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Science News for July 21, 2025


Amazon degradation increases by 163% in two years, while deforestation falls by 54% in the same period

The Amazon has experienced a 163% increase in degradation and a 54% decrease in deforestation between 2022 and 2024. This 'negative balance' of biome protection threatens Brazil's international climate commitments, particularly its target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 59-67% by 2035.

Autonomous AI agents in healthcare

Researchers propose adaptations to overcome barriers to the implementation of autonomous AI agents in healthcare, including extending enforcement discretion policies and developing voluntary alternative pathways. Long-term solutions include regulating AI agents like medical professionals, with structured training processes for autonomy.

SourceTechnische Universität Dresden·JournalNature Medicine·DateJul 21, 2025

A novel strategy for modulating the crystalline-amorphous composites and electronic structure to enhance hydrogen evolution reaction

A novel strategy for modulating crystalline-amorphous composites and electronic structures has been developed to enhance the hydrogen evolution reaction. The NiMo-NiMoO x electrocatalyst exhibits remarkable HER catalytic properties and durability, requiring a low overpotential of 30 mV at high current density.

SourceTsinghua University Press·JournalNano Research·DateJul 21, 2025

DFUN-KDF: A knowledge distillation-based decentralized federated learning framework for uav network optimization

The DFUN-KDF framework uses federated knowledge distillation to enable UAVs to extract information from embedded data and update their local models, reducing energy consumption and improving adaptability. The framework's filtering mechanism eliminates biased embeddings, ensuring the stability and reliability of the system.

SourceTsinghua University Press·JournalCommunications in Transportation Research·DateJul 21, 2025

Astronomers witness newborn planet sculpting the dust around it

Astronomers have detected a newborn planet in action, carving out an intricate pattern in the gas and dust surrounding its young host star. The planet candidate is estimated to be twice the size of Jupiter and has been observed shaping its surroundings within the protoplanetary disc as it grows into a fully formed planet.

SourceESO·JournalAstronomy and Astrophysics·DateJul 21, 2025

Abnormal long COVID PET/MR findings linked to future cardiac and pulmonary diseases

A new study found that long COVID patients with abnormal cardiopulmonary PET/MR findings are at a higher risk of developing heart and lung diseases. The study included 98 patients with persistent cardiopulmonary symptoms after initial COVID infection and showed significant abnormalities in both PET/MRI and dual-energy CT scans.

SourceSociety of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging·JournalJournal of Nuclear Medicine·DateJul 21, 2025

How ant queens are made

New research reveals that body size and caste in ants are coupled, with genetics determining the threshold for becoming a queen. Genes influence size and modify the size at which queen-like traits emerge, affecting the probability of becoming a queen.

SourceRockefeller University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 21, 2025

Gemini North discovers long-predicted stellar companion of Betelgeuse

The Gemini North telescope has detected the long-predicted companion star of Betelgeuse for the first time. The companion star is six magnitudes fainter than Betelgeuse and has an estimated mass of around 1.5 times that of the Sun, confirming the presence of a stellar companion orbiting the red supergiant.

SourceAssociation of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA)·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateJul 21, 2025

Where did RNA come from?

Researchers found that ribose binds to phosphate more quickly and effectively than other sugar molecules, which could have helped select it for inclusion in RNA development. The study also showed that ribose produces a five-member ring form, similar to the forms seen in RNA and DNA today.

SourceScripps Research Institute·JournalAngewandte Chemie·DateJul 21, 2025

Mount Sinai researchers uncover unique biological markers in patients with mild Crohn’s disease

A new study led by Mount Sinai researchers has identified distinct biological signatures in patients with mild Crohn's disease, which may help avoid overtreatment and guide more personalized care. The findings suggest that these biomarkers can distinguish mild disease from more aggressive forms, potentially allowing for safer treatment...

Earthquake caught on camera

A recent study analyzed CCTV footage of the 2025 Myanmar Earthquake, capturing unprecedented details about the fault motion. The team found that the fault slipped sideways by 2.5 meters in just 1.3 seconds, with a maximum speed of 3.2 meters per second.

SourceKyoto University·JournalThe Seismic Record·TypeObservational study·DateJul 21, 2025

Health: Anti-obesity medications associated with weight rebound post-treatment

A meta-analysis published in BMC Medicine found that patients prescribed anti-obesity medications may experience a significant weight gain after stopping their prescription. The study analyzed data from 11 randomised trials and suggests that six approved anti-obesity medications are associated with weight regain after treatment cessation.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalBMC Medicine·TypeMeta-analysis·DateJul 21, 2025

Consumers prefer self-checkout when buying stigmatized products, study shows

A study from the University of Illinois found that shoppers prefer self-checkout when buying stigmatized items, with sales of condoms and pregnancy tests increasing after self-checkout was introduced. The study also revealed that consumers are willing to trade longer checkout times for the added privacy offered by self-checkout.

SourceUniversity of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences·JournalJournal of Economic Behavior & Organization·DateJul 21, 2025

Tailored hard/soft magnetic heterostructure anchored on 2D carbon nanosheet for efficient microwave absorption and anti-corrosion property

Researchers have designed a novel soft/hard magnetic heterostructure anchored on 2D carbon nanosheets, which exhibits wide electromagnetic absorption bands and excellent corrosion resistance. The synthesized composite film effectively shields 5G signals and displays great potential for stealth coatings.

SourceTsinghua University Press·JournalNano Research·DateJul 21, 2025

AI vision, reinvented: The power of synthetic data

Researchers developed CoSyn, a new approach to train open-source models using AI-generated scientific figures and charts. The resulting dataset, CoSyn-400K, includes over 400,000 synthetic images and 2.7 million sets of corresponding instructions. CoSyn-trained models match or outperform proprietary peers in various benchmark tests.

Stringent environmental regulations may undermine climate goals and renewable energy production, study finds

A new study published in Energy Policy suggests that imposing strict regulations on pollution and environmentally harmful practices may inadvertently worsen climate change. In contrast, digital governance and the circular economy are found to have a positive influence on renewable energy production.

SourceUniversity of Sharjah·JournalEnergy Policy·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 21, 2025

Pioneering new method reveals glucose channeling, charting the fine structure of energy metabolism inside active cells

Researchers at Vanderbilt University have generated a high-resolution metabolic map of how cells process glucose, revealing a hidden world where organelles and molecular complexes collaborate. The study provides insights into an organizational framework that can be used to study disruptions in diseases like diabetes, obesity, and cancer.

SourceVanderbilt University·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 21, 2025

‘Weekend warriors’ with diabetes have a 33% lower risk of cardiovascular mortality

A prospective cohort study found that weekend warriors and regular activity patterns reduced risks for all-cause and cardiovascular mortality among adults with diabetes, demonstrating the importance of any physical activity. The study also compared GLP-1RAs and DPP4is in dementia risk among older adults with diabetes and found no clear...

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·TypeNews article·DateJul 21, 2025

Optimists are alike, every pessimist has their own way

A study by Kobe University found that optimists' brains work similarly when imagining future events, while pessimists' brains show more individuality. This commonality may explain why optimists are seen as more sociable and satisfied with their social relationships.

SourceKobe University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 21, 2025

Arctic winter reaches melting point: scientists witness dramatic thaw in Svalbard

Researchers in Svalbard encounter exceptionally high temperatures, widespread snowmelt, and blooming vegetation, challenging the long-held assumption of a reliably frozen Arctic winter. This finds underscores the transformative impact on physical environment, local ecosystems, and scientific research methodology.

SourceQueen Mary University of London·JournalNature Communications·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateJul 21, 2025

Generate electricity from wind and sweep dust away! DGIST has successfully developed a self-powered solar panel pollutant removal technology

The developed three-phase EDS system uses a wind-powered rotational triboelectric nanogenerator to generate high voltage, achieving efficient dust removal and restoring solar panels' conversion efficiency. This technology reduces maintenance costs and can be applied across various environments.

Neuroanatomy of social dominance

Researchers explored neuroanatomy underlying social dominance in nonhuman primates, focusing on the uncinate fasciculus and its correlation with social dominance measures. The study found a significant correlation between this brain tract and social aggression, supporting human studies linking it to social dominance.

SourceSociety for Neuroscience·JournalJNeurosci·DateJul 21, 2025

DGIST transforms carbon dioxide, a major contributor to global warming, into a useful catalyst material!

Researchers developed a technology that efficiently converts carbon dioxide into carbon monoxide by precisely controlling the interaction between rhodium and a zinc-based carrier. This breakthrough enables selective conversion at lower temperatures than previously possible, increasing production rates of useful industrial materials.

University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center becomes first in the United States to implement Akesis Inc. innovative Galaxy RTI device for patient treatment

The University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center has become the first in the US to implement Akesis' Galaxy RTI device, advancing Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS) with enhanced precision and treatment efficiency. The center will also serve as a research hub for this innovative technology.

Water tornado in the laboratory: A simple experiment simulates planet formation

Researchers create water tornado to investigate flow properties in protoplanetary discs, mimicking gravitational field and finding particles' motion conforming to Kepler's laws. The experiment provides insights into dust-particle interactions promoting planet formation.

SourceMax Planck Institute for Astronomy·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 21, 2025

Despite self-perceived sensitivities, study finds gluten and wheat safe for many people with IBS

A new study from McMaster University researchers found that many people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) who believe they are sensitive to gluten or wheat may not actually react to these ingredients. The study suggests that expectations and beliefs, rather than the ingredients themselves, may be driving symptoms in many cases.

SourceMcMaster University·JournalThe Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology·DateJul 21, 2025

Discovering new materials: AI can simulate billions of atoms simultaneously

Researchers at USC Viterbi School of Engineering developed AI model Allegro-FM to simulate behavior of billions of atoms simultaneously, enabling simulations 1,000 times larger than previous models. This breakthrough accelerates development of carbon-neutral concrete with unprecedented scalability.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalThe Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters·TypeObservational study·DateJul 21, 2025

Study uncovers how immune cells contribute to failed bone healing after muscle-bone trauma

Researchers uncovered two myeloid cell populations driving immune dysregulation in polytrauma, highlighting a critical role of TIM cells in immune suppression. The study also identified key genes and communication patterns involved in polytrauma-induced immune responses, providing potential targets for therapeutic intervention.

SourceEditorial Office of West China School of Stomatology, Sichuan University·JournalBone Research·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 21, 2025

A new diabetes subtype identified in Sub-Saharan Africa and Black Americans, study finds

Researchers have discovered a non-autoimmune form of type 1 diabetes prevalent in young people in Sub-Saharan Africa, differing from the typical autoimmune pattern seen in other regions. The study's findings also suggest an ancestral or genetic link between this subtype and African ancestry in the US.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalThe Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology·DateJul 21, 2025

Receive sunlight from front and back... DGIST successfully developed narrow band gap bifacial solar cells!

Researchers at DGIST successfully developed thin-film solar cells with a narrow band gap that can operate at low temperatures and achieve high efficiencies on transparent substrates. The technology enables the production of bifacial solar cells that can generate power from both front and back sides, increasing overall efficiency.

Research reveals STIs during pregnancy linked to adverse birth complications

A large-scale study found strong links between maternal infections and adverse outcomes in babies born in Australia's Northern Territory. Congenital syphilis tripled the risk of preterm birth, while gonorrhoea increased the risk of stillbirth. The study highlights the need for more changes in STI testing during pregnancy.

SourceCurtin University·JournalThe Lancet Regional Health - Western Pacific·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 21, 2025

A simple filter for rare earth elements will ensure a clean domestic supply of these crucial metals

Researchers at University of California - Santa Barbara develop a new filter that can extract rare earth elements from end-of-life products like electronic waste. The technique combines solid-state extraction with precision chemistry to create a simple and environmentally attractive process, increasing the concentration of REEs fourfold.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalCommunications Chemistry·DateJul 21, 2025

Near tripling in US reported lidocaine local anesthetic poisonings/deaths over past decade

An analysis of National Poison Data System reports found a near tripling in US reported lidocaine local anesthetic poisonings/deaths over the past decade, contrasting with a substantial fall in reports associated with other local anesthetics. The increase was primarily driven by a rise in reports of death associated with lidocaine.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalRegional Anesthesia & Pain Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateJul 21, 2025

New semi-empirical model boosts accuracy in forecasting Earth's magnetic storms

A new semi-empirical model simulates the Dst index by integrating empirical methods with global magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) models of Earth’s magnetosphere. The model outperforms traditional approaches in accuracy while retaining computational efficiency, demonstrating robustness in capturing timing and magnitude of Dst variations.

SourceBeijing Zhongke Journal Publising Co. Ltd.·JournalEarth and Planetary Physics·DateJul 21, 2025

Cracking the case: new methods to solve complex wildlife crimes

A new study by Dr. Gila Kahila Bar-Gal presents an integrative approach to wildlife forensics, combining advanced genetic tools with local databases to solve complex environmental crimes involving multiple species. This method demonstrates the ability to identify species, trace their origins, and confirm criminal activity beyond reason...

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalFrontiers in Ecology and Evolution·DateJul 21, 2025

National Center to Reframe Aging partners with Pennsylvania Department of Aging to strengthen communications about senior centers

The National Center to Reframe Aging is partnering with the Pennsylvania Department of Aging to develop effective communication strategies for senior community centers. Effective reframing will increase public awareness, engagement, and investment in these vital spaces where older people can remain active, connected, and valued.

Metal-free catalysts break through in green H2O2 synthesis! Novel organic semiconductors enable high-efficiency interfacial reactions

Researchers have developed metal-free organic semiconductor photocatalytic H2O2 production, providing a robust material platform for green and efficient synthesis. Novel surface reactions can fundamentally increase the utility of photogenerated excitons by exploiting unexpected chemical processes.

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience Bulletin·DateJul 21, 2025

How the brain controls its blood volume

Researchers discovered a two-step mechanism where inhibitory neurons release nitric oxide to rapidly dilate blood vessels, followed by slower, localized vasodilation via astrocyte activation. This breakthrough sheds light on how neural signals are translated into blood volume changes in brain imaging.

SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 21, 2025

Designing better brain shunts

Bioengineers at Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences have developed a computational model called BrainFlow that simulates cerebrospinal fluid flow in the presence of shunt implants, providing insight into optimal shunt design and placement for hydrocephalus patients.

SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJul 21, 2025

Staunch Anglican support for the Tory party acting as “buffer” against increasing political volatility, study shows

A new study by Dr. Ekaterina Kolpinskaya found that Anglicans are disproportionately stable in their affective and electoral support for the Conservative Party, acting as a 'pocket of resistance' to changes in partisan politics. This suggests that religion continues to be socially and politically influential in modern Britain.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalParliamentary Affairs·TypeSurvey·DateJul 21, 2025

Predicting kidney disease trajectories with a simple blood test

Researchers developed a serum proteomics-based prediction model to identify biomarkers involved in ADPKD progression. The study identified 29 proteins linked to immune system, fat transport, and metabolism, which can predict kidney function decline rate. This breakthrough could lead to more accurate and earlier diagnosis of ADPKD.

SourceUniversity of Cologne·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 21, 2025

Why do plants attack themselves? The secret of genetic conflict revealed​

A research team elucidated the mechanism inducing plant autoimmune responses and proposed a novel strategy for cultivar improvement. The study identified defects in protein structure as the cause of hybrid necrosis, which occurs due to an abnormal reaction of immune receptors during cross-breeding between plant hybrids.

EmoWELL

The EmoWELL video game has been shown to improve emotional management in young university students by helping them identify, understand, and manage their emotions. Participants who played the game demonstrated reduced use of strategies that worsen emotional distress and improved self-acceptance.

SourceUniversitat Politècnica de València·JournalFrontiers in Psychology·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 21, 2025

Regular opioid use may increase dementia risk

A study published in Alzheimer's & Dementia found that regular opioid use is associated with a 20% increased risk of all-cause dementia and over 70% increased risk of dementia among those taking strong opioids. Regular opioid use was also linked to reduced brain volume, lower fluid intelligence, and higher risk of vascular dementia.

SourceShenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAlzheimer’s & Dementia·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 21, 2025

Global study of more than 100,000 young people latest to link early smartphone ownership with poorer mental health in young adults

A global study of over 100,000 young people found that owning a smartphone before age 13 is associated with poor mind health and wellbeing in early adulthood. The study found correlations between early smartphone ownership and symptoms such as suicidal thoughts, aggression, detachment from reality, and low self-worth.

SourceTaylor & Francis Group·JournalJournal of Human Development and Capabilities·TypeObservational study·DateJul 21, 2025

NTU Singapore and Oxford scientists reveal how cells repair toxic DNA damage linked to cancer and premature ageing

Researchers at NTU Singapore and Oxford University have discovered a mechanism by which cells identify and repair highly toxic DNA damage, known as DPCs, that cause cancer, neurodegeneration, and premature ageing. The study reveals how SPRTN, a key repair enzyme, selectively targets DPC lesions, increasing its activity 67-fold.

SourceNanyang Technological University·JournalNucleic Acids Research·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 21, 2025

Study on “blue economy” shows interdependence between Brazil’s coastal and inland regions

A Brazilian study maps the direct and indirect impacts of marine resource-dependent economic activities, revealing strong connections between coastal and inland regions. The research highlights the importance of the blue economy in Brazil's GDP and employment, with regional specializations varying across states.