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Science News Archive December 2025 - Page 13


Page 13 of 46

New analytics breakthrough shows U.S. schools can adopt later start times without raising costs

A new study demonstrates that healthier school schedules are achievable and cost-effective, improving teen well-being and district operations. The interactive analytics model helps districts balance transportation, staffing, and family needs, resulting in savings of over $5 million annually.

Black patients diagnosed with aggressive leukemia experience worse outcomes, but differences not linked to key genetic changes

A new study by University of Maryland researchers found that Black patients with aggressive leukemia have lower survival rates and are more likely to die from the disease compared to white patients. The disparity is attributed to younger age at diagnosis rather than genetic differences, according to Dr. Shella Saint Fleur-Lominy.

New methodology to decipher how human ancestors moved

A new study uses three-dimensional geometric morphometric analysis to examine wrist ligament insertion sites in fossil hominids, revealing diverse locomotor behaviours and significant differences between species. The research expands palaeoanthropology methods, proposing an innovative approach to reconstructing human ancestor movement.

SourceUniversity of Barcelona·JournalScientific Reports·TypeObservational study·DateDec 17, 2025

Holding back laughter

A research team at the University of Göttingen investigated how laughter can be regulated and found that social cues can strongly interfere with these efforts. The results showed that suppression and distraction were effective strategies to hold back laughter, while cognitive reappraisal could reduce how funny the jokes felt.

SourceUniversity of Göttingen·JournalCommunications Psychology·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 17, 2025

How do spinal cord injuries heal?

Researchers at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center have identified a mechanism that could help treat patients with spinal cord injuries, stroke, and neurological conditions. Astrocytes, a type of cell in the central nervous system, play a critical role in responding to damage and disease, sending signals to immune cells to clean up debris resu...

SourceCedars-Sinai Medical Center·JournalNature·DateDec 17, 2025

Soil microbes in Colombia’s páramo and tropical forests respond to seasonal shifts

Research by Professor Diana López-Alvarez reveals that microbial communities in Colombian tropical forests and high-altitude páramos are significantly influenced by seasonal changes. Soil chemical properties have a more substantial influence on bacterial communities during the dry season, which has important implications for understand...

SourceHigher Education Press·JournalSoil Ecology Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 17, 2025

Exposure to PFAS and PCBs linked to higher odds of MS

Research analyzed blood samples from 1,800 individuals in Sweden, finding links between PFAS and PCB exposure and increased odds of multiple sclerosis. The study also highlighted genetic vulnerability and complex interactions between environmental contaminants and hereditary factors.

SourceUppsala University·JournalEnvironment International·TypeObservational study·DateDec 17, 2025

mRNA revitalizes aging immune systems—the liver as a fountain of youth

Researchers have demonstrated that mRNA technology can be used to transform the liver in mice into a temporary source of important immune regulatory factors that are naturally lost during aging. This restores the formation of new immune cells, allowing older animals to develop robust immune responses again and fight tumors effectively.

The antibiotic delafloxacin emerges as a potential therapeutic alternative against Legionella

A study published in the International Journal of Infectious Diseases found that delafloxacin inhibits Legionella replication more effectively than levofloxacin. The antibiotic demonstrates promising intracellular activity, which could support further clinical investigation as a potential treatment for Legionnaires' disease.

SourceGermans Trias i Pujol Research Institute·JournalInternational Journal of Infectious Diseases·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 17, 2025

Valacyclovir treatment of early symptomatic Alzheimer disease

Researchers found that valacyclovir, an antiviral medication, was ineffective in treating early symptomatic Alzheimer's disease and may even worsen cognitive function. The study suggests that individuals with early symptomatic Alzheimer's disease and herpes simplex virus seropositivity should not be treated with valacyclovir.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA·DateDec 17, 2025

Breakthrough: Now we can detect specific DNA with a phone

A Danish research group has designed proteins that can detect specific DNA sequences and produce light, which can be captured by a phone's camera. This breakthrough enables quick and affordable analysis of samples in various fields such as healthcare, agriculture, and the pharmaceutical industry.

SourceAarhus University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 17, 2025

A new direction in medical ethics: embracing One Health in a new form of "weak anthropocentrism"

Researchers propose 'weak anthropocentrism' as a middle path between strong anthropocentrism and biocentrism/ecocentrism, requiring clinical decisions to balance human health with minimization of harm to ecosystems. Green oncology demonstrates its operationalization in clinical choices.

SourceShanghai Jiao Tong University Journal Center·JournalScience in One Health·TypeNews article·DateDec 17, 2025

Blood flow restriction cuffs a fall risk for older adults

Wearing blood flow restriction cuffs while walking can worsen balance in older adults, regardless of speed. However, long-term training with BFR could potentially improve balance and strength in this age group. The study's findings highlight the importance of exercising safely under professional supervision.

SourceMurdoch University·JournalGait & Posture·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateDec 17, 2025

Results from IMMUNOMICS-VHIO platform’s first study demonstrate the efficacy of ultrasensitive liquid biopsy in predicting and monitoring immunotherapy response

Researchers have developed an ultrasensitive liquid biopsy platform to predict and monitor immunotherapy response in advanced cancer patients. The study shows that lower levels of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) at baseline are associated with better progression-free survival and overall survival.

SourceVall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology·JournalClinical Cancer Research·DateDec 17, 2025

New Nature Scientific Data study releases first comprehensive atlas of Bronze Age settlements in western Anatolia

The study provides a comprehensive, interoperable geospatial catalogue of Middle and Late Bronze Age settlement sites in western Anatolia, documenting 483 archaeological settlements. This dataset fills a long-standing gap in regional Bronze Age research, enabling researchers to explore regional dynamics at scales not previously possible.

SourceLuwian Studies·JournalScientific Data·TypeMeta-analysis·DateDec 17, 2025

Machine Learning Model predict protein binding on gold nanoclusters - Opens doors for next-generation biomedical nanomaterials

A novel machine learning framework predicts protein binding on gold nanoclusters, revealing chemical principles governing biomolecule–gold interactions. The model enables scalable design of effective nanomaterials for biomedical applications.

SourceUniversity of Jyväskylä - Jyväskylän yliopisto·JournalAggregate·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateDec 17, 2025

Chonnam National University scientists discover a molecular switch that protects crops from freezing cold

Researchers at Chonnam National University identified a hidden molecular switch that quickly reprograms root development to withstand cold conditions. The discovery highlights opportunities to protect crops from rising climate instability by enhancing specific signaling pathways or stabilizing key regulators.

SourceChonnam National University, The Research Information Management Team, Office of Research Promotion·JournalJournal of Integrative Plant Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 17, 2025

Bayesian spatial modeling enhances precision of forest biomass estimation

A new study improves forest biomass estimation using Bayesian spatial modeling, incorporating species-specific variability and spatial random effects for accurate carbon stock assessments and ecosystem monitoring. The method offers a scalable solution for national forest inventories and REDD+ programs.

SourceNanjing Agricultural University The Academy of Science·JournalPlant Phenomics·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 17, 2025

PolyU develops ultra-stable, mucus-inspired hydrogel to boost gastrointestinal wound healing

Researchers at PolyU have developed an acid-resistant, ultra-stable mucus-inspired hydrogel that significantly improves gastrointestinal wound healing in animals and outperforms a clinically approved mucosal protectant. The hydrogel's potential for commercialization is high due to its low cost, ease of production, and established safet...

SourceThe Hong Kong Polytechnic University·JournalCell Reports Physical Science·DateDec 17, 2025

Studies reveal Asian and Singaporean women with PCOS may experience longer reproductive lifespans and more favorable reproductive outcomes than peers without PCOS

Researchers found that Asian and Singaporean women with PCOS have better reproductive outcomes, including higher pregnancy rates and oocyte retrieval per cycle, compared to women without PCOS. Women with PCOS tend to maintain a higher ovarian reserve as they age, allowing for more robust responses to fertility treatment.

Extreme manufacturing enables ultra-soft, ultra-small, high-density neural implants

Researchers propose a new design approach for intracortical electrodes that can record from many neurons at once without damaging them. The authors outline various manufacturing approaches, including advanced silicon micromachining and thermal fiber drawing, to create flexible devices with low stiffness.

SourceInternational Journal of Extreme Manufacturing·JournalInternational Journal of Extreme Manufacturing·DateDec 17, 2025