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Science News for May 2, 2025


Anthropogenic climate change contributes to wildfire particulate matter and related mortality in the United States

A study finds that climate change is responsible for 15,000 wildfire particulate matter deaths in the continental US from 2006 to 2020. The economic burden associated with these deaths was $160 billion, mainly affecting western states like California and Oregon.

SourceConservation Biology Institute·JournalCommunications Earth & Environment·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 2, 2025

Two-week radiotherapy proven as safe and effective as eight-week course for prostate cancer, after 10-year follow-up in phase III trial

A phase III clinical trial has shown that a two-and-a-half week course of precision radiotherapy is equally successful in beating prostate cancer as the standard eight-week approach. After 10 years, both options produced similar disease control rates and survival rates.

SourceEuropean Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology (ESTRO)·JournalRadiotherapy and Oncology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMay 2, 2025

The future of brain activity monitoring may look like a strand of hair

A new hairlike electrode made of 3D-printed hydrogel material has been developed to monitor brain activity for extended periods without the need for gels or skin preparation. The device's lightweight and flexible design allows for stable, high-quality recordings and minimizes discomfort, making it suitable for chronic monitoring.

SourcePenn State·Journalnpj Biomedical Innovations·TypeObservational study·DateMay 2, 2025

Postpartum care differences in LGBTQ+ and non-LGBTQ+ individuals

A recent study found that LGBTQ+ individuals receive lower-quality care in the postpartum period, with increased use of emergency departments and specialist care. Despite comparable access to pregnancy-related care, LGBTQ+ people experience significant inequities in unmet healthcare needs and cost-related medication nonadherence.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Health Forum·DateMay 2, 2025

Medicaid unwinding linked to disruptions in opioid addiction treatment

A new University of Michigan study suggests that Medicaid unwinding may have disrupted the care of people receiving treatment for opioid addiction. Patients were less likely to continue filling buprenorphine prescriptions and more likely to pay with cash or private insurance in states with large versus small Medicaid enrollment drops.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 2, 2025

Novel, balloon-assisted anterior mitral leaflet modification shown to be safe and effective for patients undergoing transcatheter mitral valve replacement

A novel technique, BATMAN, prevents LVOT obstruction during TMVR with a success rate of 92.7% and shorter procedure times. The study's findings suggest BATMAN may be an alternative to traditional LAMPOON techniques, offering improved efficacy and safety for certain patients.

DGIST develops “next-generation AI electrotonic nose” to digitally detect scents

The researchers developed a next-generation AI electronic nose that can distinguish scents like the human olfactory system and analyze them using artificial intelligence. The device uses a laser to process a thin carbon-based material and incorporates a cerium oxide nano catalyst to create a sensitive sensor array.

Younger patients with asymptomatic aortic stenosis who undergo transcatheter aortic valve replacement experience lower rates of serious cardiovascular events, including stroke

Early TAVR is associated with lower rates of serious cardiovascular events, including stroke and heart failure hospitalization, compared to clinical surveillance in younger patients with asymptomatic aortic stenosis. Patients aged 65-70 years derived the most benefits from early intervention, experiencing significant reductions in stro...

Pennington Biomedical highlights how cellular quality control contribute to insulin resistance related to type 2 diabetes

Researchers at Pennington Biomedical found that mitochondrial fragmentation can bypass defects in mitophagy to sustain skeletal muscle quality control in patients with Type 2 Diabetes. This adaptation helps maintain mitochondrial function despite impaired mitophagy.

SourcePennington Biomedical Research Center·JournalJournal of Cachexia Sarcopenia and Muscle·DateMay 2, 2025

Two HSS studies exploring pain control win President’s Choice Awards at Annual ASRA Meeting

Researchers at Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) have received President’s Choice Awards for their groundbreaking studies on pain management. Two studies found that cannabidiol use is prevalent among patients undergoing sports medicine procedures, and that robotic-assisted total hip replacement surgeries resulted in lower opioid consu...

Our ability to recognize objects depends on prior experience

A study from Rockefeller University's Charles D. Gilbert lab found that prior experience plays a crucial role in object recognition, allowing neurons to adapt and respond to complex visual stimuli. This countercurrent stream of 'top-down' information enables neurons to update their responsiveness moment-to-moment.

SourceRockefeller University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 2, 2025

Study reveals details of process driving evolution and major diseases

A new study by NYU Langone Health researchers has revealed the precise mechanisms behind LINE-1 insertion, a genetic element that makes up a large part of the human genome. The findings suggest that LINE-1 can bind to DNA during brief periods when cell nuclei break open, allowing it to replicate and drive genome evolution.

SourceNYU Langone Health / NYU Grossman School of Medicine·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 2, 2025

World’s first next-generation perovskite betavoltaic cell developed

A research team at DGIST has developed a world-first perovskite-based betavoltaic cell with stable power output and high energy conversion efficiency by embedding carbon-14-based quantum dots into the electrode and enhancing the perovskite absorber layer's crystallinity. The technology offers a promising next-generation energy solution...

Bubble control

A team of researchers at Kyoto University has developed an experimental setup to precisely adjust the distance between microbubbles, enabling the manipulation of liquid flows. By controlling bubble vibrations, they were able to synchronize their movements and alter the surrounding flow, providing a new fluid control tool for medical an...

SourceKyoto University·JournalSmall·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 2, 2025

Adjusting only the oxidation state… vanadium oxide behaves like a magnet!

Scientists have successfully induced ferromagnetism in pure vanadium oxide by controlling its oxidation states, offering a promising approach to developing advanced magnetic materials. The study demonstrates that by adjusting the oxidation levels of vanadium ions, researchers can engineer ferromagnetic behavior in the material.

SourceDGIST (Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology)·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·DateMay 2, 2025

Inspired by laminate: HKUST and PolyU researchers synthesize a laminate-structured material interface to improve perovskite solar cells

A collaborative research team from HKUST and PolyU develops an innovative laminated interface microstructure that enhances stability and photoelectric conversion efficiency of inverted perovskite solar cells. The interface design creates a composite material with synergistic effects, boosting device performance and durability.

“It’s like they have a superpower”: Genetic analysis of all-women extreme divers finds changes linked to blood pressure, cold tolerance

A study of all-women extreme divers off the coast of Korea found two genetic changes that could aid their diving ability, lowering blood pressure and improving pain tolerance to cold. The researchers hope this discovery will advance care for health conditions like stroke related to high blood pressure.

SourceUniversity of Utah Health·JournalCell Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 2, 2025

Editing Parkinson's Disease – KAIST makes world's first discovery of an inflammatory RNA editing enzyme​

Researchers at KAIST have identified a key mechanism behind neuroinflammatory responses in Parkinson's disease, which is regulated by an RNA editing enzyme called ADAR1. This discovery suggests that targeting this enzyme could serve as a novel therapeutic strategy for treating the disease.

SourceThe Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 2, 2025

How will 13 million farmers fight back against sea level rise? New global model simulates adaptation, migration, and survival in the face of climate crises

A new global model, DYNAMO-M, projects how 13 million farmers may respond to coastal flooding and salt intrusion due to sea level rise. The model simulates real human choices, such as adapting with salt-tolerant crops or migrating inland, to help communities stay and thrive despite the rising tides.

AGU and AMS join forces on special collection to maintain momentum of research supporting the US National Climate Assessment

The American Geophysical Union (AGU) and the American Meteorological Society (AMS) are collaborating on a special collection to maintain momentum in climate change research supporting the US National Climate Assessment. This effort aims to sustain the work of authors who were dismissed earlier this week by the Trump Administration.

‘Cold’ manufacturing approach to make next-gen batteries

Researchers at Penn State have developed a 'cold' manufacturing approach to create solid-state batteries using advanced ceramic-polymer composite electrolytes. The technique, known as cold sintering, operates at lower temperatures than traditional methods, reducing defects and improving conductivity.

SourcePenn State·JournalMaterials Today Energy·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 2, 2025

New gene-editing therapy shows early success in fighting advanced GI cancers

Researchers have successfully tested a CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing technique to enhance the immune system's fight against advanced gastrointestinal (GI) cancers. The treatment showed encouraging signs of safety and potential effectiveness in patients with stage IV colorectal cancer, halting tumor growth and even achieving complete responses.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota Medical School·JournalThe Lancet Oncology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMay 2, 2025

The secret to happiness lies within you, or society -- or both

A recent study published in Nature Human Behaviour found that individual happiness can be shaped by both internal attitudes and personal qualities, as well as external factors such as health, income, and relationships. The research suggests that a one-size-fits-all approach to improving happiness may not be effective, and instead, pers...

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalNature Human Behaviour·TypeMeta-analysis·DateMay 2, 2025

Decoding the brainstem: A new window into brain–body–mind interactions

Researchers developed a live brainstem imaging method to study the nucleus tractus solitarii's role in emotion regulation and body-brain interactions. The D-PSCAN technique enabled high-resolution visualization of NTS neural activity in response to vagus nerve stimulation and gut hormone cholecystokinin, shedding light on potential the...

SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·JournalCell Reports Methods·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 2, 2025

Centuries-old Austrian mummy found to be exceptionally well preserved thanks to unusual embalming method

Researchers analyzed a centuries-old Austrian mummy and found it remarkably well-preserved due to an unusual embalming technique involving wood chips, twigs, fabric, and zinc chloride. The mummy, of a local parish vicar, was identified through interdisciplinary analysis, including radiocarbon dating and stable isotope patterns.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 2, 2025

Medicaid unwinding disrupted kids’ and young adults’ access to chronic disease medicine

A new study finds that Medicaid unwinding disrupted kids' and young adults' access to chronic disease medication, particularly for those living in states with the largest drops in Medicaid enrollment. The disruptions led to increased use of private insurance or cash for prescriptions, exacerbating health issues.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalPEDIATRICS·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 2, 2025