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Science News Archive December 2025


Page 16 of 46

How pointing fingers shape what we see in old master paintings

Researchers used eye-tracking methods to investigate the influence of pointing gestures on viewers' gaze in Old Master paintings. The study shows that depicted pointing fingers shape visual attention by increasing curiosity about the faces of pointing figures and reshaping narrative connections. Viewers also drew their gaze toward the ...

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.

Anxiety is reversed for lab mice rehomed in fields

Researchers found that lab mice rewilded for two years showed reduced and even reversed fear response to the elevated plus maze. The study suggests that a range of experiences can increase a sense of agency, reducing anxiety in animals and humans alike. After living in fields, mice returned to their original levels of anxiety behavior.

Theobromine from cocoa linked to slower biological aging

Researchers found that higher levels of theobromine are associated with slower biological aging in humans, as measured by epigenetic markers such as DNA methylation and telomere length. The study suggests that theobromine may support healthy aging by influencing molecular epigenetic processes.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

How AI helps solve problems it doesn’t even understand

Researchers at TU Wien found that Large Language Models (LLMs) can help other programs solve logical tasks faster and even better. By identifying additional rules known as streamliners, LLMs can streamline the code normally processed by symbolic AI, leading to significant improvements in problem-solving time and quality.

Ecosystem-dependent two-stage SOC changes in CONUS (1970–2014)

Researchers analyzed soil profiles across the contiguous US to reconstruct SOC dynamics over 45 years. They found two-stage changes in SOC, strongly associated with temperature fluctuations, with rising temperatures coinciding with reduced topsoil SOC stock. Soil water content was the strongest negative relationship with subsoil SOC dy...

Laser light and the quantum nature of gravity

Physicist Ralf Schützhold proposes an experiment to transfer energy from a light wave to a gravitational wave, and vice versa. This could lead to new insights into the quantum properties of the gravitational field.

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

New composite hydrogel shows promise for treating dental pulp infection

A new composite hydrogel containing Li-Ca-Si bioceramics particles and gelatin methacryloyl matrix has shown promise in treating dental pulp infections by facilitating innervation and odontogenic differentiation. The hydrogel promoted Schwann cell regeneration, cytocompatibility for dental pulp stem cells, and proliferation of DPSCs.

Urban–rural interactions promote sustainable rural development

Research reveals how urban-rural interaction influences sustainable rural development by enhancing social-economic sustainability but harming environmental sustainability. The study proposes recommendations to mitigate negative impacts and leverage positive effects of urban-rural interactions.

Cool satellites and flexible electronics

Researchers at Empa's Mechanics of Materials and Nanostructures laboratory are working to improve the insulation material used in satellites and space probes. They have developed a new intermediate layer that makes the material more elastic and resistant to cracks and flaking, enabling better superinsulation for future satellites.

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.

Vital intertwining

A study on a blood parasite's genome has led to the development of a new material with unusual properties. The material combines toughness and softness, characteristics that are typically not found in the same substance.

Macrosystems ecology: A new engine in ecosystem science

This paper introduces an integrated framework for macrosystems ecology, building on foundational ecological principles to advance ecosystem science. It provides a comprehensive synthesis of macroecosystem science's origins, mission, core scientific questions, and practical applications.

Using sound waves to detect helium

Researchers developed a device utilizing sound waves to detect helium by exploiting changes in sound velocity and resonant frequencies. The triangular Kagome structure allows for accurate detection of helium leaks, even at extremely low temperatures.

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.

Researchers discover bias in AI models that analyze pathology samples

A new study led by Harvard Medical School researchers found that AI models analyzing pathology samples can infer demographic information, leading to biased diagnoses. The team developed a framework called FAIR-Path to reduce bias in these models, which showed improved performance across demographics.

ARGs profiles and risk assessment between QXP and polar regions

The study reveals that despite differences in ARG abundance between the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau and polar regions, their types are similar, with bacitracin and multidrug-resistant ARGs being common. Most ARGs belong to the low-risk category, but high-risk variants were detected, indicating a need for continuous monitoring.

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.

New method accelerates resistance testing in urinary tract infections

Researchers at TUM developed a new method that allows for direct analysis of urine to determine antibiotic resistance in urinary tract infections. The test reduces the time to result by up to 24 hours compared to conventional testing, enabling healthcare providers to prescribe more targeted treatments.

‘Tubuloids’ offer a realistic platform for modeling chronic kidney disease

Researchers from Institute of Science Tokyo developed 'tubuloids' to capture the slow progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD), replicating key features such as DNA damage, cellular senescence, inflammation, and fibrosis. This realistic platform provides a new way to develop and test treatments for millions globally.

Occupational factors strongly influence long-COVID risk

A large Catalan cohort study found that occupational factors play a significant role in the development of Long-COVID. Healthcare and social care professionals, teachers, retail workers, transport workers, and security staff were identified as high-risk occupations.

A platform to test new cancer treatments

Researchers at the University of Geneva have created a laboratory platform to rapidly evaluate the toxicity of new cancer treatments using human tissue-derived cell clusters. This approach allows for safer evaluation and could lead to personalized treatment options.

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

PCORI awards funding for new patient-centered healthcare research

The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) has awarded funding for new comparative clinical effectiveness research studies addressing various adult and pediatric health concerns. These studies aim to generate evidence to empower individuals and their caregivers with information to make informed health care decisions and i...

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

​Algae for health in food and pharma ​

The Algae for Health in Food and Pharma summit explores the latest developments in algae cultivation and processing, food innovation, and pharmaceutical applications. The event aims to advance the understanding of algae's health potential and highlight its applications across the food and pharmaceutical sectors.

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.

When blue-collar workers lose union protection, they try self-employment

A study found that the enactment of stringent anti-union laws increases the attractiveness of becoming self-employed for blue-collar workers, who are more likely to start small, unincorporated businesses out of necessity. The weakening of unions tends to mean longer hours, less security, and fewer benefits on the job.

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

MASTER 2nd Open Call: Execution period kick-off

The European Science Communication Institute launched its 2nd MASTER Open Call in April 2025. The selected projects will focus on validating and applying XR-based solutions to enhance learning experiences.

New video dataset to advance AI for health care

Researchers have launched a new multimodal medical dataset, Observer, capturing anonymized, real-time interactions between patients and clinicians. The dataset links video, audio, transcripts, and electronic health records to study subtleties like body language and environmental factors affecting care.

There are fewer online trolls than people think

A recent study found that Americans overestimate online toxicity, with participants believing 43% of Reddit users post toxic comments when only 3% actually do. Correcting this misperception improves social cohesion by reducing pessimism and increasing positivity.

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.

Study documents potentially hazardous flame retardants in firefighter gear

A study by Duke University found potentially hazardous brominated flame retardants in firefighter turnout gear, posing risks to firefighter health. The chemicals, including decabromodiphenyl ethane, have been linked to negative health effects such as cancer, thyroid disease, and neurodevelopmental problems.

New modeling approach sheds light on rare gut disease

A new strategy for studying Hirschsprung disease in mice has revealed the interactions between multiple genes that control the condition. Researchers found that combining weaker mutations in genes RET and EDNRB creates a more realistic model of the disease, with key similarities to human HSCR.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

AI model helps diagnose often undetected heart disease from simple EKG

Researchers developed an AI model that can detect coronary microvascular dysfunction using a common electrocardiogram, outperforming previous models in diagnostic tasks. The model can accurately identify a condition often missed in emergency department visits, providing a cost-effective and non-invasive way to diagnose serious heart co...