Science X Newsletter Tue, Mar 26

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Here is your customized Science X Newsletter for March 26, 2024:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

Invasive Pacific oyster proliferation during Blob marine heat wave portends similar events as seas warm

Using mode-locked lasers to realize and study non-Hermitian topological physics

Scientists on the hunt for evidence of quantum gravity's existence at the South Pole

Astronomers discover 49 new galaxies in under three hours

New nearby mini-Neptune exoplanet discovered

Music and genomes: Beethoven's genes put to the test

Sleeping supermassive black holes awakened briefly by shredded stars

Tiniest 'starquakes' ever detected

Albedo can reduce climate benefit of tree planting: New tool identifies locations with high climate-cooling potential

New roadmap to prevent pandemics centers on protecting biodiversity

Research lights up process for turning CO₂ into sustainable fuel

Research team identifies new treatment target for Alzheimer's disease

The construction of visual attention highlighted at the neuronal level

Indonesia hunts clues as study suggests Javan tiger may still exist

Total solar eclipse in 2017 linked to brief rise in traffic accidents

Nanotechnology news

	New method to measure entropy production on the nanoscale Entropy, the amount of molecular disorder, is produced in several systems but cannot be measured directly. An equation developed by researchers at Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden, and Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, now sheds new light on how entropy is produced on a very short time scale in laser excited materials.
	A nanoscale look at how shells and coral form reveals that biomineralization is more complex than imagined Exactly how does coral make its skeleton, a sea urchin grow a spine, or an abalone form the mother-of-pearl in its shell? A new study at the Advanced Light Source at the Department of Energy's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) revealed that this process of biomineralization, which sea creatures use to lock carbon away in their bodies, is more complex and diverse than previously thought.
	Micro-Lisa: Making a mark with novel nano-scale laser writing High-power lasers are often used to modify polymer surfaces to make high-tech biomedical products, electronics and data storage components.
	Dual-miRNA triggered DNA nanomachine for breast cancer subtype detection and treatment Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in women, posing a serious threat to female health. Due to the high inter- and intra-tumoral heterogeneity of breast cancer, clinical treatment and prognosis can vary greatly in patients.
	Construction of dual heterogeneous interface between zigzag-like Mo-MXene nanofibers and small CoNi@NC nanoparticles Two-dimensional transition metal carbides (MXene) possess attractive conductivity and abundant surface functional groups, providing immense potential in the field of electromagnetic wave (EMW) absorption. However, high conductivity and spontaneous aggregation of MXene suffer from limited EMW response. Inspired by dielectric–magnetic synergy effect, the strategy of decorating MXene with magnetic elements is expected to solve this challenge.

Physics news

	Using mode-locked lasers to realize and study non-Hermitian topological physics Mode-locked lasers are advanced lasers that produce very short pulses of light, with durations ranging from femtoseconds to picoseconds. These lasers are widely used to study ultrafast and nonlinear optical phenomena, but they have also proved useful for various technological applications.
	Scientists on the hunt for evidence of quantum gravity's existence at the South Pole Several thousand sensors distributed over a square kilometer near the South Pole are tasked with answering one of the large outstanding questions in physics: does quantum gravity exist? The sensors monitor neutrinos—particles with no electrical charge and almost without mass—arriving at the Earth from outer space. A team from the Niels Bohr Institute (NBI), University of Copenhagen, has contributed to developing the method that exploits neutrino data to reveal if quantum gravity exists.
	Testing begins on sensitive neutrino detector for nonproliferation and fundamental physics Neutrinos and antineutrinos are nearly massless particles produced in many nuclear reactions, including the fission of uranium in nuclear power plants on Earth and the fusion reactions at the core of the sun.
	Physicists demonstrate parity anomaly in a topological insulator Experimental and theoretical physicists from the Würzburg Institute for Topological Insulators have observed a re-entrant quantum Hall effect in a mercury telluride device and have identified it as a signature of parity anomaly.
	Electron-bending effect could boost computer memory A new magnetic material developed by RIKEN physicists could boost computer memory storage by enabling higher memory density and faster memory writing speeds. Their research has been published in the journal Nature Communications.
	First observation of photons-to-taus in proton–proton collisions In March 2024, the CMS collaboration announced the observation of two photons creating two tau leptons in proton–proton collisions. It is the first time that this process has been seen in proton–proton collisions, which was made possible by using the precise tracking capabilities of the CMS detector. It is also the most precise measurement of the tau's anomalous magnetic moment and offers a new way to constrain the existence of new physics.
	Examining the delicate balance of lepton flavors In a talk at the ongoing Rencontres de Moriond conference, the ATLAS collaboration presented the result of its latest test of a key principle of the Standard Model of particle physics known as lepton flavor universality. The precision of the result is the best yet achieved by a single experiment in decays of the W boson and surpasses that of the current experimental average.
	Pixelated non-volatile programmable photonic integrated circuits proposed by researchers in China Researchers from Huazhong University of Science and Technology proposed a pixelated programmable photonic integrated circuit (PICs) with record-high 20-level intermediate states of phase change materials (PCMs).

Earth news

	Albedo can reduce climate benefit of tree planting: New tool identifies locations with high climate-cooling potential As efforts to restore tree cover accelerate to help avoid runaway climate change, a new study highlights how restoring tree cover can, in some locations, heat up the Earth rather than cool it by affecting how much sunlight the surface reflects (i.e. "the albedo").
	Mathematical innovations enable advances in seismic activity detection Amidst the unique landscape of geothermal development in the Tohoku region, subtle seismic activities beneath the Earth's surface present a fascinating challenge for researchers. While earthquake warnings may intermittently alert us to seismic events, there exist numerous smaller quakes that have long intrigued resource engineers striving to detect and understand them.
	Using nature to help the climate: Four ways that work A new study finds that four nature-based climate solutions—the ones that companies and other entities use most often to claim carbon credits—have robust scientific foundations. The four pathways are conservation or reforestation of tropical forests; and conservation or reforestation of temperate forests.
	How mobile apps can boost conservation and help communities in the Global South A team of researchers from Northern Arizona University has highlighted how mobile technology and apps can enable more inclusive achievement of global conservation goals.
	Unseen travelers: Dust storms may spread bacteria and fungi around the world When allergy season hits, many blame their reactions on the local flora in the spring. However, African Saharan-Sahelian dust plumes, large enough to register on weather radar, travel around the globe every summer, bringing their own form of air pollution.
	How much difference can one degree of warming make? A vicious cycle of warming temperatures and reduced snowpack in northern forests is more severe than climate models have shown and could lead to increased fire risk and permanent damage to ecosystems.
	Extreme weather forecasts: Algorithm 'nudges' existing climate simulations closer to future reality To assess a community's risk of extreme weather, policymakers rely first on global climate models that can be run decades, and even centuries, forward in time, but only at a coarse resolution. These models might be used to gauge, for instance, future climate conditions for the northeastern U.S. but not specifically for Boston.
	Climate change will see Australia's soil emit CO₂ and add to global warming, research shows New Curtin University research has shown the warming climate will turn Australia's soil into a net emitter of carbon dioxide (CO2), unless action is taken. "A warming climate will make Australian soil a net emitter of atmospheric CO2" was published in NPJ Climate and Atmospheric Science.
	Curbside collection improves organic waste composting, reduces methane emissions Most organic household waste ends up in landfills, where it generates methane, a powerful greenhouse gas. Composting food and garden waste instead of sending it to landfills can significantly reduce methane emissions and help mitigate global warming. A new study from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign explores the effects of curbside compost collection programs in New South Wales, Australia.
	Manila confronts its plastic problem through a community-guided protocol Governments and international organizations have touted the circular economy, in which materials and products stay in circulation for as long as possible, as an antidote to our global plastic problem. (The equivalent of 2,000 garbage trucks of plastic enters oceans, rivers, and lakes every day.) But as wardens of waste management, cities often shoulder the burden of managing plastic pollution.
	New study reveals influencers of global biogenic volatile organic compound emission trends over the last 20 years Biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) emitted by vegetation are important precursors of ozone and secondary organic aerosols in the atmosphere, affecting air quality, clouds, and climate. However, BVOC emissions remain highly uncertain because they depend on a variety of factors, and the relative importance of different factors is still unclear.
	New computational technique enhances accuracy of measurements in nuclear geoscience Conventional nuclear measurement techniques, such as Monte Carlo simulations, are known for their extensive computational demands and prolonged processing times, especially when applied to unconventional reservoirs characterized by complex lithologies. These traditional methods often fall short in efficiently interpreting geological formations, presenting significant challenges in environments where precision and speed are critical.
	Tests showed high levels of E. coli at Dallas' White Rock Lake after Plano sewage spill Samples taken from White Rock Lake showed elevated levels of E. coli after 1.5 million gallons of raw sewage spilled into water from Plano, according to a memorandum from the city of Dallas.
	This mega-city is running out of water: What will 22 million people do when the taps run dry? When Reina Cervantes Trejo heard the truck, gears grinding as it climbed the street to her house, she rushed outside.
	Accelerating China's transition to carbon neutrality and clean air China's commitment to achieving carbon neutrality by 2060 necessitates significant transformations across its economic landscape. Concurrently, air pollution remains a pressing issue, affecting millions and necessitating urgent action. Recognizing the intertwined nature of these challenges, China has adopted an integrated approach to address climate change and air quality simultaneously.
	Why water must be at the heart of climate action The Mortenson Center in Global Engineering & Resilience at the University of Colorado Boulder along with Castalia Advisors were commissioned by WaterAid's Resilient Water Accelerator (RWA), the Voluntary Carbon Market Integrity Initiative (VCMI), and HSBC to discover an achievable pathway to creating a green, resilient future for global water supplies supported by voluntary carbon markets.
	Swiss Re warns insured disaster losses could double in a decade Insured property losses could double in the coming decade due to climate change and more frequent and more intense severe weather events, reinsurance giant Swiss Re warned Tuesday.

Astronomy and Space news

	Astronomers discover 49 new galaxies in under three hours An international team of astronomers has discovered 49 new gas-rich galaxies using the MeerKAT radio telescope in South Africa. Their research is published in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society.
	New nearby mini-Neptune exoplanet discovered An international team of astronomers reports the discovery of a new mini-Neptune exoplanet orbiting a nearby star. The newfound alien world, designated TOI-4438 b is about 2.5 times larger than the Earth. The finding was detailed in a paper published March 14 on the pre-print server arXiv.
	Sleeping supermassive black holes awakened briefly by shredded stars A new investigation into an obscure class of galaxies known as Compact Symmetric Objects, or CSOs, has revealed that these objects are not entirely what they seem. CSOs are active galaxies that host supermassive black holes at their cores. Out of these monstrous black holes spring two jets traveling in opposite directions at nearly the speed of light. But in comparison to other galaxies that boast fierce jets, these jets do not extend out to great distances—they are much more compact.
	Tiniest 'starquakes' ever detected At a distance of 11.9 light years, Epsilon Indi (ε Indi) is an orange dwarf star (also known as a K dwarf) with 71% of the sun's diameter. An international team, led by Instituto de Astrofísica e Ciências do Espaço (IA) researcher Tiago Campante, studied this star with the ESPRESSO spectrograph, mounted at the European Southern Observatory's (ESO) Very Large Telescope (VLT), and detected the tiniest "starquakes" ever recorded.
	Europe space telescope's sight restored after de-icing procedure The vision of the Euclid space telescope has been restored following a delicate operation that successfully melted a thin layer of ice that had been clouding its sight, the European Space Agency announced on Tuesday.
	SMOS and Swarm team up to spot huge solar storm The sun erupted over the weekend, flinging electromagnetic radiation towards Earth, even illuminating skies with spectacular aurora borealis. For the first time, ESA's unlikely space weather duo of SMOS and Swarm tracked the severe solar storm—which warped Earth's magnetic field.
	Euclid's sight has been restored A newly devised procedure to de-ice Euclid's optics has performed significantly better than hoped. Light coming in to the visible "VIS" instrument from distant stars was gradually decreasing due small amounts of water ice building up on its optics. Mission teams spent months devising a procedure to heat up individual mirrors in the instrument's complex optical system, without interfering with the finely tuned mission's calibration or potentially causing further contamination. After the very first mirror was warmed by just 34°, Euclid's sight was restored.
	Saturn's moon Enceladus top target for ESA A fresh, icy crust hides a deep, enigmatic ocean. Plumes of water burst through cracks in the ice, shooting into space. An intrepid lander collects samples and analyzes them for hints of life.
	Japan attempts to revive moon lander after second lunar night Japan's space agency said on Tuesday it will try to revive its moon lander after a second frigid, two-week lunar night, following a surprising awakening last month.
	New NASA software simulates science missions for observing terrestrial freshwater From radar instruments smaller than a shoebox to radiometers the size of a milk carton, there are more tools available to scientists today for observing complex Earth systems than ever before. But this abundance of available sensors creates its own unique challenge: how can researchers organize these diverse instruments in the most efficient way for field campaigns and science missions?

Technology news

	Research lights up process for turning CO₂ into sustainable fuel Researchers have successfully transformed CO2 into methanol by shining sunlight on single atoms of copper deposited on a light-activated material, a discovery that paves the way for creating new green fuels.
	Electrochemistry helps clean up electronic waste recycling, precious metal mining A new method safely extracts valuable metals locked up in discarded electronics and low-grade ore using dramatically less energy and fewer chemical materials than current methods, report University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign researchers in the journal Nature Chemical Engineering. The paper is titled "Redox-mediated electrochemical liquid-liquid Extraction (e-LLE) for selective metal recovery."
	Novel multifunctional additive boosts efficiency, stability of inverted perovskite solar cells Prof. Ge Ziyi's team at the Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering (NIMTE) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has developed a novel multifunctional additive to passivate defects and promote charge carrier transport, thereby enhancing the efficiency and stability of inverted perovskite solar cells (PSCs).
	Researchers use radar technology to monitor the health status of a driver Inspired by the medical bay of the USS Enterprise from "Star Trek," a research team from the University of Waterloo uses radar technology to monitor people's health while at the wheel, turning an ordinary car or truck into a mobile medical hub. The research paper, "Multibin Breathing Pattern Estimation by Radar Fusion for Enhanced Driver Monitoring," was published in IEEE Transactions on Instrumentation and Measurement.
	Taming the beast: Researcher controls voltage response for safer electric grid When FAMU-FSU College of Engineering Professor Fang Peng was a boy, he saw the power and peril of electricity firsthand. He was in middle school when his remote Chinese hometown first received electric service. His family shared a single portable, 15-watt light bulb attached to a cable. It was his job to replace the bulb.
	Transport of the future? Europe's longest hyperloop center opens Europe's longest tunnel for testing hyperloop technology opens Wednesday in the Netherlands, with operators hoping passengers could one day be whisked from Amsterdam to Barcelona in a couple of hours.
	Olympics tech firm Atos posts huge loss but says Games safe Debt-ridden French IT group Atos, the cybersecurity and data provider for the Paris Olympics, posted a huge annual loss Tuesday but vowed that its troubles would not disrupt the Games.
	Ousted WeWork co-founder bids to buy company: Reports Ousted WeWork co-founder Adam Neumann recently bid more than $500 million to buy back the struggling office-sharing group, according to media reports Monday.
	If you've got a dark roof, you're spending almost $700 extra a year to keep your house cool If you visit southern Greece or Tunisia, you might notice lots of white rooftops and white buildings to reflect the intense heat and keep residents cooler.
	New concrete possibilities from waste materials The use of recycled concrete and glass aggregates in concrete production has emerged as a highly promising means of increasing the recycling rate of waste materials—but durability issues have plagued some combinations of recycled ingredients.
	Food safety: Two-stage process of extraction and classification to identify ingredients in photos of food Research published in the International Journal of Reasoning-based Intelligent Systems discusses a new approach to the identification of ingredients in photographs of food. The work will be useful in our moving forward on food safety endeavors.
	Chinese EV giant BYD announces record annual profit for 2023 Chinese battery and automotive giant BYD achieved a record profit in 2023, annual results showed Tuesday, despite fierce competition in the country as demand for electric vehicles grows.
	Chinese EV makers challenging market leaders at auto show in Bangkok Chinese electric vehicle makers are showcasing their latest models, including a flying car, as they take on global rivals at the Bangkok International Motor Show.
	Big tech told to identify AI deepfakes ahead of EU vote The EU called on Facebook, TikTok and other tech titans on Tuesday to crack down on deepfakes and other AI-generated content by using clear labels ahead of Europe-wide polls in June.
	Dating apps: Lack of regulation, oversight and competition affects quality, and millions stand to lose When Aleksandr Zhadan used ChatGPT to talk to over 5,000 women on Tinder, it was a sign of things to come.
	How AI and a popular card game can help engineers predict catastrophic failure by finding the absence of a pattern Humans are very good at spotting patterns, or repeating features people can recognize. For instance, ancient Polynesians navigated across the Pacific by recognizing many patterns, from the stars' constellations to more subtle ones such as the directions and sizes of ocean swells.
	Robots replicate reality: High-tech pitching machine mimics every pitcher Nestor Cortes got behind the plate in a batting cage and watched an 8-foot-high, 1,200-pound robot spit out fastballs, cutters and sweepers just like the ones spinning off the fingertips of his left hand.
	Researchers send data 4.5 million times faster than average broadband Aston University researchers have sent data at a speed that is 4.5 million times faster than the average home broadband. The rate is the fastest ever sent by opening up specific new wavelength bands that are not yet used in fiber optic systems.
	Rethinking wind power's towers and turbines New materials and designs can make a leading source of renewable energy both greener and cheaper.
	Ghana's decades-old ambition to build an integrated aluminum industry faces a new hurdle: The clean energy transition It has been more than 60 years since Ghana's first post-independence leader Kwame Nkrumah first mooted the idea that Ghana should produce aluminum from the country's ample supply of bauxite.
	Vietnamese automaker VinFast to start selling EVs in Thailand Vietnamese automaker VinFast announced Tuesday that it plans to sell its electric vehicles in Thailand and said it had tied up with auto dealers to open showrooms in the country.
	Alibaba withdraws Hong Kong IPO for logistics arm Chinese e-commerce titan Alibaba is withdrawing a planned initial public offering for its logistics arm Cainiao, the company said Tuesday, as a major company overhaul faces setbacks.
	International researchers explore new territory in the grand challenges of wind energy science Wind energy—one of the fastest-growing and lowest-cost sources of electricity in the world—will play an important role in the transition to a carbon-free energy system. However, wind energy's growth must be planned with careful consideration of atmospheric physics, turbine design, and grid resilience, as well as environmental and social impacts. Finding solutions to these types of challenges will require experts to collaborate across their disciplines.
	Renewables toolkit aims to help smooth the road to net zero Economists and environmental scientists from Northumbria University have joined forces with regional leaders across the North East to co-design a renewable energy toolkit.
	Building energy management platform uses AI and statistical methods to optimize operations The research team led by Dr. Jeong Hak-geun at the Energy ICT Research Department of the Korea Institute of Energy Research (KIER) has developed a building energy management platform technology that transforms buildings from being the main consumers of energy into entities that produce, manage, and save energy.

Chemistry news

	Researchers observe salt dissolution at the atomic level A research team, affiliated with UNIST has achieved a groundbreaking feat by observing the dissolution of salt in water at the atomic level and experimentally uncovering the underlying principle.
	Researchers challenge the limits of molecular memory, opening the door to the development of molecular chips Some molecules respond to external light pulses by changing their structure and holding certain states that can be switched from one to another. These are commonly referred to as photoswitches and usually have two possible states. Recently, however, scientists from the Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences (IOCB Prague) have developed a molecule that takes the possibilities of photoswitches a step further.
	Researchers harness the sun to produce hydrogen gas from water A team of chemistry researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has developed a unique approach to harnessing the sun's energy to produce hydrogen gas, a potential clean energy source, from water, according to a paper published in Nature Chemistry.
	Geometry-adaptive electrocatalysis: Proposed approach could double efficiency of energy conversion technologies As the world seeks sustainable solutions to meet escalating energy demands, a collaborative team of researchers from the Universities of Tartu and Copenhagen has proposed an innovative approach to overcome long-standing limitations in oxygen electrocatalysis.
	Highly efficient heterogeneous telomerization of 1,3-butadiene with methanol To promote the high-quality development of high-end polyolefin, the development of highly efficient heterogeneous catalysts for the telomerization of 1,3-butadiene and methanol to the linear product (1-methoxy-2,7-octadiene, 1-MOD) has received considerable attention. However, current heterogeneous catalysts suffer from low catalytic activity, low selectivity, and poor stability. Therefore, achieving high stability and efficient telomerization has become an urgent issue that needs to be addressed in this field.
	Team modulates electronic state of single-atom catalysts by CO molecular decoration for efficient methane conversion Direct methane conversion has advantages such as low energy consumption, fewer processes, and better economics. However, it is difficult to activate methane at room temperature due to the high dissociation energy of C-H bonds of methane. Additionally, the target products, such as methanol, acetic acid, and other oxygenates, are prone to over-oxidation, resulting in the generation of CO2. Therefore, the design of catalysts with high activity and selectivity is important.
	Study sheds light on the development of novel antidotes against nerve agents A new article was published in Chemico-Biological Interactions by the Sustainable Chemistry and Engineering research group of Tallinn University of Technology in collaboration with colleagues from the Czech Republic, Brazil, and the UK. This study sheds light on applications of existing competence in designing biodegradable molecules in an innovative way—to develop novel antidotes against organophosphate poisoning.
	Sniffing out bacteria: Team develops a novel approach for rapid bacterial species identification Do you ever wonder how researchers identify bacterial infections? Traditionally, they collect samples from the infected site, grow the bacteria in a lab, and analyze them using a method called MALDI-ToF-MS. Although accurate, this method is time-consuming, with a detection process that takes 1-3 days.
	Researchers obtain promising results for control of pollutants in water An article published in the journal Catalysis Communications describes a simple, efficient and sustainable approach to the degradation and quantitative monitoring of a mixture of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), emerging pollutants that contaminate various ecosystems, owing to oil and other fossil fuel spills and improper disposal of industrial waste.
	Researchers realize electrochemical conversion of methane and O₂ to HCOOH at room temperature Direct conversion of CH4 and O2 to value-added chemicals is important for natural gas industries. However, challenges remain due to the difficulty of O2 activation in forming active oxygen species for CH4 activation under mild conditions.

Biology news

	Invasive Pacific oyster proliferation during Blob marine heat wave portends similar events as seas warm Pacific oysters, non-native to the United States but farmed in the U.S. for aquaculture, are an invasive species. During the Pacific Blob heat wave in the mid-2010s, as sea temperatures in Washington state's Puget Sound rose to 3°C above average, the species proliferated in the wild, and species recruitment for the period 2012–2020 peaked in summer 2015.
	New roadmap to prevent pandemics centers on protecting biodiversity An international team of 25 scientists has proposed a roadmap for how to prevent the next pandemic by conserving natural areas and promoting biodiversity, thereby providing animals with enough food, safe havens and distance to limit contact and the transfer of pathogens to humans.
	Indonesia hunts clues as study suggests Javan tiger may still exist Indonesia is hunting for more clues that the extinct Javan tiger may still exist in the wild, a government official said Tuesday, after a new study suggested links between a DNA-tested hair and the big cat.
	Uncovering the mysteries of microproteins Northwestern Medicine scientists have developed a method to identify and characterize microproteins—a development that opens the door for understanding physiology and disease at a molecular level of detail not previously possible, according to findings published in Nature Communications.
	Biologists determine bacteria sense damage to relatives Carnegie Mellon University biologists have discovered that Vibrio cholerae, the bacteria behind the cholera disease, can sense when its relatives die. Bacterial cell death is often accompanied by lysis, where the cell explodes, releasing internal cellular components. The researchers found that a small molecule released during cell lysis is detected by living V. cholerae, which drives the survivors to clump together and form large communities, known as biofilms, to protect themselves.
	How did nervous systems, with their incredible complexity, evolve across different species? New research supported by the Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute's Interdisciplinary Postdoctoral Scholars program zeroes in on the surprising observation that many genes found in brain cells and synapses—the points of communication between neurons—are among the largest in the animal kingdom.
	Discovery of amino acid unveils how light makes stomata open in plants Scientists from Nagoya University have discovered a novel regulatory mechanism that controls the opening of stomata in plants, which is crucial for harnessing solar energy through photosynthesis. The team uncovered the role of phosphorylation at the 881st threonine residue (Thr881) of the plasma membrane proton pump in response to red and blue light in this process.
	Research shows that five three-horned dinosaurs lived, and died, together A team from Naturalis Biodiversity Center in the Netherlands was looking for a Tyrannosaurus in the summer of 2013 in Wyoming. Instead, they found a Triceratops: the famous dinosaur with the three horns and the large neck frill. And then they found another one. And another one. And more. The dig turned into a project that would last for more than 10 years.
	Male and female crab spiders found to 'cooperate' to mimic a flower to fool prey and predators A pair of environmental scientists at Yunnan University, in China, has found an instance of a pair of spiders, one male, the other female, working together to create the image of a flower, thereby fooling both prey and predators.
	How lizards avoid being killed by venomous snakes A University of Queensland-led study has shed light on how some lizards have evolved to resist deadly neurotoxins from Australia's most venomous snakes.
	In paleontology, correct names are keys to accurate study When the skeletal remains of a giant ground sloth were first unearthed in 1796, the discovery marked one of the earliest paleontological finds in American history.
	Researchers discover 125,000-year-old coastal ecosystem underneath spaceport in Kourou In what is an intriguing mix of past and future, an international team of researchers, including some from the University of Bonn, has stumbled upon a surprising window to the past in Kourou in French Guiana. In the clay underneath the new launch pad for the forthcoming Ariane 6 launch vehicle, the interdisciplinary team has uncovered a remarkable collection of fossils stretching back 130,000 years.
	Cinnamic acid shows promise for opening a new developmental avenue in hair growth treatment Hair has a significant impact on how society and we, as individuals, see ourselves. Consequently, hair loss or alopecia causes considerable emotional distress and anxiety and often results in a reduced quality of life for those suffering from its effects. Most alopecia patients choose drug therapy as their first treatment option. Currently, there are drugs that are effective in improving some symptoms of alopecia. However, these drugs often have side effects, and their efficacy may vary widely.
	AI predicts the taste and quality of beer Belgian scientists have developed AI models that can predict how consumers will rate a particular beer, and what aroma compounds brewers can add to improve it. The research was published in Nature Communications and may revolutionize how the food and beverage industry develops new products.
	Artificial reef designed by engineers could protect marine life, reduce storm damage The beautiful, gnarled, nooked-and-crannied reefs that surround tropical islands serve as a marine refuge and natural buffer against stormy seas. But as the effects of climate change bleach and break down coral reefs around the world, and extreme weather events become more common, coastal communities are left increasingly vulnerable to frequent flooding and erosion.
	Swapping Bordeaux for Kent, climate change to shift wine regions: Study English wines could benefit at the expense of French and Italian vines as climate change shifts the landscape in traditional wine growing, according to a new study published on Tuesday.
	Nutritional rewards and risks revealed for edible seaweed around Hawaii From sushi to soups, seaweed is a popular food around the world because it adds delicious flavors and beneficial nutrients to dishes. However, it might also expose consumers to heavy metals that accumulate in the fronds before they're harvested. Given seaweed's importance in the Hawaiian islands, a recent ACS Food Science & Technology publication reports a comprehensive analysis of essential nutrients and heavy metals for six species of seaweeds collected around Hawaii.
	Two coral snakes recorded battling for prey in a scientific first Two red-tailed coral snakes have been observed competing over a caecilian in the first documented wild case of kleptoparasitism within the family Elapidae.
	Severe hurricanes boost influx of juveniles and gene flow in a coral reef sponge Named for its ropy-looking long branches, Aplysina cauliformis, a coral reef sponge, provides a critical 3D habitat for marine organisms and helps to stabilize the foundation of coral reefs. However, these upright-branching sponges are highly susceptible to breaking during storms, which increases sponge fragmentation and contributes to population clonality and inbreeding.
	Behavior of ant queens found to be shaped by their social environments The queens in colonies of social insects, such as ants, bees, and wasps, are considered the veritable embodiment of specialization in the animal kingdom.
	Researchers show that introduced tardigrade proteins can slow metabolism in human cells University of Wyoming researchers have gained further insight into how tardigrades survive extreme conditions and have shown that proteins from the microscopic creatures expressed in human cells can slow down molecular processes.
	New genetic analysis tool tracks risks tied to CRISPR edits Since its breakthrough development more than a decade ago, CRISPR has revolutionized DNA editing across a broad range of fields. Now scientists are applying the technology's immense potential to human health and disease, targeting new therapies for an array of disorders spanning cancers, blood conditions and diabetes.
	Study considers ways to increase accessibility for all wildlife enthusiasts One in three birders experiences accessibility challenges to participation in birding, according to Virginia Tech researchers Emily Sinkular and Ashley Dayer.
	New York City owl Flaco was exposed to pigeon virus and rat poison before death, tests show New York City's celebrity owl Flaco was suffering from a severe pigeon-borne illness and high levels of rat poison when he crashed into a building and died last month, officials at the Bronx Zoo said Monday.
	Bird flu found in dairy cows in Texas, Kansas and New Mexico Milk from dairy cows in Texas, Kansas and New Mexico has tested positive for the presence of bird flu, U.S. officials say.
	How climate change could affect the microbes that ferment grapes and give wine its specific flavors The far-reaching consequences of climate change inevitably include the production of foods and beverages, including wine.
	Early spring, earlier nesting birds Did spring arrive early this year? Some people think so. Apparently, some birds do, too. The NestWatch project at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology documents when and where birds are nesting.
	Using suction cups inspired by fish to listen in on whale conversations In their ambitious goal to understand and ultimately communicate with sperm whales, research scientists from Project CETI have enlisted the help of unlikely collaborators—clingfish.
	Seagrass meadows face uncertain future, scientists say James Cook University scientists who analyzed seagrass meadows around the world say the crucial habitats are under increasing threat and need to incorporate new management strategies if they are to survive climate change. The study is published in Global Change Biology.
	Coral research finds bleaching impedes reproduction and hinders recovery Bleaching can suppress reproduction in a common coral species found in the Great Barrier Reef, hampering future reef replenishment, new research led by the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) and James Cook University (JCU) has identified.
	Researcher proposes a new definition of a human embryo from a legal perspective Iñigo de Miguel-Beriain, researcher in the UPV/EHU's Research Group on Social and Legal Sciences applied to New Technosciences, has published a paper in EMBO Reports in which he provides a legal perspective to help identify a universally accepted definition of embryo, which could facilitate and standardize its regulation in different countries.
	Solar eclipse could scramble bird behavior On April 8, the shadow of a total solar eclipse will race across North America. At the same time, researchers from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and partners will be hurrying to measure the impact of daytime darkness on the movements of birds, bats, and insects—flying creatures that are very attuned to changes in light levels.
	Researchers uncover the microbial secrets of dry eye Researchers have used advanced sequencing technology to determine how the mix of microbes present in patients with healthy eyes differs from the mix found in patients with dry eye. The new work could lead to improved treatments for various eye problems and for diseases affecting other parts of the body.
	Widespread inversions shape the genetic and phenotypic diversity in rice A new study titled "Widespread inversions shape the genetic and phenotypic diversity in rice" and published in Science Bulletin has been led by Prof. Lianguang Shang (Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences), Prof. Qian Qian (Yazhouwan National Laboratory), and Prof. Shaokui Wang (State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, South China Agricultural University).
	One dead in rare US mountain lion attack A rare attack by a mountain lion on two brothers in a remote area of California left one dead and the other severely injured over the weekend, with authorities reporting that the cat was subsequently euthanized.
	Buying affordable ethical chocolate is almost impossible—but some firms are offering the next best thing With supermarket aisles piled high with assortments of chocolate treats, the choice can seem overwhelming. The array of ethical options—some with certifications, others with marketing claims about sustainability—can just add to the confusion.
	Antifungal activity of a maleimide derivative: Disruption of cell membranes and interference with iron ion homoeostasis A small molecule library consisting of 40 compounds, specifically N-substituted maleimide and its derivatives, were initially screened in a study published in the journal Mycology, which was led by Prof. Ying Li (Xuzhou Medical University), Prof. Zuobin Zhu (Xuzhou Medical University), and Prof. Wenqiang Chang (Shandong University).
	Study assesses geographical patterns and determinants of insect biodiversity in China A new study titled "Geographical patterns and determinants of insect biodiversity in China" and published in Science China Life Sciences has been led by Prof. Fuwen Wei (Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences and Jiangxi Agricultural University) and Prof. Gexiao Qiao (Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences).
	New research area promotes both quantum computing and cognitive science Diving deep into quantum biology or cognitive science alone is challenging enough. That being said, a research team recently wrote a review article highlighting molecular quantum computing, a newly emerged research area that is likely to push the research boundaries of both. The review was published in Intelligent Computing.

Medicine and Health news

	Music and genomes: Beethoven's genes put to the test To what extent are exceptional human achievements influenced by genetic factors? This question, dating back to the early days of human genetics, seems to be easier to address today as modern molecular methods make it possible to analyze DNA of individuals throughout history. But how reliable are the answers in this day and age?
	Research team identifies new treatment target for Alzheimer's disease Researchers at the University of Leeds and Lancaster University in the UK have identified a new potential target for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease—PDE4B. Their work is published in Neuropsychopharmacology.
	The construction of visual attention highlighted at the neuronal level A giant billboard flashes on the side of a country road. Why does it catch our attention more easily than other details in the landscape? At Paris Brain Institute, Tal Seidel Malkinson, Jacobo Sitt, Paolo Bartolomeo, and their colleagues show that exogenous attention—the ability to be involuntarily attracted to a specific element in our environment—is built up in the cortex gradually, from the back to the front of the brain, within three fronto-parietal networks. These neural networks allow us to explore space efficiently by disregarding familiar objects and favoring new or unexpected visual stimuli.
	Total solar eclipse in 2017 linked to brief rise in traffic accidents Ahead of a total solar eclipse arriving April 8, new research finds there was a temporary rise in U.S. traffic accidents around the time of a solar eclipse back in 2017.
	Researchers find genetic variant contributing to disparities in childhood leukemia risk Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), the most common childhood cancer, disproportionately affects children of Hispanic/Latino origin in the United States. They are 30–40% more likely to get ALL than non-Hispanic white children, but the exact genetic basis and cause of that increased risk are unknown.
	Blood analysis predicts sepsis and organ failure in children University of Queensland researchers have developed a method to predict if a child is likely to develop sepsis and go into organ failure.
	Google's HeAR AI system uses sounds to detect lung diseases, such as COVID-19 A team of AI researchers at Google Research, working with a pair of colleagues from the Center of Infectious Disease Research in Zambia, has developed a machine learning system aimed at diagnosing lung diseases based on the sounds of coughing. In their study, available as a preprint on the arXiv server, the group used YouTube videos to train the system.
	Macrophages produce heat from brown adipose tissue in response to cold, study reveals Researchers from University of Tsukuba have elucidated the molecular mechanism by which macrophages, a type of immune cell, control heat production in brown adipose tissue to increase the body temperature in response to cold.
	From autism to Alzheimer's: A large-scale animal study links brain pH changes to wide-ranging cognitive issues A global collaborative research group comprising 131 researchers from 105 laboratories across seven countries has published a paper in eLife. The study identifies brain energy metabolism dysfunction leading to altered pH and lactate levels as common hallmarks in numerous animal models of neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders, such as intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorders, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depressive disorders, and Alzheimer's disease.
	Treatment for blindness-causing retinal detachment using viscous seaweed It's taboo to consume seaweed soup before exams in Korea since it can lead to failing the exam. The belief is rooted in the idea that the slippery nature of seaweed may cause people to slip and falter during the test. The slick surface of seaweeds such as seaweed and kelp is attributed to alginate, a mucilaginous substance, which may prove beneficial beyond the realm of superstition. A study exploring the use of alginate for the treatment of retinal detachment has been published in the journal Biomaterials.
	Human brains are getting larger: That may be good news for dementia risk A new study by researchers at UC Davis Health found human brains are getting larger. Study participants born in the 1970s had 6.6% larger brain volumes and almost 15% larger brain surface area than those born in the 1930s.
	Researchers unravel the mechanisms of Epstein-Barr virus and host chromatin interactions in nasopharyngeal cancer Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (or NPC) is a rare type of cancer affecting the epithelial tissue of the nasopharynx, the upper part of the throat behind the nasal cavity. Among the three main subtypes of NPC, non-keratinizing undifferentiated squamous carcinoma is endemic to the regions of Southern China and Southeast Asia, with a strong association with Epstein-Barr virus (or EBV) infection.
	New study reveals who was more vulnerable to post-COVID syndrome early in the pandemic People with post-COVID syndrome (PCS) following the COVID-19 infection often suffer from intense fatigue and dyspnea. This is what emerges from a new Nordic study led by Umeå University and recently published in BMJ Public Health journal. High blood pressure also appears to be a risk factor for PCS diagnosis, according to the study's findings.
	Researchers determine oral bacteria accelerate pancreatic cancer development in mice Prof. Gabriel Nussbaum and his team at the Institute of Biomedical and Oral Research, Hebrew University-Hadassah Faculty of Dental Medicine, have recently published research in the journal Gut that uncovers a pivotal link between oral bacteria and the onset of pancreatic cancer in mice.
	Scientists develop 'safe' bone grafts from cow bones to heal bone fractures and injuries Using bovine bones obtained from cows, a group of scientists say they have developed novel bone graft material that can help fractured and injured bones to grow with minimum adverse body reactions.
	Researchers discover a protein that stimulates optic nerve regeneration Damage to the optic nerve can lead to irreversible blindness. A newly investigated regeneration factor could change that, UConn researchers report in the May 2024 issue of Experimental Neurology.
	Researchers reveal the proteins that shield the body against its own immune attacks Researchers at EPFL reveal how Drosophila's Turandot proteins protect against immune self-harm. The study is the first to identify some proteins that protect against antimicrobial peptides offering insights into cellular resilience mechanisms with potential therapeutic applications.
	Novel protective antibody target identified against Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus A research team led by the United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, or USAMRIID, that includes Scott Pegan at the UC Riverside School of Medicine has discovered an important protective antibody target against Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus, or CCHFV.
	Acetylation: A timekeeper of glucocorticoid sensitivity Cortisol, also commonly known as the stress hormone, belongs to the family of glucocorticoids. In addition to its physiological function, synthetic derivatives of cortisol are also used as anti-inflammatory drugs. In the cell, the hormone acts by binding to the glucocorticoid receptor (GR), which then acts as a transcription factor to regulate the activity of certain target genes.
	Flies fed restricted diet in early adulthood found to live longer Fruit flies live considerably longer when fed a diet that limits consumption of a certain amino acid during early adulthood, RIKEN biologists have found. If a similar effect occurs in humans, it could allow people to live longer by eating restricted diets during certain stages of life. The study is published in Nature Communications.
	Consistently exercising 2–3 times a week over the long term linked to lower current insomnia risk Consistently exercising 2–3 times a week over the long term is linked to a lower current risk of insomnia as well as the ability to clock up the recommended 6–9 hours of shut-eye every night, suggests an international 10-year study published in the open access journal BMJ Open.
	Hepatitis C virus infection: Research team discovers that a protein has an unexpected proviral effect A research team from the Paul-Ehrlich-Institut has gained important insights into the role of the human guanylate-binding protein 1 (GBP1) in hepatitis C virus infection. Their results show that GBP1 performs a previously unknown function, that of a proviral factor, during the HCV life cycle.
	Risk prediction using genes and gut bacteria can improve early detection of diseases like type 2 diabetes A new study has shown that risk scores based on our genes and gut bacteria can improve the prediction of diseases such as type 2 diabetes and prostate cancer over traditional risk factors alone.
	Genetically engineered dendritic cells enhance the power of immunotherapy against lung cancer A study by researchers at the UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center suggests that injecting engineered dendritic cells directly into cancerous lung tumors can help promote a stronger immune response, causing more T cells to become active and attack the cancer more effectively.
	Developmental crossroads in the brain: How proteins direct nerve cell precursors to turn into specialized neurons Brain development is a highly orchestrated process involving numerous parallel and sequential steps. Many of these steps depend on the activation of specific genes. A team led by Christian Mayer at the Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence discovered that a protein called MEIS2 plays a crucial role in this process: it activates genes necessary for the formation of inhibitory projection neurons.
	Chronic musculoskeletal pain may accelerate brain aging In a study published in Nature Mental Health, scientists from China and the United States have found that individuals suffering from chronic musculoskeletal pain (CMP) may face a higher high risk of brain aging.
	AI analysis of social media language predicts depression severity for white Americans, but not Black Americans Researchers were able to predict depression severity for white people, but not for Black people, using standard language-based computer models to analyze Facebook posts. Words and phrases associated with depression, such as first-person pronouns and negative emotion words, were around three times more predictive of depression severity for white people than for Black people.
	Young adults with migraine, other nontraditional risk factors may have higher stroke risk Adults younger than 35 to 45 years old may have a higher risk of developing a stroke from nontraditional risk factors such as migraines than from traditional risks like high blood pressure. That's according to new research published today in Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes.
	More must be done for depressed stroke survivors as incidence climbs, say researchers Researchers say that more must be done for depressed stroke survivors, as new findings show 60% of stroke survivors would experience depression within 18 years, a much higher estimation than previous studies.
	Puerto Rico has declared an epidemic following a spike in dengue cases Puerto Rico's health secretary declared an epidemic on Monday following a spike in dengue cases.
	Japan drugmaker reports death after health supplement recall A Japanese drugmaker said Tuesday it is investigating one death from kidney dysfunction potentially linked to health supplements recalled last week by the firm.
	US Supreme Court weighs restrictions on abortion pill The Supreme Court on Tuesday was weighing restrictions imposed by a lower court on the drug that is most widely used in the United States to terminate pregnancies.
	Researchers find patients in the ER are willing to get a flu shot Simply asking patients to get the flu vaccine, and combining it with helpful video and print messages, is enough to persuade many who visit emergency departments to roll up their sleeves, according to a new study led by UC San Francisco.
	Needle pain is a big problem for kids: One California doctor has a plan Almost all new parents go through it: the distress of hearing their child scream at the doctor's office. They endure the emotional torture of having to hold their child down as the clinician sticks them with one vaccine after another.
	Use of medication abortion rose after Dobbs decision As the U.S. Supreme Court prepares to hear arguments Tuesday in a case that could determine nationwide access to the abortion pill, a new study finds requests for the medication made outside the traditional health care system surged after Roe v. Wade was overturned.
	FDA approves oral Duvyzat for Duchenne muscular dystrophy The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved Duvyzat (givinostat) as an oral medication for the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) in patients six years of age and older.
	The lottery: You're (very likely) not going to win, so why play? Sixty years ago last week, New Hampshire became the first U.S. state to allow a government-run lottery following a nationwide ban of lotteries in 1895. Why did Americans grow to disfavor the lottery then? Moreover, considering how unlikely it is to win, why do they play it now?
	Why are more young people like Kate Middleton being diagnosed with cancer? Princess Catherine's announcement Friday that she has been diagnosed with cancer at age 42 makes her part of a troubling trend in which there's a rising rate of cancer among young adults.
	Among leafy green powerhouses, spinach packs a wallop Stories about spinach often reference Popeye, the sailor who gobbled it by the can to gain immense strength. But if you need to bring a cartoon character into a conversation about healthy eating, consider the Hulk.
	Is your child 'overscheduled?' How to get the balance right on extracurricular activities It's a weeknight, parents rush through the door from work, grab a snack, and then speed off in various directions to children's extracurricular activities. As they do, they are managing tired and hungry kids as they all move from one thing to the next. Sound familiar?
	How much sun can (and should) I get? As we slide of out summer, you might be wondering how careful you need to be about sun exposure. Excessive exposure causes skin cancer, but sun exposure also has benefits. How do you balance the two?
	Young Black men are dying by suicide at alarming rates One in three rural Black men reported they experienced suicidal ideation or thoughts of death in the past two weeks, reports a new study published in Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology from the University of Georgia. Childhood adversity and racism may hold much of the blame.
	Cardiovascular risks and COVID-19: New research confirms the benefits of vaccination COVID-19 is a respiratory disease. Yet, from the earliest days of the pandemic, the cardiovascular risks associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection were clear: individuals with severe cases of COVID-19 often died from cardiovascular complications, and those with pre-existing cardiovascular disease were more likely to have severe illness or die.
	What we learned from teaching a course on the science of happiness When you deliver a university course that makes students happier, everybody wants to know what the secret is. What are your tips? What are your top ten recommendations? These are the most asked questions, as if there is some quick, surefire path to happiness.
	Image isn't everything: Research shows how the immediate environment may impact women's confidence It's easy to celebrate female empowerment during Women's History Month, but promoting women's well-being beyond a few dedicated weeks is a different, more difficult story.
	Research uncovers how to target 'sleeping' breast cancer cells and prevent relapse Scientists have discovered how breast cancer cells can "hibernate" to avoid treatment and "wake up" years later—causing a relapse that is more difficult to treat.
	New study shows virus-like particle can effectively 'shock and kill' latent HIV reservoir By 2030, the World Health Organization (WHO), the Global Fund and UNAIDS are hoping to end the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and AIDS epidemic. An international team of researchers led by Eric Arts, professor at the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, and Jamie Mann, senior lecturer at the University of Bristol (U.K.), has brought us another step closer to meeting this goal, by finding an effective and affordable targeted treatment strategy for an HIV cure.
	Digital mindfulness could help reduce the effects of technostress at work Technology-related stress, overload and anxiety are common problems in today's workplace, potentially leading to higher burnout and poorer health. Many of these issues are likely to have increased since remote working became much more widespread following the pandemic.
	Researchers find new way to curb asthma attacks A protein that shuts down immune cells in the lungs could be key to a new treatment for asthma attacks, a new report says.
	Listen to your gut: Research discusses using microbiota analysis for precision health care The human body harbors approximately 30 trillion microbes, known collectively as the microbiota. These microorganisms influence various bodily functions, including digestion and metabolism to immune response, according to Pak Kin Wong, Penn State professor of biomedical engineering and of mechanical engineering. Analysis of microbiota holds potential for informing disease diagnosis, prognosis predictions and treatment, Wong said, but has yet to be adopted into clinical decision-making.
	Study finds high prevalence of hidden brain changes in people with heart disease A new analysis involving over 13,000 people has found changes to blood vessels in the brain that can increase the risk of stroke and dementia are common in people with a range of heart conditions, regardless of whether they have experienced a stroke.
	AI-based analysis identifies two plant extracts with potential as GLP-1 agonist weight loss pills Two plant compounds with potential as GLP-1 agonist weight loss pills have been identified in an AI (artificial intelligence)-based study, the European Congress on Obesity (ECO 2024) (Venice 12-15 May) will hear.
	Learning a second language helps maintain a socially healthy brain in old age, finds study Bilingualism is often associated with stronger executive function. SUTD and NUS scientists found that early bilingual acquisition can also protect cognitive processes that facilitate our social and emotional skills against normal age-related decline.
	Helping children eat healthier foods may begin with getting parents to do the same, research suggests Most parents, educators and policymakers agree that children should eat healthy foods. However, our peer-reviewed paper suggests the strategy adults often use to achieve that can sometimes backfire. Fortunately, there's an easy fix.
	New hydrogel features enhanced capabilities for treating aneurysms and halting their progression A novel, injectable shear-thinning hydrogel for treating abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) has been developed by scientists at the Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation (TIBI). This hydrogel not only demonstrates increased effectiveness at sealing off blood flow to AAAs, but also stops the growth of the aneurysms themselves.
	Using machine learning to save lives in the ER Worldwide, approximately 4.5 million people die of traumatic injury every year. Many of these patients die from blood loss.
	Implantable device delivers HIV antiviral with more potency than oral drugs A team from Houston Methodist Research Institute recently showed that a nanofluidic implant delivered an HIV drug that achieved more potency than other forms of drug administration (oral) and other HIV drugs.
	Insulin copayment caps not associated with an increase in insulin use among commercially insured populations A new study led by Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute and Duke University researchers found that state policies intended to reduce insulin out-of-pocket (OOP) costs for commercially insured people were not associated with increased insulin use in the overall population. However, monthly insulin OOP costs declined substantially for members in high deductible health plans with health savings accounts, plans that generally require high insulin OOP payments.
	Study shows negative impact of COVID-19 pandemic on youth minority mental health Recent historical, political, and public health events, most notably the COVID-19 pandemic, have collectively contributed to increased stress and mental health challenges among many groups of people—including adolescents in racial and ethnic minorities.
	Study says it's time to highlight positive skills associated with neurodevelopmental conditions New research says the wide variety of skills displayed by people with conditions such as ADHD, dyslexia, and autism should be celebrated to help reduce stigma and change society's expectations.
	Study finds chiropractic spinal manipulation does not increase the risk of cauda equina syndrome A recent study led by researchers at University Hospitals (UH) Connor Whole Health and collaborators at Duke University Medical School examined whether chiropractic spinal manipulation could lead to an increased risk of cauda equina syndrome (CES), a rare but serious condition affecting the bundle of spinal nerve roots in the lower back that requires emergency surgery.
	Rural Americans are going without meds to fight opioid, alcohol addictions Less than 9% of rural Americans who abuse both opioids and alcohol are prescribed medications to treat both disorders, new research reveals.
	6 in 10 stroke survivors will struggle with depression years later, study finds A new study says 6 out of every 10 stroke survivors wind up struggling with depression later in their lives.
	Nonbinary people have hormone therapy and surgery more often than you might think (The authors say, throughout this article we reference people's presumed gender at birth, which may seem ironic as we are talking about people whose gender identity was assumed incorrectly. We use this to define the unmet medical needs of nonbinary people, as they must fit into a binary medicalized system, and as a way to make our comparisons easier for readers to understand.)
	Common degenerative brain disease may begin to develop already in middle age Lewy body disease may be more common in middle-aged people than previously thought, according to a recent study by the University of Helsinki and the University of Tampere. In the study, almost 1 in 10 of over-50-year-olds were found to have tissue markers of Lewy body disease in the brain.
	Study highlights potential new approach for early intervention for diabetic patients at risk of kidney disease In new results published in Diabetes, researchers at the University of Bristol have uncovered a mechanism by which a hormone can protect the blood vessels in the kidneys from the damage caused by diabetes. In doing so, the team has identified a potential early treatment strategy to prevent or slow progression of kidney disease in people with diabetes.
	Study of type 2 diabetes medications show differences in medication acceptance, quality-of-life, insulin secretion Diabetes affects more than 1 in 10—or more than 38 million—Americans. People with diabetes who keep their blood sugar levels in the near-normal range generally have a much lower risk of developing diabetes complications such as heart, kidney, and eye diseases. The challenge is that most people with diabetes require more than one medication to control blood sugar levels over time.
	Study shows ChatGPT can produce medical record notes 10 times faster than doctors without compromising quality The AI model ChatGPT can write administrative medical notes up to 10 times faster than doctors without compromising quality. This is according to a study conducted by researchers at Uppsala University Hospital and Uppsala University in collaboration with Danderyd Hospital and the University Hospital of Basel, Switzerland. The research is published in the journal Acta Orthopaedica.
	Study finds the highly educated receive better prostate cancer care Men with advanced degrees and higher income are more likely to receive certain care and treatment for prostate cancer. Their risk of dying from the disease is also lower than for men with low income and education level. These are the findings of a study conducted at the University of Gothenburg.
	Study calls for major changes in the way people with comorbidities are selected by physicians for lung cancer screening A Medicare policy requiring primary care providers (PCPs) to share in the decision-making with patients on whether to proceed with lung cancer screening is fraught with confusion and lack of evidence-based information, and may actually be undermining the purpose for which it was created, Mount Sinai researchers say.
	Research unveils metabolic strategies to enhance CAR-T cell therapy While cancer remains one of the leading global causes of death, advancements in cancer therapies have significantly improved its manageability and potential for cure. Among these revolutionary cancer treatments are chimeric antigen receptor-T (CAR-T) cells, genetically engineered to combat cancer.
	Ceramic material made biologically active may transform into new bone tissue in osteoporotic patients The Nordic region has the highest incidence of osteoporosis, a disease that makes bone prone to fracture. Age is one of the most important risk factors and Sweden ranks highest in terms of longevity. It is estimated that around 200 million people globally suffer from this silent disease and in Sweden alone about 124,000 osteoporosis-related fractures occur every year.
	Researchers identify protein sensor that plays a role in lung fibrosis Researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine have discovered a protein called SEL1L that plays a critical role in clearing collagen from tissue, and that may be a therapeutic target to help prevent fibrosis, scar tissue that interferes with organ function. The paper, published on Feb. 20 in Nature Communications, provides clues that could lead to drug development for diseases like lung fibrosis which have no therapeutic options currently.
	Handing out vapes in UK emergency departments helps smokers quit, study finds Giving out free e-cigarette starter packs in hospital emergency departments to people who smoke helps more people quit, according to research from the University of East Anglia.
	Study reveals inequities in access to CAR T cell therapy Patients being treated for B-cell non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma (NHL) who are part of minority populations may not have equal access to cutting-edge CAR T cell therapies, according to a new analysis led by researchers from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and published today in NEJM Evidence.
	Childhood sedentariness found to accelerate premature vascular damage An increase in sedentary time from childhood is associated with worsening arterial stiffness, a surrogate for premature vascular damage, a new study shows. However, light physical activity could reduce the risk. The study was conducted in collaboration between Oxford University, the Universities of Bristol and Exeter, and the University of Eastern Finland, and the results were published in Acta Physiologica.
	Two new mutations identified as possible causes of rare blood disorder Researchers have uncovered two novel gene mutations that may be responsible for a rare blood disorder. The mutations are found on the GNE gene and impact an enzyme, also called GNE, that is involved in the synthesis of sialic acid and a process called sialylation, which is critical for brain development. The mutations were first identified in a pediatric patient with macrothrombocytopenia, also called a giant platelet disorder, because of the enlarged size of blood platelets.
	Two-way cell-based treatment helps repair muscle after rotator cuff injury A team of Georgia Tech researchers has introduced a new therapeutic system to offset the poor clinical outcomes often associated with common rotator cuff surgery.
	Mothers often engage in nonrecommended practices for infant sleep Mothers often engage in nonrecommended practices to improve their infant's sleep, according to a study published in Pediatrics.
	Deep-learning model based on chest X-ray helps predict MACE A deep-learning model based on a chest radiograph (CXR) for cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk (CXR CVD-Risk) predicts major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) beyond the clinical standard, according to a study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
	Annual two-dose SARS-CoV-2 vaccination campaign beneficial Annual administration of a second dose of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccine five months after the initial dose results in fewer hospitalizations and deaths, according to a study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
	The fear of depression recurrence is potent but not universal, research shows Clinicians treating patients who live with or survive serious diseases such as cancer are familiar with the concept of fear of illness recurrence (FIR). FIR has been associated with greater avoidance of illness reminders, including medical appointments, ignoring symptom changes, social withdrawal and increases in anxiety and decreases in quality of life and mood.
	New testing approach improves detection of rare but emerging Powassan virus spread by deer ticks Researchers at the New England Regional Center of Vector-Borne Diseases at the University of Massachusetts Amherst have come up with a new, more accurate method for detecting in ticks the emerging Powassan virus, which can cause life-threatening neuroinvasive disease, including encephalitis and meningitis.
	US Supreme Court skeptical of restrictions on abortion pill The US Supreme Court on Tuesday appeared poised to reject restrictions imposed by a lower court on an abortion pill widely used in the United States to terminate pregnancies.
	Researchers show xCT protein is key link in inhibiting pancreatic cancer growth and limiting mood disturbances The xCT protein, which plays an important role as a transport molecule in cells, could play a part in cancer treatment in the future, researchers at Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) have discovered. Their work is the result of a collaboration between the research groups of neuroscientist Ann Massie of the Laboratory of Neuro-Aging & Viro-Immunotherapy and pancreatic cancer expert Ilse Rooman of the Laboratory for Medical and Molecular Oncology.
	Optimizing electronic health records: Study reveals improvements in departmental productivity In a study published in the Annals of Family Medicine, researchers at the Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine identify transformative effects of electronic health record (EHR) optimization on departmental productivity. With the universal implementation of EHR systems, the study sheds light on the importance of collaborative efforts between clinicians and information technology (IT) experts in maximizing the potential of these digital tools.
	Team develops method for imaging deep brain activity with microprisms Organisms constantly face the challenge of adapting their behavior to survive in a world full of uncertainties. This ability relies on complex neural circuits in the brain that help them find resources while avoiding danger. Scientists study how these neural circuits change over time to understand better how behaviors emerge.
	How national political ambition could fuel, or fail, initiatives to protect abortion rights in states In early February, abortion rights supporters gathered to change Missouri history at the Pageant—a storied club where rock 'n' roll revolutionary Chuck Berry often had played: They launched a signature-gathering campaign to put a constitutional amendment to voters this year to legalize abortion in the state.
	Georgia's Medicaid work requirements costing taxpayers millions despite low enrollment Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp's plan for a conservative alternative to Obamacare's Medicaid expansion has cost taxpayers at least $26 million so far, with more than 90% going toward administrative and consulting costs rather than medical care for low-income people.
	Hack poses financial problems for community health centers Community health centers and organizations that primarily serve low-income people are being disproportionately hurt by the biggest hack in health care history, which has disrupted payments for thousands of health care providers for a month now.
	Scientists warn of a 'tsunami' of osteoarthritis cases by 2050 Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative disease that affects weight-bearing joints. The most commonly affected joints are the knees, hips, spine, and small joints in the hands. Two out of three people over 50 have creaky and cracking joints that cause daily pain and reduce their mobility. It's an increasing problem because the world population is getting older, and humans are becoming more and more sedentary, overweight, and obese.
	Researchers employ microfluidic diffusional sizing characterize neutralizing antibody affinity to SARS-CoV-2 SARS-CoV-2 has rampantly spread around the globe and continues to cause unprecedented loss through ongoing waves of (re)infection. Increasing our understanding of the protection against infection with SARS-CoV-2 is critical to ending the pandemic.
	Real-time reconstruction of high-intensity focused ultrasound focal temperature field based on deep learning High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) is a non-invasive technique for tumor ablation. During the actual HIFU treatment process, biological tissues absorb acoustic energy and convert it into thermal energy. Measurement and control of tissue temperature within the HIFU focal region are crucial for the effectiveness of treatment.
	Bone-strengthening physical activity declines most among least fit youth: Study For the first time, a Finnish study conducted at the University of Jyväskylä has investigated changes in the amount of exercise that strengthens the bones in adolescence. The study proved that bone-strengthening physical activity levels decrease during adolescence. The decline is steepest among the least fit youth. Physical activity during childhood and adolescence is essential for developing and maintaining strong and healthy bones.
	Team assesses biological functions, diseases and therapeutic targets of heat shock protein 90 A review titled "Heat shock protein 90: biological functions, diseases, and therapeutic targets" and published in MedComm, conceived by Dr. Guiqin Hou, has been written by her graduate students Huiyun Wei and Yingying Zhang (the State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment, Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University).
	Drug development advances in beneficial loss-of-function mutation targets validated by human genetics Drug targets with human genetic evidence are more likely than those without to be clinically translatable and thus enter phase II/III clinical trials or be approved for marketing more quickly, which will likely significantly reduce the cost of drug development and drive the rapid development of the pharmaceutical industry.
	Team finds that chlorogenic acid prevents ovariectomized-induced bone loss A new research paper titled "Chlorogenic acid prevents ovariectomized-induced bone loss by facilitating osteoblast functions and suppressing osteoclast formation" has been published in Aging.

Other Sciences news

	Survey study shows workers with more flexibility and job security have better mental health A team of community health specialists at the Boston University School of Public Health, working with a psychiatrist from Brown University, has found evidence that suggests workers who have more job flexibility and security tend to have better mental health overall.
	Elephant hunting by early humans may explain proximity between extensive Paleolithic stone quarries and water sources Archaeologists from Tel Aviv University have uncovered the mystery surrounding extensive Paleolithic stone quarrying and tool-making sites: Why did Homo erectus repeatedly revisit the very same locations for hundreds of thousands of years? The answer lies in the migration routes of elephants, which they hunted and dismembered using flint tools crafted at these quarrying sites.
	Italians' and Swedes' gestures vary when they tell stories, which may show cultures think differently about narratives When we talk, we often use our hands in addition to words. Gesturing is a phenomenon that has been observed across languages and cultures. Some cultures are typically thought to use more gestures than others.
	The Body Shop shouldn't have failed in an age when consumers want activism from their brands. What happened? We are in an era of brand activism and conscious consumerism. More than 70% of consumers expect brands to publicly stand for sociopolitical issues.
	How nature can alter our sense of time Do you ever get that feeling that there aren't enough hours in the day? That time is somehow racing away from you, and it is impossible to fit everything in. But then, you step outside into the countryside and suddenly everything seems slower, more relaxed, like time has somehow changed.
	Algorithms that predict crime are watching, and judging us by the cards we've been dealt Your money, postcode, friends and family can make all the difference to how the criminal system treats you.
	Why are women cited less frequently than men? Citation counts count. The number of citations is commonly perceived as indicative of a researcher's productivity and academic impact. It weighs heavily in considerations for hiring, promotion, funding allocation, and salary increases within academic institutions.
	Do food and drink preferences influence migration flows? When people migrate, many factors play a role in their choice of destination: How well do you speak the new country's language? Do you already have family or a community there? Do the country's values and norms match your own? How far is the new place from home?
	Research shows even positive online reviews are a minefield for firms Customer's online reviews of products and services are highly influential and have an immediate impact on brand value and customer buying behaviors.
	Corporations use government grants to lighten debt load Local and state governments have a variety of tools at their disposal to attract businesses or entice them to stay. One is tax relief. Austin, for example, helped lure electric automaker Tesla in part with property tax rebates worth $14 million over 10 years.
	Study finds partisan congressional speech shifts with platform Members of Congress tend to use more politically polarizing language in forums that are more likely to attract a national audience, according to a new study co-written by a University of Massachusetts Amherst public policy researcher. The findings provide fresh insights about ideological and political rhetoric, particularly on social media, and illustrate that assessing politicians' views based on a single venue is insufficient.
	If university grades are going up, does that mean there's a problem? In 1894, Harvard University commissioned a report on grading standards, due to concerns that:
	Research finds upsides for local governments that look to employ chatbots Queensland University of Technology researchers have homed in on AI-powered chatbots in the local government sector to look at their benefits and risks, what they are used for and why, and how users view them.
	Fridge magnets have important pull for holiday memories, says research New University of Liverpool research has shown fridge magnets are more than just tourist souvenirs providing holidaymakers with an important aide for memory recall.
	The psychological poverty trap: How lack of money impacts decision-making, procrastination and loss of control Lack of money impacts how a person takes financial decisions: now or preferably later. Procrastination and avoidance behaviors in turn have an effect on lack of money, which can result in a sense of loss of control. These are the findings of psychologist Leon Hilbert in his Ph.D. research, although the effects are different in every culture.
	Research concludes women have higher levels of personal growth among deaf people One of the features of the deaf community is that it is highly diverse. As well as including people of different ages and genders, the members of the community do not all share the same type of deafness or form of communication. Firstly, the time of onset of deafness and the degree of hearing loss vary greatly. And secondly, not everybody uses sign and oral language in the same way. All these aspects have a bearing on the well-being of deaf people. However, few studies specifically analyze the effect of each one.
	Essays on democracy draw attention to critical threats, explore safeguards ahead of Jan. 6 Following the events of Jan. 6, 2021—when a violent mob stormed the U.S. Capitol building in an effort to interrupt the certification process of the 2020 presidential election—experts began to question how to protect the next presidential election from a similar threat. To that end, University of Notre Dame political scientists have partnered with preeminent scholars of democracy from across the country to produce a set of recommendations to strengthen and safeguard democracy in America.
	Study explores why Australians love going to the cinema Australians have had plenty of time in the last 100 years to work out what they value about cinema-going and why it matters. Head to any cinema and catch the Val Morgan advertising in the pre-show. Take a closer look at the date the company was founded. Not 1984, but 1894. That's more than 125 years of "Making Messages Memorable" on Australian screens.
	Despite 'deep state' fears, research shows federal workers are effective and committed, not subversive It's common for political candidates to disparage "the government" even as they run for an office in which they would be part of, yes, running the government.
	Most states now have affirmative sexual consent laws, but not enough people know what they mean Earlier this month, Queensland became the latest state to pass affirmative consent laws. This means consent is understood as ongoing communication for the purposes of rape and sexual assault offenses.
	Gender employment gap narrows among people with disabilities post-COVID The shifting landscape of post-COVID-19 employment highlights a reduction in the gender employment gap among individuals with disabilities, a trend not observed among those without disabilities, according to last Friday's National Trends in Disability Employment (nTIDE) Deeper Dive Lunch & Learn Webinar.

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