Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News Archive March 2025 - Page 35


Page 35 of 51

Gd-induced oxygen vacancy activates lattice oxygen oxidation for water electrolysis

Researchers at Tohoku University found that incorporating gadolinium into iron-doped nickel oxide markedly enhances oxygen evolution reaction activity. Gd-doping reduces theoretical overpotentials and demonstrates favorable kinematics, leading to remarkable long-term stability and robust performance in water electrolysis.

Outdated assumptions about cost efficiency are costing firms millions, according to new study

A new study from the University of Surrey found that traditional methods for evaluating cost savings from diversification are fundamentally flawed. The research proposes a more accurate way of assessing production costs, highlighting the importance of considering supply chain management, resource allocation, and production bottlenecks.

SourceUniversity of Surrey·JournalAnnals of Operations Research·TypeObservational study·DateMar 11, 2025

AI in engineering

The article explores the role of AI in engineering, highlighting benefits such as improved transportation and manufacturing, but also raises concerns about safety, privacy, bias, and governance. The authors discuss weaknesses in data-driven models and call for research into regulatory frameworks to address these issues.

SourcePNAS Nexus·JournalPNAS Nexus·DateMar 11, 2025

Long visit in the ER? It’s a good time to learn about cervical cancer screening

Researchers found that women who received text message reminders were twice as likely to get their cervical cancer screenings within 150 days compared to those without reminders. The study suggests a promising low-cost approach to increasing cancer screenings in underserved populations.

SourceUniversity of Rochester Medical Center·JournalAcademic Emergency Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMar 11, 2025

Muscles from the printer

Scientists at Empa have developed a method to produce complex soft actuators using 3D printing, overcoming challenges of elasticity, softness, and material properties. The actuators, made from silicone-based materials, can be used in various applications, including robotics, cars, and potentially even medical devices.

SourceSwiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (EMPA)·JournalAdvanced Materials Technologies·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 11, 2025

Researchers co-led by NTU Singapore develop technique to manipulate water waves to precisely control floating objects

A team of international scientists co-led by NTU Singapore has discovered a way to manipulate water waves to trap and precisely move floating objects. The method involves generating complex surface patterns that can pull in nearby objects, allowing for precise control over their movement.

SourceNanyang Technological University·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 11, 2025

USPSTF statement on screening for food insecurity

The USPSTF has concluded that the current evidence is insufficient to assess the balance of benefits and harms of screening for food insecurity on health outcomes. Nearly one-third of households with incomes below the federal poverty threshold experience food insecurity, highlighting a significant public health concern.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA·DateMar 11, 2025

Wild bees thrive among diverse flower communities, Concordia study shows

A study published in Ecological Applications found that a diversity of corolla sizes in urban flower communities positively impacts wild bee biodiversity. Researchers from Concordia University collected data from 16 sites around Montreal and identified 94 different species of bees and almost 150 different species of flowers.

SourceConcordia University·JournalEcological Applications·TypeObservational study·DateMar 11, 2025

Microplastics increase antimicrobial resistance

A recent study has discovered that microplastics can facilitate the development of antimicrobial resistance in bacteria, even in the absence of antibiotics. The researchers used different types and sizes of plastic to expose E. coli bacteria to various antibiotics and found significant increases in multidrug resistance after exposure.

SourceAmerican Society for Microbiology·JournalApplied and Environmental Microbiology·DateMar 11, 2025

Amino acid assists in recycling rechargeable batteries

A Chinese research team has developed a new strategy for recycling spent lithium-ion batteries using a hydrometallurgical process in neutral solution. The addition of glycine improves the leaching efficiency, allowing for the extraction of valuable metals such as lithium, nickel, cobalt, and manganese with high accuracy.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 11, 2025

Taking taiga’s temperature

A new study introduces a powerful tool for analyzing satellite imagery of boreal forests, offering insights into their health and dynamics. The 'needleleaf index' provides critical information on forest cover fluctuations, particularly the impact of recent wildfires, highlighting the vulnerability of these ecosystems to climate change.

SourceUniversity of Ottawa·Journalnpj Natural Hazards·TypeCase study·DateMar 11, 2025

Microplastics could be fueling antibiotic resistance, Boston University study finds

A recent study by Boston University researchers has discovered that exposure to microplastics enhances the antimicrobial resistance of bacteria, making them more resistant to antibiotics. This finding is particularly concerning for refugees and underfunded health systems, where access to healthcare is already limited.

SourceBoston University·JournalApplied and Environmental Microbiology·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 11, 2025