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Science News for January 17, 2025


The new Human Microglia Atlas provides insights on the roles of these immune cells in neurodegenerative diseases

The study provides insights into the roles of microglia in neurodegenerative diseases, revealing nine transcriptionally distinct subpopulations. The GPNMB-high Lipo.DAM signature is associated with Alzheimer's Disease and Multiple Sclerosis, and may hold relevance for immune-based therapies.

SourceJosep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 17, 2025

Bioactive compounds with possible industrial applications are identified in extremophilic bacteria from the Andes

Biofilm produced by Pseudomonas alcaligenes has unique structural properties and thermal stability, exhibiting antioxidant, emulsification and flocculation activity. The EPS can be used as a natural additive for the pharmaceutical and food industries with potential applications in developing sustainable or ecofriendly additives.

Panorama of our nearest galactic neighbor unveils hundreds of millions of stars

The Hubble Space Telescope has captured a panoramic view of the Andromeda Galaxy, unveiling hundreds of millions of stars and providing new clues to its evolutionary history. The galaxy's unique structural features, such as coherent streams of stars, suggest a more active recent star formation and interaction history than the Milky Way.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·TypeObservational study·DateJan 17, 2025

New data shows how ‘rage giving’ boosted immigrant-serving nonprofits during the first Trump Administration

Financial contributions to immigrant-serving legal aid nonprofits increased by 4-11 percentage points during the 2016 election and 8-17 percentage points through 2019. This surge in funding helped these organizations adapt to anti-immigrant policies and position themselves as important safeguards for immigrant communities.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Cruz·JournalInternational Migration Review·DateJan 17, 2025

UT Health San Antonio, UTSA researchers receive prestigious 2025 Hill Prizes for medicine and technology

Researchers at UT Health San Antonio and The University of Texas at San Antonio have won the 2025 Hill Prizes for their groundbreaking work on non-opioid painkillers and emergency airway management. The $500,000 prize funding will support the development of novel analgesics and a new design for endotracheal tubes.

Higher costs limit attendance for life changing cardiac rehab

A Michigan Medicine study suggests that higher out-of-pocket costs for initial cardiac rehabilitation sessions are a major barrier to participation. Patients who shared the cost of their first session attended more sessions than those who paid nothing, but still had lower odds of completing over 24 sessions.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalThe American Journal of Managed Care·TypeObservational study·DateJan 17, 2025

The art and science of twisting light

A team of researchers from Singapore University of Technology and Design has developed a new type of metasurface that can generate circularly polarized light without complex optical setups. The metasurface exhibits chirality, enabling it to convert arbitrary optical excitation into circularly polarized light at specific frequency ranges.

SourceSingapore University of Technology and Design·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJan 17, 2025

On the way to a “new” second

A newly developed ion crystal clock has demonstrated record accuracy, reaching an uncertainty close to the 18th decimal place. This achievement marks a significant step towards redefining the second in the International System of Units (SI), as optical clocks are now 100 times more accurate than current caesium clocks.

SourcePhysikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB)·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 17, 2025

Cracking the code: what makes butterhead lettuce so unique

Researchers at Huazhong Agricultural University have identified two critical genes, LsKIPK and LsATPase, responsible for butterhead lettuce's distinctive architecture. The study provides a breakthrough in understanding plant morphology and offers possibilities for targeted breeding to develop lettuce varieties with improved traits.

Qigong significantly decreases chronic low back pain in US military veterans

A pilot study found that qigong significantly decreases chronic low back pain in US military veterans, improving physical function and reducing sleep disturbance. The holistic practice also showed positive effects on PTSD, depression, anxiety, and social roles, highlighting its potential as a nonpharmacological treatment option.

SourceFlorida Atlantic University·JournalPain Management Nursing·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJan 17, 2025

Tiny vortexes help detect dangerous viruses

Researchers at Duke University developed an acoustofluidic integrated molecular diagnostics chip, AIMDx, that uses tiny vortexes to detect dangerous viruses. The vortexes trap cells, bacteria, and larger bioparticles, purifying samples for biomedical tests.

SourceDuke University·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 17, 2025

KAIST develops CamBio - a new biotemplating method​

Researchers at KAIST developed CamBio, a biotemplating method utilizing specific intracellular proteins to create functional nanostructures with high tunability. The method enables the selective synthesis of nanostructures from biological samples, showing improved performance in surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy substrate detection.

SourceThe Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)·JournalAdvanced Science·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 17, 2025

PECASE winners: 3 UVA engineering professors receive presidential early career awards

Three UVA engineering professors, James T. Burns, Coleen Carrigan, and Liheng Cai, have received the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE) from President Biden. The award recognizes their innovative work in science and technology, including Burns' research on material fracture under unique conditions and...

Shocking cues

A study reveals that cells in the neural crest, which forms bones and nervous system tissues, use internal electric fields to migrate. This process, known as electrotaxis, is guided by an enzyme called voltage-sensitive phosphatase 1 (Vsp1), which converts electrical signals into directional cues.

SourceTechnische Universität Dresden·JournalNature Materials·DateJan 17, 2025

KAIST develops insect-eye-inspired camera capturing 9,120 frames per second​

A novel bio-inspired camera capable of ultra-high-speed imaging and high sensitivity has been developed by KAIST researchers. The camera mimics the visual structure of insect eyes and achieves frame rates thousands of times faster than conventional cameras, while providing clear images in low-light conditions.

SourceThe Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 17, 2025

Excess weight gain in first trimester associated with fetal fat accumulation

A NIH study found that excess weight gain in the first trimester is associated with increased abdominal circumference and arm fat thickness in fetuses. The findings suggest that early intervention may prevent adult obesity and related conditions by targeting fetal weight gain.

Effectiveness and safety of tenofovir amibufenamide in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B: A real-world, multicenter study

A real-world multicenter study evaluated the effectiveness and safety of tenofovir amibufenamide in treating chronic hepatitis B. The study found that TMF was comparable to TDF in terms of treatment effectiveness, with improved renal safety and no impact on lipid levels.

SourceXia & He Publishing Inc.·JournalJournal of Clinical and Translational Hepatology·DateJan 17, 2025

Development of a high-performance AI device utilizing ion-controlled spin wave interference in magnetic materials

Researchers at NIMS developed a next-generation AI device leveraging ion-controlled spin wave interference in magnetic materials, outperforming conventional devices by up to 10 times. The technology enables energy-efficient computations with minimal degradation when miniaturized, opening doors for various industrial applications.

SourceNational Institute for Materials Science, Japan·JournalAdvanced Science·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 17, 2025

94% of the grey matter in the brains of mothers undergoes changes during pregnancy

A study analyzing the brains of women during pregnancy for the first time reveals that 94% of grey matter undergoes changes, particularly in social cognition regions. The research shows a reduction and partial recovery of brain volume, associated with steroid hormone fluctuations and maternal well-being.

SourceUniversitat Autonoma de Barcelona·JournalNature Communications·TypeObservational study·DateJan 17, 2025

New research: How Spotify shapes your music listening habits with playlists

A new study published in INFORMS Journal Marketing Science found that users are more likely to listen to playlists prominently featured on Spotify's Search Page than those created by third parties. The research also shows that superstar artists added to playlists increase followers, but platform algorithms prioritize these playlists ov...

SourceInstitute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences·JournalMarketing Science·TypeObservational study·DateJan 17, 2025

Brits still associate working-class accents with criminal behavior – study warns of bias in the criminal justice system

A recent study published in Frontiers in Communication reveals that people with non-standard accents are more likely to be associated with criminal behaviour, but perceptions vary between accents. The researchers found a significant link between class or status, negative traits, and expected behavior, particularly when it comes to crime.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalFrontiers in Communication·DateJan 17, 2025

Polymer editing can upcycle waste into higher-performance plastics

Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory have developed a method to edit polymers from discarded plastics, generating new macromolecules with more valuable properties. This process utilizes existing building blocks to provide added functionality and value, reducing energy consumption and emissions compared to traditional recycling.

SourceDOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 17, 2025

In-situ magic: A game changer for stabilizing electrode/electrolyte interfaces in aqueous zinc batteries

Scientists introduce a novel approach to construct robust electrode/electrolyte interphase layers on both cathode and anode of aqueous zinc batteries. The use of glutamate additives enables efficient suppression of undesirable side reactions, leading to improved electrochemical performance and cycling stability.

SourceScience China Press·JournalNational Science Review·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 17, 2025

Social bonds are essential for capuchin monkeys to learn new skills, study shows

Researchers found that capuchin monkeys in Brazil's Serra da Capivara National Park learn from each other's actions and that social tolerance is crucial for this process. The study showed that partners in collective activities, such as searching for parasites and playing games, are more likely to learn new skills from their companions.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 17, 2025

From lab to field: CABBI pipeline delivers oil-rich sorghum

Researchers have developed a new sorghum variant that can outperform soybeans in oil production, with great potential as a clean source of renewable fuel. The 'push-pull-protect' strategy successfully engineered sorghum lines to accumulate up to 5.5% TAG in their leaves and 3.5% dry weight in their stems under field conditions.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment·JournalPlant Biotechnology Journal·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 17, 2025