ScienceDaily: All - February 07, 2025
Today's top research news
Mantis shrimp clubs filter sound to mitigate damage
Mantis shrimp withstand repeated high-impact forces without structural damage. Researchers discovered the shrimp's clubs feature a protective pattern that controls how stress waves travel through its body. The patterns resemble herringbone and twisted, corkscrew arrangements. Insights from this discovery could inspire advanced protective materials for reducing blast-related injuries.
Ice streams move due to tiny ice quakes
An international team of researchers has shown that countless tiny ice quakes take place in one of Greenland's mightiest ice streams. This finding will allow the flowing of the ice sheet and associated changes in sea level to be estimated more accurately.
Scientists discover brain mechanism that helps us overcome fear
Researchers have unveiled the precise brain mechanisms that enable animals to overcome instinctive fears. The study in mice could have implications for developing therapeutics for fear-related disorders such as phobias, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Breakthrough in opto-magnetic technology: 5-fold increase in torque efficiency
Researchers created platinum-mixed metallic magnetic nanofilms that are 5x more efficient -- the ultimate energy-saving solution.
New technique to detect dark matter using atomic clocks and lasers
A team of international researchers has developed an innovative approach to uncover the secrets of dark matter in the cosmos. They are searching for dark matter using atomic clocks and cavity-stabilized lasers.
New computational method reveals congestive heart failure
A team of physicists has developed a groundbreaking method for detecting congestive heart failure with greater ease and precision than previously thought possible. This multidisciplinary study, involving both cardiologists and computational physicists, builds on the team's earlier breakthroughs, for example, in predicting the risk of sudden cardiac death.
Uncovering how developmental genes are held in a poised state
New research has investigated the mechanism by which bivalency functions to poise genes for expression during cell differentiation, providing insight into a long-standing paradigm in the regulation of developmental gene expression, revealing a key mechanism that has so far eluded experimental scrutiny. These findings provide insight into the intricate cellular processes that control development, how cell types are specified from stem cells, and how cell identity is established. Deciphering these mechanisms is not only key to understand fundamental biology but will also ultimately pave the way for the development of regenerative medicine approaches.
Advanced communication technology for faster, reliable 5G and 6G networks
Researchers have developed an innovative method to improve next-generation wireless networks. Their approach ensures faster, more reliable connections by simplifying how large amounts of signal data are managed and using artificial intelligence to predict and correct errors. The findings promise significant benefits for high-speed travel, satellite communication, and disaster response applications.
Recycling the Unrecyclable: Reclaiming materials from epoxy resins and composites
Epoxy resins are coatings and adhesives used in a broad range of familiar applications, such as construction, engineering and manufacturing. However, they often present a challenge to recycle or dispose of responsibly. Now a team of researchers has developed a method to efficiently reclaim materials from a range of epoxy products for reuse by using a novel solid catalyst.
Alien ocean could hide signs of life from spacecraft
A new study focusing on Enceladus, a moon of Saturn, shows that the physics of alien oceans could prevent evidence of deep-sea life from reaching places where we can detect it.
Air pollution clouds the mind and makes everyday tasks challenging
People's ability to interpret emotions or focus on performing a task is reduced by short-term exposure to particulate matter (PM) air pollution, potentially making everyday activities, such as the weekly supermarket shop, more challenging.
The two proteins involved in Alzheimer's disease affect brain circuits differently
A research team has discovered that the two key pathological hallmarks of Alzheimer's -- tau protein and beta-amyloid -- affect brain circuits in distinct yet synergistic ways, particularly those linked to memory and emotions. The study, using a new animal model of Alzheimer's disease, suggests a potential breakthrough in treatment strategies. Current therapies mainly focus on blocking just one of the toxic proteins associated with the disease, but this discovery could pave the way for more comprehensive approaches.
Climate warming leads to more frequent beech tree reproduction, at the expense of growth
A new long-term study reveals alarming insights into the impact of climate change on European beech (Fagus sylvatica), one of Europe's most widespread and ecologically important tree species.
New screening device shows promise for early lung cancer detection
Scientists have created a new low-cost, fast response sensor to detect lung cancer biomarkers, paving the way for the development of screening devices to spot the disease even before symptoms occur. Similar in design to glucose monitoring devices, the sensor provides results from a blood sample in just 40 minutes. The technology has the potential to be used by clinicians to both identify patients at higher risk of lung cancer, and tailor treatments for those already diagnosed in a 'precision medicine' approach.
Mercury content in tuna can be reduced with new packaging solution
Fish is a high-quality source of protein, containing omega-3 fatty acids and many other beneficial nutrients. However, the accumulation of toxic mercury also makes fish consumption a concern, of which tuna is particularly susceptible. Researchers have now come up with a novel approach to packaging canned tuna infused in the water-based solution of amino acid cysteine. It was shown to remove up to 35 percent of the accumulated mercury in canned tuna, significantly reducing human exposure to mercury via food.
In a new study, scientists show that a mix of policy measures, including both technological solutions and behavioral changes, can significantly reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from energy use in buildings and transport.
Whale poop contains iron that may have helped fertilize past oceans
A recent theory proposes that whales weren't just predators in the ocean environment: Nutrients that whales excreted may have provided a key fertilizer to these marine ecosystems. Oceanographers now find that whale excrement contains significant amounts of iron, a vital element that is often scarce in ocean ecosystems, and nontoxic forms of copper, another essential nutrient that in some forms can harm life.
InsectNet technology identifies insects around the world and around the farm
InsectNet -- which is backed by a dataset of 12 million insect images, including many collected by citizen-scientists -- provides identification and predictions for more than 2,500 insect species at more than 96% accuracy.
Fear of breast cancer recurrence: Impact and coping with being in a dark place
A new study of breast cancer survivors has found this psychosocial challenge impacts almost every important domain of their lives -- the emotional, behavioral, cognitive, relational and professional. A larger number of domains was affected, and they were affected more frequently in those with greater fear of recurrence. The majority of study participants indicated that they sought senses of purpose, belonging, control and connection with others.
Largest radio jet ever seen in the early universe
Astronomers have characterized the largest-ever early-Universe radio jet. Historically, such large radio jets have remained elusive in the distant Universe. With these observations, astronomers have valuable new insights into when the first jets formed in the Universe and how they impacted the evolution of galaxies.
Major driver of inflammatory pathology in autoimmune and chronic inflammatory diseases
Researchers discovered a previously unknown mechanism that may drive tissue damage and a new target for drug discovery.
Research in fruit flies pinpoints brain pathways involved in alcohol-induced insomnia
Research in fruit flies has identified specific groups of cholinergic brain cells that are involved in alcohol-induced insomnia. This work could ultimately lead to targeted treatments for alcohol-related sleep loss, helping people recover from alcohol use disorder.
Why some heavy drinkers develop advanced liver disease, while others do not
The research found that heavy drinkers with either diabetes, high blood pressure or a high waist circumference are as much as 2.4 times more likely to develop advanced liver disease.
Researchers find improved method for treating rare, aggressive, pregnancy-related cancer
A new drug delivery system shows promise for treating a rare, aggressive form of cancer affecting pregnant women and new mothers, and it has potential with other cancers as well.
Fishing and conserving in Great Barrier Reef's marine reserves
A new study of the Great Barrier Reef has revealed that the network of no-take marine reserves supplies nearly half of the region's coral trout fishery catch.
Dusting for stars' magnetic fingerprints
Astronomers have succeeded in observing the magnetic field around a young star where planets are thought to be forming. The team was able to use dust to measure the three-dimensional structure 'fingerprint' of the magnetic field. This will help improve our understanding of planet formation.
Relief could be on the way for UTI sufferers dealing with debilitating pain
New insights into what causes the painful and disruptive symptoms of urinary tract infections (UTIs) could offer hope for improved treatment. UTIs are one of the most prevalent bacterial infections globally, with more than 400 million cases reported every year. Nearly one in three women will experience UTIs before the age of 24, and many elderly people and those with bladder issues from spinal cord injuries can experience multiple UTI's in a single year.
The truth may hurt, but for couples, it's worth it
I LOVE YOU, YOU'RE PERFECT, NOW CHANGE: A new study of more than 200 couples finds that being honest when expressing a desire for change leads to greater personal and relationship well-being for both partners.
Drying and rewetting cycles substantially increased soil CO2 release
Soil incubation experiments revealed a comprehensive increase in CO2 release by drying-rewetting cycles (DWCs) among Japanese forests and pastureland soils, suggesting a significant contribution of the DWCs-induced destruction of microbial cells and reactive metal-organic matter complex to the CO2 release increase.
AI tool helps find life-saving medicine for rare disease
Set to enter hospice care, a patient with idiopathic multicentric Castleman's disease is now in remission after treatment with a medication identified by an AI-guided analysis.