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Science News Archive December 2025 - Page 25


Page 25 of 46

Researchers map how the cerebellum builds its connections with the rest of the brain during early development

A team of researchers has reconstructed how the cerebellum establishes its connections with the rest of the brain during earliest stages of life. The work describes the phases in which these neural connections emerge, expand, and are refined, offering a comprehensive map of cerebellar projections across the mouse brain.

SourceUniversidad Miguel Hernandez de Elche·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 11, 2025

Pandemic ‘beneath the surface’ has been quietly wiping out sea urchins around the world

A study found that a global pandemic is quietly wiping out sea urchins around the world, with populations nearing local extinction in the Canary Islands. The 2022-2023 mass mortality event affected the entire population of the species across the archipelago, causing a 74% decrease in La Palma and a 99.7% decrease in Tenerife.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Marine Science·TypeObservational study·DateDec 11, 2025

Translocating nanoplastics in zebrafish

Researchers found that nanoplastics entered the bloodstream and accumulated in organs within days of ingestion, potentially leading to disorders in nervous and reproductive systems. The particles were primarily expelled through the intestine, but some remained trapped for a long time.

SourceKeAi Communications Co., Ltd.·JournalEnvironmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 10, 2025

School feeding programs lead to modest but meaningful results

A new Cochrane review found that free or subsidized school meals slightly improve math achievement and enrolment rates in low- and middle-income countries. School feeding programs also likely contribute to small gains in physical growth indicators, but evidence from high-income countries is limited.

SourceCochrane·JournalCochrane Database of Systematic Reviews·TypeSystematic review·DateDec 10, 2025

Direct observation reveals “two-in-one” roles of plasma turbulence

Researchers at the National Institute for Fusion Science used high-precision diagnostic instruments to measure temperature, turbulence, and heat propagation in a plasma. The experiments revealed two types of turbulence: a mediator-type that connects distant regions quickly, and another type that carries heat outward more slowly.

SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·JournalCommunications Physics·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 10, 2025

The Lancet Psychiatry: Slow tapering plus therapy most effective strategy for stopping antidepressants, finds major meta-analysis

A systematic review and network meta-analysis of 76 randomised controlled trials found that slow tapering of antidepressants combined with psychological support prevented relapse over the following year to a similar extent as remaining on an antidepressant. This approach could change how coming off antidepressants is managed globally.

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet Psychiatry·TypeMeta-analysis·DateDec 10, 2025

Seaweed based carbon catalyst offers metal free solution for removing antibiotics from water

A new seaweed-based carbon catalyst has been developed that can rapidly break down antibiotic norfloxacin in water without using toxic metals or sulfur chemicals. The catalyst, made from kappa carrageenan and doped with nitrogen and sulfur, shows high specific surface area and degrades antibiotics through non-radical pathways.

Researchers develop AI Tool to identify undiagnosed Alzheimer's cases while reducing disparities

Researchers developed an AI tool to identify patients with undiagnosed Alzheimer's disease using electronic health records, addressing underdiagnosis and healthcare inequities. The model achieved sensitivity rates of 77-81% across diverse populations, promoting fairness while maintaining high accuracy.

Cell-free DNA Could Detect Adverse Events from Immunotherapy

Researchers developed a non-invasive blood test to detect genetic material shed by tumors, which can identify adverse events related to immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy. The test found evidence of multi-organ injury in patients with immune-related adverse events, suggesting that the clinical syndromes may represent only a small frac...

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateDec 10, 2025

New research from Montana State economist shows how wetland restoration can benefit local economies

A Montana State University economist's research found that wetland restoration through the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program can reduce ammonia and nitrogen concentrations in local waterways, resulting in decreased costs for communities. This can lead to tangible savings of up to $17,000 per year in smaller rural towns.

SourceMontana State University·JournalJournal of the Association of Environmental and Resource Economists·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateDec 10, 2025

New study charts paths to end cervical cancer

A new mathematical model developed by University of Maryland researchers can help public health officials design effective vaccination and cancer screening policies for HPV-related cancers. The model suggests that expanding vaccine access, particularly to boys, could eliminate the disease in South Korea within 60-70 years.

SourceUniversity of Maryland·JournalBulletin of Mathematical Biology·DateDec 10, 2025

ECOG-ACRIN and Caris Life Sciences unveil first findings from a multi-year collaboration to advance AI-powered multimodal tools for breast cancer recurrence risk stratification

Researchers developed multimodal models integrating imaging, clinical, and molecular data from TAILORx tissue biorepository for early-stage breast cancer. The models demonstrated enhanced prognostic performance compared to existing methods, highlighting their potential for personalized treatment decision-making.

Vanderbilt University and EPB launch innovation institute to accelerate quantum science and technology breakthroughs

The Institute for Quantum Innovation aims to accelerate discoveries from research to the real world, driving advancements in energy, national security, health, insurance, logistics, and critical infrastructure. The collaboration will provide best-in-class learning and research opportunities for students and faculty, putting Vanderbilt ...

Twisting Spins: Florida State University researchers explore chemical boundaries to create new magnetic material

Researchers have created a new crystalline material with unusual magnetic patterns that could be used for breakthroughs in data storage and quantum technologies. The team used structural frustration to generate complex patterns of spins, leading to the discovery of skyrmion-like spin textures.

SourceFlorida State University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateDec 10, 2025

Descriptions of mollusks in the Global South are still, for the most part, the result of ‘parachute science’

A study of over 3,200 terrestrial mollusk species found that nearly half were described by non-local researchers, highlighting a neocolonial practice. This 'helicopter science' or 'parachute science' harms local researchers and can lead to less robust studies.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalProceedings of the Royal Society of London B Biological Sciences·DateDec 10, 2025

Study proves the anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and anti-arthritic actions of a plant used in folk medicine

Researchers from Brazil confirm the safety and efficacy of Alternanthera littoralis (Joseph's Coat) in reducing inflammation and modulating inflammatory mediators. The study's findings support the plant's medicinal potential and suggest a safety profile at therapeutic doses.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalJournal of Ethnopharmacology·DateDec 10, 2025

Researchers uncover clues to mysterious origin of famous Hjortspring boat

Researchers have uncovered clues about the ancient Hjortspring boat's origins, including a partial human fingerprint and carbon-dating results indicating it was built in the 4th or 3rd century BCE. The findings suggest that the boat may have come from the Baltic Sea Region, where pine forests were more abundant.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS One·TypeObservational study·DateDec 10, 2025

Towards inclusive wearable sensors: Polarized light boosts accuracy of wearable health sensors for all skin tones

A newly developed wearable sensor uses polarized light to improve photoplethysmography (PPG) signal accuracy across different skin tones. The device splits light into two channels, detecting co-polarized and cross-polarized signals to filter out superficial scattering and capture stronger signals from deeper tissue.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalBiophotonics Discovery·TypeObservational study·DateDec 10, 2025