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American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)


Laws restricting abortion have ethical, legal and practical impacts for research on people who may become pregnant

Research on pregnant individuals faces challenges due to restrictive abortion laws, which can expose participants to health risks or compromise informed consent. Researchers must consider provisions for safe abortion access and explicit informed consent documents to advance scientific knowledge.

Reversing age-related taurine loss via supplementation improves mouse longevity and monkey health

Researchers found that taurine deficiency contributes to aging-related disorders in animals. Taurine supplementation increased median lifespan by 10-23% and improved muscle strength, coordination, and cognitive functions in mice. Human clinical trials are necessary to confirm its benefits and potential risks.

Autonomous realignment and self-healing in multilayer soft electronic devices

Researchers have developed a new method for achieving autonomous realignment and self-healing in multilayered soft electronic devices. The approach enables functional recovery of damaged devices to 96% of their initial capacitance after mechanical damage, with potential applications in soft robots and underwater circuits.

International pandemic governance need not prioritize compliance and sanctions

Expert authors suggest a holistic approach to understanding compliance, considering legal and institutional aspects to generate trust among member states. They argue against one-size-fits-all solutions and formal sanctioning power, proposing a more nuanced approach to ensure effective pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response.

Combining data types refines grasp of French Canadian ancestry in Quebec, revealing how local topographies influenced relatedness, and more

Researchers analyzed a comprehensive dataset from Catholic parish records and genotype data to reveal how local topographies influenced French Canadian relatedness. They found that geographic features, particularly river networks, shaped Quebec's population structure and contributed significantly to the French Canadian gene pool.

*Free* Ancient DNA reveals population continuity in pre-Hispanic central Mexico

A new study using ancient DNA from northern and central Mexico reveals population continuity despite drastic environmental change, providing new insights into the region's demographic history. The research also identifies two 'ghost' populations contributing to pre-Hispanic populations, revealing a complex demographic landscape.

Social-belonging intervention promotes college success, increasing proportion of students who complete first year

A randomized controlled experiment involving 26,911 students at 22 diverse U.S. universities found that a low-cost online social-belonging intervention increased the rate of students completing their first year as full-time students, particularly among historically underrepresented groups. The study demonstrates the efficacy of this in...

In yeast, altering genetic circuitry that controls how an aging cell dies enhances longevity

Researchers engineered a synthetic gene oscillator in yeast cells, manipulating the expression of two transcriptional regulators to create sustained oscillations between cellular degeneration states. This delay enhances lifespan by 82%, offering a proof-of-concept for using synthetic biology to reprogram cellular aging. The findings ma...

*Free* Zoonomia Project: Genomes from 240 mammalian species explain human disease risks, uncommon mammalian traits, and beyond

The Zoonomia Project has cataloged the diversity in the genomes of 240 mammalian species, providing insights into human health and disease. The research identifies regions of the human genome that have remained unchanged for millions of years and reveals genetic variants linked to rare and common diseases.

East African grassy woodlands appeared 10 million years earlier than thought, influencing hominoid evolution

Scientists discovered that savannah grasses existed in East Africa over 21 million years ago, transforming the landscape and driving skeletal adaptations in early hominoids. This finding challenges a longstanding theory and supports the idea that C4 grasses led to open landscapes that promoted hominoid evolution.

*Free* JWST imaging and spectroscopy of compact galaxy at redshift 9.5 determine some of its physical properties

A recent study using JWST observations of a compact galaxy at redshift 9.5 has provided insights into its physical properties. The analysis reveals that the galaxy has a remarkably small radius of 16.2 parsecs, suggesting high density star formation and an abundance of oxygen and hydrogen.

Implant treats dangerously low blood pressure in people with spinal cord injury

Researchers developed an implant that delivers electrical stimulation to specific spinal neurons to treat dangerously low blood pressure in people with spinal cord injuries. The treatment, called the neuroprosthetic baroreflex, has shown promise in clinical trials and could be used in hospitals and at home to monitor blood pressure.