Science X Newsletter Wed, Mar 20

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Here is your customized Science X Newsletter for March 20, 2024:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

Reorganization of prefrontal cortex circuitry during adolescence enables cognitive maturation of mice

Astronomers discover a rare eclipsing X-ray binary

Training artificial neural networks to process images from a child's perspective

Toba supereruption may have facilitated dispersal of modern humans out of Africa

Quantum tornado provides gateway to understanding black holes

CERN measures coupled resonance structure that may cause particle loss in accelerators for the first time

Life's building blocks are surprisingly stable in Venus-like conditions: Study

Scientists find one of the most ancient stars that formed in another galaxy

New model clarifies why water freezes at a range of temperatures

Hitting this stretchy, electronic material makes it tougher

Fish fed to farmed salmon should be part of our diet, too, study suggests

People who are 'double jointed' may be at heightened risk of long COVID, says study

Similar DNA changes found in cells of both smokers and e-cigarette users

Machine learning tools can predict emotion in voices in just over a second

Study reveals 'cozy domesticity' of prehistoric stilt-house dwellers in England's ancient marshland

Nanotechnology news

	Cleaning up environmental contaminants with quantum dot technology The 2023 Nobel Prize in Chemistry was focused on quantum dots—objects so tiny, they're controlled by the strange and complex rules of quantum physics. Many quantum dots used in electronics are made from toxic substances, but their nontoxic counterparts are now being developed and explored for uses in medicine and in the environment. One team of researchers is focusing on carbon- and sulfur-based quantum dots, using them to create safer invisible inks and to help decontaminate water supplies.
	Advances and applications of nanoparticles in cancer therapy The research team of Prof. Changyang Gong from the Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University has published a new review showing that rapid growth in nanoparticles as delivery systems hold vast promise to promote therapeutic approaches for cancer treatment. Dr. Xianzhou Huang served as team leader.
	Efficient and durable water splitting in acidic media Recent research published in National Science Review by a team led by Dr. Rong Cao and Dr. Minna Cao from the Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Dr. Dongshuang Wu from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, has demonstrated the successful design and synthesis of a series of sub-10 nm core-shell nanocatalysts consisting of an Au core and an AuxIr1-x alloy shell.

Physics news

	Quantum tornado provides gateway to understanding black holes Scientists have for the first time created a giant quantum vortex to mimic a black hole in superfluid helium that has allowed them to see in greater detail how analog black holes behave and interact with their surroundings.
	CERN measures coupled resonance structure that may cause particle loss in accelerators for the first time Whether in listening to music or pushing a swing in the playground, we are all familiar with resonances and how they amplify an effect—a sound or a movement, for example. However, in high-intensity circular particle accelerators, resonances can be an inconvenience, causing particles to fly off their course and resulting in beam loss. Predicting how resonances and non-linear phenomena affect particle beams requires some very complex dynamics to be disentangled.
	Using polarization to improve quantum imaging Quantum imaging is a growing field that takes advantage of the counterintuitive and "spooky" ability of light particles, or photons, to become linked, or entangled, under specialized circumstances. If the state of one photon in the entangled duo gets tweaked, so does the other, regardless of how far apart the two photons might be.
	Study clarifies a key question in particle physics about muon's magnetic moment Magnetic moment is an intrinsic property of a particle with spin, arising from interaction between the particle and a magnet or other object with a magnetic field. Like mass and electric charge, magnetic moment is one of the fundamental magnitudes of physics.
	An endless domino effect: Non-reciprocal topological solitons in active metamaterials Topological solitons can be found in many places and at many different length scales. For example, they take the form of kinks in coiled telephone cords and large molecules such as proteins. At a very different scale, a black hole can be understood as a topological soliton in the fabric of spacetime. Solitons play an important role in biological systems, being relevant for protein folding and morphogenesis—the development of cells or organs.
	Quantum talk with magnetic disks Quantum computers promise to tackle some of the most challenging problems facing humanity today. While much attention has been directed towards the computation of quantum information, the transduction of information within quantum networks is equally crucial in materializing the potential of this new technology.
	High-quality microwave signals generated from tiny photonic chip In a new Nature study, Columbia Engineering researchers have built a photonic chip that is able to produce high-quality, ultra-low-noise microwave signals using only a single laser. The compact device—a chip so small, it could fit on a sharp pencil point—results in the lowest microwave noise ever observed in an integrated photonics platform.
	Research suggests how turbulence can be used to generate patterns The turbulent motion of a tumbling river or the outflow from a jet engine is chaotic: that is, it contains no obvious pattern.
	New design prolongs the lifespan of plasma torches Thanks to a new design contributed by a research team led by Prof. Zhao Peng from Hefei Institutes of Physical Science (HFIPS) of Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), the operation time for plasma torch gas been extended from several days to several years.
	Researchers add swept illumination to open-top light-sheet microscope Researchers have incorporated a swept illumination source into an open-top light-sheet microscope to enable improved optical sectioning over a larger area of view. The advance makes the technique more practical for nondestructive 3D pathology.
	Exploring trends in AI-fueled metaphotonics research A research team has published a paper in Current Opinion in Solid State and Materials Science highlighting the next generation of research trends that combine metaphotonics research with artificial intelligence.

Earth news

	Evaluating land-based mitigation strategies for achieving 2°C climate targets Global warming poses a significant threat to ecosystems, societies, and economies worldwide. In recent decades, an international climate policy goal of limiting global warming to 2°C above pre-industrial levels was established. This was to avoid severe and irreversible impacts on the environment.
	Researchers find evidence of 68 'forever chemicals' in food packaging around the world A team of environmental scientists with the Food Packaging Forum Foundation, based in Zürich, has found evidence of 68 "forever chemicals" in food packaging used around the world. For their study, published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology, the group mapped evidence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in food contact materials using information from databases.
	Understanding soil carbon's sensitivity to increasing global temperatures Particulate soil carbon may be more vulnerable to microbial decomposition under warmer temperatures associated with climate change.
	Detecting heavy precipitation events directly with GPS data An exceptionally severe storm swept over Zurich on 13 July 2021 shortly before 2 a.m., with howling squalls, constant lightning and torrential rain that awakened people with a start.
	Hypoxia is widespread and increasing in the ocean off the Pacific Northwest coast, study shows Low oxygen conditions that pose a significant threat to marine life are widespread and increasing in coastal Pacific Northwest ocean waters as the climate warms, a new study shows.
	Study shows how to improve management of municipal solid waste Some 20,000 metric tons of municipal solid waste (MSW) are produced every day in metropolitan São Paulo (Brazil), with household trash accounting for 12,000 tons and street cleaning (mainly sweeping, open-air market refuse collection, pruning, and grass cutting) for 8,000 tons. This amount of household trash corresponds to about 1 kg per inhabitant per day.
	Rising scourge of e-waste a 'catastrophe' for environment: UN The world threw away a record amount of smartphones, televisions and other electrical devices in 2022, the UN said Wednesday, warning this avalanche of dumped gadgets was polluting the planet.
	Cleaner air in Swedish cities brings significant health benefits: Study The air quality in Swedish cities has improved continuously over the last 20 years, according to research based at the University of Gothenburg. Several thousand deaths may have been prevented every year, thanks to better air quality. However, many people are still exposed to air pollution that exceeds the World Health Organization's recommendations.
	Scientists uncover a causal relationship between remote extreme heat and the Canadian wildfires in 2023 Wildfires are events that can have significant impacts on ecosystems and human society. In the context of global warming, there has been a notable surge in the frequency and ferocity of wildfires in the Northern Hemisphere over recent years. In 2023, Canada experienced an unprecedented wildfire event, with CO2 emissions increasing by 527.1% over the average of 2001–2022 during the months of May–August.
	A perfect storm: Assessing the deadly impact of climate-driven flooding and cyber attacks Society is now in an era in which climate change and cyber insecurity are regular threats to life and property. In tandem, the two have the potential to be especially deadly.
	Dora, Otis retired from list of Pacific hurricane names The World Meteorological Organization on Wednesday said it had withdrawn Otis and Dora from the list of northeast Pacific hurricane names due to their roles in destructive extreme weather events.
	10 years after the deadliest US landslide, climate change is increasing the danger After the mountainside collapsed, obliterating a neighborhood and 43 lives in the worst landslide disaster in U.S. history, Jessica Pzsonka made a promise -– to herself, to her bereft parents and to her late sister, who was buried along with two young sons, her husband and in-laws.
	A southeast Alaska community wrestles with a deadly landslide's impact Jamie Roberts and her husband felt lucky when they found an A-frame cabin on forest-draped Wrangell Island in southeast Alaska, where they could settle on a few acres and have some chickens.
	Vietnam farmers struggle for fresh water as drought brings salinization Every day, farmer Nguyen Hoai Thuong prays in vain for rain to fall on the cracked dry earth of her garden in Vietnam's Mekong Delta—the country's "rice bowl" agricultural heartland.
	Q&A: Nigeria's forests are fast disappearing. Steps are needed to protect their benefits to the economy and environment Nigeria's forest cover has been dwindling fast for decades. With one of the highest rates of deforestation in the world, there are concerns about the survival of its forest resources. We asked forest management and biodiversity conservation expert Amusa Tajudeen to explain why the country's forests are disappearing and what to do about it.
	Scientists outline actions to protect lochs from climate change Scientists have outlined the urgent actions needed to protect Scotland's lochs from the impacts of climate change, estimating that harmful algal blooms cost the national economy at least £16.5 million a year.
	No oil and gas majors aligned with climate targets: Report All major oil and gas companies plan fossil fuel expansion incompatible with limiting warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, a new report said Wednesday.

Astronomy and Space news

	Astronomers discover a rare eclipsing X-ray binary An international team of astronomers reports the detection of a rare eclipsing Be/X-ray binary system as part of the Swift Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC) Survey (S-CUBED). The finding was detailed in a research paper published March 12 on the preprint server arXiv.
	Life's building blocks are surprisingly stable in Venus-like conditions: Study If there is life in the solar system beyond Earth, it might be found in the clouds of Venus. In contrast to the planet's blisteringly inhospitable surface, Venus' cloud layer, which extends from 30 to 40 miles above the surface, hosts milder temperatures that could support some extreme forms of life.
	Scientists find one of the most ancient stars that formed in another galaxy The first generation of stars transformed the universe. Inside their cores, simple hydrogen and helium fused into a rainbow of elements. When these stars died, they exploded and sent these new elements across the universe. The iron running in your veins and the calcium in your teeth and the sodium powering your thoughts were all born in the heart of a long-dead star.
	Astronomers discover at least one in a dozen stars show evidence of planetary ingestion At least one in a dozen stars show evidence of planetary ingestion according to a paper published in Nature today.
	Planetary scientists use physics and images of impact craters to gauge thickness of ice on Europa Sometimes planetary physics is like being in a snowball fight. Most people, if handed an already-formed snowball, can use their experience and the feel of the ball to guess what kind of snow it is composed of: packable and fluffy, or wet and icy.
	New tech monitors local space weather and provides real-time data Peaceful though it may seem from Earth, space is beset by "weather" that can prove perilous for the sensitive—and expensive—technology aboard the spacecraft and satellites increasingly populating the realms outside our atmosphere.
	Hiring booms at SpaceX and Blue Origin making it hard for NASA to attract talent SpaceX and Blue Origin LLC are competing to launch satellites and take humans to the moon. They are also paying big salaries to hire so many young and tireless engineers that old-line aerospace employers like Boeing Co. and NASA are finding it harder to fill positions.
	Spring is here: NOAA satellite animation captures vernal equinox Spring has officially arrived in the Northern Hemisphere, while the Southern Hemisphere is embracing autumn. The start of astronomical spring, known as the vernal equinox, occurred yesterday, March 19, 2024, at 11:06 p.m. EDT.
	One impact on Mars produced more than 2 billion secondary craters, finds study There are plenty of craters on Mars, especially when compared to Earth. That is primarily thanks to the lack of weathering forces and strong plate tectonics that disrupt the formations of such impacts on our home planet. However, not all impact craters on Mars are directly caused by asteroid impacts. Many of them are caused by the ejecta from an asteroid impact falling back to the planet.
	NASA sees progress on Blue Origin's Orbital Reef Life Support System A NASA-funded commercial space station, Blue Origin's Orbital Reef, recently completed testing milestones for its critical life support system as part of the agency's efforts for new destinations in low Earth orbit.
	Key test drive of Orion on NASA's Artemis II to aid future missions Astronauts will test drive NASA's Orion spacecraft for the first time during the agency's Artemis II test flight next year. While many of the spacecraft's maneuvers like big propulsive burns are automated, a key test called the proximity operations demonstration will evaluate the manual handling qualities of Orion.
	US and Germany partnering on mission to track Earth's water movement NASA and the German Space Agency at DLR (German Aerospace Center) have agreed to jointly build, launch, and operate a pair of spacecraft that will yield insights into how Earth's water, ice, and land masses are shifting by measuring monthly changes in the planet's gravity field. Tracking large-scale mass changes—showing when and where water moves within and between the atmosphere, oceans, underground aquifers, and ice sheets—provides a view into Earth's water cycle, including changes in response to drivers like climate change.
	NASA, industry improve lidars for exploration, science NASA engineers will test a suite of new laser technologies from an aircraft this summer for Earth science remote sensing. Called "lidar," the instruments could also be used to improve models of the moon's shape and aid the search for Artemis landing sites.

Technology news

	Training artificial neural networks to process images from a child's perspective Psychology studies have demonstrated that by the age of 4–5, young children have developed intricate visual models of the world around them. These internal visual models allow them to outperform advanced computer vision techniques on various object recognition tasks.
	Machine learning tools can predict emotion in voices in just over a second Words are important to express ourselves. What we don't say, however, may be even more instrumental in conveying emotions. Humans can often tell how people around them feel through non-verbal cues embedded in our voice.
	Researchers design a spring-assisted actuator that could enhance next-gen robots Whether it's a powered prosthesis to assist a person who has lost a limb or an independent robot navigating the outside world, we are asking machines to perform increasingly complex, dynamic tasks. But the standard electric motor was designed for steady, ongoing activities like running a compressor or spinning a conveyor belt—even updated designs waste a lot of energy when making more complicated movements.
	Tiny magnetic implants enable wireless health monitoring when paired with wearable device In a study published in the journal Science Advances, researchers from Peking University have unveiled a miniaturized implantable sensor capable of health monitoring without the need of transcutaneous wires, integrated circuit chips, or bulky readout equipment, thereby reducing infection risks, improving biocompatibility, and enhancing portability. The study is titled "Millimeter-scale magnetic implants paired with a fully integrated wearable device for wireless biophysical and biochemical sensing."
	Universal controller could push robotic prostheses, exoskeletons into real-world use Robotic exoskeletons designed to help humans with walking or physically demanding work have been the stuff of sci-fi lore for decades. Remember Ellen Ripley in that Power Loader in "Alien"? Or the crazy mobile platform George McFly wore in 2015 in "Back to the Future, Part II" because he threw his back out?
	Can AI improve soccer teams' success from corner kicks? Liverpool and others are betting it can Last Sunday, Liverpool faced Manchester United in the quarter finals of the FA Cup—and in the final minute of extra time, with the score tied at three-all, Liverpool had the crucial opportunity of a corner kick. A goal would surely mean victory, but losing possession could be risky.
	UN says e-waste from trashed electric devices is piling up and recycling isn't keeping pace U.N. agencies have warned that electrical and electronic waste is piling up worldwide while recycling rates remain low and are likely to fall even further.
	A snake-like robot designed to look for life on Saturn's moon A team of roboticists at California Institute of Technology's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, working with a colleague from Carnegie Mellon University's, Robotic Institute, has developed a snake-like robot to investigate the terrain on Enceladus, Saturn's sixth-largest moon.
	Liquid metal may point way to wearable ultrasound devices The best-known byproduct of ultrasound—so named because its frequencies exceed the range of the human ear—is, in fact, not audio but visual: 2D imagery, often of a fetus maturing in the womb. But ultrasound has also found a place in other corners of the medical realm, from assessing blood flow to examining suspicious lumps and diagnosing disease.
	Who wrote this? Engineers discover novel method to identify AI-generated text Computer scientists at Columbia Engineering have developed a transformative method for detecting AI-generated text. Their findings promise to revolutionize how we authenticate digital content, addressing mounting concerns surrounding large language models (LLMs), digital integrity, misinformation, and trust.
	New method uses classical computers to check accuracy of complex quantum systems Quantum computers of the future may ultimately outperform their classical counterparts to solve intractable problems in computer science, medicine, business, chemistry, physics, and other fields. But the machines are not there yet: They are riddled with inherent errors, which researchers are actively working to reduce.
	AI ethics are ignoring children, say researchers Researchers from the Oxford Martin Programme on Ethical Web and Data Architectures (EWADA), University of Oxford, have called for a more considered approach when embedding ethical principles in the development and governance of AI for children.
	Apple CEO in China ahead of Shanghai store opening Apple CEO Tim Cook was on a China charm offensive Wednesday ahead of a new flagship Shanghai store opening, weeks after a report suggested the company's sales in the country slumped at the start of 2024.
	Pair accused of stealing battery manufacturing secrets from Tesla and starting their own company Two men are accused of starting a business in China using battery manufacturing technology pilfered from Tesla and trying to sell the proprietary information, federal prosecutors in New York said Tuesday.
	Microsoft hires DeepMind co-founder to lead AI unit DeepMind co-founder Mustafa Suleyman will become the head of a newly created consumer AI unit at Microsoft, the scientist and entrepreneur said on Tuesday.
	Google hit with 250-mn-euro French fine in news copyright fight French regulators said Wednesday they were fining Google 250 million euros ($272 million) for breaching commitments on paying media companies for reproducing their content online and for using their material for its AI chatbot without telling them.
	Tech company Stuzo plans to woo Wawa after being sold for $190 million to a NY firm "Next, we want Wawa!" said a laughing Gunter Pfau, founder of Stuzo Holdings LLC, a Center City-based software firm whose platform powers transactions at convenience store and gas station chains. On March 11, Pfau sold Stuzo to Par Technology Corp. of New Hartford, N.Y., for $190 million in cash and stock.
	Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak wins latest round in lawsuit vs. YouTube over Bitcoin scam Steve Wozniak has won the latest round in a legal battle of Silicon Valley titans after a San Jose appeals court ruled YouTube can't count on a controversial communications law to shield itself from responsibility for a scam that used the legendary Apple's co-founders' likeness.
	Nvidia, San Jose mayor embrace startups at tech titan's AI gathering An Nvidia executive and San Jose's mayor touted Silicon Valley's artificial intelligence and innovation boom at a packed event for startups and entrepreneurs during the tech titan's GTC 2024 gathering.
	Smart rings' ultra-precise movement tracking take wearable technology to the next level There is a lot of hype about smart rings right now—Samsung is due to release a Galaxy ring, and there is unsubstantiated speculation that Apple is considering a ring too. But why would you want a smart ring in the first place?
	A battery price war is kicking off that could soon make electric cars cheaper The main cost of an electric vehicle (EV) is its battery. The high cost of energy-dense batteries has meant EVs have long been more expensive than their fossil fuel equivalents.
	EPA issues new auto rules aimed at cutting carbon emissions, boosting electric vehicles and hybrids The Biden administration announced new automobile emissions standards Wednesday that officials called the most ambitious plan ever to cut planet-warming emissions from passenger vehicles.
	Privacy in the AI era: How do we protect our personal information? The AI boom, including the advent of large language models (LLMs) and their associated chatbots, poses new challenges for privacy. Is our personal information part of a model's training data? Are our prompts being shared with law enforcement? Will chatbots connect diverse threads from our online lives and output them to anyone?
	Cybersecurity attacks have the potential to infiltrate medical devices and cripple health care, expert warns The cyberattack on Change Healthcare last month should serve as a wake-up call for the health care industry, which needs to focus on securing its infrastructure, says Kevin Fu, a Northeastern University professor of electrical and computer engineering and cybersecurity adviser to the White House.
	New study reports scalable and cost-effective method to assemble a safer and durable lithium metal battery Lithium metal batteries (LMBs) can provide nearly 10 times higher energy density compared to the present Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) and hence are identified as one of the potential future storage systems. However, LMBs pose certain safety concerns and cannot be used for fast-charging applications. Uncontrolled dendrite formation, leading to excessive heating and battery short circuit is one of the critical challenges of its advancement.
	Introducing Floorlocator, a system that enhances indoor navigation Indoor positioning is transforming with applications demanding precise location tracking. Traditional methods, including fingerprinting and sensor-based techniques, though widely used, face significant drawbacks, such as the need for extensive training data, poor scalability, and reliance on additional sensor information. Recent advancements have sought to leverage deep learning, yet issues such as low scalability and high computational costs remain unaddressed.
	Nvidia expects no 'doomsday' in US vs China tensions Nvidia chief Jensen Huang said Tuesday he does not expect a "doomsday scenario" but is readying for the worst over tension between China and the United States.
	Historic covered bridges are under threat by truck drivers relying on GPS meant for cars One of Vermont's historic covered bridges has fallen under threat from modern technology.
	Chinese internet giant Tencent posts lowest annual profit since 2019 Chinese internet giant Tencent on Wednesday posted its lowest annual profit since 2019, despite slight improvements recently in China's economy and a more lenient attitude taken by regulators towards the tech sector.
	Texas governor announces new innovation group aimed at bolstering state as a chipmaking hub A newly formed Texas Innovation Consortium Fund will promote microchip production in the state and expand workforce training programs at colleges and universities, Gov. Greg Abbott announced March 19 at the University of Texas at Dallas.
	A major cog in Philadelphia biotech is in congressional crosshairs for its Chinese ownership WuXi AppTec, a biotechnology research and manufacturing company that occupies four buildings and employs 800 in South Philly's Navy Yard, is among the Chinese-owned companies in the crosshairs of legislation advancing in Congress that aims to thwart China's efforts to "dominate biotechnology as an industry of the future."
	YouTuber Mr. Beast's Amazon reality competition to offer $5 million prize MrBeast, YouTube's most profitable content creator, is bringing his "biggest project ever" to Amazon with a $5 million prize.
	New survey on deep learning solutions for cellular traffic prediction The bustling streets of a modern city are filled with countless individuals using their smartphones for streaming videos, sending messages and browsing the web. In the era of rapidly expanding 5G networks and the omnipresence of mobile devices, the management of cellular traffic has become increasingly complex.

Chemistry news

	New model clarifies why water freezes at a range of temperatures From abstract-looking cloud formations to roars of snow machines on ski slopes, the transformation of liquid water into solid ice touches many facets of life. Water's freezing point is generally accepted to be 32 degrees Fahrenheit. But that is due to ice nucleation—impurities in everyday water raise its freezing point to this temperature. Now, researchers unveil a theoretical model that shows how specific structural details on surfaces can influence water's freezing point.
	Hitting this stretchy, electronic material makes it tougher Accidents happen every day, and if you drop your smartwatch, or it gets hit really hard, the device probably won't work anymore. But now, researchers report on a soft, flexible material with "adaptive durability," meaning it gets stronger when hit or stretched. The material also conducts electricity, making it ideal for the next generation of wearables or personalized medical sensors.
	Researchers develop 3D-printed wood from its own natural components Researchers at Rice University have unlocked the potential to use 3D printing to make sustainable wood structures, offering a greener alternative to traditional manufacturing methods.
	Study demonstrates spontaneous self-organization of microdroplets through quasi one-dimensional confinement Polymer systems composed of multiple components can spontaneously induce emulsion or microdroplets by mechanical mixing, as an intermediate state of macroscopic phase separation. Unfortunately, the size of generated droplets is nonuniform and their spatial-arrangement is rather random. In addition, they tend to grow larger with time (coarsening).
	Recyclable reagent and sunlight convert carbon monoxide into methanol Scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Brookhaven National Laboratory and the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill (UNC) have demonstrated the selective conversion of carbon dioxide (CO2) into methanol using a cascade reaction strategy. The two-part process is powered by sunlight, occurs at room temperature and at ambient pressure, and employs a recyclable organic reagent that's similar to a catalyst found in natural photosynthesis.
	New method uses enantioselective nickel catalysis to synthesize multifunctional chiral alkylboron compounds National University of Singapore (NUS) chemists have conceived a strategy using chiral nickel catalysts to facilitate the carboboration of alkenes, generating high-value enantioenriched alkylboronic esters.
	Novel catalyst strategy offers solution for efficient CO₂ reduction reaction With the help of nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer, a research group led by Prof. Wang Hui from the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has prepared a carbon-covered hollow cuprous oxide high-efficiency catalyst by using the solvent autocarbonylation reduction strategy, which provided a new solution for the electrocatalytic carbon dioxide reduction reaction (CO2RR) in the preparation of multicarbon (C2+) products.
	An air-stable single-crystal layered oxide cathode based on multifunctional structural modulation Sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) are considered a promising energy storage system due to their superior safety properties, low price, and plentiful sodium supplies, while the development of electrode materials plays a critical function in the performance of SIBs.

Biology news

	Ancient giant dolphin discovered in the Amazon Paleontologists from the University of Zurich have announced the discovery of a new species of freshwater dolphin in the Peruvian Amazon region. Surprisingly, its closest living relatives can be found in the river dolphins of South Asia.
	Killer whales use specialized hunting techniques to catch marine mammals in the open ocean Killer whales foraging in deep submarine canyons off the coast of California represent a distinct subpopulation that uses specialized hunting techniques to catch marine mammals, Josh McInnes at the University of British Columbia and colleagues report on March 20 in the open-access journal PLOS ONE.
	Novel method to measure root depth may lead to more resilient crops As climate change worsens global drought conditions, hindering crop production, the search for ways to capture and store atmospheric carbon causing the phenomenon has intensified. Penn State researchers have developed a new high-tech tool that could spur changes in how crops withstand drought, acquire nitrogen and store carbon deeper in soil.
	Characterizing salps as predators of marine microbes A huge fraction of global flows of carbon and other nutrients pass through marine microbes. Little is known about their causes of death, however. This information determines where those nutrients will go.
	Did the first cells evolve in soda lakes? Soda lakes, which are dominated by dissolved sodium and carbonate species, could have provided the right conditions for the first cells, according to a new study published in PNAS Nexus.
	A holistic approach is key to improving drought adaptation in crops, researchers say More focus on integrating research into drought tolerance in crops is essential to prevent the threat to global food security, according to international researchers.
	Researchers explore how beluga whale melon changes shape during social interaction A trio of animal science researchers at the University of Rhode Island, in the U.S., has identified five major shapes displayed by the beluga whale melon. For their study published in the journal Animal Cognition, Justin Richard, Isabelle Pellegrini, and Rachael Levine observed and recorded the behavior of captive beluga whales.
	New tuberculosis study offers a novel paradigm for understanding bacterial transcription The bacterium behind tuberculosis is a wily foe, adept at bobbing and weaving around the immune system and antibiotics alike. Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) has been notoriously difficult to eradicate, often dormant in the body for years only to reactivate when the time is ripe.
	Biologists use machine learning to classify fossils of extinct pollen In the quest to decipher the evolutionary relationships of extinct organisms from fossils, researchers often face challenges in discerning key features from weathered fossils, or with prioritizing characteristics of organisms for the most accurate placement within a phylogenetic tree. Enter neural networks, sophisticated algorithms that underlie today's image recognition technology.
	Researchers identify key regulators underlying regeneration in Drosophila Some animals possess the remarkable ability to regenerate lost structures, exemplified by a lizard regrowing its tail. However, this regenerative process must be tightly regulated by the body to ensure proper tissue organization and to prevent abnormal growths, such as cancer. Yet, the precise mechanisms underlying this regulation are not well known.
	Dung dynasty: The plant boosting powers of beetle recyclers Dung beetles, those unsung heroes of the insect world renowned for their prowess in breaking down cattle dung, have now been found to have a positive impact on plant growth.
	Rediscovering the world's largest cormorant The world's largest cormorant went extinct almost 200 years ago—but almost nothing is known about its life. A recent dive into the collections of museums around the world is helping to piece together the history of the spectacled cormorant.
	Tracking and tracing members of the plant microbiome with DNA barcodes A research team led by Paul Schulze-Lefert from the Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research in Cologne, Germany, developed a modular toolkit for tracking bacterial strains colonizing plant tissue in competition with other microbiome members. The study is now published in Nature Microbiology.
	New insights on the transcriptional regulation of seed germination Seeds remain in a dormant state, waiting for the right environmental conditions to germinate, thus increasing the probability of fragile seedling survival. The transition from a dry seed to a vegetative seedling is an irreversible process that requires a near-complete reprogramming of the plant transcriptome. While it is widely accepted that the activation of protein synthesis (translation) from seed-stored mRNAs is an essential step to trigger seed germination, much less was known about the re-initiation of the process of transcription.
	How ants are breaking down biogeographic boundaries and homogenizing biodiversity Ants transported by humans out of their native zones reshape ant communities worldwide. A recent study in Nature Communications by the Department of Ecology and Evolution at the University of Lausanne (UNIL) shows that our impact on biodiversity is overriding the biogeographical patterns resulting from millions of years of evolution, and disproportionately affecting the tropics and the islands.
	Analytic tool rapidly reveals genetic diversity for next-generation crop breeding In a major advance for agricultural science, researchers have developed a new computational tool designed to swiftly and efficiently expose genetic diversity within DNA databases of various plant species.
	Restoring reefs killed by climate change may simply put corals 'back out to die' Coral reefs, like sprawling cities of the sea, support an estimated 25% of all plants and animals in the ocean. Worldwide, 1 billion people depend on these ecosystems for food, income and coastal protection.
	Sense makers: How standards are enabling data reuse in the life sciences A bit like sorting a messy pile of clothes into a neatly arranged closet, minimal information standards transform unstructured data from journal articles into structured databases. This enables researchers to "mine" across multiple datasets, reuse data, and gain new insights.
	Climate change threatens resilience of Sri Lankan rainforests Tropical ecosystems store over half of the world's above-ground carbon in their biomass, making them critically important in the global fight against climate change. As carbon dioxide levels continue to rise in the atmosphere, scientists are questioning whether climate change will enhance carbon sequestration through accelerated tree growth or expose rainforests to warmer, drier climates that could increase water stress, suppress tree growth, and dry out soils.
	Investigating variation of fine root vessel traits in topological order within and across tropical tree species Anatomical and hydraulic traits can indirectly and directly measure the transport capacity of a root, respectively. Exploring variation in root traits along topological orders within species is key to understanding functional shifts along root architecture and its anatomical underpinnings. However, no study has examined variation in fine root vascular traits along topological orders within and across species.
	Decoding the Easter Bunny: Eastern Finnish brown hare represents standard for species' genome The Hare Research Group at the Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, has published a chromosomally assembled reference genome for the European brown hare. Reference genomes represent a type of a standard for the species genomes, to which any genomic data from the species can be compared.
	How genetic research contributes to effective lion conservation To keep lion populations healthy and thriving and to avoid conflicts with local communities, wildlife management is necessary. In Kenya, this is the responsibility of the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS). Together with scientists from Leiden University and the Wildlife Research and Training Institute in Kenya, KWS is now mapping the genetic diversity of their lion populations. The aim is to assess the impact of management interventions on lion diversity to date and to devise more effective ways to conserve lions in the future.
	Research suggests natural electrical grid deep inside Earth enables many types of microbes to survive To "breathe" in an environment without oxygen, bacteria in the ground beneath our feet depend upon a single family of proteins to transfer excess electrons (produced during the "burning" of nutrients) to electric hairs called nanowires projecting from their surface.
	Crawfish could transfer ionic lithium from their environment into food chain From cell phones to watches to electric cars, lithium-ion rechargeable batteries power a plethora of devices. The increased use of this technology means more lithium could find its way into the environment as consumers discard electronic products.
	New spy cameras reveal surprising behaviors of chacma baboons An ingenious new camera collar has offered researchers from our Anthropology department an unprecedented glimpse into the secret lives of wild baboons in South Africa.
	'Tiny, beautiful, and completely unknown animals': Citizen scientists discover new beetles from the Borneo forest The undiscovered small beetles in the tropical rainforest are probably endless. But that did not discourage citizen scientists on expeditions to the Ulu Temburong forest in Borneo to keep adding them to scientific records, one at a time. Together with a team of researchers, they published a new species, Clavicornaltica mataikanensis in Biodiversity Data Journal.
	Scientists weigh up current status of blue whale populations around the world The largest living animal, the blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus) which averages about 27 meters in length, has slowly recovered from whaling only to face the rising challenges of global warming, pollution, disrupted food sources, shipping, and other human threats.
	Across oceans and millennia: Decoding the origin and history of the bottle gourd In a fascinating dive into the past, a team of researchers from the Boyce Thompson Institute (BTI) and USDA has uncovered intriguing details about the origins and spread of the bottle gourd, one of the oldest domesticated crops.
	Researchers surprised by penned fish responses to robots Norway leads the world when it comes to the use of robots in the aquaculture sector. But how do these robots actually impact on the fish? Cyberneticist Eleni Kelasidi is surprised by just how much.
	Yeast uses plastic waste oils to make high-value chemicals Polyolefins are a type of plastic that is resistant to breaking down. This makes this plastic—a kind found in everything from grocery bags to car bumpers—hard to recycle. In a new study, scientists have discovered a potential solution, the yeast Yarrowia lipolytica.
	French bulldogs remain the most popular US breed in new rankings. Many fans aren't happy French bulldogs. U.S. dog owners. C'est l'amour.
	Breed differences in dog behavior: New book Animal and veterinary science researchers and students, as well as veterinary practitioners and animal behaviorists, will not want to miss a new book published by CABI which explores the wonders of breed differences in dog behavior.
	Q&A: British champagne production overtaking French? How the shifting seasons are playing havoc with our crops Spring equinox is fast approaching, on 20 March, but the changing seasons are playing havoc with UK wildlife and crops. This comes after England and Wales had their warmest Februarys on record, according to the Met Office.
	Generative AI illuminates enzyme secrets using sequences evolved in nature Enzymes, nature's remarkable biocatalysts, play an integral role in various aspects of daily life. Consider the awe-inspiring sight of fireflies lighting up a summer night. Their captivating glow serves not just to enchant observers but also plays a role in communication and mating. This natural spectacle is powered by an enzyme known as luciferase.

Medicine and Health news

	Reorganization of prefrontal cortex circuitry during adolescence enables cognitive maturation of mice Neuroscientists have been trying for decades to understand how the brains of humans and other animals develop throughout the lifespan. While their work has gathered much insight into brain maturation and development, many questions remain unanswered.
	Fish fed to farmed salmon should be part of our diet, too, study suggests The public is being encouraged to eat more wild fish, such as mackerel, anchovies and herring, which are often used within farmed salmon feeds. These oily fish contain essential nutrients including calcium, B12 and omega-3, but some are lost from our diets when we just eat the salmon filet.
	People who are 'double jointed' may be at heightened risk of long COVID, says study People who are "double-jointed," a condition formally known as generalized joint hypermobility, may be at heightened risk of long COVID, suggests a case-control study published in the open access journal BMJ Public Health.
	Similar DNA changes found in cells of both smokers and e-cigarette users E-cigarette users with a limited smoking history experience similar DNA changes to specific cheek cells as smokers, finds a new study led by researchers at UCL (University College London) and University of Innsbruck.
	Swallowable sensors could pinpoint gut movement problems for patients Scientists have developed an ingestible capsule dotted with sensors that can detect pressure in a patient's guts and detect points of failure.
	Burden of neurologic disease found to be higher after influenza compared to COVID-19 People who have an influenza infection are more likely to need medical care for neurologic disorders within the next year than people who have a COVID-19 infection, according to a study published in the March 20, 2024, online issue of Neurology. The study looked at people who were hospitalized with either influenza or COVID-19. The study did not look specifically at outcomes associated with long COVID.
	Skeleton-wide study of blood cell formation offers new ways to treat blood cancers, infections Imagine being able to count the different types of blood cells being formed inside the tiny bones of a mouse and pinpointing the strings and clusters of cells within the bone marrow that are responsible for producing specific types of blood cells.
	New study reveals how the brain orchestrates motions in partnership with sensory cues from the body Motor neurons are the cells the brain uses to command muscles to act. Scientists typically thought of them as simple connections, much like the cables that link computers with their accessories. Now, in fly studies, researchers at Columbia's Zuckerman Institute have discovered that single motor neurons can each direct an insect's body to move in far more complex ways than previously thought.
	Team shows how an anticancer drug kills cancer cells and damages healthy cells, paves way for improved treatment Some anti-cancer treatments not only target tumor cells but also healthy cells. If their effects on the latter are too strong, their use can become limiting.
	Cellular architecture of lesions in multiple sclerosis now mapped out Using advanced methodology, scientists in Sweden were able to reveal at the cellular level how lesions in multiple sclerosis develop. The new results are presented in the journal Cell by researchers from Karolinska Institutet and Stockholm University.
	Study suggests an 'odor sensor' may explain male and female differences in blood pressure Using data from both mice and humans, a Johns Hopkins Medicine research team has found that a cell surface protein that senses odors and chemicals may be responsible for—and help explain—sex differences in mammalian blood pressure.
	Bacteria subtype linked to growth in up to 50% of human colorectal cancers, researchers report Researchers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center have found that a specific subtype of a microbe commonly found in the mouth is able to travel to the gut and grow within colorectal cancer tumors. This microbe is also a culprit for driving cancer progression and leads to poorer patient outcomes after cancer treatment.
	Study finds chronic musculoskeletal pain is linked to earlier retirement Frequent musculoskeletal pain is linked with an increased risk of exiting work and retiring earlier, according to a new study published this week in the open-access journal PLOS ONE by Nils Niederstrasser of the University of Portsmouth, UK, and colleagues.
	Fear may lead women and men to make different decisions when choosing short-vs-long-term rewards, finds study Fear may affect women's decisions in choosing immediate rewards versus larger delayed ones, while men's decisions appear unaffected by emotion, according to a study published in the open-access journal PLOS ONE by Eleonora Fiorenzato, Patrizia Bisiacchi, and Giorgia Cona from the University of Padua, Italy.
	Bioluminescence technology reveals role of protein in immune response modulation Cutting-edge bioluminescence technology pioneered at The University of Western Australia has been used to uncover a potential game-changer in immunotherapy.
	Unraveling the mysteries of the presynapse with super resolution microscopy Researchers from UQ's Queensland Brain Institute (QBI) have revealed the pivotal role played by Synapsin 2a proteins in orchestrating the organization and mobility of synaptic vesicles within live neurons.
	Researchers report rare but persistent false positives on COVID-19 home antigen tests UMass Chan Medical School researchers have documented a phenomenon that had confounded clinicians: Some people persistently test positive for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, on rapid home antigen tests despite obtaining concurrent negative PCR tests.
	Researchers report on the effectiveness of skin biopsy to detect Parkinson's and related neurodegenerative diseases In a paper published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), neurologists at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) showed that a simple skin biopsy test detects an abnormal form of alpha-synuclein, the pathological hallmark of Parkinson's disease and the subgroup of neurodegenerative disorders known as synucleinopathies, at high positivity rates.
	Scientists find core regulatory circuit controlling identity of aggressive leukemia A collaboration between scientists from St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute uncovered four proteins that govern the identity of anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL), an aggressive form of cancer. These proteins comprise a core regulatory circuit (CRC) that surprisingly incorporates a dysregulated signaling protein.
	AI technology helps identify cerebral palsy in babies Cutting-edge technology that analyzes clips of babies' movements can help speed up detection of cerebral palsy, according to a new study.
	Pioneering muscle monitoring in space to help astronauts stay strong in low gravity Astronauts have been able to track their muscle health in spaceflight for the first time using a handheld device, revealing which muscles are most at risk of weakening in low gravity conditions.
	Researchers roll out a more accurate way to estimate genetic risks of disease Researchers have developed statistical tools called polygenic risk scores (PRSs) that can estimate individuals' risk for certain diseases with strong genetic components, such as heart disease or diabetes. However, the data on which PRSs are built is often limited in diversity and scope. As a result, PRSs are less accurate when applied to populations that differ demographically from the PRS training data.
	Oxidative stress in heart failure found to vary between males and females Researchers from Karolinska Institutet, AstraZeneca, Würzburg University, Science for Life Laboratories and Uppsala University have found that oxidative stress in heart failure varies depending on sex, with female mouse hearts having stronger natural defenses against oxidative damage.
	How the body's immune response to bacterial infections could cause detrimental inflammation Researchers co-led by Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) and the University of Toulouse, France, have uncovered how bacteria and their toxins prompt the human immune response, leading to inflammation.
	Aging reduces the ability of regulatory T cells to enhance myelin regeneration, study finds Regulatory T lymphocytes are cells that are responsible for regulating the immune system and have regenerative functions in many contexts, including myelin restoration. To determine if the function of these cells is impaired with age, researchers have demonstrated that, although regulatory T lymphocyte number increases with age, their ability to promote oligodendrocyte progenitor stem cells (OPCs) to form new cells to replace lost myelin is reduced.
	A more realistic artificial skin may lead to medical advances A new bioengineered skin model could improve testing of skincare products and lead to better ways to heal damaged skin.
	Researchers develop early detection method for rare Borna virus Researchers at Augsburg University Medicine have discovered a possible early detection method of the rare Borna virus. Their results have been published in The Lancet. In humans the virus triggers inflammation in the brain which is almost always deadly and is transmitted to humans by shrews.
	Scientists uncover new secrets to natural appetite control, offering promise in the battle against obesity In a study, just published in Nature Metabolism, scientists from Trinity College Dublin and Princeton and Harvard Medical School share newly uncovered secrets to natural appetite control, which offers promise in the battle against obesity and type-2 diabetes.
	Fiber, genes and the gut microbiome: Study reveals possible triggers for inflammatory bowel disease Abdominal pain, diarrhea, weight loss—these and the other symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) can be disruptive and debilitating. And while scientists have figured out that IBD has a genetic component, not everyone with a family history develops the disease. To date, the environmental triggers for Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, known together as IBD, remain largely unknown.
	Study finds non-immune brain cells can acquire immune memory, may drive CNS pathologies like multiple sclerosis Immunological memory—the ability to respond to a previously encountered antigen or foreign substance with greater speed and intensity on re-exposure is a hallmark of adaptive immunity.
	Highly adhesive, mechanically strong adhesive addresses multiple limitations in dural membrane repair The dural membrane (dura) is the outermost of three meningeal layers that line the central nervous system (CNS), which includes the brain and spinal cord. Together, the meninges function as a shock absorber to protect the CNS against trauma, circulate nutrients throughout the CNS, and remove waste. The dura also is a critical biological barrier that contains cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) surrounding all CNS tissues. Consequently, spontaneous injury, trauma, or necessary surgical procedures may cause CSF to leak, which can threaten patients' lives, neurological functions, and recovery.
	AI can now detect COVID-19 in lung ultrasound images Artificial intelligence can spot COVID-19 in lung ultrasound images, much like facial recognition software can spot a face in a crowd, new research shows.
	Atezolizumab addition to chemotherapy after surgery does not improve survival for triple negative breast cancer: Study Patients with triple-negative breast cancer do not benefit from the addition of atezolizumab to their post-surgery chemotherapy treatment, according to the results of a large phase 3 clinical trial presented at the 14th European Breast Cancer Conference.
	Exercise shown to help patients with advanced breast cancer, especially if they are suffering with pain Taking part in an exercise program reduced pain and fatigue, and improved quality of life for people with metastatic breast cancer, according to new results of a trial presented at the 14th European Breast Cancer Conference.
	New data show pembrolizumab improves breast cancer outcomes regardless of age or menopausal status New data from the KEYNOTE-756 phase 3 clinical trial show that adding the immunotherapy drug pembrolizumab to chemotherapy before and after surgery for breast cancer leads to better outcomes for patients regardless of their age or menopausal status.
	Severe lung infection during COVID-19 can cause damage to the heart SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, can damage the heart even without directly infecting the heart tissue, a study has found. The research, published in the journal Circulation, specifically looked at damage to the hearts of people with SARS-CoV-2-associated acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), a serious lung condition that can be fatal. But researchers said the findings could have relevance to organs beyond the heart and also to viruses other than SARS-CoV-2.
	Genetic test identifies patients with triple negative breast cancer who are unlikely to respond to immunotherapies Researchers have developed a genetic test that can identify how patients with triple negative early-stage breast cancer will respond to immunotherapy drugs. This means that patients who are unlikely to respond to these drugs can avoid the adverse side effects associated with them and can be treated with other therapies.
	Rheumatic diseases associated with childbearing problems A new paper in Rheumatology finds that rheumatic diseases can lead to reproductive problems, though some conditions have more detrimental effects than others.
	Research finds free, weekly fresh produce improves diet, physical activity and reduces CVD risk factors Programs that provided free, weekly home delivery of fresh fruits and vegetables from local farms helped improve recipients' nutrition levels, physical activity levels and cardiovascular disease risk factors, according to preliminary research presented at the American Heart Association's Epidemiology and Prevention│Lifestyle and Cardiometabolic Scientific Sessions 2024, held March 18–21, in Chicago.
	Exposure to tobacco before birth found to significantly increase risk of type 2 diabetes in adults Tobacco exposure before birth and beginning smoking during childhood/adolescence were significantly associated with the development of type 2 diabetes in adulthood, especially for people with a high genetic risk of type 2 diabetes, according to preliminary research presented at the American Heart Association's Epidemiology and Prevention│Lifestyle and Cardiometabolic Scientific Sessions 2024, held March 18–21, in Chicago.
	Experts warn climate change will fuel spread of infectious diseases A team of infectious diseases experts called for more awareness and preparedness in the medical field to deal with the impact of climate change on the spread of diseases. Their article, published in JAMA raises the alarm about the emergence and spread of harmful pathogens. The authors also urge the medical community to update their education and training and take steps to combat global warming.
	Perceived gender discrimination linked to decline in well-being for older women A study of more than 3,000 middle-aged and older women living in England showed that those who believed they had encountered gender discrimination were more likely to report declines in well-being over time. Ruth Hackett of King's College London, UK, and colleagues present these findings in the open-access journal PLOS ONE.
	Survey finds autism acceptance varies across countries Societal acceptance of autism varies considerably across different countries, with lowest levels of acceptance found in Japan and Belgium, new research shows.
	The search to discover why 'outliers' survive deadliest cancers When Herve found out he had glioblastoma—the most aggressive form of brain cancer—at the age of 40, he made a deal with himself.
	Study calls for putting menstrual health front and center in routine pediatric care The onset of menstruation is an impactful milestone as a marker of the start of reproductive potential and as a social cue for transitioning further into adolescence. Although the first period is often confusing, can trigger embarrassment, and is frequently laden with stigma, timely guidance can empower patients to advocate for their health throughout life, according to a paper at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health.
	Prenatal exposure to antiseizure medication topiramate may not increase children's risk of autism spectrum disorder Topiramate—an antiseizure medication prescribed to treat epilepsy as well as migraines and bipolar disorder—does not appear to increase the risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) among children exposed to it prenatally, according to a new study led by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
	'Star Wars-style' holograms to communicate with the brain About 20 years ago, neuroscientists, recording from electrodes implanted in the medial temporal lobe, identified human brain cells that respond only to photos of Jennifer Aniston. It was a headline-grabbing development in a long arc of achievements by scientists in their efforts to map our neural circuits.
	Rural and minority dementia patients face disparities in access to neurologists, study finds Getting dementia diagnosed can be a long and difficult process for anyone, but some may face additional challenges based on race or ethnicity and where they live, according to a study led by Washington State University researchers.
	How your in-network health coverage can vanish before you know it Sarah Feldman, 35, received the first ominous letters from Mount Sinai Medical last November. The New York hospital system warned it was having trouble negotiating a pricing agreement with UnitedHealthcare, which includes Oxford Health Plans, Feldman's insurer.
	Colon cancer is increasing in younger Coloradans even as death rate drops for people over 55 In 2020, the most recent year with data on cancer cases, 452 people under the age of 55 received a colorectal cancer diagnosis in Colorado, up from 367 a decade earlier—a 23% increase.
	News study shows cryoblation 'freeze' treatment works for large breast tumors Killing off large tumors by freezing them could become an effective means of fighting difficult-to-treat breast cancer, a new study says.
	Concerns grow over quality of care as investor groups buy not-for-profit nursing homes Shelly Olson's mother, who has dementia, has lived at the Scandia Village nursing home in rural Sister Bay, Wisconsin, for almost five years. At first, Olson said, her mother received great care at the facility, then owned by a not-for-profit organization, the Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society.
	Not even Antarctica could stop COVID: It's a crucial lesson COVID-19 wasn't supposed to get to Antarctica. If any place had a hope of keeping the virus out, it would be a continent with no permanent residents and an annual visiting population of only 5,000. And every control measure was in place—testing, a strict quarantine of everyone visiting, as well as lots of deep sanitation, masks and social distancing.
	Myocarditis sufferer educates students about healthy lifestyles Shaunté Brewer didn't know that her health was in danger at age 13. As the Chicago resident recalls, she was more focused on passing her softball test in gym than on her prevalent cough. Fortunately, Brewer's mother determined that the sound and persistence of her daughter's cough called for a trip to the hospital.
	Nutrition and Alzheimer's disease may be linked, study finds Malnutrition may increase a person's chances of contracting Alzheimer's disease, which in turn exacerbates malnutrition. That's according to a March 2024 study out of China published in Frontiers in Nutrition.
	New way for states to cover pricey gene therapies will start with sickle cell disease The U.S. Food and Drug Administration late last year approved two breakthrough gene therapies for sickle cell disease patients. Now a new federal program seeks to make these life-changing treatments available to patients with low incomes—and it could be a model to help states pay for other expensive therapies.
	Neurosurgeon explains the difference in brain aneurysms Each year, nearly half a million people worldwide die from brain aneurysms. In the U.S., an estimated 6.7 million people have an unruptured brain aneurysm, which means about 1 in 50 people might have one.
	One in 10 U.S. school-age kids have ADHD report finds About 1 in every 10 U.S. children ages 5 to 17 has been diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), according to the latest government statistics.
	Half of Australians in aged care have depression. Psychological therapy could help While many people maintain positive emotional well-being as they age, around half of older Australians living in residential aged care have significant levels of depression. Symptoms such as low mood, lack of interest or pleasure in life and difficulty sleeping are common.
	In sickness and in health, older couples mostly make Medicare moves together Older Americans who enroll in Medicare or change their coverage do so as individuals, even if they're married or live with a partner. But a new study suggests the need for more efforts to help both members of a couple weigh and choose their options together.
	Older adults' input needed in transition to residential care, says study New University of Otago research into the process of older adults transitioning to residential care calls for improved opportunities for them to be part of the decision-making process.
	Identifying risk of poor pain outcomes to steer patients to early interventions and avoid opioid overuse For most people, recovering from an injury or surgery might require a short round of painkillers, but for about 1 in 10 people, pain can trigger protracted and escalating mental, physical and behavioral health problems.
	New treatment option for prostate cancer shows successful outcomes A minimally-invasive treatment using MRI and transurethral ultrasound instead of surgery or radiation is effective in treating prostate cancer, according to new research to be presented at the Society of Interventional Radiology Annual Scientific Meeting in Salt Lake City.
	Cryoablation found highly effective for breast cancer patients with large tumors A minimally invasive technique that uses ice to freeze and destroy small, cancerous tumors has now been proven effective for breast cancer patients with large tumors, providing a new treatment path for those who are not candidates for surgery, according to new research to be presented at the Society of Interventional Radiology Annual Scientific Meeting held March 23–28 in Salt Lake City.
	Why do cancer patients lose weight? Study points to elevated lactate levels Elevated levels of lactate may lead to the development of cachexia (disease-related weight loss) following the onset of cancer, according to a study including data from mice and humans published in Nature Metabolism.
	Are you one of the millions about to have cataract surgery? Here's what ophthalmologists say you need to know Cataract surgery is one of the most popular and commonly performed procedures in the world. The vast majority of patients have excellent outcomes with few complications.
	What breast cancer risk assessments can tell you Actress Olivia Munn recently shared on social media that she had undergone a double mastectomy after being diagnosed with luminal B breast cancer. In an Instagram post, Munn explained how she had been diagnosed with the fast-growing cancer.
	Study maps main genes involved in immune response to infection by dengue virus By comparing data for the immune response to natural infection by dengue virus to data for activation of the immune system by dengue vaccines, researchers at the University of São Paulo (USP) have identified molecular markers that could be used in the development of novel vaccines and treatments for dengue.
	AI can help predict responses to specific tuberculosis treatments, paving way for personalized care Tuberculosis is the world's deadliest bacterial infection. It afflicted over 10 million people and took 1.3 million lives in 2022. These numbers are predicted to increase dramatically because of the spread of multidrug-resistant TB.
	Mike Tyson is returning to boxing at age 58, but health experts say it's a bad idea Mike Tyson is scheduled to return to the ring this summer in a bout with social media star turned professional boxer Jake Paul.
	Investigating racial and ethnic differences in Medicare costs for older adults with dementia In an analysis of information on Medicare beneficiaries with dementia, Medicare expenditures were higher for Black and Hispanic individuals compared with whites. The Journal of the American Geriatrics Society analysis also found that expenditures were highest for Black beneficiaries in every phase of care.
	Study finds antibiotics combat gut bacteria that contribute to the pathogenesis of COVID-19 New research indicates that antibiotics can effectively target bacteria in the gut that harbor the virus that causes COVID-19 and produce toxin-like peptides that contribute to COVID-19-related symptoms.
	The middle-aged brain changes a lot—and it's key to understanding dementia Our brains change more rapidly at various times of our lives, as though life's clock was ticking faster than usual. Childhood, adolescence and very old age are good examples of this. Yet for much of adulthood, the same clock seems to tick fairly regularly. One lap around the sun; one year older.
	More hysterectomies can be averted with earlier uterine artery embolization for postpartum hemorrhages, finds research Early intervention with a minimally invasive treatment called uterine artery embolization (UAE) can help women avoid hysterectomy due to severe bleeding after childbirth, according to a new study being presented at the Society of Interventional Radiology Annual Scientific Meeting held March 23–28 in Salt Lake City.
	U.S. falls out of top 20 in 'world's happiest countries' list For the first time, the United States has fallen out of the top 20 spots on the annual world's happiest nations list.
	COVID-19 viral load rebound can occur after VV116, nirmatrelvir-ritonavir For patients with mild-to-moderate COVID-19, viral load rebound and symptom rebound can occur after a standard five-day course of treatment with VV116 or nirmatrelvir-ritonavir, according to a study published online March 13 in JAMA Network Open.
	Second primary malignancies represent small proportion of adverse events after CAR T-cell therapy Second primary malignancies (SPMs) represent a small proportion of adverse events (AEs) reported by patients receiving chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR T-cell) therapy, according to a letter to the editor published online March 14 in Blood.
	SGLT2i, GLP-1 RA prescribing lower for minority patients Pharmacy dispensing patterns for sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor (SGLT2i) and glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonist (GLP1-RA) medications show lower prescribing for minority patients; and the rate of SGLT2i prescriptions is low among patients with indications for therapy, according to two studies presented at the American Heart Association Epidemiology and Prevention/Lifestyle and Cardiometabolic Health 2024 Scientific Sessions, held from March 18 to 21 in Chicago.
	More evidence needed to understand consumer behavior around no- and low-alcoholic drinks There is not yet enough data on consumer behavior around no-and-low-alcoholic (NOLO) drinks to position them as the "healthy" alternative to alcoholic beverages, say researchers.
	Study offers insight on how hot weather impairs the immune system A study that looked at how the immune system reacts to hot weather offers new insight into what's happening when the mercury rises.
	U.S. could cut cervical cancer cases and deaths if more patients got follow-up after screening, study suggests Getting screened for cervical cancer isn't fun. And getting an alert that your initial exam showed a potential sign of trouble, and that you need to go back for a test or procedure to rule out cancer, is even less fun.
	Report suggests special efforts needed to allow 988 and 911 systems to work in concert Getting the 988 and 911 emergency telephone systems to work in concert requires detailed planning and close cooperation, and such efforts may benefit from having one or two people at the local level who act as champions for interoperability, according to a new RAND report titled "The Road to 988/911 Interoperability: Three Case Studies on Call Transfer, Colocation, and Community Response."
	Laboratory model enables researchers to explore the mouth's response to oral disease Researchers have created a three-dimensional model of the oral mucosa that can be used in studies to test its response to a range of bacterial and other infections. They report their results in the Journal of Tissue Engineering.
	Study reveals how ulcer bacteria's ability to attach to inflamed stomach is affected by pH A study by Anna Arnqvist's research group at Umeå University reveals molecular details about the gastric pathogen Helicobacter pylori's ability to bind to an inflamed stomach and how this is controlled by the stomach's pH. An increased understanding of how H. pylori bacteria can cause a persistent lifelong infection is an important piece of the puzzle in order to ultimately identify the characteristics that contribute to disease.
	ALG6 acts as a modifier gene in the inherited genetic eye disease retinitis pigmentosa 59 Modifier genes add complexity to precision medicine. A modifier gene is one that has genetic variants such as single nucleotide changes that differ from the most common sequence in the population. These variants do not cause disease by themselves, but can lessen or exacerbate a different genetic disease phenotype by unknown mechanisms.
	AI-based app can help physicians find skin melanoma A mobile app that uses artificial intelligence, AI, to analyze images of suspected skin lesions can diagnose melanoma with very high precision. This is shown in a study led from Linköping University in Sweden where the app has been tested in primary care. The results have been published in the British Journal of Dermatology.
	AI wristband may be an effective tool in future child and adolescent psychiatry Together with researchers from the Mental Health Services of the Capital Region of Denmark, a group of DTU researchers have developed and tested the Wrist Angel wristband, which uses artificial intelligence (AI) to predict whether a person with OCD is nearing an obsessive thought episode.
	New review on p53 biology and reactivation in blood cancers In a recently published review in the journal Biomarker Research, Joanna Zawacka, Docent at the department of Oncology-Pathology discusses our current understanding of p53 biology in myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML).
	Drinking water in US prisons may have dangerously high levels of PFAS As calls increase for better water quality monitoring and mitigation in rural and economically disadvantaged communities, emerging research adds prisons, jails and detention centers to the areas of concern. A new paper published in the American Journal of Public Health finds that 47% of America's carceral facilities are in a watershed likely contaminated with "forever chemicals" known as PFAS.
	Inflammation-reducing drug shows no benefit for dry age-related macular degeneration in trial The drug minocycline, an antibiotic that also decreases inflammation, failed to slow vision loss or expansion of geographic atrophy in people with dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD), according to a phase II clinical study at the National Eye Institute (NEI), part of the National Institutes of Health.
	FoxO6-mediated ApoC3 upregulation promotes hepatic steatosis and hyperlipidemia in HFD aged rats: Study A new research paper titled "FoxO6-mediated ApoC3 upregulation promotes hepatic steatosis and hyperlipidemia in aged rats fed a high-fat diet" has been published in Aging.
	Research illuminates a social media trap for new moms Being a new mom is not glamorous or effortless—no matter what some social media influencers suggest—and the uptick of idealized portrayals online has been shown to have deleterious effects on moms.
	East Greenlanders have large amounts of environmental toxins in their bodies, and it has to do with what they eat Every second, the Gulf Stream pushes more than 150 million cubic liters of warm water from the Caribbean Sea northwards. The warm water flows south of Iceland and into the North Sea, where it keeps the climate mild and wet in the surrounding countries.
	Diversified clinical workforce needed to effectively serve a growing Hispanic population in underserved areas: Study A new study examining the impact of the 2009 National Health Service Corps (NHSC) expansion on clinical diversity has found the number of Hispanic NHSC clinicians lacking relative to the Hispanic population.
	The science of stress transmission The transmission of physiological states in the collective is a robust phenomenon that can be observed in humans and animals. Stress is a natural response most often caused by a potential threat to one's physical or psychological integrity.
	Treating anxiety, depression in people with heart disease reduced ER visits, hospitalizations Treating anxiety and depression reduced emergency room visits and rehospitalizations among people with heart disease, according to new research published today in the Journal of the American Heart Association.
	Clinical trial shows rucaparib extends progression-free survival for uterine cancer patients The results of a multisite clinical trial overseen by University of Colorado Cancer Center member Bradley Corr, MD, could offer new hope to patients with metastatic and recurrent uterine cancer, also known as endometrial cancer.
	A computational model to simulate the biomechanical growth of breast tumors Scientists from Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M) and Johns Hopkins University (JHU), in the U.S., have analyzed the growth of breast tumors from a biomechanical perspective and have created a computational model that simulates the invasion process of cancer cells, depending on the characteristics of the surrounding tissue and cell junctions, among other parameters.
	Dermatology researchers create new tool to measure hyperpigmentation There are currently no globally accepted methods for analyzing hyperpigmentation, a condition in which patches of skin are darker than the surrounding skin on the body. While one popular scale exists, it is specific to facial hyperpigmentation related to acne.
	Discovery sets stage for vaccine against gastric cancer, ulcers H. pylori is one of the most common disease-causing bacteria. More than half of the world's population have the bacteria in their body; and while in Canada overall prevalence of H. pylori is between 20% and 30%, some groups—including Indigenous communities—have higher rates.
	New framework to help prevent suicide among military veterans and serving personnel A new report, led by academics from The Northern Hub for Veterans and Military Families Research at Northumbria, identifies that suicide among serving military personnel and military veterans—many of whom were known to services and recipients of care—could be reduced if those that were known to be vulnerable had access to the right help and assistance, at the right time, with the right intervention, and the right level of care and support.
	Study discusses liquid biopsy as a game changer for early lung cancer detection In 2020, 1.8 million people succumbed to lung cancer. The late-stage discovery of lung cancer is one of the glaring challenges faced by the medical community. While surgical biopsies continue to remain the gold standard for cancer diagnosis, the invasive nature of the technique can lead to serious health complications.
	Q&A: A digital twin that allows tailored medication Individual patients with autoimmune diseases can receive tailored medication by computationally treating their so-called digital twins with thousands of medications.
	Social isolation linked to biological age gap, higher mortality rate A new study from Mayo Clinic finds that socially isolated people are more likely to show signs of being biologically older than their age and more likely to die from a variety of causes. The research, published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology: Advances, suggests that social connection plays an important role in overall physical health and longevity, and it should be addressed as a necessary part of the social determinants of health.
	To vape or not to vape: When an e-cigarette tax has an impact E-cigarettes have become a big concern for public health, especially when it comes to young people using these harmful products. The U.S. government has considered a tax on vaping products to discourage people, especially underage users, from vaping. A new study from the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business aims to determine how much of an impact a tax might have by analyzing behavior on a social media platform.
	Nerve decompression shows promise for diabetic neuropathy patients Surgical nerve decompression, used to treat conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome and sciatica, could play a role in relieving the pain of diabetic neuropathy patients, researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center found.
	Lu(a)minar flow odyssey—using the power of water and light in early leukemia diagnostics Cancer is the scourge of the 21st century, and despite the rapid development in medical diagnostics and personalized treatments, most therapies remain insufficient to save a patient's life. Timely and accurate diagnosis is of paramount importance, but once a patient is diagnosed, the outcome of the battle to save a life still depends on many factors.
	Metalloimmunotherapy: Combination of cisplatin and STING agonist into one molecule boosts cancer immune response Traditionally, therapies combining DNA-damaging agents and STING agonists have shown potential in treating cancer by enhancing immune response and reshaping the tumor microenvironment. However, until now, creating a single molecular entity housing both agents has remained elusive.
	Research gaps exist in links between Indigenous health and climate change Though matters of climate change, biodiversity loss and Indigenous Peoples' health and well-being are often considered separately, the three are linked in innumerable ways.
	Drug-pricing program improves prostate cancer treatment adherence, finds study Prostate cancer patients receiving care at hospitals that are part of a special drug-pricing program were more likely to stick to their prescription drug therapy than patients at other hospitals, according to a study from researchers at the University of Michigan's Rogel Cancer Center and Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation.
	Air quality around planned new schools in England 'alarmingly poor,' says study The air quality around planned new schools in England is "alarmingly poor," with 86% of sites exceeding World Health Organization (WHO) targets on major air pollutants, reveals an analysis published in the Archives of Disease in Childhood.
	After abortion ban, US state sees substandard pregnancy care Louisiana's strict abortion ban is having spillover effects across women's health care in the US state, leading doctors to turn away patients for routine prenatal visits and perform unnecessary Cesarean sections, according to a report released Tuesday.
	Studies presented at dermatology meeting highlight recent advances in diagnosis and management The annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology was held from March 8 to 12 in San Diego and attracted participants from around the world, including clinicians, academicians, allied health professionals, and others interested in dermatology. The conference highlighted recent advances in the diagnosis and management of dermatological conditions.
	Study shows association between sedentary leisure time and men's risk of erectile dysfunction Previous research has identified genetic variants linked to sedentary leisure behavior, which includes activities such as watching television, using a computer, and operating a vehicle.
	Decoding caffeine: Benefits, risks and common myths from a medical toxicologist In the bustling world of academia—where late nights and early mornings are often the norm—caffeine reigns supreme as an elixir of productivity.
	Medications for type 2 diabetes, weight loss and kidney health not always provided as needed More recent medications for Type 2 diabetes and weight loss shown to have positive effects on cardiovascular and kidney health were not always prescribed or accessible to people who could benefit from them.
	Calls to end the restraining of prisoners receiving palliative care There are urgent calls to abandon the restraining of prisoners receiving palliative care, with the ongoing practice blamed on the Australian justice and health systems colliding.
	Australian alcohol retailers exploiting pregnancy warning loophole, putting babies at risk New research by The George Institute for Global Health, published March 19 in Drug and Alcohol Review, has revealed Australia's largest alcohol retailers are failing to display mandatory pregnancy warnings on their websites, potentially putting customers' unborn children at risk of lifelong harms including permanent brain damage.
	Exploring the use of body-worn cameras in mental health care settings Findings from a study led by researchers at the Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery & Palliative Care have identified four key themes relating to the implementation and ethical use of body-worn cameras in mental health care settings.
	WHO calls for 'immediate action' over cholera vaccine shortage Immediate action is needed to stem a spike in cholera cases amid worldwide shortages of vaccines, the World Health Organization said on Wednesday.
	Delayed treatment effect predicting (DTEP) model found to enhance precision in immuno-oncology trial designs Over the last decade, immunotherapies, particularly immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), have emerged as promising treatments for various cancer types. However, a notable challenge in immuno-oncology trials is the frequent occurrence of delayed treatment effects (DTE), where the therapeutic benefits of ICIs may take months to manifest.
	Report: Canada should ban all unhealthy food marketing that may be seen by children Canada should ban the marketing of unhealthy foods wherever children may be exposed, whether on TV, social media, or billboards. This is one of the main conclusions of a Canada-wide study involving more than fifty food and nutrition experts made public today by a team from Université Laval's Faculty of Agriculture and Food Sciences.

Other Sciences news

	Toba supereruption may have facilitated dispersal of modern humans out of Africa Modern humans dispersed from Africa multiple times, but the event that led to global expansion occurred less than 100,000 years ago. Some researchers hypothesize that dispersals were restricted to "green corridors" formed during humid intervals when food was abundant and human populations expanded in lockstep with their environments.
	Study reveals 'cozy domesticity' of prehistoric stilt-house dwellers in England's ancient marshland A major report on the remains of a stilt village that was engulfed in flames almost 3,000 years ago reveals in unprecedented detail the daily lives of England's prehistoric fenlanders.
	New archive of ancient human brains challenges misconceptions of soft tissue preservation Soft tissue preservation in the geological record is relatively rare, and except where deliberate intervention halts the process of decay (like embalming or freezing), the survival of entire organs is particularly unusual. The spontaneous preservation of the brain in the absence of any other soft tissues—that is, the brain's survival among otherwise skeletonized remains—has historically been regarded as a 'one-of-a kind' phenomenon.
	Neolithic boats excavated in the Mediterranean reveal advanced nautical technology More than 7,000 years ago, people navigated the Mediterranean Sea using technologically sophisticated boats, according to a study published March 20, 2024, in the open-access journal PLOS ONE by Juan F. Gibaja of the Spanish National Research Council, Barcelona and colleagues.
	'I had such fun!', says winner of top math prize For Michel Talagrand, who won the Abel mathematics prize on Wednesday, math provided a fun life free from all constraints—and an escape from the eye problems he suffered as a child.
	Ice-ray patterns: A rediscovery of past design for the future Chinese ice-ray lattice, or "binglie" as it is called in Chinese, is an intricate pattern that looks like cracked ice and is a common decorative element used in traditional Chinese window designs.
	New study suggests that while social media changes over decades, conversation dynamics stay the same Published in Nature, a new study has identified recurring, 'toxic' human conversation patterns on social media, which are common to users irrespective of the platform used, the topic of discussion, and the decade in which the conversation took place.
	World Happiness Report: Why we might be measuring happiness wrong Many of us know that Finland is steadily ranked as the happiest country in the world. The basis for this is the annual World Happiness Report, which is based on a simple question about happiness asked to people around the world. However, a new study led by Lund University in Sweden suggests that it makes people think more about power and wealth.
	Advanced statistical analysis highlights the role of interaction between US Supreme Court judges Supreme Court deliberations happen behind closed doors. Can we peek behind them using the voting record? Employing techniques from statistical physics and complexity science, Eddie Lee, a postdoctoral researcher at the Complexity Science Hub, along with his colleague George Cantwell of Cambridge University, analyzed U.S. Supreme Court voting data from 1946 to 2021.
	Each Easter we spend about $62 a head on chocolates, but the cost of buying unsustainable products can be far greater Australians enjoy chocolate, consuming on average the equivalent of 32 kilograms a year, but there is growing interest in its origins and how it's made.
	If TikTok is banned in the US or Australia, how might the company respond? TikTok's owner is once again navigating troubled waters in the United States, where the US House of Representatives has issued an ultimatum: divest or face shutdown within six months.
	Deepfakes are still new, but 2024 could be the year they have an impact on elections Disinformation caught many people off guard during the 2016 Brexit referendum and US presidential election. Since then, a mini-industry has developed to analyze and counter it.
	Japan has abandoned decades of pacifism in response to Ukraine invasion and increased Chinese pressure on Taiwan Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the conflict in Gaza, have left tens of thousands dead and sent shockwaves across Europe and the Middle East. But—brutal and tragic as they are—the wars in Ukraine and Gaza are regionally bounded, meaning that most of the rest of the world rolls along, largely unaffected. This will not be the case if armed conflict breaks out in east Asia.
	A century ago, one state tried to close religious schools Almost 100 years ago, a group of nuns joined a suit against the state of Oregon—and made it all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court.
	What are microcredentials? And are they worth having? As private firms and governments struggle to fill jobs—and with the cost of college too high for many students—employers and elected officials are searching for alternative ways for people to get good jobs without having to earn a traditional college degree.
	Niger has cut military ties with the US: Why this could be bad for the Sahel's security Niger—a landlocked country of 25 million people in one of the most unstable parts of the world—recently announced it was suspending military cooperation with the United States.
	Bilingual child cannot 'turn off' their language knowledge, says researcher Worldwide, there are more children who grow up learning multiple languages than children learning only one. And yet monolingualism is often taken as a starting point, for example in school. Research by linguist Elly Koutamanis shows that the two languages of a bilingual child are always active in their brain. "A child can benefit from this bilingual knowledge at school." Koutamanis will receive her Ph.D. on language interaction in bilingual children on 22 March.
	Study suggests party affiliation affects consumer sentiment and spending intentions after elections Consumer sentiment generally refers to consumers' attitudes and expectations about economic conditions. A new analysis published in Economic Inquiry indicates that U.S. party affiliation has a significant effect on consumer sentiment, and that sentiment, in turn, affects spending intentions.
	Estimating flows of forced migrants from war and crisis Researchers have built a model, using insights from social and behavioral theory, that estimates daily flows of refugees from conflict. Forced migration, in contrast to planned migration, is a sudden choice made in response to an unexpected event.
	Extracting intersectional stereotypes from English text Mining huge datasets of English reveals stereotypes about gender, race, and class prevalent in English-speaking societies. Tessa Charlesworth and colleagues developed a stepwise procedure, Flexible Intersectional Stereotype Extraction (FISE), which they applied to billions of words of English Internet text.
	Research reveals what college students mean when they say they're 'just talking' "Are you two dating?"
	ChatGPT is an effective tool for planning field work, school trips and even holidays, say scientists Researchers exploring ways to utilize ChatGPT for work, say it could save organizations and individuals a lot of time and money when it comes to planning trips.
	Economists warn of side effects of raising the retirement age Leaving paid work opens the door to potentially the best stage of life, and a new study published in The Economic Journal confirms the health and well-being benefits that can stem from retirement via an individual's increased "locus of control," a psychological trait capturing the personal sense of control or power over life outcomes.
	Motivated supervision increases motivation when writing a thesis, study finds Students working on their Bachelor's or Master's thesis usually have supervisors at their side who guide, accompany and possibly also correct them during this time. If students have the impression that their supervisor is passionate and motivated, this also increases their own motivation. Grade pressure, on the other hand, has no direct influence on student motivation during this time.
	Researcher investigates the impact of local climate change beliefs and policy In two newly published papers, Tom Lyon, professor of business economics and public policy, explores the effect of sentiment and policy on greenhouse gas emissions. Lyon and his collaborators found that community concerns and policy actions can significantly predict and affect greenhouse gas emissions from local facilities.
	Preventing another 'Jan. 6' starts by changing how elections are certified, experts say The 2024 presidential election may be a rematch between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump, but preventing a repeat of Jan. 6, 2021—when false claims of a stolen election promoted by Donald Trump and his allies led to an insurrection at the U.S. Capitol—will be top of mind this election year.
	'Modern-day redlining': Research investigates Wall Street-backed rental market Carol Camp Yeakey, the Marshall S. Snow Professor of Arts & Sciences and founding director of Washington University in St. Louis's Center on Urban Research & Public Policy, is leading a two-year national study to examine the surge of corporate investors in the single-family rental (SFR) market and the implications for renters, especially marginalized communities of color.
	Vessel off Florida Keys identified as British warship that sank in the 18th century A wrecked seagoing vessel discovered decades ago off the Florida Keys has recently been identified as a British warship that sank in the 18th century.
	New study calls for inclusion of death education in school curriculum A new study is calling for a significant overhaul in the way education about human death is approached within schools, advocating for its inclusion as a vital component of the curriculum.
	Five ways to better build community with international students in Canada It's no exaggeration to say every academic and professional involved in recruiting, teaching or supporting international students in Canada is now concerned about institutions' plans following the federal government's two-year cap on international student permits.
	How 'social financing' could help fund higher education for under-represented students in Canada Canada's new international student cap will likely have a significant impact on universities, which are already facing financial pressures and other challenges related to artificial intelligence and climate change—all while attending to calls for equity, diversity and inclusivity.
	Terrorist content lurks all over the internet—regulating only six major platforms won't be nearly enough Australia's eSafety commissioner has sent legal notices to Google, Meta, Telegram, WhatsApp, Reddit and X (formerly Twitter) asking them to show what they're doing to protect Australians from online extremism. The six companies have 49 days to respond.
	Opinion: The Online Harms Act doesn't go far enough to protect democracy in Canada The Liberal government's recent proposal for regulating social media platforms, the Online Harms Act (Bill C-63), comes as the final act in a promised trilogy of bills aimed at bringing some order to the digital world.
	The problem with shaming people for Auschwitz selfies Selfies have become the modern day equivalent of postcards, a way to share our travel experiences with family and friends on social media. It's one thing to strike a goofy pose and snap a photo for Instagram on a beach or town square, but what if you are visiting a Holocaust memorial site?
	The Humberside funeral home incident shows England and Wales need a better system for dealing with death In early March 2024, Humberside Police received reports of concerns over "care for the deceased" at a funeral director's in Hull. Two people have reportedly been bailed after the bodies and ashes of at least 35 people were removed from the premises. An inquiry is now underway.
	Relationship between tradition and technology in Javanese music A study published in the International Journal of Arts and Technology has looked at the relationship between traditional Javanese music and the introduction of technology and western instrumentation into this genre.
	Companies reluctant to pay extra to confirm suppliers' sustainability claims Many companies proclaiming ethical credentials resist paying a premium to test their suppliers' sustainability claims, new research suggests.
	Examining why women are no further ahead in the workforce than 30 years ago A report exploring the working conditions of pregnant employees and parents has been released today, calling for major changes in Australian workplaces to counter the "vast discrimination and disadvantage" experienced by these groups.
	Truth and reconciliation: New study finds people less likely to acknowledge war crimes on social media Social media could prove to be as much a barrier to post-conflict reconciliation as it is a way of helping communities move forward, new research has claimed.
	War survey: 83% of Israeli NGOs impacted, mixed responses to government aid, surge in foreign support A survey conducted at the Hebrew University by Prof. Michal Almog-Bar, head of the Institute for the Study of Civil Society and Philanthropy, in collaboration with Civil Leadership, the umbrella organization of nonprofit organizations in Israel, analyzed the widespread mobilization effort in Israel following the terrorist attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023.

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