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Science News for March 18, 2025


New frontiers in recycling waste vegetable oil: A research project for the circular economy

A research project from Politecnico di Milano proposes a novel method to recycle used vegetable oil into valuable resources like bio-lubricants and air purification devices. The project optimizes waste treatment processes while reducing waste and promoting European independence in critical raw material supply.

SourcePolitecnico di Milano·JournalRSC Sustainability·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 18, 2025

Targeted soil management to reduce fertilizer-derived greenhouse gas emissions: New study highlights the role of soil type in nitrous oxide mitigation

Researchers found that nitrification inhibitors and maize straw can reduce fertilizer-derived N₂O emissions, but effectiveness varies by soil type. Soils with high pH and active nitrogen cycling respond better to these treatments, leading to significant emission reductions.

SourceHigher Education Press·JournalSoil Ecology Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 18, 2025

HE Breathing: A new ventilation mode in airway surgery

The HE Breathing ventilation mode has been shown to significantly enhance surgical safety, reduce perioperative mortality, and promote faster recovery in complex airway surgery. By reducing anesthesia time and hospital stays, this innovative technique offers a major advantage over conventional intubated ventilation methods.

SourceNational Center for Respiratory Medicine·JournalJournal of Thoracic Disease·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateMar 18, 2025

Fudan team develops a novel CRG-based classification model for IDH1-mutant gliomas, advancing precision therapy optimization

Researchers identified 11 cuproptosis-related genes and classified IDH1-mutant gliomas into two subtypes with distinct clinical outcomes. A risk model using FDX1/SLC31A1-based features demonstrated superior prognostic performance, providing insights for chemotherapy selection and treatment resistance.

H5N1 influenza viral lineages beginning to evade human immunological defenses, UNC Charlotte research finds

A new study by UNC Charlotte researchers reveals the H5N1 influenza virus is adapting to escape human immunity, increasing the risk of transmission in humans. The team's computational modeling finds a worsening trend in antibody affinity to more recent viral isolates, indicating a greater risk to human health.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina at Charlotte·JournalEBioMedicine·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 18, 2025

Gender gap in teenage depression is twice as large in London than in Tokyo, new study finds

A new study has found that teenage girls in London experience higher levels of depression than their Tokyo counterparts, with the gap doubling to twice as large by age 16. The research also suggests that social influences and cultural contexts play a significant role in shaping mental health outcomes.

SourceKing's College London·JournalThe Lancet Child & Adolescent Health·TypeObservational study·DateMar 18, 2025

Researchers reveal role of zeolite zcid site accessibility in syngas conversion

Researchers investigated MOR zeolite's unique pore structure, finding acid sites within 8-membered ring side pockets as active sites for syngas-to-ethylene conversion. A critical threshold of 60 nm was identified for 12MR channel length, optimizing ZnAlOx-MOR bifunctional catalysts with high CO conversion and ethylene selectivity.

SourceDalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy Sciences·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateMar 18, 2025

Protecting crops: Researchers open up new avenue to combat a widespread plant virus

Researchers at Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg have developed a new avenue to combat the Cucumber mosaic virus by directing the plant's natural defences. The RNA-based active agents have shown high efficacy in laboratory experiments, protecting 80-100% of treated plants from infection.

SourceMartin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg·JournalNucleic Acids Research·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 18, 2025

Whose air quality are we monitoring?

Researchers found systemic monitoring disparities for six major pollutants across US Census groups, with Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders facing the largest gaps. The study highlights the need to consider biases in datasets beyond algorithmic bias.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalJAMA·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 18, 2025

Researchers find missing link in autoimmune disorder

Scientists have identified a key component in launching immune activity and overactivity, providing a potential target for therapies that could prevent debilitating illnesses. The researchers discovered a protein in cells that spurs the release of infection-fighting molecules, which is essential for controlling the disease.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalCell·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 18, 2025

‘Democratizing chemical analysis’: FSU chemists use machine learning and robotics to identify chemical compositions from images

Researchers developed a simple, inexpensive tool using robotics and artificial intelligence to analyze dried salt solutions from images. The method increases the accuracy of chemical analysis in scenarios where large samples are difficult to obtain, making it valuable for space exploration, law enforcement, and hospital use.

SourceFlorida State University·JournalDigital Discovery·DateMar 18, 2025

Leveraging data science for disease prediction in the fight against rheumatoid arthritis

Fan Zhang's lab uses computational machine learning to analyze large-scale clinical and preclinical single-cell datasets, identifying new markers for prediction. Her team aims to pinpoint changes in the immune system associated with progression from preclinical RA arthritis to symptoms.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 18, 2025

Threatened by warming waters, brook trout may be able to adapt to hotter weather

Researchers found that brook trout exhibit a genetic response to heat stress, with specific genes upregulated and downregulated in response to water temperature change. This adaptive mechanism may help the fish survive in warmer waters, but it also poses risks due to the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events.

SourcePenn State·JournalScience of The Total Environment·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 18, 2025

BBRF awards $1 million in 2025 Distinguished Investigator Grants to advance mental health research, with transformative support from WoodNext Foundation

The Brain & Behavior Research Foundation (BBRF) has awarded $1 million in Distinguished Investigator Grants to 10 senior scientists conducting groundbreaking research on mental health. The grants will support projects exploring critical areas such as opioid use disorder, depression in pregnant women, and the effects of psychedelics on ...

WIN Consortium leading the future of precision cancer medicine

The WIN Consortium is transforming cancer care through personalized medicine, leveraging AI, molecular profiling, and clinical trials. The organization's innovations, including N-of-1 clinical trials and WINTHER and WINGPO trials, are helping clinicians make more precise treatment decisions and improving outcomes for cancer patients.

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalOncotarget·TypeNews article·DateMar 18, 2025

JSCAI special issue explores the transformative role of artificial intelligence in interventional cardiology

This special issue explores AI's applications across various subspecialties, including coronary interventions, structural heart disease, and cardiovascular imaging. It highlights the importance of responsible AI integration and addressing bias in decision support systems.

SourceSociety for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions·JournalJournal of the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography & Interventions·DateMar 18, 2025

Diverging views of democracy fuel support for authoritarian politicians, Notre Dame study shows

A new study by the University of Notre Dame found that diverse understandings of democracy among voters can lead to votes for authoritarian-leaning political leaders. Voters who supported democracy in principle but adhered less strongly to liberal democratic norms were more likely to tolerate democratic violations.

SourceUniversity of Notre Dame·JournalBritish Journal of Political Science·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 18, 2025

Plastic-degrading enzymes from landfills

Researchers discovered plastic-degrading enzymes in landfills worldwide, suggesting a promising method for plastic recycling. The study identified 31,989 possible enzymes and predicted protein functions using machine learning and tertiary structure modeling.

SourcePNAS Nexus·JournalPNAS Nexus·DateMar 18, 2025

When did human language emerge?

A new genomic analysis suggests that human language capacity emerged at least 135,000 years ago, with regional groups spreading across the globe around 100,000 years after that. The study, which examined 15 genetic studies, provides increasingly converging evidence about the timing of geographic splits among early human populations.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalFrontiers in Psychology·DateMar 18, 2025

Small molecules, big role: snoRNAs in gene regulation

Researchers at ELTE have created an online database of snoRNAs in zebrafish, revealing 67 previously unknown snoRNAs and providing a comprehensive analysis of their expression during development and in adult tissues. The findings may help create better zebrafish disease models and aid understanding of complex human diseases.

SourceEötvös Loránd University·JournalNAR Genomics and Bioinformatics·DateMar 18, 2025

To the brain, Esperanto and Klingon appear the same as English or Mandarin

A new study by MIT researchers finds that constructed languages such as Esperanto and Klingon elicit similar responses in the brain's language-processing network, suggesting that meaning is a key feature of language. This discovery helps define some of the key properties of language and narrows down the question of what a language is.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 18, 2025

UPF researchers lead the creation of a computational simulator that is unique in the world to study the most common cause of back pain

Researchers created a computational simulator to model the biochemical processes of intervertebral discs, allowing for better understanding of back pain causes. The simulator enables simulating 33 proteins and their interactions, providing valuable insights into disc degeneration.

SourceUniversitat Pompeu Fabra - Barcelona·Journalnpj Systems Biology and Applications·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 18, 2025

Climate change fuelling mental health crisis in areas most affected by climate crisis

A new study reveals that climate change is having a severe impact on adolescent mental health in southern Madagascar, with high levels of anxiety, depression, and sense of hopelessness reported. The research highlights the need for mental health supports to be built into climate adaptation efforts to help young people facing an uncerta...

SourceTrinity College Dublin·JournalThe Journal of Climate Change and Health·TypeSurvey·DateMar 18, 2025

Internal displacement in Syria used to reshape the country’s political and social landscape, new study shows

A new study by the University of Exeter highlights how the Syrian regime systematically employed internal displacement as a military-political strategy to depopulate key areas and create new realities. This tactic has lasting post-war consequences, embedding displacement beyond immediate conflict and requiring policymakers to engage wi...

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalComparative Migration Studies·TypeMeta-analysis·DateMar 18, 2025

Discrepancies between national climate targets and citizens' willingness to contribute to climate action

A study by Prof. Dr. Heinz Welsch found that countries with higher per-capita income and emissions levels pursue more ambitious climate targets, but their populations are less willing to contribute to climate change mitigation. The study also found a correlation between the discrepancy and lower satisfaction with democracy.

SourceUniversity of Oldenburg·JournalEcological Economics·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 18, 2025

Latest Alzheimer’s drug shown less effective in females than males

A recent study published in The Journal of the Alzheimer's Association found that lecanemab, a new Alzheimer's-modifying drug, was less effective in female patients compared to males. The Phase 3 clinical trial showed a significant benefit in males, but little to no benefit in females, with the cause of the difference still unknown.

SourceMcGill University·JournalAlzheimer s & Dementia·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 18, 2025

A rubber hand alleviates pain

Researchers at Ruhr-University Bochum discovered that the rubber hand illusion reduces perceived pain intensity when a heat stimulus is applied to one hand while simultaneously illuminating a rubber hand. This phenomenon, known as visual analgesia, could potentially be used in treating complex regional pain syndrome.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalPAIN Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 18, 2025

Stowers scientists uncover principles underlying the toxicity of “selfish” genes

Researchers found that selfish genes use self-assembly properties to harm cells, with aggregate size and distribution being key factors in toxicity. The study also reveals an evolutionary arms race between sabotage and salvation, where rapid evolution of 'selfish' genes can lead to their own destruction.

SourceStowers Institute for Medical Research·JournalPLOS Genetics·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 18, 2025

Leafcutter ants recognize and fight pathogen even 30 days after initial contamination, study shows

Researchers found that lemon leafcutter ants increase their cleaning behavior one week and a month after initial contact with a pathogenic fungus, but not after 60 days. The ants recognize the pathogen and recruit more workers to fight it even after multiple re-exposures, indicating a social immune memory.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalProceedings of the Royal Society of London B Biological Sciences·DateMar 18, 2025

Study confirms safety and efficacy of higher-dose-per-day radiation for early-stage prostate cancer

A new study confirms that a shorter, higher-dose-per-day radiation course is as effective as conventional radiotherapy for treating early-stage prostate cancer without increasing side effects. The study found similar cancer control rates and fewer gastrointestinal issues with the new approach.

Rice research team creates universal RNA barcoding system for tracking gene transfer in bacteria

A new RNA barcoding method allows researchers to track gene transfer in bacterial communities without disrupting their natural environment. The technique has potential applications in predicting antibiotic resistance outbreaks, engineering microbiomes for pollution cleanup, and programming microbes for specific tasks like producing bio...

SourceRice University·JournalNature Biotechnology·DateMar 18, 2025

Adoption of international auditing standards leads to better financial reporting

Research by University of Toronto's Rotman School of Management found that adoption of international auditing standards leads to better financial reporting. Countries with stronger enforcement and more full integration of ISA into domestic practices show the most positive impact on audit quality.

SourceUniversity of Toronto, Rotman School of Management·JournalThe Accounting Review·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 18, 2025

Twenty-two year study: Adolescents engaged in fewer external risky behaviors but some report increasing mental health concerns

A 22-year study analyzing US youth data found that most adolescents decreased risky behavior, including substance use and violence, while reporting no signs of depression. However, a small proportion reported increased mental health concerns, highlighting the need for targeted prevention and treatment efforts.

SourceBoston College·JournalPEDIATRICS·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 18, 2025

Scent-sational advancement in canine research!

A Bar-Ilan University study investigates brain activity of dogs during scent detection, unveiling crucial insights into their remarkable olfactory capabilities. The findings highlight the emotional and memory-related aspects of odor processing, particularly in the amygdala region.

SourceBar-Ilan University·JournalJournal of Biophotonics·DateMar 18, 2025

How to stop being surprised by extreme weather - study

A team of researchers has developed a toolkit to predict extreme weather events by combining conventional records with historical and natural archives. By analyzing tree rings, creating 'what-if' scenarios, and using climate models, scientists can now reconstruct centuries of drought patterns and uncover forgotten weather extremes.

SourceUniversity of Reading·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 18, 2025

Terrorists time their attacks during periods of security or financial crisis

Research from Binghamton University finds that terrorist groups deliberately target vulnerable targets during crises to strike a balance between achieving objectives and preserving their reputation. Financial crises provide the best opportunity for attacks, while humanitarian crises tend to deter violence due to shared human suffering.

SourceBinghamton University·JournalConflict Management and Peace Science·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 18, 2025

Dr. Julia Dallman awarded SynGAP Research Fund (SRF) grant for SYNGAP1 research targeting gastro-intestinal treatment development

Dr. Julia Dallman has been awarded a $65,000 grant by the SynGAP Research Fund to screen pro-GI motility compounds for reducing gut transit time in her zebrafish SYNGAP1 model. The project aims to identify therapeutic options that can alleviate severe GI symptoms and improve quality of life for individuals with SYNGAP1-related disorders.

Kansas, Missouri farmers avoid discussing climate change regardless of opinions, study finds

Farmers in Kansas and Missouri avoid discussing climate change, even if they hold convincing views or skepticism, due to concerns about potential conflicts and damage to their livelihoods. Many rely on social media cues to gauge others' opinions before initiating conversations, rather than traditional news media.

SourceUniversity of Kansas·JournalEnvironmental Communication·TypeSurvey·DateMar 18, 2025

Scientists map neural wiring of vocal circuits in songbirds

Researchers have mapped the long-range synaptic connections involved in vocal learning in zebra finches, uncovering new details about how the brain organises learned vocalisations. The study provides a framework for understanding how the brain integrates sensory and motor information to guide learned vocal behaviour.

SourceeLife·JournaleLife·DateMar 18, 2025

Coastal guardians pioneer a new way to protect the Florida Keys’ shorelines

Researchers created a new GIS-based multi-criteria decision tool to guide decisions on using nature-based shorelines or hybrid solutions in the Florida Keys. The study finds that nearly 8% of the shoreline is suitable for nature-based solutions, while 67% is already vegetated or represents another natural shoreline.

SourceFlorida Atlantic University·JournalJournal of Marine Science and Engineering·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 18, 2025

Food and non-alcoholic drink products in Mexico were substantially reformulated to be healthier following the 2020 introduction of warning labels identifying products with excessive content of calories, fat, salt, sugar, sweetener and caffeine

Following the introduction of warning labels in 2020, Mexico substantially reformed food and non-alcoholic drink products to be healthier. The reformulation resulted in a significant reduction of excessive calories, fats, salts, sugars, sweeteners, and caffeine content in these products.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateMar 18, 2025

Shorter waiting times for young children with autism

A new approach has been tested, bringing together child health services, specialist care, and the municipality, resulting in faster support for young children with autism. The average age at which children are diagnosed with autism has fallen from three years and eight months to two years and seven months.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalFrontiers in Pediatrics·TypeCase study·DateMar 18, 2025

Moffitt study finds vaccine may improve breast cancer treatment outcomes

Researchers at H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute have discovered a promising new vaccine strategy for treating HER2-positive breast cancer. The innovative approach combines the HER2-targeting dendritic cell vaccines with standard chemotherapy, demonstrating both safety and positive response rates.

SourceH. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute·Journalnpj Breast Cancer·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 18, 2025

HKU researchers uncover key mechanisms driving oral cancer spread and highlight potential treatment strategies

Researchers from HKU discover critical molecular changes that drive metastasis to lymph nodes and suppress immune responses, offering promising avenues for new treatment approaches. The study highlights the role of the protein POSTN and TGF-β signaling in tumor progression and immune evasion.

SourceThe University of Hong Kong·JournalClinical and Translational Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 18, 2025

Blood pressure patterns during pregnancy predict later hypertension risk, study finds

A longitudinal study of Hispanic mothers found that women with normal blood pressure levels during pregnancy but no mid-pregnancy drop in blood pressure face an increased risk of developing hypertension after giving birth. Tracking blood pressure patterns during pregnancy may help identify these women and prevent cardiovascular disease.

SourceKeck School of Medicine of USC·JournalJACC Advances·TypeMeta-analysis·DateMar 18, 2025

Efficient development of drugs with fewer mice

Researchers at the University of Zurich have developed a technology to test 25 antibodies simultaneously in a single mouse, greatly reducing the number of laboratory animals required. The method uses protein fragments as barcodes for analysis, allowing for high-quality preclinical data on multiple antibody candidates.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 18, 2025

Tracing the geological history of spring rains: Why diminished in North America while emerged in East Asia

A recent study reveals that shifts in paleogeography and climate change have shaped the spring rainfall pattern. Spring persistent rainfall has prevailed in East Asia since the Miocene epoch, whereas in North America, it only flourished during the Eocene epoch. Climate warming is expected to be a dominant driver of future changes.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalCommunications Earth & Environment·DateMar 18, 2025

Engraving light nonlinearly: A breakthrough in optical storage promises a faster, greener future

Researchers have introduced a game-changing technique called Up-Conversion Charging (UCC) that slashes writing times for single data to just 0.01 seconds, paving the way for high-density storage. UCC uses nonlinear excitation with visible light to guide electrons up an energy ladder, sharpening precision and refining patterns.

New study uncovers key mechanism behind superior biological effects of heavy-ion cancer therapy

Researchers have uncovered a key mechanism involving Intermolecular Coulombic Decay (ICD) in aqueous environments initiated by heavy-ion irradiation, providing insights into the effectiveness of such irradiation. This process significantly increases the biological effectiveness of heavy-ion therapy.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalPhysical Review X·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 18, 2025

Ben-Gurion University researcher spearheads broad collaborative effort to include maladaptive daydreaming as a dissociative disorder in psychiatric manuals

A new position paper argues that maladaptive daydreaming should be included as a dissociative disorder in psychiatric manuals. The inclusion of MD is expected to spur research and treatment, leading to increased awareness among clinicians and researchers.

SourceBen-Gurion University of the Negev·JournalThe British Journal of Psychiatry·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateMar 18, 2025

“Significant proportion” of world’s rural population missing from global estimates, says study

A new study from Aalto University found that global population datasets may underestimate rural populations by as much as 53% to 84%, revealing a systematic and profound extent of the bias. The findings have far-reaching consequences, suggesting that the needs of people living in rural areas have been under-represented in decision-maki...

SourceAalto University·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 18, 2025

Low doses of antibiotic work just as well as higher ones to treat rare type of chronic hair loss

Researchers found that lower doses (20mg) and higher doses (100mg) of doxycycline were equally effective in treating lymphocytic scarring alopecia, a rare skin condition causing permanent hair loss. The low-dose regimen resulted in fewer side effects and no compromise on efficacy or anti-inflammatory benefit.

SourceNYU Langone Health / NYU Grossman School of Medicine·JournalJournal of the American Academy of Dermatology·TypeObservational study·DateMar 18, 2025

New ‘shy’ fungus found in old-growth forest

Researchers have discovered five new species of fungi in the Piloderma genus, including one rare species found only in old-growth forests. The discoveries suggest that diversity in this genus is greater than previously thought and highlight the risk of species disappearance as forests are logged.

SourceUppsala University·JournalFungal Biology·TypeObservational study·DateMar 18, 2025

Social media pressures could make friendship a full-time job

Research highlights how social media expectations and visual content contribute to digital stress and friendships conflicts. Disappointment from unmet expectations is a stronger predictor of conflict than constant availability pressure. Setting boundaries and managing notifications can help reduce misunderstandings.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Digital Health·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 18, 2025