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Science News for September 5, 2025


Researchers quantify rate of essential evolutionary process in the ocean

A team of scientists has estimated that an average cell line acquires and retains roughly 13 percent of its genes every million years through lateral gene transfer. This process enables microbes to adapt to new environments and access essential nutrients. The study provides the first quantitative analysis of gene transfer rates across ...

SourceBigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences·JournalThe ISME Journal·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 5, 2025

Using new blood biomarkers, USC researchers find Alzheimer’s disease trial eligibility differs among various populations

Researchers found that individuals from African American, Hispanic and Asian groups were less likely to have elevated amyloid in the brain based on blood levels of p-tau217. This finding suggests that these groups may have a lower prevalence of amyloid and are not at sufficient risk to qualify for amyloid-lowering trials.

SourceKeck School of Medicine of USC·TypeObservational study·DateSep 5, 2025

New ultrasound helmet enables deep brain stimulation in people without surgery

A new ultrasound device has been developed to precisely stimulate areas deep in the brain without surgery, offering new possibilities for neurological research and treatment. The technology features a special helmet with 256 elements that target specific parts of the brain, and includes a soft plastic face mask to keep the head still.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 5, 2025

Reintroducing native African catfish into Lake Victoria reduced snail hosts and lowered schistosomiasis infection intensity in primary-school-aged children

Reintroducing native African catfish into Lake Victoria significantly reduced the number of snail hosts and lowered the intensity of schistosomiasis infections among primary school-age children. This biocontrol method provides an effective way to combat this parasitic disease in the region.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 5, 2025

Research project on behaviorally informed organizations led by Rotman School professor is a finalist for an Impact Award from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council

Dilip Soman's Behaviourally Informed Organizations (BI-Org) partnership examined how behavioural insights can improve organizational processes and stakeholder engagement. The project led to significant direct impacts, including increasing pension contributions in Mexico and redesigning Ontario's organ donation system.

Traditional Japanese samurai daily behavior improves leg strength

Researchers at Tohoku University discovered a way to strengthen legs through daily etiquette, known as Rei-ho, which emphasizes slow and controlled movements. The study found that those who practiced Rei-ho for five minutes daily increased their knee extension strength by an average of 25.9%, compared to only 2.5% in the control group.

SourceTohoku University·JournalThe Tohoku Journal of Experimental Medicine·DateSep 5, 2025

Unveiling the mechanism behind sea urchin twinning

Using advanced microscopy and molecular biology, researchers visualized axis reconstruction in sea urchin embryos, tracking cellular movements and gene activation to understand self-organizing ability. This discovery sheds light on the long-standing question of monozygotic twinning emergence from one fertilized egg.

SourceUniversity of Tsukuba·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 5, 2025

Manipulating the dispersion of terahertz plasmon polaritons in topological insulator meta-elements

A team of scientists developed a method to precisely control Dirac plasmon polaritons in two-dimensional materials, opening new possibilities for advanced nanophotonic technologies. By adjusting the spacing between coupled nanostructures, they increased the polariton wavevector by up to 20% and extended the attenuation length by more t...

Electrochemical solid-state electrolyte reactors: Configurations, applications, and future prospects

Researchers have developed innovative electrochemical solid-state electrolyte (SSE) reactors that overcome limitations of traditional electrochemical reactors. These new reactors offer enhanced product purity, energy efficiency, and scalability, making them indispensable for next-generation electrosynthesis.

SourceShanghai Jiao Tong University Journal Center·JournalNano-Micro Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 5, 2025

Semaglutide reduces cocaine use in rats

Researchers at the University of Gothenburg found that semaglutide reduced both cocaine use and relapse in rats, with motivation to keep taking cocaine decreasing by 52%. The study suggests that semaglutide may blunt cocaine's ability to raise dopamine levels in the brain.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalEuropean Neuropsychopharmacology·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 5, 2025

Clean air, natural spaces, healthy diets and strong social bonds linked to lower inflammation in childhood

A new study found that better indoor air quality, proximity to natural spaces, healthy diets and strong social bonds are associated with reduced and better-regulated inflammation in childhood. The study used the Human Early Life Exposome (HELIX) cohort and identified three immune signatures linked to better overall health.

SourceBarcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal)·JournalEnvironment International·TypeObservational study·DateSep 5, 2025

New non-volatile memory platform built with covalent organic frameworks

Researchers created a new material platform for non-volatile memories using covalent organic frameworks (COFs) and successfully installed electric-field-responsive dipolar rotors. The COFs' unique sln topology allows the rotors to flip without steric hindrance, enabling high thermal durability up to near 400°C.

SourceInstitute of Science Tokyo·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 5, 2025

Robots offer clues to the impressive robustness of eel locomotion

A team of researchers has developed a mathematical model that integrates sensory feedback to enable eel-like robots to swim and crawl on land. The study shows how multisensory feedback enables eels to adapt their movement patterns after spinal cord injury, providing insights into the evolutionary transition of vertebrates from water to...

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 5, 2025

MD Anderson and Phoenix SENOLYTIX announce strategic cross-licensing agreement to enhance inducible switch technologies for cell and gene therapies

Phoenix SENOLYTIX and MD Anderson Cancer Center announced a cross-licensing agreement to further develop inducible switch technologies for use in cell and gene therapies. The partnership will enhance the development of these technologies, which can be used as safety features to regulate cell therapy activity.

Novel accurate approach improves understanding of brain structure in children with ADHD

Researchers developed a new method to correct for variations in brain imaging measurements, reducing bias and increasing the accuracy of studies on ADHD. The traveling-subject method demonstrated reduced measurement bias while maintaining sampling bias, revealing decreased brain volume in critical regions for cognitive functions.

SourceUniversity of Fukui·JournalMolecular Psychiatry·TypeImaging analysis·DateSep 5, 2025

Worse outcomes with aspirin in high-risk chronic coronary syndrome patients who require long-term anticoagulation

Adding aspirin to long-term anticoagulation therapy increased the risk of cardiovascular events, death, and major bleeding in patients with chronic coronary syndrome who required anticoagulation. The AQUATIC trial found that aspirin significantly increased all-cause mortality and major cardiovascular events in this high-risk population.

Developing a stable and high-performance W-CoMnP electrocatalyst by mitigating the Jahn-Teller effect through W doping strategy

The research team developed a simple template-free method to prepare cobalt-based and manganese-based precursors, and then doped W during the synthesis of transition bimetallic phosphides. The resulting catalyst exhibits excellent bifunctionality and can be utilized as an electrode in anion exchange membrane water electrolyzers.

SourceDalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy Sciences·JournalChinese Journal of Catalysis·DateSep 5, 2025

Singapore's young women show 'skinny-fat' risks typically seen in older age

A comprehensive study of Singaporean women in their 20s-30s found that nearly one in four healthy-weight Chinese women already have low muscle mass and weaker bones, despite appearing healthiest by BMI standards. The study highlights the need for healthcare approaches that consider body composition beyond simple weight measurements.

What makes an opera singer stand out? New research decodes 'black box' of opera evaluation

A new study found that vibrato is the most significant vocal attribute in determining an opera singer's score, while acoustic features like SPR and HNR have a greater impact than previously thought. The research provides objective insights into how judges evaluate performances and offers tools for vocal training.

SourceKeio University Global Research Institute·JournalFrontiers in Psychology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 5, 2025

When getting a job makes you go hungry

A new study published in PLOS One identifies unexpected 'danger zones' when the risk of going hungry is highest among Utah refugees, highlighting the need for timely interventions and improved information to reduce food insecurity. Researchers propose increasing access to gardens and empowering refugees with resources to thrive.

SourceUniversity of Utah Health·JournalPLOS One·TypeSurvey·DateSep 5, 2025

Manipulating light to revolutionize quantum computing

Researchers from UNamur, Harvard, and MTU developed a photonic chip that achieves longer entanglement range using near-zero refractive index photonics, a breakthrough for quantum computing. This technology has the potential to enable more efficient lasers, sensitive optical sensors, and faster ultra-secure telecommunication tools.

AI can evaluate social situations similar to humans

A new study from the University of Turku found that AI systems can accurately evaluate social features from images and videos, comparable to human evaluations. The researchers compared AI's evaluations with those made by over 2,000 humans, showing that AI's results were consistently accurate.

SourceUniversity of Turku·JournalImaging Neuroscience·TypeImaging analysis·DateSep 5, 2025

Adaptive visible-infrared camouflage with wide-range radiation control for extreme ambient temperatures

Researchers developed a multilayer device that decouples visible and infrared control, achieving record-wide thermal modulation for extreme environments. The breakthrough allows objects to adapt to various temperatures, making it suitable for applications like defense, stealth, smart windows, and wearable photonics.

SourceChinese Society for Optical Engineering·JournalPhotoniX·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 5, 2025

Dual antiplatelet therapy is not more effective than aspirin alone after coronary artery bypass grafting

A new study found that dual antiplatelet therapy did not reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events and actually increased the risk of major bleeding in patients with acute coronary syndrome who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting. The 12-month trial results showed no significant difference between DAPT and aspirin al...

SourceEuropean Society of Cardiology·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateSep 5, 2025

New study shows proactive forest management reduces high severity wildfire by 88% and stabilizes carbon during extreme droughts

A new study found that proactive forest management can significantly reduce the risk of high-severity wildfires by 88% and stabilize carbon stocks. The research analyzed over 200 fuel reduction projects in California's Central Sierra and found that treated forests stored carbon more durably, even after extreme droughts.

SourceVibrant Planet·JournalFrontiers·DateSep 5, 2025

What stiffening lung tissue reveals about the earliest stages of fibrosis

Penn Engineering researchers used a technique called photochemical cross-linking to stiffen lung tissue, revealing changes in cell behavior that may drive fibrosis. The team observed transitional cells caught in an identity crisis, unable to perform either role well, which contributed to disease progression.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Engineering and Applied Science·JournalNature Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 5, 2025

Tiny fish open new horizons for autism research.

Researchers used zebrafish with a mutation in the ube3a gene to investigate how environmental factors affect social behavior in individuals with autism spectrum disorders. The study found that environmental adjustments could hold therapeutic potential for ASD-related behavioral challenges.

SourceNiigata University·JournalMolecular Psychiatry·DateSep 5, 2025

How eye-less corals see the light

Researchers from Osaka Metropolitan University discovered a novel light-sensing mechanism in reef-building corals, where opsins use chloride ions as counterions to detect visible light. This unique functionality suggests that coral light sensitivity can adjust according to the algae's photosynthetic activity.

SourceOsaka Metropolitan University·JournaleLife·TypeObservational study·DateSep 5, 2025

Growing a new, pencil-shaped structure of gold named “quantum needles”

Researchers at the University of Tokyo have successfully grown a novel pencil-shaped structure of gold nanoclusters, dubbed 'gold quantum needles'. These structures show responsiveness to near-infrared light, enabling higher-resolution biomedical imaging and more efficient light-energy conversion. The breakthrough could lead to targete...

SourceSchool of Science, The University of Tokyo·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 5, 2025