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Antidepressants linked to faster cognitive decline in dementia

A new observational study suggests that antidepressants can accelerate cognitive decline in people with dementia, while certain medications appear to be less harmful. Researchers analyzed data from 18,740 patients and found that selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) were associated with the fastest cognitive decline.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalBMC Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 24, 2025

Machine learning drives "autonomous" control of particle accelerators

Researchers are using machine learning to enable autonomous control of particle accelerators, opening up new possibilities for commissioning and operating high-power accelerators. The technology has been successfully applied to the CAFe2 superconducting segment, achieving global trajectory adaptive control.

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience China Physics Mechanics and Astronomy·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 18, 2025

FAU Engineering designs new autonomous system to monitor Arctic’s melting ice

The FAU-designed autonomous observation platform system offers a comprehensive approach to studying the Arctic environment and monitoring the impact of melting sea ice. The system integrates with the environment it monitors, providing new data on Arctic Sea ice melt beyond what satellites and manned ships can provide.

SourceFlorida Atlantic University·JournalApplied Ocean Research·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateFeb 10, 2025

How does the atmosphere affect ocean weather?

A new study by scientists at the University of Rochester suggests that atmospheric wind has a surprising impact on ocean eddies, which are circular currents of water about 100 kilometers wide. The research reveals that wind can both energize and dampen eddies, depending on their spin direction.

SourceUniversity of Rochester·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 31, 2025

Journals publish Montana State ecologist’s studies on the effects of prey depletion on populations of large African carnivores

The studies, published in various journals, found that prey depletion has a significant impact on population dynamics of large African carnivores. In protected areas, lion populations have shown growth due to increased prey availability, while African wild dogs face challenges with low prey density and high competition from lions.

SourceMontana State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeObservational study·DateJan 28, 2025

In chimpanzees, peeing is contagious

A study on captive chimpanzees found that when one individual pees, others are more likely to follow, with lower-ranking individuals being more likely to pee in response. This suggests that urination patterns are influenced by social hierarchy, with a tendency for the behavior to 'flow down' the dominance structure.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·TypeObservational study·DateJan 20, 2025

Astronomers observe real-time formation of black hole jets for the first time

Astronomers have observed a phenomenon where a supermassive black hole forms plasma jets in real-time, marking the first-ever observation of this process. The discovery provides new insights into how black holes interact with their host galaxies and could help scientists understand the evolution of the universe.

SourceUniversity of Maryland Baltimore County·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·TypeObservational study·DateJan 16, 2025

The megadroughts are upon us

A 40-year study reveals increasingly common and devastating megadroughts worldwide, with significant impacts on ecosystems and agriculture. The research used global meteorological data to track changes in drought patterns and their effects on vegetation, providing insights into the paradoxical responses of different forest types.

SourceInstitute of Science and Technology Austria·JournalScience·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJan 16, 2025

New data on atmosphere from Earth to the edge of space

A team led by the University of Tokyo has created a nearly 20-year-long dataset of the entire atmosphere, enabling new research on previously difficult-to-study regions. The dataset spans multiple levels of the atmosphere from ground level to the lower edge of space and could improve climate modeling and seasonal weather forecasting.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalProgress in Earth and Planetary Science·DateJan 10, 2025

Breathing life into ancient texts: Unveiling Greco-Roman medicine through modern reenactments

A new study combines science and history to uncover new insights into Greco-Roman medical practices. Researchers recreated Galen's 2nd-century CE dissections, clarifying discrepancies in the text and shedding light on the enduring influence of ancient medicine on modern thought.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJan 7, 2025

International norms for adult handgrip strength: A systematic review of data on 2.4 million adults aged 20 to 100+ years from 69 countries and regions

A systematic review of data on 2.4 million adults from 69 countries established international norms for handgrip strength, ranking strength into five categories: low, somewhat low, moderate, somewhat high, and high. The new framework enables clinicians to identify people at risk of poor health and track changes in strength over time.

SourceJournal of Sport and Health Science·JournalJournal of Sport and Health Science·TypeSystematic review·DateDec 20, 2024

Unveiling a century of stress and deformation: Insights from Kīlauea Volcano’s 1975 earthquake

The study discovered significant alterations in the region's state of stress and deformation following the 1975 Kalapana earthquake. The researchers found that Kīlauea's south flank experienced greater displacement prior to the earthquake, pointing to changes in mechanical properties influencing seismic activity.

SourceUniversity of Hawaii at Manoa·JournalJournal of Geophysical Research Solid Earth·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateDec 2, 2024

Caregivers experience decline in well-being

A new study from the University of Zurich analyzed data from over 28,000 caregivers and found that longer caregiving periods lead to a consistent decline in life satisfaction, emotional health, and anxiety. Women were particularly vulnerable to these negative effects.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalPsychological Science·TypeSurvey·DateNov 27, 2024

Blue Monday

Researchers analyzed data from 1971 to 2019 and found that Mondays and New Year's Day were universally correlated with elevated suicide risk. In contrast, weekends and other public holidays varied by region, highlighting the importance of recognizing temporal fluctuations in risk for preventive actions.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalBMJ·TypeMeta-analysis·DateOct 30, 2024

Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander adults have third highest cardiovascular death rate in the U.S.

A nationwide mortality data study found Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander (NHPI) adults have the third highest cardiovascular death rate in the US, with approximately 40% of deaths attributed to coronary heart disease. The study highlights a need for focused interventions to promote cardiovascular health among NHPI adults.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·TypeNews article·DateOct 14, 2024

UTA study suggests simple steps may improve team ethics

A UT Arlington study suggests that speaking up is key to ethical decision-making in research groups. The researchers found that fostering an environment where everyone feels empowered to voice concerns can help prevent unethical behavior. An 'ethical champion' who steps up to speak out against potential issues was a common finding.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Arlington·JournalScience and Engineering Ethics·TypeObservational study·DateSep 30, 2024

Longer orbital repeats of satellite altimetry may provide better understanding of inland waters

Researchers found that satellite altimetry missions with longer orbital repeats can provide a clearer understanding of regional and global hydrological cycles. This is because these missions sample lakes several times more frequently, revealing broader perspectives on lake variations across entire regions.

SourceJournal of Remote Sensing·JournalJournal of Remote Sensing·TypeImaging analysis·DateSep 27, 2024

Atmospheric methane increase during pandemic due primarily to wetland flooding

A new analysis reveals that increased inundation and water storage in wetlands drove the record surge in atmospheric methane emissions from 2020 to 2022. Wetland microbes produce methane as they metabolize organic matter anaerobically, leading to a significant increase in release to the atmosphere.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 24, 2024

New study raises questions about validity of standard model of solar flares

A recent study tested the standard model of solar flares by comparing computer simulations with observational data from the McMath-Pierce telescope. The researchers found a significant delay in the paired chromospheric sources, which challenges the current energy transport mechanism by electron beam. This delay suggests that other fact...

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateSep 23, 2024

New study charts how Earth’s global temperature has drastically changed over the past 485 million years, driven by carbon dioxide

A new study reveals that Earth's surface temperature has varied more greatly over the past 485 million years than previously thought. The study, co-led by the Smithsonian and University of Arizona, confirms that carbon dioxide is strongly correlated with global temperatures across geological time.

SourceSmithsonian·JournalScience·TypeObservational study·DateSep 19, 2024