Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News Archive 2025 - Page 143


Page 143 of 574

How do traditional and biodegradable microplastics affect agricultural ecosystems?

Biodegradable microplastics have been found to promote nutrient turnover in soil, leading to improved pea growth. In contrast, traditional microplastics had more complex effects on plant biomass and microbial activity. Long-term toxicity of microplastics remains unknown, emphasizing the need for future field experiments.

SourceHigher Education Press·JournalFrontiers of Agricultural Science and Engineering·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 16, 2025

Paper examines role of seasonal frost in brine formation on Mars

Researchers found that brines can develop for brief periods during late winter and early spring from melting frost, suggesting transient water activity is most likely during specific seasons. The study highlights the importance of targeting seasonal windows to detect brine formation with future astrobiological investigations.

SourceUniversity of Arkansas·JournalCommunications Earth & Environment·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJul 16, 2025

Teams engineer microporous new CO₂-activated carbon material—Enabling energy-efficient separation of critical fluorinated gases

A team of scientists has developed a novel CO2-activated porous carbon adsorbent that selectively traps impurities while purifying target gases. The material achieves a record C3F6/C3F8 uptake ratio and produces 99.999% pure C3F8 at industrial scales.

SourceIndustrial Chemistry & Materials·JournalIndustrial Chemistry and Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 16, 2025

Food preferences, stigma among reasons students don’t eat free school meals

A recent study by NYU researchers found that student preferences for home-cooked meals and fast food, as well as concerns about meal health, are significant barriers to student participation in free school meals. The study suggests that making healthy meals more appealing and accessible can help increase student participation.

SourceNew York University·JournalJournal of School Health·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 16, 2025

Eyes on the prize: Decoding eye contact

Researchers found that specific gaze sequences, including looking at an object and making eye contact, are crucial for effective communication. This discovery has implications for social robot development and non-verbal communication training.

SourceFlinders University·JournalRoyal Society Open Science·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 15, 2025

Bacteria gene discovery enhances key antibiotic production for farming and medicine

Researchers discovered specific genes in Streptomyces cinnamonensis that significantly boost monensin synthesis, increasing yield by 1.3-fold in shake-flask cultures and 1.2-fold in a bioreactor. The engineered strain demonstrated efficient fatty acid metabolism, offering a sustainable pathway for high-efficiency biomanufacturing.

SourceHigher Education Press·JournalSystems Microbiology and Biomanufacturing·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 15, 2025

Genetic testing beneficial in critically ill adults

A study of 365 adults found nearly one in four had a genetic condition causing their ICU admission, which was unknown to nearly half of those patients and their doctors. The researchers recommend offering genetic testing to all adults admitted to the ICU to improve care and reduce health disparities.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalAmerican Journal of Human Genetics·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 15, 2025

UBC Okanagan researchers create 3D-printed living lung tissue

Researchers have developed a 3D bio-printed model of lung tissue that closely mimics natural complexity, enabling better testing of respiratory diseases and drug development. The model can be adapted to include additional cell types or patient-derived cells, making it a powerful tool for personalized medicine and disease modeling.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia Okanagan campus·JournalBiotechnology and Bioengineering·TypeMeta-analysis·DateJul 15, 2025

New insights into the jet stream make better climate predictions possible

Researchers have made significant breakthroughs in understanding the complex interactions between climate drivers and the Southern Hemisphere's Eddy-Driven Jet. By analyzing historical data and applying innovative statistical methods, they found that 50% of the observed shift in the jet stream is directly attributable to global warming.

SourceUniversität Leipzig·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 15, 2025

Pusan National University researchers develop breakthrough deep learning model that enhances handheld 3D medical imaging

A new deep learning model enhances handheld 3D medical imaging by automatically tracking transducer motion without external sensors. The model produces more realistic 3D US images and can reconstruct blood vessel structures using ultrasound and photoacoustic data.

SourcePusan National University·JournalIEEE Transactions on Medical Imaging·TypeImaging analysis·DateJul 15, 2025

New theory to understand the origins of the Universe

A team of scientists presents a revolutionary theory about the origins of the Universe, proposing that gravity and quantum mechanics are sufficient to explain its structure. The new model relies on natural quantum fluctuations in space-time and gravitational waves to seed density differences that led to galaxy formation.

SourceUniversity of Barcelona·JournalPhysical Review Research·DateJul 15, 2025

New gene tool leads to better treatments for complex diseases

Researchers at Case Western Reserve University developed a computational method and tool to identify genes and genetic changes causing complex diseases. Their new approach allows doctors to detect and treat cardiometabolic diseases earlier in their development, identifying new genes that were previously overlooked.

SourceCase Western Reserve University·JournalNature Communications·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJul 15, 2025

PolyU secures RGC theme-based research scheme funding to develop cost-effective and sustainable Co-GenAI model

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University has secured funding from the Research Grants Council to develop a cost-effective and sustainable collaborative Generative AI (Co-GenAI) model. The project aims to democratize AI development by reducing centralized computational demand and enabling broader participation in GenAI research and deployment.

UNM researchers receive funding to launch clinical trial of a new Alzheimer’s vaccineUNM researchers receive funding to launch clinical trial of a new Alzheimer’s vaccine

Researchers at the University of New Mexico are launching a Phase 1a/1b clinical trial for a new vaccine engineered to clear pathological tau protein from the brains of patients with Alzheimer’s dementia. The trial aims to assess the safety and immunogenicity of the novel vaccine.

LabMed Discovery Support

The Shanghai Jiao Tong University Medical-Engineering Interdisciplinary Journal Alliance aims to bridge medicine and engineering research through scholarly publishing. The partnership seeks to accelerate translational research in precision medicine and biomedical engineering, increasing global visibility for China's 'Double First-Class...

How stress strengthens group bonds – and fuels intergroup conflict

Research found that physiological stress messengers noradrenaline and cortisol affect social behavior in different ways, promoting cooperativeness within groups and competition with outsiders. The study suggests a neurobiological explanation for the 'us versus them' mentality and increasing polarization in the world.

SourceHeinrich-Heine University Duesseldorf·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 15, 2025

Old age takes its toll on tool use in wild chimpanzees

Wild chimpanzees show reduced participation and performance in tool-use behaviours as they age, with individual differences in impact observed. The study provides evidence that old age leads to a gradual withdrawal from tool use, affecting efficiency and daily tasks.

SourceeLife·JournaleLife·DateJul 15, 2025

Mental health from supermarket shelves? This is the evidence we have about over-the-counter herbal products and dietary supplements used for depression

A review of 64 over-the-counter products found that omega-3s, St John's Wort, probiotics, and vitamin D have substantial evidence for treating depression. Other promising products include folic acid, lavender, zinc, tryptophan, and lemon balm. However, more research is needed to confirm their effectiveness and safety.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Pharmacology·TypeLiterature review·DateJul 15, 2025

Playing an instrument may protect against cognitive aging

A study published in PLOS Biology found that long-term musical training can mitigate age-related declines in speech perception by promoting a more youthful pattern of brain activity. This suggests that musical training may build cognitive reserve, helping older adults maintain optimal cognitive performance.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 15, 2025