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Science News Archive December 2025 - Page 18


Page 18 of 46

Illinois Grainger Engineers develop reconfigurable slow-light platform for on-chip photonic engineering

The Illinois Grainger Engineers have developed a reconfigurable slow-light platform for on-chip photonic engineering, which enables high spectral resolution features. This technology has the potential to be used for classical and quantum applications such as quantum memory, single photon storage, and exotic structures.

Mapping the future: AI method to transform alloy properties prediction and design

Researchers at the University of Illinois developed a machine learning approach to analyze diffraction patterns and capture an alloy's microstructure in unprecedented detail. This method accelerates alloy property prediction by orders of magnitude, enabling rapid fundamental understanding of structure properties in metals.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Grainger College of Engineering·Journalnpj Computational Materials·DateDec 15, 2025

An atlas of personality profiles created by Estonian researchers reveals patterns between personality and life events

The study pooled data from 90 previously published research papers, standardizing 162 different phenotypes, including life events, traits, or choices. The researchers found five large groups of personality profiles, each characterized by distinct patterns of neuroticism, extraversion, and sociability.

SourceEstonian Research Council·JournalPersonality Science·TypeMeta-analysis·DateDec 15, 2025

Moss and symbionts offer a promising solution for removing metals from mining and forestry-impacted waters

Mosses have been found to remove metals from water by utilizing the help of their microbial symbionts. The key to this process is the cooperation between the moss and its endophytes, which enhance metal tolerance. Mosses from polluted environments were found to host more beneficial microbes that facilitate metal removal.

SourceUniversity of Oulu, Finland·JournaliMetaOmics·DateDec 15, 2025

Raw materials from CO

Researchers have created a novel synthetic enzyme that efficiently converts CO2 into formic acid, opening up new possibilities for biotechnological production of valuable chemicals and fuels. The enzyme, FAR, tolerates high concentrations of formate and is stable in both living cells and cell-free systems.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalACS Catalysis·DateDec 15, 2025

Climate shapes arms race between ants and their social parasites

Two new studies show how climate shapes the behavior, communication, and genome evolution of ants and their social parasites, leading to adaptation in this long-standing conflict. Climate influences aggression, chemical profiles, and genetic strategies in both hosts and parasites, with varying responses across different climates.

SourceJohannes Gutenberg Universitaet Mainz·JournalJournal of Evolutionary Biology·TypeObservational study·DateDec 15, 2025

Buffalo's deadly blizzard revealed when travel bans lose their power over time

A new framework uses weather indicators to estimate how quickly a travel ban may start to lose effectiveness. The approach could inform targeted interventions before storms hit and preserve emergency measures' legitimacy while keeping people safer. It was developed after analyzing two Buffalo storms in late 2022.

SourceNYU Tandon School of Engineering·JournalTransport Policy·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateDec 15, 2025

Groundbreaking University of Limerick, Ireland research reveals personality traits are powerful predictors of risk of death

A major new study from University of Limerick analysing almost six million person-years of data has revealed that personality traits are linked to longevity and risk of death. The research highlights that personality is likely associated with risk of death through an influence on a range of health behaviours and biological processes.

SourceUniversity of Limerick·JournalJournal of Personality and Social Psychology·TypeMeta-analysis·DateDec 15, 2025

Study: Mixed results in using lipoic acid to treat progressive multiple sclerosis

A randomized controlled trial found that lipoic acid had a small beneficial effect on slowing brain atrophy in people with progressive multiple sclerosis. However, it did not improve walking speed as the primary clinical outcome. The study suggests that lipoic acid may be worth further investigation for its potential benefits.

SourceOregon Health & Science University·JournalNeurology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateDec 15, 2025

Dual-UAV system boosts color accuracy in crop remote sensing

A dual-UAV color correction method improves crop remote sensing accuracy by over 70%, aligning image color with ground-truth measurements and enabling more precise phenotyping and agricultural decision-making. The technology offers a scalable pathway for reliable high-throughput applications in precision agriculture.

SourceNanjing Agricultural University The Academy of Science·JournalPlant Phenomics·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 15, 2025

Contaminated bathing water easier to detect

A new method uses machine learning and flow cytometry to detect contaminated bathing water, providing faster and more complete answers on water safety. The method has several advantages, including being open-source and able to detect changes in entire bacterial communities.

SourceLund University·JournalWater Research X·DateDec 15, 2025

UT Health Sciences researchers demonstrate breakthroughs in cancer treatment quality through AI-enhanced data analytics

Researchers at UT Health Sciences Center have developed an AI-enhanced platform called ENRICH, which leverages advanced analytics with community-based human support to reduce treatment interruptions and improve cancer outcomes. The program identifies patients at highest risk for interruption and deploys targeted support resources.

SourceUniversity of Tennessee Health Science Center·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateDec 15, 2025

Biologists discover neurons use physical signals — not electricity — to stabilize communication

Researchers at USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences discovered that neurons can rapidly adjust their signaling using a fast, physical mechanism. This system relies on structural cues rather than electrical signals to maintain balance between neurons, which is essential for muscle control, learning, and overall brain health.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 15, 2025

New research finds Zillow’s Zestimate reduces uncertainty and improves outcomes for both buyers and sellers

New research found that Zestimate boosts efficiency in the residential real estate sector while benefiting lower-income neighborhoods. The algorithm helps alleviate uncertainty about property values, leading to increased buyer surplus and seller profit by an average of 5.94% and 4.36%, respectively.

New phenotyping platform identifies key drought-tolerance genes in soybean

A novel phenotyping platform has identified a major QTL and candidate gene GmWRKY58 linked to drought resilience in soybean. The low-cost platform uses automated load-cell weighing devices to record pot weight, estimating transpiration rates and detecting key traits such as stress recognition time point and decrease under stress.

SourceNanjing Agricultural University The Academy of Science·JournalPlant Phenomics·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 15, 2025

Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai named member of the Milken Institute’s Women’s Health Network

The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai is advancing women's health through cutting-edge research and compassionate care, with a focus on addressing knowledge gaps and promoting seamless treatment journeys. The institution joins the Milken Institute's Women's Health Network to bring its expertise in clinical excellence, research in...

UTHealth Houston, in collaboration with UTMB Health, awarded $50 million by the state of Texas to lead ibogaine clinical trials

UTHealth Houston, in collaboration with UTMB Health, will lead a $50 million two-year ibogaine clinical trial to evaluate its effect on patients suffering from addiction, traumatic brain injury, and behavioral health conditions. The trial aims to advance ibogaine research for improving behavioral health outcomes across Texas.

Households using more of the most popular WIC food benefits stay in the program longer, UW study finds

A new study by the University of Washington found that households redeeming higher amounts of popular WIC food categories are less likely to drop out of the program. The research identified a link between increased redemption rates and lower risk of discontinuation, with fruits, vegetables, eggs, and whole milk being key categories.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateDec 15, 2025