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Science News Archive February 2025 - Page 2


Page 2 of 44

A dictionary of fragrances

Scientists at Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena have developed data sets for the description and recording of odours, using over 1,200 test subjects to compile how people perceive, describe, and classify 74 monomolecular odour samples. The researchers aim to help solve the stimulus-percept problem in smell perception.

SourceFriedrich-Schiller-Universitaet Jena·JournalScientific Data·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateFeb 28, 2025

Relapsing polychondritis: Tracheobronchial involvement and differential diagnoses

Tracheobronchial involvement in relapsing polychondritis requires a multimodal approach for diagnosis and treatment. Key findings include the use of dynamic thoracic imaging and flexible bronchoscopy to assess lesions, as well as the development of immunosuppressant therapies such as TNF-α inhibitors to improve prognosis.

SourceNational Center for Respiratory Medicine·JournalJournal of Thoracic Disease·TypeLiterature review·DateFeb 28, 2025

Development of 'transparent stretchable substrate' without image distortion could revolutionize next-generation displays

Researchers at KIST have developed a transparent, distortion-free, and non-deformable display substrate by reducing Poisson's ratio to 0.07 or less. The nanostructure-aligned substrate was found to have little longitudinal shrinkage, even when stretched by over 50%, resulting in unbroken images and transparency.

Large population study identifies long-term health risks after COVID-19 hospitalization

A nationwide study found that COVID-19 hospital patients experienced a higher rate of deaths from any cause and were more likely to be hospitalized for specific conditions, particularly neurological and respiratory problems. The study also identified increased risks of chronic health complications up to 30 months after discharge.

SourceTaylor & Francis Group·JournalInfectious Diseases·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 28, 2025

The math behind social distancing: the rules that influence epidemic behavior

A research team identified simple rules governing decision-making during epidemics, which balance infection costs and social distancing. The guidelines predict population behavior based on disease reproduction number and infection cost, offering a new tool for governments to design intervention strategies.

SourceInstitute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 27, 2025

Progentos Therapeutics CEO Chris Loose named board member and chair of the Fellowship and Programs Council for Hertz Foundation

Chris Loose, Progentos Therapeutics CEO, is now chair of the Hertz Fellowship and Programs Council. He will oversee the selection process, administer awards, and facilitate connections among Hertz Fellows. The Hertz Foundation aims to empower innovative scientists and technologists through its prestigious fellowship program.

Element relational graph-augmented multi-granularity contextualized encoding for document-level event role filler extraction

A novel method, ERGM, was proposed for document-level event role filler extraction. It substantially outperforms strong baseline models and effectively captures dependency relationships between different event roles. The explicit graph-structured representation generated by a graph neural network is key to its success.

SourceHigher Education Press·JournalFrontiers of Computer Science·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 27, 2025

How the nervous system modulates pain signals

Researchers at Thomas Jefferson University discovered a specific molecular change that affects the strength of pain sensation by altering action potential duration. This finding offers a novel approach to alleviate clinically relevant pain conditions through boosting potassium channel function.

SourceThomas Jefferson University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 27, 2025

Guidelines for the creation of accessible consent materials and procedures: Lessons from research with autistic people and people with intellectual disability

The article presents guidelines for designing consent materials and procedures for autistic adults and people with intellectual disability, highlighting the importance of multiple modes to deliver content. These guidelines aim to improve accessibility and respectfulness in research with individuals on the autism spectrum.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalAutism in Adulthood·TypeContent analysis·DateFeb 27, 2025

Medicaid extension policies that cover all immigrants in a post-COVID world reduce inequities in postpartum insurance coverage

A new study found that Medicaid extension policies covering all immigrants led to a 4 percentage-point decrease in postpartum uninsurance among immigrant populations in New York City. However, Hispanic immigrants saw a smaller decline, highlighting awareness gaps as a barrier to full benefit.

SourceColumbia University's Mailman School of Public Health·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·DateFeb 27, 2025

Why scientific results vary

A study published in BMC Biology found that different scientists working with the same datasets can arrive at vastly different results, emphasizing the importance of transparent analysis methods. The findings raise fundamental questions about reproducibility and reliability in scientific results.

SourceBielefeld University·JournalBMC Biology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 27, 2025

Swarm-intelligence collaboration based regular scheduling and dynamic rescheduling of precast component production: in prefabricated building project management

Researchers propose a swarm-intelligence collaboration to optimize precast component production scheduling and rescheduling. The approach uses dynamic-interval synergy auctions and weighted Tchebycheff approaches to generate optimal schemes, improving management efficiency and reducing costs in prefabricated building project management.

SourceELSP·JournalSmart Construction·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateFeb 27, 2025

DNA barcodes narrow down possible sources of introductions of an invasive banana skipper butterfly pest

Researchers used DNA barcodes to narrow down the possible sources of introductions of an invasive banana skipper butterfly, finding evidence of aircraft-borne introductions in Japan and potentially in Mauritius. The study suggests that gravid females may be attracted to airport lights, increasing the risk of spread to new areas.

SourceCABI·JournalCABI Agriculture and Bioscience·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 27, 2025

ASTRO issues its first clinical guideline on radiation therapy for anal cancer

The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) has published its first clinical guideline on radiation therapy for anal cancer, providing guidance on treatment options and techniques. The guideline recommends a combination of radiation therapy and drug therapy as the standard of care, with intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IM...

SourceAmerican Society for Radiation Oncology·JournalPractical Radiation Oncology·DateFeb 27, 2025

Computing leaders propose measures to combat tech-facilitated intimate partner violence, human trafficking, and child exploitation

The Association for Computing Machinery's Technology Policy Council issues brief calls on policymakers and tech companies to address tech abuse in intimate partner violence, human trafficking, and child exploitation. The report highlights disturbing statistics and recommends expanding laws and regulations to protect users.

Birds breathe in dangerous plastics—and so do we

A new University of Texas at Arlington study reveals high concentrations of microplastics in bird lungs, with average particles per species and gram of lung tissue measured. The study highlights the urgent need to address plastic pollution and its far-reaching impacts on ecosystem health and human health.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Arlington·JournalJournal of Hazardous Materials·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 27, 2025