on the relative stability of these molecules, which can influence an industry's choice of carboxylate dianions, optimizing both the stability and geometry of coordination polymers.

Biology news

	A Filipino fruit dove reveals its secrets In May 1953, Filipino ornithologist D. S. Rabor collected a single female fruit dove on the forested slopes of an active volcano on the Philippine island of Negros. The small apple-green bird, which had yellow edgings on its wings and prominent circles of bare skin around its eyes, was unlike any other known pigeon species. In 1954, Rabor and Yale professor Dillon Ripley described the unique specimen as Ptilinopus arcanus, a name inspired by the Latin word for "secret."
	New species of 65 million year old fossil shark discovered in Alabama A team of scientists has discovered a new fossil shark species from Alabama. The shark is a new species of Palaeohypotodus, which means "ancient small-eared tooth," in reference to the small needle-like fangs present on the sides of the teeth.
	Scientists reveal why blueberries are blue Tiny external structures in the wax coating of blueberries give them their blue color, researchers at the University of Bristol can reveal. This applies to a lot of fruits that are the same color including damsons, sloes and juniper berries.
	Understanding jasmonic acid: A switch that activates autophagy in Arabidopsis petals Organogenesis, an important aspect of flowering, helps reveal key processes of plant development such as the formation of floral organs, attainment of reproductive capability, and abscission leading to seed and fruit development.
	Helping predict cold-blooded animals' response to environmental shifts Newcastle University researchers have developed a new tool to predict cold-blooded animals' responses to environmental change.
	Q&A: Research visualizes a precise mechanism for how cells sort their trash For decades it has been an open question in the ubiquitin research field how proteins are labeled as being defective or unneeded. In a recent study Brenda Schulman, Director at the Max Planck Institute (MPI) of Biochemistry, and Gary Kleiger, Chair of Chemistry and Biochemistry Department at University of Las Vegas Nevada, together with their teams were able to visualize this precise mechanism, catalyzed by the Cullin-RING Ligase E3s, for the first time.
	Dinosaurs' success helped by specialized stance and gait, study finds Dinosaurs' range of locomotion made them incredibly adaptable, University of Bristol researchers have found. In a new study, published today in Royal Society Open Science, findings show that the first dinosaurs were simply faster and more dynamic than their competitors, and it's why they were able to dominate the Earth for 160 million years.
	Fossilized frog with belly full of eggs unearthed in China is oldest of its kind An international team of Earth scientists, evolutionary biologists and paleontologists has unearthed an ancient frog with a belly full of eggs, the oldest known find of its kind. In their paper published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B, the group describes the frog, where it was found, how long ago it lived and where it fits in the frog family tree.
	New tool skillfully predicts marine habitat shifts As global temperatures rise, so do ocean temperatures. The ocean absorbs about 90% of the world's excess heat, and this leads to changes to the marine environment that go beyond temperature, making some areas uninhabitable for some marine species.
	How fruit flies control the brain's 'steering wheel' When we walk down the street, we have an internal sense of which way we are heading from looking at street signals and physical landmarks and also a sense of where we'd like to go. But how does the brain coordinate between these directions, doing the mental math that tells us which way to turn?
	Study reveals how kelp forests persisted through the large 2014–2016 Pacific marine heat wave New research led by Monterey Bay Aquarium and the University of California, Santa Cruz, reveals that denser, and more sheltered, kelp forests can withstand serious stressors amid warming ocean temperatures. Published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B, the study also offers the first comprehensive assessment of how declines in kelp abundance affected marine algae, invertebrates, and fishes living in Monterey Bay.
	Study finds plankton use UV light sensors to detect pressure change and avoid getting swept away Researchers have uncovered how sea-dwelling plankton respond to pressure changes and propel themselves through the water, using tiny protrusions called cilia.
	New research discovers adult Komodo teeth are surprisingly similar to those of theropod dinosaurs Kilat, the largest living lizard at the Toronto Metro Zoo, like other members of his species (Varanus komodoensis), truly deserves to be called the Komodo dragon. His impressive size and the way he looks at you and tracks your every move makes you realize that he is an apex predator, not unlike a ferocious theropod dinosaur.
	Friend or foe? Researchers explore ancient partnership between moss and fungi The next time you walk through the woods in the dead of winter, take a moment to see if you can spot one of nature's most persistent and heartiest survivors.
	Study finds corn genome can gang up on multiple pathogens at once In a changing climate, corn growers must be ready for anything, including new and shifting disease dynamics. Because it's impossible to predict which damaging disease will pop up in a given year, corn with resistance to multiple diseases would be a huge win for growers. Now, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign researchers are moving the industry closer to that goal.
	Reinforcing the diverse ways people access seafood can ensure healthy communities in the face of change As climate change affects the oceans, coastal communities—particularly those at the front lines of ocean warming and sea level rise—are facing pressures that could threaten their access to aquatic foods.
	Creating a toolkit of yeast strains that over-produce key cellular building blocks Microbes such as bacteria and yeast are increasingly being used to produce components of medicines, biofuels, and food. Indeed, baker's yeast, also known as brewer's yeast or Saccharomyces cerevisiae, is responsible for the fermentation process used in making beer or bread, but it is also used at scale to produce other molecules of value for industry.
	Warmer water may help rivers keep antimicrobial resistance at bay Antimicrobial resistant genes (ARGs) from wastewater can end up in natural biofilms in rivers, but they may not stick around very long. In mSphere, researchers report that after ARGs are introduced to a river they invade and initially join natural biofilms.
	The social life of mouse immune systems Hanging out a lot with the same crowd can make immune systems of individual animals similar, even if the crowd is not related. That's according to a recent paper published in Science Advances that teased out connections between social behaviors and immune cell profiles of lab mice which were allowed to "rewild" and do as they pleased in controlled, predator-free outdoor enclosures.
	Spent hemp biomass: A feed use that supports milk production in dairy cows Hemp cultivation has exploded in recent years, especially as CBD, a nonpsychoactive cannabinoid, has grown in popularity. As a result, there have been increasing calls—including from the Association of American Feed Control Officers—for CBD's by-product, spent hemp biomass, to be investigated as a potential animal feed ingredient. Is this plentiful fiber source a reliable, healthy new feedstuff for livestock, including dairy cows?
	Synthetic human embryos let researchers study early development while sidestepping ethical and logistical hurdles Embryonic development, also known as embryogenesis, is a cornerstone in understanding the origins of life. But studying this marvel of intricate and layered biological processes in people faces considerable challenges. Early-stage human embryos are difficult to obtain. Then there are ethical issues surrounding their use. This has made it difficult for scientists to understand early human development.
	If plants can pick fungi to help fight pests and diseases, it opens a door to greener farming and ecosystem recovery Just beneath your feet, an ancient and silent alliance endures. This alliance between plants and arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi is one of the oldest biological partnerships on Earth.
	How air pollution harms pollination Pollination, the transfer of pollen grains from the male to the female organs, is an essential part of reproduction for the majority of plants. For many of these plants, this transfer is carried out by insects in search of food—this is known as insect pollination.
	Effects of nitrogen and phosphorus additions on soil nematode community of soybean farmland As a predator of soil microorganisms, nematodes respond rapidly to changes in soil environment, which can reflect climate conditions, ecosystem succession status, nutrient cycling and soil ecosystem health. In agroecosystems, nitrogen and phosphate fertilizers are often applied in large quantities. Therefore, studying the effect of nitrogen and phosphorus addition on soil nematode communities is helpful to understand how nitrogen and phosphorus addition affects the growth and development of crops in farmland ecosystems.
	Study shows how plants adapt to cold ambient temperatures and frost As plants are sessile organisms, they must be highly flexible in their ability to adapt to a wide range of environmental conditions in order to survive. Researchers from the Department of Plant Physiology at the RPTU Kaiserslautern are investigating plant adaptation mechanisms, particularly to abiotic stress factors such as light intensity or temperature.
	The number of monarch butterflies at their Mexico wintering sites has plummeted this year The number of monarch butterflies at their wintering areas in Mexico dropped by 59% this year to the second lowest level since record keeping began, experts said Wednesday, blaming heat, drought and loss of habitat.
	A pod of killer whales trapped in drift ice off northern Japan has apparently safely escaped A pod of killer whales that was trapped in drift ice off Japan's northern main island of Hokkaido, prompting concern from environmental groups, has apparently safely escaped, officials said Wednesday.
	Chile's biggest botanical garden like 'smoker's lung' after wildfire Once a lush oasis bursting with native and exotic plants, Chile's biggest botanical garden has been left grayed and charred after a wildfire blazed through last week, also killing a nursery manager and members of her family.

Medicine and Health news

	Study finds that microglia could regulate sleep via the modulation of norepinephrine transmission Sleep is known to play a key role in facilitating various physiological processes, while also contributing to the healthy functioning of the brain. Lack of sleep and poor sleep quality have been linked to various chronic health and mental health issues, including high blood pressure, depression, stroke, obesity, and heart disease.
	Can an experimental cell phone app screen coughs for TB? Scientists say 'yes' What telltale features—many inaudible to the human ear—separate one kind of cough from another? Scientists are on the verge of finding out with a new machine learning tool aimed at identifying the signature sounds of tuberculosis.
	Chronic jet lag leads to human liver cancer in a mouse model When asked about what could cause cancer, people most likely think of chemicals like tobacco or radiation such as UV light in sunshine, but chronic jet lag probably does not come to mind. Human epidemiological studies have linked chronic jet lag, also known as chronic circadian dysfunction, to increased liver cancer risk. However, direct evidence that it leads to liver cancer has been lacking.
	Researchers find a molecular mechanism related to neuronal death The human brain is an organ that requires 20% to 25% of the energy the body creates. This high energy demand for neuronal functions depends on the transport and precise distribution of mitochondria—the energy-generating cell organelles—in each neuron.
	Novel drug could protect brains from damage after repeat concussions Repeat concussions, also referred to as repetitive mild traumatic brain injury, can lead to chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) and raise the risk of Alzheimer's disease. However, some people who experience repetitive mild traumatic brain injury never develop major disease.
	New research uncovers biological drivers of heart disease risk Over the past 15 years, researchers have identified hundreds of regions in the human genome associated with heart attack risk. However, researchers lack efficient ways to explore how these genetic variants are molecularly connected to cardiovascular disease, limiting efforts to develop therapeutics.
	New direct links discovered between the brain and its surrounding environment In a recent study of the brain's waste drainage system, researchers from Washington University in St. Louis, collaborating with investigators at the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) discovered a direct connection between the brain and its tough protective covering, the dura mater.
	New technique could make human T cells 100 times more potent at killing cancer cells Scientists at the UC San Francisco (UCSF) and Northwestern Medicine may have found a way around the limitations of engineered T cells by borrowing a few tricks from cancer itself.
	New sex-specific genetic variants for chronic kidney disease identified Working with an international consortium, scientists at Leipzig University have identified new genes that may play a role in chronic kidney disease. They analyzed data from more than 900,000 people and found effects that in some cases differed between men and women.
	Psychedelic experiences linked with improved sexual function Magic mushrooms, LSD and other psychoactive compounds may help to improve sexual function for months after the psychedelic experience.
	Exploring the unexpected long-term consequences of female fertility The constant remodeling of the organs of the female reproductive tract during the reproductive cycle leads to fibrosis and chronic inflammation over the years. Scientists from the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) have now uncovered these unexpected long-term consequences of female reproductive function in mice. The results have been published in Cell.
	Scientists develop low-cost device to make cell therapy safer A tiny device built by scientists at MIT and the Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology could be used to improve the safety and effectiveness of cell therapy treatments for patients suffering from spinal cord injuries.
	Progress toward developing blood tests for psychiatric and neurological disorders Researchers in a Johns Hopkins Children's Center-led study that used genetic material from human blood and lab-grown brain cells say they have made progress in developing a blood test to identify disease-associated changes in the brain specifically linked to postpartum depression and other psychiatric and neurological disorders.
	Promising results in cancer treatment with immunotherapy and Danish technology Over the past two decades, immunotherapy—utilizing the body's own immune system to combat illness—has emerged as a groundbreaking treatment for various types of cancer. The body's own T-cells possess a remarkable capacity to identify and fight a wide range of cancers. Regrettably, cancer cells frequently develop the ability to weaken the activity of T-cells.
	Measuring household air pollution exposure in sub-Saharan Africa Researchers from the University of Liverpool, dedicated to addressing the issue of household air pollution (HAP) in sub-Saharan Africa, have released new data to better understand the problem.
	Scientists discover that a protein associated with neurodegenerative diseases is also linked to childhood brain cancer A protein that has been widely studied owing to its association with neurodegenerative diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is also linked to medulloblastoma, a type of central nervous system cancer. Medulloblastoma is one of the most common and aggressive brain tumors in children, arising from undifferentiated cells during early neural development.
	'Suspended animation' drug could aid organ transplantation and survival from traumatic injury Researchers have shown that a non-addictive pain relief drug could be used to preserve cells and organs quickly and safely for transplantation, removing the need for static cold storage.
	Many hookah manufacturers have not complied with FDA-mandated nicotine warning labels, finds study Since August 2018, the US Food & Drug Administration has mandated that all hookah (also known as waterpipe tobacco or shisha) manufacturers include a nicotine warning on their packaging to communicate the harms of the tobacco in their products.
	Stress found to influence brain and psyche via immune system Chronic stress has far-reaching consequences for our bodies. For example, many stress-related psychiatric illnesses, such as depression, are associated with changes in the immune system. However, the underlying mechanisms of how these changes affect the brain remain largely unknown.
	Study shows infants' understanding of social norms Our everyday lives are full of rules, such as how we should dress, how we greet each other, which side of the road we drive on, and when we cross at traffic lights. These and many other social norms are the basis for human coexistence in societies. In a recent study by scientists from the University of Regensburg and Oxford University, which is now published in Scientific Reports, it was shown that even babies understand what is right and wrong.
	Anticoagulants fail to prevent unexplained strokes, clinical trial finds A common practice of prescribing anticoagulants to people who have had unexplained strokes should stop, according to a study led by researchers at Columbia, Weill Cornell Medicine, and the University of Washington and published in JAMA.
	Researchers discover new cell that remembers allergies Researchers with McMaster University and Denmark-based pharmaceutical company ALK-Abello A/S have made a groundbreaking discovery: a new cell that remembers allergies.
	Scientists code ChatGPT to design new medicine Generative artificial intelligence platforms, from ChatGPT to Midjourney, grabbed headlines in 2023. But GenAI can do more than create collaged images and help write emails—it can also design new drugs to treat disease.
	Predicting neurodevelopmental disease in children from parents' traits Predicting the trajectory of neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders like autism or schizophrenia is difficult because they can be influenced by many different genetic and environmental factors.
	Women with HPV infection face higher risk of death from cardiovascular disease, finds study Women have a four times higher risk of dying from cardiovascular disease if they have an infection with a high-risk strain of the human papillomavirus (HPV), according to research published in the European Heart Journal today.
	Artificial intelligence helps predict whether antidepressants will work in patients In patients with major depression disorder, it is now possible to predict within a week whether an antidepressant will work thanks to the use of artificial intelligence (AI). With the help of an AI algorithm, a brain scan and an individual's clinical information, researchers from Amsterdam UMC and Radboudumc could see up to 8 weeks faster whether or not the medication would work. The results of this study are published today in the American Journal of Psychiatry.
	Survey finds most don't know the numbers that help predict heart disease Keeping track of blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels can help identify risk factors for heart disease. However, a national survey by The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center found that while many adults know their childhood address or best friend's birthday, less than half know their blood pressure or ideal weight, and fewer than 1 in 5 know their cholesterol or blood sugar levels.
	Cough? Sore throat? More schools suggest mildly sick kids attend anyway Trenace Dorsey-Hollins' 5-year-old daughter was sick a lot last year. Dorsey-Hollins followed school guidelines and kept her home when she had a cough or a sore throat—or worse—until she was completely better.
	First MYC inhibitor to demonstrate safety and anti-tumor activity in a phase I first-in-human clinical trial Directed by Laura Soucek, an ICREA Research Professor, Director of VHIO's Experimental Therapeutics Program and head of our Models of Cancer Therapies Group, two decades of research aimed at combating resistance to therapy and cancer regression through inhibiting the MYC oncogene—found deregulated in most, if not all tumor types—has led to the in-house development of the Omomyc (OMO-103) therapeutic mini-protein by the VHIO and Catalan Institute of Research and Advanced Studies' (ICREA) spin-off company Peptomyc S.L., which Soucek co-founded in 2014 alongside Marie-Eve Beaulieu, Peptomyc's Chief Scientific Officer.
	Gut microbiome changes during pregnancy may influence immune system response During pregnancy, a woman's immune system changes dramatically but researchers don't yet understand all the underlying mechanisms. A new study shows how the gut microbiota may play a role.
	Study finds non-white victims of lethal violence and suicide in the US die younger than their white counterparts In the US, people of color who are killed by violence or die by suicide lose more potential years of life than white victims, according to a new study, which also explored factors that may contribute to these disparities. Gregory Zimmerman of Northeastern University in Boston, US, and colleagues present these findings in the open-access journal PLOS ONE.
	UK austerity politics correlated with increased frailty in the oldest adults The period of austerity politics from 2012 to 2018 was associated with steeper increases in frailty with age compared to pre-austerity between 2002 and 2010, according to a new study published in the open-access journal PLOS ONE by Carys Pugh of the University of Edinburgh, UK, and colleagues.
	Organic compound found in trees could prevent contact lens eye infections A new study suggests a naturally-occurring material is an effective disinfectant for contact lenses, worn by millions of people worldwide.
	Number of child passenger deaths in crashes with alcohol-impaired driver from 2011–2020 remains stable The proportion of child passengers who died in crashes involving an alcohol-impaired driver has remained unchanged in the last decade, according to research published online Feb. 6 in Pediatrics.
	Updated COVID-19 vaccine has effectiveness of 54 percent, according to new research Updated monovalent COVID-19 vaccines offer vaccine effectiveness (VE) of 54 percent against symptomatic severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, according to research published in the Feb. 1 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
	CDC warns of listeria outbreak tied to cheese, yogurt Two people have died and 23 have been hospitalized in a years-long outbreak of listeria illness that's finally been traced to one company's cheeses, yogurts and other dairy products.
	Cases of syphilis hit dangerous record high, CDC says: Why it's not just another STD Cases of syphilis have hit record high numbers following a five-year trend, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said.
	Screen time can seriously harm your eyes: Here's how to avoid it Every day, more and more patients are seeking medical attention after spending long days in front of computer screens. The most common symptoms include irritated or itchy eyes, and a sensation of dryness or sand on the surface of the eye.
	Money and aging: South African study shows cash grants help people live longer and have better memory function Nearly half of South Africa's 60 million people receive social grants, ranging from child support to pensions. The grants are designed to provide financial assistance to people living in poverty.
	Venture capitalists are backing a 'steroid Olympics' to find out what happens when athletes are doped to the gills For many, elite sport is the quintessential human endeavor. It drives ferocious competition, captures unconditional tribal loyalty, and rewards the victors with fame and fortune.
	Study examines Māori response during COVID-19 A study into the social response of Māori during the COVID-19 pandemic has found the interconnectedness of Indigenous communities could be key to developing greater and more effective public health policies.
	Preventable hospitalizations and 'deaths of despair' associated with income inequality Canada's growing income inequality is having an impact on Canadians' mental and physical health, according to public health researchers at the University of Alberta.
	Study demonstrates antitumor action of substance present in Brazilian green propolis Propolis has long been used in traditional medicine and has won attention from the scientific community following proof of its health benefits, which include antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antitumor, and immunomodulatory properties. Its composition varies according to origin, geographic location, and the bee species that produces it.
	How to provide effective fall prevention in aged care New research from Flinders University has revealed that devastating falls in residential aged care homes could be prevented by using gold standard approaches of regular exercise and a personalized fall prevention plan.
	Investigating the impact of perceived experts as anti-vaccine influencers on social media While medical professionals and scientific researchers are some of the most effective sources encouraging vaccination, a study finds that individuals who appear to be biomedical experts may also be important anti-vaccine influencers on social media.
	Link found between air pollution and global cardiovascular disease–related deaths A recent analysis of data from nearly all World Health Organization member states clearly demonstrates a link between air pollution and mortality from cardiovascular diseases, with more of such deaths associated with air pollution in low-income countries compared with high-income countries.
	Study finds repetitive high concentration capsaicin patch applications beneficial for nerve pain Capsaicin, derived from hot chili pepper plants, has been used to treat various types of pain, and a high concentration capsaicin patch (HCCP) is approved for the treatment of nerve (or neuropathic) pain.
	How to get COVID-19 antiviral pills like Paxlovid For some people with COVID-19, antiviral pills that can be taken at home can lessen the chances of winding up in the hospital.
	Study suggests the possibility of combination therapy of SORA and FGF21 in hepatocellular carcinoma Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common human disease and one of the main causes of cancer-related death. The angiogenesis inhibitor Sorafenib (SORA) is commonly used in the treatment of advanced HCC as a first-line drug.
	Early drawing and building skills linked to enhanced education and behavior in children Fine motor skills in young children are linked to better GCSE scores and fewer behavioral problems in childhood and adolescence, according to a study from the University of Surrey and Birkbeck, University of London.
	Scientists discover how some advanced breast cancers become resistant to hormone therapy Researchers have identified why some advanced estrogen receptor (ER) positive breast cancers become resistant to hormone therapy, and have identified drugs currently in development that could keep disease stable for longer for these patients.
	Cinnamon processor in Ecuador is culprit behind lead-tainted applesauce, FDA says A company in Ecuador that processed the cinnamon used in flavored applesauce pouches destined for the American market is the likely source of lead contamination in those products, U.S. investigators said.
	Doctors may not be giving young cancer patients what they need The rate of cancer deaths in the U.S. has steadily declined for several decades. But there's a caveat: We've recently seen a small but worrisome increase in the rate of certain cancers—particularly colon cancers—among adults under 50. These patients have a set of needs that the health care system, accustomed to an older patient population, is not always meeting.
	The size of your meniscus matters: Knee pain explained With all of the fantastic imaging techniques available in health care today, clinicians are capable of diagnosing tissue and joint deformities using non-invasive imaging with remarkable accuracy. However, one vexing question remains: Why are some patients with specific joint deformities symptomatic while others are not?
	People with lower incomes particularly benefit from nature, suggests study Data from a representative sample of the Austrian population suggests that the connection between contact with nature and well-being is stronger among people with lower incomes than among people with higher incomes. However, this pattern was only found when people actively sought out nature and not when they simply lived near green spaces.
	AI app proves equal to standard mental health questionnaires in assessing depression A new mental health assessment powered by artificial intelligence is as good at assessing depression symptoms as the "gold standard" questionnaires currently in broad use in health care, according to researchers at The University of Texas at Austin. The new technology holds the potential to help mitigate the national shortage of mental health professionals.
	Neuronal abnormalities in autism-associated canine model carry Shank3 mutations Researchers led by Prof. Zhang Yongqing from the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology (IGDB) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences have established for the first time a brain slice electrophysiology system in an autism-associated canine model and revealed neuronal structural and functional abnormalities in Shank3 mutant dogs.
	AI-generated content model applied to brain image computing for Alzheimer's disease analysis Generative artificial intelligence (AI), utilizing deep learning to generate a patient's brain network from multimodal images, has a valuable application in brain network analysis. However, existing data-driven models face challenges, such as relying heavily on extensive high-quality images, potentially resulting in suboptimal models and a failure to accurately assess evolving characteristics in brain networks.
	Research highlights simple things we can do to cope with traumatic loss A new study finds there are simple activities that can help people improve their mood and emotional well-being on a day-to-day basis after the traumatic loss of a loved one.
	Findings shed light on the role of platelets in patients with cirrhosis Next to other complications, cirrhosis is also linked to abnormalities in hemostasis. However, the role of alterations in platelet function had previously been insufficiently investigated.
	Q&A: Cancer keeps coming for the young. Why? A report released last month by the American Cancer Society reflects significant progress in recent decades in early detection and treatment of the disease.
	Cracking the code to vitamin D: How you store and cook your eggs matters Scientists have shown that storing your eggs on the worktop rather than in the fridge—and how you cook them—matters when it comes to preserving vitamin D, known as the "sunshine vitamin."
	Parenting by lying linked to more lie-telling in children While instrumental lies—a type of parental lie told to encourage behavioral changes—may lead to behavioral compliance, a new study by Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) suggests that children told such lies are more likely to lie to their parents.
	Study finds neighborhood socioeconomic status may play an important role in suicides Attempted suicide is one of the most significant predictors of completed suicide, which is becoming a leading cause of mortality in the U.S., especially among young adults. While prior research has focused mainly on individual-level risk factors for suicide–such as psychiatric diagnoses, impulsiveness, substance use, and previous suicide attempts—there is little information on risk factors at the community level, including the physical and social environment in which people live.
	Towards a better understanding of endothelial cell transformation in cancer progression Endothelial-mesenchymal transition (EndoMT, also termed as EndMT), a biological process resulting in the formation of mesenchymal (or lineage-committed) phenotypes from endothelial cells (lining blood vessels), plays a crucial role in tumor progression. Despite the important role of EndoMT, the underlying mechanism and characteristics of cells in intermediate/partial EndoMT remain largely unexplored. Now, researchers from Japan have developed a system to study these EndoMT stages.
	Researchers map mortality due to heat waves While the most extreme heat waves have the greatest short-term impact on mortality, it is the mildest heat waves that kill most lives over time. This is because mild heat waves are more common. This is according to a new study published in Environment International that has mapped the health risks of heat waves in India.
	New data show a third of states restrict access to lifesaving medicine for opioid use disorder Amid an overdose crisis that claimed more than 100,000 lives last year alone, newly released data show that laws in more than one-third of states restrict access to buprenorphine, a lifesaving treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD).
	Erectile dysfunction drugs may be linked to reduced risk of Alzheimer's disease The drugs used to treat erectile dysfunction may also be associated with a reduced risk of Alzheimer's disease, according to a study published in Neurology. The study does not prove that erectile dysfunction drugs reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease. It only shows an association.
	Group rehabilitation found to improve quality of life for people with long COVID An online program of physical and mental health rehabilitation can improve quality of life for adults with long COVID, finds a trial published by The BMJ today.
	Researchers estimate survival chances during CPR for cardiac arrest A person's chance of surviving while receiving cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for cardiac arrest in hospital declines rapidly from 22% after one minute to less than 1% after 39 minutes, finds a US study published by The BMJ today.
	Bacteria in the mouth linked to pulmonary fibrosis survival Bacteria in the mouth may play a role in survival from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), finds a new study led by researchers from the University of Michigan and the University of Virginia.
	How play can help break the cycle of violence In Canada, only 1 in 5 children who need mental health services receive them. Clinical and psychiatric programs, while effective, can involve long wait times and prohibitive costs. A new study involving McGill University researchers points to a solution to fill the gap: a low-cost, community-based program that has seen inspiring results.
	Creating filters for the medical images of the future A suite of filters that can be applied to medical images to help health care professionals with analysis and diagnosis has been developed by an international team of researchers.
	Lipid mediator Maresin 1 helps improve muscle regeneration, finds study A team of researchers led by Carlos Aguilar, an associate professor of biomedical engineering at the University of Michigan, and graduate students Jesus Castor-Macias and Jacqueline Larouche, has sought to address how lipid mediators, which are potent regulators of the immune response after an injury, varied with volumetric muscle loss (VML) injuries that heal or result in fibrosis. Their work recently was published in an article in eLife.
	Researchers discover that blocking ephrin B2 signaling can stop multiple myeloma growth Cedars-Sinai Cancer investigators have discovered a protein expressed on multiple myeloma cancer cells that drives disease growth and development. The new study found that blocking part of the protein's unique signaling pathway stops myeloma growth in culture and in laboratory mice. Their study was published in the journal Cancer Research.
	Position of stroke patient's head before surgery may improve neurological function Positioning patients with large vessel ischemic (clot-caused) stroke with their heads flat (0-degrees) before surgery to remove the blood clot resulted in significant improvements in neurological function, compared to patients whose heads were elevated (at a 30-degree angle), according to preliminary late-breaking science presented today at the American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference 2024.
	In a clinical trial, blood thinners added to clot-busting medication did not improve stroke outcomes Giving blood thinners in addition to clot-busting medications to people with ischemic strokes (clot-caused strokes) did not improve their outcomes 90 days later, according to preliminary late-breaking science presented today at the American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference 2024.
	Evaluation of ruxolitinib, a JAK inhibitor, in multiple myeloma A new research perspective titled "Preclinical and clinical evaluation of the Janus Kinase inhibitor ruxolitinib in multiple myeloma" has been published in Oncotarget.
	Study: Pregnant women should avoid ultraprocessed, fast foods If you're pregnant, you may want to think twice before making a hamburger run or reaching for a prepackaged pastry, according to research published last month in the journal Environmental International.
	How lung cancer hijacks immune cell metabolism to fuel its own growth Lung adenocarcinoma is the most common lung cancer and the cause of most cancer-related deaths in the United States. There are several ways lung adenocarcinoma can arise, one of which is a mutation in a protein called EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor). Non-mutated EGFR helps cells grow in response to injury, but mutated EGFR promotes out-of-control growth that can turn into cancer.
	PROX1/α-SMA correlated with colorectal cancer progression, poor outcomes and therapeutic resistance A new research paper titled "PROX1 interaction with α-SMA-rich cancer-associated fibroblasts facilitates colorectal cancer progression and correlates with poor clinical outcomes and therapeutic resistance" has been published in Aging.
	Research reveals nutrition potential of budding bush food A bush food staple could be the center of a new Indigenous industry, according to a University of Queensland researcher. Sera Susan Jacob from the ARC Centre for Uniquely Australian Foods has identified the properties and potential of wattleseed, an edible seed or legume from the Australian Acacia, used traditionally as a staple food.
	UK boosts dentists with cash to ease shortage Dentists in England will receive cash to accept new patients amid a critical shortage of state-funded dental care, the UK's public health authority said on Wednesday.
	More 'navigators' are helping women travel to have abortions Chloe Bell is a case manager at the National Abortion Federation. She spends her days helping people cover the cost of an abortion and, increasingly, the interstate travel many of them need to get the procedure.
	Parents warned of killer fake pills laced with fentanyl The DEA has posted a chilling two-page warning to parents on fake pills—pills that can kill. The "One Pill/Can Kill" campaign kicks off with a warning that fentanyl "is a deadly synthetic opioid" pressed into bogus pills that are made to look like Adderall, Xanax, OxyContin and "other pharmaceuticals."
	Proton beam therapy: A modern treatment for cancer, but not in Canada (yet) Radiation is a targeted form of cancer treatment used for up to half of all patients with cancer. Most radiation treatments are delivered using focused X-rays. Because X-rays travel through tissues, this can lead to extra exposure to radiation for healthy organs and tissue.
	Study finds gender affects food allergy's impact on quality of life An analysis of relevant published studies indicates that across all ages, food allergy negatively affects individuals' quality of life to a greater extent in females than in males.
	Loneliness declared health emergency in California's San Mateo County San Mateo County recently became the first county in the country to recognize loneliness as a public health emergency.
	Keep it steady: The importance of maintaining healthy blood pressure If you are waiting for symptoms to pop up as a warning for high blood pressure, think again. Dr. Vijay Nambi, cardiologist and professor of medicine at Baylor College of Medicine, says it's called the silent killer for a reason.
	Treating stomach cancer More than 26,000 people in the U.S. will be diagnosed with stomach cancer this year, and nearly 11,000 people will die of the disease, according to the American Cancer Society. Stomach cancer accounts for about 1.5% of all new cancers diagnosed in the U.S. each year.
	Video: Hypertension and cardiovascular disease in the Black community February is American Heart Month. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S. African Americans are significantly affected by heart disease, resulting in higher mortality rates compared to white Americans.
	Male sex, high age, little physical exercise and low level of education are associated with allostatic load Allostatic load refers to a disorder of the body's stress response, which has been shown to increase the risk of mortality and various health risks, as well as being associated with mental disorders. A recent study by the University of Eastern Finland explored the associations of allostatic load with depressive symptoms, lifestyles, health behaviors, and sociodemographic factors, such as age and level of education.
	Taking a global view of musical care The field of musical care has been rapidly developing in recent years, and a recent paper by Dr. Katie Rose Sanfilippo at City, University of London has introduced the Musical Care International Network and the work that is going on to bring people together to critically discuss, and advocate for, musical care throughout the life course from different disciplinary and cultural perspectives.
	Children of care leavers risk inheriting parents' emotional scars The trauma associated with care experience casts a long shadow on mothers' mental health and that of their children, finds new UCL research.
	Livening up your space with plants can boost your mental health While you may not associate lush greenery with the winter months, incorporating plants into your home can beautify your space and help combat the winter blues. Various indoor plants thrive during the winter months and can provide color in your home during an otherwise dreary time of year.

Other Sciences news

	Innovation in stone tool technology involved multiple stages at the time of modern human dispersals, study finds A study led by researchers at the Nagoya University Museum in Japan may change how we understand the cultural evolution of Homo sapiens at the time of their dispersal across Eurasia about 50,000 to 40,000 years ago. These findings challenge traditional beliefs about the timing and nature of cultural transitions during this critical period in human history.
	The long journey of a child who died more than 2,000 years ago In 2020, the pandemic disrupted everyone's lives, isolated people from each other and ushering in a new reality for all. At universities, activities shifted into low gear and moved online. And in Université de Montréal's Department of Anthropology, then-director Guy Lanoue took the opportunity to do something he'd never had time for: Tidy up.
	The motherhood pay gap: Why women's earnings decline after having children Inequalities between men and women persist in many areas, with women still earning less than men on average. An even more striking difference is the "motherhood pay gap" that happens when women have children. Also known as the "family gap" or child penalties, women's earnings plummet after the birth of a child, while men's barely budge.
	How long did Neanderthals and modern humans co-exist in Europe? Evidence suggests it may have been at least 10,000 years The idea that two different human species, Homo sapiens (us) and Neanderthals, co-existed in western Eurasia 50–40,000 years ago has long captured the imagination of academics and the public alike.
	Is there a typical rate of cultural evolution? Are cultural evolution rates similar across human societies? The emerging field of Cliodynamics uses mathematical models to study history.
	How international recognition of cultural practices could be a new way to protect refugees More than 6.6 million refugees live in camps located largely in Africa, Asia and the Middle East. In these camp communities, unique cultural practices can arise. In our new research, we found the oral histories and healing practices of the Bhutanese refugees in Nepal changed over the decades they spent in camps.
	Researcher examines proactive change-oriented behaviors by public service providers Although change-oriented behaviors are critical to high-quality public service delivery, encouraging employees to embrace and pursue change in the public sector is difficult. Even with sufficient job autonomy—the principal antidote to resistance to change in the public sector literature—public servants may still lack the incentives, skills, information, and sense of security necessary to engage in proactive change-oriented behavior.
	Does your community have a personality type? Geographic sorting along ideological lines is on the rise. Counties and regions of the United States differ in political ideology. But do they differ in personality as well? Further, are people who 'fit' their communities healthier, happier, or more highly achieving than those who do not?
	Report outlines how firms can effectively increase female representation A recent report from Ivey Business School's Lawrence National Centre for Policy and Management introduces distinct strategies for achieving gender parity in the workplace, tailored to the predominant gender makeup of different industries.
	Clarity needed for businesses to achieve greenhouse gas mitigation, study says Despite efforts to mitigate the effects of climate change, companies are not set up for success due to conflicting national and sectorial targets and differing availability of abatement options, a new study reveals.
	After prison, perpetrators of genocide say they've changed After serving decades in prison, Rwandans convicted of crimes of genocide returned to their communities, articulating a "narrative of redemption," saying they were good people, despite their past crimes.
	Acid attacks appear to be on the rise—what the numbers tell us about corrosive substances and crime The horrific attack in Clapham, South London, has brought the issue of acid violence and chemical attacks to the fore. On January 31, Abdul Ezedi allegedly decanted a corrosive substance over a mother and her two children. Thankfully, the injuries sustained by the victims were not life-threatening, but the mother's were described as "potentially life changing." Police are still looking for the suspect.
	Gender-diverse boardrooms reduce leaked deal information, research suggests Research from Dr. Valeriya Vitkova, Senior Lecturer in Corporate Finance at Bayes Business School (formerly Cass), has revealed that merger and acquisition (M&A) deals involving target firms with greater boardroom gender diversity experience fewer leaks of pre-acquisition information than those with male-dominated leadership.

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