Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News Archive September 2025 - Page 18


Page 18 of 54

Growth switch for plant adaptability discovered

A research team at the University of Freiburg has discovered a cellular degradation machinery that acts as a switch to regulate plant hormone auxin availability. This mechanism allows plants to dynamically adjust their growth in response to environmental conditions, such as light and soil quality.

SourceUniversity of Freiburg·JournalScience Advances·DateSep 22, 2025

Support from teachers, family and friends is crucial for students in general upper secondary education – perfectionism is associated with student burnout

Research from the University of Eastern Finland found that perfectionistic tendencies are associated with poorer well-being, particularly in students who lack support from family and friends. Conversely, ambitious students reported high engagement but struggled without adequate support.

SourceUniversity of Eastern Finland·JournalInternational Journal of Educational Research·DateSep 22, 2025

Hostile hoots make robins eat less at night

Research reveals that young robins reduce their nighttime activity and food intake when exposed to tawny owl calls, leading to slower energy buildup and poorer physical condition. This adaptation helps them balance the risk of predation against the need to replenish energy reserves.

SourceLund University·JournalJournal of Animal Ecology·DateSep 22, 2025

Short-term gains, long-term pains: Study reveals stock performance of SMEs after hybrid securities issuance in KOSDAQ market

This study investigates the stock performance of SMEs after hybrid securities issuance in the KOSDAQ market. Short-term gains are followed by long-term underperformance, with exchangeable bonds showing the most significant decline. Firm-specific characteristics play a critical role in determining performance outcomes.

SourceShanghai Jiao Tong University Journal Center·JournalChina Finance Review International·TypeNews article·DateSep 22, 2025

Severe obesity associated with reduced prevalence of recommended cancer screenings

A recent study published in JAMA Network Open found that individuals with severe obesity are less likely to receive recommended cancer screenings. The research analyzed data from over 2 million US adults and discovered a significant reduction in screening rates for certain types of cancer among those with a BMI of 50.0 or greater.

SourcePennington Biomedical Research Center·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 22, 2025

Research shows there are no easy fixes to political hatred

A massive meta-analysis of 25 previous studies found that efforts to reduce partisan animosity are largely ineffective, with superficial interventions improving feelings towards the other party by only 5.3%. The effects are fleeting, disappearing within one week, and even repeated interventions fail to produce lasting results.

SourceDartmouth College·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 22, 2025

Koala stress linked to disease threat

Researchers have found a clear relationship between koala stress and increased risk of disease, including Chlamydia. The study suggests that high KoRV loads may be weakening the immune system, making koalas more susceptible to diseases such as blindness and infertility.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalJournal of General Virology·TypeObservational study·DateSep 22, 2025

Beneath 300 kilometers: Natural evidence for nickel-rich alloys in the mantle

Researchers confirm nickel-rich metallic alloys in diamonds from South Africa's Voorspoed mine, revealing a 'redox-freezing' reaction between oxidized melts and reduced mantle rock. The study provides new insights into mantle dynamics and the formation of kimberlites, ocean island basalts, and volcanic magmas.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalNature Geoscience·TypeObservational study·DateSep 22, 2025

Heatwaves in US rivers increasing up to four times faster than air heatwaves

Rivers are experiencing a more rapid increase in frequency, duration and intensity of heatwaves than air, with periods of abnormally high water temperatures posing a threat to aquatic ecosystems, water quality and America's food supply and energy stability. The study found significant increases observed at 82% of sites, with critical t...

SourcePenn State·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 22, 2025

U-M quantum testbed enables remote experiments

Researchers at U-M have established a quantum testbed that links two labs with optical fibers, enabling remote quantum experiments and expanding access to quantum technology development. The testbed allows for the transfer of entangled light over long distances, revolutionizing communication, computing, and scientific discovery.

Virtual care expansion did not expand specialist access in rural areas

A study found that virtual care expansion in Ontario did not lead to a significant increase in specialists' practices in rural areas. Despite the widespread availability of virtual care and changes in remuneration, the researchers discovered that specialist physicians did not expand their reach to patients living at great distances.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·TypeObservational study·DateSep 22, 2025

A recipe from two eras: How conifers ward off their enemies

Researchers found that conifer resin contains a mix of ancient and recent diterpenes, which may aid in combating bark beetles. The team's genetic analysis revealed that some diterpenes originated 300 million years ago, while others developed more recently and independently in different tree species.

SourceMax Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 22, 2025

Snapdragon secrets

Researchers collect snapdragon flowers and leaves to study their genetic diversity, revealing how color genes keep two varieties distinct. In hybrid zones, magenta and yellow snapdragons blend, but bees prefer one over the other, reducing fitness and offspring.

SourceInstitute of Science and Technology Austria·JournalMolecular Ecology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 22, 2025

How packaging shapes GABA and lactic acid levels in broccoli rabe florets

A study reveals how packaging shapes the metabolism of organic broccoli rabe florets, leading to increased γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and lactic acid levels. The research found that low-oxygen conditions trigger a carbohydrate sink into GABA and LA pathways, offering insights for both quality preservation and consumer health.

Scientists call for urgent action to reduce children’s plastic exposure

A review of hundreds of studies found a link between childhood plastic exposure and long-term health concerns like heart disease, obesity, and asthma. Parents can take simple steps to limit their children's plastic exposure, such as replacing plastic containers with glass or stainless steel.

SourceNYU Langone Health / NYU Grossman School of Medicine·JournalThe Lancet Child & Adolescent Health·TypeLiterature review·DateSep 21, 2025

Eat your greens and skip the sugar spikes

Researchers found that consuming cruciferous vegetables improved glycaemic control and reduced sugar spike variability in non-diabetic adults with elevated blood pressure. The study suggests incorporating these vegetables into dietary recommendations for better blood sugar regulation.

SourceEdith Cowan University·JournalDiabetes Obesity and Metabolism·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateSep 21, 2025

Cardboard and earth reshape sustainable construction

Engineers at RMIT University have developed cardboard-confined rammed earth, a novel building material that uses locally sourced materials and reduces waste going to landfill. The material boasts one quarter of the carbon footprint of concrete and can be made on-site using cardboard formwork.

SourceRMIT University·JournalStructures·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 21, 2025

Less invasive brainwave recording breakthrough

Researchers at The University of Osaka have developed a minimally invasive method for recording brain activity through blood vessels, offering high-fidelity recordings without the risks associated with traditional invasive approaches. This breakthrough could transform the diagnosis and treatment of neurological conditions like epilepsy.

SourceThe University of Osaka·JournalAdvanced Intelligent Systems·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 21, 2025

Leopard shark sex tape: a scientific first

A University of the Sunshine Coast researcher has documented the world's first recorded and scientifically observed three-way mating between two male and one female leopard sharks. The video provides valuable insights into the species' natural mating behavior and informs conservation strategies.

SourceUniversity of the Sunshine Coast·JournalJournal of Ethology·TypeObservational study·DateSep 21, 2025

Deformable particles gradually home in microfluidic channels

A joint team from The University of Osaka revealed that soft particles exhibit unique focusing patterns compared to rigid particles, influencing their focusing behavior. The study provides fundamental insights into the underlying physics, offering a new theoretical model explaining particle behavior under various flow regimes.

SourceThe University of Osaka·JournalJournal of Fluid Mechanics·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 21, 2025

Scalable and sustainable chitosan/carbon nanotubes composite protective layer for dendrite‑free and long‑cycling aqueous zinc‑metal batteries

Researchers have developed a scalable and sustainable composite protective layer using chitosan and carbon nanotubes to prevent deadly dendrites in zinc batteries. The new material enables up to 3,000 hours of stable cycling and pushes energy efficiency over 99%.

SourceShanghai Jiao Tong University Journal Center·JournalNano-Micro Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 20, 2025

Comprehensive understanding of closed pores in hard carbon anode for high‑energy sodium‑ion batteries

Researchers have discovered that closed pores in hard carbon anodes can significantly increase the energy density and initial Coulombic efficiency of sodium-ion batteries. This breakthrough provides a new design paradigm for hard carbon anodes, enabling the creation of next-generation SIBs with higher energy, longer life, and lower cost.

SourceShanghai Jiao Tong University Journal Center·JournalNano-Micro Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 20, 2025

Improving question answering over building codes by evaluating retrievers and fine-tuning LLMs

Researchers developed a robust QA system using Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG) to answer queries on building codes. They found that Elasticsearch was the most effective retriever and fine-tuning Large Language Models (LLMs) significantly enhanced generational accuracy, achieving a 6.83% relative improvement in BERT F1-score.

SourceELSP·JournalSmart Construction·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 19, 2025

From the Atlantic to Asia: How an ocean thousands of miles away dictates rainfall on the Tibetan Plateau

A new study reveals that the North Atlantic Ocean's sea surface temperature dipole influences summer precipitation on the Tibetan Plateau through atmospheric teleconnection processes. This finding provides a new framework for understanding rainfall variability and has significant implications for climate risk management in the region.