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Science News Archive February 2025 - Page 40


Page 40 of 44

Only seven out of 100 people worldwide receive effective treatment for their mental health or substance-use disorders

Researchers found that a person's lack of recognition is the biggest barrier to effective treatment, while patients who contact healthcare often do not receive it. The study highlights gaps in service needs and outcomes for nine common disorders, identifying areas for targeted investments.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia·JournalJAMA Psychiatry·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 5, 2025

Research finds drinking ketones improves heart health

A new study from the University of Portsmouth found that drinking ketone esters improves cardiac efficiency and reduces cardiovascular risk in people with type 2 diabetes. The researchers discovered that the supplement induces ketosis, allowing the heart to use ketones as an alternative energy source.

SourceUniversity of Portsmouth·JournalJournal of Applied Physiology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateFeb 5, 2025

Shut the nano gate! Electrical control of nanopore diameter

Scientists from SANKEN at Osaka University created an electrically controlled nanogate that can be tailored for specific molecules. The gate's diameter was adjusted using voltage, leading to distinct ion transport behaviors. This technology has the potential to enable precise control over molecule transport and reaction systems.

SourceOsaka University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 5, 2025

School bans alone not enough to tackle negative impacts of phone and social media use

A first-of-its-kind study found that restrictive school policies didn't lead to lower phone and social media use among students, nor better outcomes in mental health and wellbeing. The study suggests that reducing time spent on phones is crucial, but schools must consider phone use beyond their boundaries.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalThe Lancet Regional Health - Europe·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 5, 2025

Explaining science in court with comics

A study found that using comics to explain forensic science in court significantly improved jurors' understanding of the evidence. Participants who watched comics discussed the evidence in greater detail, showed increased confidence in their reasoning, and made more explicit references to scientific concepts.

SourceSissa Medialab·JournalJournal of Science Communication·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 5, 2025

Illuminating the beginnings of animal development

Researchers discovered that cell motion shows asymmetry before left-right organizer formation in early animal development, contradicting earlier findings on genetics. This study sheds new light on the origin of bilateral symmetry and could apply to human birth defects.

SourceUniversity of Miami·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 4, 2025

New research reveals that meditation induces changes in deep brain areas associated with memory and emotional regulation

Researchers used intracranial EEG recordings to find that meditation led to changes in the amygdala and hippocampus, key regions involved in emotional regulation and memory. Loving kindness meditation was specifically found to be associated with changes in brain wave activity.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 4, 2025

Listening for multiple mental health disorders

Researchers developed a machine learning tool that screens for comorbid depression and anxiety disorders using acoustic voice signals. The study confirmed that a one-minute verbal fluency test can reliably identify subjects with comorbid AD/MDD, who tend to use simpler words and exhibit reduced variability in phonemic word length.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalJASA Express Letters·DateFeb 4, 2025

Forest landowner motivation to control invasive species depends on land use, study shows

A new study from the University of Illinois explores how differences in ownership motivation affect willingness to control invasive plants and pests. The research suggests that providing subsidies to the weakest link, such as recreationist landowners, can optimize the effect of control efforts and reduce costs.

SourceUniversity of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences·JournalLand Economics·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateFeb 4, 2025

Financial comfort and prosociality

A study of 80,337 people across 76 countries found that those with higher incomes and financial well-being reported greater prosocial actions and attitudes. Higher income individuals were more likely to donate, volunteer, and trust others, although they also showed lower trust in others.

SourcePNAS Nexus·JournalPNAS Nexus·DateFeb 4, 2025

Visualization of chemical phenomena in the microscopic world using semiconductor image sensor

A team developed a semiconductor sensor to visualize biomolecule dynamics in solutions, achieving milliseconds time resolution and micron spatial resolution. The sensor captures movement of neurotransmitters and ions, enabling the detection of chemical signals in microscopic regions.

SourceToyohashi University of Technology (TUT)·JournalBiosensors and Bioelectronics·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 4, 2025

Omega-3s can slow down aging process

A recent study led by Heike Bischoff-Ferrari found that taking omega-3 fatty acids slowed down biological aging across several epigenetic clocks by up to four months. The combination of omega-3, vitamin D, and strength training proved to be even more effective in slowing down the biological aging process.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalNature Aging·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 4, 2025

HKUST scientists identify Alzheimer’s disease-protective genetic factors and unravel disease mechanisms

A comprehensive genetic analysis of East Asian populations has identified key SORL1 genetic variants that confer protective effects against Alzheimer's disease. Individuals carrying these variants exhibited improved cognitive function, decreased neurodegeneration, and less severe AD pathology.

SourceHong Kong University of Science and Technology·JournalAlzheimer’s & Dementia·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 4, 2025

Wobbling stars reveal hidden companions in Gaia data

Two new celestial objects have been confirmed using Gaia data, including a Super-Jupiter exoplanet and a brown dwarf. The discovery challenges current theories of planet formation and provides valuable data for understanding these intriguing objects. Gaia's ongoing mission will uncover hundreds of planets and brown dwarfs around nearby...

SourceEuropean Space Agency·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 4, 2025

Big cities fuel inequality

A study reveals that large cities have ceased to be centers of upward social and economic mobility, with population density and connectedness associated with reduced intergenerational mobility. Urban expansion has also led to decreased average social capital, contributing to growing inequality within and across generations.

SourcePNAS Nexus·JournalPNAS Nexus·DateFeb 4, 2025

Comprehensive health monitoring and treatment in one unit—from health monitoring to drug delivery: The development of a versatile smart patch—

Researchers developed a smart patch that integrates sensors and drug delivery systems, enabling real-time biometric signal monitoring and immediate drug administration. The technology has high applicability across various medical fields, including glucose management and chronic disease treatment.

Music can touch the heart, even inside the womb

Researchers found that playing classical music can smooth variations in fetal heart rates, indicating potential benefits for fetal development. The study used mathematical analysis tools to identify patterns in heart rate variability and found that exposure to music resulted in more stable and predictable patterns.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalChaos An Interdisciplinary Journal of Nonlinear Science·DateFeb 4, 2025

Why your headphone battery doesn't last

A team of engineers from the University of Texas at Austin used x-ray, infrared, and other imaging technologies to investigate battery degradation in wireless earbuds. They found that temperature gradients, caused by clashes between critical components and the battery, led to damage and reduced battery life.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalAdvanced Materials Technologies·DateFeb 4, 2025

Study debunks nuclear test misinformation following 2024 Iran earthquake

A recent study published in Seismica journal has debunked claims that a magnitude 4.5 earthquake in Iran was a covert nuclear weapons test. The researchers analyzed seismic signals from the event and concluded that it was caused by natural geological forces, contradicting widespread misinformation on social media and news outlets.

SourceJohns Hopkins University·JournalSeismica·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 4, 2025

New research: Social media bridges connection gaps for students with disabilities

A new study from Michigan State University reveals that social media plays a crucial role in connecting students with disabilities to others who share similar experiences. The research found that students with disabilities use social media as a tool for self-advocacy, identity exploration, and accessing vital resources.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalJournal of Contemporary Issues in Education·DateFeb 4, 2025

What’s the best way to organize people to generate ideas? New research offers insight

Researchers from Binghamton University discovered that connecting people with similar views or backgrounds leads to less diverse ideas. Conversely, interacting with a limited number of others produces higher-quality ideas. The study suggests that promoting biodiversity through idea generation is key to achieving optimal results.

SourceBinghamton University·Journalnpj Complexity·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 4, 2025