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Science News for July 18, 2025


New Science Bulletin review: Beijing Jiaotong University and Sichuan University explore AI-powered OLED material design

The review proposes a systematic AI-driven framework for OLED material design, offering theoretical guidance and practical pathways for intelligent materials development. Machine learning models are used to predict core optoelectronic properties, enabling rapid and accurate property prediction while providing structural insights that g...

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience Bulletin·TypeSystematic review·DateJul 18, 2025

Less pain, more gain: A new recipe for safer, stronger mRNA vaccines

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania designed a new recipe for mRNA vaccines by adding phenol groups, which reduce inflammation and improve vaccine effectiveness. The modified lipids improved vaccine performance in various diseases, including COVID-19, cancer, and genetic diseases, with enhanced efficacy and reduced side effects.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Engineering and Applied Science·JournalNature Biomedical Engineering·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 18, 2025

New York City intersections see one-third fewer pedestrian injuries with longer head-start intervals

A new study from Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that giving pedestrians a 7-second head start at traffic lights reduces total pedestrian injuries by 33%. The reduction in injuries is consistent across all intersection types, with the most pronounced impact seen during the daytime.

Near-zero power tuning! Chinese team breaks through the bottleneck of optical interconnect chips and creates non-volatile intelligent programmable micro-ring array optical transceiver chips

A Shanghai Jiao Tong University research team developed non-volatile, programmable micro-ring transceivers using low-loss phase-change material Sb2Se3 on silicon MRR PN junctions. The breakthrough chip achieved 400 Gbps data rate with minimal impact on modulation and detection performance.

SourceChinese Society for Optical Engineering·JournalPhotoniX·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 18, 2025

Solving an 80-year-old mystery: the crystal structure of a tetra-n-butylammonium bromide hydrate found with synchrotron radiation

Researchers have solved the crystal structure of tetra-n-butylammonium bromide hydrate (TBAB) hydrate, a semiclathrate hydrate used in air conditioning. The unique tetragonal superstructure explains its heat storage characteristics and provides new design principles for hydrate-based functional materials.

SourceYokohama National University·JournalCrystal Growth & Design·DateJul 18, 2025

Do illusory beliefs drive people away from medicine?

A study found that stronger illusory health beliefs are associated with greater distrust in conventional medicine and a higher tendency to seek unvalidated therapies. Valuing science and personal control over health can reduce this pattern, leading to more informed decisions and trust in health professionals.

SourceBIAL Foundation·JournalBehavioral Sciences·TypeObservational study·DateJul 18, 2025

Tumor cells target metastases as they die

Researchers have discovered a way to train the immune system to target and eliminate cancer cells, including those that cause metastases. The new treatment induces immunogenic cell death, releasing warning signals that teach the immune system to recognize and destroy cancer cells throughout the body.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalJournal of Medicinal Chemistry·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 18, 2025

AI-assisted sorting, other new technologies could improve plastic recycling

Researchers highlight the potential of solvent-based recycling and AI-assisted sorting to recycle complex plastics. However, the study emphasizes that replacing fossil-based plastics with biobased alternatives poses significant challenges, requiring comprehensive approaches and life cycle assessments.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalIndustrial & Engineering Chemistry Research·TypeLiterature review·DateJul 18, 2025

A new current collector designed for anode-free sodium metal batteries

Researchers developed a novel three-dimensional carbon nanofiber current collector to address challenges in anode-free sodium metal batteries. The new design features Zn–N x active sites that enhance interactions with electrolyte components and stabilize the solid electrolyte interphase, leading to improved cycling stability.

SourceHigher Education Press·JournalAdvanced Powder Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 18, 2025

High speed optical coherence manipulation based on lithium niobate film modulator

Researchers develop a novel application of lithium niobate film modulators for precise and high-speed control of light field phases. The proposed strategy enables tailoring of optical coherence in random light fields, paving the way for practical applications in optical imaging, encryption, and information transmission.

SourceChinese Society for Optical Engineering·JournalPhotoniX·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 18, 2025

More than just larks and owls!

Researchers used AI to analyze bird songs and calls of 53 European forest bird species, revealing far more activity types than previously thought. The study showed that some species are active around dawn and twilight, and their song patterns need adjustment for breeding bird surveys.

SourceUniversity of Göttingen·JournalJournal of Ornithology·TypeObservational study·DateJul 18, 2025

Innovative implant delivers sustained hydrogen therapy

Researchers developed a novel nanoconfinement strategy to deliver molecular hydrogen for diabetic bone repair. The innovative implant achieves controlled and sustained H2 release, promoting bone regeneration and neural network formation. This technology addresses key limitations of conventional H2 therapy.

SourceShenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAdvanced Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 18, 2025

First analyses of Myanmar earthquake conclude fault ruptured at supershear velocity

Researchers analyzed seismic data to conclude that the 2025 Myanmar earthquake ruptured at supershear velocity, reaching speeds of up to 6 kilometers per second. The rupture occurred along a 480-kilometer stretch of the Sagaing Fault, causing significant damage and loss of life in Myanmar and neighboring countries.

SourceSeismological Society of America·JournalThe Seismic Record·TypeObservational study·DateJul 18, 2025

Electrosynthesis of value-added chemicals: Challenges from laboratory research to industrial application

Researchers explore electrochemical synthesis of value-added chemicals, highlighting challenges and opportunities for industrial application. The technology enables efficient conversion of natural raw materials into high-quality products under mild conditions, offering sustainable solutions for renewable energy utilization.

Reducing the voc loss of hole transport layer-free carbon-based perovskite solar cells via dual interfacial passivation

Researchers introduce a simple protocol to simultaneously passivate defects at the SnO2/perovskite bottom interface and the perovskite/carbon top interface of hole transport layer-free carbon-electrode perovskite solar cells. The result is a champion device delivering high power conversion efficiency and ambient durability.

SourceShanghai Jiao Tong University Journal Center·JournalNano-Micro Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 18, 2025

Common feature between forest fires and neural networks reveals the universal framework underneath

Researchers found that deep neural networks exhibit absorbing phase transitions, a phenomenon observed in physical systems like forest fires. This discovery provides a unified framework describing how the signal propagates between layers of neurons, enabling prediction of trainability and generalizability.

SourceSchool of Science, The University of Tokyo·JournalPhysical Review Research·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJul 18, 2025

Earth's future climate at 9 km worldwide resolution

A team of scientists has developed a high-resolution climate model that simulates global climate change at 9 km atmospheric and 4-25 km oceanic scales. The model demonstrates superior performance compared to lower-resolution models, providing detailed regional insights into future climate conditions.

SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalEarth System Dynamics·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJul 18, 2025

Heart-healthy habits also prevent cancer, Alzheimer’s, COPD, other diseases, Emory study finds

A new study from Emory University reveals that maintaining optimal cardiovascular health can significantly improve overall physical and psychological well-being. The review confirms that heart-healthy behaviors positively impact brain function, vision, hearing, muscle strength, and reduce the risk of chronic diseases.

SourceEmory Health Sciences·JournalJournal of the American Heart Association·TypeMeta-analysis·DateJul 18, 2025

New possibilities for scanning tunnelling microscopy

Scientists have developed a new method for scanning tunnelling microscopy that enables the investigation of buried interfaces and atomic-scale structures. The technique allows for high-spatial resolution analysis of both surface and subsurface layers, revealing local magnetic properties and stacking sequences.

SourceUniversity of Münster·JournalACS Nano·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 18, 2025

New study links popular vape flavorings to increased nicotine reward

A new study found that certain flavorings, including vanilla and cherry, can drive reinforcement-related behaviors similar to those associated with nicotine exposure in adolescents. The study suggests that these flavorings can modulate the brain's dopamine system and increase dependence, especially among youth.

SourceMarshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine·JournalJournal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 18, 2025

Machine learning reveals historical seismic events in the Yellowstone caldera

A new study published in Science Advances uses machine learning to re-examine historical earthquake data from the Yellowstone caldera over a 15-year period. The team detected and assigned magnitudes to approximately 86,276 earthquakes, significantly improving previous understanding of volcanic and seismic systems.

SourceUniversity of Western Ontario·JournalScience Advances·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJul 18, 2025

Researchers realize in situ formation of functional materials in living systems

Scientists discovered a novel method to synthesize gold-polymer nanocomposites within living E. coli bacteria, creating natural microreactors for complex nanostructure formation. The approach enables spatially controlled and eco-friendly synthesis of functional materials.

SourceShenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 18, 2025

IEEE study achieves efficient integration of quantum dot lasers on silicon chiplets

Researchers have successfully integrated indium arsenide quantum dot lasers monolithically on silicon photonic chiplets, achieving low coupling loss and enabling efficient operation at high temperatures. The novel integration technique has the potential to be widely adopted due to its scalability and cost-effectiveness.

SourceInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers·JournalJournal of Lightwave Technology·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 18, 2025

Three star clusters – all with the same origin?

Researchers at the University of Bonn have found that three star clusters are part of the same system, with the Orion Nebula being the youngest, Pleiades the middle-aged, and Hyades the oldest. The team used computer simulations to model the life cycle of these star clusters, which showed they follow a similar development path.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJul 18, 2025

Stevia leaf extract has potential as anticancer treatment, researchers find

Researchers at Hiroshima University have found that fermenting stevia leaf extract with bacteria kills off pancreatic cancer cells without harming healthy kidney cells. The study identified chlorogenic acid methyl ester as the active anti-cancer compound, which exhibits stronger toxicity to cancer cells than chlorogenic acid alone.

SourceHiroshima University·JournalInternational Journal of Molecular Sciences·DateJul 18, 2025

Trends in physician exit from fee-for-service Medicare

Physician exit from traditional Medicare has increased over time, with exits remaining high even after the pandemic. The findings suggest that multiple factors contribute to physician departures, including the growing burden of new communication methods and demands for clinical documentation.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Health Forum·DateJul 18, 2025

UNM study sheds light on major earthquake risk off coast of British Columbia

A new UNM-led study provides conclusive evidence of the Queen Charlotte fault system's seismic hazard, confirming its potential to produce catastrophic events. The research used advanced geophysical tools to map the deep structure of the ocean floor, revealing a fault zone with the potential to generate powerful earthquakes and tsunamis.

SourceUniversity of New Mexico·JournalScience Advances·TypeObservational study·DateJul 18, 2025