Science
press releases.

Science27 Feb 2025

ACC, AHA issue new acute coronary syndromes guideline

The American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association today released an updated clinical practice guideline for managing individuals experiencing acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The guideline incorporates new evidence and updated recommendations to improve quality of care and outcomes. The 2025 ACC/AHA/ACEP/NAEMSP/SCAI Guideline for the Management of Patients With Acute Coronary Syndromes is published simultaneously today in JACC, the flagship journal of the American College of Cardiology, and in the American Heart Association’s flagship journal Circulation. ACS includes a ...

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Science27 Feb 2025

Sometimes, when competitors collaborate, everybody wins

CAMBRIDGE, MA – One large metropolis might have several different train systems, from local intercity lines to commuter trains to longer regional lines. When designing a system of train tracks, stations, and schedules in this network, should rail operators assume each entity operates independently, seeking only to maximize its own revenue? Or that they fully cooperate all the time with a joint plan, putting their own interest aside? In the real world, neither assumption is very realistic. Researchers from MIT and ETH Zurich have developed a new planning ...

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Science27 Feb 2025

SHEA encourages rescheduling postponed Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) Meeting

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) plays a crucial role in protecting childhood and adult health by developing vaccination recommendations based on scientific evidence. SHEA encourages timely rescheduling of the ACIP’s meeting that was scheduled for February 2025 to ensure patients and healthcare providers are getting the most up to date recommendations based on the latest scientific evidence review regarding vaccination. The ACIP’s recommendations are foundational to public health, guiding pediatric and adult vaccine schedules that have significantly reduced the prevalence of highly communicable infectious ...

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Science27 Feb 2025

Study proposes a new theoretical framework for understanding complex higher-order networks

Filippo Radicchi, professor of Informatics at the Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering, co-authored a ground-breaking study that could lead to the development of new AI algorithms and new ways to study brain function. The study, titled “Topology shapes dynamics of higher-order networks,” and published in Nature Physics, proposed a theoretical framework specifically designed for understanding complex higher-order networks. It could lead to breakthroughs ...

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Science27 Feb 2025

When birds lose the ability to fly, their bodies change faster than their feathers

More than 99% of birds can fly. But that still leaves many species that evolved to be flightless, including penguins, ostriches, and kiwi birds. In a new study in the journal Evolution, researchers compared the feathers and bodies of different species of flightless birds and their closest relatives who can still fly. They were able to determine which features change first when birds evolve to be flightless, versus which traits take more time for evolution to alter. These findings help shed light on the evolution of complex traits that lose their original ...

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Science27 Feb 2025

Virtual breastfeeding support may expand breastfeeding among new mothers

Mothers who were given access to virtual breastfeeding support (or telelactation) through a free app tended to report more breastfeeding than peers who did not receive such help, with a more-pronounced effect observed among Black mothers, according to a new RAND study. Reporting results from the first large trial of telelactation services, researchers found that mothers who were given access to video telelactation services reported slightly higher rates of breastfeeding six months after giving birth, as compared to mothers who did not receive the service. The ...

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Science27 Feb 2025

Homicide rates across county, race, ethnicity, age, and sex in the US

About The Study: In this cross-sectional study of U.S. homicide rates, substantial variation was found across and within county, race and ethnicity, sex, and age groups; American Indian and Alaska Native and Black males ages 15 to 44 had the highest rates of homicide. The findings highlight several populations and places where homicide rates were high, but awareness and violence prevention remains limited. Corresponding Author: To contact the corresponding author, Paula D. Strassle, PhD, MSPH, email pdstrass@umd.edu. To access the embargoed ...

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Science27 Feb 2025

Sleep trajectories and all-cause mortality among low-income adults

About The Study: In this cohort study of 46,000 U.S. residents, nearly two-thirds of participants had suboptimal 5-year sleep duration trajectories. Suboptimal sleep duration trajectories were associated with as much as a 29% increase in risk of all-cause mortality. These findings highlight the importance of maintaining healthy sleep duration over time to reduce mortality risk. Corresponding Author: To contact the corresponding author, Kelsie M. Full, PhD, MPH, email k.full@vumc.org. To access the embargoed study: Visit our For The Media website at this link https://media.jamanetwork.com/ (doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.62117) Editor’s ...

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Science27 Feb 2025

The invisible complication: Experts at ACS Summit address surgical adhesions and their hidden costs

Key Takeaways Surgical adhesions — internal bands of scar tissue that form between organs or tissues after surgery— can lead to severe complications such as bowel obstructions, chronic pain, and infertility while increasing the difficulty of future operations. Surgical adhesions negatively impact patient outcomes and drive up health care costs. There is currently no standard measure of the severity of surgical adhesions or their impact on a patient’s quality of life. CHICAGO – Scarring is expected after most operations, but surgical adhesions present a unique ...

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Science27 Feb 2025

Nominations sought for 2026 Watanabe Prize in Translational Research

The Indiana University School of Medicine is accepting nominations until May 15, 2025, for the 2026 August M. Watanabe Prize in Translational Research. The Watanabe Prize is one of the nation’s largest and most prestigious research awards recognizing senior investigators focused on shepherding scientific discoveries into new therapies for patients. Nominees should be members of the scientific or medical communities who have demonstrated outstanding accomplishments in translational research. The winner of the 2026 Watanabe Prize in Translational Research will receive a $100,000 award and spend time in Indianapolis from September 16-18, ...

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Science27 Feb 2025

Closing the gaps — MXene-coating filters can enhance performance and reusability

Despite improvements to air filtration technology in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, some of the smallest particles — those of automobile and factory emissions — can still make their way through less efficient, but common filters. An interdisciplinary team of researchers from Drexel University’s College of Engineering have introduced a new way to improve textile-based filters by coating them with a type of two-dimensional nanomaterial called MXene. Recently published in C Journal ...

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Science27 Feb 2025

Polar bear cubs emerging from their dens for the first time: New study captures rare footage

Svalbard, Norway – February 27, 2025 – Researchers from Polar Bears International, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, the Norwegian Polar Institute, and the University of Toronto Scarborough reveal the first detailed look at polar bear cubs emerging from their dens, captured through nearly a decade of remote camera footage in Svalbard, Norway. This research, published today on International Polar Bear Day in the Journal of Wildlife Management, marks the first combination of satellite tracking collars with remote camera traps to answer ...

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Science27 Feb 2025

Violence alters human genes for generations, researchers discover

In 1982, the Syrian government besieged the city of Hama, killing tens of thousands of its own citizens in sectarian violence. Four decades later, rebels used the memory of the massacre to help inspire the toppling of the Assad family that had overseen the operation. But there is another lasting effect of the attack, hidden deep in the genes of Syrian families. The grandchildren of women who were pregnant during the siege — grandchildren who never experienced such violence themselves — nonetheless bear marks of it in their genomes. ...

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Science27 Feb 2025

Intermittent fasting inhibits platelet activation to reduce thrombosis risk

Cardiovascular diseases remain a leading cause of death worldwide, with platelet hyperactivity and subsequent thrombosis playing a pivotal role in these conditions. While intermittent fasting has long been recognized for its metabolic benefits, including improvements in metabolic diseases, weight loss, and even lifespan extension, its effect on platelet activation and thrombosis formation remains less understood. A recent study by Professor Junbo Ge team at Fudan University unveiled a novel mechanism by which intermittent fasting can significantly reduce the risk of platelet hyperactivity and thrombosis. That is, intermittent fasting elevates levels of the metabolite ...

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Science27 Feb 2025

A clear game-changer: Curtin’s water-repellent glass breaks new ground

Curtin University researchers have developed a new technique to make glass water-repellent, a feature that could improve safety in vehicles, reduce cleaning costs for buildings and enhance filtration systems. The research, published in the prestigious journal Advanced Functional Materials, shows how an innovative and non-toxic process using ultrasonic sound waves can alter the surface of glass, making it either hydrophobic (water resistant) or electrically charged. Lead researcher Associate Professor Nadim Darwish, an ARC Future Fellow at Curtin’s ...

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Science27 Feb 2025

Are our refrigerants safe? The lingering questions about the chemicals keeping us cool

A team of scientists at UNSW has discovered that some of the most important new refrigerants break down, in part, into persistent greenhouse gas pollutants, including compounds that have been banned internationally. Refrigerants are chemicals that turn from a liquid to a gas – and vice-versa – and transfer heat in the process, that are used for refrigeration and indoor heating and cooling. The chemicals are also used as aerosol propellants, fire retardants and in the manufacture of foamed plastics. Hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs), which react rapidly in the lower atmosphere, have emerged as the lead synthetic chemical for refrigerants, and are considered a more environmentally friendly ...

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Science27 Feb 2025

How nitrogen reshapes root system architecture in plants?

In soil, nitrogen (N), an essential macronutrient for plant growth, exhibits significant spatial heterogeneity. This necessitates plants to grapple with a complex array of environmental conditions in their quest for N sustenance. Roots, as the pivotal organs in N acquisition, manifest a remarkable morphological plasticity, including variations in the length and density of primary roots, lateral roots, and root hairs, in response to the form and content of available N, which is termed N-dependent root system architecture (RSA). For cultivated crops, the ...

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Science27 Feb 2025

‘Fluorescent phoenix’ discovered with persistence rivaling Marie Curie’s

A research team at POSTECH (Pohang University of Science and Technology) has successfully developed a super-photostable organic dye after two years of dedicated research—demonstrating perseverance akin to that of Marie Curie, who painstakingly extracted just 0.1 grams of radium from eight tons of ore to earn her Nobel Prize. Single-molecule imaging, a technique that uses fluorescent markers to track proteins with precision, plays a crucial role in cell biology, biochemistry, molecular biology, and drug discovery. However, conventional organic ...

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Science27 Feb 2025

A rapid and reproducible method for generating germ-free Drosophila melanogaster

Benefits of the New Method: Enhanced Efficiency: The filter membrane allows air exchange while preventing bacterial contamination, eliminating the need for frequent cap opening and reducing the risk of errors. Improved Reproducibility: The standardized protocol ensures consistent results, with a 100% success rate in generating germ-free flies compared to the previous 70%–80% rate. Streamlined Process: This method simplifies the entire process, making it more accessible to researchers and allowing for larger-scale experiments. Implications for Research: This advancement opens doors for deeper exploration of the intricate dance between hosts ...

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Science27 Feb 2025

New screening tool for stroke survivors with visual perception problems

A new 15-minute tool to screen stroke survivors for visual perception problems has been launched by researchers from Durham and Oxford universities. The free screening tool could make it easier for health professionals to identify difficulties in patients after a stroke and meet the need for an assessment that is quick and simple to administer. The research behind the screening tool, funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) and the Stroke Association, is published in Clinical Rehabilitation today. Up to 76 per cent of stroke ...

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Science26 Feb 2025

In preparing children for a racially unequal society, families of colour can benefit from more support, study finds

In preparing children for a racially unequal society, families of colour can benefit from more support, study finds Researcher says parents should double down on key messages, which focus on feeling pride, valuing diversity and recognizing and responding to discrimination A McGill-led team of researchers has gained insight into how parents of colour in the United States approach discussions with their children aimed at teaching them the skills they need to survive and thrive in a racially unequal society. A key finding of the recent paper in Developmental Psychology is that parents are especially in need of information, support and ...

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Science26 Feb 2025

Immunity against seasonal H1N1 flu reduces bird flu severity in ferrets, study suggests

Pre-existing immunity against seasonal H1N1 flu might help explain why most reported human cases of H5N1 bird flu in the U.S. have not resulted in lethal outcomes, suggests a new study by University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and Emory University researchers. The report was published last week in Emerging Infectious Diseases. In a ferret model of virus transmission used to study the potential of viruses to spread between people, pre-existing immunity appeared to influence infection severity in ferrets. Compared to immunologically naïve ...

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Science26 Feb 2025

Do starchy carbs cause cavities?

ITHACA, N.Y. – It’s common knowledge that sugar causes cavities, but new Cornell University research provides evidence that – depending on your genetic makeup – starches could also be a contributing factor. The study, published in Microorganisms, explores the response of the oral microbiome to starch, finding that the number of copies of a particular gene, AMY1, in combination with starch, alters the complex composition of bacteria that play a role in oral health. “Most people have been warned that if you eat a bunch of sugar, make sure you brush your teeth,” said Angela Poole, senior author and assistant professor of molecular nutrition. “The ...

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Science26 Feb 2025

New study supports caution regarding use of steroids

A new study of more than 2,900 patients provides evidence that it’s likely best to use as little corticosteroid medicine as possible when treating people who have lupus pericarditis, a common heart complication of the autoimmune disease Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE). This study, funded by the National Institutes of Health’s (NIH) National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) and led by Johns Hopkins Medicine cardiologists and rheumatologists who led the study say their analysis of data affirms that using steroids to curb heart inflammation and other painful symptoms for lupus patients ...

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Science26 Feb 2025

Shark activity in South African reef revealed by citizen scientist scuba divers

Shark sightings by scuba divers reveal the movements of marine predators throughout the year, according to a study published February 26, 2025 in the open-access journal PLOS One by George Balchin, William Hughes and colleagues at the University of Sussex, U.K., and Aquaplanet Dive Center, South Africa. Many sharks move through different habitats as they follow food or search for mates. Since they are major predators, they change the shape of the ecosystems they visit. Examining these movements is key to understanding the health of ocean habitats as well as the impacts of human activity, but it is notoriously ...

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