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Science News for January 10, 2025


Monell Center researchers extract anti-inflammatory compounds from the olive tree’s cousin, the common privet

Researchers at Monell Chemical Senses Center have extracted oleocanthal and oleacein from privet leaves, which could pave the way for human studies in inflammation-related diseases. The discovery may lead to new treatments for cancer, Alzheimer's disease, and other conditions.

SourceMonell Chemical Senses Center·JournalInternational Journal of Molecular Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 10, 2025

SNU-Hyundai Motor Group jointly develops advanced technology for rapid evaluation of fuel cell catalyst durability and identification of degradation mechanisms

The SNU-Hyundai joint research developed an innovative analysis technique, e-LCTEM, to rapidly evaluate fuel cell catalyst durability and identify degradation mechanisms. This technology accelerates durability testing, reducing evaluation costs and paving the way for more efficient catalyst verification.

SourceSeoul National University College of Engineering·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 10, 2025

Generative AI: Uncovering its environmental and social costs

The study reveals GenAI development's significant environmental impact, including hardware production's resource consumption and e-waste generation. Socially, the research exposes labor concerns and unequal access to AI systems, advocating for energy-efficient designs, improved labor conditions, and inclusive governance.

SourceEurasia Academic Publishing Group·JournalEnvironmental Science and Ecotechnology·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateJan 10, 2025

Radon exposure and gestational diabetes

A cohort study found that individuals with higher radon exposure are at a greater risk of developing gestational diabetes during pregnancy. The study suggests a potential link between radon exposure and metabolic health in nulliparous pregnant women.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateJan 10, 2025

Menarini Group and Insilico Medicine enter a second exclusive global license agreement for an AI discovered preclinical asset targeting high unmet needs in oncology

The Menarini Group and Insilico Medicine have entered into an exclusive licensing agreement for a preclinical small molecule targeting solid tumor cancers. The asset has demonstrated broad anti-tumor activity in selected cancers, offering new treatment options for cancer patients with high unmet needs.

Tickling the nerves: Why crime content is popular

A recent study by HSE University found that young adults in Russia consume media content about serial killers due to cognitive and emotional motives. Cognitive motives involve understanding the causes of human behavior, while emotional motives allow viewers to experience intense emotions often lacking in everyday life.

SourceNational Research University Higher School of Economics·JournalCrime Media Culture An International Journal·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 10, 2025

Sea surface temperatures and deeper water temperatures reached a new record high in 2024

A new study finds that ocean warming in 2024 has led to record-breaking temperatures across the globe, including a 16 zettajoule increase in upper 2000m ocean heat content. This rise in temperature affects weather patterns and marine life, with significant implications for climate change.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAdvances in Atmospheric Sciences·DateJan 10, 2025

Using AI to uncover hospital patients’ long COVID care needs

A new AI system analyzed electronic health records of long-COVID patients to identify four sub-populations with specific needs, including those with asthma or mental health conditions. The study found that these sub-populations require more specialized care and pointed toward updated profiles for hospitals to better address their needs.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalPatterns·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 10, 2025

Cleopatra's sister remains missing

The University of Vienna's Department of Evolutionary Anthropology has used modern CSI methods to determine the identity of a 1929 skull found in Ephesos, Turkey. The analysis revealed that the remains belonged to a boy between 11-14 years old suffering from pathological developmental disorders.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalScientific Reports·DateJan 10, 2025

New insights into acoustic bubbles give boost to future applications

Researchers at Osaka Metropolitan University have found key indicators for assessing chemical activity and temperature of active bubbles generated by ultrasonic waves. The study provides new insights into the relationship between bubble temperature and chemical activity, enabling more precise control of chemical reactions.

SourceOsaka Metropolitan University·JournalUltrasonics Sonochemistry·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 10, 2025

NCCN joins international meeting to improve cancer care in the Middle East and North Africa region

The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) has joined a two-day meeting in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to review updated NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines for the MENA region. The guidelines provide evidence-based expert consensus-driven recommendations for cancer prevention, screening, treatment, and supportive care, tailored for uniq...

Standardized nomenclature for bone status indices to enhance diagnostic consistency and clarity

A new position paper from the International Osteoporosis Foundation and International Federation of Clinical Chemistry proposes a unified nomenclature for bone status indices to enhance diagnostic consistency and clarity. The guidelines offer a comprehensive framework to unify terminology and improve comparability across studies.

SourceInternational Osteoporosis Foundation·JournalClinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (CCLM)·TypeLiterature review·DateJan 10, 2025

T cells’ capability to fully prevent acute viral infections opens new avenues for vaccine development

Scientists discovered that T cells can prevent acute viral infections, challenging traditional views on sterilising immunity and herd immunity. The study found that T cells controlled viral loads and antibodies produced, and were effective in preventing infection to undetectable levels in some participants.

SourceDuke-NUS Medical School·JournalNature Microbiology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJan 10, 2025

Breakthrough study reveals the secrets behind cordierite’s anomalous thermal expansion

Researchers at Queen Mary University of London uncover new insights into cordierite's unusual ability to resist changes in size despite significant temperature fluctuations. The team's simulations accurately reproduced experimental data, providing a comprehensive explanation for the material's behaviour at both low and high temperatures.

A battle of rafts: How molecular dynamics in CAR T cells explain their cancer-killing behavior

Researchers investigated how two CAR T cells kill cancer with distinct signaling domains. CD28.ζ-CAR molecules work quickly and efficiently, while 4-1BB.ζ-CAR molecules linger in lipid rafts for sustained collaborative killing of tumor cells. This study aims to design CAR molecules maximizing antitumor activity beyond B cell malignancies.

SourceBaylor College of Medicine·JournalScience Advances·DateJan 10, 2025

Medicare rules may reduce prescription steering

Pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) steer Medicare patients to their own pharmacies, with PBM-owned pharmacies capturing over 60% market share in certain drug classes. The study suggests that the 'any willing pharmacy' rules may be preventing PBMs from gaining significant market share in Medicare.

SourceWeill Cornell Medicine·JournalJAMA Health Forum·DateJan 10, 2025

Climate fee on food could effectively cut greenhouse gas emissions in agriculture while ensuring a social balance

A climate fee on food could effectively cut greenhouse gas emissions in agriculture by up to 22.5% annually, according to a new study. The social cost of carbon would be reflected in food prices, with more sustainable products like vegetables becoming cheaper and meat and dairy more expensive.

SourcePotsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK)·JournalFood Policy·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJan 10, 2025

Innovative treatment for parasites affecting 1.5 billion people shows safety and superior efficacy in phase II-III trial

A novel drug combination of albendazole and ivermectin demonstrates superior efficacy in treating Trichuris trichiura and other soil-transmitted helminths. The treatment has shown safety in a phase II-III trial, potentially aiding endemic countries in meeting the WHO's Roadmap for Neglected Tropical Diseases.

SourceMundo Sano España·JournalThe Lancet Infectious Diseases·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJan 10, 2025

New data on atmosphere from Earth to the edge of space

A team led by the University of Tokyo has created a nearly 20-year-long dataset of the entire atmosphere, enabling new research on previously difficult-to-study regions. The dataset spans multiple levels of the atmosphere from ground level to the lower edge of space and could improve climate modeling and seasonal weather forecasting.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalProgress in Earth and Planetary Science·DateJan 10, 2025

New tablet shows promise for the control and elimination of intestinal worms

A new tablet combining albendazole and ivermectin is safe and more effective than albendazole alone in treating Trichuris trichiura and other soil-transmitted helminths. The ALIVE clinical trial showed higher cure rates for T. trichiura, hookworms, and improved egg reduction rates compared to albendazole alone.

SourceBarcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal)·JournalThe Lancet Infectious Diseases·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJan 10, 2025