Fish kill reported in Biscayne Bay: Waterkeeper blames it on heavy rain
If you’re in some spots in Biscayne Bay during the weekend, you might be greeted with an unpleasant sight: dead fish floating on the surface. ⌘ Read more

Tax the rich, say a majority of adults across 17 G20 countries surveyed
A new survey of adult citizens in 18 of the world’s largest economies has revealed majority support for tax reforms and broader political and economic reform. (Not all questions were asked in China, as indicated when findings reference 17 G20 countries.) ⌘ Read more

Social media warning labels and school cell phone bans: Do they unlock better youth mental health?
This week, the U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy called for health warnings on social media for younger users. This recent call follows an earlier Advisory on Social Media and Youth Mental Health, also published by the Surgeon General. ⌘ Read more

Tourists banned from Italy’s Capri over water shortage
The Italian island of Capri banned tourists from disembarking Saturday after problems with the water supply from the mainland threatened to leave the holiday hotspot parched. ⌘ Read more

Saturday Citations: Bulking tips for black holes; microbes influence drinking; new dinosaur just dropped
What did scientists do this week? Exactly four things, all of which are summarized below. ⌘ Read more

China, France to launch satellite to better understand the universe
A French-Chinese satellite will blast off Saturday on a hunt for the mightiest explosions in the universe, in a notable example of cooperation between a Western power and the Asian giant. ⌘ Read more

How does heat kill? It confuses your brain. It shuts down your organs. It overworks your heart.
As temperatures and humidity soar outside, what’s happening inside the human body can become a life-or-death battle decided by just a few degrees. ⌘ Read more

Human activity: A double-edged sword in the face of drought
Earth and environmental scientists have reported that, as human socio-economic activities increase, greenhouse gas emissions will rise, leading to more frequent extreme weather events such as droughts and floods. However, a research team from Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH) has published a study suggesting that anthropogenic greenhouse gases might actually mitigate droughts, offering a new perspective on the impact of human ac … ⌘ Read more

Enhancing the performance of proton exchange membrane water electrolysis by constructing electron/proton pathways
The proton exchange membrane electrolysis of water (PEMWE) is a critical process for hydrogen generation. However, the limited ability of electrons and protons to permeate the membrane and the inefficient arrangement of the transport structure in the catalyst layer (CL) presents significant obstacles to the widespread adoption of PEMWE. ⌘ Read more

New computational tool helps interpret AI models in genomics
Artificial intelligence continues to squirm its way into many aspects of our lives. But what about biology, the study of life itself? AI can sift through hundreds of thousands of genome data points to identify potential new therapeutic targets. While these genomic insights may appear helpful, scientists aren’t sure how today’s AI models come to their conclusions in the first place. Now, a new system named SQUID arrives on the scene, armed to pry open AI’s … ⌘ Read more

Scientists use heart and lung model to calculate potential health threats facing future space tourists in microgravity
Space exploration has always captivated our imagination, offering the promise of discovering new worlds and pushing the boundaries of human capability. As commercial space travel becomes more accessible, individuals with various underlying health conditions—including heart failure—may soon be among those venturing beyond Earth’s atmosphere. ⌘ Read more

Wild yeasts from Patagonia could yield new flavors of lagers: Genetic mutations enhance alcohol production
New strains of yeast for brewing lager beers, created by hybridizing wild strains of yeast from Patagonia with brewer’s yeast, can yield novel flavors and aromas, reports a new study by Jennifer Molinet and Francisco Cubillos of the Universidad de Santiago de Chile, published June 20 in the journal PLOS Genetics. ⌘ Read more

Wild chimpanzees seek out medicinal plants to treat illness and injuries, study finds
Chimpanzees appear to consume plants with medicinal properties to treat their ailments, according to a study published on June 20 in the open-access journal PLOS ONE by Elodie Freymann from the University of Oxford, UK, and colleagues. ⌘ Read more

Study finds plants store carbon for shorter periods than thought
The carbon stored globally by plants is shorter-lived and more vulnerable to climate change than previously thought, according to a new study. ⌘ Read more

Insecticides contribute to drop in butterfly species across US MidWest: Study
Insecticide use is a major factor causing a decrease in the size and diversity of butterfly populations across the US Midwest, reports Braeden Van Deynze of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and colleagues in a study published June 20 in the open-access journal PLOS ONE. ⌘ Read more

Behavioral and computational study shows that social preferences can be inferred from decision speed alone
Researchers led by Sophie Bavard at the University of Hamburg, Germany, found that people can infer hidden social preferences by observing how fast others make social decisions. ⌘ Read more

Family conditions may have more of an impact on upward social mobility than gender inequality
Family conditions—specifically, how similar one’s social status and background is to one’s parents’ status—may play a bigger role in determining how easily an individual can shift into a wealthier socioeconomic class than gender inequality, according to a study of 153 countries published June 20, 2024 in the open-access journal PLOS ONE by Khanh Duong from Maynooth University, Ireland. ⌘ Read more

Hurricane changed ‘rules of the game’ in monkey society
A devastating hurricane transformed a monkey society by changing the pros and cons of interacting with others, new research shows. ⌘ Read more

Chemists develop technique for extending nitrene reactions to three days
A team of chemists at the University of Bremen, in Germany has developed a new type of nitrene capable of slow reactions that can last for up to three days. Their paper is published in the journal Science. ⌘ Read more

Gravesite in France offers evidence of steppe migrant integration with Late Neolithic Europeans
A team of geneticists and archaeologists affiliated with multiple institutions in France has uncovered skeletons in an ancient gravesite not far from Paris that show evidence of steppe migrant integration with Late Neolithic Europeans. The study is published in the journal Science Advances. ⌘ Read more

Galaxy NGC 4696 hosts a complex globular cluster system, observations find
Using the Magellan Telescopes in Chile, astronomers have performed photometric observations of a giant elliptical galaxy known as NGC 4696. The observations reveal that the galaxy has a complex globular cluster system. The finding was detailed in a paper published June 12 on the pre-print server arXiv. ⌘ Read more

‘Nature’s mirror’: Climate change batters Albania’s butterflies
Bright yellow, black, red and blue, Alexanor butterflies once fluttered abundantly on southwestern Albania’s flowery slopes. Now, like many related species, scientists say they are disappearing due to human impacts, including climate change. ⌘ Read more

Climate change made deadly heat 35x more likely in US, Mexico, C. America
Deadly heat that blanketed the United States, Mexico and Central America recently was made 35 times more likely due to global warming, an international network of climate scientists said on Thursday. ⌘ Read more

Improving crops with laser beams and 3D printing
A demonstration of how new technologies can be used in 21st century crop breeding comes from just published research that combines laser scanning and 3D printing to create a detailed 3D model of a sugar beet plant. ⌘ Read more

Boosting the synthesis of stable sugar compounds with a novel nature-inspired approach
Researchers from the National University of Singapore (NUS) have developed a new biomimetic concept to convert naturally occurring sugars into diverse classes of stable glycosides and glycoproteins without using protecting-group chemistry. This innovation promises to accelerate carbohydrate synthesis and post-translational protein modification, with potential applications for the pharmaceutical, cosmetic a … ⌘ Read more

Observations explore stellar content of nearby young open cluster Berkeley 59
Astronomers from India and Thailand have observed a young nearby open cluster known as Berkeley 59. Results of the observational campaign, published June 12 on the pre-print server arXiv, deliver essential information regarding low-mass stellar and substellar content of this cluster. ⌘ Read more

Javan rhino clings to survival after Indonesia poaching wave
In 2023, a newborn Javan rhino in Indonesia raised hopes for the highly endangered species. Now, conservationists fear poachers have killed up to a third of the surviving population, possibly with inside help. ⌘ Read more

Ultrasound beam triggers ‘nanodroplets’ to deliver drugs at exactly the right spot
Conventional drug delivery is often like cracking a nut with a sledgehammer. Whether the drug is swallowed, injected, inhaled, or absorbed through the skin, it ultimately diffuses to most parts of the body, including those where it isn’t needed—or where it might even cause harm. ⌘ Read more

Anti-Asian rhetoric during the pandemic negatively impacted employment and earnings, new research finds
A first-of-its-kind study, led by a Northeastern University researcher, examined how racial bias and political rhetoric against Asians and other underrepresented groups in the United States impacted their employment status in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. ⌘ Read more

Simple tool could facilitate discovery of new mechanically-responsive materials
The exploration of mechanophores continues to expand the practical application of these molecules in materials science, organic synthesis, and pharmaceuticals due to their ability to change physically or chemically in response to force. ⌘ Read more

Antifreeze proteins show promise for organ preservation
Cryogenic damage has long presented a significant barrier to effective organ preservation, posing challenges to advancements in transplantation and medical treatments. The formation of ice crystals during freezing can compromise cellular structures, leading to irreversible damage and organ failure. ⌘ Read more

Teachers report worse pay and well-being compared to similar working population
With more working hours and lower average base pay, the well-being of U.S. teachers continues to be worse than that of similar working adults—a consistent pattern since 2021, according to a new RAND survey. ⌘ Read more

Researchers create innovative polymer wound dressings for painless and residue-free removal
Wound dressings should provide sterile coverage, protect the wound, and adhere reliably, while still allowing for painless removal. It is essential that the process of skin renewal remains undisturbed. ⌘ Read more

New database boasts more than 200 years of data on crime and punishment in the Nordics
The Historical Criminal Statistics database, a massive undertaking by University Lecturer in Criminology Miikka Vuorela at the University of Eastern Finland, makes statistics on crime and punishment openly accessible to everyone. The database covers the period from 1810 to 2022. ⌘ Read more

Using camelid nanobodies for food allergen surveillance
Food allergies pose significant health risks, affecting millions worldwide, with the prevalence rising over the past decades. Traditional detection methods, such as monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies, are often costly, labor-intensive, and prone to cross-reactions. The need for accurate, efficient, and cost-effective allergen detection methods is more pressing than ever. ⌘ Read more

Exploring self-healing mechanisms for stable photoelectrochemical water splitting
Achieving stability poses a significant challenge in the practical implementation of photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting. The main factors affecting the long-term stability of PEC devices are chemical- and photo-corrosion of the semiconductor light absorbers, along with damage to the surface protection layer and the loss or reconstruction of the active centers of the co-catalysts. ⌘ Read more

Seawall baffles and AI help emerald shiners swim to Lake Erie
University at Buffalo researchers are looking down at a 24-foot-long flume of shallow running water. Inside, about a dozen emerald shiner minnows are furiously attempting to swim against the current. ⌘ Read more

Soil fauna has the potential to fundamentally alter carbon storage in soil, say scientists
The life strategies of a multitude of soil faunal taxa can strongly affect the formation of labile and stabilized organic matter in soil, with potential consequences for how soils are managed as carbon sinks, nutrient stores, or providers of food. ⌘ Read more

Low snow on the Himalayas threatens water security: Study
Millions of people dependent on Himalayan snowmelt for water face a “very serious” risk of shortages this year after one of the lowest rates of snowfall, scientists warned Monday. ⌘ Read more

Water crisis batters war-torn Sudan as temperatures soar
War, climate change and man-made shortages have brought Sudan—a nation already facing a litany of horrors—to the shores of a water crisis. ⌘ Read more

‘Meaty rice’? South Korean professor aims to change global protein
In a small laboratory in Seoul, a team of South Korean scientists are injecting cultured beef cells into individual grains of rice, in a process they hope could revolutionize how the world eats. ⌘ Read more

On thin ice: Greenland’s last Inuit polar bear hunters
Inuit hunter Hjelmer Hammeken spotted a ringed seal near its breathing hole on the Greenland ice. In his white camouflage, he slowly crept towards it then lay down in the snow and waited. ⌘ Read more

US sexual health curriculum could force LGBTQ+ students to seek education outside of school, survey suggests
Children across the United States who identify as LGBTQ+ say the sexual health education curricula they receive is leaving them without essential information to make informed decisions about their sexual health—which could force them to seek potentially dangerous advice elsewhere. ⌘ Read more

Ending native forest logging would help Australia’s climate goals much more than planting trees
Australia contains some of the world’s most biologically diverse and carbon-dense native forests. Eucalypts in wet temperate forests are the tallest flowering plants in the world and home to an array of unique tree-dwelling marsupials, rare birds, insects, mosses, fungi and lichen, many of which have not even been catalogued by scientists. Yet our country remains in the top ten list globally for tree … ⌘ Read more

We dated a sacred Aboriginal women’s site used for birthing ceremonies and discovered 7,000 years’ worth of tool making
Investigation of a sacred area at Avon Downs in Jangga Country, Central Queensland, has uncovered evidence of stone tool production in a place that was traditionally restricted to women. ⌘ Read more

Foreign-born pandas join China’s efforts to boost wild population
After years of charming millions of people around the world with their furry bodies and clumsy antics, foreign-born giant pandas are adapting to new lives in China. ⌘ Read more

China to replace Australia’s popular giant pandas
China will loan Australia new “adorable” giant pandas to replace a popular pair that failed to produce offspring in more than a decade together, visiting Premier Li Qiang announced Sunday. ⌘ Read more

Residents and communities preparing for heat wave that will envelop Midwest and Northeast next week
Things are about to heat up in much of the U.S. with dangerously hot temperatures in the Midwest and Northeast next week, prompting health officials to urge people to make plans now to stay safe. ⌘ Read more

Think cicadas are weird? Check out superfans, who eat the bugs, use them in art and even striptease
Mayumi Barrack sees a pair of mating periodical cicadas getting together, whips out her phone, says, “Hi guys!” and takes their picture. ⌘ Read more

Suicide threats are a weapon of family violence. How can police balance mental health needs with protecting victims?
It’s relatively common for perpetrators of family violence to threaten suicide to control a victim-survivor’s actions. A study by the Australian Institute of Criminology suggests 39% of women who experience coercive control are subject to perpetrators’ threats of self-harm. ⌘ Read more