Eight scientists at The Ohio State University have been elected to the 2023 class of American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Fellows. The AAAS Fellowship, recognizing scientifically or socially distinguished efforts to advance science or its applications, is one of the most prestigious honors a U.S. scientist can receive. Fellows are elected by their academic peers.  “Ohio State’s newly elected Fellows represent a breadth of expertise in subjects ranging from cardiac disorders and marine life to STEM education and exoplanets,” said Peter Mohler, executi ..read more

As lunar exploration missions shift from exploration to construction and utilization, in situ lunar construction becomes a critical requirement. The core of this process lies in regolith solidification and formation, which aims to maximize local resource utilization while minimizing transportation and maintenance costs. Professor Feng from Tsinghua University has conducted a comprehensive review, precise classification, and quantitative evaluation of regolith solidification and formation techniques, highlighting key challenges and future development directions. Four Categories of Regolith So ..read more

One in every 10 people over the age of 65 develops an age-related neurological disorder like Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s, but treatment options remain limited. Scientists are now exploring whether cannabinoids, compounds derived from the cannabis plant, may offer a solution. A lesser-known cannabinoid called CBN (cannabinol) has recently caught the attention of researchers who are investigating its clinical potential. Salk Institute Scientists Develop CBN-Inspired Compounds with Enhanced Neuroprotective Properties In a new study published in Redox Biology on March 29, 2024, scientists at the ..read more

In 1969, the Republic of Congo discovered a huge oil field off its coast, presenting both an opportunity and a threat to the newly independent nation. The revenue from oil extraction could either lead to a stable socialist society or subject the country to exploitation similar to what it experienced under French colonialism, according to a new paper in Critical Historical Studies, titled “Enclosed Futures: Oil Extraction in the Republic of Congo.” The article, written anonymously due to concerns about future research in Congo, traces the nation’s history under colonial territorialism, postco ..read more

A father and daughter from Devon, UK, have discovered the fossilized remains of a gigantic jawbone measuring over two meters long on a beach in Somerset. Justin and Ruby Reynolds found the first pieces of the jawbone in May 2020 while searching for fossils at Blue Anchor beach. Ruby, then 11 years old, found the first chunk of the bone before they searched together for additional pieces. Experts Identify New Species of Ichthyosaur The bones have been identified as belonging to the jaws of a new species of enormous ichthyosaur, a type of prehistoric marine reptile. Estimates suggest the ocean ..read more

Researchers at the American Museum of Natural History have discovered that the porosity, or small-scale holes, in mussel shells along the East Coast of the United States has increased over the last 120 years, potentially due to warming waters. Mussels play a crucial role in marine ecosystems, providing habitats on reefs, filtering water, and protecting coasts during storms. They are also commercially important. “Human-caused environmental changes are threatening the ability of mussels and other mollusks to form their shells, and we need to better understand what risks will come from this in ..read more

As carbon dioxide (CO2) levels rise in the atmosphere, the Earth will continue to warm. However, the exact relationship between CO2 and temperature, known as climate sensitivity, is still being studied. A new study led by the University of Washington has analyzed the most recent ice age to better understand this relationship, finding that while most future warming estimates remain unchanged, the absolute worst-case scenario is less likely. Narrowing the Range of Climate Sensitivity “The main contribution from our study is narrowing the estimate of climate sensitivity, improving our ability t ..read more

A study led by the University of Cambridge has found that GPT-4, a large language model, is approaching the level of specialist eye doctors in terms of clinical knowledge and reasoning skills. When presented with 87 patient scenarios involving specific eye problems, GPT-4 scored significantly better than unspecialised junior doctors, who have a similar level of specialist eye knowledge as general practitioners. AI Shows Potential to Improve Healthcare Workflow While the researchers do not believe that large language models will replace healthcare professionals, they see potential for these A ..read more

With over 200 types of cancer, each with its own unique characteristics, developing precision oncology treatments remains a daunting task. Most efforts have focused on identifying mutations in cancer-driving genes and matching treatments to those mutations. However, many cancer patients do not benefit from these early targeted therapies. Introducing PERCEPTION: A New Approach to Predicting Treatment Response A new study published in the journal Nature Cancer introduces PERCEPTION (PERsonalized Single-Cell Expression-Based Planning for Treatments in Oncology), a first-of-its-kind computationa ..read more

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can severely impact a person’s life after experiencing trauma. While about 6 percent of people who go through trauma develop PTSD, scientists are still working to understand the biological basis of the disorder. A new genetic study, the largest and most diverse of its kind, has identified 95 locations in the genome associated with the risk of developing PTSD. The study, conducted by the PTSD working group within the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium (PGC – PTSD) and Cohen Veterans Bioscience, also found 43 genes that may play a role in causing PTSD. Validat ..read more