11-Feb-2025 Waste to wealth: Pomelo peel can be used for electricity generation and sensing devices University of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences Pomelo is a large citrus fruit commonly grown in Southeast and East Asia. It has a very thick peel, which is typically discarded, resulting in a considerable amount of food waste. In a new study, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign researchers explore ways to utilize waste pomelo-peel biomass to develop tools that can power small electric devices and monitor biomechanical motions. Journal ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces Funder National Institute of Food and Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture
11-Feb-2025 Plant extract inspires new chemistry and new early lead against triple-negative breast cancer Emory University Chemists at Emory University invented a reaction to streamline the total synthesis of a compound, phaeocaulisin A, extracted from a plant used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine. In laboratory dish experiments conducted with biologists at Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, the researchers showed the compound’s efficacy against HER2-positive breast cancer cells and triple-negative breast cancer cells. An analogue of the compound the chemists constructed boosted this efficacy. Journal Journal of the American Chemical Society Funder U.S. National Science Foundation
11-Feb-2025 SwRI develops tool to predict osteoporotic fracture risk Southwest Research Institute SAN ANTONIO — February 11, 2025 — Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) has developed new technology to enhance clinical bone imaging and decrease osteoporotic fractures in the elderly. The tool, described in a new SwRI-led study, uses artificial intelligence (AI) to create super-resolution images showing the inner structures of bones in great detail to better determine risk for fracture. Journal Bone
11-Feb-2025 From sour to sweet: the genetic pathway of jujube domestication Nanjing Agricultural University The Academy of Science A new study has unveiled the genetic mechanism controlling citric acid content in jujube fruit, identifying a natural mutation in the promoter of the ZjACO3 gene. Journal Horticulture Research
11-Feb-2025 Mapping the quality of public transportation in Germany University of Konstanz Interactive maps show the accessibility and quality of public transportation for each house in Germany. Computer scientists at the University of Konstanz developed the maps to enable data-driven simulations for discussing political issues – or just checking the situation in one's own neighbourhood.
10-Feb-2025 Why anti-TNF drugs don’t work for some kids with Crohn's disease Michigan Medicine - University of Michigan A study from Michigan Medicine researchers has investigated possible genetic factors for drug efficacy for children with Crohn’s disease. In this latest study, HLA DQA1*05 positive children just taking the anti-TNF mediation had the highest rate of drug failure. Journal The American Journal of Gastroenterology Funder Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust
10-Feb-2025 Unlocking safer batteries: New study uncovers key insights into electrolyte materials for all-solid-state batteries DOE/Argonne National Laboratory Researchers at Argonne have discovered that superconducting nanowire photon detectors can also be used as highly accurate particle detectors, and they have found the optimal nanowire size for high detection efficiency. Journal ACS Materials Letters
10-Feb-2025 Solutions journalism can spur climate action, University of Oregon study finds University of Oregon News stories that focus on potential solutions to climate change rather than just doom and gloom can move people to act — provided they empower readers see their role in the solution, a new study by University of Oregon media researchers has found. Journal Environment and Behavior
10-Feb-2025 Additional steps must be taken besides technological improvements to achieve zero carbon emissions by 2050, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev model shows Ben-Gurion University of the Negev Most countries are relying on a combination of technological advances and infrastructure changes to meet their goals for greenhouse gas emissions reductions. However, a new model from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev environmental researchers shows that will likely not be enough and additional factors must be considered. Journal Nature Sustainability
10-Feb-2025 New insights into how dairy cattle efficiently convert plant biomass into nutrients: unlocking the power of rumen microbiota Maximum Academic Press A research team has identified key microbial genomes and enzymatic strategies responsible for breaking down the lignocellulosic biomass by employing over 240 rumen metagenome samples from Holstein cows. Journal Animal Advances
