Science X Newsletter Wed, Mar 13

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Here is your customized Science X Newsletter for March 13, 2024:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

Intel introduces approach to boost power efficiency, reliability of packaged chiplet ecosystems

Astronomers perform a comprehensive study of the young open cluster NGC 2345

Researchers find urban moths have smaller wings, reduced light response compared to rural moths

Study finds rerouting of airplanes to reduce contrails not as expensive as thought

Giant volcano discovered on Mars

Giant sequoias are a rapidly growing feature of the UK landscape

Tsetse fly fertility damaged after just one heat wave, study finds

Progesterone protects babies from preterm birth in women with a short cervix, research shows

Study finds no persistent cough in four out of five individuals with tuberculosis in Africa and Asia

Typhoid fever surveillance study in sub-Saharan Africa shows need for typhoid conjugate vaccines in endemic countries

A simple intervention benefits cancer patients while saving hospitals money, study shows

Air quality in Europe shows significant improvements over the last two decades, study finds

Modern lifestyle heart disease risk factors threaten extremely poor people in low- and middle-income countries

Team makes progress with fluorescent dyes to better visualize lipid membrane order in live cells

A simple and robust experimental process for protein engineering

Nanotechnology news

Strain at monolayer MoS₂/hBN interfaces enhances hydrogen evolution reaction activity Recently, the research team led by Prof. Wang Bin at National Center for Nanoscience and Technology (NCNST) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences reported that strain generated at bubbles of 2D materials could benefit the catalytic activity of hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). The study was published in Chem Catalysis.

Sugar-coated gold nanoparticles can quickly eliminate bacterial infections, no antibiotics required If left to their own devices, bacteria on our teeth or wounded skin can encase themselves in a slimy scaffolding, turning into what is called biofilm. These bacteria wreak havoc on our tissue and, being shielded from antibiotic medication by the slime, are difficult to dislodge. A new strategy may offer a simple way to break up the muck and destroy the bacteria.

Physics news

	AI for astrophysics: Algorithms help chart the origins of heavy elements The origin of heavy elements in our universe is theorized to be the result of neutron star collisions, which produce conditions hot and dense enough for free neutrons to merge with atomic nuclei and form new elements in a split-second window of time. Testing this theory and answering other astrophysical questions requires predictions for a vast range of masses of atomic nuclei.
	Scientists reveal the first unconventional superconductor that can be found in mineral form in nature Scientists from Ames National Laboratory have identified the first unconventional superconductor with a chemical composition also found in nature. Miassite is one of only four minerals found in nature that act as a superconductor when grown in the lab. The team's investigation of miassite revealed that it is an unconventional superconductor with properties similar to high-temperature superconductors.
	New ceramics promise hotter gas turbines that produce more power Skoltech researchers have identified promising ceramic materials for metal coatings that would boost gas turbine efficiency. If further experimental tests prove successful, the coatings will enable power plants to produce more electricity and jet planes to consume less fuel. With the material discovery technique tried and tested, the researchers intend to continue the search and find more candidates with perhaps even better properties. The study is published in Physical Review Materials.
	Good prospects for altermagnets in spin-based electronics Altermagnets represent a newly recognized class of materials in magnetism that could enable novel applications in spin-based electronics. Their magnetically ordered state consists of an antiparallel arrangement of microscopic magnetic moments, so-called spins, as in antiferromagnets.
	Polarization-sensitive tomography made easy with tensorial tomographic Fourier ptychography In the realm of medical imaging, there are quite a few different techniques to extract information from biological tissue based on its different interactions with visible light. Over the past decade, there has been a massive surge in research focusing on quantitative phase imaging, which involves capturing and analyzing how the phase of a light changes as it passes through a sample.
	Researchers generate super-fast electrons with table-top laser systems In massive particle accelerators, sub-atomic particles (like electrons) are sped up to super-high speeds comparable to the speed of light towards a target surface. The collision of accelerated sub-atomic particles gives rise to unique interactions enabling scientists to obtain a deeper understanding of the fundamental properties of matter.
	A new ion trap for larger quantum computers Researchers at ETH have managed to trap ions using static electric and magnetic fields and to perform quantum operations on them. In the future, such traps could be used to realize quantum computers with far more quantum bits than have been possible up to now.
	Researchers achieve quantum key distribution for cybersecurity in novel experiment Researchers at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory have demonstrated that advanced quantum-based cybersecurity can be realized in a deployed fiber link.
	New research on tungsten unlocks potential for improving fusion materials In the pursuit of clean and endless energy, nuclear fusion is a promising frontier. But in fusion reactors, where scientists attempt to make energy by fusing atoms together, mimicking the sun's power generation process, things can get extremely hot. To overcome this, researchers have been diving deep into the science of heat management, focusing on a special metal called tungsten.

Earth news

	Air quality in Europe shows significant improvements over the last two decades, study finds A study led by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal) has consistently estimated daily ambient concentrations of PM2.5, PM10, NO2 and O3 across a large ensemble of European regions between 2003 and 2019 based on machine learning techniques. The aim was to assess the occurrence of days exceeding the 2021 guidelines of the World Health Organization (WHO) for one or multiple pollutants, referred to as "unclean air days."
	The future is likely less skiable, thanks to climate change Annual snow cover days in all major skiing regions are projected to decrease dramatically as a result of climate change, with one in eight ski areas losing all natural snow cover this century under high emission scenarios. These results are published in a new study in the open-access journal PLOS ONE by Veronika Mitterwallner from the University of Bayreuth, Germany and colleagues.
	Effective policies needed to curb hormone-disrupting chemicals: Study Without smart policymaking, banning harmful chemicals like bisphenols and phthalates—common ingredients in plastics manufacturing—can result in a game of regulatory whack-a-mole where chemicals of similar toxicity or that have not been rigorously tested take their place.
	US energy industry methane emissions are triple what government thinks, study finds American oil and natural gas wells, pipelines and compressors are spewing three times the amount of the potent heat-trapping gas methane as the government thinks, causing $9.3 billion in yearly climate damage, a new comprehensive study calculates.
	Loathed by scientists, loved by nature: Sulfur and the origin of life Many artists have tried to depict what Earth might have looked like billions of years ago, before life made its appearance. Many scenes trade snow-covered mountains for lava-gushing volcanoes and blue skies for lightning bolts pummeling what's below from a hazy sky.
	What kinds of seismic signals did Taylor Swift fans send at a Los Angeles concert? Seattle may have experienced its own Swift Quake last July, but at an August 2023 concert Taylor Swift's fans in Los Angeles gave scientists a lot of shaking to ponder.
	Study highlights effect of aerosols over Asia on Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation Since the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) was first monitored in 2004, it has been the focus of thousands of scientific papers and even a blockbuster movie that grossed more than $552 million worldwide.
	Colombia's Caribbean jewel slowly sinking as sea waters rise A skeleton lies exposed to the elements as turquoise Caribbean waters lap the shores near a shattered tomb—a grisly reminder that the Colombian city of Cartagena is slowly being swallowed by the sea.
	High levels of PFAS forever chemicals found flowing into River Mersey—new study Huge volumes of toxic and cancer-causing forever chemicals are flowing into the River Mersey in north-west England. With a busy, industrialized skyline and both Manchester and Liverpool nearby, it's the second-most populated river catchment in the UK after the Thames.
	Viewpoint: What the Anthropocene's critics overlook, and why it really should be a new geological epoch Geologists on an international subcommission recently voted down a proposal to formally recognize that we have entered the Anthropocene, a new geological epoch representing the time when massive, unrelenting human impacts began to overwhelm the Earth's regulatory systems.
	Insights into water flow and fish passage through dams offer options for meeting energy, environmental needs Hydropower dams provide reliable renewable energy, but they also have a direct impact on the environment, especially fish. Adjusting the amount of water spilling over a dam can help fish successfully navigate dams. But spilling more water means less water is available to produce power.
	Chicago should set limits on buildings' greenhouse gas emissions, report says A new report from an influential real estate organization calls on Chicago to take a bold step to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from buildings.
	Geologists discover evidence of gas hydrates in the Manila Trench Gas hydrates are great alternative energy sources but they could also harm us and the environment, note geologists from the University of the Philippines.
	First report on data collected by record-breaking rowers shows Great Britain's warming seas Sea surface temperature data collected by an all-female crew of rowers as they raced around Great Britain last summer has found that U.K. coastal seas were on average 0.39°C warmer in 2023, compared to 2022, according to a new report.
	Methane emissions from energy sector rose in 2023: IEA Planet-heating methane released by the fossil fuel industry rose to near record highs in 2023 despite technology available to curb this pollution at virtually no cost, the International Energy Agency said Wednesday.
	Researchers analyze infrastructure, demographics to see where tornadoes are most disruptive The warning time before a tornado touches down is measured in minutes. Long-term planning on the sunny days when tornadoes aren't a threat is crucial for preparing for and recovering from these storms.
	Smog and sick kids: Thai pupils endure air pollution Hundreds of Thai children strain to sing the national anthem, reedy voices and fragile lungs competing against eight lanes of belching traffic next to their school's open atrium in central Bangkok.
	Pacific Islanders have long drawn wisdom from the Earth, the sky and the waves—the science backs them up One afternoon last year, we sat in a village hall in Fiji chatting to residents about traditional ways of forecasting tropical cyclones. One man mentioned a black-winged storm bird known as "manumanunicagi" that glides above the land only when a cyclone is forming out to sea. As the conversation continued, residents named at least 11 bird species, the odd behavior of which signaled imminent changes in the weather.
	Music festivals are increasingly affected by climate change—is the industry doing enough to mitigate the impact? The Pitch Music and Arts Festival in Moyston, Victoria, was cancelled while festival-goers were already on site this weekend, after an extreme fire danger warning was issued.
	Formation of a new subduction zone with hot or cold incipient channel The present solid Earth is actually active, with new plates generating in the mid-ocean ridges and some old plates sinking back into the interior through subduction zones. Subduction is thus a key process of the tectonics and geodynamics of the Earth. However, the formation mechanism of a new subduction zone, i.e., subduction initiation (SI), is widely debated.
	Zircons reveal the history of fluctuations in the oxidation state of crustal magmatism and the supercontinent cycle Zircons, a mineral nearly as old as Earth itself, crystalize when magmas (molten rocks) cool and can be found in trace quantities in magmatic rocks. The formation of magma constitutes the mountains on the Earth. Through interactions with water and the atmosphere, the mountains break down into sediments.
	Pre-Cryogenian stratigraphy, paleontology, and paleogeography of the Tibetan Plateau and environs Based on existing data, the records of pre-Cryogenian sedimentation and paleontology are mainly concentrated in the Meso-Neoproterozoic, with relatively few records from the Paleoproterozoic or earlier. The oldest geological record is the Hadean detrital zircons in the metamorphosed sedimentary rocks of the Himalaya and Qamdo areas (ca. 4.0 Ga).

Astronomy and Space news

	Astronomers perform a comprehensive study of the young open cluster NGC 2345 Using the Himalayan Chandra Telescope (HCT) and ESA's Gaia satellite, Indian astronomers have conducted a comprehensive study of a young open cluster designated NGC 2345. Results of the study, presented March 7 on the preprint server arXiv, shed more light on the properties and nature of this cluster.
	Giant volcano discovered on Mars In a groundbreaking announcement at the 55th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference held in The Woodlands, Texas, scientists revealed the discovery of a giant volcano and possible sheet of buried glacier ice in the eastern part of Mars' Tharsis volcanic province near the planet's equator.
	Webb finds ethanol and other icy ingredients for new worlds An international team of astronomers using the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope have discovered a variety of molecules, ranging from relatively simple ones like methane to complex compounds like acetic acid and ethanol, in early-stage protostars where planets have not yet formed. These are key ingredients for making potentially habitable worlds.
	Study brings scientists a step closer to successfully growing plants in space New, highly stretchable sensors can monitor and transmit plant growth information without human intervention, report University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign researchers in the journal Device.
	IceCube identifies seven astrophysical tau neutrino candidates The IceCube Neutrino Observatory, a cubic-kilometer-sized neutrino telescope at the South Pole, has observed a new kind of astrophysical messenger. In a new study recently accepted for publication as an Editors' Suggestion by the journal Physical Review Letters and available on the arXiv preprint server, the IceCube collaboration, including Penn State researchers, presented the discovery of seven of the once-elusive astrophysical tau neutrinos.
	Explaining a supernova's 'string of pearls' Physicists often turn to the Rayleigh-Taylor instability to explain why fluid structures form in plasmas, but that may not be the full story when it comes to the ring of hydrogen clumps around supernova 1987A, research from the University of Michigan suggests.
	Unraveling the origins of life: Scientists discover 'cool' sugar acid formation in space A critical molecule for the metabolism of living organisms has been synthesized for the first time by University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa researchers at low temperatures (10 K) on ice coated nanoparticles mimicking conditions in deep space, marking a "cool" step in advancing our understanding of the origins of life.
	Commercial rocket trying to put a satellite into orbit explodes moments after liftoff in Japan A commercial rocket trying to put a satellite into orbit was intentionally exploded shortly after liftoff Wednesday morning in central Japan following a problem that's still under investigation.
	Do astronauts experience 'space headaches'? Space travel and zero gravity can take a toll on the body. A new study has found that astronauts with no prior history of headaches may experience migraine and tension-type headaches during long-haul space flight, which includes more than 10 days in space. The study was published in Neurology.
	SpaceX targets sunset launch from KSC using booster for record-tying 19th time SpaceX is set to send up another batch of Starlink satellites targeting one minute before sunset from the Space Coast on Wednesday night using a first-stage booster for a record-tying 19th time.
	Astronomers propose a 50-meter submillimeter telescope Some parts of the universe only reveal important details when observed in radio waves. That explains why we have ALMA, the Atacama Large Millimeter–submillimeter Array, a collection of 7-meter and 12-meter radio telescopes that work together as an interferometer. But, ALMA-type arrays have their limitations, and astronomers know what they need to overcome those limitations.
	Evolved adapter for future NASA space launch system flights readied for testing A test version of the universal stage adapter for NASA's more powerful version of its SLS (Space Launch System) rocket arrived at Building 4619 at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, on Feb. 22 from Leidos in Decatur, Alabama. The universal stage adapter will connect the rocket's upgraded in-space propulsion stage, called the exploration upper stage, to NASA's Orion spacecraft as part of the evolved Block 1B configuration of the SLS rocket.

Technology news

	Intel introduces approach to boost power efficiency, reliability of packaged chiplet ecosystems The integration of electronic chips in commercial devices has significantly evolved over the past decades, with engineers devising various integration strategies and solutions. Initially, computers contained a central processor or central processing unit (CPU), connected to memory units and other components via traditional communication pathways, known as front-side-bus (FSB) interfaces.
	Study finds rerouting of airplanes to reduce contrails not as expensive as thought A small team of environmental scientists has found via simulations that rerouting commercial airplanes to reduce contrails would be less expensive than previously thought. In their study, published in the journal Environmental Research: Infrastructure and Sustainability, the group used data from prior studies to create simulations of airplanes routed to prevent the development of contrails.
	From recurrent networks to GPT-4: Measuring algorithmic progress in language models In 2012, the best language models were small recurrent networks that struggled to form coherent sentences. Fast forward to today, and large language models like GPT-4 outperform most students on the SAT. How has this rapid progress been possible?
	Wearable stretchable electronics: A new design and fabrication process for skin-like integrated circuits Small wearable or implantable electronics could help monitor our health, diagnose diseases, and provide opportunities for improved, autonomous treatments. But to do this without aggravating or damaging the cells around them, these electronics will need to not only bend and stretch with our tissues as they move, but also be soft enough that they will not scratch and damage tissues.
	Opening new doors in the VR world—literally Room-scale virtual reality (VR) is one where users explore a VR environment by physically walking through it. The technology provides many benefits, given its highly immersive experience. Yet the drawback is that it requires large physical spaces. It can also lack haptic feedback when touching objects.
	Staying in the loop: How superconductors are helping computers 'remember' Computers work in digits—0s and 1s, to be exact. Their calculations are digital; their processes are digital; even their memories are digital. All of which require extraordinary power resources. As we look to the next evolution of computing and developing neuromorphic or "brain-like" computing, those power requirements are unfeasible.
	Engineering team discovers new high-performance solar cell material A Dartmouth Engineering-led study published in Joule has reported the discovery of an entirely new high-performance material for solar absorbers—the central part of a solar cell that turns light into electricity—that is stable and Earth-abundant. The researchers used a unique high-throughput computational screening method to accelerate the discovery process and were able to quickly evaluate approximately 40,000 known candidate materials.
	A quadrupedal robot can do parkour and walk across rubble The robot known as ANYmal has, for some time, had no problem coping with the stony terrain of Swiss hiking trails. Now researchers at ETH Zurich have taught this quadrupedal robot some new skills: It is proving rather adept at parkour, a sport based on using athletic maneuvers to smoothly negotiate obstacles in an urban environment, which has become very popular. ANYmal is also proficient at dealing with the tricky terrain commonly found on building sites or in disaster areas.
	Scientists use novel technique to create new energy-efficient microelectronic device A breakthrough could help lead to the development of new low-power semiconductors or quantum devices.
	New 'papertronics' offer biodegradable alternative to traditional circuits As the Internet of Things connects more devices into a collective network—even single-use sensors like food packaging, agriculture or "smart bandages"—the need for biodegradable electronics grows increasingly urgent.
	Novel technologies for transforming wind turbine and power grid stability control Researchers from the University of Birmingham, U.K., are working on novel ways of preventing threats to grid stability that can result in the loss of power to millions of people, equipment damage, and limited power transfer capability.
	The New York Times is fighting off Wordle look-alikes with copyright takedown notices The New York Times is fighting off Wordle "clones"—arguing that numerous games inspired by the mega-popular word-guessing game infringe on its copyright protections.
	Volkswagen's 2023 profits rise, outlook for this year cautious German auto giant Volkswagen on Wednesday reported a forecast-beating rise in profits for 2023, boosted by higher vehicle deliveries, but gave a cautious outlook for this year.
	Boeing says employees must take 'immediate' action on safety measures US aeronautics giant Boeing, facing increased scrutiny after a series of safety incidents and manufacturing issues, is directing employees to take "immediate actions" to improve operations, according to a message the company sent to its workforce Tuesday.
	AI-narrated books are here: Are humans out of a job? If you've listened to an audiobook or a narrated news article in the past year or so, there's a chance it was created not by a human, but by AI software that mimics the sound of a human voice.
	EU parliament adopts 'pioneering' rules on AI The European Parliament gave final approval on Wednesday to the world's most far-reaching rules to govern artificial intelligence, including powerful systems like OpenAI's ChatGPT.
	Europeans want decentralized power generation and low prices Although a majority of Europeans support the energy transition in principle, local opposition to necessary infrastructure projects is on the rise. What could be done to smooth the future growth of renewables in Europe? In a new study published in iScience, researchers have identified the preferences of citizens in Denmark, Germany, Poland and Portugal.
	How AI is shaping the music listening habits of Gen Z For four years, we've been teaching a class on music and the mind. We've asked the students at the start of each semester to complete a short, informal survey on their music education and favorite songs and artists.
	Petrol, pricing and parking: Why so many outer suburban residents are opting for electric vehicles Until now, you might have thought of electric vehicles as inner suburban toys. Teslas and Polestars are expensive, leaving them as playthings for wealthier Australians and out of reach for the mortgage belt.
	AI is creating fake legal cases and making its way into real courtrooms, with disastrous results We've seen deepfake, explicit images of celebrities, created by artificial intelligence (AI). AI has also played a hand in creating music, driverless race cars and spreading misinformation, among other things.
	What we know so far about the rumored Apple smart ring Samsung officially announced the launch of a new smart ring-shaped wearable device, Galaxy Ring, as part of its Galaxy Unpacked event earlier this year. The ring, expected to be on sale in late summer 2024, will be able to monitor the user's health parameters and provide insights based on the health metrics observed, which is very similar to what a smartwatch can do.
	Even robots make mistakes: How humans walk with imperfect exoskeletons When lower limb exoskeletons—mechanical structures worn on the leg—do not operate properly, some people adjust quickly while others compensate with their ankle or hip, expending more energy than necessary, according to a new study by University of Michigan researchers.
	Building trust between humans and robots when managing conflicting objectives A new University of Michigan study on how humans and robots work together on tasks with conflicting objectives is the first to demonstrate that trust and team performance improve when the robot actively adapts to the human's strategy.
	Suspended solar panels see the light In the 80 years since the shocking collapse of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge in Washington, engineers have designed suspended structures to minimize their universal weakness: resonance. If not designed to deal with oscillations caused by forces like wind, the frequency of these forces would cause tensions to build and inevitably break the structure.
	Cyberattack leaves health care providers reeling weeks later Following a cyberattack on the largest health insurer in the United States last month, health care providers continue to scramble as insurance payments and prescription orders continue to be disrupted and physicians lose an estimated $100 million a day.
	How the US Army will build a floating pier to deliver humanitarian aid to war-torn Gaza It sounds like a tall order: build a floating pier off war-torn Gaza that will allow the delivery of 2 million daily meals to residents. And do it in two months.
	Improving miner problems with safety research In the search for safer working conditions in the mining sector, a recent review published in the International Journal of Mining and Mineral Engineering has highlighted what might become a rich seam for future safety endeavors. The study, which looked at 54 research articles, not only categorizes existing safety measures but also identifies gaps in the existing literature, which could lead to more targeted investigations.
	Satellites for quantum communications: Encryption by means of physical laws Through steady advances in the development of quantum computers and their ever-improving performance, it will be possible in the future to crack our current encryption processes. To address this challenge, researchers at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) are participating in an international research consortium to develop encryption methods that will apply physical laws to prevent the interception of messages. To safeguard communications over long distances, the QUICK³ space mission will deploy satellites.
	Strengthening the partnership between humans and AI: The case of translators ChatGPT and its ability to hold conversations and produce written content have been the focus of a lot of attention in the last year in the field of technology and artificial intelligence. However, AI has been around for some time, helping us in all sorts of everyday tasks, from navigation systems to social network algorithms, not to mention machine translation. Ever since neural machine translation (NMT) systems began to be used on a widespread basis a few years ago, AI has seen exponential growth in its uptake in the translation industry. This has led to new challenges in the relationship between human and machine translators.
	Researchers develop new control method that optimizes autonomous ship navigation The study of ship maneuvering at sea has long been the central focus of the shipping industry. With the rapid advancements in remote control, communication technologies, and artificial intelligence, the concept of Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS) has emerged as a promising solution for autonomous marine navigation. This shift highlights the growing need for optimal control models for autonomous ship maneuvering.
	Next-gen satellite navigation: Unlocking ultra-precision with cutting-edge tracking tech Researchers have developed a Dual-assisted Multi-component Tracking (DMT) technique that significantly enhances the precision of Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS). This innovation promises to enhance satellite navigation by leveraging wideband multiplexed signals for improved accuracy.
	Many firms prefer ready-made AI software, with a few tweaks Artificial intelligence has fundamentally changed nearly every industry, from manufacturing and retail to construction and agriculture. As AI becomes even more ubiquitous, firms are often opting for off-the-shelf technology that can be modified to meet their needs.
	Pioneering precision: Transforming micro-EDM with feed-pulse collaborative control Micro-Electrical Discharge Machining (micro-EDM) stands as a cornerstone in the manufacturing of intricate components with micro-scale features. This process is indispensable in creating precise micro-holes and cavities essential for industries such as aerospace, medical devices, and electronics.
	Grappling with the grid: Expanding electricity transmission brings benefits, encounters barriers Improving the U.S. electricity grid is necessary to lower costs, boost reliability and help tackle climate change, but it will take some serious soul searching by the leaders of entities that control the grid, according to a University of Michigan researcher.
	Waymo's robotaxi service expands into Los Angeles, starting free rides in parts of the city Robotaxis will begin cruising the streets of Los Angeles on Thursday when Google spinoff Waymo starts offering free rides to some of the roughly 50,000 people who have signed up for its driverless ride-hailing service.
	US House to vote on TikTok ban The US House of Representatives will vote Wednesday on a bill that would force TikTok to cut ties with its Chinese owner or get banned in the United States.
	Cathay Pacific 'is back' with first annual profit since 2019 Hong Kong carrier Cathay Pacific on Wednesday reported its first annual net profit in four years, citing a surge in demand as it emerges from the impact of the financial hub's COVID isolation.
	US House overwhelmingly passes TikTok ban bill The US House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved a bill on Wednesday that would force TikTok to divest from its Chinese owner or get banned from the United States.
	Streaming giant Spotify adds music videos to output Music streaming giant Spotify on Wednesday announced it would be posting music videos on its platform in "select markets", entering an arena long dominated by YouTube.
	E for equity? E-scooter and e-bike schemes can help people on low incomes and with disabilities Interest in shared e-bikes and e-scooters, or "micromobility" devices, has skyrocketed in Australia. Every capital city and over 25 local councils have trialed shared e-scooter systems through private operators including Lime, Beam and Neuron.
	New truck front to save lives Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden have developed a new truck front concept to reduce fatal crashes in car-truck collisions significantly.
	US House easily passes TikTok ban bill as eyes turn to Senate The US House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved a bill on Wednesday that would force TikTok to divest from its Chinese owner or be banned from the United States.
	A solution to a medical waste problem that has become a major national issue in Korea For the first time in the country of Korea, a medical waste treatment system capable of 99.9999 percent sterilization by using high-temperature and high-pressure steam has been developed.
	TikTok devotees say platform unfairly targeted for US ban TikTok creators voiced outrage Wednesday over proposed legislation that could scuttle the platform in the United States, saying it defies common sense and financial wisdom.
	Brazil revs up for jolt of hybrid car investments Brazil is charging up for a hybrid revolution as global car manufacturers race to pump billions of dollars into the development of green vehicles in Latin America's biggest economy.

Chemistry news

	Team makes progress with fluorescent dyes to better visualize lipid membrane order in live cells A new solvatochromic probe could help shed light on the relationship between lipid membrane fluidity and various cellular functions, report scientists at Tokyo Institute of Technology and Kyushu University. Thanks to an innovative design, the proposed probe offers remarkable stability, low toxicity, and exceptional fluorescent properties, making it possible to visualize real-time changes in lipid membrane order during complex processes, such as cell division.
	Soft support can make unexpectedly stable glass Glasses are ubiquitous materials found in building materials, beverage containers, soft electronics, and mobile phone screens. The creation of naturally dense and rigid glass occurs through a process known as aging. It involves a slow transformation that can take place over millennia to hundreds of millions of years and is marked by the gradual densification and rigidification of a liquid cooled below its melting point.
	You don't need glue to hold these materials together—just electricity Is there a way to stick hard and soft materials together without any tape, glue or epoxy? A new study published in ACS Central Science shows that applying a small voltage to certain objects forms chemical bonds that securely link the objects together. Reversing the direction of electron flow easily separates the two materials. This electroadhesion effect could help create biohybrid robots, improve biomedical implants and enable new battery technologies.
	New computational strategy boosts the ability of drug designers to target proteins inside the membrane Hitting targets embedded within the cell membrane has long been difficult for drug developers due to the membrane's challenging biochemical properties. Now, Scripps Research chemists have demonstrated new custom-designed proteins that can efficiently reach these "intramembrane" targets.
	Advancing tissue engineering with shape memory hydrogels One of the primary goals in the field of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine is the development of artificial scaffolds that can serve as substitutes for damaged tissue. These materials must ideally resemble natural tissue and must have the ability to support cell adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation.
	Researchers present 'domino effect' sensing mechanism to detect amine approaching picomolar level Accurate and sensitive detection of amines is crucial in industrial safety, environmental monitoring and clinical diagnosis. Ongoing research and development of sensing materials offer promise for enhancing the sensitivity and selectivity of amine detection. Optical/fluorescent amine-detecting materials are particularly promising due to their easy manipulation, naked-eye readout, and portability.
	A new approach to producing high-performance plastics from agricultural waste In our rapidly industrialized world, the quest for sustainable materials has never been more urgent. Plastics, ubiquitous in daily life, pose significant environmental challenges, primarily due to their fossil fuel origins and problematic disposal.
	Brazilian scientists obtain a material that could be useful for hydrogen production Hydrogen (H2) is considered a possible alternative to fossil fuels, which are responsible for a large proportion of atmospheric emissions and global warming, but production costs must be lowered if it is to become a viable option.
	New catalyst accelerates release of hydrogen from ammonia Germany can probably only meet its demand for climate-friendly hydrogen by imports, for example, from South America or Australia. For such long-distance transport, hydrogen can be converted into ammonia.
	Beetles living in the dark teach us how to make sustainable colors Inspired by beetle cuticles, scientists have developed optical structures that can produce vibrant, iridescent and completely biodegradable colors using chitin—the world's second most abundant organic material.
	Research team develops catalyst that can purify municipal sewage while enhancing hydrogen generation efficiency Researchers have devised a novel catalyst aimed at enhancing the efficiency of reactions using contaminated municipal sewage to produce hydrogen—a green energy source.
	Stronger than nature: Optimized radicals as potential novel catalysts Nature uses enzymes for various metabolic processes. These biological catalysts are extremely efficient. Biomimetic catalysts based on inexpensive starting materials from the laboratory that can reproduce the efficiency of the natural enzymes and can function at ambient conditions are therefore of great interest to research and industry.
	New high-speed microscale 3D printing technique 3D-printed microscopic particles, so small that to the naked eye they look like dust, have applications in drug and vaccine delivery, microelectronics, microfluidics, and abrasives for intricate manufacturing. However, the need for precise coordination between light delivery, stage movement, and resin properties makes scalable fabrication of such custom microscale particles challenging. Now, researchers at Stanford University have introduced a more efficient processing technique that can print up to 1 million highly detailed and customizable microscale particles a day.
	Molecular simulations of ammonia mixtures support search for renewable fuels Ammonia (NH3) is an important molecule with many applications. The end product of the famed Haber–Bosch process, it is commonly synthesized to capture nitrogen for fertilizers, and is used for refrigeration, in cleaning products, and in the production of pharmaceuticals. Recently, this modest molecule has also attracted interest as a potential resource for addressing one of today's most pressing challenges—the need for reliable and abundant renewable fuels.
	Strong coordination interaction identified as being favorable for promoting ethanol dehydrogenation Butadiene, one of the most important light olefins in the petrochemical industry with a global production capacity of 18 million metric tons per year, is currently produced through the extractive distillation of C4 fractions from naphtha steam cracking processes or dehydrogenation of C4 hydrocarbons, both of which involve extensive energy consumption and significant emission of CO2.

Biology news

	Researchers find urban moths have smaller wings, reduced light response compared to rural moths A small team of environmental scientists affiliated with several institutions in Belgium and Switzerland has found evidence that city-dwelling moths may be evolving smaller wings, possibly due to light pollution. In their project, reported in the journal Biology Letters, the group studied the body and wing sizes of several hundred moths captured in a prior research effort.
	Giant sequoias are a rapidly growing feature of the UK landscape Imported giant sequoia trees are well adapted to the UK, growing at rates close to their native ranges and capturing large amounts of carbon during their long lives, finds a new study led by UCL researchers with colleagues at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
	Tsetse fly fertility damaged after just one heat wave, study finds The fertility of both female and male tsetse flies is affected by a single burst of hot weather, researchers at the University of Bristol and Stellenbosch University in South Africa have found.
	A simple and robust experimental process for protein engineering A protein engineering method using simple, cost-effective experiments and machine learning models can predict which proteins will be effective for a given purpose, according to a new study by University of Michigan researchers.
	Bees use antennae to decode hive mates' dances Scientists have discovered how honeybees can decipher dances by their hive mates that relay directions to food. The findings, published in Current Biology, reveal how, in the complete darkness of the hive, each bee uses its antennae to interpret the information communicated through the dances.
	Secrets of cell division revealed by cutting-edge imaging technique A study by Fena Ochs, new Group Leader and Associate Professor at Biotech Research & Innovation Center (BRIC) University of Copenhagen, delves deep into the intricate world of cell division. The study, published in Science, sheds light on the role of cohesin, which is a crucial protein complex that helps to faithfully segregate genetic material during cell division.
	Creating soundscapes increases coral larval settlement, study finds A team of marine biologists and oceanographers at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in Falmouth, Massachusetts, has found that creating soundscapes for coral larvae encourages them to settle on desired coral reefs.
	Researchers discover a new species of carnivorous dinosaur in La Rioja, Spain The first dinosaur to be described in La Rioja, Spain, is a spinosaurid about 7–8 meters long with an estimated body mass of 1.5 metric tons. It is bipedal and had mainly piscivorous habits, although, as a good predator, it would also have been capable of chasing and feeding on terrestrial prey.
	Newly discovered fossil of giant turtle is named after Stephen King novel character An international research team led by Dr. Gabriel S. Ferreira from the Senckenberg Center for Human Evolution and Paleoenvironment at the University of Tübingen has described a new species of giant turtle from the late Pleistocene.
	Sea anemones study reveals insights into predator-prey dynamics A new study reveals crucial insights into animal defense mechanisms and tradeoffs. The surprising discovery of a native anemone population lacking the Nv1 neurotoxin led to an investigation into its impact on defending against grass shrimp, a native predator. Anemones without Nv1 showed weakened defensive abilities, while the neurotoxin, when present, attracted mummichog fish, natural predators of grass shrimp.
	Most male mammals are not bigger than females: New analysis of more than 400 species New research is cutting male mammals down to size.
	Research suggests that menopause explains why some female whales live so long Females of some whale species have evolved to live drastically longer lives so they can care for their families, new research shows.
	Can genetic parasites alter interactions between microbes and hosts? Researchers from the Max Planck Institutes (MPI) for Evolutionary Biology in Plön and for Biology in Tübingen have made significant progress in understanding the evolution of interactions between plants and microbes. The study focuses on Pseudomonas syringae, a globally distributed plant pathogen, and in this instance, the harm done to kiwifruit production.
	Study shows for the first time that different forms of cellular adhesion structures can interconvert Cells form adhesion structures to anchor themselves in their environment. The coordinated assembly and disassembly of these adhesions also enables cells to move from one place to another.
	Research explains why eating feces may be vital for birds' survival We all know that the early bird gets the worm, but new research shows they turn to something far more nutritious for their breakfast. Feces—either their own, or from other birds—provides them with essential nutrients and energy and helps them adapt to new environments and seasonal variations, especially when they are developing.
	A novel strategy to efficiently distinguish subtype-specific cardiomyocytes from human iPS cells In a recent study led by Associate Professor Yoshinori Yoshida (Department of Cell Growth and Differentiation) and published in Communications Biology, a team of researchers identified CD151 as a marker for distinguishing subtype-specific cardiomyocytes during differentiation from human iPS cells (hiPSCs). In addition, they found a novel method to generate functional atrial cardiomyocytes with improved efficiency compared with the conventional differentiation method.
	Researchers find some protists use beneficial viruses to fend off lytic viruses Contrary to common belief, not all viruses are harmful to their hosts. Sometimes viruses can even protect their hosts from infection by other viruses. Scientists at the Max-Planck-Institute for Medical Research in Heidelberg and their collaborators have now demonstrated that this is the case for so-called endogenous virophages: small DNA viruses that are mostly found inserted into the genomes of single-cell eukaryotes—organisms whose cells have a membrane-bound nucleus. In addition, the scientists show that virophages are highly specific towards giant viruses, focusing on the CroV type in the present study.
	Deciphering how viruses choose to turn nasty or not to their bacterial host Researchers from the Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research at Tel Aviv University have deciphered a novel complex decision-making process that helps viruses choose to turn nasty or stay friendly to their bacterial host. In a new paper, they describe how viruses co-opt a bacterial immune system, intended to combat viruses like themselves, in this decision-making process.
	Rope entanglement found to be a cause of low breeding rates in right whales New findings show the severe impact of fishing gear entanglements on the survival of critically endangered North Atlantic right whales, with every injury from entanglements impacting population recovery.
	Summer solstice found to trigger synchronized beech tree reproduction across Europe A new study published in Nature Plants has found that the summer solstice acts as a "starting gun" to synchronize beech tree reproduction across vast distances in Europe, affecting ecosystem functions.
	The surprising key to magpie intelligence: It's not genetic If you've ever had the pleasure of encountering Australia's iconic magpies, you know these birds are intelligent creatures. With their striking black and white plumage, loud warbling voices and complex social behaviors, magpies possess a level of avian brilliance that fascinates birders and scientists alike.
	High-resolution imagery advances the ability to monitor decadal changes in emperor penguin populations Emperor penguin populations have been exceedingly difficult to monitor because of their remote locations and because individuals form breeding colonies on seasonal sea ice fastened to land (known as fast ice) during the dark and cold Antarctic winter.
	Researchers use genetic engineering to create flood-tolerant plants Adding too much water to your plants can damage them as much as not having enough water. In the environment, plants submerged under excessive rain have limited access to light and oxygen, which reduces or eliminates their ability to thrive. This poses an important problem for crops.
	Simple trick could improve accuracy of plant genetics research Researchers have published a simple trick that improves the accuracy of techniques that help us understand how external variables—such as temperature—affect gene activity in plants.
	With discovery of roundworms, Great Salt Lake's imperiled ecosystem gets more interesting Scientists have long suspected that nematodes—commonly known as roundworms—inhabit Utah's Great Salt Lake sediments, but until recently, no one had actually recovered any there.
	Marine heat waves disrupt the ocean food web in the northeast Pacific Ocean, new study shows Marine heat waves in the northeast Pacific Ocean create ongoing and complex disruptions of the ocean food web that may benefit some species but threaten the future of many others, a new study has shown.
	Researchers say Olympic tower construction could damage Tahiti reef ecosystem In preparation for the 2024 Olympic surfing competition, a new judging tower is being constructed in the reef lagoon at Teahupo'o, Tahiti. That construction poses a threat to the reef and its ecosystem, according to researchers from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, UH Hilo, Arizona State University and community partners in Tahiti. The group published a study in Remote Sensing that assessed the importance of protecting the valuable reef—both as an integral part of the ecosystem and a resource for the local community.
	Surprising bacterium from Canadian lake shines new light on ancient photosynthesis Sometimes an experiment doesn't go as planned. That's science. But a "failed" experiment or unexpected results can be the avenue to a discovery you could never anticipate. University of Waterloo Ph.D. student Jackson Tsuji had a poorly growing bacterial sample he wasn't ready to give up on, which ultimately led to a once-in-a-lifetime finding that could change how scientists view photosynthesis and its origins.
	Proof-of-concept study shows how human insulin can be produced in cow's milk An unassuming brown bovine from the south of Brazil has made history as the first transgenic cow capable of producing human insulin in her milk. The advancement, led by researchers from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the Universidade de São Paulo, could herald a new era in insulin production, one day eliminating drug scarcity and high costs for people living with diabetes.
	Researchers 'film' the activation of an important receptor An international team of researchers has succeeded in "filming" the activation of an important receptor. They froze the involved molecules at different points in time and photographed them under the electron microscope. They were then able to place these still images in sequence. This sequence shows step by step which spatial changes the receptor undergoes when it is activated.
	Why eukaryotes, not bacteria, evolved complex multicellularity Prokaryotic single-celled organisms, the ancestors of modern-day bacteria and archaea, are the most ancient form of life on our planet, first appearing roughly 3.5 billion years ago. The first eukaryotic cells appeared around 1–1.5 billion years later. However, eukaryotic cells have since diversified into many complex, multicellular organisms that we see around us every day—fungi, plants and animals—while prokaryotes have remained decidedly unicellular.
	Wood condition, root constriction and improper pruning can be used as predictors of urban tree failure In São Paulo, Brazil's largest metropolis, the city center is considered a tree failure hotspot, with the largest proportion of failures in the city occurring in that area.
	Carbon-neutral beef? Argentina's new certification could promote more climate-friendly livestock production In Argentina, where beef is a symbol of national pride, a government-led partnership has started certifying certain livestock as carbon neutral. It's a big step that shouldn't be underestimated, but getting the certification process right is crucial.
	Surviving fishing gear entanglement isn't enough for endangered right whales. Females still don't breed afterward It sounds like a crime show episode at sea: In late January 2024, federal regulators learned that a dead female North Atlantic right whale had been sighted near Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts. The whale was towed to shore, where more than 20 U.S. and Canadian scientists converged to perform a necropsy, or animal autopsy.
	Increasing soil organic matter to improve soil health, carbon storage Soil organic matter (SOM) is crucial to soil health and carbon storage in agriculture. Adding crop residues to the soil increases SOM, but can also accelerate its decomposition, known as the priming effect. The temperature sensitivity (Q10) of SOM decomposition is critical and affects how the carbon cycle interacts with climate change.
	Experts urge dog owners to teach life skills to help their canines cope with distractions Many working dogs have to cope with sirens, sudden loud noises and flashing lights while carrying out vital work that keeps humans safe. Visual and acoustic distractions distinctly affect people's ability to concentrate and perform tasks; a new study investigates for the first time the effects these conditions have on dogs.
	New study shows how AI can help us better understand global threats to wildlife A new study published in Conservation Biology by the University of Sussex shows how researchers are using AI technology and social media to help identify global threats to wildlife.
	Scientists decode muscle loss in piglets In a study published in Science China Life Sciences, Prof. Yin Yulong from the Institute of Subtropical Agriculture of the Chinese Academy of Sciences uncovered compelling evidence linking LPS-induced muscle mass loss with the reduction of Bacteroidetes abundance, increased inflammation, and disruption of mitochondrial morphology.
	Enhancing crop productivity analysis: A novel approach using SIF and PRI for accurate GPP estimation in rice canopies Solar-induced chlorophyll fluorescence (SIF) and the photochemical reflectance index (PRI) have emerged as significant tools in assessing the photosynthetic and carbon sequestration capacities of terrestrial vegetation, particularly for estimating gross primary productivity (GPP).
	Forest management research: Unveiling understory saplings with advanced airborne LiDAR technology The regeneration of forest saplings is pivotal for maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem productivity, necessitating innovative management techniques for continuous forest coverage. Traditional 2-dimensional remote sensing struggles to accurately capture the complex, understory sapling dynamics. To address this, researchers are exploring the use of aerial laser scanning (ALS) for its potential to provide detailed 3-dimensional insights.
	Soil steaming is effective against pests in potato, researchers find The soil is teeming with useful microorganisms, but there are also organisms that attack agricultural crops, affecting plant growth, yield, and quality. All soil that is to be moved in infrastructure projects or any other projects must be free of plant pests. One method to neutralize these pests is by steaming the soil at high temperatures.
	'Hybrid' US sheep breeder used endangered genetic material, faces jail A US man who tried to breed enormous hybrid sheep using genetic material from endangered animals so he could sell them to trophy hunting ranches faces jail time after pleading guilty to wildlife crimes on Tuesday.
	How climate change drives the spread of invasive plants As the climate warms, the number of alien species on every continent is expected to increase 36% by 2050. Some alien species—that is, plants or animals that live outside their natural range—are invasive and can harm ecosystems and the areas they invade with serious impacts on the global food supply, medicines, water quality, biodiversity, and livelihoods.
	Shrimp waste revolution: Unlocking potent antioxidants for health and sustainability Shrimp are renowned for their high nutritional value, offering a rich source of proteins, amino acids, omega-3 fatty acids, minerals, and vitamins, as well as chitin and carotenoids. The increasing consumption of shrimp has led to a significant rise in by-products, such as heads, shells, and tails, which account for up to 50% of waste. This poses a substantial environmental challenge for fish processing industries. Shrimp shells, in particular, are rich in minerals, protein, and chitin. Recognizing the potential of these by-products, there has been a growing interest in converting them into value-added products.
	Q&A: Bringing forest therapy indoors can improve your health For centuries, people have found solace in walks through the forest and the practice of "forest bathing." Now, researchers at UBC are delving into the science behind this tradition to understand its benefits better and make them accessible to all.
	Enhancing crop nutritional analysis: Precision agriculture with multi-target regression and hyperspectral imaging Recent advancements in hyperspectral imaging and machine learning have revolutionized the non-destructive monitoring of crop nutritional status, enabling accurate prediction of plant element concentrations. Despite successes, the single-target regression method, which predicts concentrations individually, faces accuracy limitations for certain elements.
	A new method for expanding in situ root datasets using CycleGAN The root system is crucial for plants to absorb water and nutrients, with in situ root research providing insights into root phenotypes and dynamics. While deep-learning-based root segmentation methods have advanced the analysis of root systems, they require extensive manually labeled datasets, which are labor-intensive and time-consuming to produce. Current methods of in situ root observation vary in their effectiveness.
	A novel approach to chlorophyll a fluorescence measurement under environmental stress Chlorophyll a fluorescence (ChlF) has been a pivotal tool in understanding plant photochemistry, offering insights into the energy transfer processes within chloroplasts and the efficiency of Photosystem II (PSII). Researchers have relied on quantifying ChlF through specific measures such as F0, Fm, and Fv under various lighting conditions to assess photosynthetic activities.

Medicine and Health news

	Progesterone protects babies from preterm birth in women with a short cervix, research shows At around 20 weeks of pregnancy women with a short cervix have an increased risk of preterm birth. Preventing preterm birth in pregnant women with a short cervix is a crucial step in protecting the health of the child. Research from Amsterdam UMC now shows that, in pregnant women with a short cervix around 20 weeks, progesterone is better than a cervical pessary at reducing the risk of severe preterm birth. This study was published in the BMJ.
	Study finds no persistent cough in four out of five individuals with tuberculosis in Africa and Asia More than 80% of patients with tuberculosis, the world's most deadly infection, do not have a persistent cough, despite this being seen as a key symptom of the disease. The infection is predominantly transmitted by coughing, but probably also through simply breathing.
	Typhoid fever surveillance study in sub-Saharan Africa shows need for typhoid conjugate vaccines in endemic countries There is a high burden of typhoid fever in sub-Saharan African countries, according to a new study published in The Lancet Global Health. This high burden combined with the threat of typhoid strains resistant to antibiotic treatment calls for stronger prevention strategies, including the use and implementation of typhoid conjugate vaccines (TCVs) in endemic settings along with improvements in access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene.
	A simple intervention benefits cancer patients while saving hospitals money, study shows Cancer patients who received specialized mental health support as part of their treatment plan were more likely to see improvements in their quality of life and reductions in pain, depression and fatigue, according to a study led by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.
	Modern lifestyle heart disease risk factors threaten extremely poor people in low- and middle-income countries A new study reveals that many people living in extreme poverty in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) have conditions that lead to heart disease, the world's #1 cause of death—overturning conventional wisdom.
	New nasal vaccine platform helps clear COVID-19 infections in an animal model A newly developed intranasal vaccine candidate helps to clear COVID-19 infections more quickly than controls in pre-clinical testing, according to a recent study. The new vaccine platform relies on a protein scaffold that resembles a tiny wire-frame soccer ball, roughly the size and shape of a virus. When the surface of the scaffold is decorated with a portion of the spike protein from the SARS-CoV-2 virus—the same protein used in existing COVID-19 vaccines—and delivered via the nose, it induces an immune response in a rodent model.
	Analysis of large-scale neuronal imaging enables closed-loop investigation of neural dynamics In a study published in Nature Neuroscience, Du Jiuli's group and Mu Yu's group at the Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), and Hao Jie at the Institute of Automation of CAS, utilized data processing techniques from astronomy and a field programmable gate array graphics processing unit (FPGA-GPU) hybrid architecture to perform real-time registration, signal extraction, and analysis on data streams of up to 500MB/s.
	Genetic condition hemochromatosis linked to higher levels of disease in older people A large-scale study has found that some people whose genetics are linked to the common iron overload condition hemochromatosis have substantially greater levels of liver, musculoskeletal and brain disease than previously reported, especially at older ages.
	Review suggests the Wim Hof method may reduce inflammation, but has mixed effects on exercise performance The Wim Hof method may produce a beneficial anti-inflammatory response characterized by increased epinephrine levels and a reduction in pro-inflammatory cytokines, according to a systematic review published in the open-access journal PLOS ONE by Omar Almahayni and Lucy Hammond from the University of Warwick, UK.
	Research reveals DNA-protecting gene's crucial role in brain disorders University of Adelaide researchers now know more about a mysterious gene's role in maintaining healthy DNA—a crucial development that could lead to new treatments for life-threatening illnesses including neurodevelopmental disorders, some types of cancer and neurodegenerative diseases.
	'Dual-target' cell therapy appears to shrink brain tumors, research finds Targeting two brain tumor-associated proteins—rather than one—with CAR T cell therapy shows promise as a strategy for reducing solid tumor growth in patients with recurrent glioblastoma (GBM), an aggressive form of brain cancer, according to early results from the first six patients treated in an ongoing Phase I clinical trial led by researchers from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and Penn Medicine's Abramson Cancer Center.
	Drug design at the atomic level to thwart COVID-19 Although COVID-19 has faded from the headlines, SARS-CoV-2—the coronavirus behind the pandemic—is still rampantly infecting people around the world. Public health officials fear as the virus continues to evolve, it will eventually hit upon a diabolical mutation that renders current treatments ineffective, triggering a new wave of severe infection and social disruption.
	'Junk DNA' no more: Investigators develop method of identifying cancers from repeat elements of genetic code Repeats of DNA sequences, often referred to as "junk DNA" or "dark matter," that are found in chromosomes and could contribute to cancer or other diseases have been challenging to identify and characterize.
	Being in therapy prior to COVID-19 pandemic prevented anxiety uptick during its peak, research finds The start of the COVID-19 pandemic led to unprecedented exposure to stressors driven by fears of a novel and deadly disease, intense uncertainty, and resulting isolation measures, which in turn resulted in increases in anxiety for many. According to new research, however, individuals who were in therapy for anxiety prior to the start of the pandemic did not experience upticks in their symptoms throughout this exceptionally challenging time.
	Study finds interactions with dogs can increase brainwaves associated with stress relief and heightened concentration Spending quality time with dogs reduces stress and increases the power of brain waves associated with relaxation and concentration, according to a study published in the open-access journal PLOS ONE by Onyoo Yoo from Konkuk University, South Korea, and colleagues.
	Straightening teeth? AI can help A new tool being developed by the University of Copenhagen and 3Shape will help orthodontists correctly fit braces onto teeth. Using artificial intelligence and virtual patients, the tool predicts how teeth will move so as to ensure that braces are neither too loose nor too tight.
	Antimalarial treatments more likely to fail in children with acute malnutrition, finds study Children with acute malnutrition across Africa and Asia have a higher risk of treatment failure and malaria reinfection, even after being given the best currently available and recommended malaria treatment. Researchers from the Infectious Diseases Data Observatory (IDDO) at Oxford University analyzed data from more than 11,000 young children for the study, published in The Lancet Global Health.
	RNA-based therapy shows promise against aggressive childhood brain tumors in mice Targeting a non-encoding stretch of RNA may help shrink tumors caused by an aggressive type of brain cancer in children, according to new research in mice reported March 8 in Cell Reports by Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center investigators.
	Researchers demonstrate interaction between metabolic health and healthy aging Ribosomes, the "translation factories" of the cell, are cellular organelles that play a central role in protein synthesis, a vital process for all living organisms. These tiny structures themselves consist of ribonucleic acid (RNA) and proteins and are essential for the survival and normal functioning of the cell, as the proteins they produce are required for nearly all cellular processes, including structure, function, and regulation.
	Middle-age obesity may be caused by changes in the shapes of neurons in the brain Nagoya University researchers and their colleagues in Japan have found that middle-age obesity is caused by age-related changes in the shape of neurons in the hypothalamus, a region of the brain that controls metabolism and appetite.
	New understanding of the gut immune system may hold promise for Crohn's disease patients Tricks played by certain disease-driving gut bacteria might help explain differences in how patients experience Crohn's disease (CD)—a severe and painful chronic inflammatory bowel disease. A new study by researchers from DTU and 3 European universities shows that antibodies in the gut immune system, which line the stomach and intestinal walls and keep harmful bacteria at bay, may be crucial in understanding why some CD patients suffer more than others.
	First-of-its-kind super minigene to boost spinal muscular atrophy research Ravindra Singh has spent years studying a gene that, when missing or mutated, causes spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), a deadly disease that's among the most common genetic disorders in children. His team's latest work will make the search for treatments even more effective in the years to come.
	Bone homeostasis discovery could lead to new obesity and osteoporosis treatments A team of researchers from The University of Hong Kong (HKU) has made a significant breakthrough in understanding how energy metabolism and bone homeostasis are regulated in mice, which could lead to novel treatments for obesity and osteoporosis.
	Multiple air pollutants linked to asthma symptoms in children Exposure to several combinations of toxic atmospheric pollutants may be triggering asthma symptoms among children, a recent analysis suggests.
	Ramadan fasting may protect patients with heart problems, say researchers Those observing Ramadan may have their cholesterol, other lipids, and inflammatory markers in their blood reduced, albeit temporarily. This is the conclusion of a group of scientists examining the model of Ramadan Intermittent Fasting (RIF) in overweight and obese people.
	Pancreas-on-chip platform with integrated sensors offers new avenue for diabetes research More than 7 million people in Germany suffer from diabetes. Research into drugs to treat this widespread disease is still difficult. Scientists led by Prof. Dr. Peter Loskill from the NMI Natural and Medical Sciences Institute and the Faculty of Medicine of the Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen have now developed a technique that significantly improves the view at the molecular and cell biological level in the pancreas.
	How low humidity could be a boon for viruses: Study finds excess ventilation may counteract public health interventions New Stanford research adds to evidence that the seasonality of respiratory illnesses, like COVID-19 or the flu, can be linked to indoor humidity levels. The study, which found that ventilation reduces the presence of naturally occurring disinfectant compounds in airborne microdroplets, could add another dimension to public health approaches to seasonal viruses.
	How the brain wakes us from daydreams When we daydream, we must be able to snap back to attention at a moment's notice. Researchers at Boston Children's Hospital uncovered how our brains can do things like react to a question when we're daydreaming: firing activity in part of the brain called the dentate gyrus keeps us focused on what's happening in our environment. And the team found that the same neural activity also helps with forming memories. The findings were published in Nature on March 13, 2024.
	Scientists unravel mystery of drug response in small cell lung cancer Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is a highly aggressive tumor of the lung that occurs especially in heavy smokers. Due to the rapid spread of this tumor type, most patients can only be treated with chemotherapy with remarkable initial anti-tumor efficacy. However, relapse often occurs over the course of time.
	Tryptophan in diet and gut bacteria protect against E. coli infection, study shows Gut bacteria and a diet rich in the amino acid tryptophan can play a protective role against pathogenic E. coli, which can cause severe stomach upset, cramps, fever, intestinal bleeding and renal failure, according to a study published March 13 in Nature.
	A water droplet spun by sound screens for colon cancer Mechanical engineers at Duke University have devised a new type of diagnostic platform that uses sound waves to spin an individual drop of water up to 6,000 revolutions per minute. These speeds separate tiny biological particles within samples to enable new diagnostics based on exosomes.
	Early clinical trial results show 'dramatic and rapid' regression of glioblastoma after next generation CAR-T therapy A collaborative project to bring the promise of cell therapy to patients with a deadly form of brain cancer has shown dramatic results among the first patients to receive the novel treatment. In a paper published in the New England Journal of Medicine, researchers from the Mass General Cancer Center have shared the results for the first three patient cases from a phase 1 clinical trial evaluating a new approach to CAR-T therapy for glioblastoma (GBM).
	'Last mile' solutions shown to increase vaccination coverage in poor countries The use of mobile clinics to deliver COVID-19 vaccines can significantly increase vaccination uptake. Research by Wageningen University & Research, conducted in rural communities in Sierra Leone and published today in Nature, shows that addressing "last mile" problems such as accessibility has a positive effect on vaccination rates.
	Good news: The US maternal death rate is stable, not skyrocketing, as reported A new study published in the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology, challenges the prevailing view on the maternal death rate in the United States.
	New analysis: Most UK care homes closed by industry regulator are run for profit A new analysis led by researchers at the University of Oxford has found that virtually all care homes forced to close in England by the Care Quality Commission are run on a for-profit basis. The results, published in The Lancet Healthy Longevity, raise questions about the role of the private sector in exacerbating the care sector's ongoing crisis.
	School-age girls with obesity are more likely to experience joint and muscle pain, finds study Girls with obesity are more likely than children with a healthy weight to experience pain in their bones, joints, muscles, ligaments or tendons, according to research by Queen Mary University of London. The same did not apply to boys.
	New AI tools can record your medical appointment or draft a message from your doctor Don't be surprised if your doctors start writing you overly friendly messages. They could be getting some help from artificial intelligence.
	Childhood deaths at record low, but progress 'precarious': UN The number of children worldwide who died before age five reached a record low in 2022, the United Nations said in a report published Tuesday, as for the first time fewer than five million died.
	Possible contamination with 'rubber pieces' prompts sausage recall More than 35,000 pounds of Johnsonville turkey kielbasa sausages are under recall due to possible contamination with "pieces of rubber."
	Alcohol use disorder linked to increased odds of suicide mortality Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is associated with suicide mortality, with a similar association seen across the sexes, according to a review and meta-analysis published online March 12 in JAMA Network Open.
	Precautions needed when folks taking Ozempic, Wegovy undergo anesthesia Nurses who specialize in anesthesia have issued new guidelines to reduce the risk that patients taking weight-loss drugs like Ozempic or Wegovy throw up during surgery.
	Do veterans who experience concussions have an increased risk of Alzheimer's? Middle-age veterans who experienced concussions due to blasts from explosive devices may have biomarkers in their spinal fluid similar to people who develop Alzheimer's disease, according to a new study published in the March 13, 2024, online issue of Neurology.
	Developing a stem cell therapy to prevent amputations from critical limb ischemia Critical limb ischemia is a condition in which the main blood vessels supplying blood to the legs are blocked, causing blood flow to gradually decrease as atherosclerosis progresses in the peripheral arteries. It is a severe form of peripheral artery disease that causes progressive closure of arteries in the lower extremity, leading to the necrosis of the leg tissue and eventual amputation.
	Researchers identify brain connections associated with ADHD in youth Researchers at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have discovered that symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are tied to atypical interactions between the brain's frontal cortex and information processing centers deep in the brain.
	Two or more hours of daily screen time tied to lower well-being in preschoolers Among U.S. preschoolers, two hours or more of daily screen time are associated with lower psychological well-being, according to a study published online March 5 in JAMA Network Open.
	Chicago migrant shelter reports measles outbreak The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has sent a team to Chicago to help contain an outbreak of measles that has sickened four.
	Risks for major adverse cardiovascular events, mortality lower after surgery for hyperthyroidism For patients with newly diagnosed hyperthyroidism, surgery is associated with lower risks for major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and all-cause mortality, according to a study published online March 4 in JAMA Network Open.
	Study shows 1 in 6 gun deaths for women occur in or around pregnancy A woman's risk of intentional death by firearm rises during and shortly after pregnancy, new research shows.
	Youth baseball can lead to overuse injuries: What parents need to know Baseball season is near, and one orthopedic surgeon is warning young players and their coaches and parents about the very real danger of overuse injuries.
	Bubonic plague kills New Mexico man, officials say: What to know about the 'Black Death' A New Mexico man died after being hospitalized for bubonic plague in the state's first death from the disease since 2020, health officials reported.
	2006 to 2019 saw mental health-related visits increase for adolescents/young adults Among adolescents and young adults, mental health-related visits increased from 2006 to 2019, and the proportion with prescription of at least one psychotropic medication also increased significantly, according to a study published online March 7 in JAMA Network Open.
	Why COVID patients who could most benefit from Paxlovid still aren't getting it Evangelical minister Eddie Hyatt believes in the healing power of prayer but "also the medical approach." So on a February evening a week before scheduled prostate surgery, he had his sore throat checked out at an emergency room near his home in Grapevine, Texas.
	Long-acting injectable ART superior to standard care for poorly adherent people with HIV For people with HIV (PWH) and a history of suboptimal adherence to antiretroviral therapy, long-acting injectable treatment with cabotegravir and rilpivirine (LAI) is superior to oral standard of care (SOC), according to a study presented at the annual Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections, held from March 3 to 6 in Denver.
	Atopic dermatitis in children tied to learning, memory difficulties Pediatric atopic dermatitis (AD) is associated with greater odds of reported difficulties in learning and memory, but this association is driven by children with neurodevelopmental comorbidities, according to a study published online March 6 in JAMA Dermatology.
	An apple cider vinegar drink a day? New study shows it might help weight loss Made from fermented apples and naturally high in acetic acid, apple cider vinegar has been popular in recent years for its purported health benefits—from antibacterial properties to antioxidant effects and potential for helping manage blood sugars.
	Study explores impact of dust on London Underground staff Researchers have carried out the largest study to date on the potential health impacts of airborne dust on the London Underground.
	Slowed speech may indicate cognitive decline more accurately than forgetting words Can you pass me the whatchamacallit? It's right over there next to the thingamajig.
	Leprosy cases are rising in the US—what is the ancient disease and why is it spreading now? The word "leprosy" conjures images of biblical plagues, but the disease is still with us today. Caused by infectious bacteria, some 200,000 new cases are reported each year, according to the World Health Organization.
	Want to build muscle? Why carbs could be just as important as protein High-protein, low-carb diets have long been considered the gold standard method for gym-goers and bodybuilders aiming to gain muscle and lose fat. But one bodybuilding champion has shown that this might not necessarily be the only way of achieving a chiseled physique.
	Detransition and gender fluidity: Deeper understanding can improve care and acceptance If you have been following recent coverage about gender-affirming health care, detransition will not be an unfamiliar topic. From mainstream journalists to transgender authors, many have taken an interest in people who underwent a medical gender transition and chose to return to their former identity.
	Hope for treating sleep disorders, no pills required Are sleeping pills the only solution for insomnia? Not according to Flinders University's Dr. Alexander Sweetman, who says that using self-guided digital behavioral therapy is an alternative solution that should be considered.
	Federal housing programs appear to protect residents from lead exposure Americans already living in housing supported by federal housing assistance programs have significantly lower blood lead levels than counterparts who would later join these programs, according to new research led by environmental health scientists at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health and Tufts Medical Center. The findings appear in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives.
	Q&A: New digital tool enables monitoring of lung function over time Height and weight charts have been used for decades to monitor child development. A paper published in The Lancet now presents a new application that enables health care professionals to keep a regular check on the development of one of the body's most vital organs—the lungs.
	Curbing coal-burning emissions translates to health gains for children Residential heating by coal has for decades been the major contributor to the high levels of air pollution in Krakow, Poland. New research finds a nearly 40% decline in the annual average concentration of respirable particulate matter (PM2.5) in Kraków, Poland, between 2010 and 2019 following the implementation of policies targeting emissions from the burning of coal and other solid fuels.
	Q&A: How can we improve the nutrition of children born in low-income countries? The first 1,000 days of a person's existence—from conception until their second birthday—are a critical period for growth and development which can set people on a path for a healthy life, according to Stephen Kodish, assistant professor of biobehavioral health and nutritional sciences at Penn State.
	Could your GP prescribe a park run instead of a pill? The old adage is a "pill for every ill." But what if a GP prescribed you joining an art class, a choir or a park run?
	Race, racism and risk prediction for cardiovascular disease When clinicians are discussing long-term health with a patient, we often find ourselves struggling with how a patient's race may inform their risk for cardiovascular disease, which claims more than 2,500 lives per day in the U.S., and disproportionately affects minoritized groups.
	Universal screening using simple device could save countless babies' lives, say perinatal experts Congenital heart defects could be spotted in newborn babies more easily and equitably by using a simple screening test, experts say.
	Artificial intelligence detects heart defects in newborns Many children announce their arrival in the delivery room with a piercing cry. As a newborn automatically takes its first breath, the lungs inflate, the blood vessels in the lungs widen, and the whole circulatory system reconfigures itself to life outside the womb. This process doesn't always go to plan, however.
	Biden administration calls for greater access to overdose antidote The White House on Wednesday launched a nationwide call for more training and better access to the lifesaving opioid overdose drug naloxone.
	COVID jab linked to lower risk of COVID-19–related clot and heart complications The risk of cardiac and clot-related complications following COVID-19 is substantially reduced in people who receive the COVID-19 vaccination compared with unvaccinated individuals, reports an observational study published online in the journal Heart.
	Using tap water for your nasal rinse? Beware amoeba dangers Folks with sinus issues often turn to neti pots or "nasal rinsing" to help clear their clogged passages.
	Older Californians now eligible for another COVID-19 vaccine dose Older Californians who received last autumn's updated COVID-19 vaccination can now get another shot, state health officials said.
	Default testing for COVID-19 in K-12 schools more effective than voluntary testing A new paper co-written by a team of University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign business professors found that default testing of K-12 students for COVID-19 during the pandemic could have saved up to one out of every five school days lost to the coronavirus during the fall 2021 semester.
	New migrants lead New Zealand for childhood vaccination Migrant families are more likely than other New Zealanders to vaccinate their babies on time, according to new research from the City, University of London, and the University of Auckland.
	Tracking troponin I over time to manage blood pressure and predict risk of heart disease Cardiac troponins are a group of markers used to predict the risk of heart disease. However, it is not well understood how controlling blood pressure affects levels of troponin I and whether the change in troponin I levels predicted the future risk of cardiovascular disease.
	Steroid drugs used for HRT can combat E. coli and MRSA The emergence of drug-resistant bacteria is a global threat to human health, and the development of new antibiotics from scratch is an extremely expensive and time-consuming process. To address this urgent issue, researchers from the University of Kent's School of Biosciences have combined computational and microbiology laboratory approaches to identify existing drugs that can be repurposed to combat antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections.
	Smoking is an undertreated risk factor after a cancer diagnosis While many cancer centers routinely document and ask about the smoking status of their patients, baseline survey results of a national quality improvement project led by the American College of Surgeons (ACS) describe the many challenges and missed opportunities these centers may face when trying to help patients quit smoking.
	Using AI to determine the right dose of warfarin for heart surgery patients A group of St. Michael's Hospital researchers has developed an artificial intelligence (AI) tool to help clinicians prescribe warfarin to heart surgery patients. The tool is currently in use at St. Michael's, where clinicians say it's been helpful in guiding their use of the blood thinner medication.
	Future cancer treatment and fertility discussed in comprehensive review In recent years, the treatment landscape for solid tumors has undergone a notable change. With new cancer treatments, the future looks brighter for many young cancer patients, making fertility issues and future family planning an important aspect. Six specialists in oncology and onco-fertility at the Department of Oncology-Pathology have joined forces to compile knowledge and recommendations on this important issue.
	Blood–brain barrier integrity depends on a protein that is altered in some neurodegenerative diseases, study reveals Defects in the blood vessel network of the central nervous system have been linked to early symptoms of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). It is this complex vascular network that provides the necessary nutrients—especially glucose and oxygen—to activate all neuronal functions.
	Recreational activities such as golfing, gardening may be associated with increased ALS risk among men Participation in recreational activities—including golfing, gardening or yard work, woodworking, and hunting—may be associated with an increase in a person's risk for developing amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, a Michigan Medicine study finds.
	Breastfeeding mothers who exercise pass on a beneficial hormone adiponectin to their children Although women have breastfed since the beginning of time, there is very little scientific research on how exercise affects breast milk.
	Maternal health support critical in the development of children born to mothers with pre-existing diabetes Research from Edith Cowan University (ECU) has found that intrauterine exposure to diabetes could be a crucial factor in the mental and psychomotor development of children, particularly those younger than 12 months.
	Study links key gene to protection from severe illness and death from COVID infections in men under age 75 A certain variant of a key anti-inflammatory gene protects men under age 75 from severe illness and death when hospitalized from COVID-19, a genetic analysis of their blood shows.
	Study finds suicidal behavior is common among adolescents in residential care A study of adolescents living in residential care in the Basque Country reveals that 26.5% have attempted suicide
	Another dangerous amoeba has been linked to neti pots and nasal rinsing. Here's what to know For years, scientists have known people who use neti pots can become infected with a brain-eating amoeba if they use the wrong kind of water. On Wednesday, researchers linked a second kind of deadly amoeba to nasal rinsing.
	Pelvic girdle pain during pregnancy is common, but can be relieved Acupuncture and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) are two interchangeable treatments to relieve pelvic girdle pain during pregnancy. Both treatments also alleviate the pregnant woman's concern about pain, according to a thesis from the University of Gothenburg.
	Self-help techniques can be successful in curing acute insomnia, study reveals Most of us will know the frustration of being unable to fall asleep at night—but for those who experience sleep issues for weeks or even months at a time, the impact on their physical and mental health can be severe.
	It's in the blood: Donor diets can trigger allergic reactions in blood recipients Allergic transfusion reactions (ATRs), a potentially life-threatening side effect of blood transfusions with unclear mechanisms, may be linked to food allergies in pediatric patients as per a recent study by scientists from Japan. They found that ATRs may be triggered by the presence of allergens in the donor's blood, influenced by their pre-donation diet. These findings could pave the way for safer blood transfusions through the development of preventive measures and countermeasures for ATRs.
	Study shows important role gut microbes play in airway health in persons with cystic fibrosis Findings from a new study conducted by a team of researchers at Dartmouth's Geisel School of Medicine and published in the journal mBio reflect the important role that the gut microbiome (communities of bacteria) plays in the airway health of persons with cystic fibrosis.
	Single-cell RNA-seq reveals transcriptomic modulation of Alzheimer's disease by activated protein C A new research paper titled "Single-Cell RNA-seq reveals transcriptomic modulation of Alzheimer's disease by activated protein C" has been published in Aging.
	Intervention with surgeons improves the accuracy of predicted operating room time Reducing the manipulation of operating room (OR) scheduling can improve scheduling accuracy and potentially maximize OR usage, avoid delays, and enhance patient satisfaction, according to a study published in the Journal of Healthcare Management (JHM).
	Assessing the impact of fast-track drug approval programs Over the past decade, regulatory agencies such as the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States and the and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) in the European Union have put programs in place to get new drugs into the hands of patients who need them. The FDA launched its Accelerated Approval (AA) program in 1992, and the EMA started the Conditional Marketing Authorization (CMA) in 2006. These programs allow faster access to new treatments for serious conditions with limited options, including cancer.
	Endocrine disruptors may increase risk of endometrial cancer Research published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives, has revealed a link between environmental pollutants and endometrial cancer.
	Using a generative AI assistant to interpret pharmacogenetic test results Genetic test results can be hard to understand and interpret for people without a background in genetics. Investigators at Baylor College of Medicine's Human Genome Sequencing Center are studying whether an artificial intelligence (AI) assistant could be beneficial in answering questions about these results for patients and physicians.
	Long COVID patients report improvements following self-regulation therapy, study finds A new UCLA-led study suggests that some people living with long COVID may be able to alleviate certain symptoms by using short-term, self-regulating therapies.
	Study links poor sleep to migraine attacks A new study by researchers at the University of Arizona Health Sciences identified a link between poor sleep and migraine attacks that suggests improving sleep health may diminish migraine attacks in people with migraine.
	Study finds lower grades, more absences for high schoolers who use both tobacco and cannabis More and more states in the U.S. are legalizing recreational cannabis, leading to concerns that teen use will increase. Tobacco consumption among high school students, including vaping and e-cigarettes, is a concerning 12.6%, although trending downward.
	Next-generation stool DNA test found to have best detection rate of noninvasive colorectal cancer screening tools A study of more than 21,000 average risk patients at 186 sites across the U.S., led by Regenstrief Institute and Indiana University School of Medicine research scientist Thomas Imperiale, M.D., has found that the next-generation multi-target stool DNA colorectal cancer screening test detects 94% of colorectal cancers. This test has the best performance for detection of both colorectal cancer and advanced precancerous polyps of any noninvasive colorectal cancer screening test.
	New analysis shows tirzepatide consistently reduces body weight regardless of body mass index (BMI) before treatment Tirzepatide, a medication authorized to treat obesity and/or type 2 diabetes, consistently reduces bodyweight regardless of the patient's body mass index (BMI before treatment), from the range of overweight to class III obesity.
	Clinical study of a blood test shows 83% accuracy for detecting colorectal cancer A blood test intended for screening for colorectal cancer in people who are of average risk and not experiencing symptoms correctly detected colorectal cancer in 83% of people confirmed to have the disease, according to a study published March 14 in the New England Journal of Medicine.
	Tirzepatide found to reduce body weight, waist circumference in those with obesity regardless of duration of condition New research to be presented at this year's European Congress on Obesity (Venice, Italy, May 12-15) shows that the obesity medication tirzepatide consistently reduces body weight and waist circumference regardless of the length of time the person has been living with overweight or obesity. The study is by Dr. Giovanna Muscogiuri, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy, and colleagues.
	Researchers develop AI-driven tool for near real-time cancer surveillance Artificial intelligence has delivered a major win for pathologists and researchers in the fight for improved cancer treatments and diagnoses.
	Novel oral hormone therapy shows promising results for prostate cancer treatment with radiation therapy A study led by Daniel Spratt, M.D., Vincent K. Smith Chair in Radiation Oncology at University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center demonstrates the safety and efficacy of a novel oral hormone therapy, relugolix, in conjunction with radiation therapy for treating men with localized and advanced prostate cancer. This work is published in JAMA Oncology.
	Idaho needs doctors: But many don't want to come You've seen the headlines before: Idaho has a shortage of physicians. But just how short are we?
	Aromatherapy use and safety: What to know about essential oils during pregnancy People often have questions about using essential oils before, during and after pregnancy. These natural oils are distilled from plants or other sources and retain their characteristic fragrance. Aromatherapy is the therapeutic use of essential oils, but research on its effectiveness is limited. Some studies have shown that aromatherapy may relieve anxiety and depression.
	Are colon and rectal cancers treated differently? Colorectal cancer is a term that combines both colon cancer and rectal cancers. The colon and rectum are two different parts of the lower digestive tract. These different cancers also mean different approaches to treatment that may involve the use of radiation and chemotherapy in addition to surgery.
	Menstrual health literacy is alarmingly low—what you don't know can harm you Given that 98% of mammals do not have periods, do you know why humans do?
	Prenatal yoga may help ease stress, improve fitness during pregnancy Butterfly. Cat. Pointer dog. More than pretty critters, these are yoga poses experts say could be part of a healthy pregnancy.
	Colorectal cancer 'not an old people's disease anymore' There are two statistics that Dr. Rachel Issaka would like people to seriously consider:
	Brain power lessens over time. Why everyone needs a cognitive test at a certain age Through regular trips to the doctor, we all know our blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
	Upcoming solar eclipse: Ophthalmologists warn about dangers of looking directly at the sun Do not look directly at the sun during the upcoming solar eclipse without taking essential precautions. That's the message from ophthalmologists at the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai (NYEE) as we approach the event on Monday, April 8.
	A CDC team joins the response to 7 measles cases in a Chicago shelter for migrants Seven people living at a Chicago shelter for migrants have tested positive for measles since last week, prompting the arrival of a team with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to guide city and state officials' response to the infections, including vaccination efforts.
	Uncovering why more Black women than ever are being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis Women are four times more likely than men to get diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS), an incurable disease that affects the central nervous system. Now, rates of MS are on the rise among Black women.
	Study assesses patient satisfaction with telemedicine Patients generally exhibit high levels of satisfaction with telemedicine consultations, according to a new study. The time interval between the consultation and the assessment was one factor found to influence patient satisfaction.
	Texas man who used an iron lung for decades after contracting polio as a child dies at 78 A Texas man who spent most of his 78 years using an iron lung chamber and built a large following on social media, recounting his life from contracting polio in the 1940s to earning a law degree, has died.

Other Sciences news

	Paper offers a mathematical approach to modeling a random walker moving across a random landscape Tiny particles like pollen grains move constantly, pushed and pulled by environmental forces. To study this motion, physicists use a "random walk" model—a system in which every step is determined by a random process. Random walks are useful for studying everything from tiny physics to diffusion to financial markets.
	Photo project results in positive change in attitudes towards people experiencing homelessness with a pet In a new study, people experiencing homelessness with a pet documented their lives in photos and participated in interviews, revealing their experiences and potentially informing support initiatives. Gemina Garland-Lewis of the University of Washington, Seattle, and colleagues present this project in the open-access journal PLOS ONE.
	Supply chain disruptions will further exacerbate economic losses from climate change, finds study Global GDP loss from climate change will increase exponentially the warmer the planet gets when its cascading impact on global supply chains is factored in, finds a new study led by UCL researchers.
	Some young people planning fewer or no kids because of climate change Collin Pearsall has friends who have started having children. But he has chosen a different path—due, in large part, to climate change.
	Ancient scrolls are being 'read' by machine learning—with human knowledge to detect language and make sense of them A groundbreaking announcement for the recovery of lost ancient literature was recently made. Using a non-invasive method that harnesses machine learning, an international trio of scholars retrieved 15 columns of ancient Greek text from within a carbonized papyrus from Herculaneum, a seaside Roman town eight kilometers southeast of Naples, Italy.
	Robo-advisers are here: The pros and cons of using AI in investing Artificial intelligence (AI) is shaking up the way we invest our money. Gone are the days when complex tools were reserved for the wealthy or financial institutions.
	How guaranteed income affected a New Jersey city In a report authored by the Center for Guaranteed Income Research (CGIR) at Penn's School of Social Policy & Practice (SP2), findings from the Paterson Guaranteed Income Pilot Program (GIPP) reveal connections between unconditional cash and recipients' quality of life, financial well-being, ability to balance their time, and feelings of belonging.
	People in economically disadvantaged neighborhoods are both stuck and rooted, study finds Policymakers may be thinking about economically disadvantaged neighborhoods too narrowly, according to new research led by Amy Spring, an associate professor in the Sociology Department at Georgia State University.
	Questions to ask about government use of deepfakes Will the lure of deepfakes prove irresistible to democratic governments? What questions should governments ask—and who in government should be asking them—when a deepfake is being considered?
	New study reveals unintended ethical faultline in team-based reward systems Employers who have introduced team-based rewards systems to foster creativity, collaboration, productivity and sales may want to look again at a system that new research shows can create an unintended, insidious side-effect.
	How reflecting on gratitude received from family can make you a better leader The longstanding advice to "check your baggage at the door" may not be the best way for leaders to engage and empower their employees. Instead, acknowledging that leaders are complete individuals with experiences outside of the office is a key factor in assisting them with the challenging, exhausting, and often thankless work they do daily.
	Study tracks shifts in student mental health during college A four-year study by Dartmouth researchers captures the most in-depth data yet on how college students' self-esteem and mental health fluctuates during their four years in academia, identifying key populations and stressors that the researchers say administrators could target to improve student well-being.
	'Post Office Horizon' scandal exposes dangers of 'technological justice', according to study A new study examines how the Post Office Horizon scandal exposes the dangers of 'technological justice'. Researchers also emphasize the dangers of 'technological rationality', where technology shapes not only our actions but also our capacity for critical thinking and understanding of harm.
	Craving inclusion: Study reveals barriers to eating out for people with disability Many people with disability feel isolated and excluded from eating out, new research shows.
	Social learning boosts drug rep performance, finds study Research in the International Journal of Business Innovation and Research has looked at the role of social learning with respect to the professional performance of medical representatives in Indonesia during the COVID-19 pandemic.
	Researchers locate cargo ship SS Hartdale, torpedoed in 1915 The final resting place of a British cargo ship, missing since being torpedoed by a German U-boat, has been established by a team of researchers working on the Unpath'd Waters project. The initiative led by Historic England is enabling scientists and historians to combine marine data with maritime records in new and unique ways to efficiently identify shipwrecks in UK waters, assess their condition, and predict how wreck sites may change over time.
	Explicit socioemotional learning can have a key role in physical education lessons, study says Teachers might be more motivated to help students engage with their emotions and build their resilience when this work is part of lessons, rather than as an add-on intervention, a new study has found.
	Most consumers continue to expect rising food prices: Report Most U.S. consumers surveyed in February 2024 predicted that they would see an increase in food prices over the next 12 months. Sixty-four percent of respondents predict food prices to rise in the next year, and the average predicted increase is 3.7%, according to the February Consumer Food Insights Report.
	Promoting thank-you gifts can boost charitable donations Americans gave nearly a half-trillion dollars to charities in 2022, according to the National Philanthropic Trust, with nearly two-thirds of that total coming from individuals.
	I research how people creatively express 'queer joy' online—here are three tips for trying it yourself I am part of a research group looking at queer joy and the ways it is expressed online. We're trying to establish ways to make more of it happen.
	New research urges a rethink on how we view the value of our fruit and vegetables Researchers have developed an innovative tool that aims to bridge the gap between nutritional guidelines and consumers' shopping habits, making it easier for everyday Australians to make healthy purchase decisions.
	Mining worker study: Key insights into the state of WA mining's mental health New findings from The Mental Awareness, Respect and Safety (MARS) Program Landmark Study show reports of unwanted sexual attention and sexual coercion are decreasing, but being put down or condescended to based on gender and receiving offensive sexist remarks remain common themes in Western Australia's mining sector.
	Social acceptance of immigrants working as politicians or judges is low, finds German study Often, the dominant society develops negative attitudes towards immigrants and their descendants because their integration is too successful—and not because they are unwilling to integrate. This is the finding of a new study conducted by researchers of the University of Mannheim and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin.

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