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Science News Archive December 2025


Page 19 of 46

A testing paradox for sexually transmitted infections

A new modeling study suggests that regular testing for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can successfully reduce their spread, even if individuals on PrEP engage in riskier behavior. The paradoxical findings highlight the importance of careful surveillance data interpretation when evaluating public health interventions.

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.

New agentic AI platform accelerates advanced optics design

Stanford engineers develop an AI framework called MetaChat, which rapidly accelerates metasurface design using computational tools and self-reflective AI assistants. This enables rapid solving of optics-related problems, such as designing metal lenses that can focus different wavelengths of light.

£1.4 million grant for groundbreaking University of Stirling salmon health study

A £1.4 million funding has been secured by the University of Stirling to explore tissue remodelling processes in salmon, with a focus on reducing mortality linked to gill and skin health issues. The research will deliver practical tools for fish health and productivity while enhancing sustainability in the Scottish aquaculture industry.

SUMO E1 inhibition mitigates ocular lens fibrosis

Researchers discovered that SUMO E1 enzyme activity drives lens fibrosis, while its inhibition with ML792 disrupts SMAD4 SUMOylation and subsequent TGFβ2-induced fibrotic transformation. This study establishes a novel SUMOylation-SMAD4 regulatory axis in ocular fibrosis.

Study uncovers new drug target for huge class of viruses

A study from UMBC reveals a conserved RNA-protein interaction as a promising target for broad-spectrum enterovirus antivirals. The researchers found that a fusion protein called 3CD recruits proteins to assemble the replication complex, and targeting this interface could lead to universal drugs.

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

Order from chaos

In a groundbreaking discovery, researchers at the Technion and Shanghai Jiao Tong University found that photons can emerge with

Exploring how the visual system recovers following injury

A new study using mice found that surviving cells compensate for cell death by sprouting extra branches to promote recovery in the visual brain system. However, female mice showed delayed or incomplete repair compared to males. This suggests a compensatory mechanism following brain injury that differs between sexes.

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.

Study reveals fisheries danger zones for large seabirds

A new study led by UniSC has pinpointed areas and times when large seabirds like the Antipodean albatross are most at risk of injury or death from fishing longlines. The researchers identified winter hotspots in a latitudinal band near the Tropic of Capricorn, where juvenile and female birds face the highest risk.

A rapid diagnostic breakthrough against a silent global threat

A novel diagnostic approach enables rapid detection of both antibiotic resistance and high virulence in Klebsiella pneumoniae, a microorganism driving the global antibiotic resistance crisis. This breakthrough could support timely, targeted therapy and strengthen infection-control strategies in healthcare settings.

Breakthrough on gene therapy for hereditary spastic paraplegia

Researchers at Drexel University and UMass Chan Medical School have developed a gene therapy approach that silences and replaces disease-causing genes in mice with hereditary spastic paraplegia. The treatment prevents nerve breakdown and symptoms, offering a potential cure for the rare disease. Studies suggest that the therapy could be...

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.

Solar panels over crops may boost farmworkers’ comfort

Agrivoltaics systems can significantly augment quality of life for farmworkers by providing shelter from the sun, cooler drinking water, and reduced fatigue. Researchers found that these systems can reduce wet bulb globe temperature by up to 5.5 degrees Celsius, making them a crucial tool in protecting farmworkers from heat stress.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

Survey: Half of US adults resolve to start a new diet in 2026

According to a recent survey by the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, nearly half of US adults resolve to start a new diet in 2026. More than 80% say cost is an important factor when choosing a weight-loss plan. Despite evidence that plant-based diets are effective and less expensive, only 6% plan to try this approach. Res...

Tapping into whale talk

A Harvard-designed bio-logger captures high-fidelity audio of sperm whale codas, which are later analyzed by machine learning models to uncover structured communication. Recent results show that sperm whales have their own alphabet and use vowels and diphthongs in their language.

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.

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.

New white paper analyzes U.S. vaccine safety monitoring system

A new white paper by biostatistician Professor Jeffrey S. Morris analyzes the multicomponent US vaccine safety monitoring system, including VAERS and other components. The study suggests improvements to enhance the system's effectiveness and sustain a robust safety monitoring infrastructure.

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.

Kids’ behavioral health is a growing share of family health costs

The study found that behavioral health care accounted for $41.8 billion of overall health spending in 2022, with families paying an average of $2.9 billion out-of-pocket. The costs have grown more than twice as fast as other types of medical care, with telehealth visits increasing by 99% per year.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Day & night: Cancer disrupts the brain’s natural rhythm

Research found that breast cancer flattens corticosterone release in mice, reducing quality of life and increasing mortality. Disruptions to diurnal rhythms have been linked to stress responses like insomnia and anxiety in cancer patients.

Scientists create stable, switchable vortex knots inside liquid crystals

Researchers created particle-like vortex knots in chiral nematic liquid crystals and discovered they can be reversibly switched between different knotted forms using electric pulses. The study provides a physical testbed for mathematical ideas, opening possible new routes toward knot-based electro-optic and photonic technologies.

What makes a good proton conductor?

Researchers created a metric to quantify lattice flexibility and studied how it impacts proton transport. They ranked the importance of seven features, including hydrogen bond length and oxygen sublattice flexibility, finding that these are critical for efficient proton conduction.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

John Holdren awarded 2026 AIP Karl Compton Medal

John Holdren, a Harvard University professor and former OSTP director, has been awarded the 2026 AIP Karl Taylor Compton Medal for his scientific leadership in engaging the public and promoting sound governmental policies. The medal recognizes his contributions to physics through statesmanship in science.

Penn and UMich create world’s smallest programmable, autonomous robots

Researchers at Penn and UMich created microscopic swimming machines that can independently sense and respond to their surroundings, operate for months, and cost just a penny each. The robots are powered by light and can be programmed to move in complex patterns, sense local temperatures, and adjust their paths accordingly.

GoPro HERO13 Black

GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.

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.

Eight SwRI hydrogen projects funded by ENERGYWERX

Eight SwRI hydrogen projects funded by ENERGYWERX will evaluate new technology and existing infrastructure for a hydrogen-powered future. The projects, conducted at SwRI's Metering Research Facility, aim to improve energy infrastructure and support the use of clean-burning fuel.

New science reporting guide published for journalists in Turkey

A new guide aims to improve science journalism in Turkey, providing practical advice and insights from contemporary scientists. The Balkan Network of Science Journalists has published the first Turkish science journalism guidebook, highlighting the importance of high-quality reporting in a rapidly changing field.