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Science 2025-10-21

How hard is it to dim the Sun?

Once considered a fringe idea, the prospect of offsetting global warming by releasing massive quantities of sunlight-reflecting particles into Earth’s atmosphere is now a matter of serious scientific consideration. Hundreds of studies have modeled how this form of solar geoengineering, known as stratospheric aerosol injection (SAI), might work. There is a real possibility that nations or even individuals seeking a stopgap solution to climate change may try SAI—but the proponents dramatically ...
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Social Science 2025-10-21

Researchers launch survey to unlock the secrets of vivid memory

Do you have a memory so vivid you can relive it as if it's happening all over again, re-experiencing the physical sensations and emotions just as you did in that moment? Researchers at the Universities of Cambridge and Durham want to understand more about vivid memories: how these experiences differ from person to person, how they evolve as we age, and how they changed across modern history. To do it, they need your help. The team has launched an online public survey asking people to describe two of their most vivid memories. They’re hoping for thousands of responses from people of all age-groups ...
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Science 2025-10-21

Exotic roto-crystals

21 October 2025 – It sounds bizarre, but they exist: crystals made of rotating objects. Physicists from Aachen, Düsseldorf, Mainz and Wayne State (Detroit, USA) have jointly studied these exotic objects and their properties. They easily break into individual fragments, have odd grain boundaries and evidence defects that can be controlled in a targeted fashion. In an article published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), the researchers outline how several new properties of such “transverse interaction” ...
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Science 2025-10-21

Dr Harriet Kildahl joins PeroCycle as Technical Director

University of Birmingham spin-out PeroCycle has announced the appointment of Dr Harriet Kildahl, who co-invented the company’s core technology, as Technical Director.  Dr Kildahl, who devised the closed loop carbon recycling system technology with Professor Yulong Ding at the University of Birmingham, U.K., joins the PeroCycle team after a three-year stint in Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) consulting. Her appointment forms a powerful partnership with PeroCycle CEO Grant Budge, who has led the ...
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Medicine 2025-10-21

Exercise counteracts junk food's depression-like effects through gut-brain metabolic signaling

CORK, IRELAND, 21 October 2025 -- Researchers led by Professor Yvonne Nolan at University College Cork have identified specific metabolic pathways through which exercise counteracts the negative behavioral effects of consuming a Western-style cafeteria diet. Published today in the peer-reviewed journal Brain Medicine, this research demonstrates that voluntary running exercise can mitigate depression-like behaviors induced by high-fat, high-sugar diets associated with both circulating hormones and gut-derived metabolites. The findings provide crucial insights into how lifestyle ...
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Science 2025-10-21

Genetic link discovered between childhood intelligence and parental longevity

EDINBURGH, Scotland, UNITED KINGDOM, 7 October 2025 -- Researchers led by Dr. W. David Hill at the University of Edinburgh have identified a significant genetic correlation between childhood cognitive function and longevity, providing the first molecular genetic evidence that intelligence measured in youth shares genetic factors with lifespan. Published today in the peer-reviewed journal Genomic Psychiatry, this Brevia represents a crucial advance in understanding why more intelligent children tend to ...
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Medicine 2025-10-21

Psychedelics reshape time perception offering new therapeutic pathways

CHANGCHUN, CHINA, 21 October 2025 -- A perspective article published today in Psychedelics by Prof. Xiaohui Wang and colleagues examine how psychedelic substances profoundly reshape our perception of time, offering unprecedented insights into consciousness and potential therapeutic applications. The analysis synthesizes existing research on temporal distortions induced by substances including psilocybin, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), and dimethyltryptamine (DMT), revealing how these compounds provide ...
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Medicine 2025-10-21

Genetic inflammation markers reveal distinct depression subtypes affecting treatment response

ENNA, ITALY, 21 October 2025 -- Researchers led by Prof. Alessandro Serretti at Kore University of Enna have identified a genetic inflammatory signature that defines specific depression subtypes and influences how patients respond to antidepressant medications, according to new peer-reviewed research published today in Genomic Psychiatry. The findings suggest that inherited predisposition to inflammation may help explain why certain patients experience particular symptom patterns and respond differently to standard treatments, potentially advancing efforts toward more personalized approaches in mental health care. Novel Genetic Architecture Uncovered The research team ...
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Medicine 2025-10-21

Understanding how menopause symptoms can complicate treatment of traumatic brain injuries

CLEVELAND, Ohio (Oct 21, 2025)—Despite growing recognition of sex differences in traumatic brain injury (TBI) outcomes, the interaction between hormone transitions–particularly menopause–and brain injury remains significantly underexplored in both research and clinical care. A new study suggests a greater focus on hormone changes when diagnosing and treating TBIs in menopausal women. Results of the study will be presented at the 2025 Annual Meeting of The Menopause Society in Orlando October 21-25. The menopause transition ...
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Science 2025-10-21

Digestive issues more common during perimenopause and menopause

CLEVELAND, Ohio (Oct 21, 2025)—Digestive health issues are highly prevalent among perimenopausal and menopausal women, with many reporting the onset or exacerbation of symptoms during this life stage. Despite symptom burden, formal diagnoses and effective treatment remain limited. That’s the conclusion of a new study focused on gut health during the menopause transition. Results of the study will be presented at the 2025 Annual Meeting of The Menopause Society in Orlando October 21-25. The hormone changes experienced during perimenopause and menopause ...
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Medicine 2025-10-21

Oral or transdermal hormone therapy? The mental health risks are not the same

CLEVELAND, Ohio (Oct 21, 2025)—Hormone therapy–oral and transdermal–remains the most effective treatment for such bothersome menopause symptoms as hot flashes and is generally considered safe for most patients. A new study shows that risk profiles are different based on how the hormones are administered. Results of the study will be presented at the 2025 Annual Meeting of The Menopause Society in Orlando October 21-25. When it comes to hormone therapy, there is not a consistently preferred route of administration. ...
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Medicine 2025-10-21

When women initiate estrogen therapy matters

CLEVELAND, Ohio (Oct 21, 2025)—Menopause may take a toll on women physically and emotionally due to declining estrogen levels. For some, the use of hormone therapy has proven valuable in managing bothersome menopause symptoms. A new study suggests that when a woman starts taking hormones makes a major difference in longer term health outcomes. Results of the study will be presented at the 2025 Annual Meeting of The Menopause Society in Orlando October 21-25. A large percentage of women will experience some type of menopause symptoms, with the most common symptom ...
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Medicine 2025-10-21

Risk of eye disease increases during menopause transition

CLEVELAND, Ohio (Oct 21, 2025)—Many symptoms, such as hot flashes and vaginal dryness, are commonly associated with the menopause transition. One of the lesser-known symptoms that worsens in midlife is dry eyes. A new study suggests that postmenopausal women exhibit a higher prevalence of dry eye disease than perimenopausal women. Results of the study will be presented at the 2025 Annual Meeting of The Menopause Society in Orlando October 21-25. Dry eye disease is a relatively common disease characterized by eyes not providing enough tears or ...
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Science 2025-10-21

Life in the fast (and slow) lanes for salmon

Kyoto, Japan -- Life-history variation is fundamental to the long-term persistence of populations and species because it ensures their ability to adapt to changing environments. Many important studies have focused on life-history variation between habitats, but the variation maintained within a habitat has often been overlooked. Unravelling this puzzle at the landscape level is critical for understanding the spatial scales at which adaption and population persistence operate in nature. This motivated a team of researchers at Kyoto University to investigate life-history variation in masu salmon. "We wanted to understand how the variation in life-history is partitioned within and ...
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Science 2025-10-21

Early natural menopause linked with higher risk of metabolic syndrome

CLEVELAND, Ohio (Oct 21, 2025)—The prevalence of metabolic syndrome, a dangerous and potentially deadly condition, increases with menopause. That’s the result of decreasing estrogen that protects against these metabolic conditions. A new study not only identified the prevalence of metabolic syndrome but also sought to determine its association with the age of natural menopause. Results of the study will be presented at the 2025 Annual Meeting of The Menopause Society in Orlando, October 21-25. Metabolic syndrome is a serious condition because it is a cluster of risk factors, including obesity, high blood pressure, ...
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Medicine 2025-10-21

Earlier menopause and reduced cardiac function can take a toll on brain health

CLEVELAND, Ohio (Oct 21, 2025)—Women face a higher risk of developing both cardiovascular disease and Alzheimer’s disease than men. Cardiovascular disease is linked to an increased likelihood of Alzheimer’s disease, especially among women. A new study investigated whether earlier age at menopause influences the association between cardiac function and brain health. Results of the study will be presented at the 2025 Annual Meeting of The Menopause Society in Orlando October 21-25. Reduced cardiac function can affect brain health by limiting the essential supply of oxygen and ...
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Medicine 2025-10-21

Feeling anxious during menopause? Hormone therapy may or may not help

CLEVELAND, Ohio (Oct 21, 2025)—Anxiety is a common and significant symptom of menopause and perimenopause, largely due to hormone fluctuations. Numerous studies have focused on the potential benefits of hormone therapy in reducing anxiety. A new systematic review indicates the treatment does not consistently impact anxiety symptoms in midlife women. Results of the review will be presented at the 2025 Annual Meeting of The Menopause Society in Orlando, October 21-25. Anxiety can manifest in a number of ways, including nervousness, ...
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Medicine 2025-10-21

Likelihood of being prescribed hormone therapy may depend on the type of provider seen

CLEVELAND, Ohio (Oct 21, 2025)—Not all healthcare professionals receive the same type of formal education. That may help explain the results of a new study which suggests that provider type and specialty greatly affect whether a woman receives prescription medication treatment for menopause-related care and, if so, what kind of treatment she receives. Results of the study will be presented at the 2025 Annual Meeting of The Menopause Society in Orlando October 21-25. Menopause represents a time of significant physiological and psychosocial transition with symptoms that affect up to 80% of women. Hormone therapy ...
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Science 2025-10-21

The role of genetics in modifying the link between earlier menopause and memory decline

CLEVELAND, Ohio (Oct 22, 2025)—Women are significantly more likely than men to develop Alzheimer’s disease. Earlier age at menopause is associated with a greater risk for late-life cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease. A new study suggests that this risk is even higher in women who carry the APOE e4 gene variant or who have systemic inflammation. Study results will be presented at the 2025 Annual Meeting of The Menopause Society in Orlando October 21-25. There are a number of reasons why women are more likely than men to develop Alzheimer’s ...
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Technology 2025-10-21

Who watches the AI watchman?

As artificial intelligence (AI) takes on increasingly critical roles — from managing power grids to piloting autonomous vehicles — making sure these systems are safe has never been more important. But how can we be certain that the AI controlling them can be trusted?   A research team at the University of Waterloo is addressing this question using tools from applied mathematics and machine learning to rigorously check and verify the safety of AI-driven systems.   “Any time you’re dealing with a dynamic system — something ...
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Science 2025-10-21

Female bodybuilders at risk of sudden cardiac death

Sudden cardiac death is responsible for an unusually high proportion of deaths in female bodybuilders worldwide, according to research published in the European Heart Journal [1] today (Tuesday).   Sudden cardiac death is when someone dies suddenly and unexpectedly due to a problem with their heart. It is generally rare in young and seemingly healthy individuals.   The study found the greatest risk among women competing professionally. It also revealed a high proportion of deaths from suicide and homicide ...
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Science 2025-10-20

Garment factories are sweltering. These simple fixes could keep workers safe

Garment workers face some of the most precarious working conditions in the world and are increasingly at risk from extreme heat stress caused by climate change. A new University of Sydney-led study reveals how simple, affordable interventions could offer critical protection to those working in dangerously hot conditions. Published in The Lancet Planetary Health, the study identifies low-cost and scalable strategies that can reduce heat stress and protect worker productivity in Bangladesh’s ...
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Engineering 2025-10-20

‘Slums’ of Victorian Manchester housed wealthy doctors and engineers, new study reveals

UNDER STRICT EMBARGO UNTIL 00:01AM UK (BST) ON TUESDAY 21ST OCTOBER 2025 / 19:01PM US (ET) ON MONDAY 20TH OCTOBER 2025     Work, shopping, church and the pub kept different classes apart far more than ‘residential segregation’ in 1850s Manchester, undermining key assumptions about the Industrial Revolution. Historians have long assumed that Manchester’s middle classes sheltered from the poor in town houses and suburban villas. But by mapping digitized census data, new research shows that many middle-class Mancunians including doctors and engineers lived in the same buildings and streets as working-class residents including weavers and spinners.   Over ...
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Medicine 2025-10-20

Winners of Applied Microbiology International Horizon Awards 2025 announced

The winners of the Applied Microbiology International Horizon Awards 2025 have been announced. The prizes, awarded by the learned society Applied Microbiology International (AMI), celebrate the brightest minds in the field and promote the research, group, projects, products and individuals who continue to help shape the future of applied microbiology. The Horizon Awards recognise excellence across various domains of applied microbiology. Each award reflects a unique aspect of the field and its relevance to global challenges.  Dr Manu De Rycker, a Principal Investigator at the University of Dundee, has been named as the newest winner of the WH Pierce Global Impact in Microbiology ...
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Environment 2025-10-20

Most of Wine Country’s agricultural workers have been exposed to wildfires, new survey finds

Sonoma County is known for its rolling fields and famed vineyards, making the region a pillar in California’s wine industry. But a sweeping new survey from UC Berkeley has found that approximately 75% of agricultural workers there have worked during wildfires since 2017, raising questions about worker safety and a program that could further expose workers during wildfire evacuations.  About half of the 1,000-plus farmworkers who participated in the study reported having ailments like headaches or sore throats after working during a wildfire. Half reported a lack of health insurance, and many worked ...
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