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Science News for September 9, 2025


Glass-crystallized far-red-emitting ceramics for high-power, spectrally matched plant-growth light sources

Researchers developed glass-crystallized far-red emitting Cr3+-activated ceramics with enhanced emission intensity and tunable luminescent properties. The optimized ceramic exhibited nearly unity internal quantum efficiency and excellent thermal stability, making it suitable for high-power plant lighting applications.

SourceTsinghua University Press·JournalJournal of Advanced Ceramics·DateSep 9, 2025

Children lose muscle during early cancer treatment — new ECU study warns of a hidden danger to recovery

Children undergoing cancer treatment often lose skeletal muscle at a time when they should be rapidly gaining it, which can increase treatment complications and raise the risk of long-term health problems. Muscle loss makes children more vulnerable to heart and metabolic issues like high blood sugar and insulin resistance.

SourceEdith Cowan University·JournalEuropean Journal of Pediatrics·TypeSystematic review·DateSep 9, 2025

Giant DNA discovered hiding in your mouth

Scientists have identified a new genetic material called Inocles, which are large DNA elements hosted by bacteria in the mouth. These findings provide fresh insight into how oral bacteria colonize and persist in humans, with potential implications for health and disease research.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 9, 2025

Extreme life inside the Arctic ice

Researchers discovered that Arctic diatoms can move and glide through ice at temperatures as low as -15 C, using a unique mucilage rope mechanism. This finding has significant implications for our understanding of adaptation to a changing polar environment and potential roles in the food chain.

SourceStanford University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 9, 2025

Even healthy children can be severely affected by RSV

A comprehensive registry study in Sweden found that healthy, full-term babies under three months old are at risk of severe illness from RSV. The study highlights several risk factors, including birth weight and sibling age, which increase the risk of needing intensive care or dying.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalThe Lancet Regional Health - Europe·TypeObservational study·DateSep 9, 2025

The Age of Feasting: Late Bronze Age networks developed through massive food festivals, with animals brought from far and wide

Research on ancient rubbish heaps reveals that people travelled long distances to feast together at the end of the Bronze Age, with some events bringing animals from as far as northern England. The study found distinct patterns of animal remains in each midden, indicating local and regional economies.

SourceCardiff University·JournaliScience·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 9, 2025

Large social and economic inequalities persist among UK doctors

A study of 10 years of UK Labour Force Survey data shows that those from professional backgrounds are 6 times more likely to become doctors than those from working class backgrounds. The researchers call for greater efforts to boost social mobility and understand the impact on patient care.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalBMJ Open·TypeObservational study·DateSep 9, 2025

Study points to urgent need for better Medicaid coverage for anorexia care after hospitalization

A new study from Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago highlights the urgent need for better Medicaid coverage for anorexia care after hospitalization. The research reveals that Medicaid-insured patients with anorexia hospitalized for medical stabilization remain in the hospital longer than peers with private insuran...

SourceAnn & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago·JournalJournal of Eating Disorders·DateSep 9, 2025

AI-based satellite count of migrating wildebeest

A recent study using AI and satellite images estimates that fewer than 600,000 wildebeest migrate across the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem annually, contradicting previous aerial surveys. The findings highlight the potential of satellite-based population counts for terrestrial mammals.

SourcePNAS Nexus·JournalPNAS Nexus·DateSep 9, 2025

Ending federally funded Ryan White HIV/AIDS program would increase new HIV infections 49% nationwide by 2030, computer model predicts

A Johns Hopkins Medicine-led study predicts that ending federal funding for the Ryan White Program could lead to a 49% increase in new HIV infections across US cities by 2030. The program provides comprehensive medical care and treatment services for approximately 500,000 people annually.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateSep 9, 2025

Astronomers spot mysterious gamma-ray explosion, unlike any detected before

A team of astronomers has detected an unprecedented gamma-ray burst (GRB) that repeated several times over the course of a day, defying current understanding of these powerful events. The source was pinpointed to be outside our galaxy, with evidence suggesting it may reside in another galaxy, several billion light-years away.

SourceESO·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateSep 9, 2025

First line of treatment for depression should be a tailored exercise plan

A new editorial urges psychiatrists to prescribe exercise as a core part of depression treatment plans, following the FITT principle to meet individual patient needs. The research is clear: physical activity helps with depressive symptoms, yet it's rare for psychiatrists to prescribe it alongside medication or therapy.

SourceUniversity of Ottawa·JournalBritish Journal of Sports Medicine·TypeMeta-analysis·DateSep 9, 2025

Brain asymmetry shapes direction of mental number line in early life

A new study reveals that brain lateralization is essential for the emergence of left-to-right spatial-numerical associations in newborn chicks. Strongly lateralized chicks showed a clear preference for selecting food from the left, while weakly lateralized chicks had no consistent directional preference.

SourceeLife·JournaleLife·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 9, 2025

Seizure spread marks loss of consciousness

Frontal lobe seizures can cause impaired consciousness when they spread to wider areas of the brain, according to a new study published in Neurology. This understanding may help scientists develop treatments that restore consciousness during seizures.

SourceYale University·JournalNeurology·DateSep 9, 2025

Rural patients in the United States still face barriers to telehealth access

A new study reveals persistent disparities in telehealth access among rural US populations, with older adults, Spanish speakers, and those on Medicaid or Medicare facing significant barriers. The research highlights the need for policy reform and digital health equity efforts to address these disparities and improve virtual care access.

SourceJMIR Publications·JournalJournal of Medical Internet Research·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 9, 2025

From quantum mechanics to quantum microbes: A Yale scientist’s journey of discovery

Bacteria breathe deep underground without oxygen using nanowires to dispose of excess electrons. Yale scientists found that electrons move rapidly through the wires via a wave-like behavior rather than hopping, defying classical Newtonian laws. This discovery has significant implications for quantum sensing and computation.

SourceYale University·JournalThe Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters·DateSep 9, 2025

The chronic risks from single-use plastic water bottles are dangerously understudied, new Concordia research shows

Research by Concordia University finds that individuals ingest tens of thousands of microplastic particles per year from single-use plastic water bottles, which can cause chronic health issues. The study highlights the need for education on the risks of daily plastic bottle use.

SourceConcordia University·JournalJournal of Hazardous Materials·TypeLiterature review·DateSep 9, 2025

Warming climate drives disease surge, study shows

A new study by researchers at Stanford University finds that warmer temperatures are driving a surge in dengue fever cases, with potential increases of up to 76% by 2050. The analysis analyzed over 1.4 million observations and found that higher temperatures were responsible for an average 18% of dengue incidence across 21 countries.

SourceStanford University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 9, 2025

At-home blood pressure cuffs—and reminders to use them—key to blood pressure control

Researchers found that at-home blood pressure cuffs and texted reminders can significantly improve blood pressure control in patients struggling with hypertension. The study involved mailing cuffs to patients and providing them with texted reminders, resulting in a 35% improvement rate compared to 21% for those without home cuffs.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateSep 9, 2025

CUNY SPH expands curriculum with concentration in sexual and reproductive justice and health

The CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy has launched a new master of public health concentration in sexual and reproductive justice and health. The program prepares students to address social, political, and economic forces shaping sexual and reproductive health outcomes through research, policy, law, leadership, an...

New study highlights role of fathers’ drinking in fetal alcohol spectrum disorder

A recent study published in Alcohol: Clinical & Experimental Research found that fathers' alcohol use may have a negative impact on children's growth and development by age seven. Children of fathers who drank heavily during pregnancy were more likely to be shorter, have smaller heads, and score lower on verbal IQ tests.

SourceStellenbosch University·JournalAlcohol Clinical and Experimental Research·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 9, 2025

Society of Interventional Radiology publishes practice guidance for percutaneous arteriovenous fistulas for dialysis access

The Society of Interventional Radiology has published new practice guidance for creating percutaneous arteriovenous fistulas for dialysis access. The guidance emphasizes the importance of interventional radiologists in providing durable hemodialysis access to improve patient outcomes.

SourceSociety of Interventional Radiology·JournalJournal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology·DateSep 9, 2025

Combined alcohol and cannabis use linked to adverse consequences in young adults, York U led study finds

A new longitudinal study by York University found that young adults using both substances in times of high stress and emotional distress reported more negative life consequences. The study suggests that understanding combined use can help young adults mitigate the risk and seek healthier coping mechanisms.

SourceYork University·JournalAlcohol Clinical and Experimental Research·TypeSurvey·DateSep 9, 2025

Mapping causality in neuronal activity: towards a better understanding of brain networks

Researchers developed a method to identify causal relationships between neurons solely based on spike train data, providing a new tool for understanding brain connectivity. The approach accurately detected bidirectional and unidirectional coupling between neurons, even in the presence of internal noise.

SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalPhysical Review E·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 9, 2025

Studies find nonprofits' use of flexible labor negatively affects operational outcomes, lacks long-term financial benefit, study finds

New research from the University of Kansas found that nonprofits' increasing reliance on flexible labor leads to negative operational outcomes, such as reduced attendance at events. While short-term financial benefits may be achieved, there is no long-term fiscal improvement for these organizations.

SourceUniversity of Kansas·JournalNonprofit Management and Leadership·TypeMeta-analysis·DateSep 9, 2025

Indiana University and Instructure receive NSF funding to develop TOPSAIL, the first-of-its-kind infrastructure for testing AI tools in education

TOPSAIL aims to make it faster and easier to evaluate new AI tools in education. The two-year planning project will establish a new paradigm for evidence-based adoption of AI technologies, grounded in rigorous psychological science and learning theory. The testbed will provide robust privacy protections and experimental controls.

Creating a top-tier, high-density W single atom catalyst

Researchers at Tohoku University have created a high-density W single atom catalyst that significantly speeds up the oxygen evolution reaction, overcoming a key barrier in environmentally friendly technologies. The stable incorporation of tungsten into transition-metal hydroxides/oxides enables ultrathin structures with enhanced active...

SourceAdvanced Institute for Materials Research (AIMR), Tohoku University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateSep 9, 2025

More than echolocation: Bats use both sight and sound to hunt more efficiently in light

In a study published in PNAS, scientists found that common noctule bats reduce echolocation calls when hunting in brighter environments but catch prey up to 50% faster. The bats use both acoustic and visual information to track and catch escaping prey during split-second interactions.

SourceLeibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW)·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 9, 2025

New global database opens the door for better understanding of terrestrial ecosystem productivity

A new study and database provide an unprecedented resource for understanding Earth's land systems, including net primary production (NPP) and its role in carbon cycling. The database addresses methodological limitations of previous databases, offering harmonized NPP measurements across six major biome types and spanning all continents.

Can a healthy gut microbiome help prevent childhood stunting?

Researchers found that children with stable gut microbiomes tend to have better growth outcomes. The study created the first-ever pediatric undernutrition microbial genome catalog, which can predict and prevent malnutrition. This discovery opens the door to new diagnostics and therapeutics for addressing global child stunting issues.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalCell·DateSep 9, 2025

Freeze-drying preserves sulfonated lignin’s functional integrity, new study finds

Researchers found that freeze-drying preserves sulfoethylated kraft lignin's functional integrity, maintaining charge density, solubility, and sulfonic acid groups. Oven drying compromised performance, triggering chemical changes that reduced solubility and increased glass transition temperature.

SourceJournal of Bioresources and Bioproducts·JournalJournal of Bioresources and Bioproducts·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 9, 2025

Electric car sharing and smart charging

A study by Empa researchers found that electric car sharing can reduce emissions by up to 82%, but achieving cost savings and low-emission charging simultaneously is rare. The optimal charging strategy would require real-time tariff models, automated systems, and incentives like CO₂ prices.

SourceSwiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (Empa)·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 9, 2025

Closing the care gap: IOF position paper identifies barriers and solutions to global undertreatment of osteoporosis

The International Osteoporosis Foundation identifies critical global barriers to osteoporosis care, including limited DXA scanning and outdated treatment criteria. The IOF advocates for a paradigm shift in bone health management worldwide, recognizing high fracture risk as a valid criterion for treatment and reimbursement.

SourceInternational Osteoporosis Foundation·JournalOsteoporosis International·TypeLiterature review·DateSep 9, 2025

Chinese researchers develop assembloid model to decode adenomyosis pathogenesis

A team of Chinese researchers has developed an assembloid model that mimics the physiological structure of endometrium and adenomyotic lesions, recapitulating transcriptional features consistent with in vivo tissue. The novel system reveals abnormal composition of stromal cell subpopulations during the secretory-like phase may disrupt ...

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience China Life Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 9, 2025

Innovative ultrasonic regeneration restores nano-phase change emulsions for low-temperature applications

Researchers developed a high-energy ultrasonic regeneration strategy to restore nano-phase change emulsion performance under low-temperature conditions. This innovation enhances the stability of phase change emulsions, unlocking their full potential for thermal energy storage and cold-chain logistics applications.

SourceIndustrial Chemistry & Materials·JournalIndustrial Chemistry and Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 9, 2025

University of Minnesota Medical School research team awarded 5-year, $3.3 million NIH grant for first-of-its-kind study of infants born with CMV

A University of Minnesota Medical School research team has launched a groundbreaking study on infants born with congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV). The five-year, $3.3 million grant will track the development of 200 infants over three years to better understand the virus's impact on long-term health and inform medical providers' clinica...

High consumption of ultra-processed foods linked to systemic inflammation

High consumption of ultra-processed foods is associated with higher levels of systemic inflammation and a greater risk of cardiovascular disease. The study found that individuals who consumed the most ultra-processed foods had significantly higher levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, a key marker of inflammation.

SourceFlorida Atlantic University·JournalThe American Journal of Medicine·TypeMeta-analysis·DateSep 9, 2025

Global integration of traditional and modern medicine: policy developments, regulatory frameworks, and clinical integration model

The global integration of traditional and modern medicine has been shown to improve patient outcomes by enhancing symptom management, quality of life, and treatment adherence. Effective integration relies on robust regulatory frameworks governing practitioner licensing, quality control, pharmacovigilance, and research.

SourceXia & He Publishing Inc.·JournalFuture Integrative Medicine·DateSep 9, 2025

Risk theory: From perception to cognition

A new study proposes a unified framework for understanding risk as a result of human cognition, connecting perception and analysis. The model highlights the disparity between target value expectations and realistic ones, emphasizing the role of self-aware stakeholders in transforming perception into rational response decisions.

SourceKeAi Communications Co., Ltd.·JournalRisk Sciences·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateSep 9, 2025

How to find a cryptic animal: Recording the elusive beaked whale in the Foz do Amazonas Basin

Beaked whales are recorded in the Foz do Amazonas Basin using passive acoustic monitoring, demonstrating their first documentation in Brazilian waters. The study contributes to understanding cetacean biodiversity and showcases the effectiveness of acoustic monitoring for categorizing elusive sea creatures.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalThe Journal of the Acoustical Society of America·DateSep 9, 2025

Microbiome instability linked to poor growth in kids

A recent study found that toddlers with a fluctuating gut microbiome showed poorer growth compared to those with a stable microbiome. The researchers created a public health database containing complete genetic profiles of microbes from fecal samples, which can be used for future studies to help predict and prevent malnutrition.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalCell·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 9, 2025

Well-publicized polar geoengineering ideas will not help and could harm, warn experts

Five well-publicized polar geoengineering ideas are highly unlikely to benefit the polar regions and could harm ecosystems, communities, and international relations. Researchers found that these proposals would likely cost billions in setup and maintenance while introducing ecological, environmental, legal, and political challenges.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Science·TypeSystematic review·DateSep 9, 2025

Novel immunotherapy strategy shows promising long-term survival in advanced NSCLC patients with inadequate response to immune checkpoint inhibitors

A phase 2a clinical trial investigated an experimental viral immunotherapy, CAN-2409, in patients with unresectable stage III/IV NSCLC who previously failed to respond adequately to ICI. Patients showed longer overall survival and increased cytotoxic effector T cells after treatment.

Predicting where deadly brain cancer may spread next

Virginia Tech researchers create method combining MRI, fluid dynamics, and algorithm to identify hidden glioblastoma cells. The technique uses fluid flow patterns to predict tumor re-growth, allowing for more aggressive surgical approaches. This technology has potential to improve cancer treatment outcomes

SourceVirginia Tech·Journalnpj Biomedical Innovations·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 9, 2025

PALOMA-2 study: Subcutaneous amivantamab every 4 weeks plus lazertinib shows high response rate in EGFR-mutated NSCLC

The PALOMA-2 study found that subcutaneous amivantamab every 4 weeks, combined with daily oral lazertinib, yields a high objective response rate in patients with previously untreated EGFR-mutated advanced non-small cell lung cancer. This dosing regimen offers fewer administration-related reactions and improved convenience for patients.

Lung Cancer Europe study highlights communication gaps and need for shared decision-making

A large-scale survey by Lung Cancer Europe identified critical communication barriers affecting information access and understanding among lung cancer patients and caregivers. The study found that complex medical language was a major obstacle to shared decision-making, with only 56% of respondents feeling their opinion was considered i...

How evolution explains autism rates in humans

A new study suggests that the high prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder in humans is linked to the rapid evolution of specific brain cell types and genes. The research found that human brains contain a unique array of neuronal cell types that evolved rapidly compared to other primates.

SourceOxford University Press USA·JournalMolecular Biology and Evolution·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 9, 2025

King’s College London researcher advances psychiatric genomics through pioneering polygenic scoring innovations

Dr Oliver Pain develops GenoPred platform advancing personalized mental healthcare worldwide through accessible genetic tools, democratizing access to cutting-edge genomic methodologies. His work aims to reduce global health inequities by developing inclusive polygenic scoring methods that perform accurately across all ancestry groups.

SourceGenomic Press·JournalGenomic Psychiatry·TypeNews article·DateSep 9, 2025

Centenarian neuroscientist inspires blueprint for vibrant longevity through mentorship and connection

A study by Dr. Esther Sternberg highlights the importance of social engagement, intellectual stimulation, purposeful activity, humor, and spiritual exploration in achieving exceptional cognitive and social functioning in advanced age. Dr. Reichlin's example challenges conventional assumptions about aging trajectories.

SourceGenomic Press·JournalBrain Medicine·TypeNews article·DateSep 9, 2025