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Science News Archive 2025 - Page 443


Page 443 of 574

A change in the weather in the U.S. Corn Belt

A new study found that intensive farming and shallow groundwater in the US Corn Belt increase precipitation recycling by almost 30%, providing a significant boost to rainfall during the growing season. The research, published in PNAS, used advanced computer modeling techniques to quantify the impact of these factors on regional climate.

SourceNational Center for Atmospheric Research/University Corporation for Atmospheric Research·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 6, 2025

UTHealth Houston study reveals two new genes associated with variants linked to epilepsy, offering new hope for personalized therapies

Researchers at UTHealth Houston have discovered two novel genes, DYRK1A and EGFR, linked to genetic mutations causing epileptic brain lesions. This breakthrough offers a new framework for understanding epilepsy and developing targeted therapies.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at Houston·JournalNature Communications·TypeImaging analysis·DateJan 6, 2025

Lighting up cancer cells with biolasers

Researchers have developed a way to detect circulating tumor cells in the bloodstream using biolasers, which can provide valuable information about the DNA organization inside cancer cells. The technique has been successfully tested on pancreatic and lung cancer patients, showing high accuracy rates of up to 99%.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalBiosensors and Bioelectronics·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 6, 2025

Acoustic sensors find frequent gunfire on school walking routes

A new study found that nearly two-thirds of schools in Chicago's Englewood neighborhood had at least one gun incident within 400 meters of where children were walking home during the 2021-22 school year. The researchers used acoustic sensors to detect gunshots and found that children are exposed to violence on their way to and from sch...

SourceOhio State University·JournalSSM - Population Health·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 6, 2025

Evaluating career service offices at schools of public health: Are programs servicing students equitably and delivering on the promise of a diversified public health workforce?

A new study by Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health evaluated the career services programs and employment outcomes of its graduates. The study found that neither program usage nor employment outcomes were statistically different by race or ethnicity, with room for improvement in other areas.

SourceColumbia University's Mailman School of Public Health·JournalPedagogy in Health Promotion·DateJan 6, 2025

Singapore and Japan scientists develop technology to control cyborg insect swarms

Researchers from Singapore, Japan and US developed an advanced swarm navigation algorithm for cyborg insects that prevents them from getting stuck in challenging terrain. The new algorithm represents a significant advance in swarm robotics and could pave the way for applications in disaster relief and search-and-rescue missions.

SourceNanyang Technological University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 6, 2025

MMRI scientist publishes breakthrough study detailing how ketones improves blood flow to the heart

A recent study published by Dr. Matthew Nystoriak of Masonic Medical Research Institute has uncovered groundbreaking insights into heart health. Elevated levels of β-hydroxybutyrate, a ketone body produced by the liver, have been shown to improve cardiac blood flow and reduce ischemic heart disease.

SourceMasonic Medical Research Institute·JournalArteriosclerosis Thrombosis and Vascular Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 6, 2025

Unravelling how meteorological conditions cause changes in atmospheric fine-particle concentration

A new study published in Atmospheric and Oceanic Science Letters explores the relationship between meteorological conditions and PM2.5 concentrations, finding that wind speed, temperature, and humidity play a crucial role in pollutant accumulation and dispersion. The joint data assimilation system developed by the research team improve...

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAtmospheric and Oceanic Science Letters·DateJan 6, 2025

A healthy diet is key to a healthy gut microbiome

A large-scale study analyzed the gut microbiomes of over 21,500 individuals and found that vegan diets had the healthiest microbiomes, followed by vegetarians and omnivores. The researchers discovered unique microbial signatures for each dietary pattern, with vegans having more beneficial bacteria associated with fiber fermentation.

SourceUniversità di Trento·JournalNature Microbiology·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJan 6, 2025

GLP-1 RA medications safe and very effective for treating obesity in adults without diabetes

A systematic review of randomized controlled trials found GLP-1 RAs and co-agonists to be effective for weight loss in adults with obesity, including promising options not yet FDA-approved. The study also showed similar safety profiles across agents, with mild gastrointestinal side effects being the most common.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·TypeNews article·DateJan 6, 2025

Floods linked to rise in US deaths from several major causes

A study in Nature Medicine reveals large floods are associated with higher death rates from major mortality causes, including infectious diseases and cardiovascular conditions. Floods disproportionately affect older people and females, with increased risks of injury deaths and neuropsychiatric conditions.

SourceColumbia University's Mailman School of Public Health·JournalNature Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 6, 2025

Healthier mothers, healthier babies: Iron infusion trial could transform pregnancy care worldwide

A single iron infusion in the third trimester significantly reduces anaemia in pregnant women, with a lower prevalence at delivery compared to iron tablets. The treatment also boosts iron stores postpartum, offering a potential game-changer for maternal care and birth outcomes worldwide.

SourceWalter and Eliza Hall Institute·JournalNature Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJan 6, 2025

Core-membrane microstructured amine-modified mesoporous biochar templated via ZnCl2/KCl for CO2 capture

Researchers develop core-membrane microstructured amine-modified mesoporous biochar for efficient CO2 capture, demonstrating exceptional sorption capacity and thermal stability. The innovative material shows promise in mitigating climate change through cost-efficient and sustainable CO2 capture technologies.

SourceHigher Education Press·JournalFrontiers in Energy·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 6, 2025

Study uncovers key role of enzyme G6PC2 in controlling blood sugar by regulating glucagon secretion

A recent study has uncovered the crucial role of enzyme G6PC2 in regulating blood sugar levels by controlling glucagon secretion from pancreatic alpha cells. Genetic variations in G6PC2 impact its expression in alpha cells, and inhibiting this enzyme may provide a new therapeutic strategy for type 2 diabetes.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalScience Translational Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 5, 2025

Liquid-based confined interface materials

These materials integrate liquids within solid frameworks at the mesoscale, driven by competitive interfacial interactions. They demonstrate dynamic responsiveness leveraging force, heat, light, electricity, magnetism, and sound, and exhibit practical functionalities including anti-fouling and multiphase flow control.

SourceScience China Press·JournalNational Science Review·DateJan 5, 2025

Unlocking the potential of platinum

A new study has developed a platinum-based catalyst that can efficiently convert CO2 into valuable chemicals, with improved stability in acidic media. The catalyst, PtNPs@Th, was created by encapsulating thionine molecules within platinum nanocrystals, resulting in enhanced catalytic activity and corrosion resistance.

SourceScience China Press·JournalNational Science Review·DateJan 4, 2025

Human cardiac organoid model reveals antibacterial triclocarban promotes myocardial hypertrophy by interfering with endothelial cell metabolism

Exposure to triclocarban, a common antibacterial agent, promotes myocardial hypertrophy in human cardiac organoids. The study found that TCC interferes with endothelial cell metabolism, leading to nitrosative stress and inflammation. This new mechanism suggests a potential treatment target for myocardial hypertrophy.

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience Bulletin·DateJan 4, 2025

Unlocking proteostasis: A new frontier in the fight against neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's

Researchers have discovered a nucleolar complex that plays a pivotal role in maintaining cellular health through protein homeostasis, allowing for the dramatic reduction of toxic effects of Alzheimer's-causing proteins. This breakthrough offers hope for new therapies to slow or prevent neurodegenerative diseases, promoting healthy aging.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalNature Cell Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 3, 2025

Some bacteria evolve like clockwork with the seasons

A new study reveals that bacteria species in Lake Mendota rapidly evolve over time, responding to changing seasonal conditions. The researchers found that hundreds of separate species would return almost fully to near copies of their genetic predecessors after a thousand or so generations of evolutionary pressures.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalNature Microbiology·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 3, 2025

Trends in screening for social risk in physician practices

Social risk screening in US physician practices increased from 2017 to 2022, but only about one-third systematically screen for common social risks. The study's findings highlight the need to assess the association between screening and referrals with patient outcomes as policies prioritize social risk screening.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateJan 3, 2025