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Science News Archive February 2025 - Page 26


Page 26 of 44

Safeguarding intestinal stem cells during aging through balanced signaling

The study reveals that the interplay between ERK/MAPK and IFN-gamma signaling is essential for preserving intestinal stem cells during aging. The researchers found that maintaining a balance between these signaling pathways is critical for supporting stem cell maintenance, while also driving age-related changes in differentiated cells.

New study of effect of CCTV cameras on crime in Newark, NJ, highlights value of longer-term evaluations

A new study by Northeastern University's Crime Prevention Lab found that CCTV cameras in Newark, NJ, were associated with reduced auto thefts three to four years after installation. The study highlights the importance of longer-term evaluations to understand the persistence and potential increase of crime prevention effects.

SourceAmerican Society of Criminology·JournalCriminology & Public Policy·DateFeb 13, 2025

U.S. abortion bans and infant mortality

A study found that US states adopting abortion bans experienced significant increases in infant mortality, especially for deaths caused by congenital conditions. These increased mortality rates were disproportionately high among already vulnerable populations, such as Black infants and residents of Southern states.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA·DateFeb 13, 2025

Research shows blood test may provide personalized dietary therapy for patients with irritable bowel syndrome

A blood test has been found to identify personalized dietary triggers for patients with irritable bowel syndrome, resulting in improved abdominal pain relief. The study showed that 59.6% of participants who removed trigger foods experienced significant reduction in abdominal pain compared to 42.2% in the control group.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalGastroenterology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateFeb 13, 2025

New England’s salt marshes store 10 million cars’ worth of carbon—and add another 15,000-worth every year

Scientists at UMass Amherst accurately quantify coastal carbon storage using satellites, revealing 10 million cars' worth of carbon stored in top meter of soil and an additional 15,000-worth each year. The results are crucial for a resilient, low-carbon future, highlighting the potential for salt marshes to mitigate climate change.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalJournal of Geophysical Research Biogeosciences·DateFeb 13, 2025

Stalled microbiomes: Dartmouth-led study reveals that cystic fibrosis disrupts early gut development in infants

A Dartmouth-led study reveals that cystic fibrosis disrupts the maturation of the gut microbiome in infants, leading to a depletion of health-associated bacteria and potentially poor health outcomes. The study found that the microbiomes of infants with CF remained stunted or delayed in their development compared to healthy infants.

U.S. abortion bans and fertility

A new study suggests that US abortion bans are associated with increased fertility rates, particularly among subpopulations experiencing structural disadvantages. The findings also highlight the negative impact of these policies on maternal and child health outcomes.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA·DateFeb 13, 2025

An enzyme to disarm tumors

Researchers have discovered an enzyme called CH25H in cancerous lymphatic cells whose properties enable the immune system to fight tumors more effectively. The enzyme converts cholesterol into 25-hydroxycholesterol, a metabolite that promotes antiviral immunity and enhances anti-tumor immunity.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 13, 2025

School salad bars raise fruit intake among kids and benefit economically diverse schools, VCU researchers find

According to a new study by Virginia Commonwealth University researchers, school salad bars increased elementary school students' fruit intake but had no impact on vegetable consumption. Students in 'salad bar' schools selected a greater variety of fruits and vegetables, potentially leading to a greater range of nutrient intake.

SourceVirginia Commonwealth University·JournalInternational Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity·DateFeb 13, 2025

The KM3NeT detector, a powerful telescope submerged in the depths of the Mediterranean Sea, detects the highest-energy neutrino ever observed

The KM3NeT collaboration has detected the highest-energy neutrino ever captured by a similar experiment, with an estimated energy of 220 PeV. This finding provides evidence that high-energy neutrinos are produced in the universe and opens new avenues for observing extreme astrophysical phenomena.

SourceUniversity of Granada·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 13, 2025

New genetic mutation linked to Alzheimer’s risk

Researchers at the University of Florida have discovered a novel genetic mutation associated with an accumulation of toxic proteins in Alzheimer's brains. The study found that people carrying a specific variation of this repeated DNA strand have more than double the risk of developing late-onset Alzheimer's.

SourceUniversity of Florida·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 13, 2025

Branching channel:

Researchers found that neural activity in the prefrontal cortex maintained a stable state, which was then integrated with information from a sensory cue. This study introduces the concept of 'branching channels' in neural networks, which can be concatenated to form tree-structured representations.

SourceInternational Research Center for Neurointelligence (WPI-IRCN), The University of Tokyo·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateFeb 13, 2025

USTC develops high-performance rechargeable lithium-hydrogen gas batteries

A research team at USTC has introduced a new chemical battery system utilizing hydrogen gas as the anode, achieving exceptional electrochemical performance and a round-trip efficiency of 99.7%. The Li-H battery demonstrated high theoretical energy density and stable voltage, making it a strong candidate for next-generation power storage.

SourceUniversity of Science and Technology of China·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateFeb 13, 2025

Curbing the global spread of sexually transmitted diseases

A team of scientists has developed a cutting-edge technology to analyze bacterial sexually transmitted infections (STIs) using genome sequencing. The 'target enrichment' method enables high-resolution analysis of Chlamydia trachomatis and other pathogens, revealing new insights into their transmission and development pathways.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalMicrobial Genomics·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateFeb 13, 2025

Recyclable plastic for the printer

Researchers have introduced a new class of polymers called polythioenones, which are mechanically and chemically recyclable and suitable for 3D printing. These polythioenones demonstrate better mechanical properties than conventional polyolefins thanks to a special ring-shaped building block.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 13, 2025

Feeling supported and listened to by our partner improves physical and emotional health, according to a study by the University of Granada

A study by the University of Granada found that feeling supported and listened to by one's partner has a significant impact on general health and well-being. The Perceived Responsiveness and Insensitivity Scale (PRIS-SA) tool, adapted from an English scale, measures this aspect of relationships.

SourceUniversity of Granada·JournalJournal of Social and Personal Relationships·TypeSurvey·DateFeb 13, 2025

Engineers discover key barrier to longer-lasting batteries

University of Texas at Dallas researchers have discovered why LiNiO2 batteries break down during charging and are testing a solution to remove the key barrier to widespread use. They developed a theoretical solution that reinforces the material by adding a positively charged ion, creating pillars to strengthen the cathode.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Dallas·JournalAdvanced Energy Materials·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateFeb 13, 2025

Greetings from the Fourth Dimension

Researchers from the Technion and University of Stuttgart discovered that higher-dimensional crystals dictate the topological properties of quasiperiodic crystals. The discovery paves the way for new methods to measure thermodynamic properties, offering insights into the interplay between thermodynamic and topological properties.

SourceTechnion-Israel Institute of Technology·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 13, 2025