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Science News Archive February 2025 - Page 30


Page 30 of 44

Innovative dual-target drug may lead to new investigational approach for breast cancer patients

Researchers at University of Melbourne and Pfizer discover new insights into a dual-target drug that may supercharge cancer-fighting immune cells, potentially leading to improved outcomes for breast cancer patients. The study found that this approach can enhance anti-tumor immunity by intratumoral CD8+ T cells.

SourceUniversity of Melbourne·JournalClinical & Translational Immunology·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 11, 2025

Why we need to expand the search for climate-friendly microalgae

Researchers highlight microalgae's capacity to mitigate CO2 emissions while driving sustainable industry, with 'smart microalgal bioprospecting' needed to unlock its full potential. Discovering new species with enhanced growth rates or lower resource demands could reduce costs and increase commercial viability.

SourceUniversity of Technology Sydney·JournalNatural Products and Bioprospecting·TypeSystematic review·DateFeb 11, 2025

Older people in England are happier now than before the COVID pandemic, new national study suggests

A new national study suggests that depression rates among older people in England remain slightly higher than pre-COVID, while overall happiness and life satisfaction have improved significantly since the pandemic. This finding highlights the need for policies addressing immediate and lingering effects of the pandemic on mental health.

SourceTaylor & Francis Group·JournalAging & Mental Health·TypeSurvey·DateFeb 11, 2025

Fewer forest fires burn in North America today than in the past—and that's a bad thing

Research published in Nature Communications reveals that fewer forest fires are burning today than in the past, despite recent record-breaking fire years. This 'fire deficit' allows fuel to build up over time, creating conditions for more severe fires. The study highlights the importance of beneficial management fires on the landscape.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 11, 2025

NUS Medicine study: Inability of cells to recycle fats can spell disease

A new study from NUS Medicine has found that the protein Spns1 plays a key role in recycling fats out of cell compartments called lysosomes, preventing diseases like lysosomal storage disorders. The research uses cryoelectron microscopy to understand how Spns1 transports fats and highlights its importance for cellular health.

SourceNational University of Singapore, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 11, 2025

D2-GCN: a graph convolutional network with dynamic disentanglement for node classification

The D2-GCN network dynamically adjusts the number of disentangled feature channels for each node during training, capturing nuanced changes in graph representations. Experiments show improved performance over baselines in single- and multi-label node classification tasks with clearer classification boundaries.

SourceHigher Education Press·JournalFrontiers of Computer Science·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 11, 2025

Study of female genital tract reveals key findings

A global research collaboration identified Lactobacillus crispatus as a key protective bacterium in the vaginal microbiome. The study also found significant variations in vaginal microbiomes across human populations, with implications for improved diagnostics and treatments.

SourceRutgers University·JournalTrends in Microbiology·TypeSurvey·DateFeb 11, 2025

Texas A&M chemist wins NSF CAREER Award

Dr. Alison Altman, a Texas A&M chemist, has received the NSF CAREER Award to support her research on underexplored elements of the periodic table and their applications in technology. She aims to expand chemistry education at all levels, emphasizing its impact on everyday life.

New technology could quash QR code phishing attacks

Researchers have developed a new form of QR code that can protect users from phishing attacks by signaling whether a link is safe or not. The SDMQR codes provide an added layer of security without interfering with existing functionality, allowing companies to replace traditional barcodes with more sophisticated QR codes.

SourceUniversity of Rochester·JournalIEEE Security & Privacy·DateFeb 11, 2025

Sexual desire — the force that connects yet also divides

A recent study published in Nature Reviews examines the complex role of sexual desire in relationships, highlighting its potential to fade over time. The research reveals how desire can be shaped by biological, social, and psychological factors, influencing partnership dynamics and relationship longevity.

SourceReichman University·JournalNature Reviews Psychology·TypeLiterature review·DateFeb 11, 2025

Purity and environmental concern

The study found that counties with strong emphasis on fairness norms had higher odds of favoring green practices, while those emphasizing purity norms had stronger influence on household carbon footprint. Counties with high education levels also showed increased support for green attitudes.

SourcePNAS Nexus·JournalPNAS Nexus·DateFeb 11, 2025

Looking between cells

Researchers have created Rhobo6, a light microscopy probe that allows scientists to visualize the extracellular matrix in live tissues and animals without disrupting it. This breakthrough could lead to new insights into diseases linked to changes in the extracellular matrix and improve diagnostic imaging.

SourceHoward Hughes Medical Institute·JournalNature Methods·DateFeb 11, 2025

Evidence of cannibalism 18,000 years ago

Researchers discovered signs of human remains being manipulated and dissected, indicating cannibalism among Late Ice Age societies in Central Europe. The findings suggest that cannibalism may have occurred due to conflicts over resources or territories, rather than necessity.

SourceUniversity of Göttingen·JournalScientific Reports·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 11, 2025

PING

Professor Andrew Brodsky's book 'PING' offers a four-part framework to transform research insights into action. The framework includes Perspective, Taking, Nonverbal cues, and Goals, which help individuals communicate more effectively in virtual environments.

Native bee populations can bounce back after honey bees move out

Research found that native bee populations decreased in abundance and diversity when managed honey bees were introduced, but rebounded when apiaries were removed. Native bee phylogenetic diversity increased in areas with managed honey bees due to lower competition for resources.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of Insect Science·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 11, 2025

Precision in miniature: new microgripper technology for electronics and assembly

Researchers developed a novel electrothermal microgripper with remarkable deformation capabilities, excellent size compatibility, and reliable catch strength. The microgripper enables efficient manipulation and assembly of micro- and nano-scale objects, paving the way for innovations in high-tech industries.

Moderate-to-vigorous exercise in childhood may significantly postpone the initiation of tobacco smoking

A new study found that children who engage in moderate-to-vigorous exercise (MVPA) from age 11 are less likely to initiate tobacco smoking. By age 24, the risk of smoking was reduced by 60% compared to non-exercising peers. Continuous exposure to MVPA throughout childhood and young adulthood also showed a modest preventive effect.

SourceUniversity of Eastern Finland·JournalBehaviour Research and Therapy·DateFeb 11, 2025

MSU expert: Using light to hear biology

Scientists have developed a new technique called BioSonic spectroscopy, which uses short pulses of light to observe the nanoscale motion of virus particles. This allows researchers to capture the unique signature or 'sound' of each biological system, providing a new way to understand biology and potentially aiding in disease prevention.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 11, 2025

Autonomous sortie scheduling for carrier aircraft fleet under towing mode

A novel scheduling model abstracts the entire sortie process into a hybrid flow-shop scheduling problem, taking into account task priorities and resource constraints. The solution framework was validated in a simulation environment and shows significant improvement in sortie efficiency compared to existing strategies.

SourceKeAi Communications Co., Ltd.·JournalDefence Technology·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateFeb 11, 2025

Branch patterns in trees and art

Researchers found branch patterns in art to mirror those in nature, with values of α ranging from 1.5 to 2.8, corresponding to natural trees. Abstract artworks can be visually identified as trees using realistic α values, while works deviating from scaling exhibit reduced recognition.

SourcePNAS Nexus·JournalPNAS Nexus·DateFeb 11, 2025