Science
press releases.

Science1 May 2025

Revealed: The geometrical “frustrations” that shape growing rose petals

Roses, long admired for their beauty and symbolic richness, owe their iconic petal shape to a mechanical process that has remained largely mysterious—until now. According to a new study, the pointed cusps that gradually form at the edge of rose petals as they grow are shaped not by the well-known mechanics behind wavy leaves, but by a distinct geometric frustration called Mainardi-Codazzi-Peterson (MCP) incompatibility. According to the findings, this stress-focusing phenomenon not only sculpts the rose’s form but also feeds back to influence how the petal grows, offering new insights into the mechanics of nature, and potential inspiration for the design of bio-inspired ...

Read the release

Science1 May 2025

With CCTA poised to transform PCI planning, SCAI/SCCT publish expert opinion document

WASHINGTON—A new expert opinion document jointly released by the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI) and the Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography (SCCT) presents a comprehensive framework for using coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) to guide percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Published in JSCAI, “Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography to Guide Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: Expert Opinion from a SCAI/SCCT Roundtable” was developed through an October 2024 multidisciplinary roundtable, reflecting ...

Read the release

Science1 May 2025

Rhythmically trained sea lion returns for an encore—and performs as well as humans

Santa Cruz, Calif.—Animal research on biomusicality, which looks at whether different species are capable of behaving in ways that show they recognize aspects of music, including rhythm and beat, remains a tantalizing field at the intersection of biology and psychology. Now, the highly trained California sea lion at UC Santa Cruz who achieved global fame for her ability to bob her head to a beat is finally back: starring in a new study that shows her rhythm is just as precise—if not better—than humans. Ronan first shimmied onto the world stage in 2013, when researchers at the university’s Long Marine Laboratory reported that, not only ...

Read the release

Science1 May 2025

Designer microbe shows promise for reducing mercury absorption from seafood

Key takeaways · UCLA and UCSD scientists inserted DNA-encoding methylmercury detoxification enzymes into the genome of an abundant human gut bacterium. The engineered bacterium detoxified methylmercury in the gut of mice and dramatically reduced the amount that reached other tissues, such as the brain and liver. · Mice given an oral probiotic containing the engineered microbe and fed a diet high in bluefin tuna had much lower methylmercury levels than expected, suggesting that a probiotic might eventually make it safer for people to consume fish. · Researchers performed ...

Read the release

Science1 May 2025

Sex- and race-specific prevalence of hearing loss across the adult lifespan and associated factors

About The Study: The prevalence and degree of hearing loss were highest among white male individuals and lowest among Black female individuals in this cohort study of 1,787 adults. Some factors associated with hearing loss, including noise exposure, differed across sex-specific and race-specific groups. Hearing loss is an important public health concern that could be addressed through tailored interventions to reduce its risk across populations. Corresponding Author: To contact the corresponding author, Lauren K. Dillard, PhD, AuD, email dillalau@musc.edu. To ...

Read the release

Science1 May 2025

Ptero firma: Footprints pinpoint when ancient flying reptiles conquered the ground

Fossils of footprints over 160 million years old have helped palaeontologists at the University of Leicester to narrow down when pterosaurs adapted to live on the ground. These awe-inspiring flying reptiles of the Mesozoic era are often imagined soaring over the heads of dinosaurs. But new research shows that some of these ancient creatures were just as comfortable walking on the ground. In a groundbreaking new study published today in Current Biology (1 May), scientists at the University of Leicester have ...

Read the release

Science1 May 2025

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society commits over $18 million for research to drive pathways to cures

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society has committed $18.1 million in multi-year funding to support research projects aligned with its Pathways to Cures roadmap that focuses on three critical areas: stopping MS, restoring function and ending MS. The new projects include 16 research grants and 28 training fellowships and early career awards in the United States and internationally. The Society is committed to driving the best, most promising science and to training the next generation of pioneering MS researchers. More than 100 senior scientists from research institutions around the country, and a special committee ...

Read the release

Science1 May 2025

Virtual pulmonary rehabilitation programs are safe, effective for people with COPD

Miami (May 1, 2025) – Virtual pulmonary rehabilitation is a safe, effective alternative to traditional pulmonary rehabilitation programs for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who also require supplemental oxygen, according to a new report. The report is published in the March 2025 issue of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases: Journal of the COPD Foundation, a peer-reviewed, open-access journal. COPD is an inflammatory lung disease, comprising several conditions, including ...

Read the release

Science1 May 2025

Good karma for me, bad karma for you

WASHINGTON – Many people around the world believe in karma – that idea that divine justice will punish people who do bad deeds and reward those who good. But that belief plays out differently for oneself versus others, according to research published by the American Psychological Association. People are more likely to believe that they’ve earned good things in their own life through karmic merit, while bad things that happen to other people are due to karmic punishment, according ...

Read the release

Science1 May 2025

Study opens the door for stronger evidence in bomb handling cases

Scientists have for the first time provided insight into how bomb residue transfers to the hands of suspects, which could lead to stronger evidence in court. The study, which was led by a team from King’s College London and published today in the journal Science & Justice, investigated how explosive materials commonly found in pipe bombs and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) transferred to the palms and fingers of individuals who handled them. The researchers learned that the amount that was handled and the unique characteristics of the handler were important determining factors. Surprisingly, ...

Read the release

Science1 May 2025

Poll reveals short-term thinking about long-term care

Whether they’re counting on Medicare to pay for something it doesn’t currently pay for, thinking they can deal with the issue later, or thinking they won’t need it at all, a new poll reveals major gaps in knowledge and preparation regarding long-term care among Americans aged 50 and over. Nearly two-thirds (62%) believe Medicare would pay for their care if they needed to permanently move into a nursing home. But Medicare generally doesn’t cover this kind of care. It also doesn’t pay family caregivers to take care of someone at home. The poll also asked about Medicaid, which ...

Read the release

Science1 May 2025

Mathematician solves algebra’s oldest problem using intriguing new number sequences

A UNSW Sydney mathematician has discovered a new method to tackle algebra’s oldest challenge – solving higher polynomial equations. Polynomials are equations involving a variable raised to powers, such as the degree two polynomial: 1+ 4x - 3x2 = 0. The equations are fundamental to maths as well as science, where they have broad applications, like helping describe the movement of planets or writing computer programs. However, a general method for solving ‘higher order’ polynomial equations, where x is raised to the power of five or higher, has historically proven elusive. Now, UNSW Honorary ...

Read the release

Science30 Apr 2025

Gabapentinoids unlikely to be directly linked to self-harm risk

Treatment with gabapentinoids - drugs such as gabapentin and pregabalin - is not directly associated with an increased risk of self-harm, finds a UK study published by The BMJ today. However, rates of self-harm were higher before and shortly after treatment, highlighting the need for close monitoring of patients throughout their treatment journey, say the researchers. Gabapentinoids are prescribed for conditions such as epilepsy, nerve pain, and anxiety disorders. Previous studies have raised concerns about ...

Read the release

Science30 Apr 2025

2.1 kids per woman might not be enough for population survival

Human populations need at least 2.7 children per woman – a much higher fertility rate than previously believed – to reliably avoid long-term extinction, according to a new study published April 30, 2025 in the open-access journal PLOS One by Takuya Okabe of Shizuoka University, Japan, and colleagues. While a fertility rate of 2.1 children per woman is often considered the replacement level needed to sustain a population, this figure doesn’t account for random differences in how many children people have – as well as mortality ...

Read the release

Science30 Apr 2025

Landmark experiment sheds new light on the origins of consciousness

Seattle, WASH.—April 30, 2025—An experiment seven years in the making has uncovered new insights into the nature of consciousness and challenges two prominent, competing scientific theories: Integrated Information Theory (IIT) and Global Neuronal Workspace Theory (GNWT). The findings were published today in Nature and mark a pivotal moment in the goal to understand the elusive origins consciousness. IIT suggests that consciousness emerges when information inside a system (like the brain) is highly connected and unified, for as long as the information is consciously perceived, acting as a single whole. On the other ...

Read the release

Science30 Apr 2025

Nicotine pouch and e-cigarette use and co-use among U.S. youths

About The Study: In this cross-sectional study, commercial nontobacco nicotine use in U.S. 10th and 12th graders shifted from 2023 to 2024, marked by a doubling in nicotine pouch past-30-day use, an increase in pouch plus e-cigarette dual use, and a decrease in exclusive e-cigarette use. Prioritizing surveillance, regulation, and prevention addressing pediatric nicotine pouch use warrants consideration. Corresponding Author: To contact the corresponding author, Adam M. Leventhal, PhD, email adam.leventhal@usc.edu. To access the embargoed study: Visit ...

Read the release

Science30 Apr 2025

Use of nicotine pouches increases significantly among US teens

The use of nicotine pouches — small, easily concealed sachets of nicotine and additives that are placed between the gum and lip — nearly doubled among U.S. high school students between 2023 and 2024, according to a new USC study. The research, involving surveys of more than 10,000 teens from around the country, appears in JAMA Network Open. “This growing public health issue needs more attention. Like flavored e-cigarettes when they first emerged, use of this new oral nicotine product is becoming more widespread, particularly among adolescents,” said ...

Read the release

Science30 Apr 2025

Zoo life boosts object exploration in orangutans

A new study comparing wild and zoo-housed Sumatran orangutans reveals that life in a zoo significantly alters how orangutans interact with their environment. Researchers analyzed over 12,000 instances of daily exploratory object manipulation (EOM)—the active manipulation and visual inspection of objects associated with learning and problem-solving—across 51 orangutans aged 0.5 to 76 years. The findings show that orangutans living in zoos engage in more frequent, more diverse, and more complex exploration than their wild counterparts. “Our study shows that orangutans ...

Read the release

Science30 Apr 2025

So, our city’s shrinking—Now what?

Policymakers often overlook the challenges faced by shrinking small and medium-sized cities. Yet, keeping these cities sustainable is crucial for many urban stakeholders. Unfortunately, the methods that have succeeded in large cities cannot be unilaterally applied to combat this issue. This suggests that a research gap on effective urban management in small and medium-sized cities exists. Dr. Haruka Kato, a junior associate professor at Osaka Metropolitan University, examined the types of municipal expenditures ...

Read the release

Science30 Apr 2025

Being hit by an SUV increases the likelihood of death or serious injury, new research shows

The likelihood of a pedestrian or cyclist being fatally injured is 44% higher if they are hit by a sports utility vehicle (SUV) or light truck vehicle (LTV) compared with smaller passenger cars, new research shows. For children there is an even larger effect, with a child hit by a SUV or LTV being 82% more likely to be killed than a child hit by a passenger car. As part of a new analysis of existing studies, researchers at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) and Imperial College London gathered real-world collision data from over 680,000 collisions from the last 35 years. They compared the severity of injuries suffered by pedestrians ...

Read the release

Science30 Apr 2025

Majority of Americans experience some form of gun violence in person

Nearly two-thirds of adults in the U.S. have experienced some form of in-person exposure to gun violence, according to a national study by Rutgers researchers tracking racial disparities in direct and media-based experiences. This study, published in the Lancet Regional Health – Americas, examines how frequently U.S. adults are exposed to gun violence, both in person and through media, based on data from a nationally representative sample. It looks at who is most affected based on their race, income, and the neighborhoods they live in. Researchers surveyed 8,009 adults throughout the U.S. to find out how often people experience gun violence, whether directly (such ...

Read the release

Science29 Apr 2025

Higher cigarette taxes may improve childhood survival

A higher tax on cigarettes in low and middle-income countries can help to reduce child mortality, especially amongst the poorest children, a new study led by researchers at Karolinska Institutet and published in The Lancet Public Health suggests. The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends a tax of at least 75 percent on the retail price of cigarettes, but most countries impose a much lower tax than that. “If all 94 countries included in the study had raised their cigarette tax to the level recommended by the WHO, the lives of over 280,000 children could potentially have been saved in a single year,” says Márta Radó, principal investigator at ...

Read the release

Science29 Apr 2025

NIH’s initiative to prioritize human-based research a ‘big win for animals,’ says doctors group

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The nonprofit Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, which promotes the use of human-based research to improve health and replace animal use, enthusiastically supports the U.S. National Institutes of Health’s landmark commitment to prioritize innovative, human-based methods, like organoids, tissue chips, computational models, and real-world data analyses, while reducing animal use. “NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya’s historic announcement that the NIH will prioritize human-based science is ...

Read the release

Science29 Apr 2025

Nearly one-quarter of e-Scooter injuries involved substance impaired riders

FINDINGS Analyzing data from the 2016-2021 National Inpatient Sample, UCLA researchers found that 25% of 7350 patients hospitalized for scooter-related injuries were using substances such as alcohol, opioids, marijuana and cocaine when injured. Published in The American Surgeon, the study also notes that overall scooter-related hospitalizations during the 5-year period jumped more than eight-fold, from 330 to 2705. In addition, the risk of traumatic brain injuries among the substance use group was almost double that of the non-impaired patients. ...

Read the release

Science29 Apr 2025

Age, previous sports experience, stronger predictors of performance in children than previous concussions, York U study finds

April 29, 2024, TORONTO – A new study from York University’s Faculty of Health may offer reassuring news for parents whose children have a history of concussion, but want to get back to playing sports. Researchers from York University’s Faculty of Health spent more than a decade scouting fields, rinks and courts across the Greater Toronto Area for participants with a history of concussion and tested their performance on complex eye-hand coordination tasks, finding that age and previous sports experience were larger factors in cognitive-motor integration than a history of multiple concussions. “In previous work, we've already shown that kids ...

Read the release