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Science News for September 3, 2025


Principal component analysis enhances 3D super-resolution microscopy

A new computational enhancement to structured illumination microscopy improves 3D imaging clarity and stability, addressing challenges of uniform illumination patterns in cells. Principal component analysis is used to uncover underlying order from complex signals, enabling more adaptive and robust reconstruction.

Weight-loss drug semaglutide reduces cocaine use in rats: Suggests possible first pharmacological treatment for human cocaine dependency

Semaglutide significantly reduces cocaine-seeking behavior in rats by 26%, with a 62% drop in seeking after abstinence. This finding suggests semaglutide's potential as a treatment for human cocaine dependency, currently lacking effective pharmacological options.

SourceEuropean College of Neuropsychopharmacology·JournalEuropean Neuropsychopharmacology·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 3, 2025

Are probiotics worth the cost to prevent infection after a colon removal surgery?

A UCLA Health study found that taking an 8-strain probiotic daily reduces the risk of pouchitis, a common inflammatory condition. However, the treatment's cost-effectiveness depends on the patient's likelihood of flare-ups, with benefits only seen in patients with frequent relapses.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalGastro Hep Advances·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 3, 2025

Pretreatment methods bring second-gen biofuels from oilcane closer to commercialization

Researchers at the Center for Advanced Bioenergy and Bioproducts Innovation (CABBI) demonstrate industrial viability of hydrothermal pretreatment for producing second-generation biofuels from oilcane lignocellulose. The study showcases an efficient method for converting oilcane into bioethanol, reducing dependence on foreign oil.

NYU Tandon-led team develops new fabrication technique that opens door to new materials for quantum technologies

A new fabrication approach enables the exploration of a broader range of superconducting materials for quantum hardware. The study validates this approach using niobium and demonstrates comparable performance to state-of-the-art devices made with conventional chemistry-based methods.

SourceNYU Tandon School of Engineering·JournalApplied Physics Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 3, 2025

New meta-analysis demonstrates that access to the GeneSight test can significantly improve response and remission rates for patients with depression

A new meta-analysis of six prospective controlled studies found that access to the GeneSight Psychotropic test significantly improved response and remission rates for adults with major depressive disorder. The study included 3,532 unique adults who had at least one prior treatment failure.

SourceThe Motion Agency·JournalJournal of Clinical Psychopharmacology·TypeMeta-analysis·DateSep 3, 2025

High-volume antibody testing platform could accelerate disease research and treatment development

Researchers developed a high-volume method to rapidly build and test large numbers of antibodies at once, accelerating antibody research and treatment development. The oPool+ display platform has potential applications in influenza vaccination research, infectious disease treatment, and cancer research.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalScience Translational Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 3, 2025

HKUST team develops novel sampling method to innovate statistical mechanics

A research team led by Prof. PAN Ding and Dr. LI Shuo-Hui has developed a novel direct sampling method based on deep generative models for statistical mechanics. This method enables efficient sampling of the Boltzmann distribution across a continuous temperature range, overcoming energy barriers in simulations.

SourceHong Kong University of Science and Technology·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeObservational study·DateSep 3, 2025

Proboscis monkeys' big noses boost vocal identity

A new study links the size of male proboscis monkeys' noses to their unique vocal characteristics, suggesting a significant impact on individual identity. The findings shed light on the complex interplay between anatomy, acoustics, and social behavior in animals, with potential implications for human communication.

SourceThe University of Osaka·JournalJournal of The Royal Society Interface·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 3, 2025

A novel embolization-on-a-chip model allows testing various embolic agent classes to treat liver cancer

Researchers have created a human vascularized liver cancer-on-a-chip model to evaluate vessel remodeling and cell death in response to embolic agents. This innovative platform replicates the microenvironment of liver tumors, providing unprecedented insight into how tumors respond to embolization.

SourceTerasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation·JournalBiofabrication·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 3, 2025

Teens who lose teeth to decay and injury nearly twice as likely to be bullied, study reveals

A study of over 4,400 Australian children found that those experiencing tooth loss were more than four times as likely to be bullied. Children from lower socioeconomic backgrounds and rural areas were disproportionately affected. The researchers highlight the need for improved access to dental care and prevention programs.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalJDR Clinical & Translational Research·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 3, 2025

Well-being and ill-being do not lie on a single continuum

A large-scale UK study supports contextual models of mental health emphasizing values-guided behavior and psychosocial resources for older adults. The study suggests that well-being is not solely the absence of ill-being, but rather a complex interplay between meaning-oriented behavior, psychological flexibility, and stress regulation.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Mental Health·TypeObservational study·DateSep 3, 2025

Researchers describe for the first time brain signals associated with forgetting unpleasant memories in humans

The study used Representational Similarity Analysis (RSA) to investigate the neural representations involved in forming and extinguishing associative memories. Researchers found an increase in theta activity in the amygdala when unpleasant stimuli were presented during extinction learning, suggesting a safety signal.

SourceUniversitat Autonoma de Barcelona·JournalNature Human Behaviour·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 3, 2025

Scientists identify personality traits that help schoolchildren succeed academically

A new study found that children's personality traits such as conscientiousness and open-mindedness have a significant impact on their academic performance. The research, conducted across seven countries, showed that these traits can help reduce educational inequality and improve social mobility.

SourceNational Research University Higher School of Economics·JournalInternational Journal of Educational Research·DateSep 3, 2025

Oral health treatment in patients due for surgery is associated with significantly lower rates of postoperative pneumonia and shorter hospital stays, per observational study in one Japanese hospital, suggesting it might reduce infection risk

A single-center observational study found that planned preoperative oral care at least 2 weeks prior to surgery significantly reduced rates of postoperative pneumonia and shortened hospital stays. The results suggest that oral health treatment could be an effective strategy for reducing infection risk in surgical patients.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS One·DateSep 3, 2025

From waste to value: Copper-catalyzed method converts CO₂ into high-value polymers under mild conditions

A research team developed an eco-friendly method to transform carbon dioxide into useful high-performance plastics using a simple copper-based catalyst. The process efficiently incorporates CO₂ into polymer materials with diverse functionalities, such as fluorescence, and can be quickly modified to create multifunctional materials.

SourceSongshan Lake Materials Laboratory·JournalMaterials Futures·DateSep 3, 2025

Paleontologists go back to the future, reconstruct fossilized functional diversity to inform conservation goals

Researchers have developed a method to reconstruct functional diversity of past ecosystems from fossils, enabling conservationists to compare healthy ecosystems with modern counterparts that have been altered by humans. This information can be used to set restoration and protection goals for endangered species.

SourceFlorida Museum of Natural History·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 3, 2025

Loneliness is bad for health and wealth in the UK

A study by the University of Exeter found that loneliness is associated with increased healthcare costs, mental distress, and poor physical and mental functioning. Younger adults and older adults are particularly affected, with a U-shaped relationship between age and cost of loneliness observed.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalPLOS One·TypeMeta-analysis·DateSep 3, 2025

SMART researchers develop first-of-its-kind RNA tool to advance cancer and infectious disease research and treatment

Researchers at SMART Alliance for Research and Technology developed a powerful tool to scan thousands of biological samples and detect transfer ribonucleic acid (tRNA) modifications, which help control cell growth and response to diseases. The tool opens up new possibilities for disease research, diagnostics, and treatment development.

SourceSingapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART)·JournalNucleic Acids Research·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 3, 2025

An eye for the sky

A research team has discovered that bees' complex eyes contain specialized facets that detect polarized light in the sky, producing a less-detailed but more accurate image. This allows bees to tune out unimportant information and focus on the big picture, using the sun's position as a compass.

SourceUniversity of Konstanz·JournalBiology Letters·DateSep 3, 2025

Genes linked to sudden cardiac death increase the risk of heart failure in patients with genetic dilated cardiomyopathy

Patients with genetic dilated cardiomyopathy who experience severe arrhythmias are at an elevated risk of developing advanced heart failure and requiring a heart transplant. Genetic mutations in genes associated with severe arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death increase the risk of serious heart failure complications.

SourceCentro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III (F.S.P.)·JournalEuropean Heart Journal·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 3, 2025

New catalysis method can generate a library of novel molecules for drug discovery

Researchers have developed a new catalysis method that can generate a diverse array of valuable compounds, including six distinct molecular scaffolds, using reprogrammed biocatalysts and sunlight-harvesting catalysts. The method opens up new possibilities for medicinal chemistry and accelerates combinatorial synthesis of novel molecules.

New study seeks to understand the links between social drivers of health by investigating cardiovascular health in young adults

Researchers studied childhood social determinants and their impact on young adult cardiovascular health, finding associations with poor diet, sedentary lifestyle, and adverse blood cholesterol levels. The study aims to guide pediatricians and public health policy makers in promoting better lifelong health trajectories.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalJournal of the American Heart Association·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 3, 2025

September issues of APA journals feature new research on trends in ADHD medication, telehealth prescribing of controlled substances, psychiatric genetics, and more

The latest issues of The American Journal of Psychiatry and Psychiatric Services feature research on psychiatric genetics, telehealth prescribing of controlled substances, and trends in ADHD medication. Highlights include a new APA Practice Guideline for the Prevention and Treatment of Delirium.

SourceAmerican Psychiatric Association·JournalAmerican Journal of Psychiatry·DateSep 3, 2025

'Medical parole needs reform'

A Boston University researcher proposes re-evaluating medical parole policies to focus on compassionate release and expedited decision-making by an external medical review board. Studies show that only 11% of applications are granted, resulting in thousands dying in prison each year, disproportionately affecting Black people.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateSep 3, 2025

From symptoms to biology: Neurodegeneration in paraventricular thalamus in bipolar disorder

Research finds that bipolar disorder is associated with neurodegenerative protein accumulation and tau pathology in the paraventricular thalamus, potentially contributing to its symptoms. The study also identifies a new marker, CHMP2B-positive granulovacuolar degeneration, in about half of BD cases.

SourceJuntendo University Research Promotion Center·JournalPsychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 3, 2025

Revolutionizing remote sensing: Attowatt-sensitive dual-comb spectroscopy breaks through turbulence with photon-level precision

Researchers developed a photon-level dual-comb spectroscopy system, enabling high spectral resolution and long-term stability in turbulent conditions. The system successfully monitored atmospheric gases with unprecedented sensitivity, paving the way for next-generation optical sensing networks.

Loneliness is bad for health and wealth in the U.K.

A study found that loneliness incurs an extra £850 in annual healthcare costs to the NHS, as well as experiencing worse mental and physical health. Loneliness affects health more significantly in younger adulthood and later life.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS One·TypeSurvey·DateSep 3, 2025

Sugar-coated nanoparticles could target deadly breast cancer

Researchers at the University of Mississippi have developed a new method to deliver cancer therapies directly to triple-negative breast cancer cells. The sugar-coated nanoparticles effectively target this aggressive cancer, which affects young women and disproportionately impacts Black women. The discovery holds promise for treating no...

SourceUniversity of Mississippi·JournalAdvanced Healthcare Materials·DateSep 3, 2025

SeoulTech develop hybrid polymer-CNT electrodes for safer brain-machine interfaces

Researchers at Seoul National University of Science and Technology developed a microelectrode with three-dimensional carbon nanotubes that efficiently conduct electricity while being soft like tissue. The arrays demonstrated stable insertion in brain tissues, precise recording of visual responses, and reduced inflammatory responses.

SourceSeoul National University of Science & Technology·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 3, 2025

Misdirected: Increased dementia risk associated with errors of the 'brain’s compass'

A study published in Science Advances found that individuals with 'subjective cognitive decline' (SCD), a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease, performed worse on navigation tasks compared to those without SCD. The researchers hope this could lead to more sensitive testing methods for early diagnosis and drug studies.

SourceDZNE - German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 3, 2025

Using AI to improve nickel catalysts for converting carbon dioxide into methane

Researchers applied explainable machine learning to design nickel-based catalysts for efficient CO2 methanation. The study identified optimal reaction conditions, including temperature, gas hourly space velocity, BET surface area, and nickel content, to improve conversion rates and selectivity.

SourceAdvanced Institute for Materials Research (AIMR), Tohoku University·JournalACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering·DateSep 3, 2025

Single-gate electro-optic beam switching metasurfaces

Researchers developed a graphene-based single-gate electro-optic metasurface that controls light direction using a single electrode, simplifying device structure while maintaining high optical efficiency. The metasurface achieved large beam switching angles and demonstrated scalability for next-generation programmable photonic systems.

Imaging study reveals how tiny brain vessels pulse to regulate blood flow

Scientists have discovered that tiny brain vessels pulse to regulate blood flow through bursts of contraction and relaxation. The research reveals that these bursts originate from the walls of small arteries and spread through the vascular network in short intervals, providing insights into how the brain regulates its blood supply.

Common arthritis drug reveals hidden benefit

Researchers found that methotrexate significantly lowers systolic blood pressure in people with rheumatoid arthritis. The study suggests that this could be a new benefit of the drug beyond its usual role in treating inflammation, and may also provide protection against heart disease.

SourceFlinders University·JournalAnnals of Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 3, 2025

Obtaining prefrontal cortex biopsies during deep brain stimulation adds no risk to procedure

Researchers developed a safe method to obtain prefrontal cortex biopsies during deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery in living patients, demonstrating no increased risk of adverse events or cognitive decline. The study's findings establish the safety of this approach and open up new avenues for neuroscience research.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalNeurosurgery·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 3, 2025

Analyzing the Gaza genocide allegations: A re-examination of the Israel-Hamas War between October 7, 2023 and June 1, 2025

A new study by a team of researchers critically examines accusations that Israel committed crimes against humanity during the 2023-2025 Israel-Gaza War. The study highlights systemic failures in major international information bodies and calls for higher evidentiary standards in conflict reporting.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 3, 2025

Rice algorithms take on quantum adversary

Rice University computer scientists have developed algorithms that account for malicious noise in quantum states, which can collapse into a single random outcome. The new framework considers nonphysical and potentially malicious factors, delivering optimal results with sufficiently large copies of a quantum state.

Toddlers showed slightly fewer behavioral problems during COVID-19 pandemic, NIH study finds

A new study published in JAMA Network Open found that toddlers in the US experienced slightly fewer emotional and behavioral problems during the COVID-19 pandemic. The research, which analyzed data from over 3,000 children, suggests that some toddlers may have shown resilience during this time.

SourceEnvironmental influences on Child Health Outcomes·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeObservational study·DateSep 3, 2025

UMD-led study discovers warm space dust in distant place

Researchers have discovered warm space dust in a reservoir of hot gas surrounding the Makani galaxy, located 100 million years away. The study, led by University of Maryland astronomer Sylvain Veilleux, provides evidence that ejected dust particles can survive long journeys and may be an important ingredient in planet and star formation.

SourceUniversity of Maryland·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·TypeObservational study·DateSep 3, 2025

Efficient luminescent stable chichibabin diradicaloid for near-infrared imaging and photothermal therapy

Researchers developed a stable Chichibabin diradicaloid with high luminescence and photothermal conversion efficiency, enabling precise near-infrared imaging-guided tumor ablation. Its water-soluble nanoparticles showed excellent NIR imaging performance and achieved high photothermal conversion efficiency.

Countries’ carbon budget math is broken

A study by Utrecht University researchers found that previous fairness and ambition assessments were biased, rewarding high emitters at the expense of vulnerable ones. The proposed method avoids delaying emission reduction obligations and calculates immediate ambition gaps that can be filled by climate measures and international finance.

SourceUtrecht University·JournalNature Communications·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 3, 2025

Happy music could help you recover from motion sickness

Researchers found that joyful and soft music alleviated motion sickness symptoms the most, while sad music was less effective than doing nothing. The study suggests that music can be a non-invasive and personalized intervention strategy for managing motion sickness.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Human Neuroscience·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 3, 2025

Global methane levels continue rising as planet heats up

Methane emissions from global trade have risen by 30% since 1990, driven by rapid industrialization and population growth in Asia and the developing Pacific region. The study calls for targeted sectoral strategies to reduce emissions, including advanced leak detection and improved livestock feed formulations.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalNature Communications·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 3, 2025

Solar flares over 6 times hotter than previously thought

Scientists at the University of St Andrews propose that solar flare ions reach over 60 million degrees, contradicting the long-held assumption of equal ion and electron temperatures. This discovery could provide an unexpected solution to a decades-long astrophysics mystery about the enigmatic line widths of solar flare spectra.

SourceUniversity of St. Andrews·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 3, 2025

Researchers explore new strategies to develop environmentally safe polymer materials

A team of researchers developed a simulation model to clarify the influence of 4-position substitution in cyclic ketene acetals on radical ring-opening polymerization. The study found that certain monomers can produce degradable polymers, which may be used for environmentally friendly packaging and biomedical applications.

SourceDoshisha University·JournalMacromolecules·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 3, 2025