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Science News for March 12, 2025


Study finds new targets needed for vaccine to prevent herpesvirus transmission to babies

A recent study by Oregon Health & Science University and Weill Cornell Medicine has found that CMV lacking a certain viral protein complex can still be transmitted and cause significant harm to the developing fetus. The research suggests that additional vaccine targets need to be identified and explored to provide superior protection.

SourceOregon Health & Science University·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateMar 12, 2025

An ontology for smart city infrastructure threats, cybercrime and digital investigation

A new ontology for smart city infrastructure threats, cybercrime and digital investigation has been developed to assist digital forensic investigators. The ontology provides a consistent and structured representation of knowledge, allowing for increased efficiency and rapid remediation in future investigations.

SourceSingapore University of Technology and Design·JournalForensic Science International·DateMar 12, 2025

The flicker reveals the mechanisms of vision. Groundbreaking f-ORG technique can advance the diagnosis of retinal diseases

A new diagnostic method called flicker optoretinography (f-ORG) analyzes the retina's reaction to light, helping to detect danger before symptoms appear. The technique detects even minor changes in photoreceptors, providing valuable insights into retinal health.

SourceInstitute of Physical Chemistry of the Polish Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 12, 2025

Managing your diabetes can help prevent associated vision loss

Researchers emphasize the importance of regular screenings and treatment to prevent vision loss in patients with diabetes. Current guidelines recommend eye exams for adults with type 1 and type 2 diabetes, while adolescents and young adults are at higher risk due to difficulty controlling their condition.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalDiabetes Technology & Therapeutics·TypeLiterature review·DateMar 12, 2025

HIV not associated with higher risk for coronary artery disease in Uganda, challenging prior notions of health risks among regional populations with HIV

A cross-sectional study of Ugandan adults with and without HIV found the prevalence of coronary atherosclerosis disease to be much lower than expected in similar populations in the Global North. The study's results refute prior notions that well-controlled HIV infection is associated with increased CAD risk.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·TypeNews article·DateMar 12, 2025

Cannabis terpenes offer potential new way to treat fibromyalgia pain

Research at the University of Arizona Health Sciences found that certain terpenes in Cannabis sativa are effective at relieving post-surgical and fibromyalgia pain in preclinical models. Terpenes have been shown to provide significant pain relief in mouse models, with geraniol providing the most significant level of pain relief.

SourceUniversity of Arizona Health Sciences·JournalPharmacological Reports·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMar 12, 2025

New clinical trial at UTHealth Houston tests gene therapy vector that delivers drug aimed at stopping overactive bladder in patients with spinal cord injury

Researchers are conducting a first-in-human clinical trial to test a modified herpes virus that targets spinal cord nerve cells to treat neurogenic bladder. The therapy, EG110A, aims to block sensory nerve signals causing involuntary bladder contractions and incontinence.

openRxiv launch to sustain and expand preprint sharing in life and health sciences

The launch of openRxiv aims to sustain and expand preprint sharing in life and health sciences, enabling scientists worldwide to communicate findings rapidly and openly. With a researcher-led governance model, openRxiv strengthens the foundation of preprint sharing, fostering collaboration and innovation across the sciences.

Dynamic acoustics of hand clapping, elucidated

A study published in Physical Review Research reveals the intricate physical mechanisms involved in handclapping, including air flow, sound production, and resonance. The researchers found that the size and shape of the hand cavity affect the frequency of the clap, with cupped hands producing lower frequencies.

SourceCornell University·JournalPhysical Review Research·DateMar 12, 2025

“Overlooked” scrub typhus may affect 1 in 10 in rural India, and be a leading cause of hospitalisations for fever

A study of over 32,000 people in rural India found scrub typhus infection affects up to 10% annually, leading to hospitalisations due to severe fever symptoms. The researchers highlight the need for improved diagnostic capabilities and community awareness to reduce unnecessary hospitalisations and fatal cases.

SourceLondon School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateMar 12, 2025

Assessing pain, anxiety and other symptoms of nursing home residents unable to speak for themselves

Researchers have revamped a symptom assessment instrument to address pain, anxiety, and other symptoms of nursing home residents who are cognitively impaired. The new tool reliably captures physical and emotional distress, well-being, and end-of-life symptoms, providing guidance for expanding palliative care services in nursing homes.

SourceRegenstrief Institute·JournalInternational Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry·DateMar 12, 2025

Trust in the European Union is not catching up to pre-crisis levels, finds new study

A new study found that EU citizens' trust in the European Union has not increased as hoped after past crises. The research highlights growing discontent among citizens and points to factors such as economic upheaval, political strife, and emotional attachment to the EU as contributing to this crisis of confidence.

SourceUniversity of Surrey·JournalJournal of Contemporary European Studies·TypeObservational study·DateMar 12, 2025

City of Hope’s phase 1 clinical trial data is part of the Society of Surgical Oncology Annual Meeting’s press program

A phase 1 clinical trial led by City of Hope demonstrated the safety and early efficacy of targeted chemotherapy using PIPAC combined with systemic chemotherapy for patients with colorectal and appendiceal cancer that has spread to the peritoneum of the abdominal cavity. The study showed promising results, including histologic, laparos...

Transforming thymic carcinoma treatment with a dual approach

Researchers have made a breakthrough in treating thymic carcinoma by combining immune checkpoint inhibitors with platinum-based chemotherapy. The MARBLE study found that atezolizumab combined with carboplatin and paclitaxel achieved an objective response rate of 56% and median progression-free survival of 9.6 months.

SourceJuntendo University Research Promotion Center·JournalThe Lancet Oncology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMar 12, 2025

Quantum annealing processors achieve computational advantage in simulating problems on quantum entanglement

Researchers found that quantum annealing processors achieve computational advantage in simulating complex problems involving quantum spin dynamics and the transverse-field Ising model. The results demonstrate severe limitations of classical simulation methods, which require impractically large computational resources and time.

Monocular visual estimation for autonomous aircraft landing guidance in unknown structured scenes

A research team has proposed a new monocular vision-based measurement method for autonomous aircraft landing guidance in unknown structured environments. The system uses an onboard monocular camera to detect suitable landing regions and accurately measure the relative 6D pose between the aircraft and the landing region, ensuring reliab...

SourceTsinghua University Press·JournalChinese Journal of Aeronautics·DateMar 12, 2025

Swapping animal products for plant-based foods—no matter how processed—leads to weight loss, finds new study

Replacing animal products with plant-based foods, even highly processed ones, can lead to substantial weight loss due to reduced calorie and fat intake and increased fiber consumption. This is according to a new analysis of a randomized clinical trial published in Nutrition & Metabolism.

SourcePhysicians Committee for Responsible Medicine·JournalNutrition & Metabolism·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMar 12, 2025

Transgender and gender diverse people less likely to receive follow-up after a mental health hospitalization

A study found that transgender and gender diverse individuals have lower access to appropriate mental health care and support following a psychiatric hospitalization, yet better follow-up after an emergency department visit. The study suggests that transphobia in the hospital system contributes to this disparity.

SourceInstitute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences·JournalTransgender Health·TypeObservational study·DateMar 12, 2025

Do tax cuts encourage investment? Tepper School researchers reveal surprising results

A study by Tepper School researchers found that tax cuts did not lead to increased investments in capital expenditures, employment, research and development, or mergers and acquisitions. Instead, companies used the repatriated funds primarily for shareholder payouts and cash retention, challenging existing financial theories.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·JournalJournal of Financial Economics·DateMar 12, 2025

Minimal TV viewing may be protective for heart diseases linked to Type 2 diabetes

A new study found that limiting TV viewing to one hour or less daily may help offset an increased risk of heart and blood vessel diseases for people with a genetic risk for Type 2 diabetes. This suggests that reducing TV watching could serve as a key behavioral target for preventing atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases linked to Typ...

SourceAmerican Heart Association·JournalJournal of the American Heart Association·DateMar 12, 2025

Study finds cities that conducted greenhouse gas emissions inventories moved needle toward reduction

New research from the University of Kansas found that completing a greenhouse gas emission inventory indeed moves the needle toward mitigation, with cities reducing their CO2 emissions by about 22 fewer pounds per capita. The addition of sustainability staff did not show a statistically significant reduction.

SourceUniversity of Kansas·JournalCities·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 12, 2025

PM2.5 exposure may be associated with increased skin redness in Taiwanese adults, suggesting that air pollution may contribute to skin health issues

A study published in PLOS Global Public Health suggests a potential association between PM2.5 exposure and increased skin redness in Taiwanese adults. The findings indicate that air pollution may contribute to skin health issues, highlighting the importance of mitigating air quality to protect public health.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Global Public Health·DateMar 12, 2025

How the brain uses ‘building blocks’ to navigate social interactions

Researchers at University College London found that the brain uses specific patterns of activity, or 'building blocks,' to understand social interactions. These fundamental patterns are thought to represent common interaction patterns across various situations, allowing brains to simplify complex information and make decisions quickly.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 12, 2025

Weight loss increases risk of death for obese adults

A recent study published in Heart journal found that extreme weight fluctuations significantly increase the risk of death among obese individuals with cardiovascular disease. Both weight loss and gain above 10kg raise mortality risk, highlighting the importance of maintaining a stable weight even within the obese range.

SourceAnglia Ruskin University·JournalHeart·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 12, 2025

Marine litter: the importance of making accurate estimates to control these contaminants

A University of Malaga study highlights the importance of accurate estimates of marine litter to address the environmental concern. The research found that current monitoring strategies are inadequate, and simulation experiments identified the most appropriate sampling strategies to achieve more accurate results.

SourceUniversity of Malaga·JournalMarine Pollution Bulletin·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 12, 2025

First radio pulses traced to dead-star binary

An international team has traced radio pulses to a binary system with a dead star, where a red dwarf and white dwarf orbit each other, emitting a radio blast every two hours. This discovery shows that the movement of stars within a binary system can also emit long-period radio bursts.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalNature Astronomy·TypeObservational study·DateMar 12, 2025

Supramolecular organic framework for iodine capture from seawater

A team at Hainan University has developed a supramolecular organic framework for efficient iodine capture from seawater, removing 79% of iodine pollution in simulated contaminated environments. The material achieves an ultrahigh iodine adsorption capacity of 46 mg g−1 within a 20-day extraction period.

SourceResearch·JournalResearch·TypeNews article·DateMar 12, 2025

KIER unveils blueprint for cost-effective production of eco-friendly green hydrogen

Researchers developed optimal operation strategies to maximize efficiency and reduce costs in water electrolysis technologies. A stable power supply from the existing fossil fuel-based power grid can reduce hydrogen production costs to $6.60 per kilogram, but this approach does not resolve environmental concerns.

SourceNational Research Council of Science & Technology·JournalEnergy Conversion and Management·DateMar 12, 2025

Landscape scale pesticide pollution detected in the Upper Rhine region, from agricultural lowlands to remote areas

A recent study reveals extensive pesticide contamination in the Upper Rhine Region, contaminating not only agricultural areas but also remote regions. The research found that pesticide mixtures spread far beyond fields, posing a risk to people's health and environment.

SourceRheinland-Pfälzische Technische Universität Kaiserslautern-Landau·JournalCommunications Earth & Environment·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 12, 2025

Adolescent boys who experience violence have up to 8 times the odds of perpetrating physical and sexual intimate partner violence that same day, per South African study collecting real-time data over mobile phones

A new study published in PLOS One found that adolescent boys who experience violence are at a significantly increased risk of perpetrating physical and sexual intimate partner violence. The research collected real-time data over mobile phones and revealed that these boys have up to 8 times the odds of committing such acts on the same day.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS One·DateMar 12, 2025

For teens' mental health, strong friendships matter more than social media use, NIH study finds

A new NIH study funded by the Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Program found that teens with strong, high-quality friendships tend to have better mental health. The study suggests that emphasizing ways to bolster the quality of their social relationships could help address the current youth mental health crisis.

SourceEnvironmental influences on Child Health Outcomes·JournalJournal of Adolescent Health·TypeObservational study·DateMar 12, 2025

China discovers terrestrial "Life oasis" from end-Permian mass extinction period

A new study reveals a region in China's Turpan-Hami Basin served as a refugium for terrestrial plants during the end-Permian mass extinction. The discovery suggests that some land areas were shielded from the worst effects of the extinction, allowing for continuous evolution and rapid ecological recovery afterward. The region's stable,...

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalScience Advances·DateMar 12, 2025

NTU Singapore scientists develop solar-powered method to convert sewage sludge into green hydrogen and animal feed

Scientists at NTU Singapore have developed a solar-powered method to transform sewage sludge into green hydrogen and single-cell protein, reducing environmental damage and creating renewable energy and sustainable food. The three-step process recovers 91.4% of organic carbon and converts 63% into single-cell protein without producing h...

SourceNanyang Technological University·JournalNature Water·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 12, 2025

AI models are skilled at identifying appropriate responses to suicidal thoughts

A new study by RAND Corporation reveals that AI models can identify appropriate responses to suicidal thoughts with high accuracy. The findings suggest that these large language models can be surprisingly discerning, but may overrate the appropriateness of clinician responses, indicating a need for further improvement.

SourceRAND Corporation·JournalJournal of Medical Internet Research·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 12, 2025

A study by UPF and Oxford clarifies that people take decisions more quickly than computers in situations of risk using quantum physics techniques

A new model of brain computational analysis, called CHARM, reveals that the human brain can surpass machines in critical decision-making. The CHARM model applies quantum mechanics to analyze long-distance brain connections, enabling precise modeling of the brain's dynamics.

SourceUniversitat Pompeu Fabra - Barcelona·JournalPhysical Review·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 12, 2025

Researchers develop conductive gel to improve study of spinal cord injuries

Binghamton University researchers have created a hydrogel electrode that includes conductive carbon nanotubes to monitor nerve activity in spinal cord neurons and leg muscles in mice. The technology solves the problem of rigid materials causing damage during movement, allowing for long-term functionality and single-cell signal detection.

SourceBinghamton University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 12, 2025

Mass General Brigham study finds relationship between doomsday clock and patterns of mortality and mental health in the united states

A new Mass General Brigham study explores the connection between the Doomsday Clock and mortality and mental health in the United States, finding higher rates of Alzheimer's disease, suicide, and substance-related disorders at closer clock settings. The study suggests a potential bridge between global events and individual well-being.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalBulletin of the Atomic Scientists·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 12, 2025

Exciting moments on the edge

Researchers demonstrate magnetic behavior of PNRs at room temperature and show how these properties can interact with light. The study reveals macroscopic magnetic properties in solution and thin films, akin to classic magnetic metals.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalNature·DateMar 12, 2025

Black holes: not endings, but beginnings? New research could revolutionize our understanding of the universe

Researchers propose a revolutionary link between time and dark energy, suggesting that the mysterious force driving the universe's expansion may be used to measure time. The study could pave the way for groundbreaking new fundamental theories and breakthroughs in our understanding of the universe.

SourceUniversity of Sheffield·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeObservational study·DateMar 12, 2025

Promising active ingredient for lupus therapy

A study co-led by the University of Zurich has shown that gluconolactone significantly increases the number and function of regulatory T cells in both mice and humans, promoting a more balanced immune environment. This effect was observed in lupus patients as well, with visible improvements in clinical studies after just two weeks.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalScience Translational Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMar 12, 2025

Targeted alpha therapy: a breakthrough in treating refractory skin cancer

A team of researchers from Chiba University has developed a novel radioactive drug that targets and treats metastatic melanoma. The treatment utilizes astatine-211 labeled peptide analog, which shows high accumulation in tumors, rapid clearance from non-target organs, and significant tumor suppression.

SourceChiba University·JournalEuropean Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 12, 2025

Study points the way to developing the Amazon bioeconomy

A recent study on the governance of public policy in the Brazilian state of Amazonas recommends an experimentalist governance system that integrates local efforts and values traditional knowledge. The approach prioritizes the conservation of ecosystems while promoting socio-economic development and attracting investment to the region.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalRevista de Administração Contemporânea·DateMar 12, 2025

Blind to the burn: Misconceptions about skin cancer risk in the US

Researchers investigated skin cancer risk perceptions and sun-protective behaviors in US adults, finding associations between sociodemographic factors and sunburn risks. Higher education levels, Hispanic origin, and income groups were linked to lower sunburn risks, while married or partnered individuals had higher risks.

SourceFlorida Atlantic University·JournalAmerican Journal of Lifestyle Medicine·TypeSurvey·DateMar 12, 2025

SwRI-led PUNCH constellation launches

The PUNCH spacecraft will study the solar corona and track space weather events in three dimensions for the first time. The constellation includes four small suitcase-sized spacecraft that will provide a clear view of the Sun's outer atmosphere, allowing scientists to discern the exact trajectory and speed of coronal mass ejections.

Advancing biomedical breakthroughs: Science in One Health study draws insights from wild animals

A new study explores how wild animals can provide insights into novel biomedical breakthroughs. Researchers have discovered that deep-sea worms, hibernating bears, and king penguins possess unique traits that could lead to effective treatments against antibiotic-resistant infections and lifestyle diseases.

SourceShanghai Jiao Tong University Journal Center·JournalScience in One Health·TypeNews article·DateMar 12, 2025

Democracy first? Economic model begs to differ

Historical analysis of bureaucracy suggests that quality nation-building holds more importance than democratic institutions in economic growth. The study found a negative correlation between universal suffrage and the quality of current institutions in nations with low-quality bureaucracies.

SourceOsaka Metropolitan University·JournalJournal of Development Economics·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 12, 2025

Are you just tired or are you menopause tired?

A new study has found that heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding during the menopause transition increases the risk of fatigue, with one in three women experiencing abnormal uterine bleeding. The study suggests greater clinical awareness is needed for bleeding changes during this life stage, especially when fatigue is reported.

SourceThe Menopause Society·JournalMenopause·TypeSurvey·DateMar 12, 2025