ScienceDaily: All - April 24, 2025
Today's top research news
Scientists trick the eye into seeing new color 'olo'
Scientists have created a new platform called 'Oz' that uses laser light to control up to 1,000 photoreceptors in the eye at once. Using Oz, the researchers showed people images, videos and a new, ultra-saturated shade of green that they have named 'olo.' The platform could be used to probe the nature of color vision and provide new insight into human sight and vision loss.
Clinical trials to test vaccine against Alzheimer's-promoting tau protein
Researchers hope to launch human clinical trials in their quest for a vaccine to prevent the buildup of pathological tau after demonstrating that this vaccine generated a robust immune response in both mice and non-human primates.
B cells found to be crucial for long-term vaccine protection, new study shows
Researchers have uncovered a critical, previously underappreciated role for B cells in vaccine protection. Best known for producing antibodies, B cells also guide other immune cells, specifically CD8 T cells, teaching them how to mount lasting defenses after vaccination.
New and surprising traction trait in sculpin fish
Researchers discovered tiny features on sculpins' fins which may enable them to cling firmly in harsh underwater environments.
Skeletal evidence of Roman gladiator bitten by lion in combat
Bite marks found on a skeleton discovered in a Roman cemetery in York have revealed the first archaeological evidence of gladiatorial combat between a human and a lion.
By 15 months, infants begin to learn new words for objects, even those they've never seen
A new study by developmental scientists offers the first evidence that infants as young as 15 months can identify an object they have learned about from listening to language -- even if the object remains hidden.
Hotter temps trigger wetlands to emit more methane as microbes struggle to keep up
In the soils of Earth's wetlands, microbes are in a tug-of-war to produce and consume the powerful greenhouse gas methane. But if the Earth gets too hot, it could tip the scale in favor of the methane producers, according to a new study. Scientists made the discovery as part of a futuristic climate experiment that raised carbon dioxide and temperature in a Maryland marsh.
ATP prevents harmful aggregation of proteins associated with Parkinson's and ALS
While a comprehensive cure-all to these neurological conditions is unlikely, scientists are making headway into understanding their fundamental characteristics with the hope of preventing or alleviating cognitive and motor impairments. Researchers have now discovered that ATP, which is most commonly thought of as the 'fuel' of our cells, plays a surprising role in relation to neurodegenerative diseases.
The antibiotic that takes the bite out of Lyme
Post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome may be driven by remnants of infection
Scientists believe they know what causes the treated infection to mimic chronic illness: the body may be responding to remnants of the bacteria that causes Lyme that tend to pool in the liver and joint fluid.
Engineering a robot that can jump 10 feet high -- without legs
Inspired by the movements of a tiny parasitic worm, engineers have created a 5-inch soft robot that can jump as high as a basketball hoop. Their device, a silicone rod with a carbon-fiber spine, can leap 10 feet high even though it doesn't have legs. The researchers made it after watching high-speed video of nematodes pinching themselves into odd shapes to fling themselves forward and backward.
Researchers identify pathway responsible for calciphylaxis, a rare and serious condition
The global burden of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is rising, with more than 800 million people affected worldwide. Vascular diseases in patients with CKD are unique and grouped as uremic vascular diseases. One of them, calciphylaxis, typically affects patients with end-stage, advanced kidney disease. It is a condition characterized by severe, painful and non-healing skin ulcers with no known cure. Researchers have now discovered a novel biological pathway, called the IL6 pathway, central to the skin lesion initiation and progression. Blocking this pathway they believe, will likely prevent progression of the skin ulcers and resolve the pain seen in patients with calciphylaxis.
FRESH bioprinting brings vascularized tissue one step closer
Using their novel FRESH 3D bioprinting technique, which allows for printing of soft living cells and tissues, a lab has built a tissue model entirely out of collagen.
Smart bandage clears new hurdle: Monitors chronic wounds in human patients
The iCares bandage uses innovative microfluidic components, sensors, and machine learning to sample and analyze wounds and provide data to help patients and caregivers make treatment decisions.
New precision mental health care approach for depression addresses unique patient needs
Psychologists have developed a precision treatment approach for depression that gives patients individualized recommendations based on multiple characteristics, such as age and gender.
Nature accounting in Colombia makes sound economic case for protecting native ecosystems
Paper shares innovative natural capital accounting approach to valuing the benefits of ecosystems in Colombia's Upper Sin Basin to key economic sectors.
Metabolic syndrome linked to increased risk of young-onset dementia
Having a larger waistline, high blood pressure and other risk factors that make up metabolic syndrome is associated with an increased risk of young-onset dementia, according to a new study. Young-onset dementia is diagnosed before the age of 65. The study does not prove that metabolic syndrome causes young-onset dementia, it only shows an association.
Scientists identify potential treatments for emerging zoonotic pathogens
A team of biomedical researchers trained a machine learning algorithm to identify more than two dozen viable treatments for diseases caused by zoonotic pathogens that can jump from animal hosts to infect humans. Scientists used Rhodium software to study bat-borne Nipah and Hendra henipaviruses, which are endemic to some parts of the world and cause particularly lethal infections in humans.
'Periodic table of machine learning' could fuel AI discovery
After uncovering a unifying algorithm that links more than 20 common machine-learning approaches, researchers organized them into a 'periodic table of machine learning' that can help scientists combine elements of different methods to improve algorithms or create new ones.
The link between proximity to greenspace -- including trees and parks-- and healthy birth outcomes is well established. Now new data adds to our understanding of these health benefits, accounting for other factors that may influence this link, such as education, income and body mass index, but also taking the body of knowledge a step further by exploring the effect of residing near newly planted trees.
Link between heart attack severity and circadian rhythm unveiled
The molecular mechanism behind why heart attacks can vary in severity depending on the time of day has been uncovered, potentially paving the way for innovative treatments that align with the natural circadian rhythm.
Engineer reinvents ceramics with origami-inspired 3D printing
In a breakthrough that blends ancient design with modern materials science, researchers have developed a new class of ceramic structures that can bend under pressure -- without breaking.
Childhood exposure to bacterial toxin may be triggering colorectal cancer epidemic among the young
An international team has identified a potential microbial culprit behind the alarming rise in early-onset colorectal cancer: a bacterial toxin called colibactin. Scientists report that exposure to colibactin in early childhood imprints a distinct genetic signature on the DNA of colon cells -- one that may increase the risk of developing colorectal cancer before the age of 50.
Micro-nano-plastics found in artery-clogging plaque in the neck
A small study found that fatty buildup in the blood vessels of the neck (carotid arteries) may contain 50 times or more micronanoplastics -- minuscule bits of plastic -- compared to arteries free of plaque buildup.
Innovative approaches advance search for ice on the moon
Scientists and space explorers have been on the hunt to determine where and how much ice is present on the Moon. Water ice would be an important resource at a future lunar base, as it could be used to support humans or be broken down to hydrogen and oxygen, key components of rocket fuel. Researchers are now using two innovative approaches to advance the search for ice on the Moon.
Family dynamics shape body image differently across cultures
Body appreciation differs between Middle-Eastern and Western societies, a new international study can reveal, highlighting how cultural and family influences shape body image and eating behaviors in young women. The study surveyed over 850 women aged 18-25 in Australia and Lebanon, examining the roles that mothers and sisters play in shaping body dissatisfaction, body appreciation, and eating patterns.
Crystal clear design for high-performance flexible thermoelectric semiconductor
Researchers have identified a new material which could be used as a flexible semiconductor in wearable devices by using a technique that focuses on the manipulation of spaces between atoms in crystals.
World on course to trigger multiple climate 'tipping points' unless action accelerates
Multiple climate 'tipping points' are likely to be triggered if global policies stay on their current course, new research shows.
Hyperbaric oxygen treatment provide long-term relief for radiation-induced injuries
Hyperbaric oxygen treatment provides long-term relief for patients suffering from late radiation-induced injuries after treatment of cancer in the lower abdominal area. Five years after hyperbaric oxygen therapy, the positive effects remain.
Empathy might be retained in Alzheimer's disease
People with Alzheimer's disease may retain their ability to empathize, despite declines in other social abilities, finds a new study.
New cells in connective tissue open up strategy against pancreatic cancer
Researchers have discovered a previously unknown type of connective tissue cells that surround cancer cells in pancreatic tumors. The newly discovered cells counteract tumor development and may therefore be a target for research into new treatments for pancreatic cancer, which is one of the deadliest forms of cancer.
Why are Patagonian glaciers rapidly losing mass?
Over the past two decades, satellite-based planetary observations have recorded rapid mass loss of Patagonian glaciers, contributing approximately 0.07 mm per year to global sea-level rise. A study links this mass loss to a poleward shift of subtropical high-pressure systems. This large-scale atmospheric circulation change brings more warm air to Patagonia, thereby accelerating glacier melt.
New porous crystal catalyst offers durable, efficient solution for clean hydrogen production
A new catalyst structure offers a potential pathway toward more cost-effective hydrogen production via water electrolysis. The material centers on mesoporous single-crystalline Co3O4 doped with atomically dispersed iridium (Ir), designed for the acidic oxygen evolution reaction (OER).
Current AI risks more alarming than apocalyptic future scenarios
Most people generally are more concerned about the immediate risks of artificial intelligence than they are about a theoretical future in which AI threatens humanity. A new study reveals that respondents draw clear distinctions between abstract scenarios and specific tangible problems and particularly take the latter very seriously.
A research team has developed an innovative single-step laser printing technique to accelerate the manufacturing of lithium-sulfur batteries. Integrating the commonly time-consuming active materials synthesis and cathode preparation in a nanosecond-scale laser-induced conversion process, this technique is set to revolutionize the future industrial production of printable electrochemical energy storage devices.
Engineers print synthetic 'metamaterials' that are both strong and stretchy
Engineers have fabricated a metamaterial that is not only strong but also stretchy. Their new method could enable stretchable ceramics, glass, and metals, for tear-proof textiles or stretchy semiconductors.
Bacteria killing material creates superbug busting paint
A bacteria killing coating created by scientists has been used in trials of a new paint that can be applied to a range of surfaces to effectively kill bacteria and viruses, including difficult to kill species such as MRSA, flu and COVID-19.
What rattlesnake venom can teach us about evolution: New USF study
A new study found that some rattlesnakes are producing simpler venoms containing fewer and more focused toxin families than complex venoms -- a surprising discovery that challenges long-held ideas about how living alongside a variety of other species influences evolution in a world increasingly shaped by human activity.
Some protective resin coatings may damage metal artifacts
Conservators and museum technicians protect precious archaeological metal objects, such as tools and weapons, with clear coatings, leaving preserved and unobstructed views of these detailed treasures. However, researchers have reported that some of the resins used for these coatings react with iron-containing metals and can cause damage. The team developed a non-invasive fluorescence imaging strategy that reveals early signs of these damaging chemical reactions and confirmed its utility on ancient artifacts.
Scientists have found a way to 'tattoo' tardigrades
If you haven't heard of a tardigrade before, prepare to be wowed. These clumsy, eight-legged creatures, nicknamed water bears, are about half a millimeter long and can survive practically anything: freezing temperatures, near starvation, high pressure, radiation exposure, outer space and more. Researchers took advantage of the tardigrade's nearly indestructible nature and gave the critters tiny 'tattoos' to test a microfabrication technique to build microscopic, biocompatible devices.
Toxic blooms in motion: Researchers map algae patterns in Lake Okeechobee, Florida
Florida's Lake Okeechobee is essential for water management but faces harmful algal blooms, which thrive in warm, nutrient-rich waters. Daily vertical migration enables them to survive in turbid conditions. A new study using a physical-biogeochemical model reveals that cyanobacteria move toward the surface for sunlight in the morning, boosting growth, and are redistributed by wind and mixing at night. This daily migration, combined with temperature and wind patterns, influences bloom development, offering insights to better monitor and manage harmful algal blooms.
Statin use may improve survival in patients with some blood cancers
Patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) or small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) who were taking cholesterol-lowering statin medications at the start of their cancer treatment had a 61% lower risk of dying from their cancer compared to similar patients who were not taking statins, according to a new study.
Scientific path to recouping the costs of climate change
A new study lays out a scientific framework for holding individual fossil fuel companies liable for the costs of climate change by tracing specific damages back to their emissions. The researchers use the tool to provide the first causal estimate of economic losses due to extreme heat driven by emissions. They report that carbon dioxide and methane output from just 111 companies cost the world economy $28 trillion from 1991 to 2020, with the five top-emitting firms linked to $9 trillion of those losses.
Scientists believe that the motion of Earth's continents through plate tectonics has been largely steady over millions of years. New research, however, suggests this drift can speed up or slow down over relatively short time periods.
Parts of our DNA may evolve much faster than previously thought
A team of researchers has used advanced DNA sequencing to develop the most comprehensive atlas yet of genetic change through generations, laying the foundations for new insights into the roots of human disease and evolution.
Psychedelics can reverse neuroimmune interactions that boost fear
A new study suggests that fear and the immune system are connected in previously unknown ways. Researchers found that the immune system can influence stress and fear behaviors by changing how brain cells communicate.
New electronic 'skin' could enable lightweight night-vision glasses
Engineers developed a technique to grow and peel ultrathin 'skins' of electronic material that could be used in applications such as night-vision eyewear and autonomous driving in foggy conditions.
New model predicts a chemical reaction's point of no return
Researchers developed a machine-learning model that can predict the structures of transition states of chemical reactions in less than a second, with high accuracy. Their model could make it easier for chemists to design reactions that could generate a variety of useful compounds, such as pharmaceuticals or fuels.
Material? Robot? It's a metabot
The invention is a metamaterial, which is a material engineered to feature new and unusual properties that depend on the material's physical structure rather than its chemical composition. In this case, the researchers built their metamaterial using a combination of simple plastics and custom-made magnetic composites. Using a magnetic field, the researchers changed the metamaterial's structure, causing it to expand, move and deform in different directions, all remotely without touching the metamaterial.
How DNA self-organizes in the early embryo
An international research team has provided a detailed insight into how the spatial organization of genetic material is established in the cell nucleus of early embryos within the first hours after fertilization. Surprisingly, embryos demonstrate a high degree of flexibility in responding to disruptions in this process. The study reveals that no single master regulator controls this nuclear organization. Instead, multiple redundant mechanisms ensure a robust and adaptable nuclear architecture, allowing embryos to correct errors in the initial organization of their nucleus.
Remembering the cold: Scientists discover how memories control metabolism
New multidisciplinary research shows that the brain forms memories of cold experiences and uses them to control our metabolism. The study shows that cold memories form in the brain -- and map out how they subsequently drive thermoregulation. The discovery may have important applications in therapies designed to treat a range of disorders -- from obesity to cancer -- in which thermoregulation and metabolism (or a lack of control in this area) plays a role, as well as opening the door to more fundamental research, which could help us better understand how memories impact our behavior and emotions.
Phoenician culture spread mainly through cultural exchange
Ancient DNA analysis challenges our understanding of the ancient Phoenician-Punic civilization. An international team of researchers analyzing genome-wide data from 210 ancient individuals has found that Levantine Phoenician towns contributed little genetically to Punic populations in the central and western Mediterranean despite their deep cultural, economic, and linguistic connections.
DNA origami guides new possibilities in the fight against pancreatic cancer
One of the challenges of fighting pancreatic cancer is finding ways to penetrate the organ's dense tissue to define the margins between malignant and normal tissue. A new study uses DNA origami structures to selectively deliver fluorescent imaging agents to pancreatic cancer cells without affecting normal cells. The study, led by mechanical science and engineering professors found that specially engineered DNA origami structures carrying imaging dye packets can specifically target human KRAS mutant cancer cells, which are present in 95% of pancreatic cancer cases.
E-I-E-I-Omics: New discoveries in corn genetics could help grow more productive, resilient crops
By analyzing DNA from different cells in nearly 200 lines of maize plants, research has revealed insights that could help growers better adapt their crops to a fast-changing environment.