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Science News Archive May 2025 - Page 22


Page 22 of 50

Decoding fear: KAIST identifies an affective brain circuit crucial for fear memory formation by non-nociceptive threat stimulus​

A KAIST research team has identified a key neural pathway involved in forming fear memories triggered by psychological threats. The pIC-PBN circuit processes psychological distress and drives fear memory formation, offering a significant advance in understanding how psychological distress is processed.

SourceThe Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)·JournalScience Advances·TypeMeta-analysis·DateMay 19, 2025

Interfacial molecular anchor enhances performance of ambient all-bladed perovskite solar cells

Researchers introduced tetramethylammonium chloride to suppress SnO2 nanoparticle agglomeration, reducing pinhole defects and improving colloidal stability. The molecular anchor strategy bridged the performance gap between laboratory-scale and large-area devices, achieving high efficiency and durability.

SourceDalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy Sciences·JournalJoule·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateMay 19, 2025

Limited evidence suggests calorie restriction may slightly reduce depressive symptoms in people with elevated cardiometabolic risk

A systematic review and meta-analysis found that calorie restrictive and low-fat diets may reduce depression symptoms in those with high cardiometabolic risk. However, the evidence is limited, and researchers recommend further exploration of dietary interventions alongside first-line treatment for depression and/or anxiety.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·TypeNews article·DateMay 19, 2025

How to swim without a brain

A team of scientists simulated the movement of microorganisms in liquids without a central control system. They found that simple rules and decentralized control can lead to efficient swimming behavior, potentially enabling nanobots to transport drugs or perform other complex tasks.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalCommunications Physics·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 19, 2025

With evolutionary AI, scientists find hidden keys for better land use

The AI system uses evolutionary computing to find optimal policy solutions that balance trade-offs between carbon storage, economic disruptions, and environmental benefits. It recommends nuanced approaches to land-use strategies, such as replacing crop land with forest, rather than simply converting all land into forests.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalEnvironmental Data Science·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 19, 2025

Luminous magnets

Researchers visualized new quantum phenomenon: luminous excitons appearing on surface of antiferromagnetic semiconductor CrSBr. Excitons are created when photons strike the material, absorbing light and storing energy.

SourceTechnische Universität Dresden·JournalNature Materials·TypeObservational study·DateMay 19, 2025

The US has a new most powerful laser

The US National Science Foundation-funded ZEUS facility at the University of Michigan has roughly doubled the peak power of any other laser in the country with its first official experiment reaching 2 petawatts. Research at ZEUS will have applications in medicine, national security, materials science and astrophysics.

Scientists discover NELL2’s dual role: boosting bone formation while curbing fat accumulation

Scientists have discovered NELL2's dual role in boosting bone formation and inhibiting fat accumulation in osteoporosis, promoting osteoblast differentiation and suppressing adipocyte formation. The study reveals NELL2's activation of the FAK/AKT signaling pathway through interactions with Fibronectin 1 and integrins.

A groundbreaking discovery of a common master switch to cure Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and other brain-related diseases

Davis Joseph's groundbreaking discovery identifies a common master switch that can cure multiple brain-related diseases with a single method. The unified theory establishes that regulating axon-based 4E-BP2 protein deamidation can control disease progression.

SourceFLOGEN Star Outreach·JournalInternational Journal of Molecular Sciences·TypeSystematic review·DateMay 19, 2025

MSK Research Highlights May 19, 2025

Researchers at MSK uncovered a key signaling molecule involved in the body's immune response against leptomeningeal metastasis. A new grading system to assess thrombocytopenia risk after CAR T cell therapy was also developed. Additionally, a statistical method called UnitedMet estimates metabolic characteristics from challenging clinic...

DGIST develops high-performance piezoelectric fiber sensor for real-time landslide detection

Researchers developed a new nanomaterial and fiber structure that improves power output of piezoelectric fibers, generating enough electricity to light LEDs or run small devices. The fiber sensor can detect external forces and transmit data wirelessly for real-time landslide detection systems.

SourceDGIST (Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology)·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·DateMay 19, 2025

‘Every single species is a unique product of evolution, like a work of art’: how Dr Kit Prendergast champions bees and biodiversity

Native bee species play diverse roles in Australian ecosystems, from pollination services to hosting parasitoids and parasites. Dr. Prendergast's research emphasizes the importance of conserving these unique species and provides guidance on how individuals can support their protection.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Bee Science·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 19, 2025

Whisker whisperers

Research reveals that mouse whiskers can 'hear' the world by generating sounds that are encoded in the auditory cortex. The study shows that mice use these sounds to recognize objects, even when touch sensation is abolished.

SourceWeizmann Institute of Science·JournalCurrent Biology·DateMay 19, 2025

Sophisticated data analysis uncovers how city living disrupts ADHD's path to obesity

A study using complex systems analysis found that attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) contributes to obesity indirectly by reducing physical activity. Researchers identified potential intervention points in cities, including access to mental health services and food insecurity, which can be targeted through urban planning.

SourceNYU Tandon School of Engineering·JournalPLOS Complex Systems·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 19, 2025

Tiny microlaser sensors offer supercharged biosensing

Researchers have developed a 3D micro-printed sensor that uses whispering-gallery-mode microlasers to detect biomarkers with attogram per milliliter sensitivity. The sensors' unique Limacon-shaped design improves efficiency and enables on-chip integration, making them suitable for high-performance lab-on-a-chip devices.

SourceOptica·JournalOptics Letters·DateMay 19, 2025

Can police be trained to be fairer? A groundbreaking study says yes

A groundbreaking study found that training police officers in procedural justice leads to notable changes in their behavior, including increased patience, neutrality, and transparency. The results suggest that this approach can be a high-impact, low-cost strategy for improving public trust and community relationships.

SourceInstitute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences·JournalManagement Science·TypeObservational study·DateMay 19, 2025

Efficient hybrid environment expression for look-and-step behavior of bipedal walking

Researchers at Beijing Institute of Technology developed an efficient method to represent the environment as a hybrid of feasible planar regions and heightmaps. The method accelerates planar region extraction and ensures walking safety for biped robots, completing the perception process in 0.16 s per frame.

SourceBeijing Institute of Technology Press Co., Ltd·JournalCyborg and Bionic Systems·DateMay 19, 2025

Unveiling boracycles: HKUST chemists develop a new approach to synthesizing strained boracycles

Researchers from HKUST have developed an efficient synthetic approach to four-membered boracycles, unlocking their potential in catalysis, synthesis, and materials science. This advancement enables the facile synthesis of previously inaccessible boracycles, which may lead to valuable applications.

SourceHong Kong University of Science and Technology·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 19, 2025