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Science News for September 14, 2025


When war shakes faith: How conflict reshapes religion and spirituality

A recent study surveyed over 1,200 Jewish-Israeli university students during the Israel-Gaza war, finding that half reported changes in their religiosity and/or spirituality. The research reveals a striking picture of how war can both strengthen and weaken religious and spiritual beliefs.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 14, 2025

Both weights and HIIT offer health benefits for cancer survivors

Research from Edith Cowan University found that both resistance training and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) reduced breast cancer cell growth by 22-25%. Both types of exercise also increased lean muscle and decreased body fat after 12 weeks of training.

SourceEdith Cowan University·JournalMedicine & Science in Sports & Exercise·TypeObservational study·DateSep 14, 2025
Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

Dual structure reinforces interfacial polarized MXene/PVDF‑TrFE piezoelectric nanocomposite for pressure monitoring

Researchers developed a high-performance piezoelectric nanocomposite by engineering a dual-structure interface between MXene and PVDF-TrFE, achieving an eightfold increase in low-pressure sensitivity. The material can accurately detect and classify subtle physiological signals with up to 99% accuracy.

SourceShanghai Jiao Tong University Journal Center·JournalNano-Micro Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 14, 2025

Study reveals how nitrogen atmosphere enhances performance of iron-biochar catalysts in wastewater treatment

Researchers found iron-biochar composites milled in a nitrogen atmosphere exhibit superior catalytic performance for degrading organic pollutants. The composite achieved a phenol removal rate of 90.3% when used to activate persulfate, outperforming those milled in air or vacuum.

SourceBiochar Editorial Office, Shenyang Agricultural University·JournalBiochar·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 14, 2025

Reliability assessment method of high grade steel large diameter natural gas transmission pipelines

A new reliability assessment method for high-grade steel large diameter gas pipelines considers correlations and nonlinear coupling effects among various types of defects. The method integrates multi-defect coupling analysis, enabling rational modeling of multi-defect dependency structures.

SourceKeAi Communications Co., Ltd.·JournalJournal of Pipeline Science and Engineering·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 14, 2025

Professorship to study ‘skeletons in the closet’

A University of Otago academic will investigate the bioethics of anatomical skeletal collections in Britain, focusing on their acquisition, curation, and repatriation. She aims to develop socially informed practice guidelines for these collections, promoting more respectful and equitable practices.

SourceUniversity of Otago·DateSep 14, 2025
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

New autoinjector could save lives in severe bleeding emergencies

Researchers developed an autoinjector device delivering TXA, a proven treatment for severe bleeding, with comparable effectiveness to traditional IV methods. The device can be used by paramedics and first responders to administer treatment quickly and easily, potentially saving lives in emergency situations.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalInjury·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 14, 2025

Decoding wildlife movement to predict the next pandemic

Researchers develop a framework for biologging-based surveillance to detect disease outbreaks in wildlife, providing insights into the spread of zoonotic diseases like avian flu and COVID-19. The approach aims to revolutionize public health interventions by enabling early detection and proactive prevention.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalTrends in Ecology & Evolution·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 14, 2025

Herbs hit the sweet spot to extend shelf life of popular global drink

A team of food scientists discovered a natural way to significantly extend the shelf life of sugarcane juice from three days to 14 days by adding microwave-dried extracts of mint and coriander. The herbal extracts, extracted using novel microwave-assisted technique, slowed microbial growth and prevented spoilage.

SourceUniversity of South Australia·JournalFood Safety and Health·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 14, 2025
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

Shining a light on pre-menopausal female exercise science

A University of Otago study investigated the effects of post-exercise protein supplementation on pre-menopausal women, finding significant gains in strength and lean mass despite no differential IGF-1 response. The results suggest that protein supplementation can still be beneficial for women, particularly if their diet is suboptimal.

SourceUniversity of Otago·JournalNutrients·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 14, 2025

School meals could drive economic growth and food system transformation

A new study suggests that school meal procurement can be redesigned to maximize public value, promoting nutritious meals, sustainable farming, and local producer participation. This approach has the potential to shape markets and drive social, environmental, and economic benefits, as seen in Scotland's and Brazil's successful programs.

SourceUniversity College London·DateSep 14, 2025

The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology: Higher doses of semaglutide can safely enhance weight loss and improve health for adults living with obesity, two new clinical trials confirm

Two large-scale clinical trials found that a higher dose of semaglutide significantly improves weight loss and related health outcomes in adults with obesity. The study revealed an average weight loss of nearly 19% in those receiving the higher dose, compared to 10% with the standard dose or placebo.

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateSep 14, 2025

Trauma focused therapy shows promise for children struggling with PTSD

A University of East Anglia study found that trauma-focused CBT significantly improved PTSD symptoms, anxiety, depression, and emotion regulation in children with multiple traumas. The therapy was effective and safe, even for those with complex and severe symptoms.

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalWorld Psychiatry·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateSep 14, 2025

Gestational diabetes linked to cognitive decline in mothers and increased risk of developmental delays, ADHD and autism among children

A systematic review of over 9 million pregnancies found that gestational diabetes is associated with cognitive decline in mothers and an increased risk of neurodevelopmental disorders in children. Children born to mothers with gestational diabetes have a 36% higher risk of ADHD and a 56% higher risk of autism spectrum disorders compare...

SourceEuropean Association for the Study of Diabetes·DateSep 14, 2025
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

Overweight and obesity don’t always increase the risk of an early death, Danish study finds

A Danish study found that individuals with a normal weight range (22.5-25 kg/m2) had the lowest mortality rate, followed by those in the overweight category. However, being underweight was associated with a significantly higher risk of death, while severe obesity was linked to a slightly increased risk. The study suggests that BMI may ...

SourceEuropean Association for the Study of Diabetes·DateSep 14, 2025

Home training for cerebellar ataxias

Home high-intensity aerobic training outperforms home balance training in improving ataxia symptoms, fatigue, and aerobic fitness among those with cerebellar ataxias. Regular training maintained benefits at 1 year.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Neurology·DateSep 14, 2025

Cannabis use associated with a quadrupling of risk of developing type 2 diabetes, finds study of over 4 million adults

A new study analyzing real-world data from over 4 million adults found that cannabis users face almost four times the risk of developing type 2 diabetes within five years compared to non-users. The study suggests that long-term metabolic effects of cannabis use may be linked to insulin resistance and unhealthy dietary behaviors.

SourceEuropean Association for the Study of Diabetes·DateSep 14, 2025
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

Patients who had cataracts removed or their eyesight corrected with a new type of lens have good vision over all distances without spectacles

Patients who had cataract surgery or received a new type of lens for presbyopia correction have excellent vision over near, intermediate, and far distances without glasses. The study found that nearly all patients needed glasses 'none' or 'a little of the time' for distance and intermediate vision.

SourceEuropean Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons·TypeObservational study·DateSep 14, 2025

Could we use eye drops instead of reading glasses as we age?

Researchers developed a new treatment using specially formulated eye drops that improved near vision for patients with presbyopia. The study found that the majority of patients could read extra lines on the Jaeger chart after using the eye drops, and improvements were sustained for up to two years.

SourceEuropean Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons·TypeObservational study·DateSep 14, 2025