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Science News Archive February 2025 - Page 42


Page 42 of 44

High PM2.5 levels in Delhi-NCR largely independent of Punjab-Haryana crop fires

The study used a network of 30 sites to analyze air pollution in Delhi-NCR and found that crop residue burning in Punjab and Haryana has a lower contribution to PM2.5 levels than previously thought. The research suggests that the buildup of PM2.5 in Delhi-NCR is primarily of local origin.

SourceResearch Institute for Humanity and Nature·Journalnpj Climate and Atmospheric Science·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 4, 2025

Contribution of cannabis use disorder to new cases of schizophrenia has almost tripled over the past 17 years

A new study found that cannabis use disorder is increasingly associated with new schizophrenia cases in Ontario, with the proportion rising from 4% to 10%. The trend has tripled over the past 17 years, with heavy cannabis use linked to worsening symptoms and increased risk of psychosis.

SourceInstitute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 4, 2025

AI boosts employee work experiences

A new study found that AI assistance increases worker productivity by 15% in customer service sectors, with significant improvements in speed and quality for less-experienced employees. However, its impact is minimal on higher-skilled workers, while adherence to AI recommendations leads to larger gains in productivity.

SourceOxford University Press USA·JournalThe Quarterly Journal of Economics·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 4, 2025

Maternal stress during pregnancy could leave traces in the placenta that could affect the baby’s development

A study found that maternal stress can alter genes related to cortisol regulation in the placenta, potentially affecting foetal development. The research team analyzed placentas from 45 healthy pregnant women and identified epigenetic changes associated with glucocorticoid-related genes.

SourceUniversity of Barcelona·JournalEuropean Neuropsychopharmacology·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 4, 2025

Russian scientists improve water purification membranes using metal ions

Researchers have developed polymer membranes with enhanced selectivity for monovalent ions, allowing for efficient water recycling. The use of metal ions such as copper, zinc, and chromium enables the separation of nitrates from sulphates, opening new possibilities for sustainable water treatment.

SourceNational Research University Higher School of Economics·JournalJournal of Membrane Science·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 3, 2025

Pea-based cappuccino: The greener future of food

Researchers at Institut Laue-Langevin and Aarhus University developed a new method to characterise foam structure, enabling the creation of plant-derived foaming ingredients in food. The technique uses small-angle neutron scattering, imaging, and electrical conductivity measurements to provide insights into pea albumin-based foams.

SourceInstitut Laue-Langevin·JournalJournal of Colloid and Interface Science·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 3, 2025

Taal volcanic ash can be used for radiation shielding, Filipino researchers find

Filipino researchers have discovered that Taal volcanic ash can be used as a sustainable and lightweight alternative to expensive materials like concrete and lead. The natural presence of iron-rich minerals in the ash gives it strong radiation attenuation properties, making it effective for shielding against harmful X-rays and gamma rays.

SourceAteneo de Manila University·JournalJournal of Building Engineering·DateFeb 3, 2025

Revolutionizing dental surgery with AI

Dental implant surgeries require optimal mechanical stress levels for successful bone healing and long-term implant success. Researchers are developing a hybrid biomechanical model using machine learning to provide precise, patient-specific predictions of mechanical stress.

New ACP guideline on migraine prevention shows no clinically important advantages for newer, expensive medications

The American College of Physicians recommends preventing episodic migraines with monotherapy, including beta-adrenergic blockers and antiseizure medications. However, a comparative effectiveness systematic review found no significant differences in clinical net benefit among treatments.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·TypeNews article·DateFeb 3, 2025

Exposure to air pollution associated with more hospital admissions for lower respiratory infections

Research found that long-term exposure to air pollutants like PM2.5, NO2, and ozone increases hospital admissions for lower respiratory tract infections in adults, particularly among men and people over 65. The study used a large cohort of adults from Catalonia and found stronger associations in these vulnerable groups.

SourceBarcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal)·JournalEnvironment International·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 3, 2025

Generative AI bias poses risk to democratic values

A study by the University of East Anglia found that generative AI tools like ChatGPT exhibit biases leaning towards left-wing political values. This can distort public discourse and exacerbate societal divides, highlighting the need for transparency and regulatory safeguards to ensure alignment with democratic values.

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalJournal of Economic Behavior & Organization·TypeContent analysis·DateFeb 3, 2025

Don’t know something? Apes can tell

Researchers at Johns Hopkins University found that apes can intuit another's ignorance and communicate unknown information in the name of teamwork. The study demonstrates the rich mental foundations shared by humans and other apes, suggesting that these abilities evolved millions of years ago in common ancestors.

SourceJohns Hopkins University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 3, 2025

Selenoproteins: The fountain of youth?

Researchers from Osaka University found that selenoproteins are essential for counteracting lipid peroxides and maintaining hematopoiesis in human cells. The study also showed that dietary Vitamin E can protect hematopoiesis and repair impaired B cell differentiation, providing potential strategies for fighting age-related diseases.

SourceOsaka University·JournalBlood·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 3, 2025

HKUST researchers introduce world’s first high-resolution global groundwater sulfate distribution map uncovering public health risks

A high-resolution global groundwater sulfate distribution map has been launched by HKUST, highlighting public health risks and water quality issues. Approximately 17 million people worldwide face gastrointestinal problems due to excessive sulfate levels in groundwater.

SourceHong Kong University of Science and Technology·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateFeb 3, 2025

Vitamin D matters during first trimester, researchers find

A new study led by Penn State researchers found that low vitamin D levels during the first trimester of pregnancy are associated with higher rates of preterm birth and decreased fetal length. Pregnant women with low vitamin D concentrations were four times more likely to experience a preterm birth compared to those with sufficient levels.

SourcePenn State·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 3, 2025

Earth detecting Earth

Researchers found that radio signals, such as planetary radar emissions, are the most detectable technosignatures, visible from up to 12,000 light-years away. Atmospheric technosignatures like nitrogen dioxide emissions can be detected from 5.7 light-years away with the upcoming Habitable Worlds Observatory.

SourceSETI Institute·JournalThe Astronomical Journal·DateFeb 3, 2025

More, bigger crevasses open up in Greenland ice sheet, threatening increased sea level rise

A new study reveals that Greenland's ice sheet has experienced a significant increase in crevasses over the past five years, equivalent to adding a crack the size of the Great Pyramid of Giza every few days. The findings suggest a potential feedback loop that accelerates ice loss from the glacier, ultimately raising sea levels.

SourceUniversity of Florida·JournalNature Geoscience·TypeImaging analysis·DateFeb 3, 2025

How flooding soybeans in early reproductive stages impacts yield, seed composition

Researchers at the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture conducted a two-year study exposing 31 soybean varieties to flood conditions during the early reproductive stage. The study found that four-day flooding did not significantly alter the seed composition of any variety, but grain yield losses were observed across al...

SourceUniversity of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture·JournalCrop Science·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 3, 2025

Tufts University School of Medicine, ATI Physical Therapy launch first-of-its-kind collaboration to make physical therapy education and career advancement more accessible and affordable

The collaboration aims to create new opportunities for aspiring physical therapists, offering scholarships and accelerated programs. It will also advance residency and fellowship training through admission pathways and co-develop a primary care physical therapy fellowship.

The right kind of fusion neutrons

A new Zap research paper validates the company's sheared-flow-stabilized Z-pinch fusion approach by measuring nearly isotropic neutron energies, indicating stable thermal plasma. This achievement provides a benchmark milestone for scaling fusion to higher energy yields and confidence in reaching higher performance on the FuZE-Q device.

SourceZap Energy·JournalNuclear Fusion·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 3, 2025