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Science News for September 15, 2025


Recent advances in dynamic biomacromolecular modifications and chemical interventions: Perspective from a Chinese chemical biology consortium

This review summarizes progress in dynamic biomacromolecular modifications, regulatory mechanisms, and chemical interventions. It highlights newly emerging chemical tools and technologies for precise labeling, detection, and functional regulation of dynamic modifications.

SourceChinese Chemical Society·JournalCCS Chemistry·TypeSystematic review·DateSep 15, 2025

Designing a sulfur vacancy redox disruptor for photothermoelectric and cascade‑catalytic‑driven cuproptosis–ferroptosis–apoptosis therapy

Researchers develop biodegradable Cu2MnS3-x-PEG/glucose oxidase nanosheets for photothermoelectric and cascade-catalytic-driven cuproptosis-ferroptosis-apoptosis therapy. This work offers a blueprint for next-generation nanotherapies, integrating energy conversion, metabolic interference, and immune activation.

SourceShanghai Jiao Tong University Journal Center·JournalNano-Micro Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 15, 2025

Novel research led by Vanderbilt and Fritz Haber Institute successfully confines powerful, long-wavelength light to the nanoscale that could enable advances in terahertz optics and optoelectronic devices

Researchers have successfully confined terahertz light to nanoscale dimensions using hafnium dichalcogenides, paving the way for more energy-efficient THz devices and potential applications in environmental sensing and security imaging. This breakthrough could lead to improvements in opto-electronic devices such as infrared emitters.

SourceVanderbilt University·JournalNature Materials·DateSep 15, 2025

About one in five people taking Ozempic, Wegovy or Mounjaro say food tastes saltier or sweeter than before

A study of individuals taking Ozempic, Wegovy, or Mounjaro found that 21.3% reported food tasting sweeter, while 22.6% said it tasted saltier than before. These changes were linked to reduced appetite and weight loss in all groups, with participants who experienced increased sweetness being twice as likely to report increased satiety.

SourceEuropean Association for the Study of Diabetes·JournalDiabetes Obesity and Metabolism·DateSep 15, 2025

UC3M participates in research to protect astronaut' cardiovascular and ocular health

Researchers from UC3M and the Spanish Space Agency conducted a parabolic flight campaign to study microgravity's effects on human body, testing an innovative technique to protect cardiovascular and ocular health. The results will be crucial for future space exploration and could have applications on Earth for treating vascular diseases.

SourceUniversidad Carlos III de Madrid·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 15, 2025

Behind the numbers: The shift in psychiatric beds – large for-profit chains expand as public hospitals retreat

The number of inpatient psychiatric beds barely changed from 2011 to 2023, but a shift occurred in bed ownership: standalone facilities with more care being delivered at specialized hospitals, increasingly owned by large for-profit chains. This trend raises concerns over safety and quality-of-care

Porous radical organic framework improves lithium-sulphur batteries

A team of researchers has developed a new material that enhances the capacity and stability of lithium-sulphur batteries by trapping polysulphides in open pores, reducing battery life shortening. The material improves Li-S battery performance to over 1,500 cycles with minimal capacity loss.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 15, 2025

New U.S. Public Health Service guidelines on occupational HIV exposure and postexposure prophylaxis published in Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology

The new guidelines, published in Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology, provide evidence-based guidance for healthcare personnel following occupational exposures to HIV. The recommendations emphasize the importance of prompt evaluation and initiation of postexposure prophylaxis (PEP), while streamlining follow-up protocols.

SourceSociety for Healthcare Epidemiology of America·JournalInfection Control and Hospital Epidemiology·DateSep 15, 2025

How NIL boosts college football’s competitive balance

A groundbreaking study challenges conventional wisdom on NIL policies in college football, demonstrating they enhance competitive balance and broaden opportunities for athletes. The research shows that NIL has led to a wider distribution of talent across college programs, directly benefiting athletes seeking to maximize their brands an...

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·JournalManagement Science·DateSep 15, 2025

Tracking atoms during fuel cell cycles: KAIST team reveals the atomic-scale secret behind fuel cell catalyst durability

A KAIST team discovered how gallium doping improves platinum-nickel catalysts' performance and durability, retaining octahedral shape and highly active facets. This breakthrough could lead to more durable fuel cells for hydrogen-powered vehicles and clean energy technologies.

SourceThe Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)·JournalNature Communications·TypeMeta-analysis·DateSep 15, 2025

Association of exposure to primary aromatic amines with health risks in China

A recent Chinese study analyzed urine samples from 457 residents across 16 cities, revealing significant associations between primary aromatic amine (PAA) exposure and oxidative DNA damage biomarker 8-OHdG. The findings suggest that even low concentrations of PAA may contribute to long-term cancer risks in the general population.

SourceKeAi Communications Co., Ltd.·JournalEnvironmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology·DateSep 15, 2025

Multi-energy X-ray curved surface imaging-with multi-layer in-situ grown scintillators

Researchers propose a general method to grow multi-layer scintillators with high uniformity and radiation stability. The technique allows for efficient coupling of scintillators with specific energy X-ray response characteristics, enabling high-resolution multi-energy X-ray imaging for various applications.

SourceChinese Society for Optical Engineering·JournalPhotoniX·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 15, 2025

Country of birth, race, ethnicity, and prenatal depression

A cross-sectional study found that prenatal depression diagnosis and moderate to severe depression symptoms differ by maternal nativity and racial/ethnic background. Non-U.S.-born mothers tend to have better neonatal outcomes, but this association may not hold true for prenatal mental health conditions.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateSep 15, 2025

Excessive folic acid intake in pregnancy linked to gestational diabetes

A recent study suggests that high levels of folic acid during pregnancy may increase the risk of gestational diabetes. The research highlights the need for a safe upper limit for folic acid intake and improved guidelines for supplementation. The study's findings are based on over 2,000 women and were published in the journal Nutrients.

SourceFlinders University·JournalNutrients·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 15, 2025

Why AI is never going to run the world

Researcher Angus Fletcher argues that AI excels at logic but fails to replicate human creativity and problem-solving skills. He advocates for developing 'primal intelligence,' which involves intuition, imagination, emotion, and commonsense, and has developed a program to help people tap into this ability.

Microarray analysis of differential expression of long non-coding RNAs in peripheral blood mononuclear cells in luminal a breast cancer

This study analyzed differential expression of long non-coding RNAs in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of women with luminal A breast cancer. Differential expression was observed, particularly for LINC RNA 974 (LINC00974), which exhibited significant associations with other oncological disorders.

SourceXia & He Publishing Inc.·JournalGene Expression·DateSep 15, 2025

Reconfigurable nonlinear Pancharatnam-Berry optics with patterned ferroelectric nematics

Researchers developed reconfigurable nonlinear Pancharatnam-Berry optics using patterned ferroelectric nematics, enabling dynamic control over nonlinear phase shifts. The approach offers unprecedented flexibility for advanced optical processing, adaptive optics, and quantum information technologies.

Harnessing spectral imaging for rapid and non-destructive herbicide diagnosis

A study published in Plant Phenomics employed RGB, chlorophyll fluorescence, and infrared thermal imaging to diagnose herbicide effects in oilseed rape. The method achieved up to 100% accuracy by the third day of treatment and showed potential for reducing time and costs in herbicide research.

SourceNanjing Agricultural University The Academy of Science·JournalPlant Phenomics·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 15, 2025

Rational high entropy doping strategy via modular in-situ/post solvothermal doping integration for microwave absorption

A novel modular in-situ/post-solvothermal doping approach achieves five-element high-entropy doping in MoS2, enhancing dipole polarization loss and leading to a record broadband effective absorption bandwidth of 7.65 GHz. This research provides fundamental insights into high-entropy engineering of transition metal dichalcogenides.

SourceTsinghua University Press·JournalJournal of Advanced Ceramics·DateSep 15, 2025

Why do people believe lies?

Researchers used neuroimaging to study how people evaluate honesty in friend and stranger interactions. Participants believed lies more frequently when they promised potential gains, linked to brain regions involved with risk evaluation and reward. Shared brain activity between friendly pairs can even predict deception success.

SourceSociety for Neuroscience·JournalJNeurosci·DateSep 15, 2025

Breakthrough in the hunt for light dark matter: QROCODILE project reveals world-leading constraints

The QROCODILE project has achieved record sensitivity in detecting light dark matter particles using superconducting detectors cooled to near absolute zero. The team set new world-leading limits on how dark matter interacts with ordinary matter, opening a door to future breakthroughs.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 15, 2025

Humans and machines learn differently

Researchers from Bielefeld University explore how humans and machines learn differently, highlighting the importance of bridging cognitive science and AI research. The study shows that machines generalize differently than humans, making it crucial for successful human-AI collaboration.

SourceBielefeld University·JournalNature Machine Intelligence·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 15, 2025

Using ChatGPT to support Chinese and English writing for students with dyslexia: Opportunities, challenges, and insights

A study found that a ChatGPT-assisted writing system improved emotional engagement and intrinsic motivation for students with dyslexia, but negatively impacted writing performance. The system's effectiveness depends on teacher-guided integration to avoid undermining writing skills.

SourceECNU Review of Education·JournalECNU Review of Education·TypeObservational study·DateSep 15, 2025

Mental health benefits of retirement not evenly shared, study says

A recent study by the University of Edinburgh reveals that retirement has a significant impact on mental health, with certain groups at risk of dips in wellbeing. Researchers found that people on average income who had physically demanding jobs before retirement and those on high-income who retire later are particularly vulnerable to f...

SourceUniversity of Edinburgh·JournalSSM - Mental Health·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 15, 2025

Moffitt researchers develop machine learning model to predict urgent care visits for lung cancer patients

Moffitt researchers develop machine learning model to predict urgent care visits for lung cancer patients, incorporating patient-reported outcomes and wearable sensor data. The study shows improved prediction accuracy and provides insights into the interaction of symptoms, sleep quality, and lab results with risk.

SourceH. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute·JournalJCO Clinical Cancer Informatics·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 15, 2025

Admission albumin-bilirubin score is inferior to MELD, MELD-Na+ and child-Turcotte-Pugh score in predicting survival in Indian patients with alcohol-associated liver disease

A study of 490 ALD patients found the ALBI score less accurate than MELD, MELD-Na+, and CTP scores in predicting survival. The ALBI score's components, such as serum albumin and bilirubin, were not independent predictors of mortality.

SourceXia & He Publishing Inc.·JournalJournal of Translational Gastroenterology·DateSep 15, 2025

Mediterranean diet could reduce gum disease

A study published in the Journal of Periodontology suggests that following a Mediterranean-style diet rich in plant-based foods like legumes and fruits may lower gum disease severity. The research found that patients with higher intake of red meat experienced more severe gum disease and inflammation.

SourceKing's College London·JournalJournal of Periodontology·DateSep 15, 2025

Matryoshka doll-like robot changes its shape in real time and in situ

Researchers at Max Planck Institute developed a magnetisation reprogramming method that allows real-time, in-situ generation and transformation of shapes in soft robots. This technology has potential applications in medicine, particularly in minimally invasive vascular treatments, by reducing friction and contact with vessel walls.

SourceMax Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 15, 2025

Inflammasome activation as a key driver of acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity: Mechanisms and emerging therapeutics

Inflammasome activation plays a key role in acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity, triggering oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and inflammation. Targeting inflammasome signaling offers promising therapeutic approaches, including NLRP3 inhibitors, caspase-1 inhibitors, and anti-inflammatory agents.

SourceXia & He Publishing Inc.·JournalGene Expression·DateSep 15, 2025

Mayo Clinic study reveals hidden causes of heart attacks in younger adults, especially women

A new Mayo Clinic study found that many heart attacks in people under 65 are caused by factors other than clogged arteries, particularly in women. The study revealed that spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD), embolism, and stress-related triggers accounted for over half of heart attacks in women under age 65.

SourceMayo Clinic·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateSep 15, 2025

Study: Muscle-building response to weight training differs among high-protein animal foods

A new study found that high-quality animal protein foods have different effects on muscle-building responses to weight training. The research suggests that whole foods, such as lean pork burgers, may be better at stimulating post-workout protein synthesis than processed counterparts.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateSep 15, 2025

Gestational diabetes linked to elevated risk of cognitive decline in mothers, ADHD and autism in children

A landmark study found gestational diabetes during pregnancy is associated with declines in intellectual function for mothers and higher risks of developmental, behavioural and autism spectrum disorders in children. Mothers with GDM scored 2.47 points lower on cognitive assessments than peers without GDM.

Pregnancy-related anxiety and depression worsened by lack of screenings and inadequate support in healthcare system and workplace

A national study reveals gaps in healthcare screenings, lack of family networks, and insufficient paid leave for caregivers with perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. The study calls for a coordinated effort to strengthen community resources and advance workplace and healthcare policy to support perinatal mental health care.

SourceNew York University·TypeSurvey·DateSep 15, 2025

Job demand, not just skills, shapes public attitudes on immigration

A recent study published in the Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies found that public attitudes towards immigration are shaped by job demand rather than just skill level. The research showed that citizens in both England and Japan were more likely to grant visas to workers in high-demand occupations, regardless of their skill level.

SourceUniversity of Southampton·JournalJournal of Ethnic and Migration Studies·DateSep 15, 2025

Diet can directly influence brain aging

A new study found that participants following the green-Mediterranean diet showed decreased levels of Galectin-9 and Decorin, two proteins linked to accelerated brain aging. The study suggests a potential beneficial impact on biological processes related to brain aging through blood protein modulation.

SourceBen-Gurion University of the Negev·JournalClinical Nutrition·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateSep 15, 2025

Classic recessive-or-dominant gene dynamics may not be so simple

Researchers at Stanford University tracked the evolution of fruit fly populations in response to pesticide exposure, finding that resistance alleles persist through a mechanism known as 'dominance reversal.' This process allows alleles to function as either dominant or recessive depending on environmental conditions, maintaining geneti...

SourceStanford University·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·DateSep 15, 2025

When the wireless data runs dry

Researchers developed a novel framework to qualitatively evaluate the quality of synthetic wireless data, improving AI model training with 4.3% performance gain. The framework assesses affinity and diversity in wireless signals, essential qualities for effective training.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 15, 2025

Princeton Chemistry’s Hammes-Schiffer publishes first principles approach to molecular polaritons

Researchers developed a conceptual framework for simulating polariton dynamics using quantum mechanics, revealing novel behavior due to entanglement. The study provides a foundation for understanding molecular control with light, essential for future technologies.

SourcePrinceton University·JournalJournal of Chemical Theory and Computation·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 15, 2025

Mount Sinai study reveals genetic clues explaining why obesity affects people differently

A recent Mount Sinai study analyzed genetic data from over 452,000 individuals to identify genetic differences linked to higher body fat but better metabolic health. The researchers discovered eight distinct obesity subtypes, each associated with unique health risks, and developed a genetic risk score to predict individual outcomes.

Your ecosystem engineer was a dinosaur

A University of Michigan study reveals that the sudden loss of dinosaurs allowed forests to flourish, stabilizing sediments and creating broad meanders in rivers. This change had a profound impact on landscapes, demonstrating how life can alter its environment through catastrophic events.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalCommunications Earth & Environment·DateSep 15, 2025

AI risks overwriting history and the skills of historians have never been more important, leading academic outlines in new paper

A new paper highlights the importance of human historians in capturing emotional complexity behind world events as AI struggles to accurately represent Holocaust survivors' experiences. Historians possess skills that AI lacks, including the ability to capture human suffering and preserve fracture and silence.

SourceTaylor & Francis Group·JournalRethinking History·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateSep 15, 2025

Research as reconciliation: Oil sands and health

A community-led study found elevated contaminants in animal food sources and rare cancers in local populations, highlighting the need for comprehensive studies on oil sands' health impacts. The authors call for rigorous research to address TRC commitments and protect Indigenous Peoples' environment and health.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateSep 15, 2025