Breakthrough Si-based Anode Material: Sieving-Pore Structure Enables High-Performance Lithium-Ion Batteries

2025-05-30
Breakthrough Si-based Anode Material: Sieving-Pore Structure Enables High-Performance Lithium-Ion Batteries

Researchers have developed a novel silicon-carbon composite anode material (SSC) using a two-step chemical vapor deposition method. The SSC material features a unique sieving-pore structure with sub-nanometer pore entrances that effectively sieve the electrolyte, suppressing the formation of organic-rich SEI and promoting the formation of inorganic-rich SEI. This inorganic-rich SEI not only stabilizes the interface but also provides fast Li+ transport pathways. Simultaneously, the combined effect of the sieving-pore structure and inorganic-rich SEI mechanically confines the volume expansion of Si, inhibiting the formation of c-Li15Si4 and enhancing cycling stability. Experimental results demonstrate that the SSC anode exhibits high reversible capacity, excellent cycling life, and rate capability, showing great potential for high-energy density lithium-ion batteries.

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Caffeine's Age-Dependent Effects on Brain Complexity and Criticality During Sleep

2025-05-30
Caffeine's Age-Dependent Effects on Brain Complexity and Criticality During Sleep

A new study reveals that caffeine affects brain complexity and criticality in an age-dependent manner. Analyzing sleep EEG data, researchers found that caffeine induced increases in complexity and criticality of brain activity in young and middle-aged adults, but not in older adults. This study provides novel insights into the effects of caffeine on the brain and age-related neurodegenerative diseases.

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Base Editing Offers New Hope for Treating CAG and GAA Repeat Expansion Disorders

2025-05-29
Base Editing Offers New Hope for Treating CAG and GAA Repeat Expansion Disorders

This study investigates the potential of cytosine base editors (CBEs) and adenine base editors (ABEs) to treat repeat expansion disorders such as Huntington's disease (HD) and Friedreich's ataxia (FRDA). Researchers designed editors targeting CAG and GAA repeats and demonstrated their effectiveness in in vitro and in vivo experiments. CBEs significantly reduced CAG repeat expansion, even promoting contraction, in a mouse model of HD. ABEs stabilized GAA repeats and increased FXN gene expression in a mouse model of FRDA. While off-target effects exist, the findings highlight the significant potential of these base editors for treating repeat expansion disorders.

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In Vivo CAR T-Cell Therapy: Revolutionizing Cancer Immunotherapy?

2025-05-27
In Vivo CAR T-Cell Therapy: Revolutionizing Cancer Immunotherapy?

CAR T-cell therapies have shown remarkable success in treating blood cancers, but their laborious ex vivo manufacturing and high cost limit their accessibility. To address these challenges, scientists are developing in vivo CAR T-cell therapies, which involve genetically engineering T cells directly within the body. This approach promises to simplify manufacturing, reduce costs, and benefit more patients. While in vivo methods face challenges like precise targeting of T cells and potential side effects, their potential is immense and could revolutionize cancer immunotherapy.

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Optimizing Aggregate Packing Density for Enhanced Compressive Strength in Biocemented Materials

2025-05-27
Optimizing Aggregate Packing Density for Enhanced Compressive Strength in Biocemented Materials

Researchers significantly improved the compressive strength of biocemented materials by optimizing the packing density of aggregate mixtures. They employed the Modified Andreassen model to design an optimal particle size distribution curve, which was validated through compaction experiments. The optimized mix exhibited higher aggregate packing density during biomineralization, leading to reduced cementation solution consumption. Subsequently, an improved stop-flow pressure-based injection method was used for biomineralization experiments to investigate the impact of varying cementation solution pressure and concentration on biomineralization depth and compressive strength. Results showed that optimal UACP content, pressure, and concentration yielded high-strength, homogeneous biomineralized specimens, with a maximum compressive strength of 57.4 MPa – significantly exceeding previous studies. Lower flow rates and higher aggregate packing density were also found to be beneficial for achieving higher ultrasonic wave velocities and compressive strengths.

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US Immigration Crackdown Drives International Conferences Overseas

2025-05-24
US Immigration Crackdown Drives International Conferences Overseas

Several academic and scientific conferences in the United States have been postponed, canceled, or relocated due to growing concerns among international researchers about the country's stricter immigration policies. The tightening of visa rules and border control, coupled with other policies implemented by the Trump administration, is deterring international scholars from attending US-based events. As a result, organizers are moving conferences to countries like Canada to ensure broader participation. This trend, if it continues, could significantly impact US science and cities that rely on hosting these events, representing a potential decline in US influence within the global academic community and a possible deglobalization in scientific collaboration.

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Tech

Rice Plants Inherit Cold Tolerance in Three Generations Through Epigenetic Changes

2025-05-23
Rice Plants Inherit Cold Tolerance in Three Generations Through Epigenetic Changes

A decade-long study reveals that Asian rice plants acquired cold tolerance in just three generations, not through DNA sequence changes, but via epigenetic modifications. Researchers, through cold-stress experiments, discovered that this tolerance stems from epigenetic alterations to chemical markers on the plant's DNA, not the DNA sequence itself. This challenges the traditional view of evolution, suggesting that environmental pressures induce heritable changes without altering the genome. The environment, therefore, acts as a selective force, not just a passive actor.

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AI Chatbots: More Persuasive Than Humans in Online Debates

2025-05-19
AI Chatbots: More Persuasive Than Humans in Online Debates

A new study reveals that AI chatbots, powered by large language models (LLMs), are more persuasive than humans in online debates, especially when armed with opponent information. Researchers pitted 900 US participants against GPT-4 or a human in 10-minute debates on sociopolitical issues. Results showed GPT-4 significantly outperformed humans (64% of the time) when provided with basic demographic data. This raises concerns about the potential misuse of LLMs in political campaigns and targeted advertising, highlighting the potential risks of AI in information warfare.

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Human Gene Segment Boosts Mouse Brain Size by 6.5%

2025-05-18
Human Gene Segment Boosts Mouse Brain Size by 6.5%

A study published in Nature reveals that inserting a human-specific genetic segment into mice increases their brain size by 6.5%. This segment, by boosting the production of neural cells, expands the outer layer of the mouse brain. This finding could partially explain why human brains are significantly larger than those of our primate relatives. Researchers focused on a human accelerated region (HAR) called HARE5, finding it enhances the expression of the Fzd8 gene, promoting neural cell development and growth. This research provides new insights into human brain evolution.

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Intraterrestrials: Unveiling Earth's Hidden Microbial Worlds

2025-05-17
Intraterrestrials: Unveiling Earth's Hidden Microbial Worlds

Karen Lloyd's 'Intraterrestrials' takes readers on a thrilling journey into the hidden depths of our planet to explore the extraordinary microorganisms thriving in extreme environments. From deep-sea sediments and volcanic vents to permafrost, Lloyd, a seasoned geomicrobiologist, details her adventures collecting samples in challenging and sometimes dangerous locations. The book vividly portrays the difficulties and excitement of her expeditions, including a daring sampling mission in a highly acidic crater lake in Costa Rica’s Poás Volcano (which erupted just 54 days later!). Through these captivating stories, Lloyd reveals the surprising diversity and resilience of 'intraterrestrials,' highlighting their unique adaptations and offering insights into the evolution of life on Earth and the potential for life beyond.

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High-Speed Motion Perception: An Experimental Investigation of Visual System Processing

2025-05-16
High-Speed Motion Perception: An Experimental Investigation of Visual System Processing

This research investigates human visual perception of high-speed motion through five experiments. Participants performed tasks involving Gabor patch stimuli, with their perception of motion direction and curvature measured. Eye-tracking data and an early-vision model were integrated to reveal spatiotemporal dynamics and underlying neural mechanisms of visual processing during rapid motion. The findings offer significant insights into the functioning of the human visual system.

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DeepMind's AlphaEvolve: Evolving AI Algorithms to Solve Math Problems and Improve Chip Design

2025-05-14
DeepMind's AlphaEvolve: Evolving AI Algorithms to Solve Math Problems and Improve Chip Design

Google DeepMind's AlphaEvolve system, combining the creativity of a large language model (LLM) with algorithmic filtering, has achieved breakthroughs in mathematics and computer science. It has not only solved open mathematical problems but also been applied to DeepMind's own challenges, such as improving the design of its next-generation AI chips, Tensor Processing Units, and optimizing Google's global computing resource utilization, saving 0.7% of resources. Unlike previous AI systems tailored for specific tasks, AlphaEvolve is a general-purpose system capable of handling larger code and more complex algorithms, even outperforming the previously specialized AlphaTensor system in matrix multiplication calculations.

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AI

The Amygdala and Psychiatric Disorders: From Neuroimaging to Transcranial Focused Ultrasound

2025-05-13
The Amygdala and Psychiatric Disorders: From Neuroimaging to Transcranial Focused Ultrasound

This review article explores the crucial role of the amygdala in emotional processing and its relationship to various psychiatric disorders such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD. It reviews numerous neuroimaging studies revealing abnormal amygdala activation patterns across different psychiatric conditions. Furthermore, it introduces novel neuromodulation techniques like transcranial magnetic stimulation and transcranial focused ultrasound in treating psychiatric disorders, discussing their impact on amygdala activity and related brain network connectivity. This research offers vital clues to understanding the neural mechanisms of psychiatric disorders and developing more effective therapies.

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P-Hacking: The Sneaky Threat to Scientific Integrity

2025-05-13
P-Hacking: The Sneaky Threat to Scientific Integrity

Under the pressure to publish, researchers often fall prey to 'P-hacking,' the practice of manipulating analyses or data to achieve statistical significance. This can involve prematurely ending experiments, repeating experiments until a desired result is obtained, selectively reporting results, or tweaking data. While this might lead to publications, it undermines reproducibility and the reliability of scientific findings. The article highlights five common P-hacking techniques and stresses the importance of establishing data collection and analysis plans beforehand to avoid distorting scientific truth in the pursuit of significant results.

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Tech

Sub-Pixel Motion Detection with Ferroelectric Polymer-Based Memristor

2025-05-12
Sub-Pixel Motion Detection with Ferroelectric Polymer-Based Memristor

Researchers have developed a novel ferroelectric random-access memory (FeRAM) using solution-processed ferroelectric P(VDF-TrFE) thin films for sub-pixel motion detection. This FeRAM, based on a passive crossbar array of capacitors, leverages the nonlinear dynamics of ferroelectric domains to effectively eliminate sneak-path issues. By switching ferroelectric domains via controlled electric field polarity, the system stores and processes image information, directly extracting image differences. This enables applications like calculating derivatives of mathematical functions and identifying moving objects. The system boasts high accuracy, low power consumption, and eliminates the need for additional memory units, showing significant potential for applications in video surveillance and defect detection.

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Bias-Free Dual H2 Production System: 4x Higher Efficiency Than DOE Target

2025-05-11
Bias-Free Dual H2 Production System: 4x Higher Efficiency Than DOE Target

Researchers have devised a novel bias-free dual hydrogen production system, replacing the energy-intensive oxygen evolution reaction with the cost-effective oxidation of furfural. The system consists of a highly efficient PtC/Ni/c-Si photocathode for water reduction and a copper anode for furfural oxidation, producing valuable furoic acid and hydrogen. This design cleverly harnesses the high photocurrent of the c-Si photocathode, eliminating the need for external bias and achieving a significantly higher hydrogen production rate than conventional water splitting. The solar hydrogen production rate is more than 8 times higher than previously reported bias-free PEC H2 production systems, far exceeding the US Department of Energy (DOE) target.

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Cancer Metabolism Research: A Novel Perspective on Fat and Brown Adipose Tissue

2025-05-08
Cancer Metabolism Research: A Novel Perspective on Fat and Brown Adipose Tissue

Recent breakthroughs in cancer metabolism research have revealed the dependence of tumor cells on glucose and lipid metabolism. Researchers are exploring ways to target metabolic pathways in cancer cells, such as inhibiting hexokinase-2, glucose transporter 1, and fatty acid synthase. Studies also investigate metabolic inhibitors like 6-aminonicotinamide and etomoxir to suppress tumor growth. Furthermore, research focuses on the role of brown adipose tissue in tumor suppression, showing that cold exposure and activation of the PRDM16 pathway can promote brown fat generation, thus inhibiting tumor growth. These studies offer promising avenues for developing novel cancer therapies, particularly targeted therapies based on metabolic regulation.

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Ancient Genomes Rewrite the History of the Sahara and Africa's Peopling

2025-05-08
Ancient Genomes Rewrite the History of the Sahara and Africa's Peopling

A groundbreaking study utilizing ancient DNA has revolutionized our understanding of the Sahara's 'Green' period and its impact on the peopling of Africa. Analysis of ancient genomes from North Africa and the Sahara revealed complex admixture events, tracing connections between Near Eastern and sub-Saharan African populations. The findings highlight migrations from Iberia and the Levant shaping the Northwest African Neolithic. This research offers unprecedented insights into the origins and evolution of African populations and the profound influence of climate change on human history.

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Rose Petal Growth: A Geometric Trick Revealed

2025-05-03
Rose Petal Growth: A Geometric Trick Revealed

Physicists have uncovered a previously unknown geometric trick employed in the growth of rose petals. Through theoretical analysis, computer simulations, and experiments with rubbery plastic sheets, they demonstrated that as petals curl outwards, mechanical feedback regulates their growth, resulting in rolled edges and pointed tips. This discovery could have future applications in engineering and architecture. The research highlights how geometric patterns influence developing organisms in nature, emphasizing the interplay between intrinsic and extrinsic geometry in shaping biological forms.

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NIH to Halt Funding for Foreign Research: A Blow to Global Health

2025-05-01
NIH to Halt Funding for Foreign Research: A Blow to Global Health

The US National Institutes of Health (NIH) is set to implement a policy temporarily halting funding for labs and hospitals outside the US. This move threatens thousands of global health projects and international collaborations, particularly in areas like emerging infectious diseases and cancer research. The policy could impact approximately 15% of NIH grants, affecting collaborations with countries including the UK, Canada, Germany, and Australia. Critics argue this short-sighted decision will lead to preventable deaths and hinder progress in critical research areas like cancer, due to the loss of crucial international data and expertise.

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Tech

NSF Director Resigns Amidst Mass Grant Terminations

2025-04-26
NSF Director Resigns Amidst Mass Grant Terminations

The US National Science Foundation (NSF) is facing upheaval. Hundreds more research grants were terminated today, following hundreds last week. This comes one day after Director Sethuraman Panchanathan abruptly resigned, with staff offered early retirement incentives. The Trump administration reportedly plans to cut the NSF's budget by 55% and its workforce by 50%. The mass grant terminations are linked to an initiative led by Elon Musk to reduce federal spending, with some terminated grants accused of promoting 'Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)'. Former NSF director Neal Lane praised Panchanathan's leadership, calling it outstanding amidst efforts to diminish NSF's role.

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Stunning Partisan Divide in How US Lawmakers Cite Science

2025-04-25
Stunning Partisan Divide in How US Lawmakers Cite Science

A new analysis of hundreds of thousands of policy documents reveals a striking difference in how US political parties use scientific literature. Democrat-led congressional committees and left-leaning think tanks are far more likely to cite research papers than their Republican counterparts. The study also found Democrats and left-leaning groups are more likely to cite high-impact research, and both sides rarely cite the same studies or topics. The research, published in Science, shows that documents from Democrat-controlled committees were almost 1.8 times more likely to cite science than those from Republican-led committees.

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Brazilian Biomedical Research Reproducibility Crisis: Half of Experiments Fail to Replicate

2025-04-25
Brazilian Biomedical Research Reproducibility Crisis: Half of Experiments Fail to Replicate

A large-scale study involving over 50 Brazilian research teams found that over half of biomedical experiments failed to reproduce. The teams selected three common biomedical methods and replicated experiments from papers published between 1998 and 2017. Results showed only 21% of experiments met reproducibility criteria, with original papers reporting effect sizes 60% larger on average than replications. This highlights reproducibility issues in Brazilian biomedical research and provides crucial evidence for improving research practices and policies.

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Cracking Mendel's Last Mystery: Genes for Three Pea Traits Finally Identified

2025-04-25
Cracking Mendel's Last Mystery: Genes for Three Pea Traits Finally Identified

Gregor Mendel's groundbreaking pea plant experiments, conducted over 160 years ago, laid the foundation for genetics. However, the genes responsible for three of his seven observed traits remained elusive. A new study published in Nature uses modern genomic sequencing and sophisticated computational analysis to finally identify these genes, revealing how they control pod color, pod shape, and flower branching. This breakthrough not only solves a long-standing puzzle but also paves the way for advancements in pea genomics and plant breeding.

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Tech peas

Sub-nanosecond Flash Memory Device Based on 2D Materials: Fabrication and Modeling

2025-04-23
Sub-nanosecond Flash Memory Device Based on 2D Materials: Fabrication and Modeling

Researchers fabricated a sub-nanosecond flash memory device based on two-dimensional (2D) materials (WSe2, graphene, and hBN). The fabrication process involved e-beam lithography, atomic layer deposition, and mechanical exfoliation. The device's structure and performance were characterized using atomic force microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive spectroscopy. A quasi-2D model was developed to simulate the device's electrical characteristics, and its validity was experimentally verified. This research provides new avenues for developing high-performance, low-power next-generation flash memory devices.

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Brain Drain: US Scientists Flee Trump's Science Funding Cuts

2025-04-22
Brain Drain: US Scientists Flee Trump's Science Funding Cuts

The Trump administration's drastic cuts to science funding and workforce are driving a mass exodus of US scientists seeking opportunities abroad. Nature Careers data reveals a 32% surge in applications from US scientists for international jobs between January and March 2025 compared to 2024, alongside a 35% increase in US users browsing international opportunities. March alone saw a staggering 68% rise in views as cuts intensified, with hundreds of federal research grants abruptly terminated and major universities facing substantial funding reductions. European institutions are actively recruiting these displaced scientists, with initiatives like Aix-Marseille University's 'Safe Place for Science' and the Max Planck Society's Transatlantic Program offering refuge and collaboration opportunities. This brain drain reflects not just a search for opportunities, but a forced exodus from US academic institutions.

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iPS Cell Therapy for Parkinson's Disease: A Safe and Effective Clinical Trial

2025-04-22
iPS Cell Therapy for Parkinson's Disease: A Safe and Effective Clinical Trial

A clinical trial for Parkinson's disease used induced pluripotent stem cell (iPS cell)-derived dopamine progenitor cells in bilateral putaminal transplantation. Results showed the therapy to be safe and effective, with no serious adverse events and improvements in motor symptoms and increased dopamine uptake in some patients. While limitations exist, including potential placebo effects and observer bias, and further research is needed to define optimal patient selection criteria, the trial provides evidence for the safety and efficacy of iPS cell-derived dopamine progenitor cells as a regenerative therapy for Parkinson's disease.

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Journal Snatchers Turn Reputable Academic Titles into Predatory Publications

2025-04-21
Journal Snatchers Turn Reputable Academic Titles into Predatory Publications

Research integrity analysts have uncovered a disturbing trend: companies are acquiring reputable scholarly journals and transforming them into predatory publications with questionable practices. A recent study identified at least 36 journals that underwent this transformation after being purchased by a network of newly established international companies. These journals, previously indexed by databases like Scopus, were acquired for hundreds of thousands of euros each. Post-acquisition, the journals often increased article-processing charges, dramatically increased publication volume, and published papers outside their original scope, hallmarks of predatory publishing. While some companies deny the allegations, the lack of transparency and the absence of ownership information on journal websites raise serious concerns about academic integrity and the need for stronger regulation.

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AI Fights Soil Degradation in Spanish Vineyards

2025-04-20
AI Fights Soil Degradation in Spanish Vineyards

Facing widespread soil degradation costing €50 billion annually, Spain is tackling the issue head-on. Geographer Jesús Rodrigo Comino uses AI and geographic information systems to develop tools for farmers, improving vineyard soil management and preventing erosion. His work, part of the EU's 'A Soil Deal for Europe' mission, combines field experiments and public education to raise awareness and promote sustainable practices. Climate change exacerbates the problem, highlighting the urgency of Comino's research to preserve Spain's cultural heritage and economy.

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The Rise of Drug-Resistant Fungi: A Race Against Time

2025-04-19
The Rise of Drug-Resistant Fungi: A Race Against Time

Drug-resistant fungi, such as the highly lethal Candida auris, pose a growing threat to global public health. Around 3.8 million people die each year from fungal infections, a number that has nearly doubled in the past decade. The article highlights the challenges in developing antifungal drugs due to the similarity between fungal and human cells, and the potential for increased resistance due to widespread fungicide use in agriculture. Currently, only three antifungal drugs are in late-stage clinical trials. The article calls for increased basic research, improved diagnostic tools, the establishment of clinical trial networks, and policy interventions, such as restricting the use of agricultural fungicides, to address this challenge and prevent more fungi from evolving into dangerous pathogens.

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