Science X Newsletter Wed, Apr 10

Dear ,

Here is your customized Science X Newsletter for April 10, 2024:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

Team is first ever to measure qubits with ultrasensitive thermal detectors, evading Heisenberg uncertainty principle

HD 21997 is a high-frequency Delta Scuti pulsator, observations find

Quantum crystal of frozen electrons—the Wigner crystal—is visualized for the first time

Physicists discover a novel quantum state in an elemental solid

AI makes retinal imaging 100 times faster, compared to manual method

Study shedding new light on Earth's global carbon cycle could help assess liveability of other planets

Connecting lab-grown brain cells provides insight into how our own brains work

Perovskite LEDs for next-generation digital displays can detect fingerprints, changing light conditions and more

Study highlights impact of aldehydes on DNA damage and aging

A microbial plastic factory for high-quality green plastic

Waterproof 'e-glove' could help scuba divers communicate

Deforestation harms biodiversity of the Amazon's perfume-loving orchid bees

Analysis finds mixed diets balance nutrition and reduce carbon footprints

Scientists flag previously overlooked type of immune cell as suspected source of severe COVID-19

Industry gifts may influence which cardiac device is used in common lifesaving procedure

Nanotechnology news

	Self-embedding silver nanoparticles: Researchers find the 'silver lining' in cotton gin waste Cotton gin waste, also known as cotton gin trash, is a byproduct of the cotton ginning process and occurs when the cotton fibers are separated from the seed boll. For cotton gin waste, the treasure is its hidden potential to transform silver ions into silver nanoparticles and create a new hybrid material that could be used to add antimicrobial properties to consumer products, like aerogels, packaging, or composites.
	Building block for magnetoelectric spin-orbit logic opens new avenue for low-power beyond-CMOS technologies In an article published in Nature Communications, an international team led by researchers from the Nanodevices group at CIC nanoGUNE succeeded in voltage-based magnetization switching and reading of magnetoelectric spin-orbit nanodevices. This study constitutes a proof of principle of these nanodevices, which are the building blocks for magnetoelectric spin-orbit (MESO) logic, opening a new avenue for low-power beyond-CMOS technologies.
	A new coating method in mRNA engineering points the way to advanced therapies Medicine can help to treat certain illnesses; for example, antibiotics can help overcome infections, but a new, promising field of medicine involves providing our body with the "blueprint" for how to defeat illnesses on its own.

Physics news

	Team is first ever to measure qubits with ultrasensitive thermal detectors, evading Heisenberg uncertainty principle Chasing ever-higher qubit counts in near-term quantum computers constantly demands new feats of engineering.
	Quantum crystal of frozen electrons—the Wigner crystal—is visualized for the first time Electrons—the infinitesimally small particles that are known to zip around atoms—continue to amaze scientists despite the more than a century that scientists have studied them. Now, physicists at Princeton University have pushed the boundaries of our understanding of these minute particles by visualizing, for the first time, direct evidence for what is known as the Wigner crystal—a strange kind of matter that is made entirely of electrons.
	Physicists discover a novel quantum state in an elemental solid Physicists have observed a novel quantum effect termed "hybrid topology" in a crystalline material. This finding opens up a new range of possibilities for the development of efficient materials and technologies for next-generation quantum science and engineering.
	Quantum behavior at room temperature: When laser light makes materials magnetic The potential of quantum technology is huge but is today largely limited to the extremely cold environments of laboratories. Now, researchers from Stockholm University, the Nordic Institute for Theoretical Physics and the Ca' Foscari University of Venice have succeeded in demonstrating for the very first time how laser light can induce quantum behavior at room temperature—and make non-magnetic materials magnetic. The breakthrough is expected to pave the way for faster and more energy-efficient computers, information transfer and data storage.
	Novel UV broadband spectrometer improves air pollutant analysis Sunlight has a major influence on chemical processes. Its high-energy UV radiation in particular is strongly absorbed by all materials and triggers photochemical reactions of the substances present in the air. A well-known example is the formation of ground-level ozone when UV light hits nitrogen oxides.
	Physicists track how continuous changes in dimensionality affect collective properties of a superfluid An international research team from Innsbruck and Geneva has, for the first time, probed the dimensional crossover for ultracold quantum matter. In the regime between one and two dimensions, the quantum particles perceive their world as being 1D or 2D depending on the length scale on which they are probed: For short distances, their world is 1D, but it is 2D for long distances.
	ATLAS provides first measurement of the W-boson width at the LHC The discovery of the Higgs boson in 2012 slotted in the final missing piece of the Standard Model puzzle. Yet, it left lingering questions. What lies beyond this framework? Where are the new phenomena that would solve the universe's remaining mysteries, such as the nature of dark matter and the origin of matter-antimatter asymmetry?
	Team reports on ultrafast laser state active controlling based on anisotropic quasi-1D material Tunable ultrafast lasers with adjustable parameters, such as wavelength, intensity, pulse width and laser states are desirable as next-generation intelligent light sources. Due to complex nonlinear effects within the ultrafast system, it is challenging for laser state active controlling (LSAC) in ultrafast fiber lasers, especially for passive mode-locking, in a convenient and controllable manner.

Earth news

	Seismologists suspect earthquake on San Andreas Fault is imminent despite odd attenuation parameters A trio of seismologists affiliated with Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, the Berkeley Seismological Laboratory, University of California, Berkeley reports that a part of the San Andreas Fault, at Parkfield, is not producing signals that would suggest an earthquake is going to happen any time soon, but they assert there are factors that suggest otherwise.
	Humans shape the journey of mud, study reveals Mud can be surprisingly clear. A global team of scientists has uncovered a hidden truth: Human actions are shaping the journey of mud. Over the course of decades, our activities have wielded significant influence over the movement and dispersion of mud, affecting carbon storage and cycling worldwide.
	US announces tough tap water standards for 'forever chemicals' US President Joe Biden's administration on Wednesday announced the first nationwide tap water standards to protect the public from toxic "forever chemicals" linked to serious health harms ranging from cancers to developmental damage in children.
	Researchers explain how cities can implement environmentally sustainable densification The housing situation in Swiss cities and towns is currently the subject of intensive debate in politics and the media. Housing and densification is a key topic for spatial and urban planners—because, ultimately, they are tasked with implementing compact, inward settlement development that is mandated by the Swiss Spatial Planning Act since 2014.
	The limits of ice: What a 19th-century expedition trapped in sea ice for a year tells us about Antarctica's future In 1897, the former whaling ship RV Belgica left Antwerp in Belgium and set sail due south. It was the first voyage of what would become known as the Heroic Age of Antarctic exploration. It did not go to plan.
	Tiny crystals capture millions of years of mountain range history: Geologist excavates the Himalayas with a microscope The Himalayas stand as Earth's highest mountain range, possibly the highest ever. How did it form? Why is it so tall?
	Adelaide is losing 75,000 trees a year. Tree-removal laws must be tightened for cities to be livable and green Large areas of concrete and asphalt absorb and radiate heat, creating an "urban heat island effect." It puts cities at risk of overheating as they are several degrees warmer than surrounding areas.
	Satellite observations show climatological characteristics of isolated deep convection over Tibetan Plateau The Tibetan Plateau is a prevalent region for deep convection owing to its unique thermodynamic forcing. Deep convection can exist as isolated deep convection (IDC), which is small in size, or mesoscale convective systems (MCSs), which are convective storms organized into larger and longer-lived systems. Most previous research has focused on MCSs over the Tibetan Plateau, but less so on IDC systems (hereafter, IDCs).
	New approach needed to save Australia's non-perennial rivers Non-perennial rivers, which stop flowing at some point each year, dominate surface water movement across Australia, yet monitoring the continued health of these vital waterways demands a new type of research attention.
	Report says Band-Aids contain PFAS—many small exposures can add up to a big exposure Adhesive bandages, or Band-Aids as they are generally called after the brand produced by Johnson & Johnson, have been keeping our cuts, scrapes or blisters protected from bacteria, damage and dirt for more than a century.
	Microplastic 'hotspots' identified in Long Island Sound Forensic and environmental experts have teamed up to develop a new scientific method to pinpoint microplastic pollution 'hotspots' in open waters. A study by Staffordshire University, The Rozalia Project for a Clean Ocean, and Central Wyoming College trialed the technique in New York's Long Island Sound.
	Study on climate-damaging palm oil production in Indonesia shows push for industrialization Understanding governments' motives is crucial to strengthening climate action. Indonesia, the world's fourth largest country by population, has the biggest rainforests after Brazil and the Congo Basin. But it has cleared huge areas in the past 20 years to produce palm oil which is used in biscuits, chocolate, candles, cosmetics and instant soups.
	Protecting drinking water on prairies from an emerging pollutant With the help of the Canadian Light Source (CLS) at the University of Saskatchewan (USask), researchers from the University of Guelph (UofG) have learned more about an emerging pollutant that is prevalent in groundwater across the Prairies.
	Global warming will 'decimate' G20 economies without unity: UN climate head UN climate chief Simon Stiell on Wednesday warned G20 nations their economies face decimation and they must overcome geopolitical divisions to tackle global warming.
	The domination of private interests presents a risk to the long-term health of the Bay of Fundy In 2022 we gathered a group of leading thinkers in Halifax, near the iconic Bay of Fundy, to set about imagining "what could plausibly happen to the Bay of Fundy coast by 2072."
	Superfund plan for Columbia River sparks debate in Northwest It would create one of the largest Superfund sites in America and the first in which most of the toxic pollution comes from another country. But those are not the only unique aspects of an EPA proposal to add the upper reaches of the Columbia River in Washington state to the list of the nation's most contaminated lands and waters.
	Key sectors stymie emission reduction efforts in New Zealand, reveals study The impact of Aotearoa's main tool in the fight against climate change could be heightened if five sectors were better regulated, according to a new study.
	Canada readies for another 'explosive' wildfire season Canada is bracing for another "explosive" wildfire season after last year's marked the worst that Canadians have ever known, federal officials said Wednesday.

Astronomy and Space news

	HD 21997 is a high-frequency Delta Scuti pulsator, observations find Using NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS), astronomers have observed a young star designated HD 21997. Results of the new observations indicate that the studied object is a high-frequency Delta Scuti pulsator. The finding was described in a paper published March 28 on the pre-print server arXiv.
	Study shedding new light on Earth's global carbon cycle could help assess liveability of other planets Research has uncovered important new insights into the evolution of oxygen, carbon, and other vital elements over the entire history of Earth—and it could help assess which other planets can develop life, ranging from plants to animals and humans.
	Russia aborts second attempt to launch a heavy-lift rocket from Far East Russia failed for a second straight day Wednesday to test-launch a new heavy-lift rocket from its Far Eastern space complex. Officials have scheduled a further launch attempt for Thursday.
	OK, the eclipse was cool, but those glasses aren't. Now what? OK, you hopped on the eclipse bandwagon, did your research and viewed the celestial miracle responsibly. But now what are you going to do with those odd-looking glasses?
	If Europa has geysers, they're very faint In 2013, the Hubble Space Telescope spotted water vapor on Jupiter's moon Europa. The vapor was evidence of plumes similar to the ones on Saturn's moon Enceladus. That, and other compelling evidence, showed that the moon has an ocean. That led to speculation that the ocean could harbor life.
	Making ultra-fast electron measurements in multiple directions to reveal the secrets of the aurora The energetic electrons that drive the aurora borealis (the northern lights) have a rich and very dynamic structure that we currently do not fully understand. Much of what we know about these electrons comes from instruments that have fundamental limitations in their ability to sample multiple energies with high time resolution.
	Biden says Japanese will be first non-American on moon A Japanese person will be the first non-American to walk on the moon, US President Joe Biden announced Wednesday during a state visit by Japan's prime minister.
	New NASA strategy envisions sustainable future for space operations To address a rapidly changing space operating environment and ensure its preservation for generations to come, NASA released the first part of its integrated Space Sustainability Strategy, on Tuesday advancing the agency's role as a global leader on this crucial issue.
	Through astronaut eyes, virtual reality propels gateway forward NASA astronauts are using virtual reality to explore Gateway. When they slip on their headsets, they're not just seeing the station—they're in it, meticulously surveying every detail and offering crucial insights on design and functionality.
	After delay, Delta IV Heavy lifts off for the last time The storied career of the Delta family of rockets had to wait a little longer than planned to turn the page on its final chapter, but the last of its kind lifted off on the Space Coast on April 9.

Technology news

	Perovskite LEDs for next-generation digital displays can detect fingerprints, changing light conditions and more Researchers at Linköping University, Sweden, have developed a digital display screen where the LEDs themselves react to touch, light, fingerprints and the user's pulse, among other things. Their results, published in Nature Electronics, could be the start of a whole new generation of displays for phones, computers and tablets.
	Waterproof 'e-glove' could help scuba divers communicate When scuba divers need to say "I'm okay" or "Shark!" to their dive partners, they use hand signals to communicate visually. But sometimes these movements are difficult to see.
	World-first 'Cybercrime Index' ranks countries by cybercrime threat level Following three years of intensive research, an international team of researchers have compiled the first ever "World Cybercrime Index," which identifies the globe's key cybercrime hotspots by ranking the most significant sources of cybercrime at a national level.
	New quantum material promises up to 190% quantum efficiency in solar cells Researchers from Lehigh University have developed a material that demonstrates the potential for drastically increasing the efficiency of solar panels.
	Researchers find a faster, better way to prevent an AI chatbot from giving toxic responses A user could ask ChatGPT to write a computer program or summarize an article, and the AI chatbot would likely be able to generate useful code or write a cogent synopsis. However, someone could also ask for instructions to build a bomb, and the chatbot might be able to provide those, too.
	AI chatbots share some human biases, researchers find As artificial intelligence gets better at giving humans what they want, it also could get better at giving malicious humans what they want.
	With inspiration from Tetris, researchers develop a better radiation detector The spread of radioactive isotopes from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant in Japan in 2011 and the ongoing threat of a possible release of radiation from the Zaporizhzhia nuclear complex in the Ukrainian war zone have underscored the need for effective and reliable ways of detecting and monitoring radioactive isotopes.
	AI-powered 'sonar' on smartglasses tracks gaze, facial expressions Cornell University researchers have developed two technologies that track a person's gaze and facial expressions through sonar-like sensing. The technology is small enough to fit on commercial smartglasses or virtual reality or augmented reality headsets yet consumes significantly less power than similar tools using cameras.
	New 3D-printing method makes printing objects more affordable and eco-friendly University of Florida engineers have developed a method for 3D printing called vapor-induced phase-separation 3D printing, or VIPS-3DP, to create single-material as well as multi-material objects. The discovery has the potential to advance the world of additive manufacturing.
	German group mulls remote-controlled ships to fix skipper shortage With the flow of new recruits into the seafaring sector drying up, a German company is exploring a potentially revolutionary measure—sending ships off without a captain on board.
	US officials probing Boeing whistleblower claims on 787, 777 Federal aviation authorities are investigating claims by a Boeing engineer that the 787 Dreamliner suffers from assembly defects that threaten safety, US officials said Tuesday.
	'World of Warcraft', other top games to return to China "World of Warcraft" is returning to China this summer, its developer and local partner said Wednesday, more than a year after dismayed devotees saw the hugely popular video game and other titles pulled from the market in a contract dispute.
	Engineering students convert old truck to an electrical vehicle Four teams of Rice University engineering students converted a 1997 Chevy P30 delivery van into a fully electric vehicle in less than a year, using a combination of parts scavenged from out-of-use vehicles, custom-built elements and off-the-shelf items.
	Internet providers must now be more transparent about fees, pricing, FCC says Much like nutritional labels on food products, "broadband labels" for internet packages will soon tell you just what is going into the pricing of your service, thanks to new rules adopted by the Federal Communications Commission this week.
	Ethical questions abound as wartime AI ramps up Artificial intelligence's move into modern warfare is raising concerns about the risks of escalation and the role of humans in decision-making.
	Exceptional oxide ion conductivity at lower temperatures offers potential solution for solid-state fuel cells Oxide ion conductors used in solid-state fuel cells often fail to reach full potential when operating at temperatures below 500 oC, but researchers from Tokyo Tech have recently found a solution to this problem. They demonstrated high conductivity and stability in bismuth-containing Sillén oxyhalides with triple fluorite-like layers (e.g., 10 mS/cm at 431 oC; 204 times higher conductivity than that of conventional conductors at 310 oC).
	How the push to make 'Grounded' a multiplatform game made it better Microsoft made a splash when the company announced it would be taking more of its games to other platforms. That means players will see once-exclusive titles such as "Sea of Thieves" on the PlayStation 5.
	Google faces deluge of $10,000 Incognito mode lawsuits after class-action deal Google's legal troubles over whether the search giant duped users into believing its "Incognito" browsing mode was truly private aren't over yet: A week after settling a federal class-action suit, the Mountain View company is facing an avalanche of new lawsuits in San Jose from thousands of users who claim Incognito broke their trust by snooping on their secrets.
	NYSE executive says 'handful' of AI startups are exploring IPOs Several artificial intelligence startups are looking into the process of going public, according to an executive at the New York Stock Exchange, as the market for tech listings gains steam.
	The real battle for data privacy begins when you die In 2012 a 15-year-old girl died in Berlin after being hit by a subway train. Her bereaved parents asked Facebook to turn over her private messages in hopes of understanding whether her death was a suicide or an accident.
	What is biophilic design? Three ways 'green' buildings work better for neurodivergent people One in seven people worldwide are neurodivergent. They may have a diagnosis of a neurodevelopmental condition such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or autism—or traits that mean their thinking style differs from neurotypical patterns.
	New York City greenlights congestion pricing—toll plan is expected to improve traffic, air quality and public transit New York City is poised to launch the first congestion pricing plan to reduce traffic in a major U.S. metropolitan area. Like many journeys in the Big Apple, this one has been punctuated by delays. Once the system starts up, however, it's expected to significantly reduce gridlock in Manhattan and generate billions of dollars to improve public transit citywide.
	To understand the risks posed by AI, follow the money Time and again, leading scientists, technologists, and philosophers have made spectacularly terrible guesses about the direction of innovation. Even Einstein was not immune, claiming, "There is not the slightest indication that nuclear energy will ever be obtainable," just 10 years before Enrico Fermi completed construction of the first fission reactor in Chicago. Shortly thereafter, the consensus switched to fears of an imminent nuclear holocaust.
	AI-generated pornography will disrupt the adult content industry and raise new ethical concerns, researchers say Artificial intelligence (AI) is already reshaping various industries, from medicine and education to science and finance. AI is set to disrupt yet another market: pornography. Advancements in machine learning and AI algorithms for image and video production have contributed to the growth of websites for AI-generated pornography, commonly referred to as AI porn.
	Why won't some people use a smartphone? And is that difficult? In a world where more and more services and social interaction are based on mobile apps, a smartphone has become close to a necessity. Despite this, some people avoid smartphones and instead use a dumbphone—a traditional mobile phone or a reduced-feature designer phone.
	New model better predicts our daily travel choices An EPFL engineer has developed a forecasting model that factors in not just our commuting habits, but also our activities during the day. Her flexible approach incorporates the idea of trade-offs in order to deliver more realistic predictions.
	The paradoxical role of 'humanness' in aggression toward conversational agents Virtual assistants, so-called chatbots, have become an integral part of many company websites and are playing an increasingly important corporate role. A study by TU Dresden published in the Journal of Management Information Systems has investigated whether errors made by chatbots lead to aggressive behavior among their users and what influence users' perceived humanness of the virtual assistants has on their reactions.
	Enhancing radiative cooling with aperture mirror structures In a world where rising temperatures increase the demand for cooling, traditional air conditioning (AC) systems contribute significantly to global energy consumption. They also heat Earth overall: to cool down a certain volume of space (e.g., a room), AC systems typically dump heat nearby (e.g., outside the house). Seeking sustainable alternatives, researchers have turned to radiative cooling—a passive, zero-energy cooling method. Radiative cooling irreversibly removes heat to outer space, so from the point of view of Earth, it's a net cooling effect.
	Musk vs. Brazil Supreme Court: five things to know X owner Elon Musk is under investigation in Brazil after he accused a Supreme Court judge of censoring social networks, calling him a "dictator" and vowing to disobey rulings blocking users found to be spreading disinformation.
	ByteDance profits jump 60%, beating tech rivals: Bloomberg The profits of TikTok owner ByteDance jumped around 60 percent in 2023, Bloomberg reported Wednesday citing sources, beating online rivals Tencent and Alibaba.
	New Binance chief stresses importance of compliance The new CEO of the world's top crypto platform stressed the importance of regulatory compliance for Binance's future success, months after its former chief executive pleaded guilty to violating US anti-money laundering laws and it paid $4.3 billion to settle charges.
	Delta eyes record Q2 on still-strong demand Delta Air Lines reported another round of strong earnings on Wednesday as it forecast a record second quarter based on consistently strong travel appetite.
	Oil bosses call phasing out fossil fuels a 'fantasy'—but an international agreement is plausible Amin Nasser, chief executive of the world's largest oil company Saudi Aramco, recently called on nations to "abandon the fantasy" to phase out fossil fuels, adding that the transition to renewable energy sources is "visibly failing." However, the latest science on climate change is unequivocal: the world must eliminate fossil fuel-based energy systems—and fast.
	RVAM16: A low-cost multiple-ISA processor based on RISC-V and ARM thumb The increasing demand in the embedded field has led to the emergence of several impressive Instruction Set Architectures (ISAs). However, when processors migrate from one ISA to another, software compatibility issues are unavoidable.
	How can humans and machines work in harmony? Through collaboration, says supply chain expert There's a quote Nada Sanders, a Northeastern distinguished professor of supply chain management, likes to share when discussing the collision of artificial intelligence and enterprise.
	Advancing brain-inspired computing with hybrid neural networks The human brain, with its remarkable general intelligence and exceptional efficiency in power consumption, serves as a constant inspiration and aspiration for the field of artificial intelligence. Drawing insights from the brain's fundamental structure and information processing mechanisms, brain-inspired computing has emerged as a new computational paradigm, poised to steer artificial intelligence from specialized domains towards broader applications in general intelligence.
	Researcher: The quantum computer doesn't exist yet, but we are better understanding what problems it can solve How do we know what a quantum computer is good for when it hasn't been built yet? That's what Ph.D. candidate Casper Gyurik investigated by combining two terms you often hear: quantum computing and machine learning.

Chemistry news

	A microbial plastic factory for high-quality green plastic Engineered bacteria can produce a plastic modifier that makes renewably sourced plastic more processable, more fracture-resistant and highly biodegradable even in seawater. The Kobe University development provides a platform for the industrial-scale, tunable production of a material that holds great potential for turning the plastic industry green.
	Research uncovers why urine sprayed by cats emits a pungent odor Cats communicate with others through their scents. One of their scent-marking behaviors is spraying urine on vertical surfaces such as walls and furniture. Although spraying plays an essential role in the feline world, it often poses challenges for pet owners because of its strong and pungent odor. Consequently, the website is overflowing with posts discussing the issue of cat spraying.
	New molecular device unlocks potential for targeted drug delivery and self-healing materials In a new breakthrough that could revolutionize medical and material engineering, scientists have developed a first-of-its-kind molecular device that controls the release of multiple small molecules using force.
	A promising target for new RNA therapeutics now accessible Only recently, a new era in medicine began with the first RNA vaccines. These active substances are modified RNAs that trigger immune responses of the human immune system. Another approach in RNA medicine targets the body's own RNA and its protein modulators by specifically tailored active substances.
	The science of static shock jolted into the 21st century Shuffling across the carpet to zap a friend may be the oldest trick in the book, but on a deep level that prank still mystifies scientists, even after thousands of years of study.
	New spectrometer helps identify alternative catalyst materials for affordable hydrogen fuel cells Fuel cells are quickly becoming a viable, clean energy alternative to commonly used fossil fuels, such as gasoline, coal, and oil. Fossil fuels are non-renewable energy resources that release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
	New strategy for assessing the applicability of reactions Chemists often develop and optimize new chemical reactions using so-called model systems, i.e., simple, easily accessible substrates. They then use up to around 100 other substrates as examples to show that the reaction works. This demonstration of versatile applicability is called "scope" in technical jargon.
	Using CO₂ and biomass, researchers find path to more environmentally friendly recyclable plastics Modern life relies on plastic. This lightweight, adaptable product is a cornerstone of packaging, medical equipment, the aerospace and automotive industries and more. But plastic waste remains a problem as it degrades in landfills and pollutes oceans.
	Researchers are developing body armor made from silk—but this apparently cutting-edge idea is centuries old Separate teams of Chinese and American scientists are reported to be developing body armor using the silk from genetically modified silkworms. The researchers modified the genes of silkworms to make them produce spider silk instead of their own silk.
	Recent advances in application of polysaccharides in cosmetics With the increasing application of natural ingredients in the cosmetics industry, the beneficial properties of natural polysaccharides have been effectively harnessed. Certain polysaccharides exhibit superior moisturizing capabilities compared to hyaluronic acid, while others demonstrate whitening effects equivalent to arbutin. As such, the application and development of some polysaccharides are expected to replace some artificial and expensive traditional cosmetics.
	Polysaccharide-based membranes with high wet mechanical properties for bone repair Currently, membrane materials play an important role in tissue repair, especially polysaccharide-based membranes, attracting much attention due to their excellent biological properties. However, poor mechanical properties of polysaccharide-based membranes under wet conditions severely limit their in vivo applications. The fabrication of polysaccharide-based membranes with both robust wet mechanical properties and excellent biological properties remains challenging and is worth exploring.

Biology news

	Deforestation harms biodiversity of the Amazon's perfume-loving orchid bees A survey of orchid bees in the Brazilian Amazon state of Rondônia, carried out in the 1990s, is shedding new light on the impact of deforestation on the scent-collecting pollinators, which some view as bellwethers of biodiversity in the neotropics.
	Researchers discover how we perceive bitter taste Humans can sense five different tastes: sour, sweet, umami, bitter, and salty, using specialized sensors on our tongues called taste receptors. Other than allowing us to enjoy delicious foods, the sensation of taste allows us to determine the chemical makeup of food and prevents us from consuming toxic substances.
	Scientists reconstruct assembly of the human centriole, image by image, for the first time Cells contain various specialized structures—such as the nucleus, mitochondria or peroxisomes—known as "organelles." Tracing their genesis and determining their structure is fundamental to understanding cell function and the pathologies linked to their dysfunction.
	Global collaboration discovers drug target to combat chronic lung infection Scientists have discovered a target for the development of a drug to combat a bacterium that can cause chronic lung infection in hospitalized patients, immunocompromised individuals and people with cystic fibrosis.
	New protein imaging method supports the design of innovative new cancer drugs Scientists have successfully used a new imaging technique to determine the structure and interactions of a protein complex that plays a significant part in the initiation and progression of cancer. They showed that it was possible to use a high-resolution form of cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) to gain a better insight into how the protein complex binds to inhibitor drug molecules.
	Certified timber harvesting of tropical forests proves beneficial for gorillas and elephants Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)-certified timber harvesting areas in Gabon and Congo boast a greater abundance of larger mammals, such as leopards, gorillas, and elephants, than non-FSC forests.
	Single-crop farming has potential to harm bees, study finds Mass-blooming, monoculture crop fields don't seem to reduce the microbial diversity in a bee's gut, University of Oregon researchers have found in a study of sunflower farms, but they do amplify the spread of infectious parasites.
	3D mouth of an ancient jawless fish suggests they were filter-feeders, not scavengers or hunters Early jawless fish were likely to have used bony projections surrounding their mouths to modify their mouth shape while they collected food.
	Fossilized dinosaur eggshells can preserve amino acids, the building blocks of proteins, over millions of years As a scientist, lab work can sometimes get monotonous. But in 2017, while a Ph.D. student of paleobiology at the University of Bristol in the U.K., I heard a gleeful exclamation from across the room. Kirsty Penkman, head of the North East Amino Acid Racemization lab at the University of York, had just read the data printed off the chromatograms and was practically jumping up and down.
	Caterpillar 'noses' are surprisingly sophisticated, researchers find Caterpillars have the ability to consume copious amounts of plant materials in a short time. Caterpillars use their antennae to scan their surroundings in order to eat safely in a hostile environment. Researchers of Wageningen University & Research discovered that the tiny caterpillar 'nose' is also surprisingly advanced. This insight can serve to help protect crops without the use of harmful pesticides.
	Ants in Colorado are on the move due to climate change Over the past 60 years, climate change has forced certain ant species, unable to tolerate higher temperatures, out of their original habitats in Gregory Canyon near Boulder, Colorado, according to a new research published April 9 in the journal Ecology.
	Smart vest turns fish into underwater spies, providing a glimpse into aquatic life like never before Traditional techniques for observing fish behavior, largely dependent on vision-based systems, face substantial limitations, such as a confined range of observation and a limited duration of operation underwater. In response to these challenges, a research team from the National University of Defense Technology has pioneered a wearable electronic device that adeptly captures disturbances in the water flow caused by the movements of fish.
	Long-term forest study shows tornado's effects linger 25 years later A long-term study at the University of Cincinnati has documented the rise of invasive species in a forest devastated by a tornado 25 years ago.
	Precision agriculture research identifies gene that controls production of flowers and fruits in pea plants The end of the reproductive period, when flowers and fruits are produced, is a crucial moment in plants' life cycles. However, the factors that control this process must be better understood.
	Flowers may be more ancient than dinosaurs, but scientists can't agree on when they evolved Flowers may look delicate—but flowering plants, what scientists call angiosperms, are one of the most successful evolutionary organisms on the planet. Including more than 350,000 known species, they dominate the ecological system, shape food webs and play a vital role in oxygen production. Plus, many of them are valuable commercial crops—think of roses, grains and tomatoes.
	West Africa's falling fish stocks: Illegal Chinese trawlers, climate change and artisanal fishing fleets to blame Average fish catches by traditional fishing communities along the west African coast have declined significantly over the past three decades.
	Tiny weevils are waging war on the invasive water lettuce plant choking South Africa's Vaal River Water lettuce (Pistia stratiotes L.), also known as Nile cabbage, is a free-floating aquatic plant from the family Araceae, the same family as the arum lily.
	Wind energy and bat conservation: Scientists call for the global application of measures to reduce fatalities The construction of wind turbines as a cornerstone for the production of climate-friendly electricity is rapidly increasing all over the world—and everywhere this results in major challenges for bats, which die directly at the turbines or lose valuable habitats in their vicinity.
	New report 'braids' Indigenous and Western knowledge for forest adaptation strategies against climate change There are 154 national forests in the United States, covering nearly 300,000 square miles of forests, woodlands, shrublands, wetlands, meadows, and prairies. These lands are increasingly recognized as vital for supporting a broad diversity of plant and animal life, for water and nutrient cycling, and for the human communities that depend on forests and find cultural and spiritual significance within them.
	Experts determine best way to breed frogs in captivity Frogs belong to a group of animals called amphibians—the most endangered group of species on the planet. Two out of every five amphibian species are currently threatened with extinction, and this figure is rising.
	River restoration is encouraging Atlantic salmon to return to heart of the UK For the first time in 100 years, Atlantic salmon are once again spawning in the upper waters of the River Derwent.

Medicine and Health news

	AI makes retinal imaging 100 times faster, compared to manual method Researchers at the National Institutes of Health have applied artificial intelligence (AI) to a technique that produces high-resolution images of cells in the eye. They report that with AI, imaging is 100 times faster and improves image contrast 3.5-fold. The advance, they say, will provide researchers with a better tool to evaluate age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and other retinal diseases.
	Connecting lab-grown brain cells provides insight into how our own brains work The idea of growing functioning human brain-like tissues in a dish has always sounded far-fetched, even to researchers in the field. Towards the future goal, a Japanese and French research team has developed a technique for connecting lab-grown brain-mimicking tissue in a way that resembles circuits in our brain.
	Study highlights impact of aldehydes on DNA damage and aging A team of researchers at Nagoya University in Japan has discovered that aldehydes are metabolic byproducts associated with premature aging. Published in Nature Cell Biology, their findings reveal insights into premature aging diseases and potential strategies to combat aging in healthy individuals such as controlling exposure to aldehyde-inducing substances including alcohol, pollution, and smoke.
	Analysis finds mixed diets balance nutrition and reduce carbon footprints What we eat can impact our health as well as the environment. Many studies have looked at the impacts of diets in very general terms focused at the level of food groups. A new study led by researchers at the University of Tokyo explores this issue following a more nuanced dish-level approach. The research is published in the journal Science Advances.
	Scientists flag previously overlooked type of immune cell as suspected source of severe COVID-19 The lung-cell type that's most susceptible to infection by SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, is not the one previously assumed to be most vulnerable. What's more, the virus enters this susceptible cell via an unexpected route. The medical consequences may be significant.
	Industry gifts may influence which cardiac device is used in common lifesaving procedure Physicians who received payments from the manufacturer of a specific set of cardiac devices are more likely to use those devices, often during a common procedure to unblock coronary arteries, according to a research letter published in JAMA authored by researchers from the University of Pittsburgh, University of California, San Francisco, Yale University and the University of Connecticut.
	Living near green space associated with fewer emotional problems in preschool-age kids, study finds Children who live in areas with natural spaces (e.g., forests, parks, backyards) from birth may experience fewer emotional issues between the ages of 2 and 5, according to a study published in JAMA Network Open.
	'Deaths of despair' among Black Americans surpassed those of white Americans in 2022 A new analysis by researchers at UCLA Health found that mortality rates of middle-aged Black Americans caused by the "deaths of despair"—suicide, drug overdose and alcoholic liver disease—surpassed the rate of white Americans in 2022. Native Americans also had more than double the rate of both Black and white Americans that year.
	Newly found genetic variant defends against Alzheimer's disease Columbia researchers have discovered a genetic variant that reduces the odds of developing Alzheimer's disease by up to 70% and may be protecting thousands of people in the United States from the disease. The study, "Rare genetic variation in Fibronectin 1 (FN1) protects against APOEε4 in Alzheimer's disease," was published online in the journal Acta Neuropathologica.
	Researchers identify protein that controls CAR T cell longevity CAR T cell therapy has revolutionized the way certain types of cancer are treated, and the longer those CAR T cells live in a patient's body, the more effectively they respond to cancer. Now, in a new study, researchers at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and Stanford Medicine have found that a protein called FOXO1 improves the survival and function of CAR T cells, which may lead to more effective CAR T cell therapies and could potentially expand its use in difficult-to-treat cancers. The findings were published online in Nature.
	Serious flu damage prevented by compound that blocks unnecessary cell death As lung cells are killed by the influenza virus, they burst open, releasing molecular signals that trigger the immune cells that can combat the infection. This strategy can be an important red flag that something is wrong; however, if one cell death response, called necroptosis, continues unchecked, it can cause life-threatening injury to lung tissue.
	New AI tool creates virtual model of the infant microbiome and predicts neurodevelopmental deficits The gut microbiome has a profound impact on the health and development of infants. Research shows that dysbiosis—or imbalances in the microbial community—is associated with gastrointestinal diseases and neurodevelopmental deficits. Understanding how gut bacteria interact, and how these interactions may lead to some of these problems, however, is difficult and time consuming through traditional laboratory experiments.
	Researchers develop first ever clinically-validated natural supplement to prevent postpartum blues A new study published in eClinicalMedicine has confirmed that a novel natural supplement—invented, researched, developed and commercialized at the Center for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH)—prevents postpartum blues, and reduces symptoms of postpartum depression over the following six months after giving birth.
	New insight into combating drug-resistant prostate cancer Recent research from the University of Eastern Finland sheds light on the significance of the glucocorticoid receptor in drug-resistant prostate cancer, showing that the development of drug resistance could be prevented by limiting the activity of coregulator proteins.
	Certain personality traits possibly linked to increased risk of depression A small team of psychiatrists and psychologists from The Nathan S. Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, the University of Cambridge, the Albert Einstein College of Medicine and the University of Virginia has found that certain personality traits may put people at a higher risk of developing depression.
	Scientists identify pro-aging 'sugar signature' in the blood of people living with HIV The Wistar Institute's associate professor Mohamed Abdel-Mohsen, Ph.D., along with his team and collaborators, has identified sugar abnormalities in the blood that may promote biological aging and inflammation in people living with HIV (PLWH). The findings, taken from a large data study comprising more than 1,200 participants, are detailed in the new paper, "Immunoglobulin G N-glycan Markers of Accelerated Biological Aging During Chronic HIV Infection," published in the journal Nature Communications.
	Researchers explore role of androgens in shaping sex differences Sex differences are widespread across human development, physiological processes, and diseases, making it important to characterize the impact of sex differences in these areas. Understanding the regulatory mechanisms associated with these differences, including the role of androgens, is also vital for clinical translation—especially for diseases more prevalent in one sex.
	Neuroscience study taps into brain network patterns to understand deep focus, attention From completing puzzles and playing music, to reading and exercising, growing up Dolly Seeburger loved activities that demanded her full attention. "It was in those times that I felt most content, like I was in the zone," she remembers. "Hours would pass, but it would feel like minutes."
	Researchers identify neurons responsible for key activity transition in brain development Scientists at the Center for Developmental Neurobiology and MRC Center for Neurodevelopmental Disorders published a study titled "Somatostatin interneurons control the timing of developmental desynchronization in cortical networks" in Neuron that identified two types of interneurons, the inhibitory neurons of the brain, as instructors of a key developmental process in the brain.
	Cockayne syndrome: New insights into cellular DNA repair mechanism Cockayne syndrome is a severe autosomal recessive disorder caused by defective DNA repair mechanisms. People with the disease have much reduced life expectancy and suffer from facial deformities; growth failure; neurological, cognitive, and sensory impairments; bone, joint, and muscle deformities; kidney problems; and premature aging.
	AI-assisted breast-cancer screening may reduce unnecessary testing Using artificial intelligence (AI) to supplement radiologists' evaluations of mammograms may improve breast-cancer screening by reducing false positives without missing cases of cancer, according to a study by researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and Whiterabbit.ai, a Silicon Valley-based technology startup.
	How the body switches out of 'fight' mode: Study shows hormones reprogram metabolism of immune cells Cortisone and other related glucocorticoids are extremely effective at curbing excessive immune reactions. But previously, astonishingly little was known about how they exactly do that. A team of researchers from Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Uniklinikum Erlangen and Ulm University have now explored the molecular mechanism of action in greater detail.
	Study suggests liquid biopsy could detect and monitor aggressive small-cell lung cancer A new lab assay developed by researchers at Fred Hutch Cancer Center could make diagnosis and treatment of small-cell lung cancer and non-small cell lung cancer easier. The work is published in the journal Science Advances.
	Researchers find new origin of deep brain waves University of California, Irvine biomedical engineering researchers have uncovered a previously unknown source of two key brain waves crucial for deep sleep: slow waves and sleep spindles. Traditionally believed to originate from one brain circuit linking the thalamus and cortex, the team's findings, published in Scientific Reports, suggest that the axons in memory centers of the hippocampus play a role.
	'Virtual biopsy' lets clinicians analyze skin noninvasively The next time you have a suspicious-looking mole on your back, your dermatologist may be able to skip the scalpel and instead scan the spot with a noninvasive "virtual biopsy" to determine whether it contains any cancerous cells. Similarly, surgeons trying to determine whether they have removed all of a breast tumor may eventually rely on an image captured during surgery rather than wait for a pathologist to process the excised tissue.
	Why some people with rheumatoid arthritis have pain without inflammation Treatment for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has come a long way in recent years. In many cases, a battery of medications can now successfully calm the inflammatory cells that cause swelling and pain when they infiltrate tissues around the joints.
	How a new drug prototype regenerates lung tissue Pulmonary diseases are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. For many progressive lung diseases like idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a key issue is a low supply of new stem cells to repair and reverse damage. These cells are responsible for regenerating and increasing the growth of healthy tissue—without them, lung function decreases and a range of severe illnesses can take hold.
	Popular diabetes drugs do not increase thyroid cancer risk, study suggests Drugs known as GLP-1 analogs have become increasingly popular to treat diabetes and obesity, but there have been concerns that they might increase the risk of thyroid cancer. Now an extensive Scandinavian study led by researchers at Karolinska Institutet has found no evidence of such a link. The study is published in The BMJ.
	Xylazine has infiltrated the UK's illicit drug market Xylazine, a powerful animal tranquilizer linked to horrific side effects, is now widespread in the UK illicit drug market.
	Researcher says the future of organ transplantation is nearly here Speaking today at the Annual Meeting and Scientific Sessions of the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation (ISHLT) in Prague, Muhammad Mohiuddin, MBBS, said xenotransplantation, hailed as the future of organ transplantation, is poised to become a clinical reality within the next several years.
	AI will provide heart transplant surgeons with new decision-making data, say researchers Artificial intelligence will significantly impact the heart transplantation process by helping physicians better assess the complex factors impacting patient outcomes, according to researchers at today's Annual Meeting and Scientific Sessions of the International Society of Heart and Lung Transplantation (ISHLT) in Prague.
	Researchers find current evidence for puberty blockers and hormone treatment for gender transition is inadequate The evidence on the use of puberty blockers and hormones for children and young people experiencing gender related distress is wholly inadequate, making it impossible to gauge their effectiveness or their impact on mental and physical health, find two systematic reviews of the available research, published in the Archives of Disease in Childhood.
	Advancements in durable mechanical circulatory support devices add years for heart failure patients The same technology that enables a bullet train to travel at speeds up to 200 mph without touching its rails now keeps a failing heart pumping—and in the near future, it will do so via a wireless power connection. Mandeep R. Mehra, MD, FRCP described the cutting-edge heart pump and other advances in mechanical circulatory support (MCS) today at the Annual Meeting and Scientific Sessions of the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation (ISHLT) in Prague.
	Treating gum disease after heart rhythm ablation reduces risk of AFib recurrence, study finds Treating gum disease in the three months after a procedure to correct an irregular heartbeat known as atrial fibrillation (AFib) may lower oral inflammation and may reduce AFib recurrence, according to new research published today in the Journal of the American Heart Association.
	Could novel immune cell therapy combat hepatitis B infections? Chronic infection with the hepatitis B virus (HBV) causes progressive liver problems, and eradication of the virus remains a formidable challenge.
	Research suggests probiotics plus vitamin D supplements may benefit people with schizophrenia Previous studies have questioned whether gut microbe imbalances and vitamin D deficiency may be linked to schizophrenia.
	Artificial intelligence techniques can help clinicians assess and treat patients with bone fractures Investigators have applied artificial intelligence techniques to gait analyses and medical records data to provide insights about individuals with leg fractures and aspects of their recovery.
	Company that made millions of defective sleep apnea machines ordered to overhaul manufacturing The company responsible for a global recall of sleep apnea machines will be barred from resuming production at U.S. facilities until it meets a number of safety requirements, under a long-awaited settlement announced Tuesday by federal officials.
	Study leverages artificial intelligence to predict risk of bedsores in hospitalized patients Bedsores—also known as pressure injuries—are the fastest rising hospital-acquired condition, according to the U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research in Quality, and as a result have become the second most common reason for medical malpractice suits in the United States.
	Respiratory allergies: Newly discovered molecule plays a major role in triggering inflammation The inflammation process plays a crucial role in allergic respiratory diseases, such as asthma and allergic rhinitis. Although the pulmonary epithelium, the carpet of cells that forms the inner surface of the lungs, is recognized as a major player in the respiratory inflammation that causes these diseases, the underlying mechanisms are still poorly understood.
	Study finds survivors of severe COVID face persistent health problems lasting more than a year UC San Francisco researchers examined COVID-19 patients across the United States who survived some of the longest and most harrowing battles with the virus and found that about two-thirds still had physical, psychiatric, and cognitive problems for up to a year later.
	Looking at the environment around tumors could help predict how cancer spreads Examining the immune cells in the environment around a tumor could help to predict how a person's cancer might progress and respond to treatment, according to new research led by UCL and the Francis Crick Institute.
	New mechanism discovered for life-threatening arrhythmias in Andersen-Tawil syndrome A team at the Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC) has made a breakthrough discovery in the understanding of cardiac arrhythmias by unraveling the complexities of Andersen-Tawil syndrome (ATS), an extremely rare inherited cardiac disorder.
	Revascularization may enhance quality of life for patients with chronic limb threatening ischemia A new study reveals diminished quality of life among patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia, a severe form of peripheral artery disease, and emphasizes the benefits of revascularization on well-being.
	Researchers advance understanding of Parkinson's disease Researchers have for the first time identified critical targets in the molecular signature of Parkinson's disease across different stages of the disease's progression.
	Four-part nutrition intervention program reduces adolescent malnutrition in Tanzania Adolescence is an important period of life for healthy growth. Malnutrition during this seminal period may have long-term adverse effects on health and development. In sub-Saharan Africa, there is a lack of nutrition programming for adolescents. Adolescent malnutrition represents an urgent issue in sub-Saharan Africa, which has a long history of undernutrition and a rising issue of overweight and obesity.
	New guidelines uphold lifelong competency of surgeons As millions of Americans approach age 66, they face the inevitable question, is it time to retire? The physician population is aging alongside the general population—more than 40% of physicians in the U.S. will be 65 years or older within the next decade. In the case of surgeons, there is little guidance on how to best ensure their competency throughout their career and at the same time maintain patient safety while preserving physician dignity.
	Study finds the time of day you move your body makes a difference to your health Undertaking the majority of daily physical activity in the evening is linked to the greatest health benefits for people living with obesity, according to researchers from the University of Sydney, Australia who followed the trajectory of 30,000 people over almost eight years.
	Study suggests racial discrimination during midlife associated with Alzheimer's disease pathology later in life Racial discrimination experienced during midlife is associated with Alzheimer's disease pathology, according to a new study from researchers at Wake Forest University School of Medicine and the University of Georgia.
	Women aged older than 65 years may be able to safely continue taking hormone therapy After the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) in 2002, many women have resisted taking hormone therapy (HT), especially after age 65 years, because of fears of increased risks for various cancers and heart disease. A new study shows that those fears may be unfounded, depending on the type, route, and dose of HT. Results of the study are published online in Menopause in a paper titled "Use of menopausal hormone therapy beyond age 65 years and its effects on women's health outcomes by types, routes, and doses."
	Performance on some cognitive tasks is better predicted by gender identity than by sex assigned at birth, finds study Many studies have found sex differences in cognitive abilities. In general, women outperform men on verbal and fine motor tasks, while men outperform women on spatial orientation and mental rotation tasks.
	Study finds weak link between adolescent media use and psychotic experiences in adulthood As digital media becomes an increasing part of daily life for teens, the question of how heightened screen time will impact their brains in the future is becoming more pressing.
	Working conditions can explain educational differences in heart disease mortality Researchers from the Institute of Environmental Medicine at Karolinska Institutet have found that low influence and opportunities for development at work (job control) and heavy physical workload are important explanatory factors for educational disparities in all-cause and heart disease mortality.
	Psychiatric research uses linguistics models to analyze game play and listen in on ways environment shapes interaction When Sydney Sun decided to transcribe 100 hours of audio recordings, she had no idea what would come of the effort. The recordings had been made by parents as they played games with their child, part of a research study being conducted by the Emotion, Development, Environment, and Neurogenetics (EDEN) lab run by Rebecca Waller, an assistant professor of psychology and Sun's supervisor. Sun wanted to know whether the games affected the language the children used, and whether this effect might vary in children with behavioral problems.
	Sepsis signature shifts speed of diagnosis Sepsis and septic shock patients could experience faster diagnosis and better outcomes thanks to new Western Australian research.
	End of internet subsidies for low-income households threatens telehealth access For Cindy Westman, $30 buys a week's worth of gas to drive to medical appointments and run errands. It's also how much she spent on her monthly internet bill before the federal Affordable Connectivity Program stepped in and covered her payments.
	Oncologist suggests three ways to prevent head and neck cancer Throat cancer is one of the fastest-growing cancers, and it is often linked to HPV. Oropharyngeal cancer, or throat cancer, is a type of head and neck cancer that can be divided into two subgroups: HPV-associated cancers and non-HPV-associated cancers. And depending on the type of subgroup, they are treated differently.
	Affordable Care Act plans are being switched without enrollees' OK Some consumers covered by Affordable Care Act insurance plans are being switched from one plan to another without their express permission, potentially leaving them unable to see their doctors or fill prescriptions. Some face large IRS bills for back taxes.
	Drugs like Ozempic won't 'cure' obesity but they might make us more fat-phobic Many have declared drugs like Ozempic could "end obesity" by reducing the appetite and waistlines of millions of people around the world.
	EPA sets strict limit on PFAS 'forever chemicals' in US drinking water The Environmental Protection Agency announced Wednesday that it has finalized a first-ever rule that will drastically lower the amount of PFAS, also known as "forever chemicals," in the nation's drinking water.
	Bioactive retinol efficacious for improving signs of photoaging Stabilized bioactive retinol is efficacious for improving signs of photoaging, without causing major irritation, according to a study published in the April issue of the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology.
	Prevalence of type 1 diabetes steady in youth, adults Nearly four in every 1,000 U.S. youths and five in every 1,000 U.S. adults reported having type 1 diabetes from 2019 through 2022, according to a research letter published online April 4 in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
	FDA approves Abecma for relapsed, refractory multiple myeloma The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved Abecma (idecabtagene vicleucel) as a personalized CAR T-cell therapy for triple-class exposed relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma.
	Evidence doesn't support spinal cord stimulators for chronic back pain—and they could cause harm, say researchers In an episode of ABC's "Four Corners" this week, the use of spinal cord stimulators for chronic back pain was brought into question.
	One in seven drug supply chain issue reports tied to drug shortages One in seven reports of drug supply chain issues are associated with drug shortages, according to a study published online April 5 in JAMA Network Open.
	Family caregivers can help shape the outcomes for their loved ones—an ICU nurse explains their vital role The floor nurse had just told me that my new patient—let's call her Marie—would not stop screaming.
	Lies about birth control are propagating on social media—here are the facts Social media is full of bad advice when it comes to your health. With so much of this content created by influencers who don't actually have medical qualifications, it's no wonder that misinformation about health spreads so easily online.
	How to keep your kidneys healthy, and how to spot when things are going wrong Healthy kidneys are vital to your well-being. As well as getting rid of waste from your body in your pee, they also have a role in controlling blood pressure, keeping your blood count high and keeping your bones healthy. To keep your kidneys healthy there are several things you can do to help yourself.
	Drinking apple cider vinegar may help with weight loss but its health benefits are overstated Each morning at breakfast, my partner gives me orange juice that tastes more sour than expected. One day, she explained that she adds apple cider vinegar to improve my health.
	More than half a million global stroke deaths may be tied to climate change A changing climate may be linked to growing death and disability from stroke in regions around the world, according to a study published in the April 10, 2024, online issue of Neurology.
	Brain stimulation treatment may improve depression, anxiety in older adults A noninvasive brain stimulation treatment improved depression and anxiety symptoms among older adults in a new University of Florida-led study.
	Weight training improves symptoms of anxiety and depression in old people, study confirms Weight training can help reduce body fat and increase muscle strength and mass in older people, contributing to functional autonomy and avoidance of falls and injury. Furthermore, recent studies have shown that it can also benefit the mental health of older people, especially those who suffer from anxiety and depression.
	Characterization of mutational 'coldspots' in the cancer genome Mutations are the changes in the DNA that gradually occur in human cells as they replicate, and the organism grows and ages. Some of these changes, particularly when they occur in genes, can be instrumental during the development of cancer.
	New study says obese and overweight children at risk of iron deficiency Children and young people who are overweight or obese are at significantly higher risk of iron deficiency, according to a study by nutritional scientists at the University of Leeds.
	Thinking outside the doctor's office: Poll looks at older adults' use of urgent care, retail clinics and more When today's older adults were growing up, urgent care centers and clinics inside retail stores didn't exist. But most of them have now embraced these non-traditional sites for getting medical care, a new national poll finds.
	Focusing on built environments over muscles and gears can boost athletic performance The field of sports science has gained significant momentum in recent years, with the primary goal of research being directed towards optimizing athletic performance. However, achieving this goal is currently challenging, primarily due to the presence of various factors such as physical workouts, mental attention, nutrition, and resilience, which all play crucial roles.
	Modeling viral evolution: A novel computational model with application to SARS-CoV-2 dynamics Understanding the mutation and evolution of viruses (such as SARS-CoV-2) is crucial for effective public health management and response. Traditional epidemiological models often assume that viral transmissibility and pathogenicity remain constant during disease transmission, ignoring the fact that viruses continuously evolve through natural selection and random mutations. This simplification limits the accuracy of these models in predicting epidemic trends, especially when facing rapidly mutating viruses.
	Ultra-processed foods found to pose risk for respiratory diseases New research by SAHMRI and the University of Adelaide has shown a diet high in ultra-processed foods (UPF) significantly increases the risk of death from chronic respiratory diseases.
	The surprising ways your siblings and your health may be linked Anybody who has worn a hand-me-down, shared a bathroom or survived a long car trip with a brother or a sister knows that siblings can affect your life in nearly every way possible.
	On teens, nutrition, and exercise: How to encourage healthy habits Ask a teenager whether they're eating healthy or getting enough exercise, and you might get a blank look.
	Resistant starch could help combat leading cause of end-stage kidney failure Combining a low dose of blood pressure medication with a higher intake of dietary-resistant starch might help stave off diabetic kidney disease, according to results from a new animal study. Kidney disease is a common diabetes complication and the leading cause of end-stage kidney failure. Researchers presented their work at the American Physiology Summit, held April 4–7 in Long Beach, California.
	Research uncovers differences between the sexes in sleep, circadian rhythms and metabolism A new review of research evidence has explored the key differences in how women and men sleep, variations in their body clocks, and how this affects their metabolism.
	'An epidemic of loneliness': How the COVID-19 pandemic changed life for older adults Years after the U.S. began to slowly emerge from mandatory COVID-19 lockdowns, more than half of older adults still spend more time at home and less time socializing in public spaces than they did pre-pandemic, according to new University of Colorado Boulder research.
	Filling in genomic blanks for disease studies works better for some groups than others Understanding how genetics affect health is an essential first step toward treating and preventing a host of diseases. New knowledge often comes from genome-wide association studies identifying variations in the genetic code linked with conditions such as cancer and autoimmune disease. The more people's DNA and health histories that are examined in such research, the more likely genetic and biological insights can be garnered.
	Preventive ablation of ventricular tachycardia avoids shocks and hospitalization, finds clinical trial The first randomized trial to investigate preventive ablation of a potential arrhythmogenic substrate associated with coronary chronic total occlusion (CTO) in patients at high risk of ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) reduces the risk of appropriate implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) therapy and unplanned hospitalization in patients with no previously recorded VAs. The late-breaking science was presented at EHRA 2024, a scientific congress of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC).
	With cancer cases rising in young people, could earlier screenings help save lives? Cancer cases are increasing among young people, with rising instances of colorectal cancer in people under age 55 and cervical cancer diagnoses ticking up for women ages 33 to 44, according to the American Cancer Society.
	Navigation software supports kidney research Chronic inflammatory kidney diseases cause serious illnesses, including complete kidney failure, which must be treated with extensive regular blood washing or kidney transplantation. Most of these diseases manifest themselves through protein excretion in the urine. This is because the millions of small filters in the kidneys, known as glomeruli, are damaged and therefore no longer retain protein.
	Research team discovers new way to generate human cartilage University of Montana researchers and their partners have found a new method to generate human cartilage of the head and neck. Mark Grimes, a biology professor in UM's Division of Biological Sciences, said they have induced stem cells to become the cell type that normally makes up human craniofacial cartilage. Stem cells can replicate themselves and also develop into different types of cells.
	Researchers show chemical found naturally in cannabis may reduce anxiety-inducing effects of THC A Johns Hopkins Medicine-led research team has added to evidence that a chemical found naturally in cannabis (also known as marijuana) can—in the right amounts—lessen the anxiety-inducing effects of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the primary psychoactive sister chemical found in cannabis. The finding has the potential to advance the medicinal use of THC and reduce the risks of its recreational use in some people.
	Pharmacy researchers examine trends in rising cost of medicine Newly published research from the University of Houston College of Pharmacy reveals an alarming trend in diabetic medication expenditures. While pharmaceutical spending in the U.S. has long been recognized as higher than in other affluent nations, diabetic medications, including insulin, are now at the forefront of this surge in prescription drug costs.
	ChatGPT could help reduce vaccine hesitancy and provide helpful advice on STIs New research being presented at this year's ESCMID Global Congress (formerly ECCMID) in Barcelona, Spain (27–30 April) suggests that the free-to-use, widely accessible ChatGPT could be an effective tool to help reduce vaccine hesitancy among the general public, as well as providing helpful advice on sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in conjunction with sexual health clinics, by improving knowledge and access to care.
	Study identifies factors that affect antibiotic prescribing for acne Multiple salient factors affect long-term antibiotic prescribing practices for acne, according to a study published in JAMA Dermatology.
	Using 3D ultrasound to improve monitoring of dangerous aneurysms During her doctoral research, Esther Maas investigated the use of new ultrasound techniques to image dangerous aortic aneurysms for patient-specific care.
	Geraniol attenuates oxidative stress and cognitive impairment in mouse aging model A new research paper titled "Geraniol attenuates oxidative stress and neuroinflammation-mediated cognitive impairment in D galactose-induced mouse aging model" has been published in Aging.
	Experiencing racial discrimination impacts the mental health of teens in the U.S. justice system A new study by Southern Methodist University psychologists and a researchers from the University of Washington shows that interpersonal racial discrimination and other forms of violence can impact the mental health of adolescents in the justice system.
	Research team reports on effect of mobile phone use in parent-child interactions Preschoolers who use mobile devices more frequently have lower quality and quantity of parent-child interaction than their peers who do not use them. Researchers from the Alpha Generation Lab at the Department of Ethology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, hypothesized that mobile phone use takes time away from and interferes with social activities, thereby degrading the quality of time spent together, according to their article published in the journal Frontiers in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.
	A new screening protocol can detect aggressive prostate cancers more selectively Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men. As a cause of men's cancer death, it ranks the second in Finland and the third in Europe.
	Study advances understanding of liver immune response in cirrhosis The Department of Clinical Medicine at the Miguel Hernández University of Elche (UMH) leads research on the immune system's role in advanced chronic liver disease. Through various experiments on mouse cirrhosis models and human tissues, researchers have examined how the protein LSECtin interacts with the liver's immune response.
	Midwife continuity of care model linked to positive experiences during pregnancy Increasing midwifery continuity of care has been identified as a key priority for maternity services in the United Kingdom (UK). Published today in Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, a study led by Professor Jane Sandall and colleagues, which builds on previous research, compares how outcomes for women and their babies who received a midwife continuity of care model differed from other models of care.
	Improving dementia care in nursing homes: Learning from the pandemic years No one associated with nursing homes—as residents or their families, friends, staff, or administrators—is unaware of the massive impact of the pandemic on these facilities, which provide essential services to a growing number of older adults, many living with cognitive impairment.
	Mental health disparities growing among transgender adults: Study In the U.S., transgender and gender non-conforming (TGNC) individuals represent a historically marginalized segment of society. They often report unfavorable outcomes in terms of both physical and mental health compared to their cisgender counterparts. Despite advancement in psychological and physical health care provisions for TGNC individuals over the years, they face significant barriers that hinder access to crucial services, including but not limited to lengthy waiting lists, inconvenient travel requirements and a lack of insurance coverage.
	Call for parents and youth sport coaches to get on the same page Parents and youth sport coaches need to have positive relationships to foster positive sporting experiences and enable young people to reach their sporting potential—but there's currently no clear direction about the best way for them to come together.
	France is proposing to allow terminally ill patients to take lethal medication France's government presented a bill Wednesday to allow adults with terminal cancer or other incurable illness to take lethal medication, as public demands grow for legal options for aid in dying.
	Transplant surgeon explains how living donor chains work There are more than 90,000 people on the waiting list for a kidney transplant in the U.S. Unfortunately, the demand for kidneys exceeds the supply. However, so-called living donor chains are giving hope to those in need of vital organs.
	Union accuses Kaiser of violations months after state fine on mental health care Months after Kaiser Permanente reached a sweeping agreement with state regulators to improve its mental health services, the health care giant is facing union allegations that patients could be improperly losing such care.
	Improved support needed for PTSD in Welsh prisons, says study Prisoners with PTSD and C-PTSD (complex post-traumatic stress disorder) in Wales may be falling through gaps in support because of variations in screening and interventions in Welsh prisons, finds new research.
	Exploring the role of RNA modification in normal hematopoiesis and acute myeloid leukemia pathogenesis The hematopoietic system is a complex tissue characterized by multiple layers of stem cells, progenitor cells, and mature blood cells. Operating under normal conditions, it ensures a continuous and stable blood supply throughout the body.
	Research highlights STON2 variations involved in synaptic dysfunction and schizophrenia-like behaviors Schizophrenia is a severe mental disorder characterized by positive symptoms, negative symptoms, and cognitive deficits, with heritability estimates of approximately 80%. Synaptic dysfunction is a core component of the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. However, the genetic risk factors and molecular mechanisms related to synaptic dysfunction are still not fully understood.
	At-home care recipients spend double the time in hospital compared to aged care residents, finds Australian study New research from the Registry of Senior Australians (ROSA) at SAHMRI, has revealed senior people receiving home care packages spend more than twice the amount of days in hospital, compared to those living in residential aged care.
	Exploring the role of MIA-602 in overcoming doxorubicin-resistance in acute myeloid leukemia A new research paper titled "Exploring the role of GHRH antagonist MIA-602 in overcoming Doxorubicin-resistance in acute myeloid leukemia" has been published in Oncotarget.
	New book helps citizen scientists navigate complexities of infectious disease outbreaks Citizen scientists have long contributed to the collection and observation of natural events—from weather watchers to wildlife trackers—with thousands of organized community projects spanning decades. Beginning in 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic gave rise to an explosion of novice infectious disease detectives, adding to the collection of science enthusiasts.
	Updated guidelines in Canada to assess private and commercial drivers' fitness to drive The Canadian Cardiovascular Society (CCS) Fitness to Drive Guidelines have been updated to provide the latest advice on driving restrictions for private and commercial drivers. Using the CCS Risk of Harm formula and available evidence, the Guidelines document the likelihood of sudden cardiac incapacitation and highlight acceptable risk thresholds, providing guidance on when it is and is not safe to allow individuals to resume driving.

Other Sciences news

	Building footprints could help identify neighborhood sociodemographic traits An analysis of building footprints in major US metropolitan areas identifies five different neighborhood types that vary in footprint size, shape, and placement, and which are statistically associated with varying neighborhood socioeconomic and demographic traits. Noah Durst of Michigan State University and colleagues present these findings in PLOS ONE.
	Fox bones found in ancient Argentinian burial site might have been from a human pet A team of archaeologists, anthropologists and evolutionary specialists from Argentina, the U.K. and Germany has found possible evidence of a tamed fox living with a human hunter/gatherer companion, approximately 1,500 years ago in what is now Argentina. In their paper published in the journal Royal Society Open Science, the group describes where the fox remains were found, their condition, and other factors that led them to believe that the fox may have been an ancient pet.
	Discovery of pottery rewrites Aboriginal history The discovery of the oldest pottery ever found in Australia on Jiigurru/Lizard Island off the Queensland coast is challenging the idea that Aboriginal Australian communities were unaware of pottery manufacture before European settlement.
	Are the world's cultures growing apart? Cultural values may have become more different globally, but more similar regionally, over the past 40 years according to a paper published in Nature Communications. The authors suggest that over time, high-income Western countries have grown increasingly culturally distinct from other world regions. In contrast, countries in the same world region have developed more similar cultural values.
	Most cybercriminal threats are concentrated in just a few countries, new index shows A newly developed World Cybercrime Index shows that most cybercriminal threats are concentrated in several countries, with different countries associated with distinct cybercrime types. Miranda Bruce (University of Oxford/University of New South Wales), Jonathan Lusthaus (University of Oxford), Ridhi Kashyap (University of Oxford), Nigel Phair (Monash University), and Federico Varese (Sciences Po) present these findings in the open-access journal PLOS ONE.
	Economic wealth may be linked with happiness in China, if inequality is low A country's economic prosperity is linked with improved well-being in its residents, according to a study published in PLOS ONE by Feng Huang from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and colleagues.
	Fintech has a gender problem—here's why you should care Fintech (financial technology) is everywhere. It's the catch-all term for technology-enabled financial services innovation.
	Talking to Americans reveals the diversity behind the shared opinion 'the country is on the wrong track' If you pay any attention to politics and polling, you have likely heard that your friends and neighbors are not very happy with the direction of the country. You might not be, either.
	9 out of 10 kids are not developmentally on track in literacy and numeracy—study of 8 African countries Children develop an enormous amount during their early years—socially, physically, emotionally and cognitively. What happens between the ages of 0 and 8 years can predict important long-term outcomes: for example, how a child will fare at school; what their health will be like and their future earning potential.
	Election disinformation: How AI-powered bots work and how you can protect yourself from their influence Social media platforms have become more than mere tools for communication. They've evolved into bustling arenas where truth and falsehood collide. Among these platforms, X stands out as a prominent battleground. It's a place where disinformation campaigns thrive, perpetuated by armies of AI-powered bots programmed to sway public opinion and manipulate narratives.
	Psychological health of investors and stock market linked, study finds A recent study by two Ball State University faculty members has found a clear and robust link between local stock market downturns and an increase in antidepressant use among investors.
	Post mergers and acquisitions, will employees leave or stay? Researchers say 'just ask AI' Within knowledge-intensive industries like tech, there is an almost insatiable demand for highly skilled employees, such as software engineers and app developers. Need for talent often motivates mergers and acquisitions (M&A), in a process colloquially known as "acqui-hiring."
	Nearly half of B2B startups choose not to market themselves, researchers find Marketing is one of the most effective ways for an early-stage business-to-business (B2B) startup firm to grow, yet nearly half of such firms that would benefit from it choose not to do any marketing, according to the findings of a paper co-authored by a Smeal College of Business professor and published in the journal Industrial Marketing Management.
	Study finds link between anti-Black sentiment and broad support for political violence in the US Support for anti-Black violence has a long historical arc in American politics dating back to slavery. A George Washington University research team led by Assistant Professor of Political Science Andrew Thompson conducted an experiment to try to tap into top-of-mind ideas about the changing demographics in the United States.
	The evolving attitudes of Gen X toward evolution As the centennial of the Scopes Monkey Trial of 1925 approaches, a new study illustrates that the attitudes of Americans in Generation X toward evolution shifted as they aged.
	Does wearing a face mask make you seem more or less trustworthy? Researchers at Swinburne University of Technology have found that the correlation between face masks and perceptions of trustworthiness may be linked to social norms rather than how they impact appearance.
	Visiting white parts of town makes some Black kids feel less safe, according to study Some Black youth feel less safe when they visit predominantly white areas of their city, a new study in Columbus has found.
	Researchers investigate effectiveness of shipping alliances Research published in the International Journal of Shipping and Transport Logistics has looked at the various factors that affect the overall effectiveness of shipping alliances in the container shipping industry. These alliances, formed as cooperative agreements between container carriers, have become an important part of the industry, providing benefits such as expanded market access, operational efficiency, and keeping companies afloat in turbulent times.
	Personality type can help predict who's single or in a relationship, and how happy they are, says study The phrase "single life" may conjure images of a busy "Sex and the City"-like social calendar, packed with dates and drama. But researchers at the University of Toronto say that most singles are actually introverts—a far cry from the extroverted stereotypes we often see depicted in movies and on TV.
	Organizations need to beware of 'institutional parasites,' study says Organizations that fail to identify or swiftly expel "institutional parasites" risk long-term damage, academics from British and Finnish business schools have warned.
	In some classrooms in Senegal, deaf and hard-of-hearing students now study alongside everyone else Mouhamed Sall stepped to the chalkboard with a glance and quick question in sign language to an assistant. Then he solved the exercise to the silent approval of his classmates, who waved their hands in a display of appreciation.
	A new way of looking at data that shows what's working for Indigenous school kids and what isn't Every year, NAPLAN tests are used to see how Australian students are tracking in reading, writing and math.
	Using research to solve societal problems starts with building connections and making space for young people Often, when scientists do research around a specific societal challenge, they hope their work will help solve that larger problem. Yet translating findings into long-lasting, community-driven solutions is much harder than most expect.
	'Make Sweden Great Again'—the far right found each other on Twitter during the Swedish election Media researcher Jessica Robinson has looked at the topics that trended on Twitter—now X—during the 2020 US presidential election and the Swedish parliamentary election in 2018. In her research, she has analyzed around 500 million tweets.

---

This email is a free service of Science X Network
You received this email because you subscribed to our list.
If you do not wish to receive such emails in the future, please unsubscribe here.
You are subscribed as manojdole1.copa@blogger.com. You may manage your subscription options from your Science X profile