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Science News for May 16, 2025


Study: NIPT identifies twice as many down syndrome cases as STSS

A novel study analyzing the cost-effectiveness of different Down syndrome screening strategies confirms that non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) significantly outperforms second-trimester serum screening (STSS). NIPT identifies twice as many DS cases as STSS, offering a more reliable option with lower incremental costs.

SourceBGI Genomics·JournalFrontiers in Public Health·DateMay 16, 2025

Enhancing centrifugal compressor performance with ported shroud technology

Researchers developed a simplified CFD model to evaluate the impact of ported shrouds on centrifugal compressor performance. The findings reveal that the ported shroud extends the operational range by approximately 10% and improves pressure ratio near surge limits, enhancing overall system efficiency.

SourceBeijing Institute of Technology Press Co., Ltd·JournalGreen Energy and Intelligent Transportation·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 16, 2025

Innovative solution tackle spectrum sharing challenge for co-located pulse radar and communication systems

A dynamic spectrum and power allocation method, developed using a genetic algorithm, enables efficient sharing of frequencies between airborne pulse radar and communication systems. The method achieves up to a 22% improvement in radar detection probability while increasing the communication system's throughput.

SourceTsinghua University Press·JournalChinese Journal of Aeronautics·DateMay 16, 2025

Fresh route to more efficient cooling using light and heat

Researchers have developed a theoretical model that enhances passive radiative cooling by generating positive photon chemical potential, allowing for more efficient heat emission. The system can reach cooling powers of up to 485 watts per square meter, surpassing typical radiation power from a blackbody at room temperature.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalJournal of Photonics for Energy·DateMay 16, 2025

Predicting e-bus battery performance in cold climates: a breakthrough in sustainable transit

A new study develops advanced machine learning models tailored to Canadian data, offering precise predictions for e-bus energy use under varying climates and heating systems. The research reveals that tree-based models deliver the highest accuracy in predicting energy consumption, with a mean absolute error of just 0.09–0.1 kWh/km.

SourceBeijing Institute of Technology Press Co., Ltd·JournalGreen Energy and Intelligent Transportation·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 16, 2025

World’s biggest polluters are least affected by environmental damage and conflict, new research warns

New research challenges conventional views on the link between environment and conflict, highlighting global inequalities that disproportionately harm countries in the Global South. The study finds that ecological sustainability and peace are not positively correlated, but comprehensively sustainable peace is possible.

SourceUniversity of Notre Dame·JournalCommunications Earth & Environment·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 16, 2025

AI-accelerate discovery of altermagetic materials

Researchers have developed an AI-based search engine method called MatAltMag to accelerate the discovery of altermagnetic materials. The method has identified 50 new altermagnetic materials, including the first discovery of four i-wave altermagnetic materials.

SourceScience China Press·JournalNational Science Review·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 16, 2025

Very different mammals follow the same rules of behavior

A study of meerkats, coatis, and spotted hyenas found surprisingly similar patterns in their daily actions, with a shared ordering of behaviors persisting across different landscapes and ecological roles. The research suggests an underlying architecture that orders the movements of animals.

SourceMax Planck Institute of Animal Behavior·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 16, 2025

Can BNCs achieve both water purification and energy production simultaneously?

Biochar-based nanocomposites (BNCs) show exceptional performance in wastewater treatment, achieving high removal rates of lead, cadmium, dyes, and antibiotics. BNCs can also generate electricity or synthesize biofuels through pyrolysis byproducts, making them suitable for supercapacitor electrodes and microbial fuel cells.

SourceHigher Education Press·JournalFrontiers of Agricultural Science and Engineering·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 16, 2025

Enhancing the efficiency of perovskite solar cells: Dual serrated structure leaves no escape for sunlight

Researchers have developed a dual serrated structure that reduces reflection losses in all-perovskite tandem solar cells, leading to a 18.34% increase in efficiency. The design features a 'photon maze' effect, trapping light within the cell and making it easier for photons to enter but difficult for them to exit.

SourceHigher Education Press·JournalFrontiers of Optoelectronics·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 16, 2025

Ocean microbes offer clues to environmental resilience

Researchers identified genetic changes in cyanobacteria that help them survive extreme conditions, paving the way for engineered microbes to produce renewable chemicals and materials. The study's findings suggest making small gene adjustments can yield large improvements in fitness, offering insights into environmental resilience.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 16, 2025

Stress can lead to Alzheimer’s disease in women who are post-menopausal, UT Health San Antonio study finds

Researchers found that post-menopausal women with high midlife cortisol levels have increased amyloid deposition and are at greater risk for Alzheimer's disease. The study also highlights the importance of identifying early risk factors in women, particularly those who experience menopause.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio·JournalAlzheimer’s & Dementia·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 16, 2025

Could personality tests help make bipolar disorder treatment more precise?

Researchers found that specific combinations of personality traits can predict bipolar disorder outcomes, with certain styles raising and others lowering the risk of depression. The study used data from over 2,500 people with bipolar disorder and suggests a personalized approach to treatment planning.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalJournal of Affective Disorders·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 16, 2025

Study finds that individual layers of synthetic materials can collaborate for greater impact

Engineers mimic natural shells' behavior by programming individual layers of synthetic material to collaborate under stress, expanding design space for nonlinear stress-strain responses. The new framework enables multistage responses that adapt to collision severity, improving wearable bandages and car bumpers.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalScience Advances·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 16, 2025

ACbot: An IIoT platform for industrial robots

The ACbot platform provides a multitenancy-oriented information model and cloud-edge-device architecture for industrial robots. It offers real-time monitoring, health management, production process optimization, and knowledge graph services for improved efficiency.

SourceHigher Education Press·JournalFrontiers of Computer Science·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 16, 2025

Gold-catalyzed strategy yields atomically rough surfaces for high-efficiency ethanol electrooxidation

Researchers have developed a novel gold-catalyzed approach to engineer atomically rough surfaces on Au-based binary alloys, significantly enhancing the electrocatalytic performance for ethanol oxidation reaction. The ARSs provide abundant low-coordinated atoms with lower energy barriers for reactant activation.

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience Bulletin·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 16, 2025

Can localized fertilization become a key strategy for green agricultural development?

Localized fertilization optimizes plant growth by stimulating root proliferation, increasing nutrient absorption, and promoting beneficial microorganisms. Studies have shown increased crop yields with reduced fertilizer input, improved soil microecological environment, and enhanced soil health.

SourceHigher Education Press·JournalFrontiers of Agricultural Science and Engineering·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 16, 2025

Polarization control of photonic molecules with evanescent wave coupling

A team of scientists has achieved full polarization control of photons through photonic molecules consisting of two 1D photonic crystal nanobeam cavities. The coupling between PMs is influenced by air gap d and relative displacement s, allowing for high controllability. This breakthrough enables direct control of the local optical fiel...

In healthy aging, carb quality counts

Researchers found that midlife intakes of high-quality carbohydrates and dietary fiber were associated with a lower risk of chronic diseases, cognitive decline, and physical function impairments. Intakes of refined carbohydrates, on the other hand, were linked to a higher risk of unhealthy aging.

SourceTufts University·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateMay 16, 2025

Largest genomic study of veterans with metastatic prostate cancer reveals critical insights for precision medicine

The study found key differences in tumor biology between non-Hispanic Black and non-Hispanic white veterans, but similar survival outcomes when both groups had equal access to care. The research highlights the importance of broadening access to genomic tools and prioritizing equity in cancer treatment.

SourceH. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeObservational study·DateMay 16, 2025

Study reveals financial hardship for cancer survivors due to high-cost immunotherapies, especially among blood cancer patients

A study found that blood cancer survivors are more likely to face financial hardship and take fewer medications due to high-cost immunotherapy treatments. Financial strain affects both Medicare-insured and uninsured patients, highlighting the need for better financial support and policy strategies.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalJournal of Cancer Survivorship·DateMay 16, 2025

Rising temperatures lead to unexpectedly rapid carbon release from soils

Researchers discovered that soil carbon turnover accelerates rapidly in response to temperature increases, releasing more CO2 than previously thought. This finding has significant implications for the future of atmospheric CO2 concentrations and highlights the need to revise soil sensitivity in climate models.

Seawater microbes are a powerful tool for diagnosing coral reef health and strengthening conservation efforts, according to new paper

Researchers detail how sampling and analyzing reef water microbes can provide a more immediate picture of health and details about organisms living alongside reefs. The study aims to make this knowledge accessible to various stakeholders, including marine park managers and policy makers.

SourceWoods Hole Oceanographic Institution·JournalCell Reports Sustainability·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 16, 2025

Rediscovering denosumab: From osteoporosis treatment towards a possible role against breast cancer

Researchers found that denosumab increases tumour-infiltrating immune cells in early-stage breast cancer patients, particularly in type B luminal tumours. This increase is associated with a potential boost to the anti-tumor immune response and offers a valuable avenue for clinical interest.

SourceCentro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas (CNIO)·JournalBreast Cancer Research·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMay 16, 2025

What genetic changes made us uniquely human? -- The human intelligence evolved from proximal cis-regulatory saltations

Researchers discovered two regulatory modules that underwent 'saltations' between human and ape species, influencing genes associated with long-term memory, learning, and social behavior. This finding offers a new quantitative paradigm for studying gene regulation and the evolution of human cognition.

SourceHigher Education Press·JournalQuantitative Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 16, 2025

UCF’s ‘bridge doctor’ combines imaging, neural network to efficiently evaluate concrete bridges’ safety

Researchers at UCF used a combination of emerging technologies to evaluate the safety of concrete bridges. By combining infrared thermography, high-definition imaging and neural network analysis, they can quickly identify defects and prioritize repairs.

SourceUniversity of Central Florida·JournalTransportation Research Record Journal of the Transportation Research Board·DateMay 16, 2025

Bird skeleton-inspired 3D hollow diamond-enhanced PEG composite PCM for photothermal conversion and thermal management

A novel PCM material combines PEG with a bird-inspired 3D structure for improved thermal conductivity, overcoming challenges like supercooling and low efficiency. The HDF/PEG composite offers integrated solutions for solar energy collection, heat dissipation, and thermal energy transfer/storage.

SourceHigher Education Press·JournalFrontiers in Energy·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 16, 2025

The Journal of Nuclear Medicine Ahead-of-Print Tip Sheet: May 16, 2025

Scientists have developed a novel pretargeting system to boost cancer imaging using DARPin G3, which achieves specific tumor targeting with reduced kidney and liver uptake. GRPR is emerging as a powerful tool for both imaging and treatment in various cancers, offering personalized cancer care across multiple tumor types.

SourceSociety of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging·JournalJournal of Nuclear Medicine·DateMay 16, 2025

Britta Will, Ph.D., named director of Gottesman Institute for Stem Cell Research and Regenerative Medicine at Albert Einstein College of Medicine

Dr. Britta Will has been appointed as the permanent director of the Ruth L. and David S. Gottesman Institute, succeeding Ulrich Steidl. Her research focuses on restoring blood regeneration in older adults and those with cancer. She aims to advance fundamental research into stem cell function and tissue regeneration to combat chronic de...

Light-to-electricity nanodevice reveals how Earth’s oldest surviving cyanobacteria worked

A team of scientists has decoded the structure of a light-harvesting nanodevice in a 3-billion-year-old lineage of cyanobacteria, providing an unprecedented glimpse into early life's photosynthetic assembly. The discovery reveals that even three billion years ago, photosynthesis had reached a remarkable degree of sophistication.

SourceQueen Mary University of London·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 16, 2025

Relieve your pain with a psychologist or an app

A new review study published in The Lancet suggests that specific types of psychological treatment can help relieve chronic pain through physical changes in the brain. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is highlighted as a method that shows clear effects, and researchers believe that apps and other self-help tools may also be benefici...

SourceAarhus University·JournalThe Lancet·DateMay 16, 2025

How do bio-based amendments address low nutrient use efficiency and crop yield challenges?

Bio-based material amendments such as microbial inoculants, nanomaterials, and biochar improve soil health and crop productivity. The combined use of these amendments enhances nutrient utilization efficiency, increasing nitrogen and phosphorus uptake in crops like wheat and soybeans.

SourceHigher Education Press·JournalFrontiers of Agricultural Science and Engineering·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 16, 2025

New auditory brainstem implant shows early promise

A new study describes a promising new type of auditory brainstem implant that could benefit people who are deaf due to NF2 and other severe inner ear abnormalities. The soft, flexible implant bypasses damaged auditory structures and directly stimulates the brainstem's sound-processing region.

SourceMass Eye and Ear·JournalNature Biomedical Engineering·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 16, 2025

Innovative anion exchangers from microfibrillated cellulose: a sustainable solution for water purification

Researchers developed a novel anion exchanger using microfibrillated cellulose and reactive ionic liquids, achieving high removal rates for nitrates, sulphates, and phosphates. The material's structural integrity and increased hydrophilicity enhance its ability to interact with pollutants.

SourceJournal of Bioresources and Bioproducts·JournalJournal of Bioresources and Bioproducts·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 16, 2025

A step closer to the confident production of blood stem cells for regenerative medicine

A team of scientists has identified seven genes that can transform embryonic stem cells into blood precursor cells, paving the way for a new era in regenerative medicine. The research, published in the journal Blood, uses an unbiased genome-wide screen to uncover the genes involved in hematopoietic stem cell fate.

SourceJosep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute·JournalBlood·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 16, 2025

Ultra-robust hydrogels with adhesive properties developed using bamboo cellulose-based carbon nanomaterials

Researchers have created an ultra-robust hydrogel with remarkable properties, including exceptional mechanical strength and durability, high adhesion, and conductivity. The hydrogel's ability to restrain crack propagation makes it highly suitable for applications requiring high mechanical performance.

SourceJournal of Bioresources and Bioproducts·JournalJournal of Bioresources and Bioproducts·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 16, 2025