SCIENCES ENERGIES ENVIRONNEMENT BLOGGER

 Dear olivier hartmanshenn,

Here is your customized Science X Newsletter for week 36:

	For the first time in 40 Years, Panama's deep and cold ocean waters fail to emerge The natural phenomenon of upwelling, which occurs annually in the Gulf of Panama, failed for the first time on record in 2025. A study led by scientists from the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) indicates that the weakening of the trade winds was the cause of this event. This finding highlights the climate's impact on fundamental oceanic processes and the coastal communities that depend on them.
	Electrical stimulation can reprogram immune system to heal the body faster Scientists from Trinity College Dublin have discovered that electrically stimulating macrophages—one of the immune systems key players—can reprogram them in such a way as to reduce inflammation and encourage faster, more effective healing in disease and injury.
	Satellite laser ranging technique reveals 90 mm sea-level surge over past 30 years The rise in global mean sea level (GMSL) is a critical indicator of climate change. Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) researchers have utilized advanced space geodetic technologies to deliver the first precise 30-year (1993–2022) record of global ocean mass change (also known as barystatic sea level), revealing its dominant role in driving GMSL rise.
	Chance sighting during tiger survey leads to first-of-their-kind photos in India of the smooth-coated otter During a tiger survey at a wildlife sanctuary in India, conservationists noticed a "large-sized" mammal. The brief glimpse intrigued them and led them to set up more trail cameras for a better look at the "smooth-coated" animal.
	Scientists find that ice generates electricity when bent A study co-led by ICN2 reveals that ice is a flexoelectric material, meaning it can produce electricity when unevenly deformed. Published in Nature Physics, this discovery could have major technological implications while also shedding light on natural phenomena such as lightning.
	Ultrasound helmet enables deep brain stimulation in people without surgery An ultrasound device that can precisely stimulate areas deep in the brain without surgery has been developed by researchers from UCL and the University of Oxford, opening up new possibilities for neurological research and treatment of disorders such as Parkinson's disease.
	Astronomers and students capture growing tail of interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS during observing program Astronomers and students working together through a unique educational initiative have obtained a striking new image of the growing tail of interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS. The observations reveal a prominent tail and glowing coma from this rare celestial visitor, while also providing new scientific measurements of its colors and composition.
	New catalyst could make mixed plastic recycling a reality The future of plastic recycling may soon get much less complicated, frustrating and tedious. In a new study, Northwestern University chemists have introduced a new plastic upcycling process that can drastically reduce—or perhaps even fully bypass—the laborious chore of pre-sorting mixed plastic waste.
	Plant-based nutrient can boost immune cells' ability to fight cancer In a new study, researchers from the University of Chicago discovered that zeaxanthin, a plant-derived carotenoid best known for protecting vision, may also act as an immune-boosting compound by strengthening the cancer-fighting activity of immune cells. The findings, which are published in Cell Reports Medicine, highlight the potential of zeaxanthin as a widely available supplement to improve the effectiveness of cancer immunotherapies.
	Macaws learn by watching interactions of others, a skill never seen in animals before One of the most effective ways we learn is through third-party imitation, where we observe and then copy the actions and behaviors of others. Until recently, this was thought to be a unique human trait, but a new study published in Scientific Reports reveals that macaws also possess this ability.
	Mutations driving evolution are informed by the genome, not random, study suggests A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences by scientists from Israel and Ghana shows that an evolutionarily significant mutation in the human APOL1 gene arises not randomly but more frequently where it is needed to prevent disease, fundamentally challenging the notion that evolution is driven by random mutations and tying the results to a new theory that, for the first time, offers a new concept for how mutations arise.
	Physicists create a new kind of time crystal that humans can actually see Imagine a clock that doesn't have electricity, but its hands and gears spin on their own for all eternity. In a new study, physicists at the University of Colorado Boulder have used liquid crystals, the same materials that are in your phone display, to create such a clock—or, at least, as close as humans can get to that idea. The team's advancement is a new example of a "time crystal." That's the name for a curious phase of matter in which the pieces, such as atoms or other particles, exist in constant motion.
	Even untouched ecosystems are losing insects at alarming rates, new study finds A new study from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill shows that insect populations are rapidly declining even in relatively undisturbed landscapes, raising concerns about the health of ecosystems that depend on them.
	Traditional Japanese samurai daily behavior improves leg strength, could be key to better mobility for seniors As we get older, our muscle strength slowly declines—increasing our risk of falls, injuries, and loss of independence. In particular, we rely on our lower body strength for many essential daily activities such as walking and climbing stairs. Strength training can help offset the weakening of muscles, but not everyone has the means (or even the desire) to hit the gym for regular weightlifting sessions.
	Traces of blue indigo on 34,000-year-old grinding tools suggest new Paleolithic plant use scenarios An international research team coordinated by Ca' Foscari University of Venice has identified the presence of indigotin—a blue dye compound—on stone pebbles dating back to the Upper Paleolithic. This molecule, derived from the leaves of Isatis tinctoria L., a biennial plant in the Brassicaceae family native to the Caucasus and commonly known as woad, was found on ground stone tools.
	Scientists develop the world's first 6G chip, capable of 100 Gbps speeds Sixth generation, or 6G, wireless technology is one step closer to reality with news that Chinese researchers have unveiled the world's first "all-frequency" 6G chip. The chip is capable of delivering mobile internet speeds exceeding 100 gigabits per second (Gbps) and was developed by a team led by scientists from Peking University and the City University of Hong Kong.
	Most rodents have thumbnails instead of claws: It might help explain how they took over the world Picture a squirrel eating an acorn. It's holding the nut in its front paws. More specifically, squirrels handle their food with their thumbs. And instead of the thin, curved claws on the rest of the squirrel's fingers, their thumbs have smooth, flat nails.
	Why we slip on ice: Physicists challenge centuries-old assumptions For over a hundred years, schoolchildren around the world have learned that ice melts when pressure and friction are applied. When you step out onto an icy pavement in winter, you can slip up because of the pressure exerted by your body weight through the sole of your (still warm) shoe. But it turns out that this explanation misses the mark.
	Something from nothing: Physicists model vacuum tunneling in a 2D superfluid In 1951, physicist Julian Schwinger theorized that by applying a uniform electrical field to a vacuum, electron-positron pairs would be spontaneously created out of nothing, through a phenomenon called quantum tunneling.
	Novel hollow-core optical fiber transmits data 45% faster with record low loss Despite the modern world relying heavily on digital optical communication, there has not been a significant improvement in the minimum attenuation—a measure of the loss of optical power per kilometer traveled—of optical fibers in around 40 years. Decreasing this loss would mean that the signal could travel further without being amplified, leading to more data being transmitted over longer distances, faster internet and more efficient netw