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Science News Archive September 2025 - Page 36


Page 36 of 54

Digging into the origin of lizards

A 242-million-year-old fossil from Devon has provided new insights into the origins of lizards, snakes, and their tuatara relatives. The discovery shows that early lepidosaurs had surprisingly large triangular-shaped teeth, unlike modern lizards and snakes.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalNature·TypeImaging analysis·DateSep 10, 2025

From Miami to Berlin: a stowaway rat reveals hidden global health risks

A rat discovered on a flight from Miami to Berlin revealed hidden global health risks, including the presence of a methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus strain nearly identical to human variants. The study highlights the importance of standardized pathogen screening for animal stowaways and rats as indicators of ecosystem health.

SourceGerman Center for Infection Research·JournalScientific Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 10, 2025

Cooperation and competition: How fetal and maternal cells evolved to work together

Researchers reexamined the genetic conflict in the maternal-fetal interface, finding a delicate balance of cooperation and competition that ensures successful pregnancy. The study sheds light on pregnancy complications like placenta accreta and preeclampsia, and may have broader implications for cancer metastasis.

SourceUniversity of Connecticut·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 10, 2025

Could robots help kids conquer reading anxiety? New study from the Department of Computer Science at UChicago suggests so

A new study from the University of Chicago found that children experience less anxiety when reading aloud to a robot than to a human adult. The robot's calming influence helped children feel more comfortable making mistakes, creating a more encouraging environment for building their reading skills. While there were no substantial diffe...

SourceUniversity of Chicago·JournalScience Robotics·DateSep 10, 2025

Rising heat waves tied to fossil fuel and cement production

Research by ETH Zurich reveals human-induced climate change has increased extreme heat wave frequency and severity, with fossil fuel and cement production contributing significantly. The study highlights the responsibility of large carbon emitters, such as oil and gas companies, in exacerbating heat waves.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature·TypeSystematic review·DateSep 10, 2025

Study: Some Chicago clubs use racist tactics to discourage Black patrons

A new study by researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign found that some Chicago clubs charge Black patrons more for drinks compared to white patrons. The study used pairs of similarly dressed Black and white men to test pricing practices at 30 nightclubs in a central nightlife district.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalSocius Sociological Research for a Dynamic World·TypeObservational study·DateSep 10, 2025

Study suggests a novel approach for building communication and social connection among individuals with autism spectrum disorder

A new study published in Biological Psychiatry found that individuals with similar levels of autistic traits are more attracted to each other and their brains synchronize in unique ways during passive and active communication. This suggests a novel approach for building social connection among people with autism by tailoring environments.

SourceElsevier·JournalBiological Psychiatry·TypeImaging analysis·DateSep 10, 2025

Designing metal phosphide solid‑electrolyte interphase for stable lithium metal batteries through electrified interface optimization and synergistic conversion

A novel strategy is developed to stabilize lithium metal anodes using a heterostructured metal phosphide modulation layer, addressing challenges such as dendrite growth and unstable interfaces. This innovation opens a pathway towards practical high-energy and safe lithium metal batteries.

SourceShanghai Jiao Tong University Journal Center·JournalNano-Micro Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 10, 2025

New research uncovers link between perfectionism and pain

A new study published in Psychology and Health journal found that individuals with chronic pain experience higher levels of perfectionism and lower levels of self-compassion. Researchers suggest that increasing self-compassion and addressing perfectionistic tendencies may be beneficial for managing chronic pain.

SourceMurdoch University·JournalPsychology and Health·TypeObservational study·DateSep 10, 2025

How micronutrients have shaped human DNA

Researchers found genetic adaptations in response to micronutrient shortages and surpluses, particularly in regions with iodine-poor soils. The study provides insights into the impact of micronutrient availability on human evolution, highlighting potential vulnerabilities to deficiencies as climate change affects soil nutrient levels.

SourceCell Press·JournalThe American Journal of Human Genetics·TypeObservational study·DateSep 10, 2025

Study links teacher turnover to higher rates of student suspensions, disciplinary referrals

Researchers analyzed NYC public school data and found a statistically significant relationship between teacher turnover rates and student suspensions, ODRs, with Black students disproportionately affected. Disruption from teacher departures also disrupts existing relationships and contextual knowledge.

SourceNew York University·JournalAmerican Journal of Education·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 10, 2025

Equipping artificial intelligence with the lense of evolution

Researchers at Ruhr-University Bochum develop AI approach that utilizes phylogenetic trees to identify patterns in genetic and other data. This method enables AI to recognize evolutionarily informed features across various data types, including genomic, phenomic, and image data.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalComputational and Structural Biotechnology Journal·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 10, 2025

New research in JNCCN offers a simplified way to identify harmful medications in older adults with cancer

Researchers evaluated a tool based on NCCN Guidelines to identify high-risk medications and their association with frailty and outcomes in over 380,000 older adults diagnosed with cancer. The study found that each additional high-risk medication increased the odds of being mildly or moderately-to-severely frail by 66%.

SourceNational Comprehensive Cancer Network·JournalJournal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network·DateSep 10, 2025

Built to learn: how early brain structure primes the brain to learn efficiently

Scientists have discovered key circuit changes that lead to the maturation of reliable brain activity patterns in response to visual experience. The findings suggest that the brain develops a modular organization, with patches of neurons activating together in response to specific features, allowing for efficient learning and adaptation.

SourceMax Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience·JournalNeuron·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 10, 2025

Media imagery of home care reinforces the narrative of older adults as a burden

A recent study analyzed newspaper images of home care in Finland, finding that they often portray older clients as passive and lonely, while care workers are depicted as active. The study's findings highlight the need to critically assess media imagery and its impact on perceptions and decision-making related to home care.

SourceUniversity of Eastern Finland·JournalInternational Journal of Ageing and Later Life·DateSep 10, 2025

Phage research: Hacked!

Researchers develop RNA-based molecular tool to interfere with phage replication, allowing for targeted therapy against bacterial pathogens. The approach has potential applications in treating infections caused by hospital germs like Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

SourceHelmholtz Centre for Infection Research·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 10, 2025

Plasmonic-chip technology opens a new paradigm in RTWO chip design

Researchers developed a plasmonic meta-RTWO with ultrahigh phase accuracy and figure of merit (FOM), overcoming traditional designs' limitations. The technology enables applications such as real-time calibration of antenna arrays in 6G massive MIMO systems and subpicosecond synchronization for terahertz quantum communication.

Lung cancer rewires immune cells in the bone marrow to weaken body’s defenses

Researchers found that lung tumors reshape immune cells in the bone marrow before they reach the cancer, altering their function and leading to a stronger anti-cancer response. The study identified NRF2 as a key protein involved in this process and proposed blocking it as a potential strategy to enhance immunotherapy.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 10, 2025

Sensitive skin and hyperpigmentation? New network map reveals why irritation turns into pigmentation prevention-therapy roadmap

A new network map study has identified the crucial roles of immune-mediated inflammation and tyrosinase in hyperpigmentation on sensitive skin. Oxyresveratrol was found to suppress melanin production in B16F10 cells, suggesting its potential as a treatment for hyperpigmentation.

SourceJournal of Dermatologic Science and Cosmetic Technology·JournalJournal of Dermatologic Science and Cosmetic Technology·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 10, 2025

Repurposing a diabetes medication to prime CAR T cancer targets

UCSF researchers develop a new strategy to prime CAR T cell therapy by combining it with diabetes drugs, increasing the efficacy of NECTIN4-CAR T cells in treating urothelial carcinoma. The study shows that using thiazolidinediones enhances NECTIN4 expression, making tumor cells more susceptible to the treatment.

SourceUniversity of California San Francisco Medical Center·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 10, 2025

Ringing black hole confirms Einstein and Hawking’s predictions

A newly detected black hole merger has provided the clearest evidence yet of how black holes work, confirming fundamental predictions by Albert Einstein and Stephen Hawking. The observations reveal insights into the properties of black holes and the nature of space-time, hinting at how quantum physics and general relativity fit together.

SourceSimons Foundation·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateSep 10, 2025

Expanding the use of minimally invasive surgery in rural areas may help reduce rural-urban disparities

Researchers analyzed data from 33,183 individuals and found that minimally invasive approach was associated with lower complication risks compared to open surgery. This study suggests that expanded use of minimally invasive surgery in rural areas may help bridge the gap between rural and urban patients with colon cancer.

SourceAmerican College of Surgeons·JournalJournal of the American College of Surgeons·DateSep 10, 2025

Bioengineered lymph nodes offer window into human immunity

Researchers at NUS have developed a bioengineering approach to keep human lymph node tissue alive and functioning outside the body for several days. The method involves embedding thin slices of lymph node tissue in a soft gel that mimics the body's natural environment, allowing for detailed studies of immune cell behavior.

SourceNational University of Singapore College of Design and Engineering·JournalTrends in Biotechnology·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 10, 2025