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Science News for October 23, 2025


Organocatalytic intramolecular enantioselective, atropselective, and diastereoselective macrocyclization of quinone methylidenes with alcohols

Researchers developed an organocatalytic method to create planar chiral cyclophanes with high stereoselectivity and diastereoselectivity. The method uses a chiral phosphoric acid catalyst and generates a reactive naphthoquinone methylene intermediate, leading to the formation of stable planar chiral type III cyclophanes.

SourceChinese Chemical Society·JournalCCS Chemistry·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 23, 2025

Study finds gene responsible for wheat variety with three ovaries

Researchers at the University of Adelaide discovered a gene responsible for a rare form of wheat that grows three ovaries per flower. The study found that a complex genome rearrangement was associated with the activation of a normally dormant WUSCHEL-D1 gene, leading to increased grain production and improved breeding technologies.

SourceUniversity of Adelaide·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 23, 2025

Common jobs held by immigrant women may put them at increased risk of breast cancer

A new study led by Silent Spring Institute examines how job-related chemical exposures contribute to breast cancer risk among foreign-born workers. Immigrant women are overrepresented in high-risk jobs with fewer health and safety protections, facing unique barriers to avoiding toxic exposures at work.

SourceSilent Spring Institute·JournalJournal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 23, 2025

Regional ocean dynamics can be better emulated with AI models

Researchers develop AI-powered methods for modeling the Gulf of Mexico's dynamics, achieving higher accuracy for short-term predictions and emulating 10-year dynamics without hallucinations. This breakthrough drives forward critical management of natural resources in the U.S. and Mexico, advancing AI technology in earth sciences.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Cruz·JournalJournal of Geophysical Research Machine Learning and Computation·DateOct 23, 2025

Teenagers and young adults who use cannabis have a higher risk of progressing to regular tobacco use

A study published in Tobacco Control found that teenagers and young adults who use cannabis are more likely to become regular tobacco users, even if they haven't previously tried tobacco. The study estimated that 13% of new regular tobacco use is attributable to cannabis, with significant implications for tobacco control programs.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalTobacco Control·DateOct 23, 2025

Novel nanomaterials for targeted therapy of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury: breakthroughs from mechanism to clinical translation

Researchers have developed novel nanomaterials to combat myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury, demonstrating significant cardioprotective effects in preclinical models. These nanoplatforms improve drug enrichment efficiency and reduce systemic toxicity, showing considerable clinical translation prospects.

SourceResearch·JournalResearch·TypeNews article·DateOct 23, 2025

Nutritional supplements boost baby coral survival

Researchers at the University of Technology Sydney discovered that tailored lipid supplements can significantly increase coral larvae's strength, speed, and survival rate. This innovation has major implications for reef restoration projects, which aim to improve larval supply but often face low post-settlement survival rates.

SourceUniversity of Technology Sydney·JournalCommunications Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 23, 2025

From sewage to super soil: Dual breakthrough in phosphorus recycling unveiled by Chinese research teams

Researchers developed a dual-breakthrough method to recycle phosphorus from sewage sludge into smart fertilizers, enhancing soil health or rapid crop growth. The innovative approach utilizes modified hydrochar with calcium or magnesium salts, controlling phosphorus release and improving its bioavailability.

SourceBiochar Editorial Office, Shenyang Agricultural University·JournalCarbon Research·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 23, 2025

Mount Sinai Health System appoints Bethany Slater, MD, MBA, as Division Chief of Pediatric Surgery

Dr. Bethany Slater, a highly skilled and compassionate surgeon, has been appointed as Division Chief of Pediatric Surgery at Mount Sinai Kravis Children's Hospital. She will focus on advancing surgical excellence, expanding minimally invasive techniques, and enhancing multidisciplinary care for children and families.

The Menopause Society receives $5 million grant from the Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation to forward the digital-innovation phase of its NexGen Now initiative

A $5 million grant from the Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation will support The Menopause Society's NextGen Now initiative, creating a comprehensive digital ecosystem for menopause education and training worldwide. The initiative aims to improve healthcare professionals' care for midlife women and enhance their knowledge of menopause.

Colon cancer DNA detectable in blood can guide chemo decisions: study

A blood test detecting tiny fragments of cancer DNA can help tailor chemotherapy to individual patients with stage 3 colon cancer. The DYNAMIC-III study found that patients with low-risk levels had an 87% cancer-free rate three years after surgery, while those with high-risk levels had a much higher risk of recurrence.

SourceWalter and Eliza Hall Institute·JournalNature Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateOct 23, 2025

Neanderthals and Mesolithic hunter-gathereres lit the fire: Humans shaped European landscapes long before agriculture

A new study shows that Neanderthals and Mesolithic hunter-gatherers had a significant impact on vegetation patterns in Europe, with human-induced fires and hunting affecting up to 47% of plant type distribution. The research challenges the notion of an 'untouched landscape' in Europe before agriculture.

SourceAarhus University·JournalPLOS One·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 23, 2025

Researchers reveal mystery of neurotransmission with time-resolved cryo-ET

Researchers developed a time-resolved cryo-ET method to capture snapshots of cultured neuronal synapses. The study identified a 'kiss-shrink-run' pathway that unifies the debated 'kiss-and-run' and 'full-collapse' fusion mechanisms, providing a structural basis for efficient synaptic transmission.

Researchers overcome key scaling barriers in photonic AI with a novel deep photonic neural network chip

A new chip architecture has successfully overcome major limitations of photonic neural networks, achieving record-breaking input sizes and robust performance with partially coherent light sources. The device demonstrated accuracies of 94% and 96% in handwritten digit and fashion image classification tasks.

Gender equality universally linked to physical capacity

A new study from Karolinska Institutet found that countries with higher human development indices and lower gender inequality have higher levels of cardiorespiratory fitness among young adults. Women's VO2peak was significantly higher in countries with high gender equality compared to those with low gender equality.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalJournal of Sport and Health Science·DateOct 23, 2025

Parent opioid prescriptions linked to teen and young adult opioid use

A Norwegian study of over 21,000 adolescents and young adults found that those with persistent parental opioid prescriptions faced more than double the risk of persistent opioid use. The study suggests considering family-based approaches to managing pain conditions in adolescents and young adults.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateOct 23, 2025

Study uncovers origins of urban human-biting mosquito, sheds light on uptick in West Nile virus spillover from birds to humans

Researchers from Princeton University uncover the origins of the human-biting mosquito Culex pipiens molestus, dating it back over 1,000 years to ancient agricultural societies in Egypt. The study reveals genetic links between bird-biting and human-biting mosquitoes, crucial for understanding West Nile virus transmission.

SourcePrinceton University·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 23, 2025

Mount Sinai study finds chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) rare among individuals with isolated brain injuries

Researchers at Mount Sinai found chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) rare among individuals with isolated brain injuries. The study, published in the Journal of Neuropathology & Experimental Neurology, analyzed postmortem brain tissue from 47 donors and revealed that CTE is more common in those with extensive repetitive head impacts.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalJournal of Neuropathology & Experimental Neurology·TypeObservational study·DateOct 23, 2025

Second and third harmonic generation in topological insulator-based van der Waals metamaterials

Researchers successfully generate even and odd terahertz frequencies using topological insulator-based van der Waals metamaterials, confirming long-standing theories and opening doors to new applications. This breakthrough enables the development of compact terahertz sources, sensors, and ultrafast optoelectronic devices.

What will stroke care look like in 2050?

In a new Stroke article, Dr. Joseph Broderick predicts stroke care advancements by 2050, with a focus on patient-wearable diagnosis tools and AI-driven treatments for ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes. Researchers will overcome the challenge of neuroprotection and develop smaller, safer clot removal devices.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·JournalStroke·DateOct 23, 2025

Dinosaurs in New Mexico thrived until the very end, study shows

A study from Baylor University and New Mexico State University reveals that dinosaurs in North America were not fading away before the asteroid impact, but instead living in vibrant ecosystems. The research found that dinosaur communities across the continent were divided into bioprovinces based on temperature differences.

SourceBaylor University·JournalScience·TypeContent analysis·DateOct 23, 2025

South American long-necked dinosaur could easily stand on two legs

Researchers used computational engineering techniques to simulate weight and gravitational stress on sauropod femurs. They found that two South American genera, Uberabatitan and Neuquensaurus, could generally remain standing for extended periods, allowing them to feed on high branches and defend against predators. The simulations sugge...

Warmer Nordic springs double the incidence of avian malaria

A 30-year study in southern Sweden finds that rising spring temperatures have doubled the incidence of avian malaria, with a specific period from May 9 to June 24 being particularly critical. The researchers believe that warmer years trigger blood-sucking insects to seek out nests, allowing parasites to thrive and spread disease.

SourceLund University·JournalGlobal Change Biology·DateOct 23, 2025

From “forever chemicals” to “PFAS-free” drinking water: Mapping a 20-year global research landscape and governance roadmap

Research on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in drinking water has evolved through three distinct phases, with a focus on monitoring and treatment challenges. The study reveals growth in research, with cumulative publications expected to reach 7,689 by 2030.

SourceKeAi Communications Co., Ltd.·JournalWater & Ecology·TypeSystematic review·DateOct 23, 2025

Unravelling the use of non-prescription weight-loss supplements by students in Egypt

A new study by Beni-Suef University in Egypt reveals that nearly half of undergraduate students use non-prescription weight loss supplements without prior medical consultation. The researchers found that many users were aware of potential health risks but continued taking the supplements due to social media and family influence.

SourceDe Gruyter·JournalInternational Journal of Adolescent Medicine and Health·TypeObservational study·DateOct 23, 2025

UMass Amherst chemists develop tool providing unrivaled look inside cells

Researchers at UMass Amherst have developed a new tool, iConRNA, that provides an unrivaled look inside cells and can help solve the mystery of how devastating diseases develop. The tool resolves the balance of physical driving forces of phase separation and predicts how this balance is tuned under different cellular situations.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 23, 2025

Chemistry: The key to civet coffee is in the chemistry

Researchers analyzed faecal matter samples from civets eating ripe coffee berries, finding significantly higher levels of fats and key flavour-enhancing compounds in the resulting civet coffee beans. These chemical differences are believed to affect the coffee's final flavour profile.

SourceScientific Reports·JournalScientific Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 23, 2025

New insights into cholesterol metabolism regulation illuminate therapies for cardiometabolic and neurodegenerative diseases

Recent discoveries on the molecular regulation of cholesterol metabolism have far-reaching implications for human diseases. Four interconnected modules of cholesterol metabolism are outlined, including hepatic de novo synthesis, intestinal absorption, and reverse transport via HDL.

UC Irvine researchers find new Alzheimer’s mechanism linked to brain inflammation

Researchers at UC Irvine found that amyloid precursor proteins form a complex with voltage-gated proton channels in human brain immune cells, altering their operation and promoting neuroinflammation. The study suggests two specific mutations linked to early-onset Alzheimer's further increase channel activity.

SourceUniversity of California - Irvine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 23, 2025

Vaccinated against polio - or not?

A German study using a digital cohort dataset found that twenty percent of participants had unreported polio vaccinations, while forty percent of documented doses were unidentified. The study emphasizes the need for improved vaccine tracking and booster vaccination strategies to ensure effective population protection.

SourceHelmholtz Centre for Infection Research·JournalBMC Public Health·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 23, 2025

Global study reveals tempo of invasive species‘ impacts

A global meta-analysis of biological invasions found that impacts vary over time and are shaped by ecological contexts. Invasive plants reduce native plant diversity, while abiotic effects weaken after years. The study suggests early action to prevent invasive species' impacts on biodiversity and climate change.

SourceUniversity of Bern·JournalScience·TypeMeta-analysis·DateOct 23, 2025

Shining a light on heart disease risk

A new study found that bright light exposure at night significantly increases the chances of developing serious heart problems. Women and younger people were especially vulnerable to this impact. The researchers are now calling for more research into lighting guidelines to help reduce night-time light exposure.

SourceFlinders University·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 23, 2025

Te‑modulated Fe single atom with synergistic bidirectional catalysis for high‑rate and long–cycling lithium‑sulfur battery

Researchers develop Te-modulated Fe single-atom catalyst to overcome polysulfide shuttle effect and sluggish redox kinetics in Li-S batteries. The catalyst significantly improves both rate performance and cycling stability, making it a promising solution for high-energy, low-cost energy storage.

SourceShanghai Jiao Tong University Journal Center·JournalNano-Micro Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 23, 2025

Researchers find certain ecological experiments may be too human-centric

A recent study found that plasticine models, commonly used in ecological experiments, may not accurately capture real-world biotic interactions due to their reliance on visual cues. The research team deployed over 2,400 models across two habitats and found similar attack rates regardless of color, shape, or size.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalProceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences·DateOct 23, 2025

A perfect shape for varying circumstances

The study reveals that certain rectangular shapes allow chloroplasts to achieve both efficient light capture at high density and enough space for shifting during strong light avoidance. The natural geometry of Elodea cells matches the predicted optimal shapes well, with a balance between packing and flexibility.

SourceUniversiteit van Amsterdam·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 23, 2025

Technique allows estimation of the force acting on each grain of sand in a dune

Brazilian researchers have developed a technique that estimates the force exerted on each grain of sand in a dune from images, enabling the study of previously unmeasurable physical processes. The method uses numerical simulations and artificial intelligence to transform the study of granular system dynamics.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateOct 23, 2025

PolyU research achieves record efficiency in semi-transparent solar cells, advancing the development of building-integrated photovoltaics

Researchers at PolyU developed an innovative parameter to evaluate photoactive materials for ST-OPVs, advancing high-performance devices with low-cost production and environmental sustainability. Record light utilisation efficiency of 6.05% was achieved in semi-transparent solar cells.

SourceThe Hong Kong Polytechnic University·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 23, 2025

Modeling atomistic biomolecular dynamics from HS-AFM imaging

A team of scientists has created a novel computational framework that can accurately model biomolecular dynamics from high-speed atomic force microscopy (HS-AFM) imaging. This framework enables the inference of 3D atomistic models of dynamic protein conformations with unprecedented precision, even for large protein assemblies. By combi...

Researchers warn of the urgent need to include the cumulative effects of extreme climate events in penguin conservation

A new international analysis highlights the need to assess the combined effects of multiple climate extremes on penguin survival. The study identifies regions particularly affected by extreme events, where penguins are most at risk and biodiversity may be reshaped in decades to come.

SourceSpanish National Research Council (CSIC)·JournalGlobal Change Biology·TypeNews article·DateOct 23, 2025

Snake bites: How they do it

Researchers studied snake strikes using high-speed cameras, revealing distinct biting styles among viper, elapid and colubrid species. Viper fangs embed quickly, while elapids bite repeatedly, with colubrids sweeping their jaws to deliver maximum venom.

SourceThe Company of Biologists·JournalJournal of Experimental Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 23, 2025

Functional extinction of Florida’s reef-building corals following the 2023 marine heatwave

The 2023 marine heatwave caused widespread coral mortality in Florida's Coral Reef, leading to the functional extinction of critically endangered Acropora species. Researchers found that between 97.8 and 100% of coral colonies had died by March 2024, highlighting the urgent need for interventions to maintain these populations.

Tooth code cracked: Scientists find cells that know when, where, and how to grow teeth

Researchers discovered that young dental cells are directed by their position along the lingual-buccal axis to grow into distinct structures. Cells on one side formed tooth enamel, while those on the other side focused on stem cell activity and supporting tissue growth.

SourceEditorial Office of West China School of Stomatology, Sichuan University·JournalInternational Journal of Oral Science·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 23, 2025

Perception of fraud as a “victimless” offense can weaken police investigations, study shows

A new study by Dr. Rasha Kassem and Professor Umut Turksen found that police officers perceive fraud as low-harm and low-priority, leading to weakened investigations and limited victim support. The researchers advocated for targeted training, investment in cyber and financial forensics, and cultural change within police organisations.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalPolicing An International Journal·TypeSurvey·DateOct 23, 2025

NIH grant allows for development of next-generation computational tools to study fat metabolism and disease

Dr. Yu-Ming Mindy Huang's research aims to overcome limitations in current methods by building a higher-accuracy computer microscope to investigate membrane-bound protein diffusion and interactions. The study has two complementary directions: modeling viral proteins and understanding lipid storage on lipid droplets.

Sanger Institute: Origins of the ‘London Underground mosquito’ uncovered, shedding light on West Nile virus transmission

New research has revealed that the 'London Underground mosquito' evolved over 1,000 years ago in Ancient Egypt, contradicting a long-held theory of its emergence in northern Europe. The study's findings suggest that hybridisation between human-biting and bird-biting mosquitoes may contribute to West Nile virus transmission.

Madagascar: The island split in two by time

A new study reveals that Madagascar's striking landscape was shaped by two great rifting events, separated by nearly 80 million years. These tectonic shifts created fragmented environments where species evolved independently, contributing to the island's extraordinary biodiversity.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalScience Advances·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 23, 2025

Young age and low number of prior pregnancies identified as risk factors for misdiagnosis of interstitial ectopic pregnancy

Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine found that younger women and women with fewer prior pregnancies are more likely to be misdiagnosed with interstitial ectopic pregnancy. This study highlights the importance of awareness among radiologists and gynecologists to improve accuracy in transvaginal ultrasound screening.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalEmergency Radiology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 23, 2025

Forests recovering from acid rain mine rocks for nutrients, leading to less acidic streams and more acid-sensitive soils

A long-term study in the White Mountains of New Hampshire found that recovering forests are using roots to mine minerals for nutrients, leading to improved stream pH but depleted soil fertility. This process enhances mineral weathering, which can make forests more vulnerable to future pollution.

SourceCary Institute of Ecosystem Studies·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 23, 2025

Loneliness interventions help but are not a cure-all

Research published by the American Psychological Association found that psychological interventions, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, are more effective than social strategies in reducing loneliness. The study analyzed over 280 studies and found that digital-only programs tend to be less effective compared to in-person approaches.

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalAmerican Psychologist·TypeMeta-analysis·DateOct 23, 2025

HKUST researchers uncover immune-hot brain tumor subtype with poorer survival and develop ai framework for precise identification

Researchers have discovered a previously overlooked brain tumor subtype with strong immune activity but poorer survival rates. An AI framework has been developed to assist doctors in accurately identifying this subtype, enabling more personalized patient care.

SourceHong Kong University of Science and Technology·JournalCancer Cell·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 23, 2025

Miniscule wave machine opens big scientific doors

University of Queensland researchers have developed a microscopic 'ocean' on a silicon chip, allowing for the study of wave dynamics at an unprecedented scale. The device, made with superfluid helium, enables the observation of striking phenomena, including waves that lean backward and shock fronts.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 23, 2025

Lighting up life: Rice scientists develop glowing sensors to track cellular changes as they happen

Researchers at Rice University have engineered living cells to use a 21st amino acid that illuminates protein changes in real time, providing a new perspective on the inner workings of life. This breakthrough addresses a long-standing challenge in biology by allowing scientists to track subtle protein changes within living systems.

SourceRice University·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 23, 2025

Researchers get wind of hydrogen’s role in the gut

Researchers have discovered that hydrogen gas produced in the gut supports beneficial bacteria and helps maintain digestion. The study found that a specific enzyme called Group B [FeFe]-hydrogenase is mainly responsible for making hydrogen, which is then used by other microbes for energy.

SourceMonash University·JournalNature Microbiology·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 23, 2025

New gene-editing tech holds promise for treating complex genetic diseases

Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have developed a novel gene-editing method that can correct multiple disease-causing mutations simultaneously. This approach uses bacterial retrons to protect the microbes from viral infection and has shown promising results in correcting scoliosis-causing mutations in zebrafish embryos.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalNature Biotechnology·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 23, 2025

Plastic pollution could linger at ocean surfaces for over a century, new research finds

A new model shows that buoyant plastics degrade slowly at the surface, fragmenting into smaller particles over decades. These tiny fragments can then sink to the ocean floor, but it may take more than 100 years for surface plastic waste to disappear.

SourceQueen Mary University of London·JournalPhilosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A Mathematical Physical and Engineering Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 23, 2025

Supersolid spins into synchrony

Researchers discovered that supersolid matter synchronizes its spin and rotation under external magnetic fields, enabling the study of exotic quantum behavior. The findings provide a powerful tool for probing quantum systems and may hold implications for understanding cosmic phenomena like neutron star glitches.

SourceUniversity of Innsbruck·JournalNature Physics·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 23, 2025

A platform of gold reveals the forces of nature’s invisible glue

A new platform allows researchers to study the forces that bind tiny objects together, revealing insights into self-assembly processes and fundamental forces in nature. The platform uses gold flakes in a salt solution, with light bouncing back and forth through nanometre-sized cavities to display colors.

SourceChalmers University of Technology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 23, 2025

AI can be trained to provide safe advice for treating opioid use disorder in pregnancy: New study

A new study finds that ChatGPT can provide trustworthy information for pregnant women seeking medical advice on treating opioid use disorder, with over 97% of responses scoring as safe and accurate. The researchers used a persona to frame conversations with the AI, which showed consistency with accepted clinical practice.

SourceJournal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs·JournalJournal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 23, 2025