19-Mar-2025 Testing the possible doubly magic nature of Tin-100, researchers study the electromagnetic properties of indium isotopes DOE/US Department of Energy Atomic nuclei with “magic numbers” of protons or neutrons in their nuclear shells are extremely stable. Nuclear physicists are especially interested in nuclei with doubly magic numbers—those that have full shells for both protons and neutrons. One example is the tin isotope Sn-100, which has 50 protons and 50 neutrons. To prepare for future work on Sn-100, researchers studied the properties of isotopes of indium as they approached 50 neutrons. This helps to demonstrate how adding single particles changes the properties of a nucleus. Journal Nature
19-Mar-2025 Lower education levels linked to higher suicide rates—up to 13 times higher Korea University College of Medicine A research team led by Professor Myung Ki from the Department of Preventive Medicine at Korea University College of Medicine (KUCM) recently published a study examining the link between education levels and suicide rates. The study found that among young men aged 30 to 44 whose highest level of education was elementary school or lower, the suicide rate was 6.1 to 13 times higher than that of men with a university or higher degree across all survey periods (1995–2020). These findings highlight the profound impact of socioeconomic disparities on suicide rates. Journal Social Science & Medicine
19-Mar-2025 Good decisions rely on the right mix of perspectives Technische Universität Berlin – Science of Intelligence When groups make decisions—whether it’s humans aligning on a shared idea, robots coordinating tasks, or fish deciding where to swim—not everyone contributes equally. Some individuals have more reliable information, whereas others are more connected and have higher social influence. A new study by researchers at the Cluster of Excellence Science of Intelligence shows that a combination of uncertainty and heterogeneity plays a crucial role in how groups reach consensus. The findings, published in Scientific Reports by Vito Mengers, Mohsen Raoufi, Oliver Brock, Heiko Hamann, and Pawel Romanczuk, show that groups make faster and more accurate decisions when individuals factor in not only the opinions of their neighbors but also their confidence about these opinions and how connected those others are within the group. However, more confidence does not always equal smarter decisions. The study also shows that overconfident group members with wrong information might mislead the group. Journal Scientific Reports
19-Mar-2025 Highly robust, compressible, anisotropic, and fire-retardant polyimide/hydroxyapatite nanowires/reduced graphene oxide aerogel for rapid adsorption of viscous oil assisted by sunlight Research A research team from the University of Alberta has developed a highly robust, compressible, anisotropic, and fire-retardant aerogel adsorbent composed of polyimide (PI), hydroxyapatite nanowires (HAPnws), and reduced graphene oxide (rGO). This innovative material leverages reduced flow tortuosity through its anisotropic structures and solar-assisted viscosity reduction via photothermal materials. Journal Research Funder Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, Canada Foundation for Innovation, Canada Research Chairs Program, China Scholarship Council
19-Mar-2025 The present and future of the flexible hybrid epidermal electronic system Research Research on the flexible hybrid epidermal electronic system (FHEES) has attracted considerable attention due to its potential applications in human-machine interaction and healthcare. However, the heterogeneous integration of soft and stiff components makes balancing comfort and performance in designing and implementing FHEESs challenging. A new study, published in Research, reviews multimodal FHEESs in two types: all-in-one and assembled, highlighting the design challenge with different heterogeneous integration strategies. Journal Research Funder National Key Research and Development Program of China, National Natural Science Foundation of China
19-Mar-2025 Diet-related quality of life may directly and indirectly affect health-related quality of life through protein intake and frailty in patients with osteoporosis: results from a prospective, cohort study Osaka Metropolitan University An Osaka Metropolitan University-led research team examined the direct and indirect associations between diet-related quality of life and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients with osteoporosis. Journal Geriatrics and Gerontology International
18-Mar-2025 New research unveils effective strategies for entrepreneurs to disclose risk without losing investor confidence Strategic Management Society Entrepreneurs often face the dilemma of whether to disclose risks associated with their ventures. While transparency can enhance credibility, it may also deter investors. A groundbreaking study published in the Strategic Entrepreneurship Journal explores how entrepreneurs can strategically disclose risk without deterring investors. Conducted by Mark T. Bolinger of Appalachian State University), Katrina M. Brownell (Virginia Polytechnic Institute), and Jeffrey G. Covin (University of Wyoming), the research introduces a novel impression management tactic known as “compensation,” which enhances financing outcomes for early-stage entrepreneurs. Journal Strategic Entrepreneurship Journal
18-Mar-2025 One new experience a day boosts memory and mood: Study University of Toronto Researchers at the University of Toronto have found that doing just one new thing each day can significantly improve mood, memory and overall well-being — a finding that could be particularly beneficial for those at risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. The study, published in Nature: Scientific Reports, is the first to explore “experiential diversity” — the practice of incorporating new, stimulating activities into daily life — as a means of enhancing memory and quality of life for older adults. Journal Scientific Reports Funder Canadian Institutes of Health Research, James S. McDonnell Foundation, Connaught Fund, Centre for Aging + Brain Health Innovation, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, Canada Research Chairs
18-Mar-2025 Patient portal utilization improves outcomes in patients with multiple myeloma Xia & He Publishing Inc. A growing body of literature has demonstrated improved quality of life in cancer patients who utilize web-based patient portals; however, no studies have investigated their impact on objective clinical measures. The study aimed to evaluate the impact of patient portal utilization on clinical outcomes in cancer care. Patient portal platforms provide patients with direct access to their providers through messaging, medication requests, and other tools. There is a knowledge gap in the literature regarding whether electronic patient portals enhance outcomes in cancer care. Journal Oncology Advances
18-Mar-2025 Researchers discover that trees awaken to spring at their own pace, even within the same species in the same forest – with a difference of up to 12 days University of Helsinki A study by the National Land Survey of Finland and the University of Helsinki has revealed significant individual differences in how trees awaken for the growing season. Using a novel research setup tested for the first time, researchers laser-scanned a forest area every hour throughout an entire growing season. The findings provide valuable new insights into the impact of local growth conditions on tree growth. Journal Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
