Science and Health – Page 2

Who’s Mad Scientist Monster on The Masked Singer? Fans Think It’s This Country Singer Underdog

Science and HealthBy beatriceco April 2, 2025

This is Mad Scientist Monster’s big moment. The Masked Singer contestant said it was a chance for him to reintroduce himself to the world, and he’s making his mark!

During Group C’s debut, Mad Scientist Monster sang the hit classic “Unwell” by Matchbox Twenty. The Masked Singer judges panel led to believe that it’s a country legend. Jenny McCarthy thought it was Luke Bryan while Ken Jeong and Robin Thicke guessed Luke Combs and Blake Shelton.

Related: Here’s How Much The Masked Singer Judges Make Per Season

Dailysun | KwaZulu-Natal pupils win International Science Awards in Tunisia for Eco-Bricks and AI Road Maintenance Projects

Science and HealthBy beatriceco April 2, 2025

Hamzah Ismail and Vibhav Ramdas flew Mzansi’s flag high in Mahdia, Tunisia.

KZN pupils win awards at international science festival.Two grade 12 pupils from St Dominic’s Newcastle School in KZN have earned international recognition at the prestigious International Festival of Engineering, Science and Technology (I-FEST²) held in Tunisia.Hamzah Ismail and Vibhav Ramdas showcased Mzansi’s emerging scientific talent during the event, which took place from 21 to 27 March 2025 in Mahdia, Tunisia.Bronze medal for sustainable construction solutionIsmail was awarded a bronze medal in the Environmental Science category for his research on Developing Eco-friendly, Fire-retardant Plastic Bricks as an Alternative in Modern Construction. His sustainable solution impressed judges amid tough competition.”The competition was tough, with talented scientists from around the world, so receiving this recognition is an incredible honour. “It reminds me that hard work and perseverance truly pay off. This experience motivates me to continue my scientific journey,” said Ismail.Computer science project earns honourbale awardRamdas received an Honorable Award in the Computer Science category for his project “Using Object Detection to Improve Road Maintenance,” showcasing artificial intelligence’s practical applications in infrastructure.”When I heard my name called at the awards ceremony, I felt a rush of excitement,” said Ramdas.”It felt amazing to represent my family and country. Hard work really does lead to success, and I’m inspired to keep pushing forward.”Eskom expo supports young scientists Together, young innovators from around the world were offered opportunities to showcase their work, exchange ideas, and engage in cultural experiences.Mologadi Motshele, Acting CEO of the Eskom Development Foundation, praised the students’ achievements.”Their innovation and dedication are inspiring. Eskom is committed to empowering South Africa’s youth through initiatives like the Eskom Expo for Young Scientists, which fosters skills in science and technology, ensuring the next generation can drive technological advancements and contribute to a sustainable future.”Eskom Expo Executive Director Parthy Chetty said: “Your success shows that with passion and perseverance, anything is possible. To all Eskom Expo learners, let this inspire you to dream big, work hard, and push boundaries.”Registration for Eskom Expo 2025 remains open for aspiring young scientists.For more news and entertainment in the palm of your hand, follow our WhatsApp Channel via this link

They’ve Got Him Now! Almost 2,000 Scientists Sign Petition to Stop Trump’s ‘Assault’ on Their Grant Money

Science and HealthBy beatriceco April 2, 2025

They’ve got him now, ladies and gentlemen!Some 2,000 scientists, engineers, and researchers have signed a petition, asking President Trump to stop his ‘assault’ on science.

This writer is going to hazard a guess they do not mean the ‘assault’ of saying gender is fluid, or that climate change is settled, or anything having to do with COVID.But she digresses.Nearly 2,000 scientists, engineers and researchers penned an open letter this week to President Trump’s administration, calling for a stop to its “assault” on science. https://t.co/0afnqM484x— ABC News (@ABC) April 2, 2025Here’s more from ABC News:Nearly 2,000 scientists, engineers and researchers penned an open letter this week to President Donald Trump’s administration, calling for a stop to its ‘assault’ on science.The letter was signed by elected members of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine, a congressional chartered organization that provides independent analysis and helps inform public policy decisions.The group made clear the signatories are expressing their own views and not those of the National Academies or their home institutions.’We are speaking out as individuals. We see real danger in this moment,’ the letter said, in part. ‘We hold diverse political beliefs, but we are united as researchers in wanting to protect independent scientific inquiry. We are sending this SOS to sound a clear warning: the nation’s scientific enterprise is being decimated.’

Recommended

There is no danger.There is no assault on science.Are these guys friends with the 50 Intelligence Community guys who told us the Hunter Laptop story was Russian disinformation?— The **shi**t** Post-See Pinned Post (@dying_democracy) April 2, 2025Probably.Do these scientists believe that humans can magically morph into the opposite sex?— XX=Female (@xxwoman471377) April 2, 2025Would any of us be surprised if they did?Nope.*their funding— Richard DeCamp (@richdecamp) April 2, 2025Nailed it.That’s exactly what this is about.Not science.Money.Woke “Science” isn’t science.It’s pandering for grant dollars.— Populo Iratus (@astronomy89) April 2, 2025Exactly.The science that dictated grocery store aisles be one way, and a fresh air hike without a mask would kill you? Or the science that says there are 76 genders and that men can get pregnant?— Lili von Shtupp (@LvS_Redux) April 2, 2025Yeah. We’re gonna need a clearer definition of science before we get worked up about this.It’s fun to go through the signatures on this letter.Dr. Salim Abdool Karim signed it. He and his wifeQuarraisha have received over $60 million from US taxpayers for just one project, all sent to South Africa.Omg stop this assault on SCIENCE!!! https://t.co/U3R11wPFr2 pic.twitter.com/LCEFxj6hUc— Oilfield Rando (@Oilfield_Rando) April 2, 2025

Just incredible.They have no shame.They’re not mad because it’s an “assault on science.” They’re made because it’s an assault of grift. Some people are allergic to common sense, but their egos insist on wrapping it around “you wouldn’t understand” arrogance. Book smart, street stupid. https://t.co/Ls3ZBAKxut— BostonWriter (@bostonwriter) April 2, 2025They think they are our moral and intellectual superiors.Maybe stop wasting millions in tax dollars on transing mice https://t.co/dRgyJp9njf— The Dank Knight (@capeandcowell) April 2, 2025That’s a good suggestion.How do you know Trump is on the right path?When Covid quacks oppose it. https://t.co/56sunMWyLj— john jackson (@pvtjokerus) April 2, 2025He’s right over the target.The basics of science is that it constantly must be assaulted. There’s no such thing as “settled science.” https://t.co/jFu2IgeB1l— JoeVento (@Vento_Const) April 2, 2025Nope, and anyone who says the science is ‘settled’ is lying.

Editor’s Note: The mainstream media continues to deflect, gaslight, spin, and lie. Help us continue exposing their grift by reading news you can trust. Join Twitchy VIP and use promo code FIGHT to get 60% off your membership.

Reporting ‘Rhode Kill:’ New Survey Calls on Citizen Scientists

Science and HealthBy beatriceco April 2, 2025

There are more than a million wildlife vehicle collisions in the United States annually with significant personal and economic costs, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. Every year, they result in about 200 deaths and 26,000 injuries to drivers and passengers and cost more than $8 billion.

Kathleen Carroll, assistant professor of applied quantitative ecology in the University of Rhode Island’s Department of Natural Resources Science, is working on a solution to make roads safer for both wildlife and humans. It will utilize the help of citizen scientists.

Rhode Islanders can now report roadkill that they hit or observe using a QR-code generated survey or online. The public’s participation will ultimately inform research efforts to mitigate risks for both drivers and animals. Usage of the survey is anonymous. With permission, it will pull the respondent’s GPS location but no personal data.

“If we identify key hot spots for roadkill, we can advise the Rhode Island Department of Transportation on ways to increase successful wildlife crossings,” Carroll said.

“We have eight of the ten most densely populated states in the Northeast,” said Carroll, “and the abundance of roadways and cities creates certain concerns. Here we have animals moving around, but we don’t have massive ungulate or mammal migrations, so we don’t have giant wildlife bridges or other things that work out West. There have been a lot of discussions about what is important when we start thinking about connectivity in New England specifically.”

Data from the survey will complement research conducted by Carroll’s graduate students that uses camera trap data to record animals’ usage of culverts.

“We know that animals are willing to use culverts, as opposed to crossing on the road, because they don’t want to be somewhere they’re going to die,” Carroll said. “So what is it about some culverts that makes them willing to use it?”

Identifying what is happening spatially at culvert sites will provides crucial information on predicting animal behavior, she noted.

The data from the Rhode Kill Survey will be paired with traditional data collection methods: graduate students in Carroll’s Quest Lab will complete surveys that utilize standardized effort, driving the same amount of distance from randomly assigned starting points and then pulling off the road to pick up roadkill for assessment of species, age, sex, and other identifications.

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management and the GPS app Waze currently collect roadkill data, but it’s very disparate. Carroll and the team are interested in establishing a data-sharing agreement to ensure all collected data can be used more effectively.

While the survey is in its early days, there is already growing interest in the work, including from the New York Department of Transportation.

The only required question on the Rhode Kill Survey is whether the animal was a deer. Additional optional questions include the ability to upload a photo and to participate in a follow-up driving survey. The latter is particularly useful to researchers, according to Carroll, because it provides information about the level of effort and driving habits of respondents.

For questions, more information, or to receive a bumper sticker with a QR code to the survey, contact Carroll.

I asked scientists about the best exercise for longevity – and they all said the same 3 workouts

Science and HealthBy beatriceco April 2, 2025

The best exercise for longevity has been confirmed by exercise scientists. Well, the best three exercises that, when combined together in a healthy and sustainable routine, have proven benefits to help us live better and for longer.Longevity is the buzzword for 2025. We hear it when we’re talking about our biological age and the famous ‘Blue Zones’ – but what does it actually mean? The National Institute for Ageing (NIA) defines it as the length of time an individual lives, influenced by a combination of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. Research into longevity focuses on understanding how biological, social, and behavioural factors can help us have a “longer and healthier lifespan”. In short, it’s all about living healthier for longer.Exercise is one important pillar in that. Here, woman&home speaks to experts with a background in medicine, fitness, and neuroscience to reveal the best exercise for longevity, how often to do it, and how you’ll know you’re seeing progress.What is the best exercise for longevity? I spoke to five experts, all with a deep knowledge of longevity from a medical, neuroscience, or fitness background. All five of them agreed – the best exercise for longevity was a combination of the following:Cardiovascular exercise, e.g. running, walking, swimming, cyclingStrength training exercise, e.g. lifting weights, doing Pilates with weightsMobility exercise, e.g. stretching, yoga, or PilatesCardio exerciseAt a basic level, cardio exercises work the cardiovascular system, helping to push blood around the body, says Pete Williams, a leading functional medicine practitioner, exercise scientist, and strength and conditional specialist. “They can be anything you choose and enjoy, whether that be walking, running, rowing, cycling, aerobics classes, or dancing. The important thing is to do it consistently.”Consistently means 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise every week, he explains, in line with NHS recommendations. “Moderate intensity means you can hold a conversation, but it’s a bit laboured, and you may just need to take an extra breath. The alternative is higher-intensity exercise for 75 minutes, which is where you cannot hold a conversation.”Aiming for 150 minutes or 75 minutes is key, the scientist says, as most people don’t get this and so don’t reap the longevity benefits of exercise. Of course, the more you do, the more benefits you can have.”A study in the Circulation Journal analysed data from over 100,000 adults across 30 years. It concluded that engaging in 150 to 300 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week can reduce the risk of all-cause mortality by approximately 20%, while increasing activity to 300 to 600 minutes per week may reduce mortality risk by 26% to 31%,” he tells us. “This suggests that doubling the minimum recommended exercise duration can provide additional longevity benefits, but the most benefit is gained when someone goes from doing no exercise to being a consistent exerciser.”Sign up to our free daily email for the latest royal and entertainment news, interesting opinion, expert advice on styling and beauty trends, and no-nonsense guides to the health and wellness questions you want answered.Pete WilliamsFunctional Medicine Practitioner and Exercise ScientistPete Williams, M.Med.Sci, CSCS, IFMCP is the founder of Functional Medicine Associates and a leading UK expert in Functional Medicine. With over 20 years of clinical experience, he specialises in corporate burnout, cardiovascular health, brain health, gut health, DNA testing, and healthy ageing. Pete is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, an IFM Certified Practitioner, and a Bredesen Trained Practitioner, known for his pioneering work in personalised, preventative healthcare.Cardio exercise includes walking, running, cycling, and swimming.(Image credit: Getty Images)Strength trainingStrength training is all about basic human movement patterns, says Williams. “Squat, lunge, a push (like chest presses) and a pull (like chin up) and then maybe a press above the head, or carrying heavy things. These are the fundamental movements and they work all the major muscle groups,” he says.”You need to be working those exercises a minimum of twice a week and getting progressively stronger over time,” he adds.According to a global analysis study conducted in association with Les Mills and looking at three decades of research, as little as 30 to 60 minutes of strength training every week is enough to reduce premature dying risk by up to a fifth.”It boosts strength, fitness, calorie burn, and long-term fat loss, while offering heart health benefits, surpassing cardio and improving bone density – critical after 40 when bone loss accelerates,” says Bryce Hastings, head of research at Les Mills. “It also reduces anxiety, lowers diabetes risk by 32%, and improves sleep quality, making it essential for both physical and mental wellbeing.”Other research shows strength training can take 8 years off your biological age if you do it a couple of times a week.Bryce HastingsHead of Research at Les MillsBryce Hastings is a leading New Zealand physiotherapist with 30 years experience. He is also a true fitness expert and Les Mills’ Head of Research, leading the research into the most effective approaches to exercise and playing a pivotal role in structuring all Les Mills workouts. Strength training includes using dumbbells, kettlebells, and bodyweight exercises.(Image credit: Getty Images)Mobility”Mobility is one of those things that people often don’t appreciate until they start to lose it, and it’s absolutely not something we need to accept as a ‘side effect’ of ageing,” says Lotti Sorrell, a personal trainer specialising in exercise for longevity.”Mitigating stiffness and immobility can give people a huge amount of freedom as we age, keeping us independent and allowing us to stay active,” she says.Mobility exercises include hip extensions, wall squats, hamstring stretches, and cat-cow, as well as wall Pilates or a Pilates home workout and yoga stretches for beginners.”If we can then start to focus on building movement where we can perform it with added load, to full range and with a balance element like a raised front heel, then suddenly we have one move that can hit a lot of longevity pillars all at once in the same amount of time,” says Sorrell.Other mind-body focused exercise also has benefits for longevity, says Dr Tamsin Lewis, a neuroscientist and functional medicine specialist. For example, yoga, Pilates, and Tai Chi. “Such practices lower ongoing sympathetic arousal, regulating cortisol and other stress-related hormones, improving sleep quality and further supporting hormonal equilibrium,” she says. “Intentional breathing patterns can shift you from a fight-or-flight response towards a rest-and-digest state, lowering cortisol and enabling more robust parasympathetic activity,” adds Dr Lewis, who is also the founder and medical director of Wellgevity. As good sleep and lower stress levels also feed into longevity, this is very important.Lotti SorrellPersonal TrainerLotti Sorrell is the founder and head trainer at Longevity, a fitness company helping people to move better forever. She is a movement coach and CIMSPA registered personal trainer working with top clients around London.Dr Tamsin LewisNeuroscientist Dr Tamsin Lewis graduated with honours from King’s College London and Guys and St Thomas’ Hospitals in 2004, earning a BSc in Neuroscience and the Biology of Ageing. Dr Tam has specialist training in psychiatry and sports medicine, complemented by further studies in nutritional and functional medicine.She is also the founder and medical director of Wellgevity.As a member of The Royal College of Psychiatrists (MRCPsych) and a founding trustee of the British Society for Lifestyle Medicine, Dr Tam is committed to integrating lifestyle approaches into her medical practice. What does longevity mean?Longevity is about living a life that’s longer but also of a high quality, where you maintain your cognitive health, physical health, and general independence to the end of your life – or well into old age.While we can’t always control our risk of developing certain life-limiting diseases, longevity research aims to identify the ways we can reduce this risk by embedding certain practices into our lifestyles.It comes as no surprise that exercise routines are an important pillar in longevity – but it’s not the only one. Eating well, getting good sleep, having low stress, positive social connections, and having a sense of purpose are all longevity pillars.For example, “A diet rich in bone-friendly nutrients like calcium, vitamin D, and vitamin K2 is essential for bone health, as is protein. This is crucial for maintaining muscle mass,” says Dr Elise Dallas, a women’s health GP and menopause specialist at The London General Practice.She also recommends avoiding certain lifestyle habits that have a proven impact on our health, such as smoking and excessive alcohol consumption. Stress and sleep also have a vital role to play, as noted by Dr Lewis.Dr Elise DallasWomen’s Health GPDr Elise Dallas is a General Practitioner at The London General Practice with over 20 years of experience. She graduated from Leicester Warwick Medical School in 2004, having previously earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and Human Biology. She is a Member of the Royal College of General Practitioners and holds several postgraduate diplomas in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Sexual and Reproductive Health as well as a qualification from the British Menopause Society.How often should you exercise for longevity?How often you should lift weights or how far you should walk every day for longevity benefits will depend on individual factors, says Sorrell, but most people will find a short 30 to 40-minute session, as little as twice a week, can be “absolutely life-changing”.”Any amount of training is better than no training, so start with a manageable amount that you can realistically and consistently fit into your schedule,” she says. “For cardiovascular health, even a short walk of 20 to 30 minutes daily has been shown to have tremendously positive effects in terms of improving physical health-span and mental health.”How to monitor longevity through exerciseIt’s one thing to do the best exercise for longevity, but how do you know it’s working? One key way to determine whether your cardio, strength, and mobility exercises are coming together to help you live longer and healthier is by taking a look at your Heart Rate Variability (HRV), says Dr Lewis.”HRV indicates how effectively your autonomic nervous system adapts to stressors -higher HRV typically suggests better resilience,” she explains. “By integrating practices such as mindful movement, group involvement, conscious breathwork, and supportive self-care, you can gently reshape your physiology, often reflected in improving HRV.”To find your HRV, you’ll need to wear an electrocardiogram (ECG) device or chest strap. This measures the electrical activity of the heart. You can find these online, with the sensor incorporated into many of the best fitness trackers these days.Longevity tips from exercise scientists Improve your agility: “I want to just mention falling and its impact on longevity. It’s such a big killer, particularly as we get over 60,” says Williams. “Falling is a very explosive activity, so if you are never training yourself to do things quickly, you cannot expect your brain to quickly talk to your muscles to react to the act of falling.” He says key movements include dance and quick-feet drills.Consider your hormones: “Women’s hormonal landscapes shift dramatically – whether month-to-month or across perimenopause and menopause. These changes shape everything from mood and energy to bone density and recovery capacity,” says Dr Lewis. One way to manage hormone fluctuation is via HRT, she says. “[It’s about]far more than symptom management, it’s about protecting your longevity, through support to brain, bones, muscles, heart and the entire cardiovascular system.”Look at your family history: So much of our health is down to genetics. As an example, Dr Dallas says: “Up to 85% of bone health is determined by family history. If your mum has osteoporosis or has experienced fractures, this is an important red flag for you. Research shows that women whose mothers had osteoporosis have a 50-80% higher risk of developing the disease themselves. Knowing this information allows you to take proactive steps early to protect your bone health.”Think mental as well as physical: “Interestingly, one more aspect to longevity that has been consistently highlighted as a key consideration in all kinds of studies is social life! Having strong social relationships is something that can be just as crucial as improving physical health as we age,” says Sorrell, who has launched a retreat for just this reason alongside Holistic Impact UK.

Reporting ‘Rhode Kill:’ New study calls on citizen scientists

Science and HealthBy beatriceco April 2, 2025

KINGSTON, R.I. – April 2, 2025 – According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, there are more than one million wildlife vehicle collisions in the United States annually with significant personal and economic costs: they result in approximately 200 deaths and 26,000 injuries to drivers and passengers and cost more than $8 billion annually. Kathleen Carroll, assistant professor of applied quantitative ecology in the University of Rhode Island’s Department of Natural Resources Science, is working on a solution to make roads safer for both wildlife and humans that will utilize the help of citizen scientists.

Camera trap data shows that many animals use culverts as a safer means of travel, instead of busy roads.

Rhode Islanders can now report roadkill that they hit or observe using a QR-code generated survey, also available online. The public’s participation will ultimately inform research efforts to mitigate risks for both drivers and animals.

“If we identify key hotspots for roadkill, we can advise the Rhode Island Department of Transportation on ways to increase successful wildlife crossings,” Carroll says. Usage of the survey is anonymous. With permission, it will pull the respondent’s GPS location but no personal data.

The pervasive problem of roadkill illuminates larger concerns about wildlife connectivity, the ability for animals to move freely from place to place. In western states, known migration pathways have informed efforts to facilitate safe movement through large underpasses and overpasses. We have eight of the ten most densely populated states in the northeast, Carroll notes, and the abundance of roadways and cities creates certain concerns. “Here we have animals moving around, but we don’t have massive ungulate or mammal migrations, so we don’t have giant wildlife bridges or other things that work out west,” Carroll says. “There have been a lot of discussions about what is important when we start thinking about connectivity in New England specifically.”

Data from the survey will complement research conducted by Carroll’s graduate students that uses camera trap data to record animals’ usage of culverts. “We know that animals are willing to use culverts, as opposed to crossing on the road, because they don’t want to be somewhere they’re going to die,” Carroll says. “So what is it about some culverts that makes them willing to use it as opposed to others?” Identifying what’s happening spatially at culvert sites provides crucial information on predicting animal behavior before fatal road crossings.

“It will ensure the patterns we’re seeing in the citizen science data match the pattern in the data we’re collecting,” Carroll says.

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management and the popular GPS app Waze currently collect roadkill data, but it’s very disparate. Carroll and the team are interested in establishing a data-sharing agreement to ensure all collected data can be used more effectively to mitigate risks.

While the survey is in its early days, there is already growing interest in the work, including from the New York Department of Transportation.

“We’re starting with Rhode Island to pilot it,” Carroll says, “but the goal is to expand it to other regions.” Establishing a standardized protocol that all states follow will allow data to be integrated for a larger analysis. Carroll notes that the research team might also add more questions over time to expand the information captured with the hopes of being more broadly beneficial to a variety of research goals.

The only required question on the Rhode Kill Survey is whether or not the animal was a deer. Additional optional questions include the ability to upload a photo and to participate in a follow-up driving survey. The latter is particularly useful to researchers, Carroll notes, because it provides information about the level of effort and driving habits of respondents.

“In the field of ecology, we’ve demonstrated that historically, citizen science data is essential for large-scale projects,” Carroll adds. The survey will remain open for the foreseeable future.

For questions, or to receive a bumper sticker with a QR code to the survey, contact Kathleen Carroll.

This story was written by Anna Gray in the College of the Environment and Life Sciences.

75% of US scientists considering leaving the country, says new Nature poll

Science and HealthBy beatriceco April 2, 2025

Leading scientific journal Nature surveyed scientists about whether the Trump administration’s massive slashing of federal science funding is causing them to consider leaving the United States. More than 1,200 scientists responded. A shocking 75% said they were seriously considering moving out of the U.S.

Where? Top countries mentioned were Europe and Canada, or “anywhere that supports science,” as one respondent put it.

From Nature:

The trend was particularly pronounced among early-career researchers. Of the 690 postgraduate researchers who responded, 548 were considering leaving; 255 of 340 PhD students said the same.

Trump’s administration has slashed research funding and halted broad swathes of federally funded science, under a government-wide cost-cutting initiative led by billionaire Elon Musk. Tens of thousands of federal employees, including many scientists, have been fired and rehired following a court order, with threats of more mass firings to come. Immigration crackdowns and battles over academic freedom have left researchers reeling as uncertainty and disruption permeate all aspects of the US research enterprise.

Previously:• Trump attacks science, research, and public health systems

Scientists sue NIH, saying politics cut their research funding

Science and HealthBy beatriceco April 2, 2025

A group of scientists and health groups sued the National Institutes of Health on Wednesday, arguing that an “ideological purge” of research funding is illegal and threatens medical cures.Since President Donald Trump took office in January, hundreds of NIH research grants have been abruptly canceled for science that mentions the words diversity, gender and vaccine hesitancy, as well as other politically charged topics.That has led to grants being cut that fund studies of HIV prevention, violence prevention in children, pregnancy health disparities and Alzheimer’s disease, among others, according to the lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in Massachusetts.The suit aims to restore the money and end the terminations, arguing they violate NIH’s usual science-based review process, specific orders from Congress to tackle health equity and disparities, and federal regulations.

It also argues the cancellations waste taxpayer dollars by ending projects midstream before the results are in.The suit was filed by the American Public Health Association, unions representing scientists and some researchers who were stripped of grants.NIH’s parent agency, the Department of Health and Human Services, declined comment on litigation.

___The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

Revolutionary Starfish-Inspired Wearable Technology Enhances Heart Monitoring, Say Scientists

Science and HealthBy beatriceco April 2, 2025

In the realm of wearable technology, revolutionary innovations often raise the bar for health monitoring devices. Researchers from the University of Missouri have taken a significant leap forward by introducing a starfish-inspired wearable device designed to track heart health in real time. This innovative device is born from the astute observation of how starfish maneuver their bodies, leveraging their unique five-arm structure as a model for improving stability and accuracy in physiological signal monitoring.
The influence of biological designs in engineering, known as biomimicry, is not new; however, the application seen in this wearable device exemplifies how nature can directly inspire cutting-edge technology. The physiological dynamics of the starfish’s movement—its ability to flip and align itself using its arms—have given rise to a new paradigm in heart monitoring. In their research, Sicheng Chen and Zheng Yan, alongside their fellow collaborators in Mizzou’s College of Engineering, have developed a model that utilizes multiple contact points to ensure that the device remains fixed against the skin near the heart.
This characteristic ability to maintain surface contact translates into enhanced data accuracy while individuals engage in physical activities. Unlike conventional wearables that encapsulate sensors in a single design—such as smartwatches—this starfish-shaped device boasts several arms, each outfitted with unique sensors. These sensors are capable of measuring both electrical and mechanical activities of the heart concurrently, providing users with a comprehensive insight into their cardiovascular health.
One of the critical benefits of this device is its integration with a smartphone application that not only facilitates user-friendly interaction but also empowers individuals to understand their heart health better. The application offers health insights and alerts users to potential heart issues based on data gathered by the device. This immediacy of information transforms the user experience from passive monitoring to proactive health management, allowing individuals to stay abreast of their cardiac condition.
In a remarkable development, the research team has harnessed artificial intelligence to refine the device’s functionality further. By analyzing an extensive dataset of heart signals collected from both healthy patients and individuals suffering from heart disease, the AI system can effectively filter out disturbances caused by movement. This capability enables the device to provide reliable data about the heart’s condition, accurately identifying heart issues over 90% of the time. Remote monitoring by healthcare professionals is made possible through the device’s Bluetooth capabilities, making it an optimal choice for users who prefer to keep track of their health from the comfort of their homes.
The innovation behind traditional heart tests, such as Doppler ultrasounds, is challenged by this device, which operates seamlessly irrespective of the user’s movement. This significantly alleviates the discomfort associated with conventional testing environments where patients are often required to remain still to obtain accurate readings. The starfish-inspired wearable device promises to change the narrative surrounding heart health monitoring while emphasizing flexibility and user convenience.
An equally important aspect of wearability is the comfort that this starfish-shaped device offers users. The research team, aware of common complaints regarding skin irritation caused by long-duration wear, has prioritized user comfort in their design process. Currently employing a special gel to adhere to the skin, future iterations of the device are expected to incorporate breathable, skin-friendly materials that will enhance comfort during extended usage. Attention to comfort details aims to improve adherence to wearables, ultimately aiding long-term health tracking and facilitating more thorough monitoring.
Moreover, the convenience of continuous operation is expanded by the device’s ability to charge wirelessly while being worn. This remarkable feature negates the need for users to remove the device to recharge it, ensuring that health monitoring is incessant and unobtrusive. The focus on continuous wear elevates the user experience by integrating seamlessly into daily routines, making it an indispensable tool for heart health management.
As promising as the prototype appears, it remains in the early stages of development. Nevertheless, the potential of this starfish-inspired wearable device encapsulates a harmonious blend of nature, engineering, and artificial intelligence, paving the way for a paradigm shift in heart health management. This technology could ultimately empower individuals to take charge of their cardiovascular health with unprecedented ease and reliability.
Pending further testing and refinement, the research team’s findings reflect the transformative impacts of interdisciplinary collaboration. Their work was published in the prestigious journal Science Advances, showcasing how innovative engineering solutions can emerge from profound insights into biological systems. This endeavor is set against the backdrop of a broader trend in healthcare continuously seeking out technologies that leverage both intelligence and convenience for improved patient outcomes.
The marriage of biological understanding with technological application in the scope of this wearable device represents a burgeoning domain for future exploration. The implications extend far beyond just heart health, hinting at a world where wearable technologies can adapt and cater to a variety of health conditions, much like the adaptability showcased in nature itself. Researchers see this as just the beginning, as the possibilities for future iterations of wearable devices are virtually limitless.
Looking forward, the starfish-inspired device serves as not only a tool for health monitoring but as a testament to the potential of integrated technologies in improving life quality through innovative problem-solving. With this approach paving the way, it is exciting to contemplate how these scientific advancements will shape future medical devices and the very nature of patient care.
In the ever-evolving landscape of wearable technology, the intersection of inspiration from the natural world and technological ingenuity heralds a new era. As individuals increasingly prioritize detailed and accurate health oversight, devices like this starfish-inspired thermal device might just become a staple in personal healthcare arsenals. The implications could reshape lifestyle paradigms, potentially leading us into an era defined by empowered, informed individuals proactively managing their health.
In conclusion, the starfish-inspired wearable device stands not only as a breakthrough in heart health monitoring but also as a beacon for future innovations across various health sectors, highlighting the fundamental necessity of personalized and continuous health monitoring. As research progresses, it will be fascinating to witness the advancements in technology shaped by the simple yet profound mechanics found in nature.
Subject of Research: Wearable device inspired by starfish for heart health monitoringArticle Title: Starfish-Inspired Wearable Bioelectronic Systems for Physiological Signal Monitoring During Motion and Real-Time Heart Disease DiagnosisNews Publication Date: 2-Apr-2025Web References: DOIReferences: None providedImage Credits: Credit: Courtesy of Zheng YanKeywords: Wearable devices, heart health, artificial intelligence, biomimicry, cardiovascular health, medical technology
Tags: bio-inspired engineering solutionsbiomimicry in engineeringcutting-edge health devicesenhanced accuracy in health monitoringmulti-contact wearable technologyphysiological signal monitoring innovationsreal-time heart health trackingstarfish-inspired medical devicesUniversity of Missouri researchwearable devices for fitnesswearable heart monitoring technology

Gaia telescope retires: Scientists bid farewell to ‘the discovery machine of the decade’ that mapped 2 billion Milky Way stars

Science and HealthBy beatriceco April 2, 2025

On March 27, scientists bid farewell to the Gaia telescope, bringing to a close its groundbreaking 11-year mission of mapping the Milky Way and our cosmic neighborhood.Though not as famous as some of its peers like the Hubble or James Webb space telescopes, Gaia has reshaped our understanding of our home galaxy, the Milky Way. Since 2014, the European Space Agency’s (ESA) telescope has meticulously charted the cosmos, creating a vast catalog of nearly 2 billion stars, more than 4 million potential galaxies and around 150,000 asteroids, with moons possibly circling hundreds of them.These observations have led to more than 13,000 scientific studies, with many more likely to follow in the coming years.”Gaia’s extensive data releases are a unique treasure trove for astrophysical research, and influence almost all disciplines in astronomy,” Johannes Sahlmann, a physicist at the European Space Astronomy Centre in Spain and a project scientist for the Gaia mission, said in a statement.After 11 years of operations — nearly double its expected lifetime — Gaia ran out of fuel, prompting its operators at ESA to power down and retire the spacecraft.The best map of the Milky Way galaxy Since it launched in December 2013, Gaia charted the cosmos from a vantage point about a million miles (1.6 million kilometers) from Earth, at a spot called Lagrange point 2 (L2), where the gravitational forces of Earth and the sun, and the orbital motion of a satellite balance each other.Gaia’s primary goal was to map the positions and movements of over a billion stars within the Milky Way, creating the largest, most precise 3D map of our galaxy. To do so, it was equipped with twin telescopes pointed in different directions to measure the distances between stars, while three onboard instruments collected data on the positions, velocities, colors as well as chemical compositions of celestial objects.Get the world’s most fascinating discoveries delivered straight to your inbox.The exquisite map of our galaxy it assembled has enabled scientists to better understand the galaxy’s spiral structure, estimate the shape and mass of the dark matter halo that surrounds the Milky Way, and solve the decades-old mystery of our galaxy’s warped and wobbling disk — which is likely due to an ongoing collision with the smaller Sagittarius galaxy.Additionally, the catalog has provided astronomers with new insights into the ancient nature of parts of our galaxy, suggesting that stars began forming in the Milky Way’s disk less than 1 billion years after the Big Bang — far earlier than the previously accepted timeline of 3 billion years.An illustration of what the Milky Way might look like face-on based on data from the Gaia telescope. (Image credit: ESA/Gaia/DPAC, Stefan Payne-Wardenaar)The telescope’s observations have also led astronomers to discover previously hidden stellar streams. For example, in 2020, its database of stars revealed the presence and shape of the largest structure ever observed in our galaxy: a vast ensemble of interconnected stellar nurseries spanning 9,000 light-years, known as the Radcliffe Wave, which may have had a lasting impact on Earth’s climate.”Gaia has changed our impression of the Milky Way,” Stefan Payne-Wardenaar, a scientific visualiser at the Heidelberg University in Germany, said in a previous statement.The spacecraft has serendipitously captured thousands of starquakes — tiny motions on surfaces of stars that cause them to swell and shrink periodically — providing unique insights into the inner workings of stars, and spotted high-velocity stars both escaping our galaxy and, surprisingly, racing toward it. It also uncovered several cosmic “sleeping giants,” or black holes — one of which is lurking extremely close to Earth.Gaia’s star catalog has also been used to clock the expansion rate of the universe, fueling the ongoing debate over why the expansion seems to be occurring faster than astronomers expected.”It is impressive that these discoveries are based only on the first few years of Gaia data, and many were made in the last year alone,” Anthony Brown, an associate professor of astronomy at the University of Leiden in Netherlands, said in the statement.Saying goodbye to the ‘discovery machine of the decade’On March 27, ESA commanded Gaia to use its thrusters for the final time, pushing the spacecraft into a “retirement orbit” safely away from Earth and the scientifically important L2 orbit, which is also home to the James Webb Space Telescope, Euclid telescope and China’s Chang’e 6 orbiter.Last week the mission team deactivated the spacecraft’s instruments, which were designed with multiple redundant systems to ensure it could reboot and resume operations after any failure. To prevent its computers from powering back on in the future, operators deliberately corrupted its onboard software, according to the ESA statement.”We had to design a decommissioning strategy that involved systematically picking apart and disabling the layers of redundancy that have safeguarded Gaia for so long,” Tiago Nogueira, Gaia spacecraft operator, said in the statement. “We don’t want it to reactivate in the future and begin transmitting again if its solar panels find sunlight.”As part of this process, some of Gaia’s onboard software is being overwritten using farewell messages from its team on Earth, as well as the names of around 1500 people that have contributed to the mission over the years. pic.twitter.com/Kf37OTSHtBMarch 27, 2025Team members wrote the names of all 1,500 contributors to the Gaia mission into the spacecraft’s onboard memory, as well as personal farewell messages and poems.The telescope may have gone dark, but scientists hope its discoveries will continue to shine brightly. So far, only a third of the mission’s data has been analyzed, as processing the vast amount of information — Gaia is expected to have gathered more than 1 petabyte (1 million gigabytes) of data by the end of its mission — takes months. The next batch of science data is set to be released in 2026, covering a little over five years of observations, with the fifth and final release scheduled for 2030, which will encompass the full 10 years of data.”Gaia has been the discovery machine of the decade, a trend that is set to continue,” Brown said in the statement.

Category Archives: Science and Health