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Science News Archive December 2025 - Page 28


Page 28 of 46

Could hidden infections be fueling long COVID?

Research suggests that co-infections such as Epstein-Barr virus and tuberculosis may contribute to long COVID symptoms. These infections could leave the immune system compromised, triggering persistent symptoms. The study's findings offer new lines of investigation into effective treatments for long COVID.

SourceRutgers University·JournaleLife·DateDec 10, 2025

Researchers develop models to help diagnose ALS earlier through blood biomarkers

Scientists at Michigan Medicine have developed machine learning models that can analyze blood samples for biomarkers to detect ALS earlier and predict disease severity. The models show promising results, with predictions accurate up to 91% in some cases, and could lead to improved diagnostic accuracy and treatment options.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalNature Communications·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateDec 10, 2025

Jeonbuk National University researchers develop novel eco-friendly and photo-switchable smart adhesives

Jeonbuk National University researchers have developed a novel, eco-friendly, and photo-switchable smart adhesive using biomass-derived materials. The adhesive demonstrates reversible light-controlled adhesion and retains over 90% of its original strength after repeated usage cycles.

SourceJeonbuk National University, Sustainable Strategy team, Planning and Coordination Division·JournalChemical Engineering Journal·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 10, 2025

Uterine fibroids linked to elevated heart disease risk

A new study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association has found that women with uterine fibroids are at an elevated risk of heart disease. The research, which analyzed data from over 450,000 women, suggests that fibroids may serve as a marker for identifying women at increased cardiovascular risk.

SourceAmerican Heart Association·JournalJournal of the American Heart Association·DateDec 10, 2025

More yield through heterosis: IPK research team decodes gene interaction

The IPK research team has developed a new statistical method to analyze gene interactions that contribute to heterosis, resulting in more robust and productive plants. The hQTL-ODS method quickly and accurately identifies relevant loci contributing to heterosis in wheat, potentially accelerating yield increases.

Fecal tests reveal active termite attacks

Researchers have developed a new test that uses microbes to determine the age of termite droppings, allowing for rapid on-site infestation assessments. The study found that the amount of DNA from E. coli bacteria in the pellets decreases significantly over time, with a nearly 190-fold drop by the 12-month mark.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalJournal of Economic Entomology·DateDec 10, 2025

ICE-CSIC leads a pioneering study on the feasibility of asteroid mining

A team led by ICE-CSIC analyzed C-type asteroids and carbon-rich minor bodies to assess their viability for resource extraction. The study supports the idea that these asteroids can serve as crucial material sources, but mining undifferentiated asteroids is still far from viable.

SourceSpanish National Research Council (CSIC)·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 10, 2025

James Webb telescope reveals spectacular atmospheric escape

A team of astronomers detected with precision two huge tails of gas surrounding the ultra-hot Jupiter WASP-121b using the James Webb Space Telescope. The continuous observation revealed a trailing tail pushed back by radiation and a leading tail pulled towards the star, covering over three times the distance between planet and star.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalNature Communications·TypeNews article·DateDec 10, 2025

Research spotlight: A subset of patients with depression could benefit from anti-inflammatory treatment

A subset of depressed individuals with chronic, low-grade inflammation may benefit from anti-inflammatory treatment, according to a systematic review and meta-analysis. The study found that anti-inflammatory medications significantly reduced depressive symptom severity and anhedonia in these patients.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalAmerican Journal of Psychiatry·TypeSystematic review·DateDec 10, 2025

How parasitic, asexual plants evolve and live

Researchers found that all Balanophora plants have an extremely reduced plastid genome, showing that even though they abandon photosynthesis, the plastid is still vital to their metabolism. Asexual reproduction likely evolved repeatedly in the group, with some species colonizing islands without fertilization.

SourceKobe University·JournalNew Phytologist·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 10, 2025

Membrane electrode assembly design for high-efficiency anion exchange membrane water electrolysis

Researchers developed three advanced strategies to create ordered membrane electrode assemblies for high-efficiency anion exchange membrane water electrolysis. The first strategy uses nanoimprinting, while the second employs integrated membrane electrodes. The third strategy leverages 3D interlocked interfaces, achieving exceptional pe...

SourceResearch·JournalResearch·TypeNews article·DateDec 9, 2025

U.S. debt ceiling disputes show measurable impact on global crude oil markets

A recent study found that U.S. debt ceiling disputes have measurable impacts on global crude oil markets, particularly in WTI and Brent futures prices. The research employed advanced econometric approaches to capture nonlinear and asymmetric effects, revealing temporally nuanced consequences for energy prices and market stability.

SourceShanghai Jiao Tong University Journal Center·JournalChina Finance Review International·TypeNews article·DateDec 9, 2025

Patch offers hope to save frog populations

A non-invasive method has been developed to monitor hormone levels in frogs, providing valuable insights into their wellbeing. This technology uses tiny patches that collect hormone-rich secretions from frog skin, marking a major step forward in amphibian monitoring.

SourceLa Trobe University·JournalFrontiers in Conservation Science·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 9, 2025

Climate extremes triggered rare coral disease and mass mortality on the Great Barrier Reef

A recent study found that extreme ocean temperatures triggered a rare coral disease and mass mortality on the Great Barrier Reef. The study discovered that bleaching was followed by an unprecedented outbreak of black band disease, which killed massive Goniopora corals at One Tree Reef.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalProceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences·TypeObservational study·DateDec 9, 2025

New superconducting thin film for quantum computer chips

Researchers at RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science have created a new superconducting thin film from iron telluride, suitable for quantum computing applications. The film's unique crystal structure, resulting from intentional misalignment of atomic layers, reduces lattice distortion and enables low-temperature superconductivity.

SourceRIKEN·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 9, 2025

Heavy energy drink intake may pose serious stroke risk, doctors warn

A case report warns that heavy energy drink consumption may pose a serious stroke risk due to high caffeine and sugar content. The study highlights the potential cardiovascular risks associated with energy drinks and proposes increased regulation of sales and advertising campaigns to protect public health.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalBMJ Case Reports·TypeCase study·DateDec 9, 2025

Humans rank between meerkats and beavers in monogamy ‘league table’

A recent study published by the University of Cambridge ranks species based on their levels of exclusive mating. Humans fall between meerkats and beavers in terms of monogamy rates. The study analyzed proportions of full versus half-siblings across various mammal species, including humans. This approach provides a more direct measure o...

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalProceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateDec 9, 2025

Icy hot plasmas

A team of Caltech researchers has created an icy hot plasma system, where electrons and positively charged ions coexist in a mostly neutral gas environment. The study reveals the formation of extremely fluffy ice grains that grow into fractal shapes, leading to unexpected physics.

SourceCalifornia Institute of Technology·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateDec 9, 2025

University of Maryland School of Medicine names distinguished scientist and academic leader Gerald M. Wilson, PhD, as Chair of the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Gerald M. Wilson, PhD, joins UMSOM as Chair of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, bringing expertise in RNA biochemistry and cancer mechanisms. He aims to strengthen departmental capabilities and foster collaboration to advance research, education, and service.

Treating adults with autism: Maryland Clinical Center offers national blueprint for care after pediatric transition

A new report from the University of Maryland School of Medicine presents a five-year data model demonstrating how a state-funded, multidisciplinary care approach can improve health outcomes and quality of life for adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other neurodevelopmental disorders. The study found that this model can serv...

SourceUniversity of Maryland School of Medicine·JournalNeurology·TypeObservational study·DateDec 9, 2025

The leaking star cluster

Astronomers have detected a new gamma-ray source near Westerlund 1, a young massive star cluster in the Milky Way. The source is connected to a 'nascent outflow' of particles driven by the cluster's collective wind, creating a cavity in the interstellar medium.

SourceMax-Planck-Institut fur Kernphysik·JournalNature Communications·TypeObservational study·DateDec 9, 2025

MPFToD: a modularized pre-training framework for consistency identification in task-oriented dialogue

A modularized pre-training framework (MPFToD) has been introduced to enhance consistency identification capability in task-oriented dialogues. By utilizing large amounts of knowledge-free dialogue data for pre-training, MPFToD improves the model's performance and provides new ideas for developing dialogue systems.

SourceHigher Education Press·JournalFrontiers of Computer Science·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 9, 2025