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Science News for July 16, 2025


Private health industry lobby group uses marketing and publicity strategies similar to Big Tobacco and other unhealthy commodity industry groups

A study analyzed the campaign by Partnership for America's Health Care Future, a private health industry lobby group, and found it used similar marketing strategies as unhealthy commodity industries to manufacture doubt about universal healthcare policies. The campaign received millions of views on Meta platforms and targeted specific ...

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Global Public Health·TypeObservational study·DateJul 16, 2025

Living near St. Louis-area Coldwater Creek during childhood linked with higher risk of cancer from radiation

A study found that children who lived near Coldwater Creek, a Missouri River tributary polluted by nuclear waste, had a higher risk of developing cancer. The researchers estimated that those living less than one kilometer away from the creek had a 44% higher risk of cancer compared to those living more than 20 kilometers away.

SourceHarvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeObservational study·DateJul 16, 2025

Anti-aging efficacy of 0.1 % pterostilbene skincare emulsion

A 0.1% pterostilbene skincare emulsion demonstrated remarkable improvements in skin elasticity, firmness, and reduced wrinkles over 28 days in a double-blind, split-face design study with 31 participants. The emulsion also increased epidermis layer thickness, enhanced collagen and elastic fibers, and minimized pores.

SourceKeAi Communications Co., Ltd.·JournalJournal of Dermatologic Science and Cosmetic Technology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJul 16, 2025

Childhood trauma can harm health for life

Research suggests that childhood trauma can lead to a chain reaction of mental and physical health problems later in life. The study found that children who experienced negative events and unsafe environments in early adolescence were more likely to develop cardiovascular health issues and accelerated aging as young adults.

SourceUniversity of Georgia·JournalDevelopment and Psychopathology·DateJul 16, 2025

Protecting childhood mental health after preterm birth: key factors identified

Researchers have identified seven family and social actors linked to better mental health outcomes for preterm children, including self-regulation, strong parent-child relationships, and protection from bullying. These modifiable factors can be altered with interventions, suggesting a broader path to improving outcomes beyond medical i...

SourceUniversity of Warwick·JournalJournal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 16, 2025

Temozolomide and radiation treatment lead to dramatic tumor shrinkage and improvement of hearing in an adult brainstem glioma patient with a rare IDH2 mutation

Researchers successfully treated a patient with a rare IDH2-mutant brainstem astrocytoma using temozolomide and radiation, resulting in significant tumor shrinkage and improved hearing. The patient's unique genetic profile was identified through magnetic resonance spectroscopy and surgical biopsy, allowing for targeted treatment.

SourceNiigata University·JournalFrontiers in Oncology·DateJul 16, 2025

What long COVID-19, ME/CFS, and neuroscience have in common and to gain from one another

Long-haul COVID-19 and myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome share similar pathophysiologies, including oxidative stress, autoantibodies, and impaired mitochondrial energy conversion. These conditions also exhibit neurodegenerative outcomes, such as fatigue, sleep disturbances, and increased risk of dementia.

SourceChinese Medical Journals Publishing House Co., Ltd.·JournalNeuroprotection·TypeLiterature review·DateJul 16, 2025

KAIST develops robots that react to danger like humans​

Researchers at KAIST developed a new artificial sensory nervous system that enables robots to efficiently respond to external stimuli like humans. The system mimics the functions of a living organism's sensory nervous system, allowing robots to selectively react to important or dangerous signals while ignoring safe or familiar ones.

SourceThe Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)·JournalNature Communications·TypeMeta-analysis·DateJul 16, 2025

‘Ultimate dinner party guests’: Dispersed communities attending feast in ancient Iran gifted boars sourced from distant lands

Researchers discovered that ancient Iranian communities, around 11,000 years ago, brought wild boars hunted in dispersed parts of the landscape as gifts for a communal celebration. The findings suggest this practice of offering gifts with geographical symbolism can be traced back to prehistory.

SourceAustralian National University·TypeImaging analysis·DateJul 16, 2025

Pusan National University researchers develop game-changing method to create safer, long-lasting lithium-ion batteries

A novel mathematical framework enables precise control over multiple descriptors in high-nickel cathodes, improving mechanical and structural stability. The approach yields significantly improved electrochemical performance and minimal particle cracking, leading to safer consumer electronics and more reliable electric vehicles.

SourcePusan National University·JournalACS Energy Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 16, 2025

Scientists pioneer 3D temperature mapping inside living tissue using light and AI

Researchers have developed a groundbreaking technique that maps temperature in three dimensions within biological tissue using invisible light and artificial intelligence. This new technology has the potential to improve early disease detection and treatment monitoring without the need for costly or invasive imaging technologies.

SourceUniversità Ca' Foscari Venezia·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 16, 2025

How do farmers in Egypt manage agricultural plastic waste?

A study in Egypt's agricultural provinces found significant differences in how farmers handle various types of plastics. Mulching films are often directly buried or burned, while covering films are collected for recycling due to their durability. Economic pressure is a major barrier to recycling, with high costs and labor collection ex...

SourceHigher Education Press·JournalFrontiers of Agricultural Science and Engineering·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 16, 2025

Look to the data, not the marketing: Turfgrass research shows no differences in ‘penetrant’ and ‘retainer’ wetting agents

A multi-state study found inconsistent results on the performance of 'penetrants' and 'retainers,' emphasizing the importance of evidence-based surfactant classification. The research showed varying effects on rootzone volumetric water content and surface firmness, depending on location and turfgrass species.

SourceUniversity of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture·JournalJournal of ASTM International·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJul 16, 2025

How do oxo-degradable plastics perform in soil?

Research on oxo-degradable plastics reveals they have a limited degradation efficiency in soil, causing significant changes in soil quality and corn growth. Microplastics exhibit more pronounced effects than macroplastics, altering soil structure and chemical environment.

SourceHigher Education Press·JournalFrontiers of Agricultural Science and Engineering·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 16, 2025

Researchers explore ways to better safeguard romaine supply

A new study by Cornell University researchers suggests that a combination of efforts, including postharvest techniques and proper cold storage temperatures, can minimize the risk of human health from E. coli outbreaks in romaine lettuce. The study found that contaminated irrigation water is a significant contributor to contamination.

SourceCornell University·JournalScientific Reports·DateJul 16, 2025

New organ recovery technique could make more heart transplants available

Vanderbilt researchers have developed a groundbreaking method for recovering donor hearts after circulatory death, offering similar outcomes to existing techniques but with greater simplicity and lower costs. The new rapid recovery with extended ultra-oxygenated preservation (REUP) technique has been successfully deployed in three tran...

SourceVanderbilt University Medical Center·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateJul 16, 2025

Human-AI ‘collaboration’ makes it simpler to solve quantum physics problems

Scientists use human-AI collaboration to tackle complex questions in condensed matter physics, leveraging machine learning algorithms to identify patterns in simulation data. This approach successfully models the behavior of frustrated magnets and sheds light on quantum computing and gravity.

SourceOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University·JournalPhysical Review Research·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJul 16, 2025

A gut microbiota metabolite linked to atherosclerosis could revolutionize diagnosis and treatment

A new study has identified a gut microbiota-derived metabolite, imidazole propionate (ImP), that appears in the blood during the early stages of active atherosclerosis. The presence of ImP is associated with the development of active atherosclerosis in people who otherwise appear healthy.

Older adults who increased their regular walking pace by just 14 steps per minute were more likely to experience clinically significant improvements in a test of aerobic capacity and walking endurance

Increasing regular walking pace by 14 steps per minute in older adults led to clinically significant improvements in aerobic capacity and walking endurance. This study highlights the importance of activity intensity on functional capacity in prefrail and frail older adults.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS One·DateJul 16, 2025

For adults with hearing loss, linear amplification (amplification across all sound levels, available with some hearing aids) might restore their ability to recognize emotion in voices

Research suggests that linear amplification can improve vocal emotion recognition in individuals with mild-to-moderate sensorineural hearing loss. The study found that amplification across all sound levels can enhance the ability to recognize emotions in voices, particularly in middle-aged and older adults.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS One·DateJul 16, 2025

Food insecurity causes anxiety and depression

Research published in PLOS Mental Health found that food insecurity causes rapidly emerging negative effects on mental health, with deteriorations occurring when food security worsened and improvements when it improved. The study suggests that eliminating periodic food insecurity could reduce the number of people with clinically concer...

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Mental Health·TypeSurvey·DateJul 16, 2025

Depression often associated with early menopause: Why some women are at greater risk

A new study reveals that younger age at diagnosis, severe menopause symptoms, fertility-related grief, and lack of emotional support are key factors contributing to depressive symptoms in women with premature ovarian insufficiency (POI). The study also found no significant difference in depressive symptoms between women using hormone t...

SourceThe Menopause Society·JournalMenopause·TypeObservational study·DateJul 16, 2025

FAST telescope unveils supersonic filamentary network in very-high-velocity cloud

Researchers discovered an unexpectedly complex and dynamic filamentary network within a very-high-velocity cloud (VHVC) in the Milky Way using the FAST telescope. The study found that the cloud is primarily composed of warm neutral medium (WNM), with little or no cold component, suggesting a cleaner, earlier phase in cloud evolution.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalNature Astronomy·TypeObservational study·DateJul 16, 2025

Do dogs judge you?

A recent study by researchers at Kyoto University found that dogs across all age groups did not exhibit preferences for generous or selfish individuals, despite their ability to eavesdrop on another dog's interactions. This suggests that reputation formation may be more complex than previously thought in animals like dogs.

SourceKyoto University·JournalAnimal Cognition·TypeObservational study·DateJul 16, 2025

Scientists discover a signature ‘wave’ of activity as the brain awakens from sleep

Researchers analyzed over 1,000 awakenings using high-density EEG recordings, finding that the brain doesn't wake up all at once but instead orchestrates a precise sequence of activation. In non-REM sleep, slower waves trigger a brief surge before faster activity related to wakefulness, while in REM sleep, these waves are skipped leadi...

Genetic isolation despite geographic proximity highlights the threat to island fish species

A recent genetic study found that populations of the amphidromous goby Luciogobius ryukyuensis are genetically distinguishable, suggesting minimal larval exchange between islands. This highlights the urgent need for conservation efforts to protect vulnerable habitats in island ecosystems.

SourceOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University·JournalScientific Reports·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 16, 2025

KAIST successfully implements 3D brain-mimicking platform with 6x higher precision​

A KAIST research team created an integrated platform that replicates brain-like layered neuronal structures using 3D printing and precisely measures neuronal activity. The platform, developed by Professors Je-Kyun Park and Yoonkey Nam, enables the simultaneous analysis of structure and function with high precision.

SourceThe Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)·JournalBiosensors and Bioelectronics·DateJul 16, 2025

Be Well Texas at UT Health San Antonio to lead major statewide expansion of opioid use disorder and recovery services

The Be Well Texas initiative, led by the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, will expand access to opioid use disorder treatment services and recovery support across rural and urban communities. This major statewide expansion aims to reduce overdose deaths and build a lasting recovery infrastructure.

Eight babies born after Mitochondrial Donation treatment to reduce transmission of mitochondrial DNA disease

Researchers at Newcastle University report eight babies born with no signs of mitochondrial DNA disease using pronuclear transfer, a new IVF technique reducing disease transmission. The study indicates the treatment is effective in reducing the risk of otherwise incurable diseases.

SourceNewcastle University·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJul 16, 2025

Microrobotic swarms for cancer therapy

Researchers explore the design of microrobots for targeted cancer therapy, including tumor cell eradication, improved penetration, and immune system modulation. The review also discusses advanced delivery strategies and imaging technologies to enhance treatment efficiency and precision.

SourceResearch·JournalResearch·TypeNews article·DateJul 16, 2025

What does it cost an animal to fight?

A systematic review of field and laboratory studies identifies 24 different types of cost in animal contests, grouped into six categories. The researchers propose a three-step process to link short- and long-term costs, allowing for the estimation of individual fitness outcomes.

SourceCell Press·JournalTrends in Ecology & Evolution·TypeSystematic review·DateJul 16, 2025

Brexit: is it farewell to capital? The UK has turned off the tap for EU startups. Europe still invests across the channel

A recent study by Politecnico di Milano found that UK investors cut back on European investments after Brexit, while EU investors waited for clarity before increasing their investments. This suggests that Brexit raised uncertainty in the market for financing innovative entrepreneurship.

SourcePolitecnico di Milano·JournalResearch Policy·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 16, 2025

Study reveals world’s largest turtle nesting site thanks to smarter drone survey

A University of Florida research team developed a more accurate way to count wildlife using drones, confirming the world's largest known nesting site for the Giant South American River Turtle. The method combines aerial imagery with statistical modeling, offering a new tool for conservationists to monitor vulnerable animal populations.

SourceUniversity of Florida·JournalJournal of Applied Ecology·DateJul 16, 2025

Drexel engineers want to make buildings more energy efficient by making walls, floors and ceilings more like elephant ears

Drexel engineers create vascular network within cement-based building materials that can help passively regulate surface temperature, reducing energy loss in buildings. The approach is inspired by nature's circulatory system and uses phase-change material to maintain a desired indoor temperature.

SourceDrexel University·JournalJournal of Building Engineering·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 16, 2025

Lunar soil could support life on the Moon

Scientists have developed a technology that can extract water from lunar soil and convert carbon dioxide into oxygen, fuel, and chemicals for human exploration. This innovation has the potential to mitigate the need for transporting essential resources like water and fuel from Earth.

SourceCell Press·JournalJoule·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 16, 2025

The magic of magnons

Researchers have developed a new method to control magnon pairs using laser pulses, enabling non-thermal changes in material properties and paving the way for terahertz data storage and transmission. The method uses naturally grown crystals, such as iron ore haematite, and achieves effects at room temperature without heat development.

SourceUniversity of Konstanz·JournalScience Advances·DateJul 16, 2025

Music may reduce distress for dementia patients

A new music therapy approach called MELODIC showed promising results in reducing distress symptoms and improving quality-of-life scores among dementia patients. The intervention, which costs £2,025 per month, could provide a low-cost and scalable alternative to current methods of managing severe distress.

SourceAnglia Ruskin University·JournalFrontiers in Psychiatry·TypeObservational study·DateJul 16, 2025

Unveiling the mystery of electron dynamics in the 'quantum tunneling barrier' for the first time

Researchers successfully confirmed long-standing 'electron tunneling' phenomenon, revealing surprising interactions between electrons and atomic nuclei during tunneling. The study's findings have significant implications for advanced technologies like semiconductors, quantum computers, and ultrafast lasers.

SourcePohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH)·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJul 16, 2025

Telehealth works but rules need changing

A systematic review and meta-analysis found telehealth reduces hospital visits, improves mental health, and increases social engagement. However, Medicare's in-person requirement excludes many truly homebound individuals.

SourceFlinders University·JournalHealth & Social Care in the Community·TypeMeta-analysis·DateJul 16, 2025

Interbreeding with Neanderthals may be responsible for modern-day brain condition, SFU study finds

A new study suggests that interbreeding between humans and Neanderthals may be responsible for the neurological condition Chiari Malformation Type 1. The research, published in Evolution, Medicine, and Public Health, found a link between Neanderthal genes and skull shape traits common to people with the malformation.

SourceSimon Fraser University·JournalEvolution Medicine and Public Health·DateJul 16, 2025

Optimal heart health in children cuts risk of chronic diseases in adulthood

A systematic review found that optimal childhood heart health metrics, including diet, physical activity, and sleep, lead to lower risks of chronic diseases in adulthood. The review highlights the importance of early prevention and suggests that parents can focus on healthy habits and regular check-ups with pediatricians.

SourceAnn & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago·JournalJournal of the American Heart Association·DateJul 16, 2025

World's first 1,000-ton ionic liquid cellulose fiber plant launches, enabling near-zero emission textiles

The world's first thousand-ton-scale ionic liquid-based regenerated cellulose fiber project has officially commenced operations in Henan Province, China. The technology uses non-volatile, stable ionic liquids as solvents to replace toxic solvents, reducing carbon dioxide emissions by an estimated 5,000 tons per year.

The costs of fungicide resistance

A mathematical model was developed to calculate the economic and environmental costs of fungicide resistance in agriculture. The study found that yields can increase or decrease depending on the context, and that expensive fungicides can actually reduce costs.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalPLOS Sustainability and Transformation·DateJul 16, 2025

Wastewater contaminants boost green hydrogen production

Researchers at RMIT University have developed an innovative method to harness wastewater's high contaminant load to produce green hydrogen. The process uses metals from wastewater to enhance hydrogen production and reduce the need for purified water or additional steps.

SourceRMIT University·JournalACS Electrochemistry·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 16, 2025

Your lungs in chip form

Researchers at Kyoto University have created a microphysiological system capable of simulating different regions of human lungs, including the airway and alveoli. This breakthrough enables accurate modeling of viral pathologies and holds promise for personalized treatment of respiratory diseases such as COVID-19.

SourceKyoto University·JournalNature Biomedical Engineering·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJul 16, 2025

Bacterial genomes hold clues for creating personalized probiotics

Researchers created an 'encyclopedia of sugar utilization pathways' in 263 Bifidobacterium genomes. This resource helps predict which strains thrive in different conditions, enabling personalized probiotics to match children's lifestyles and dietary needs. The study suggests a potential solution to improving outcomes for preterm infants.

SourceSanford Burnham Prebys·JournalNature Microbiology·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 16, 2025

Holographic precision, super-resolution vision: scientists reveal the hidden world of vital cellular structures

Researchers measured protein content and growth dynamics of individual biomolecular condensates without disturbing them, gaining insights for future drug development and disease modeling. The study revealed intricate nanoscale organization and complex internal architecture of these microscopic structures.

SourceNew York University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateJul 16, 2025

Discovery of a tRNA methyltransferase with an unusual domain architecture and functional features

Scientists identified a novel tRNA modification enzyme, TrmTS, that catalyzes the formation of a specific modification and exhibits substrate specificity for adenosine, cytidine, and uridine. The discovery sheds new light on tRNA modification biology and provides insights into the molecular strategies used by archaea to thrive in extre...

SourceEhime University·JournalNucleic Acids Research·DateJul 16, 2025

Spider’s visual trickery can fool AI

Researchers discovered that male peacock spiders use sensory exploitation to deceive female spiders by mimicking a wasp's face through visual trickery. The illusion is most effective at longer distances or in the female's peripheral vision, allowing males to initiate courtship without being rejected.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·JournalBehavioral Ecology·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 16, 2025

What makes debris flows dangerous

Debris flows in the Alps are hazardous due to surge waves that can destroy everything in their path. Researchers have found that surges arise spontaneously on the surface of the flow, stemming from small irregularities that grow over time.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalCommunications Earth & Environment·DateJul 16, 2025

Self-reporting climate anxiety in the United States is linked to being young, female, believing climate change will impact you personally, and more frequent media and community discussions around climate change

A new study found that climate anxiety in the US is associated with being younger, female, and feeling personally affected by climate change. Climate anxiety was also linked to increased media exposure, discussion frequency, and engagement in environmental behaviors.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Climate·TypeSurvey·DateJul 16, 2025

Scholar argues for move away from meritocracy in schools to redefine purpose of education

A University of Kansas expert proposes a shift away from the current merit-based education system, citing its limitations in promoting equality and individual fulfillment. By focusing on each student's strengths and interests, a new paradigm can foster personalized education and develop human interdependence, ultimately benefiting both...

SourceUniversity of Kansas·JournalECNU Review of Education·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateJul 16, 2025

Adult still's disease with atypical skin manifestations: A case report

A case report documents an adult with Adult Still's Disease (ASD) presenting with urticarial, erythematous, and pruritic skin lesions, which led to fever, arthritis, and widespread dermatologic involvement. The patient was diagnosed using Yamaguchi criteria and responded well to treatment with prednisone and methotrexate.

SourceJournal of Dermatologic Science and Cosmetic Technology·JournalJournal of Dermatologic Science and Cosmetic Technology·TypeCase study·DateJul 16, 2025

Giving T cells a break: controlled physical barrier created to boost cancer immunotherapy

Researchers developed a biomimetic physical barrier that temporarily blocks T cell-tumor cell interactions, delaying exhaustion and enabling a stronger immune response. The breakthrough strategy can potentially be combined with other immunotherapeutic approaches to enhance treatment efficacy.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 16, 2025

How do traditional and biodegradable microplastics affect agricultural ecosystems?

Biodegradable microplastics have been found to promote nutrient turnover in soil, leading to improved pea growth. In contrast, traditional microplastics had more complex effects on plant biomass and microbial activity. Long-term toxicity of microplastics remains unknown, emphasizing the need for future field experiments.

SourceHigher Education Press·JournalFrontiers of Agricultural Science and Engineering·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 16, 2025

Paper examines role of seasonal frost in brine formation on Mars

Researchers found that brines can develop for brief periods during late winter and early spring from melting frost, suggesting transient water activity is most likely during specific seasons. The study highlights the importance of targeting seasonal windows to detect brine formation with future astrobiological investigations.

SourceUniversity of Arkansas·JournalCommunications Earth & Environment·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJul 16, 2025

Teams engineer microporous new CO₂-activated carbon material—Enabling energy-efficient separation of critical fluorinated gases

A team of scientists has developed a novel CO2-activated porous carbon adsorbent that selectively traps impurities while purifying target gases. The material achieves a record C3F6/C3F8 uptake ratio and produces 99.999% pure C3F8 at industrial scales.

SourceIndustrial Chemistry & Materials·JournalIndustrial Chemistry and Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 16, 2025

Food preferences, stigma among reasons students don’t eat free school meals

A recent study by NYU researchers found that student preferences for home-cooked meals and fast food, as well as concerns about meal health, are significant barriers to student participation in free school meals. The study suggests that making healthy meals more appealing and accessible can help increase student participation.

SourceNew York University·JournalJournal of School Health·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 16, 2025