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Latnija Cave, Malta: Evidence for Early Holocene Human Occupation

2025-04-13

Latnija Cave, Malta: Evidence for Early Holocene Human Occupation

This multidisciplinary study presents an in-depth excavation and analysis of Latnija Cave in Malta. Combining archaeobotany, chronological modeling, isotopic analysis, sedimentology, and zooarchaeology, researchers uncovered evidence of continuous human occupation from the Mesolithic to Neolithic periods. Analysis of stratigraphy, plant and animal remains, and artifacts revealed distinct phases, precisely dated using radiocarbon dating. This research provides valuable data for understanding early human activity in Malta and the interaction between humans and their environment during the early Holocene.

(www.nature.com)

Misc Mesolithic Neolithic

AI's Energy Hunger: Data Center Power Consumption to Double by 2030

2025-04-10

AI's Energy Hunger: Data Center Power Consumption to Double by 2030

A new report from the International Energy Agency (IEA) reveals that data center electricity consumption is projected to more than double by 2030, primarily driven by Artificial Intelligence (AI). The report forecasts data centers will consume 945 terawatt-hours (TWh) in 2030, roughly equivalent to Japan's current annual electricity consumption. AI servers already accounted for 15% of total data center energy demand in 2024. While developing economies are projected to account for only 5% of future growth, advanced economies will contribute over 20%. The IEA estimates that 20% of planned data centers might face grid connection delays. Experts suggest the energy consumption of AI might be underestimated, highlighting the need to address the surge in global electricity demand.

(www.nature.com)

Tech

Optoelectronic Neural Networks: A Dawn for Post-Moore's Law Computing?

2025-04-10

Optoelectronic Neural Networks: A Dawn for Post-Moore's Law Computing?

This review summarizes the rapid development of optoelectronic neural networks in recent years, from the pioneering work in deep learning to the latest advances in building large-scale neural networks using photonic devices. Researchers have explored various optical computing methods, including coherent nanophotonic circuits, diffractive deep neural networks, and photoelectric multiplication to implement deep learning. These studies have not only achieved breakthroughs in image recognition and StarCraft, but also provide new possibilities for breaking the limitations of Moore's Law and exploring new paths for post-Moore's Law computing.

(www.nature.com)

Tech optoelectronic neural networks post-Moore's law

Sleep: More Than Brain Rest, a Full-Body Reset

2025-04-10

Sleep: More Than Brain Rest, a Full-Body Reset

Harvard Medical School research challenges our understanding of sleep. While long considered mere brain rest, sleep deprivation experiments showed that fruit flies and mice died within ten days due to a buildup of reactive oxygen species in their guts. Sleep resets the brain, clearing neurotoxins, consolidating memories, and regulating genes, metabolism, and hormones for bodily homeostasis. Even organisms without central nervous systems, like hydra, exhibit sleep-like behavior, indicating that sleep's function transcends the brain and is crucial for whole-body health, reducing cardiovascular disease and cancer risk.

(www.nature.com)

Tech

Mitochondria: Cellular Powerhouses on the Move, Revolutionizing Disease Treatment

2025-04-10

Mitochondria: Cellular Powerhouses on the Move, Revolutionizing Disease Treatment

Groundbreaking research reveals that mitochondria, the cell's powerhouses, aren't static organelles; they travel between cells! This 'mitochondrial transfer' has been observed across various cell types and organisms, potentially playing a crucial role in tissue repair, immune system activation, and cellular rescue. Researchers are exploring its therapeutic potential for diseases like cancer and stroke, though its exact mechanisms and role in humans remain unclear. Mitochondrial transfer may revolutionize our understanding of cell-to-cell communication and disease treatment.

(www.nature.com)

Tech cell-to-cell communication disease treatment

Regionalized Brain and Spinal Cord Organoids from Human iPSCs

2025-04-09

Regionalized Brain and Spinal Cord Organoids from Human iPSCs

Researchers generated regionalized brain and spinal cord organoids from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) using various differentiation and culture protocols. These organoids mimicked different brain regions, including the cortex, dorsal and ventral midbrain, and spinal cord. The researchers characterized the cellular composition, gene expression, and neuronal activity of the organoids using single-cell RNA sequencing, immunocytochemistry, and calcium imaging. They further constructed assembloids – combinations of organoids – to study inter-regional connectivity. This research provides valuable in vitro models for studying human brain development and neurological diseases.

(www.nature.com)

Development organoids single-cell sequencing

AI Agent Solves Minecraft's Diamond Challenge Without Human Guidance

2025-04-07

AI Agent Solves Minecraft's Diamond Challenge Without Human Guidance

Researchers at Google DeepMind have developed Dreamer, an AI system that learned to autonomously collect diamonds in Minecraft without any prior human instruction. This represents a significant advancement in AI's ability to generalize knowledge. Dreamer uses reinforcement learning and a world model to predict future scenarios, enabling it to effectively plan and execute the complex task of diamond collection without pre-programmed rules or demonstrations. The research paves the way for creating robots capable of learning and adapting in the real world.

(www.nature.com)

AI

New Lasso-Shaped Antibiotic Discovered in Soil

2025-04-04

New Lasso-Shaped Antibiotic Discovered in Soil

Researchers have unearthed a novel antibiotic molecule from a soil sample, demonstrating potent antibacterial activity against a wide range of disease-causing bacteria, including those resistant to current treatments. This lasso-shaped peptide, produced by a Paenibacillus species, uniquely targets bacterial ribosomes, making resistance development difficult. The discovery offers a beacon of hope in the fight against the escalating antibiotic resistance crisis.

(www.nature.com)

Tech antibiotic drug resistance

Paying Peer Reviewers: Faster Reviews, Same Quality?

2025-03-31

Paying Peer Reviewers: Faster Reviews, Same Quality?

Two recent studies suggest that paying peer reviewers around $250 can significantly speed up the review process without compromising quality. An experiment by *Critical Care Medicine* showed that offering payment increased acceptance rates and review speed. *Biology Open* conducted a similar experiment with higher payment amounts, yielding similar results. While the studies are small-scale, they provide initial data on paid peer review, sparking debate about this model and its potential impact on scientific publishing.

(www.nature.com)

Tech payment

Quantum Supremacy Achieved: A Practical Beyond-Classical Application of Gate-Based Quantum Computers

2025-03-30

Quantum Supremacy Achieved: A Practical Beyond-Classical Application of Gate-Based Quantum Computers

Researchers experimentally demonstrated a certified randomness protocol based on random circuit sampling using a high-fidelity quantum computer and exascale classical computation. The protocol allows a classical client to verify randomness with only remote access to an untrusted quantum server, guaranteeing a certain amount of entropy. This work represents a breakthrough in practical applications for gate-based digital quantum computers, opening new opportunities in cryptography and communication. This falls under the Tech category.

(www.nature.com)

Tech randomness quantum supremacy

Robustness Testing of Medical AI Models: MIMIC-III, eICU, and SEER Datasets

2025-03-29

Robustness Testing of Medical AI Models: MIMIC-III, eICU, and SEER Datasets

This study evaluates the accuracy of machine learning models in predicting serious disease outcomes: 48-hour in-hospital mortality risk, 5-year breast cancer survivability, and 5-year lung cancer survivability. Three datasets—MIMIC-III, eICU, and SEER—were used, employing models such as LSTM, MLP, and XGBoost. To test model robustness, various test case generation methods were designed, including attribute-based variations, gradient ascent, and Glasgow Coma Scale-based approaches. The study assessed model performance on these challenging cases, revealing varying performance across datasets and methods, highlighting the need for further improvements to enhance reliability.

(www.nature.com)

AI Model Robustness Datasets

US Research Funding Cuts Drive Scientists to Consider Exiting the Country

2025-03-28

US Research Funding Cuts Drive Scientists to Consider Exiting the Country

Massive cuts to US research funding and the halting of federally funded science under the Trump administration have prompted a crisis for many US scientists. A Nature poll revealed that over 1200 scientists are considering leaving the US, with Europe and Canada being top destinations. Early-career researchers are particularly affected, with many graduate students and PhD candidates seeking opportunities abroad. Funding cuts, mass firings, and restrictions on academic freedom have created uncertainty, forcing scientists to seek opportunities elsewhere, posing a significant blow to US scientific progress.

(www.nature.com)

Tech brain drain

Paralyzed Man Walks Again After Stem Cell Injection

2025-03-27

Paralyzed Man Walks Again After Stem Cell Injection

A groundbreaking trial in Japan has shown promising results in treating paralysis using induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived neural stem cells. One of four participants, a paralyzed man, can now stand independently after receiving injections. Another participant regained some arm and leg movement, while two others showed no significant improvement. While the results, which haven't undergone peer review, suggest the treatment is safe, larger trials are needed to confirm its efficacy and rule out natural recovery.

(www.nature.com)

Tech

Animal-Methods Bias: A Roadblock to Scientific Progress?

2025-03-25

Animal-Methods Bias: A Roadblock to Scientific Progress?

A recent study reveals a widespread "animal-methods bias" in life sciences: researchers often prefer animal models despite the availability of potentially better non-animal methods. This bias stems from pressure from peer reviewers and funding agencies, forcing researchers to use animals even when their contribution is minimal. However, the tide is turning. More NGOs and institutions are funding research into non-animal methods, like organ-on-a-chip technology, which better mimic human physiology, thus boosting drug development efficiency and reducing animal use. While still nascent, these alternative methods, with increasing funding and technological maturity, promise to revolutionize biomedical research.

(www.nature.com)

Tech animal testing alternative methods

Wearables and the Medical Revolution: A Fiber Electronics Breakthrough

2025-03-23

Wearables and the Medical Revolution: A Fiber Electronics Breakthrough

Recent years have witnessed remarkable advancements in the application of wearable devices in healthcare. Researchers are utilizing advanced materials and processes, such as thermal drawing, to create multifunctional fibers integrating sensors, batteries, and even computing units. These fibers can be woven into smart textiles for real-time physiological monitoring, disease diagnosis, and even treatment delivery. From simple ECG monitoring to sophisticated neural interfaces, fiber electronics are paving the way for personalized and continuous healthcare. This technological breakthrough promises to revolutionize the medical industry, ushering in a true medical revolution.

(www.nature.com)

Tech wearable devices fiber electronics

Ancient Mediterranean Voyages: Genetic Evidence of Trans-Mediterranean Migration 8,500 Years Ago

2025-03-21

Ancient Mediterranean Voyages: Genetic Evidence of Trans-Mediterranean Migration 8,500 Years Ago

A new genomic study reveals that Stone Age hunter-gatherers living in present-day Tunisia and Algeria 8,500 years ago had partial ancestry from Europe. This is the first direct evidence of trans-Mediterranean seafaring during that era, suggesting these hunter-gatherers may have island-hopped across the sea in wooden canoes, guided by sight. This research fills a significant gap in our understanding of prehistory in North Africa and challenges previous assumptions about early human seafaring capabilities.

(www.nature.com)

Tech Prehistoric seafaring Genomics Human migration

Validating Global Gridded Population Datasets Using Dam Resettlement Data

2025-03-21

Validating Global Gridded Population Datasets Using Dam Resettlement Data

Researchers assessed the accuracy of five global gridded population datasets (GWP, GRUMP, GHS-POP, LandScan, and WorldPop) in predicting rural populations using data from the International Commission on Large Dams (ICOLD) database. They spatially overlaid resettlement data from 307 reservoirs with the population datasets, revealing systematic biases. The study improved prediction accuracy by adjusting for area biases in GeoDAR reservoir polygons. Results showed that while biases exist, these datasets offer reasonable accuracy in predicting rural populations, providing valuable insights for future research.

(www.nature.com)

Tech population data dams dam resettlement

Nanoscale LED Display: Smaller Than a Virus!

2025-03-20

Nanoscale LED Display: Smaller Than a Virus!

Researchers at Zhejiang University in China have created the world's smallest light-emitting diode (LED) display, with pixels smaller than 100 micrometers and even reaching an astonishing 90 nanometers—smaller than a virus! This breakthrough utilizes perovskite semiconductor materials, maintaining brightness and efficiency even at extremely small sizes, opening up new possibilities for miniature display technology. The research is published in Nature.

(www.nature.com)

Tech nanoscale LED perovskite miniature display

Microsoft's Controversial Topological Qubit Claim: Insufficient Evidence Sparks Debate

2025-03-18

Microsoft's Controversial Topological Qubit Claim: Insufficient Evidence Sparks Debate

Microsoft recently announced advancements in its topological qubit research, claiming to have created the first topological qubits. This claim has sparked significant controversy within the scientific community. While Microsoft researchers presented data at the APS meeting, many physicists remain skeptical about the sufficiency of the evidence. Noise in the experimental data and the lack of a clear bimodal signal make the conclusions unconvincing. Although Microsoft expresses confidence in its technology, further research and more conclusive evidence are needed to fully convince the broader scientific community.

(www.nature.com)

Tech Majorana fermions

Environmental DNA: A New Frontier in Forensics

2025-03-18

Environmental DNA: A New Frontier in Forensics

Environmental DNA (eDNA) is emerging as a powerful tool in forensic science. This technology leverages DNA fragments extracted from environmental samples like air and clothing to provide new leads in criminal investigations. A comprehensive review of literature explores how shed cells and skin fragments carry DNA, the effects of environmental factors (UV radiation, humidity) on DNA degradation, and the challenges of DNA transfer and contamination. The studies highlight how actions like speaking and contact spread DNA and how procedural improvements can mitigate contamination. While promising for improving accuracy and efficiency in forensic analysis, challenges remain in interpreting low-level DNA and distinguishing background eDNA from crime-relevant DNA.

(www.nature.com)

Tech environmental DNA DNA contamination

Photocatalysis: Unlocking Sustainable Chemical Synthesis?

2025-03-17

Photocatalysis: Unlocking Sustainable Chemical Synthesis?

Photocatalysis has emerged as a promising technology for sustainable chemical synthesis. Researchers are harnessing light energy to drive various chemical reactions, including converting carbon dioxide to methane and using water as an electron donor for organic molecule hydrogenation. These reactions offer efficient energy utilization and reduce reliance on fossil fuels, paving the way for eco-friendly chemical industries. However, challenges remain, such as improving the efficiency and stability of photocatalysts and exploring broader applications.

(www.nature.com)

Tech photocatalysis sustainable chemistry green chemistry

Kenyan Startup Uses Mushrooms to Tackle Housing Shortage

2025-03-14

Kenyan Startup Uses Mushrooms to Tackle Housing Shortage

Facing a severe housing deficit, Kenyan startup MycoTile is revolutionizing construction with eco-friendly building materials. They utilize agricultural waste like sugarcane bagasse, binding it with oyster mushroom mycelium to create affordable insulation panels. These panels, already proven effective in student accommodation, offer superior sound and temperature regulation at two-thirds the cost of conventional materials. Furthermore, they're fully compostable. While facing challenges in convincing a conservative construction industry and public accustomed to traditional materials, MycoTile's innovation offers a promising solution to Kenya's housing crisis.

(www.nature.com)

Startup agricultural waste construction materials

Rich Nations Must Form 'Climate Finance Clubs' to Avoid Climate Catastrophe

2025-03-13

Rich Nations Must Form 'Climate Finance Clubs' to Avoid Climate Catastrophe

The COP29 climate summit failed to secure sufficient funding to meet the Paris Agreement's goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. High-income countries pledged at least $300 billion annually to low- and middle-income countries by 2035, but their own contributions remain unspecified, and the diverse funding sources are inefficient. The article urges high-income countries to form 'climate finance clubs' to provide grants, not loans, prioritizing nations committed to emission reductions. This approach would facilitate decarbonization, prevent massive economic losses from climate change, and ultimately achieve global emission reduction targets.

(www.nature.com)

Tech climate finance

World's First Titanium Artificial Heart Patient Discharged from Hospital

2025-03-13

World's First Titanium Artificial Heart Patient Discharged from Hospital

A man in his forties from Australia has become the first person globally to be discharged from the hospital with a titanium artificial heart. The BiVACOR device, used as a bridge to transplant for heart failure patients awaiting donor hearts, previously required recipients to remain hospitalized in the US. After living with the device for over three months, he received a donor heart and is recovering well. This marks the sixth BiVACOR implantation worldwide and the first to exceed a month. Experts hail the innovation but emphasize the need for further research into long-term functionality and cost-effectiveness. BiVACOR, a total heart replacement with only one moving part, promises enhanced durability compared to traditional devices.

(www.nature.com)

Tech artificial heart

bioRxiv and medRxiv Become Independent Non-Profit: openRxiv

2025-03-11

bioRxiv and medRxiv Become Independent Non-Profit: openRxiv

The preprint servers bioRxiv and medRxiv, previously managed by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL), have launched as the independent non-profit organization openRxiv. This transition, supported by a $16 million grant from the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI), ensures the long-term sustainability of these crucial platforms for sharing biological and medical research preprints. Since their inception, bioRxiv has hosted over 268,000 preprints, and medRxiv nearly 64,000, collectively attracting over 11 million monthly readers. The creation of openRxiv marks a significant step in the maturation of preprint servers and underscores their vital role in the scientific publishing ecosystem.

(www.nature.com)

Tech biology open science

Decoding Human Brain Language Activity with Whisper

2025-03-11

Decoding Human Brain Language Activity with Whisper

Researchers used the Whisper model to analyze ECoG and speech signals from four epilepsy patients during natural conversations. Results showed that Whisper's acoustic, speech, and language embeddings accurately predicted neural activity, especially during speech production and comprehension. Speech embeddings excelled in perceptual and motor areas, while language embeddings performed better in higher-level language areas. The study reveals how speech and language information are encoded across multiple brain regions and how speech information influences language processing. It also uncovered distinct temporal dynamics of information flow during speech production and comprehension, and differences between deep learning and symbolic models in predicting neural activity.

(www.nature.com)

AI

Human Body Plastic Pollution: Truth and Challenges

2025-03-10

Human Body Plastic Pollution: Truth and Challenges

Research on plastic pollution in the human body has sparked widespread concern. While numerous studies show microplastics in various human tissues and bodily fluids, limitations in research methods, such as small sample sizes, laboratory contamination, and lack of plausible biological mechanisms, cast doubt on the reliability of the results. Some studies report quantities of plastic particles in human tissues that contradict human physiological mechanisms. Therefore, stricter research standards, greater transparency, and stronger research collaboration are needed to accurately assess the risks of human plastic pollution and develop effective countermeasures.

(www.nature.com)

Tech plastic pollution

Ancient DNA Extraction from Paleolithic Artifacts Reveals Clues to 45,000-Year-Old Human Activities

2025-03-10

Ancient DNA Extraction from Paleolithic Artifacts Reveals Clues to 45,000-Year-Old Human Activities

A groundbreaking study successfully extracted ancient DNA from Paleolithic artifacts unearthed at the French sites of Quinçay and Les Cottés, and from Bacho Kiro Cave in Bulgaria and Denisova Cave in Russia. Researchers developed a non-destructive DNA extraction method using sodium phosphate buffer at varying temperatures to gradually release DNA, minimizing damage to the artifacts. This method yielded both human and animal DNA, offering invaluable genetic insights into human activities and behaviors dating back 45,000 years.

(www.nature.com)

Tech non-destructive extraction Paleolithic

Platelet-T Cell Crosstalk in Cancer Metastasis: A Mouse Model Study

2025-03-09

Platelet-T Cell Crosstalk in Cancer Metastasis: A Mouse Model Study

This study uses multiple mouse models to investigate the crucial role of platelet-T cell interactions in cancer metastasis. Through in vivo and in vitro experiments, combined with techniques such as flow cytometry, RNA sequencing, and immunofluorescence microscopy, researchers revealed the mechanisms of specific molecular pathways (e.g., ARHGEF1 and TXA2) in regulating this process. The results suggest that targeting these pathways may offer novel therapeutic strategies for cancer treatment.

(www.nature.com)

Tech cancer metastasis immunology platelets

AI Sleuths: New Tools Detect Errors in Research Papers

2025-03-08

AI Sleuths: New Tools Detect Errors in Research Papers

Two new AI-powered tools are revolutionizing research integrity. The Black Spatula Project, an open-source initiative, has analyzed approximately 500 papers, identifying numerous errors and contacting authors directly. YesNoError, a more ambitious project, has analyzed over 37,000 papers, flagging potential flaws on its website. Both aim to prevent errors and fraud from entering the scientific literature, but face challenges like high false positive rates and potential reputational damage. Despite these risks, experts see AI's potential as a powerful tool for initial screening and improving research efficiency.

(www.nature.com)

Tech Research Integrity

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