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Science News for April 23, 2025


Mice exhibit altruistic rescue behavior driven by oxytocin

Researchers have found that mice can instinctively exhibit rescue-like behavior toward anesthetized conspecifics without prior training or external rewards. Oxytocin neurons in the paraventricular nucleus are activated when detecting distress signals, releasing OXT and coordinating emotional and motor responses.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeMeta-analysis·DateApr 23, 2025

UCF scientists use James Webb Space Telescope to better understand solar system’s origins

Researchers analyzed Trans-Neptunian Objects using the James Webb Space Telescope, finding two distinct groups with varying surface ice methanol presence. The discovery sheds light on the formation and evolution of these distant icy worlds, revealing insights into the solar system's origins and potentially habitable exoplanets.

SourceUniversity of Central Florida·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateApr 23, 2025

Sun Yat-Sen University launches SYCIM2.0: A new climate model poised to join CMIP7

SYCIM2.0 brings together advanced components for ocean, atmosphere, and land surface modeling, offering flexible grid resolution for complex regions like the Indo-Pacific. The model shows impressive stability and energy balance in a 250-year test, closely matching real-world patterns of sea surface temperature and rainfall.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAdvances in Atmospheric Sciences·DateApr 23, 2025

Nature positive: lots of rhetoric, little reality

A new study by Griffith University reveals that the term 'nature positive' is being used more for political rhetoric than actual conservation efforts, posing a threat to biodiversity. The research found that only 0.01% of the global tourism sector makes net positive contributions to conservation.

SourceGriffith University·Journalnpj Biodiversity·TypeObservational study·DateApr 23, 2025

Herpes zoster vaccination and dementia occurrence

Researchers investigated the potential link between herpes zoster vaccination and dementia. They found that vaccination may be associated with a lower risk of developing dementia in older adults. The study's findings suggest a possible causal relationship between vaccination and reduced dementia occurrence.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA·DateApr 23, 2025

Nature accounting in Colombia makes sound economic case for protecting native ecosystems

The Colombian government is implementing a new agenda including climate- and biodiversity-related programs to compensate landowners for restoring forests or following management practices that maintain nature's benefits. A natural capital account has been developed to quantify natural assets, benefits, and changes over time, providing ...

SourceStanford University·JournalCommunications Earth & Environment·DateApr 23, 2025

Patient with rare cancer first in U.S. to be treated with groundbreaking, highly accurate proton beam arc therapy

A patient with adenoid cystic carcinoma was successfully treated with step-and-shoot proton arc therapy at Corewell Health William Beaumont University Hospital. The treatment showed minimal side effects, including only light skin discoloration, and the patient remains cancer-free.

SourceCorewell Health·JournalInternational Journal of Particle Therapy·TypeCase study·DateApr 23, 2025

New discovery in high-temperature superconductors: Sub-unit-cell scale pair density modulation

Researchers observed spatial periodic modulations of superconducting order parameters within a single unit cell, revealing the breaking of glide-mirror symmetry and essential role of chalcogen atoms in local Cooper pairing. This discovery provides microscopic insights into unconventional Cooper pairing on the sub-unit-cell scale.

SourceBeijing Zhongke Journal Publising Co. Ltd.·JournalChinese Physics Letters·DateApr 23, 2025

Why are Patagonian glaciers rapidly losing mass?

Researchers estimate that Patagonian glaciers have lost over a quarter of their total ice volume since the 1940s, raising global sea level by 3.7 mm. A new study links this mass loss to a poleward shift of subtropical high-pressure systems, which brings more warm air to Patagonia, accelerating glacier melt.

SourceUniversity of Liège·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 23, 2025

Giant extinct kangaroos preferred home to roam

Researchers used fossil data to predict the home range of Protemnodon, an extinct giant kangaroo, finding it had a smaller foraging range than expected. Climate change and habitat disruption led to local extinction when this small range could not find enough food.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS One·TypeObservational study·DateApr 23, 2025

How computational guidelines and data-driven is reshaping inorganic material synthesis?

Machine learning (ML) techniques can identify materials with high synthesis feasibility and suggest suitable experimental conditions. Computational models derived from thermodynamics and kinetics enhance predictive performance and interpretability of ML models, optimizing experimental design and increasing synthesis efficiency.

SourceScience China Press·JournalNational Science Review·TypeLiterature review·DateApr 23, 2025

For eye infections, delayed doctor visits and extent of damage affect vision outcomes

A study found that patients who experienced vision impairment due to microbial keratitis had poorer treatment outcomes if they delayed seeking medical attention or had more extensive eye damage. In contrast, patients in the US who wore contact lenses had better outcomes, possibly due to earlier treatment by their physicians.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalOphthalmology·TypeObservational study·DateApr 23, 2025

By 15 months, infants begin to learn new words for objects, even those they’ve never seen

Researchers discovered that infants at 15 months old can use conversational contexts to form initial representations of new words, which helps them later recognize the word when the object is visible. By 12 months, infants may not yet have enough familiarity with familiar words to begin forming a representation of a new word's meaning.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalPLOS One·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 23, 2025

Climate change is lifting South Africa out of the ocean

A study published in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth reveals that droughts and associated water loss are the primary cause of South Africa's land uplift. This finding challenges the previously assumed mantle flow explanation and highlights the importance of monitoring groundwater reserves due to climate change.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalJournal of Geophysical Research Solid Earth·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateApr 23, 2025

Newborns living near trees tend to be healthier. New data suggests it’s not because healthier people reside near parks

A new study from Drexel University's Dornsife School of Public Health found a link between the number of trees planted within 100 meters of a mother's home and higher birth weight. Living near newly planted trees was associated with a statistically significant increase in birthweight, with about 50 grams more per tree.

SourceDrexel University·JournalScience of The Total Environment·TypeObservational study·DateApr 23, 2025

Israeli breakthrough identifies key gene in common heart disease, unlocking life-saving diagnostic potential

A pioneering Israeli study identifies TRIM63 as a significant genetic contributor to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), which could transform genetic screening and treatment protocols. The findings provide compelling evidence for the gene’s role in both causing and increasing susceptibility to HCM.

SourceClalit Research Institute·JournalCirculation Genomic and Precision Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 23, 2025

Comparative analysis of bioactive ingredients and medicinal functions of natural and cultivated Ophiocordyceps sinensis (berk.)

This review compares the bioactive components and medicinal properties of natural and cultivated O. sinensis, highlighting differences in composition and effectiveness for specific therapeutic uses. Polysaccharides, nucleosides, sterols, and amino acids contribute to their health benefits, with natural specimens often exhibiting higher...

SourceXia & He Publishing Inc.·JournalFuture Integrative Medicine·DateApr 23, 2025

Space tourists' experience might be affected by how their parasympathetic nervous system functions, per study of novice passengers during and after zero-gravity parabolic flights

A study on novice passengers during and after zero-gravity parabolic flights reveals that their parasympathetic nervous system function plays a crucial role in shaping their space travel experience. The research highlights the need for assistance to be provided to space tourists to mitigate potential effects.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS One·DateApr 23, 2025

From beam to battery: HKUST’s single-step laser printing supercharges high-performance lithium-sulfur batteries

Researchers developed a novel single-step laser printing technique to manufacture integrated sulfur cathodes, resulting in high-performance lithium-sulfur batteries. The process reduces time and complexity compared to traditional methods, enabling faster and more efficient production.

SourceHong Kong University of Science and Technology·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 23, 2025

Water quality could be degraded by development and conversion of forests upstream, with sediment levels and nitrogen concentrations also worsened, per modelling analysis of the Middle Chattahoochee watershed of Georgia, Alabama, and Florida

Modelling analysis reveals sediment levels and nitrogen concentrations will increase with development and forest conversion upstream. The study forecasts water quality degradation at drinking water intakes across the regional watershed.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Water·DateApr 23, 2025

Italians spent thousands of years perfecting grape cultivation

Researchers analyzed over 1,700 ancient grape seeds to discover that grape cultivation in Italy began during the Late Bronze Age, with gradual domestication taking place over centuries. The study reveals that Italian wine heritage dates back to Western Europe's broader landscape.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS One·TypeObservational study·DateApr 23, 2025

A new map of arthropod evolution, from fossils to embryos

A new study by Prof. Ariel Chipman provides a novel model for understanding the development and evolution of arthropod body plans, tracing patterns back to ancient embryonic processes. The research uncovers a deep evolutionary logic behind the segmented body plans that define the world's most diverse animal group.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalProceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences·TypeMeta-analysis·DateApr 23, 2025

Drug candidate successfully treats atherosclerosis, fatty liver disease in large mammals

Researchers successfully treated atherosclerosis and fatty liver disease using DT-109 in nonhuman primates, which has potential as a dual therapy for two common conditions. The compound reduced the formation of atherosclerotic plaques and stopped critical processes that lead to vascular calcification.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalSignal Transduction and Targeted Therapy·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 23, 2025

Laboratory observation of USTC reveals key mechanism behind cosmic particle acceleration

Researchers at USTC directly observed ion acceleration through reflection off laser-generated magnetized collisionless shocks, demonstrating the role of shock drift acceleration. The experiment confirmed SDA's dominance over shock surfing acceleration, shedding light on cosmic particle origins and potential applications in fusion.

SourceUniversity of Science and Technology of China·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 23, 2025

New porous crystal catalyst offers durable, efficient solution for clean hydrogen production

A new catalyst structure featuring mesoporous single-crystalline Co3O4 doped with atomically dispersed iridium (Ir) has been proposed as a potential pathway toward cost-effective hydrogen production. The material achieves efficient use of Ir while maintaining stability, reducing leaching during reaction.

SourceAdvanced Institute for Materials Research (AIMR), Tohoku University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateApr 23, 2025

Rigid grant funding undermines community health centers’ ability to serve vulnerable New Yorkers

A new study by Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health researchers highlights the limitations of inflexible grant funding on community health centers (CHCs) in New York City. CHCs, which serve one in nine New Yorkers, operate on thin margins and struggle to provide comprehensive care due to restrictive state and local grants.

SourceColumbia University's Mailman School of Public Health·JournalBMC Health Services Research·TypeSurvey·DateApr 23, 2025

Neurodegenerative disease ALS: Cellular repair system could prevent protein aggregation

A team of researchers from Goethe University and Kiel University has discovered a way to prevent the formation of harmful protein aggregates in cultured cells. The study found that linking TDP-43 with SUMO prevents its aggregation, suggesting a potential new approach for treating ALS and other neurodegenerative diseases.

SourceGoethe University Frankfurt·JournalNature Chemical Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 23, 2025

Varenicline for youth nicotine vaping cessation

A 12-week randomized clinical trial shows varenicline combined with behavioral counseling effectively increased vaping abstinence in youth who vape nicotine but do not regularly smoke tobacco. This study provides hope for a novel treatment approach to help combat the growing youth vaping epidemic.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA·DateApr 23, 2025

Singapore scientists unveil one of world’s largest long-read RNA sequencing datasets to advance disease research

A team of Singaporean scientists has released a comprehensive long-read RNA sequencing dataset, SG-NEx, to accelerate biomarker discovery and precision medicine. The dataset offers deeper biological insights into RNA complexity, enabling researchers to detect clinically relevant biomarkers and develop better treatments.

The antibiotic that takes the bite out of Lyme

Researchers identified piperacillin as an effective treatment for Lyme disease, which causes devastating symptoms in half a million individuals annually. The antibiotic works by targeting the bacteria's unique cell wall synthesis pattern, leading to its death without harming beneficial gut microbes.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateApr 23, 2025

Review and prospects: application of spatio-temporal big data in transportation system resilience studies

A systematic review reveals that spatio-temporal big data applications in transportation resilience studies are most developed in quantitative assessment, but significant gaps remain in real-time monitoring and early warning systems. The study identifies the need for improved data integration frameworks and interdisciplinary cooperatio...

Aging reimagined: UT Health San Antonio study shifts focus from inevitable decline to optimizing resilience

Researchers discovered that individuals with robust immune resilience at midlife can gain a 15.5-year survival advantage due to their ability to counter disease drivers and maintain healthy aging. The study highlights the importance of salutogenesis, or promoting health and well-being from birth to approximately age 70.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio·JournalAging Cell·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 23, 2025

Latest ACS cancer prevention and early detection report: Smoking rates continue historic drop, but cervical cancer prevention is lagging

The latest ACS cancer prevention and early detection report reveals mixed progress in major cancer risk factors, preventive behaviors, and screenings among US adults. Smoking rates have continued to decrease, while breast and colorectal cancer screening have rebounded, but cervical cancer prevention remains a concern.

SourceAmerican Cancer Society·JournalCancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention·DateApr 23, 2025

Empathy might be retained in Alzheimer’s disease

A new study led by University College London researchers found that people with Alzheimer's disease scored slightly higher on a measure of empathy than peers with mild cognitive impairment. Despite this, emotional reactivity to negative emotions was heightened among those with Alzheimer's disease, contributing to difficulties regulatin...

SourceUniversity College London·JournalAlzheimer s & Dementia·TypeSystematic review·DateApr 23, 2025

How does climate policy uncertainty affect energy stock returns?

A recent study by International Studies of Economics found that climate policy uncertainty causes stocks to plummet globally, as investors fear damage to economic activity and carbon costs. The study also revealed that rising oil prices have a negative impact on stock returns, except in the Gulf Cooperation Council region and Kuwait.

SourceWiley·JournalInternational Studies of Economics·DateApr 23, 2025

Current AI risks more alarming than apocalyptic future scenarios

A study by the University of Zurich found that respondents prioritize present AI risks over hypothetical future threats, highlighting the importance of addressing actual problems. The research suggests a need for concurrent understanding and appreciation of both immediate and potential challenges in public discourse.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeSurvey·DateApr 23, 2025

Therapist in your pocket

A team of researchers from Kyoto University has developed a smartphone app that teaches core techniques of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) to treat subthreshold depression and anxiety. The app, RESiLIENT, was tested in the largest-ever individually randomized trial of its kind, showing promising results with no serious adverse effects.

SourceKyoto University·JournalNature Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateApr 23, 2025

Does anemia during pregnancy affect newborns’ risk of heart defects?

Researchers discovered that mothers who are anemic in early pregnancy have a 47% increased likelihood of giving birth to a child with congenital heart disease. This finding suggests that widespread iron supplementation could help prevent congenital heart disease in many newborns before it develops.

SourceWiley·JournalBJOG An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology·DateApr 23, 2025

Bacteria killing material creates superbug busting paint

A new paint with a built-in bacteria-killing agent has been found to effectively kill MRSA, flu and COVID-19 on various surfaces. The paint, developed by scientists at the University of Nottingham, uses chlorhexidine to create an antimicrobial coating that can be applied to plastic and hard non-porous surfaces.

SourceUniversity of Nottingham·JournalScientific Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 23, 2025

Do traumatic events predict eating disorders among Palestinians?

A study of 580 Palestinian adults found that individuals who experienced traumatic events were more likely to develop eating disorders. Sociodemographic factors such as gender, age, and education level also played a significant role in the development of eating disorders among Palestinians.

SourceWiley·JournalBrain and Behavior·DateApr 23, 2025

Police officers fire more shots than civilians in homicides, research shows

A new study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found that victims of police shootings were shot far more times than those killed by civilians. The study analyzed data from the US National Violent Death Reporting System and found significant disparities in rates of gun-related crime and police practice across regions.

SourceElsevier·JournalAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 23, 2025