ScienceDaily: All - February 12, 2025
Today's top research news
Foods that evoke a sense of nostalgia and comfort and have good texture variety are important considerations in prepared meals aimed at older adults, according to new research.
Changes to the intermediate filament (IF) protein, vimentin, were found to promote tumor growth by increasing cancer stemness in an oestrogen independent manner. Targeting vimentin and/or the long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) 'XIST' could be an effective therapeutic strategy for treating aggressive breast cancer.
Opening for a new type of drug for Alzheimer's disease
A complementary drug to combat Alzheimer's disease could target a specific part of the nerve cell protein tau. This is the finding of new research which also offers a better way to measure the effect of treatment among patients.
Scientists harness AI to help protect whales, advancing ocean conservation and planning
Researchers have developed an artificial intelligence (AI) tool that will help predict endangered whale habitat, guiding ships along the Atlantic coast to avoid them. The tool is designed to prevent deadly accidents and inform conservation strategies and responsible ocean development.
Researchers discover new mechanism for male sex hormone
Researchers have discovered a new mechanism that is used by a male sex hormone essential for muscle and bone function. The findings could lead to the development of new drugs with fewer side effects, for use in applications such as strengthening the muscles of immobile patients.
Study takes a 'bite' out of shark depredation using citizen science
Shark depredation is a rising issue in recreational fishing, especially in Florida, where sharks steal fish straight off anglers' lines. Researchers harnessed citizen science -- social media, angler surveys, charters -- and genetic analysis, to investigate the problem. Findings reveal that snapper-grouper species are the most targeted, with bull and sandbar sharks as the primary culprits. Nearly half of anglers reported depredation. These insights help shed light on the extent of this human-wildlife conflict and its impact on different fishery sectors.
Rhobo6, a light microscopy probe, gives scientists an unprecedented look at the extracellular matrix -- the collection of organized molecular structures that fills the spaces between cells in our bodies.
Cold temperatures promote spread of a bird pink eye pathogen at winter feeders
A recent study by two biological science researchers found that a pathogen for bird pink eye remained viable on bird feeders in winter months much longer than in summer months, without losing any of its severity.
Microbiome as a potential key to better treatment: Clinical study on new therapy for Crohn's disease
A special liquid diet, known as exclusive enteral nutrition, is an essential therapy for Crohn's disease. Patients consume only this formula for six to eight weeks, completely avoiding solid foods. However, the exact reasons why this is helpful were previously unclear. Researchers have now been able to decipher the mechanism behind this dietary therapy.
Mechanical heart valve replacements have better long-term survival
Patients aged between 50 to 70 years with a mechanical heart valve replacement had better long-term survival compared to those with a biological valve, new research has found.
Evidence of cannibalism 18,000 years ago
An international research team has gained new insights into the burial rituals of Late Ice Age societies in Central Europe. Signs of human remains from the Maszycka Cave in southern Poland being manipulated indicate systematic dissection of the deceased, as well as cannibalism.
Satellite data identifies warning signs ahead of 2018 volcanic eruption, tsunami
In 2018, the side of the Anak Krakatau volcano collapsed in a powerful eruption and produced a tsunami that killed hundreds and injured thousands on nearby Java and Sumatra in Indonesia. A new analysis of satellite data showed the mountainside was slipping for years and accelerated before the eruption -- information that could have potentially offered a warning of the collapse.
New smart sensor takes the pain out of wound monitoring
A major challenge in self-powered wearable sensors for health care monitoring is distinguishing different signals when they occur at the same time. Researchers addressed this issue by uncovering a new property of a sensor material, enabling the team to develop a new type of flexible sensor that can accurately measure both temperature and physical strain simultaneously but separately to more precisely pinpoint various signals.
Native bee populations can bounce back after honey bees move out
Managed honey bees have the potential to affect native bee populations when they are introduced to a new area, but a new study suggests that, under certain conditions, the native bees can bounce back if the apiaries are moved away.
From photons to protons: Team makes breakthrough in high-energy particle detection
Researchers have discovered that superconducting nanowire photon detectors can also be used as highly accurate particle detectors, and they have found the optimal nanowire size for high detection efficiency.
Cancer's ripple effect may promote blood clot formation in the lungs
Blood clots form in response to signals from the lungs of cancer patients -- not from other organ sites, as previously thought -- according to a preclinical study. Clots are the second-leading cause of death among cancer patients with advanced disease or aggressive tumors.
Music makes us move even when we don't like it
The pleasurable urge to move to music -- to groove -- appears to be a physiological response independent of how much we generally enjoy music, according to a new article. That groove response is so strong it is even found in people with musical anhedonia, those who take little or no pleasure from music. Researchers compared groove responses to more than 50 short pieces of music in people with musical anhedonia and non-anhedonic controls and found that for people with anhedonia, the urge to move appears to drive their experience of pleasure. That suggests that the blunted pleasure sensation found in people with musical anhedonia is compensated by the urge to move.
Born to heal: Why babies recover, but adults scar, after heart damage
Newborns with heart complications can rely on their newly developed immune systems to regenerate cardiac tissues, but adults aren't so lucky. After a heart attack, most adults struggle to regenerate healthy heart tissue, leading to scar-tissue buildup and, often, heart failure. A new study in experimental animals reveals a critical difference in how macrophages -- a part of the immune system -- help repair the heart in newborns versus adults after a heart attack. The study highlights a fundamental difference in how the immune system drives healing based on age.
Mystery solved: New study reveals how DNA repair genes play a major role in Huntington's disease
A new study has discovered in mouse models that genes associated with repairing mismatched DNA are critical in eliciting damages to neurons that are most vulnerable in Huntington's disease and triggering downstream pathologies and motor impairment, shedding light on disease mechanisms and potential new ways to develop therapies.
New perspectives for personalized therapy of brain tumors
Scientists have developed an innovative method for growing brain tumors of individual patients in the laboratory that mimic the original structure and the molecular property of the parental tumor as closely as possible. Drug tests in this model were found to correlate very well with actual patient responses, making it a valuable method for investigating therapies.
'Junk' RNA segments play role in protein production, cell stress response
Scientists have discovered that some tiny segments of RNA thought to be junk instead have a functional role in suppressing production of certain messenger RNAs and appear to help cells respond to oxidative stress.
A wealth of evidence: 85,000 individual studies about climate policy
Research on climate policy is growing exponentially. Of the approximately 85,000 individual studies ever published on policy instruments for mitigating global heating, a good quarter are from 2020 or later. A study using machine learning methods now shows how this vast knowledge is distributed -- by instrument, country, sector and policy level -- and identifies research gaps. A corresponding web tool, the 'living systematic map', will help to guide science and policy. It will be continuously updated to reflect the current state of research.
Truly autonomous AI is on the horizon
Researchers have developed a new AI algorithm, called Torque Clustering, that significantly improves how AI systems independently learn and uncover patterns in data, without human guidance.
Born too late? Climate change may be delaying births
New research has found exposure to outdoor air pollution and extreme temperatures during pregnancy may increase the risk of prolonged pregnancy, offering new insights into the impact of climate change on maternal health.
Ready (or not) for love? Your friends likely agree
A new study found that friends significantly agreed on who was ready for committed relationships -- and who wasn't.
When teen body image becomes a deadly perception
Adolescents who perceive themselves as overweight are three times more likely to consider committing self-harm compared to those who do not, regardless of whether the person is objectively overweight, according to a new study.
Examining the potential environmental effects of mining the world's largest lithium deposit
A trove of lithium-rich brine exists underground in Bolivia. Researchers conducted the first comprehensive chemical analysis of wastewater associated with mining the resource.
Influenza A viruses adapt shape in response to environmental pressures
Influenza A virus particles strategically adapt their shape -- to become either spheres or larger filaments -- to favor their ability to infect cells depending on environmental conditions, according to a new study. This previously unrecognized response could help explain how influenza A and other viruses persist in populations, evade immune responses, and acquire adaptive mutations, the researchers explain.
Detection of hazardous chemicals in human placenta with unprecedented speed and precision
Scientists have demonstrated a new method for detecting the presence of dangerous chemicals from tobacco smoke in human placenta with unprecedented speed and precision.
Research pinpoints weakness in lung cancer's defenses
Scientists uncover an enzyme that boosts cancer cell metabolism to fuel growth. The enzyme, GUK1, supports metabolism in cancer cells to help tumors grow.
Deep learning to increase accessibility, ease of heart imaging
Researchers have developed a method that leverages artificial intelligence to ensure accurate heart scans without added radiation or cost.
Better texture for better batteries
A new paper has demonstrated that improving the texture of the soft metal used in battery anodes greatly improved performance. The team added a thin layer of silicon between lithium metal and the current collector to create the ideal grain orientation.
Physicists hit major milestone in advancing superconductor applications
New research, working toward ambient-pressure high-temperature superconductivity, brings us one step closer to finding superconductors that work in everyday conditions -- and potentially unlocking a new era of energy-efficient technologies.
Entanglement -- linking distant particles or groups of particles so that one cannot be described without the other -- is at the core of the quantum revolution changing the face of modern technology. While entanglement has been demonstrated in very small particles, new research is thinking big, demonstrating high-fidelity entanglement between two acoustic wave resonators.
Scientists identify heat-resistant kelp strain
Kelp is being negatively impacted by climate change. Warming ocean temperatures have led to shorter growing and harvesting seasons, including for sugar kelp, one of the most commonly farmed kelp species. The loss of kelp populations can significantly impact ecosystems, and potentially the growing demand for sustainably farming food, feed, fertilizer, medicine, and cosmetics. To give kelp a chance against climate change, scientists have identified kelp species with natural adaptations to cope with heat.
New study on drug checking: Trend warnings and alerts
A new study analyses how other countries' drug checking services use and share data, as a way of helping Australia's policymakers decide what to do with ours. The researchers also spoke with people who use drugs, community organizations, policymakers and prospective drug checking service users to gauge what data should be shared and how this information could be used.
Breast cancers broadly defined by their genome architecture
Breast cancers at all stages are defined by the structure of their genomes, researchers find. Targeting these processes early is likely to offer unexpected therapeutic avenues.
Blood test eases diagnosis of invasive mold disease
A new blood test is designed to find mold infections deep inside the body, sparing patients from tissue biopsies.
Physician's medical decisions benefit from chatbot, study suggests
A study showed that chatbots alone outperformed doctors when making nuanced clinical decisions, but when supported by artificial intelligence, doctors performed as well as the chatbots.
Secure and steady 6G communication
Sixth-generation, or 6G, cellular networks are the next step in wireless communication, and electromagnetic terahertz waves are seen as crucial to its development. However, terahertz waves, with their higher frequency and shorter wavelength, are subject to greater interference from electromagnetic noise, making clear and secure transmission a challenge. Researchers have now created an electromagnetic wave absorber for waves between 0.1--1 terahertz (THz). This greatly expands the range of the terahertz frequency which could be commercially used in the future. The ultrathin film is inexpensive, environmentally friendly and can be used outdoors, as it is resistant to heat, water, light and organic solvents.