ScienceDaily: All - February 05, 2025
Today's top research news
Pickleball program boosts health and wellness for cancer survivors
A new community-based pickleball program called Project Rally is helping cancer survivors improve their physical and social well-being, according to a recent pilot study. The program has shown strong results in terms of participation, enjoyment, and physical improvements.
Coal emissions cost India millions in crop damages
New research shows grain yields critical to India's food security are dragged down 10% or more in many parts of the country by nitrogen dioxide pollution from power stations that run on coal. Economic losses from crop damages exceed $800 million per year.
Forest landowner motivation to control invasive species depends on land use, study shows
Many U.S. forests are privately owned, particularly in the Eastern and North Central part of the country. This makes control of invasive plants and pests challenging because efforts must be coordinated across landowners. A new study explores how differences in ownership motivation affects willingness to control, and how economic incentives can be implemented most efficiently.
New record for CIGS perovskite tandem solar cells
Combining two semiconductor thin films into a tandem solar cell can achieve high efficiencies with a minimal environmental footprint. Teams have now presented a CIGS-perovskite tandem cell that sets a new world record with an efficiency of 24.6%, certified by an independent body.
Climate change is overhauling marine nutrient cycles
Computer models reveal how human-driven climate change will dramatically overhaul critical nutrient cycles in the ocean. Researchers report evidence that marine nutrient cycles -- essential for sustaining ocean ecosystems -- are changing in unexpected ways as the planet continues to warm.
Outside-in signaling shows a route into cancer cells
A new study shows how an anticancer drug triggers an 'outside in' signal that gets it sucked into a cancer cell. The work reveals a new signaling mechanism that could be exploited for delivering other drugs.
How Sudan virus binds to human cells
The Sudan virus, a close relative of Ebola, has a fatality rate of 50% but remains poorly understood in terms of how it infects cells. Currently, no approved treatments exist. To address this critical gap in pandemic preparedness, researchers investigated how this deadly virus attaches to human cells.
Why your headphone battery doesn't last
Engineers took on the well-known battery challenge of degradation in a real-world technology that many of us use daily: wireless earbuds.
New drug shows promise in reversing memory loss for early Alzheimer's patients
A paradigm-shifting study shows an experimental drug, GL-II-73, has the potential to restore memory and cognitive function in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. The study demonstrates that the drug improves memory deficits and reverses brain cell damage, offering hope for improving cognitive functioning, delaying Alzheimer's progression, and potentially preventing some of the brain damages associated with the disease.
How healthy stem cells turn into oral cancer
Researchers have identified the molecular and cellular mechanisms that transform healthy stem cells into oral cancer at the earliest stages of the disease.
Lab findings support the concept that reducing neuroinflammation could help fight Alzheimer's
Scientists provide new evidence that preventing brain inflammation is a promising approach for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Their findings, based on studies in cell culture, mice and tissue samples from patients, may contribute to the development of more effective therapies.
Why do plants transport energy so efficiently and quickly?
Photosynthesis -- mainly carried out by plants -- is based on a remarkably efficient energy conversion process. To generate chemical energy, sunlight must first be captured and transported further. This happens practically loss-free and extremely quickly. A new study shows that quantum mechanical effects play a key role in this process.
New study model with clues to anti-aging
Scientists have created genetically-engineered mice that could help accelerate anti-aging research.
Scientists develop groundbreaking biosensor for rare earth element detection
Synthetic biologists have developed a prototype for an innovative biosensor that can detect rare earth elements and be modified for a range of other applications.
AI-driven performance prediction model to advance space electric propulsion technology?
A research team presents an AI assessor for Hall-effect ion thrusters, the engines of satellites and space probes.
Scientists identify Alzheimer's disease-protective genetic factors and unravel disease mechanisms
An international research team has identified key genetic factors that confer protective effects against Alzheimer's disease (AD) through a comprehensive genetic analysis of East Asian populations, including Chinese and Japanese, as well as European populations. This groundbreaking discovery sheds light on how these genetic factors can exert protective effects, unveiling the biological mechanisms underlying AD pathogenesis.
Omega-3s can slow down aging process
A daily intake of one gram of omega-3s can slow down biological aging by up to four months, according to an analysis of clinical data from the international DO-HEALTH study. For the first time, epigenetic clocks were used to measure the aging process.
Quantum machine offers peek into 'dance' of cosmic bubbles
Physicists have performed a groundbreaking simulation they say sheds new light on an elusive phenomenon that could determine the ultimate fate of the Universe.
How hungry fat cells could someday starve cancer to death
Liposuction and plastic surgery aren't often mentioned in the same breath as cancer. But they are the inspiration for a new approach to treating cancer that uses engineered fat cells to deprive tumors of nutrition. Researchers at UC San Francisco used the gene editing technology CRISPR to turn ordinary white fat cells into 'beige' fat cells, which voraciously consume calories to make heat.
Research discovery halts childhood brain tumor before it forms
A research team has identified a critical event driving tumor growth in a type of medulloblastoma -- and a way to block it.
Scientists want to throw a wrench in the gears of cancer's growth
For decades, scientists have tried to stop cancer by disabling the mutated proteins that are found in tumors. But many cancers manage to overcome this and continue growing. Now, scientists think they can throw a wrench into the fabrication of a key growth-related protein, MYC, that escalates wildly in 70% of all cancers. Unlike some other targets of cancer therapies, MYC can be dangerous simply due to its abundance.
Disrupted recycling of proteins found to damage heart health
A new study has identified an enzyme that plays an important role in breaking down unneeded or damaged proteins in the heart -- an important process for maintaining heart health.
Globetrotting not in the genes
Painted lady butterflies are world travelers. The ones we encounter in Europe fly from Africa to Sweden, ultimately returning to areas north and south of the Sahara. But what determines whether some butterflies travel long distances while others travel short distances? Scientists show that the different migration strategies are shaped by environmental conditions rather than being encoded in the butterfly's DNA.
Partnership working key to unlocking EV battery recycling problem
Recyclers, battery manufacturers, and electric vehicle manufacturers must work together to revolutionize lithium-ion battery (LIB) recycling processes to meet ever-growing demand for electric vehicles (EVs) and energy storage systems.
Maternal stress could leave epigenetic imprints on genes in the placenta associated with cortisol -- a necessary hormone for fetal development -- and this would affect the baby's development from very early stages. The study suggests that a mother's emotional wellbeing during pregnancy is not only important for her, but could also influence the future health of her baby.
All in the eyes: High resolution retinal maps aid disease diagnoses
Researchers have conducted one of the largest eye studies in the world to reveal new insights into retinal thickness, highlighting its potential in the early detection of diseases like type 2 diabetes, dementia and multiple sclerosis.
Spinning neutron star gains enormous magnetic fields
An international team of scientists have modelled formation and evolution of strongest magnetic fields in the Universe.
Yo-yo dieting may significantly increase kidney disease risk in people with type 1 diabetes
Body-weight cycling (also known as yo-yo dieting) has been shown to significantly increase the risk of kidney disease in people with type 1 diabetes, regardless of body mass index (BMI) and other traditional risk factors, according to a new study.
Wobbling stars reveal hidden companions in Gaia data
Using data from the European Space Agency's Gaia mission, scientists have found a huge exoplanet and a brown dwarf. This is the first time a planet has been uniquely discovered by Gaia's ability to sense the gravitational tug or 'wobble' the planet induces on a star. Both the planet and brown dwarf are orbiting low-mass stars, a scenario thought to be extremely rare.
What's the best way to organize people to generate ideas? New research offers insight
Is it better to work in large groups? Smaller ones? With other people who are similar or different? New research offers insight into these questions -- and some of the results are not what you'd expect.
Nanomaterials are emerging as a powerful tool for coastal oil spill cleanup
Advances in nanotechnology may provide solutions to oil spill cleanups in coastal regions that are more effective, safer and work much faster than current methods, according to a new paper. The paper synthesizes, reviews and analyzes between 40 and 50 studies on the subject to provide a big-picture look of the status of nanotechnologies in coastal oil spill response. The researchers also present their own suggestions and identifying research gaps between using nanomaterials in the lab and how they can be used in real-world applications.
Half a degree further rise in global warming will triple area of Earth too hot for humans
New assessment warns area the size of the USA will become too hot during extreme heat events for even healthy young humans to maintain a safe body temperature if we hit 2 degrees Celsuis above preindustrial levels. For those aged over 60, the same 2 degree rise would see more than a third of the planet's land mass cross this critical 'overheating' threshold.
Listening for multiple mental health disorders
Researchers develop machine learning tools that screen for co-morbid anxiety disorders and major depressive disorder using acoustic voice signals. The team spoke to participants with and without co-morbid AD/MDD and recorded them using a secure telehealth platform. The participants were given a semantic verbal fluency test, in which they were required to name as many animals as possible within a time limit. The team extracted acoustic and phonemic features from the recordings and applied machine learning technique to distinguish subjects with and without comorbid AD/MDD. The results confirmed that a one-minute semantic VFT can be reliably used to screen for AD/MDD.
New device uses electrically assisted wind to fight fires
Researchers have developed a new portable tool that could improve how firefighters douse fires, making the process more efficient and far less risky.
Straight shot: Hubble investigates galaxy with nine rings
NASA's Hubble Space Telescope has captured a cosmic bullseye! The gargantuan galaxy LEDA 1313424 is rippling with nine star-filled rings after an 'arrow' -- a far smaller blue dwarf galaxy -- shot through its heart. Astronomers using Hubble identified eight visible rings, more than previously detected by any telescope in any galaxy, and confirmed a ninth using data from the W. M. Keck Observatory in Hawaii. Previous observations of other galaxies show a maximum of two or three rings.
Meditation induces changes in deep brain areas associated with memory and emotional regulation
Findings provide insight about its potential as a noninvasive therapy.
Music can touch the heart, even inside the womb
Researchers have used mathematical analysis tools to study the effect of classical music on a fetal heartbeat and identify patterns in heart rate variability. They recruited 36 pregnant women and played two classical pieces for their fetuses. By attaching external heart rate monitors, the researchers could measure the fetal heart rate response to both songs, and by employing nonlinear recurrence quantification analysis, they could identify changes in heart rate variability during and after the music was played. They found evidence music can calm fetal heart rates, potentially providing developmental benefits.
New study assesses impact of agricultural research investments on biodiversity, land use
New, groundbreaking research shows how, at a local scale, agricultural research and development led to improved crop varieties that resulted in global benefits to the environment and food system sustainability.
Discovery of water droplet freezing bridges atmospheric science, climate solutions
A groundbreaking study on the freezing of water droplets suspended in air sheds light on a key process in Earth's water cycle: the transformation of supercooled water into ice.
New research on ancient life found in Yellowstone hot springs
New work offers insight into how early life adapted from a low-oxygen atmosphere to the one that exists today.
Self-assembling cerebral blood vessels: A breakthrough in Alzheimer's treatment
A new platform for studying neuroinflammatory diseases, utilizing advanced 3D bioprinting technology has been developed.
Positive emotions plus deep sleep equals longer-lasting perceptual memories
Researchers have uncovered how perceptual memories linked to positive emotions, such as joy or happiness, are strengthened during sleep. The study could help scientists understand the neurological basis for overcoming conditions like drug addiction.
The cost of preventing extinction of Australia's priority species
A new study has estimated it would cost $15.6 billion per year for 30 years to prevent extinction for 99 of Australia's priority species. The research highlights the urgent need for increased funding to combat threats such as habitat destruction, invasive species and climate change.
Researchers solve a fluid mechanics mystery
Seven years ago, researchers caught an unexpected phenomenon on film: A pool of red dye that somehow 'knew' how to solve a maze filled with milk. Propelled forward by a couple drops of soap, it unerringly found its way, avoiding dead ends and even making 90 degree turns in its path toward the exit.
Study examines how African farmers are adapting to mountain climate change
A new international study highlights the severity of climate change impacts across African mountains, how farmers are adapting, and the barriers they face -- findings relevant to people living in mountain regions around the world.