3SCIENCES ENERGIES ENVIRONNEMENT

 

Dear olivier hartmanshenn,

Here is your customized Science X Newsletter for week 31: Researchers find simple habit to improve physical and mental health In older adults, insomnia was associated with higher pain and depressive symptoms, but maintaining a regular daily routine correlated with lower pain and depression regardless of sleep quality. Consistent timing of activities may support circadian rhythm regulation, which is linked to improved physical and mental health outcomes.   Scientists identify fructose as a surprise driver of cancer spread Chemotherapy-surviving ovarian cancer cells secrete fructose, which signals neighboring tumor cells to become more metastatic in preclinical models. Exogenous fructose at levels typical of sugary drink intake similarly promotes spread. Mechanistically, fructose suppresses cholesterol synthesis, weakening cell–cell adhesion; statins mimic this effect, suggesting potential interaction with chemotherapy responses.   New technique pinpoints human DNA inherited from 'ghost' ancestors A genealogical method (TRACE) applied to modern human genomes identifies ~2% archaic DNA from two unknown hominin lineages. A “ghost” lineage, diverging ~800,000 years ago, contributed ~0.5–1% of DNA to all humans via gene flow in Africa >50,000 years ago. A “super-archaic” lineage (~1.8 million years old) introgressed into Denisovans, then indirectly into modern humans.   Reducing protein intake could support healthy aging by reshaping metabolism Protein restriction may improve metabolic health and longevity-related pathways, partly through increased FGF21 and reduced methionine, isoleucine, and valine signaling. Human trials report reduced weight, fat mass, and fasting glucose despite higher calorie intake, but protein needs likely vary with age, pregnancy, and physical activity.   New theory on how six‑tonne Stonehenge rock was transported from Scotland thousands of years ago: On a glacier Numerical ice-flow modeling indicates the Stonehenge Altar Stone, a 6-tonne sandstone from the Orcadian Basin in northeast Scotland, could have reached Dogger Bank as a glacial erratic. As Doggerland was later inundated, Neolithic groups may have selected this prominent boulder there and transported it in stages ~400 km to Stonehenge, implying planned responses to sea-level rise and substantial logistical capability.   California drought may have pushed parts of the Sacramento Valley aquifer toward permanent collapse Intensive groundwater pumping during California’s 2020–2022 drought drove large parts of the Sacramento Valley aquifer from reversible poroelastic behavior into predominantly irreversible compaction, causing permanent loss of storage (~0.2 km³/yr) and subsidence up to 50 cm/yr. Satellite geodetic data revealed these threshold-crossing changes earlier than well records, supporting their use to identify high-risk zones and guide recharge and extraction management to limit further irreversible damage and infrastructure risk.   Monkey friendships with dogs, deer and even pigs offer clues to the evolutionary origins of pet-keeping A review of 427 cases shows that 88 primate species frequently engage in affiliative interactions with 127 other species, mainly through play and grooming, often initiated by juveniles and adult females. Interactions occur both with closely related and distantly related species and can involve caregiving or, rarely, fatal outcomes. These behaviors suggest evolutionary roots for empathy, social flexibility, and human–animal companionship.   Astronomers identify one of the universe's rarest black hole events Astronomers detected a tidal disruption event, TDE 2025abcr, ~30,000 light-years from its host galaxy’s center, implying a ~10⁶ M⊙ “wandering” massive black hole far from the nucleus. AI-based classification enabled its identification in optical survey data. The result demonstrates that off-nuclear massive black holes can be systematically found via ground-based optical TDE searches.   Silver diamine fluoride treatment could halt cavities without shots, drilling or sedation A Phase III trial in 830 U.S. children under 6 showed that 38% silver diamine fluoride, applied every 6 months, arrested caries in over half of affected primary teeth without drilling, injections, or sedation. Treatment was safe even in 1-year-olds, with permanent darkening of decayed areas as the main drawback, supporting its use as a noninvasive caries management option.   An ancient civilization of millions once flourished in the Amazon Airborne LiDAR mapping in southwestern Amazonia identifies >400 monumental earthwork sites and implies >20,000 ceremonial centers across the ~183,000 km² Aquiry territory (600 BCE–850 CE). Population is estimated at 1.25–3 million, indicating Amazon-wide populations in the tens of millions. Extensive landscape modification and tree management show strong, long-term human impacts on Amazonian ecosystems and carbon dynamics.   Cannabinoid pathways may offer targets for kidney disease as CKD affects 850 million people CKD affects about 850 million people and can progress to end-stage renal disease despite current therapies. Cannabinoid receptors in glomeruli and tubules may modulate kidney injury in animal models, but effects on metabolism and cardiovascular function are complex and may include adverse outcomes. Further mechanistic and translational studies are needed.   Combined rattlesnake proteins prove 10 times more potent than current antivenom in lab tests Combinations of FETUA blood proteins from western diamondback rattlesnakes neutralized venom metalloproteinases and were ~10-fold more potent in vitro than current sheep-derived rattlesnake antivenom. These mixtures prevented lethal venom effects and provided broad cross-species viper protection, supporting development of recombinant, nature-inspired antivenoms targeting multiple toxin families.   Psychologist develops puzzle that can tell you how fast you think DecryptIQ is a web-based, non-repetitive puzzle that quantifies real-time problem-solving difficulty rather than accuracy. Scores are normed (mean ≈100, most 85–115, few >130) and integrate task performance with self-reported alertness, distraction, and interest. Higher scores associate with better abstract reasoning, supporting applications in adaptive, personalized learning design.   The oceans near Australia may be the best places to fertilize for removing carbon dioxide Modeling indicates ocean iron fertilization could remove ~0.70 Gt CO₂ yr⁻¹ (up to 5.3 ppm) but with region-dependent ecological impacts. Fertilization in the equatorial Pacific depletes macronutrients and reduces macrozooplankton biomass, whereas targeting higher latitudes, especially the Southern Ocean, sustains or increases macrozooplankton while maintaining substantial CO₂ removal.   DNA studies uncover a forgotten population at the top of the world Ancient DNA from 10 individuals in Ladakh (~1,500 years old) shows a distinct population with ~50% South Asian-related and ~50% Tibetan-related ancestry, with admixture initiating ~2,800 years ago. This genetic profile is rare today but contributed measurably to present-day Himalayan groups, including Minero and Balti, indicating partial continuity rather than complete population replacement.   Physicists capture first direct evidence of a Floquet topological state Experiments on SnTe using TR-ARPES and femtosecond pump–probe pulses demonstrate a transient light-induced Dirac cone within the bandgap, consistent with a Floquet topological surface state. The effect appears only near resonant excitation, is independent of pump polarization, occurs without detectable ionic motion, and is reproduced by Floquet-DFT calculations, indicating a genuine electronic Floquet topological phase.   Where have all the wasps gone this summer? Markedly low wasp numbers in summer 2026 likely reflect compounded weather stress: an erratic spring with heat, cold and damp that reduced queen survival, followed by repeated heat waves approaching or exceeding wasps’ thermal limits. Elevated temperatures may also accelerate larval development and constrain nutrition, producing unusually small adults. These changes align with longer-term warming-associated body-size declines and raise concern for ecosystem services such as predation, pollination and decomposition.   Experimental immunotherapy may help patients with high-risk bladder cancer avoid bladder removal surgery In high-risk non–muscle-invasive bladder cancer recurring after BCG, intravesical cretostimogene grenadenorepvec achieved a 75% complete response rate, with about 60% of responders remaining cancer-free at 2 years. Approximately 81% of patients avoided cystectomy at 2 years. Adverse events were predominantly mild, suggesting a tolerable safety profile.   Overlooked plant proteins may boost gut health Indigestible plant proteins (“Prif”) and fiber reprogram gut microbial metabolism, reducing tyrosine-derived toxic phenols and increasing phenylalanine-derived beneficial phenols by shifting microbes from host mucus to dietary substrates. Isotope tracing shows many phenol and indole metabolites arise substantially from mammalian, not solely microbial, metabolism, informing dietary and therapeutic strategies.   Genetic risk factors of fibromyalgia identified in largest study of its kind A genome-wide analysis of >2.5 million adults identified 26 genomic loci associated with fibromyalgia, many linked to brain and nervous system function. The strongest signal involved HTT, with additional involvement of GPR52, indicating shared pathways with Huntington’s disease. Results show genetic overlap with chronic pain, gastrointestinal, and stress-related conditions, supporting a biological basis in altered pain processing. Environmental and life factors are still required to trigger disease expression.