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Science News for April 22, 2025


Novel selective emitter material for thermophotovoltaic applications: Er(Ta1-xNbx)O4

A new selective emitter material, Er(Ta1-xNbx)O4, exhibits excellent high-temperature stability and spectral efficiency, making it a promising candidate for next-generation radioisotope thermoelectric photovoltaic systems. The material's strategic doping of Nb5+ ions promotes f-f transition probability and increases selective emission ...

SourceTsinghua University Press·JournalJournal of Advanced Ceramics·DateApr 22, 2025

Study shows urgent change needed to reduce deaths from malaria and meningitis in comatose African children

A recent study published in The Lancet Global Health found that malaria and meningitis deaths in comatose African children remain high despite decades of research and health interventions. The study highlights the critical need for immediate antibiotics alongside antimalarials, regardless of malaria diagnosis.

SourceUniversity of Oxford·JournalThe Lancet Global Health·TypeSystematic review·DateApr 22, 2025

Innovative approaches advance search for ice on the moon

Scientists have developed two new methods to detect water ice on the lunar surface, with one approach analyzing images from a specialized camera and another detecting buried ice deposits through cosmic rays. The research aims to support future lunar bases and provide resources for humans or be broken down to hydrogen and oxygen.

SourceUniversity of Hawaii at Manoa·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateApr 22, 2025

Detecting lung cancer 4 months earlier at the GP using artificial intelligence

Researchers developed an AI algorithm based on the medical history of over half a million patients, enabling GPs to identify increased risk of lung cancer up to 4 months before diagnosis. This method may also offer early detection for other types of cancer and improved patient outcomes.

SourceAmsterdam University Medical Center·JournalBritish Journal of General Practice·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 22, 2025

DNA origami guides new possibilities in the fight against pancreatic cancer

Researchers developed DNA origami structures that selectively deliver fluorescent imaging agents to pancreatic cancer cells, enabling more accurate cancer imaging and selective chemotherapy delivery. The study also explored the use of origami-folded DNA molecules loaded with chemotherapy drugs for targeted delivery to cancer cells.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalAdvanced Science·TypeImaging analysis·DateApr 22, 2025

TOS statement on oral GLP-1s

A new oral small molecule glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, Orforglipron, has demonstrated significant weight loss of 7.9% in individuals with diabetes and impaired glycemic control. The safety and tolerability of the medication are consistent with injectable therapies, making it a potentially accessible treatment option.

Big brains and big ranges might not save birds from climate change

A new study found that some bird species with large geographic ranges and big brains are actually more susceptible to climate change than previously thought. Researchers analyzed data from citizen scientists and found that birds adapted to narrow climate niches, such as the Arctic, are at higher risk from climate change.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalNature Communications·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 22, 2025

New study reveals mechanism of SUMOylation in regulating DNA damage repair and radiotherapy sensitivity

A research team at the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science uncovered a crucial mechanism that regulates DNA damage repair, with implications for improving cancer treatment outcomes. The study found that ZNF451 collaborates with RNF8 to regulate RNF168 localization and amplify ubiquitination signaling.

In US, saving money is top reason to embrace solar power

A new study found that financial benefits, such as saving on utility payments and avoiding electricity rate hikes, are a key driver of US adults' willingness to consider installing rooftop or subscribing to community solar power. The study also revealed that most participants didn't understand what community solar is and had not looked...

SourceOhio State University·JournalEnergy Research & Social Science·TypeSurvey·DateApr 22, 2025

A colloidal crystal model for controlled polymorph selection

Researchers at Tohoku University developed a colloidal crystal model to control specific polymorph formation, advancing understanding of polymorph control for material fabrication and drug development. The study found that particle additives can effectively control polymorph formation and probability by size and cluster stability.

SourceTohoku University·JournalCommunications Physics·DateApr 22, 2025

Predicting long-term psychedelic side-effects

Researchers surveyed 654 people who planned to take psychedelics, finding a weak correlation between lifetime psychedelic use and delusional ideation. The study suggests that schizotypal traits may not be caused by taking psychedelics, with only 1/3 of participants experiencing lingering hallucinatory sensory experiences after four weeks.

SourcePNAS Nexus·JournalPNAS Nexus·DateApr 22, 2025

A common CEO pay strategy is stalling innovation, a new study reveals why

A new study by Virginia Tech researchers Jin Xu and Pengfei Ye finds that value-based stock grants can weaken executive motivation and limit corporate growth. The study analyzed thousands of U.S. firms from 2006-22, revealing that companies tying CEO compensation to a fixed dollar amount can unintentionally discourage executives from m...

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalJournal of Financial and Quantitative Analysis·DateApr 22, 2025

New study reveals: Contingent responsive parenting can shape the brains of sensitive babies and support emotional regulation

A new study found that contingent responsive parenting can strengthen a baby's capacity for emotional regulation and reduce the likelihood of developing emotional difficulties. The study followed 51 mother-infant pairs and found that early parenting influences the baby's brain activity, supporting their emotional and social behavior.

SourceReichman University·JournalDevelopmental Psychology·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 22, 2025

Antibiotic pollution in rivers

Human consumption of antibiotics has increased by 65% since 2000, resulting in estimated 8,500 tonnes reaching river systems globally. Chronic environmental exposure can reduce microbial diversity and increase antibiotic-resistant genes, impacting fish and algae health.

SourcePNAS Nexus·JournalPNAS Nexus·DateApr 22, 2025

New sensor enables more accurate breath analysis for clinical diagnosis

A novel sensor enabled simultaneous detection of multiple stable heavy isotopes in exhaled carbon dioxide with greater precision than previously achieved. The new mid-infrared enhanced hollow waveguide sensor offers advantages such as compact size, lightweight design, and suitability for use with small sample volumes.

The most effective prevention method for complications post lung transplant

Researchers found that using twice-daily tacrolimus resulted in lower rates of chronic lung allograft dysfunction and improved overall survival after lung transplantation compared to cyclosporine. This study provides promising news for lung transplant patients, highlighting the importance of effective treatment strategies to prevent CLAD.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalThe Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 22, 2025

Chimeric RNAs as biomarkers of COVID-19 infection

Researchers discovered novel COVID-19-specific chimeric RNAs in whole blood of patients, differing between symptomatic and asymptomatic cases. These chimeric RNAs have an additional layer of transcriptional control and may serve as valuable biomarkers for early-stage viral infection.

SourceCompuscript Ltd·JournalGenes & Diseases·DateApr 22, 2025

Researchers develop advanced tungsten-based ceramics with excellent hardness and ablation resistance

The study successfully synthesized tungsten carbide (WC) and tungsten boride (WB₂) ceramics with high mechanical properties and ablation resistance. The team achieved a high densification of 97.8% and a hardness of 24 GPa in the WC ceramics, and a densification of 98.2% and an even higher hardness of 26.9 GPa in the WB₂-SiC composite.

SourceHefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalJournal of the European Ceramic Society·DateApr 22, 2025

Telemedicine had an impact on carbon emissions equivalent to reducing up to 130,000 car trips each month in 2023

New UCLA-led research finds that telemedicine use in 2023 reduced monthly CO2 emissions by the equivalent of 61,000 to 130,000 gas powered vehicles. This modest but noticeable impact on the environment could have policy implications for US healthcare delivery.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalThe American Journal of Managed Care·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 22, 2025

Retinal clues to mental health

A recent study by the University of Zurich examined the connection between retinal nerve connections and schizophrenia. The researchers found that individuals with a higher genetic risk for schizophrenia tend to have thinner retinas, which can be detected using non-invasive retinal measurements.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalNature Mental Health·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 22, 2025

Listening to an avatar makes you more likely to gamble

A study published in PLOS Biology found that individuals who receive dynamic facial-expression feedback from an avatar's face tend to gamble more than those receiving real human feedback. The amygdala plays a key role in this facilitation, with increased valuation of uncertainty contributing to increased risk-taking behavior.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 22, 2025

Smart skies: new methods for UAVs to navigate where GPS fails

Researchers developed vision-based systems for UAV localization in complex terrains, exploring hybrid approaches that integrate various sensors and algorithms. Sensor fusion techniques like LiDAR, radar, and inertial measurements combined with advanced filtering methods can substantially improve navigation reliability.

Foundation and practice of digital traditional Chinese medicine platforms in enhanced recovery after surgery

Digital Traditional Chinese Medicine platforms are being developed to enhance perioperative care by integrating TCM's holistic principles with modern digital technologies. These platforms use AI and wearable devices to optimize the integration of TCM with ERAS protocols, providing individualized care and predictive insights into recovery.

SourceXia & He Publishing Inc.·JournalFuture Integrative Medicine·DateApr 22, 2025

Doctors group files complaints, asks Oregon Health & Science University to shut down invasive reproductive experiment on primates

The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine has filed complaints with OHSU, the USDA, and NIH, asking for an invasive reproductive experiment on nonhuman primates to be shut down due to cruelty and scientific unnecessaryness. The experiment aims to investigate how chronic THC use affects fertility in primates.

Researchers advance ctDNA technologies and applications in lymphoma diagnosis and treatment

A systematic review highlights the potential of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) analysis in lymphoma management, offering a non-invasive technique for mutation detection and monitoring clonal evolution. The study provides strong evidence supporting ctDNA testing as a standard clinical tool to enhance personalized treatment strategies.

SourceHefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalJournal of Hematology & Oncology·DateApr 22, 2025

Children face elevated kidney, heart, and gut risks for years after COVID infection

Long COVID can result in significant health risks for young people, including chronic kidney disease, gastrointestinal symptoms, and cardiovascular conditions. Studies found that children with COVID-19 face elevated risks of developing these conditions, even years after the initial infection.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 22, 2025

AI algorithm can help identify high-risk heart patients to quickly diagnose, expedite, and improve care

A new AI algorithm has been calibrated to quickly identify patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and provide individualized risk assessments. The tool can help prioritize high-risk patients for earlier appointments and treatment, leading to better patient outcomes.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalNEJM AI·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 22, 2025

From volcano to Arctic: researchers track sulfur dioxide' s 2,000-kilometer journey

A research team tracked sulfur dioxide emissions from an Icelandic volcanic eruption to the Arctic, finding 80% of pollution in a remote region originated from the eruption. The study uses satellite and ground-based monitoring to provide insights into the source and impact of the eruption's emissions.

Using blue light to fight drug-resistant infections

University of Oklahoma researchers create bioactive sugars to develop novel antibiotics against multi-drug-resistant infections in cancer patients. By using abundant, inexpensive, iron or metal-free, non-toxic blue light, the team can more easily and rapidly synthesize these important carbohydrates.

SourceUniversity of Oklahoma·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 22, 2025

Obesity disrupts “reaction time” to starvation in mice

Researchers found that obesity causes a disruption in the liver's ability to adapt to starvation, specifically in the temporal coordination of molecules. This suggests that obesity makes the body more vulnerable to the negative effects of starvation, despite no significant structural disruptions in the molecular network.

SourceSchool of Science, The University of Tokyo·JournalScience Signaling·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 22, 2025

How do you like them apples? Apple genus evolution revealed

A new study analyzed the genomes of 30 Malus species to understand their evolutionary relationships and how their genomes have evolved over 60 million years. The research identified genes associated with desirable traits like tastiness and disease resistance, which can inform future breeding programs.

SourcePenn State·JournalNature Genetics·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 22, 2025

Biomimetic magnetic resonance imaging nanoprobe developed for early detection of liver fibrosis in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Researchers developed a dual-mode MRI nanoprobe targeting PDGFRβ for early detection of liver fibrosis in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The probe demonstrated high imaging sensitivity, specific targeting of fibrotic cells, and excellent biocompatibility.

Beyond words

Researchers analyzed massive audio recordings to create a dictionary of short melodies in English-language prosody, assigning functions and meanings. They discovered hundreds of basic patterns with linguistic functions, including conveying attitudes such as curiosity or surprise, and identified syntactic rules governing their order.

SourceWeizmann Institute of Science·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 22, 2025

An AI tool grounded in evidence-based medicine outperformed other AI tools — and most doctors — on USMLE exams

A new clinical artificial intelligence tool, SCAI, developed by University at Buffalo researchers has demonstrated remarkable accuracy on all three parts of the USMLE exams. Achieving higher scores than most physicians and all other AI tools, SCAI has the potential to become a critical partner for physicians.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateApr 22, 2025

ME/CFS cases in England much higher than first projected

A study published in BMC Public Health found that ME/CFS cases in England are significantly higher than initially projected, affecting approximately 404,000 people. The condition disproportionately affects white British individuals, who are almost five times more likely to be diagnosed than those from other ethnic groups.

SourceUniversity of Edinburgh·JournalBMC Public Health·TypeObservational study·DateApr 22, 2025

Three-dimensional gene hubs may promote brain cancer

A recent preclinical study from Weill Cornell Medicine researchers suggests that three-dimensional gene hubs may promote brain cancer. The findings, published in Molecular Cell, offer a new way to think about cancer beyond gene mutations and highlight the importance of understanding DNA organization in tumor cells.

SourceWeill Cornell Medicine·JournalMolecular Cell·DateApr 22, 2025

Researchers find new species of electricity-conducting organism, name it after Tribe

Scientists have identified a novel species of bacteria that acts as electrical wiring, enabling long-distance electron transport and potential applications in medicine, industry, and environmental monitoring. The new species, Ca. Electrothrix yaqonensis, is named after the Native American Tribe of the region where it was found.

SourceOregon State University·JournalApplied and Environmental Microbiology·TypeObservational study·DateApr 22, 2025

Insects are disappearing due to agriculture – and many other drivers, new research reveals

A new study analyzing over 175 scientific reviews found that agricultural intensification is a major driver of insect decline, but climate change has multiple individual drivers such as extreme precipitation and temperature. The research highlights the need for a multi-pronged approach to conserve insect biodiversity.

SourceBinghamton University·JournalBioScience·TypeLiterature review·DateApr 22, 2025