Science
press releases.

Science9 Jul 2025

FAU Harbor Branch receives $1M grant to study gulf’s mesophotic coral habitats

Mesophotic coral ecosystems (MCEs) are important coral ecosystems found between 30 and 150 meters deep in oceans worldwide including the Gulf of America. They support diverse marine life and important fisheries but remain poorly understood. Unlike shallow reefs, MCEs depend on nutrients from the deep ocean from upwelling or river plumes, like those from the Mississippi and Apalachicola rivers. These nutrient flows support growth of marine phytoplankton (i.e. tiny floating algae), which is an important source of organic matter (food) that sustains the corals and other marine species. However, scientists have ...

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Science9 Jul 2025

Teams develop CO₂ capture-conversion tandem system adaptable to a wide range of CO₂ concentrations

CO2 concentrations vary widely depending on the source, ranging, for example, from about 0.04% in the atmosphere to about 10% in flue gases. Moreover, these gas streams contain a significant amount of O2 (about 10%), a potent oxidizing agent. To achieve carbon neutrality, it is necessary to develop a robust process that can convert CO2 over a wide concentration range, even in the presence of O2. However, current technology does not offer a single unified approach that can efficiently handle CO2 conversion from trace to high concentrations. To meet this challenge, researchers at Hokkaido University and collaborators ...

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Science9 Jul 2025

Like humans, monkeys are attracted to videos showing conflict

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Have you ever wondered what kind of video content would most grab the attention of monkeys? A new study of long-tailed macaques suggests the monkeys seem to like some of the same kind of content that humans do: videos featuring aggression and individuals they know. “Humans and macaques are both social animals who have a fundamental need to belong,” said Brad Bushman, co-author of the study and professor of communication at The Ohio State University. “It’s not surprising that they both would be most interested in the video content that may help ...

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Science9 Jul 2025

Addressing “spay-neuter syndrome" with testosterone restoration for neutered male dogs

The Parsemus Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to advancing pet health, today announced the publication of groundbreaking research on the safety and dosing of testosterone therapy for neutered male dogs. Published in BMC Veterinary Research, this pivotal study provides crucial data for veterinarians to treat "spay-neuter syndrome” - a collection of health and behavioral problems associated with hormone loss following sterilization. Results show that injectable testosterone can safely restore physiological hormone levels in neutered dogs, offering ...

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Science9 Jul 2025

The ACMG releases 2025 update to secondary findings gene list; SF v3.3

BETHESDA, MD – July 9, 2025 | The American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) has released its highly anticipated 2025 update to the recommended minimum gene list for the reporting of secondary findings (SF) in clinical exome and genome sequencing: “ACMG SF v3.3 List for Reporting of Secondary Findings in Clinical Exome and Genome Sequencing: A Policy Statement of the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics.” As part of its ongoing commitment to annual updates, ...

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Science9 Jul 2025

First look at defects in single-crystal indium gallium zinc oxide could fix persistent display instability

Many displays found in smartphones and televisions rely on thin-film transistors (TFTs) made from indium gallium zinc oxide (IGZO) to control pixels. IGZO offers high transparency due to its large bandgap (the gap existing between the valence and conduction bands), high conductivity, and can operate even in an amorphous (non-crystalline) form, making it ideal for displays, flexible electronics, and solar cells. However, IGZO-based devices face long-term stability issues, such as negative bias illumination stress, ...

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Science9 Jul 2025

Novel nanostructures in blue sharks reveal their remarkable potential for dynamic colour-change

New research into the anatomy of blue sharks (Prionace glauca) reveals a unique nanostructure in their skin that produces their iconic blue colouration, but intriguingly, also suggests a potential capacity for colour change. “Blue is one of the rarest colours in the animal kingdom, and animals have developed a variety of unique strategies through evolution to produce it, making these processes especially fascinating,” says Dr Viktoriia Kamska, a post-doctoral researcher in the lab of Professor Mason Dean at City University ...

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Science9 Jul 2025

New study reveals subclasses of autism by linking traits to genetics

Autism is classified as a ‘spectrum’ for a reason: Each case is different. Scientists have struggled to parse through the many ways autism can manifest, much less to link these varying observable traits (called phenotypes) to underlying genetics. A new study in Nature Genetics from researchers at the Flatiron Institute’s Center for Computational Biology (CCB) and their collaborators leverages data from SPARK, the largest-ever study of autism, to analyze phenotypic and genotypic data from more than 5,000 participants with autism ...

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Science9 Jul 2025

The right mix and planting pattern of trees enhance forest productivity and services

A new paper published in Nature Communications reveals how the way tree species are arranged in a forest can help optimise ecosystem functioning and productivity. The study was conducted using empirical field data combined with advanced computer models and simulations by researchers at the German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv), Leipzig University, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, and the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS). The researchers simulated virtual forests with multiple arrangements of tree species, such as block ...

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Science9 Jul 2025

Coral calcification benefits from human hormone injections

Researchers have identified how thyroxine, a human thyroid hormone, can positively influence the life-critical calcification in soft corals, and have developed a unique technique for injecting molecules into coral tissues. “We understand a lot about hormones in vertebrates, but much less about hormones in invertebrate animals such as corals,” says Clémence Forin, a PhD student at the Scientific Centre of Monaco. “We wanted to learn more about how they process hormones to find out how they are involved into the calcification process.” A major barrier to researching the role and regulation of ...

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Science9 Jul 2025

Do renter protection policies reduce rental housing discrimination?

Research in Contemporary Economic Policy indicates that well-intentioned renter protection policies may actually increase discrimination against certain minority races and ethnicities. The research applies to a policy implemented in Minneapolis that limits the use of background checks, eviction history, and credit scores on rental housing applications. Investigators submitted fictitious email inquiries to publicly advertised rentals using names manipulated on perceived race and ethnicity before and after this policy was implemented. After ...

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Science9 Jul 2025

Do local voting rights affect migrants’ participation in protests?

In research published in Social Science Quarterly, the study’s investigator expected that migrants living in cities where local voting rights are extended to non-citizens would be more likely to engage in protests compared with those in restrictive contexts. However, the findings revealed the opposite: migrant protests seem to flourish not where rights are granted, but where they are denied. In an assessment of migrant participation in protests across 4 major European cities with substantial migrant populations (Vienna, Brussels, Berlin, and Amsterdam), the results showed that perceived discrimination increased protest likelihood. Protests were also more common in cities with favorable ...

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Science9 Jul 2025

Scientists reveal how a key inflammatory molecule triggers esophageal muscle contraction

A research group led by Dr. Keisuke Obara, Dr. Kento Yoshioka, and Professor Yoshio Tanaka from the Department of Chemical Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Toho University, has uncovered important details about how platelet-activating factor (PAF)—a powerful molecule involved in inflammation and allergic reactions—triggers contractions in the smooth muscles of the esophagus. Their findings could pave the way for new treatments targeting gastrointestinal symptoms associated with allergies, asthma, and anaphylaxis. What is PAF? PAF (platelet-activating factor) is a bioactive lipid molecule produced by various cells in the body, including immune ...

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Science9 Jul 2025

Duration of heat waves accelerating faster than global warming

Key takeaways Each fraction of a degree of warming will have a bigger impact than the last on lengthening heat waves, with the most extreme heat waves lengthening the most. Tropical regions will see larger changes than temperate regions, and summer heat waves will lengthen more than winter warm spells. Researchers led by UCLA and the Universidad Adolfo Ibañez in Santiago, Chile, developed an equation that has the flexibility to analyze one region or to gain additional broad insight by analyzing multiple regions as a whole. New research finds that not only will climate change make ...

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Science8 Jul 2025

New mathematical insights into Lagrangian turbulence

A sneeze. Ocean currents. Smoke. What do these have in common? They’re instances of turbulence: unpredictable, chaotic, uneven fluid flows of fluctuating velocity and pressure. Though ubiquitous in nature, these flows remain somewhat of a mystery, theoretically and computationally. “Most flows that we encounter in nature are turbulent — it does not matter whether it is the flow outside the airplane that makes us fasten our seatbelts, or the flow in a small stream,” said UC Santa Barbara mathematics professor Björn Birnir. “Turbulence is difficult to understand because the mathematical ...

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Science8 Jul 2025

Can one video change a teen's mindset? New study says yes - but there’s a catch

A mental health hack designed to promote mental well-being could shift how teenagers view themselves – according to new research from the University of East Anglia. A new study published today shows how watching a one-off ten-minute video can positively change young people’s beliefs about their personality traits. But the intervention appeared to have little immediate effect on symptoms of anxiety or depression. The findings add to a growing body of evidence that mental health support delivered online can play a valuable role - but may work best as part of a broader toolkit of services. The team say that more ...

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Science8 Jul 2025

Cal Poly Chemistry professor among three U.S. faculty to be honored for contributions to chemistry instruction

A Cal Poly chemistry professor is among three U.S. university faculty to be awarded the national Jack Flack Norris Award for outstanding teaching in chemistry by the American Chemical Society. Dr. Phil Costanzo is being recognized for his work with the Macromolecular Alliance for Community Resources & Outreach (MACRO), a joint service committee of two American Chemical Society divisions: Polymer Chemistry (POLY) and Polymeric Materials: Science & Engineering (PMSE). The award celebrates MACRO’s outstanding achievements in chemistry education and its extensive, ...

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Science8 Jul 2025

Tree pollen reveals 150,000 years of monsoon history—and a warning for Australia’s northern rainfall

Northern Australia's annual monsoon season brings relief to drought-stricken lands and revitalises crops and livestock for farmers. But a study of 150,000 years of climate records shows that the monsoon is likely to intensify — triggering a higher risk of flooding while worsening the impact of droughts in East Asia. Led by Professor Michael Bird, researchers at James Cook University and Flinders University have assessed sediments at Girraween Lagoon near Darwin, revealing a continuous record of monsoon rainfall patterns dating back beyond the last interglacial period. This ...

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Science8 Jul 2025

Best skin care ingredients revealed in thorough, national review

Retinoids and mineral sunscreen among the most effective for multiple skin complaints Full list of recommended ingredients for each skin concern included in study Nearly 80 dermatologists from 43 institutions participated in a robust national ingredient review CHICAGO --- From drugstore aisles to TikTok trends, consumers are bombarded with skin care products. But how do you know what really works, especially now with summer in full swing? A Northwestern Medicine study offers clarity, identifying the ingredients that dermatologists agree are most effective ...

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Science8 Jul 2025

Young adult literature is not as young as it used to be

OXFORD, Miss. – Despite its name, the young adult genre is increasingly dominated by stories about older teens and even adults. But as protagonists get older, younger readers are getting left behind, a University of Mississippi study indicates. Ally Watkins, research and instruction librarian at the J.D. Williams Library, published her research into the increasing age of young adult protagonists in the New Review of Children's Literature and Librarianship. “I think it's important for any reader to see themselves ...

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Science8 Jul 2025

Can ChatGPT actually “see” red? New results of Google-funded study are nuanced

ChatGPT works by analyzing vast amounts of text, identifying patterns and synthesizing them to generate responses to users’ prompts. Color metaphors like “feeling blue” and “seeing red” are commonplace throughout the English language, and therefore comprise part of the dataset on which ChatGPT is trained. But while ChatGPT has “read” billions of words about what it might mean to feel blue or see red, it has never actually seen a blue sky or a red apple in the ways that humans have. Which begs the questions: Do embodied experiences — the capacity ...

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Science8 Jul 2025

Eliminating invasive rats may restore the flow of nutrients across food chain networks in Seychelles

Ecosystems are characterized by interconnected structure and functions. A study published July 8th in the open-access journal PLOS Biology by Casey Benkwitt at Lancaster University, United Kingdom and colleagues suggests that restoring seabird populations via eradication of rats may help coral reefs by restoring nutrient connectivity in disrupted food chains. Invasive rats in the Seychelles have decreased native seabird populations. However, the mechanism by which seabirds may impact coral reef ecosystem structure ...

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Science8 Jul 2025

Zhu studying use of big data in verification of route choice models

Zhu Studying Use Of Big Data In Verification Of Route Choice Models Shanjiang Zhu, Associate Professor, Civil, Environmental, and Infrastructure Engineering, College of Engineering and Computing (CEC), received funding for the study: “Utilizing Big Data to Verify and Enhance Route Choice Models in Travel Demand Modeling.” Connected vehicle data has attracted a lot of interest from transportation professionals, but researchers are still exploring the best way to use it. This research effort will determine the best way to use connected vehicle data to enhance accuracy of travel demand models. It will challenge the conventional ...

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Science8 Jul 2025

Abdominal fat linked to reduced strength and mobility in adults

“The findings of this study have practical implications for individuals aiming to improve their physical performance and overall health.” BUFFALO, NY — July 8, 2025 — A new research paper was published in Aging (Aging-US) Volume 17, Issue 6, on May 30, 2025, titled “Impact of waist-to-hip and waist-to-height ratios on physical performance: insights from the Longevity Check-up 8+ project.” In this study, researchers led by first author Anna Maria Martone and corresponding author Elena Levati from the Fondazione Policlinico Universitario “Agostino Gemelli” IRCCS and Università ...

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Science8 Jul 2025

Is Earth inside a huge void? 'Sound of the Big Bang' hints at possible solution to Hubble tension

Earth and our entire Milky Way galaxy may sit inside a mysterious giant hole which makes the cosmos expand faster here than in neighbouring regions of the universe, astronomers say. Their theory is a potential solution to the 'Hubble tension' and could help confirm the true age of our universe, which is estimated to be around 13.8 billion years old. The latest research – shared at the Royal Astronomical Society’s National Astronomy Meeting (NAM) in Durham – shows that sound waves from the early universe, "essentially the sound of the Big Bang", support this idea. The Hubble constant was ...

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