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Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on April 17, 2025 at 10:23am

People, not alligators, are at fault in most alligator bite cases

Risky human behavior, not aggression by alligators, is the leading cause of alligator bites, according to a study by scientists.

Published in the journal Human–Wildlife Interactions, the research is the first to develop a ranking system that categorizes human actions immediately before an alligator encounter. Researchers found that in 96% of recorded incidents, some form of human inattention or risk-taking preceded the attack. The findings show that alligator bites are not random; they're preventable.

The insights come at a time of year when alligator activity is ramping up. Mating season, which runs from April through June in some places, brings more frequent movement and territorial behavior among alligators, making human awareness and safe practices even more essential.

To reach their conclusions, the team analyzed nearly three centuries of records from 1734 to 2021 on human–alligator interactions using the CrocBITE database, now called CrocAttack.org. The team then augmented that information with internet searches, literature review and communications with wildlife agencies. Each case was classified by the level of human behavior risk: no risk, low, moderate or high.

Most bites occurred following moderate-risk behaviors, such as swimming or wading in areas known to be inhabited by alligators. The highest proportion of fatal bites occurred after high-risk behaviors, such as deliberately entering alligator-inhabited waters. In contrast, low and no-risk behaviors, like walking near water or simply being present on land, rarely resulted in attacks.

The takeaway lesson from this study is that many bites can be prevented if humans are aware of their surroundings and minimize risky behaviors such as walking small pets near bodies of water or swimming where alligators are known to be present, say the researchers. 

The most surprising finding was how high the percentage was for humans engaging in risky behavior. This indicates that humans—rather than alligators—are at fault in the vast majority of cases where bites occur.

The results emphasize that alligators aren't seeking conflict, but they will respond when humans provide what scientists call an "attractive stimulus," such as by splashing, swimming or entering alligator habitats.

Although some bites happened without clear warning, in many cases, people unknowingly triggered the alligator's natural response to defend itself or to hunt.

Researchers stress that humans are entering the environment of a large, wild predator much like hikers entering bear country or swimmers in shark-inhabited waters and should assume some level of responsibility and attentiveness.

Mark S Teshera et al, Human-Alligator Incidents in the United States: Risky Human Behaviors Cause Most "Attacks", Human–Wildlife Interactions (2023). DOI: 10.26077/wvfj-s221. digitalcommons.usu.edu/cgi/vie … cle=1885&context=hwi

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on April 17, 2025 at 9:54am

Bonobos refuse to participate when faced with unequal rewards

To better understand the evolutionary origins of fairness, researchers  investigated inequity aversion in bonobos, one of humans' closest relatives.

 The researchers conducted two rounds of experiments using established inequity paradigms: one in which the bonobos exchanged tokens for rewards, and another in which they tested whether their reactions might have been caused by disappointment in the experimenter. The study is published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences.

The results showed that bonobos refused to participate more often when they received a lesser reward than their partner. Unlike chimpanzees, their responses could not be explained by disappointment alone, supporting the idea that bonobos genuinely recognize and respond to unfair treatment.

Unlike chimpanzees, their reactions were not simply due to disappointment with the experimenter, but reflected a genuine aversion to unequal treatment.

Interestingly, bonobos were more tolerant of inequity when interacting with closely affiliated partners, similar to patterns seen in humans. This suggests that social bonds may influence reactions to fairness, reinforcing the idea that inequity aversion has evolved as a stabilizing force for cooperation.

Kia Radovanović et al, Bonobos respond aversively to unequal reward distributions, Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences (2025). DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2024.2873

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on April 17, 2025 at 9:05am

The researchers made two other remarkable discoveries:

First, unlike other methods, the new light-emitting technique remains effective even after extensive washing of the shooter's hands. This is important for forensic investigations, as suspects often try to tamper with or remove evidence of their involvement.

Second, bystanders standing approximately 2 meters away from the shooter also tested positive for lead traces on their hands. "These findings provide valuable pieces of the puzzle when reconstructing a shooting incident. But, a positive test also needs to be carefully interpreted. It does not automatically mean that you fired a gun.

The researchers think this new method will be especially beneficial to first responders, such as police officers, who can use it to rapidly screen potential suspects and witnesses to secure crucial evidence.

Kendra Adelberg et al, Perovskite-based photoluminescent detection of lead particles in gunshot residue, Forensic Science International (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112415

Part 2

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on April 17, 2025 at 9:04am

Forensic Science: Glowing gunshot residue: New method illuminates crime scene clues

Crime scene investigation may soon become significantly more accurate and efficient thanks to a new method for detecting gunshot residues. Researchers  developed the technique that converts lead particles found in gunshot residue into light-emitting semiconductors. This method is faster, more sensitive, and easier to use than current alternatives.

Forensic experts at the Amsterdam police force are already testing it in actual crime scene investigations. The researchers published their findings in Forensic Science International on March 9.

The innovative light-emitting lead analysis method offers exciting opportunities for crime scene investigations. When a weapon is fired, it leaves gunshot residue containing lead traces on the surrounding environment, including clothing and skin.

Obtaining an indication of gunshot residue at the crime scene is a major advantage, helping us answer key questions about shooting incidents. For instance, determining whether the damage found could have been caused by a bullet and determining the relative position of a person who might have been involved in a shooting incident. We test for lead traces on possible bullet holes and a suspect's or a victim's clothing or hands.

Currently, police send all samples to the lab for analysis. However, the methods used there are often time-consuming, labor-intensive, and require expensive equipment.

The new analysis method builds on recent advances in perovskite research. Perovskites are a promising material used in applications ranging from solar cells to LEDs. A few years ago, researchers  developed an easy-to-use lead detection method based on perovskite technology.

In this method, a reagent converts lead-containing surfaces into a perovskite semiconductor. Shining with a UV lamp will make the newly formed semiconductor emit a bright green glow visible to the naked eye—making even small traces of lead easily detectable.

In 2021, Noorduin and Lukas Helmbrecht (formerly Ph.D. student in the group) established a start-up company to develop this lead testing method into a practical lead detection kit: Lumetallix. Over the past years, many people worldwide have been investigating their surroundings using the Lumetallix test kit. They report positive tests in all sorts of objects, for example: dinner plates, beer glasses, but also in paint dust at construction sites.

Now researchers developed an altered version of the Lumetallix reagent for the forensic application: one that reacts especially well with lead atoms in gunshot residue and produces a long-lasting green glow.

To validate the effectiveness of this method, the researchers conducted a series of controlled experiments. The results revealed well-defined luminescent patterns that were clearly visible to the naked eye, even at extended distances.

Part 1

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on April 17, 2025 at 8:15am

But when serendipitously analyzing the material just outside of one of these chondrules, composed of a matrix of extremely fine (sub-micrometer) material, the team discovered that the matrix itself was incredibly rich in hydrogen sulfide. In fact, their analysis found that the amount of hydrogen in the matrix was five times higher than that of the non-crystalline sections.

Since the proto-Earth was made of material similar to enstatite chondrites, this suggests that by the time the forming planet had become large enough to be struck by asteroids, it would have amassed enough reserves of hydrogen to explain Earth's present-day water abundance.

Because the likelihood of this hydrogen sulfide originating from terrestrial contamination is very low, this research provides vital evidence to support the theory that water on Earth is native—that it is a natural outcome of what our planet is made of.

Thomas J. Barrett et al,The source of hydrogen in earth's building blocks, Icarus (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.icarus.2025.116588

In contrast, in other parts of the meteorite that had cracks and signs of obvious terrestrial contamination (such as rust), very little or no hydrogen was present. This makes it highly unlikely that the hydrogen sulfide compounds detected by the team originated from an earthly source.

Footnotes:

1. L. Piani el al., "Earth's water may have been inherited from material similar to enstatite chondrite meteorites," Science (2020). science.sciencemag.org/cgi/doi … 1126/science.aba1948

2. "The origins of water," Science (2020). science.sciencemag.org/cgi/doi … 1126/science.abc1338

Part 2

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on April 17, 2025 at 8:15am

Scientists find evidence that challenges theories of the origin of water on Earth

A team of researchers have uncovered crucial evidence for the origin of water on Earth. Using a rare type of meteorite, known as an enstatite chondrite, which has a composition analogous to that of the early Earth (4.55 billion years ago), they have found a source of hydrogen which would have been critical for the formation of water molecules.

Crucially, they demonstrated that the hydrogen present in this material was intrinsic, and not from contamination. This suggests that the material which our planet was built from was far richer in hydrogen than previously thought.

The findings, which support the theory that the formation of habitable conditions on Earth did not rely on asteroids hitting Earth, have been published in the journal Icarus..

Without hydrogen, a fundamental elemental building-block of water, it would have been impossible for our planet to develop the conditions to support life.

The origin of hydrogen, and, by extension, water, on Earth has been highly debated, with many believing that the necessary hydrogen was delivered by asteroids from outer space during Earth's first approximately 100 million years. But these new findings contradict this, suggesting instead that Earth had the hydrogen it needed to create water from when it first formed.

The research team analyzed the elemental composition of a meteorite known as LAR 12252, originally collected from Antarctica. They used an elemental analysis technique called X-Ray Absorption Near Edge Structure (XANES) spectroscopy at the Diamond Light Source synchrotron at Harwell, Oxfordshire.

 A previous study led by a French team(1,2) had originally identified traces of hydrogen within the meteorite inside organic materials and non-crystalline parts of the chondrules (millimeter-sized spherical objects within the meteorite). However, the remainder was unaccounted for—meaning it was unclear whether the hydrogen was native or due to terrestrial contamination.

The new work by the team suspected that significant amounts of the hydrogen may be attached to the meteorite's abundant sulfur. Using the synchrotron, they shone a powerful beam of X-rays onto the meteorite's structure to search for sulfur-bearing compounds.

When initially scanning the sample, the team focused their efforts on the non-crystalline parts of the chondrules, where hydrogen had been found before.

Part 1

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on April 17, 2025 at 8:00am

New pollen-replacing food for honey bees brings hope for their survival

Changes in land use, urban expansion, and extreme weather all negatively impact nutrition for honey bees and other pollinators. Many crops depend on these pollinators for survival. Honey bees are generalists and do not get all their nutrition from a single source. They need variety in their diet to survive but find it increasingly difficult to find the continuous supply of pollen they need to sustain the colony.

Changes in land use, urban expansion, and extreme weather all negatively impact nutrition for honey bees and other pollinators.

Now Scientists have unveiled a new food source designed to sustain honey bee colonies indefinitely without natural pollen.

Published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B, the research details successful trials where nutritionally stressed colonies, deployed for commercial crop pollination  thrived on the new food source.

This innovation, which resembles the man-made diets fed to livestock and pets all their lives, contains all the nutrients honey bees need. It's expected to become a potent strategy for combating the escalating rates of colony collapse and safeguarding global food supplies reliant on bee pollination.
The newly developed food source resembles human "Power Bars." These are placed directly into honey bee colonies, where young bees process and distribute the essential nutrients to larvae and adult bees.

This breakthrough addresses one of the growing challenges faced by honey bees: lack of adequate nutrition in their environment.

The reported scientific work shows in commercial field conditions that providing nutritionally stressed colonies with the pollen-replacing feed results in a major measurable step change in colony health compared to current best practices. This new product has the potential to change the way honey bees are managed.

A critical discovery within the research is the role of isofucosterol, a molecule found naturally in pollen that acts as a vital nutrient for honey bees.

Colonies fed with isofucosterol-enriched food survived an entire season without pollen access, while those without it experienced severe declines, including reduced larval production, adult paralysis, and colony collapse. The new feed also contains a comprehensive blend of the other nutrients honey bees require.

A nutritionally complete pollen-replacing diet protects honey bee colonies during stressful commercial pollination - Requirement for isofucosterol, Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences (2025). DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2024.3078. royalsocietypublishing.org/doi … .1098/rspb.2024.3078

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on April 16, 2025 at 10:02am

Researchers uncover molecular connection between body fat and anxiety

Researchers  have revealed a novel link between body fat (adipose tissue) and anxiety, shedding light on the intricate relationship between metabolism and mental health.

The findings, published in Nature Metabolism on April 15, 2025, are particularly relevant given the rising rates of anxiety and obesity, highlighting the importance of understanding the underlying biological processes.

Understanding the link between adipose tissue and anxiety opens up new avenues for research and potential treatments.

The research team discovered that psychological stress, which triggers the fight or flight response, initiates a process called lipolysis in fat cells. This process leads to the release of fats, which in turn stimulates the release of a hormone called GDF15 from immune cells found in fat tissue. GDF15 then communicates with the brain, resulting in anxiety.

Researchers came to their conclusion through a series of meticulously designed experiments involving mice. Behavioral tests assessed anxiety-like behavior, and molecular analyses identified the activated pathways. A clear connection between metabolic changes in adipose tissue and anxiety was established, offering new insights into the interplay between metabolism and mental health.

 Logan K. Townsend et al, GDF15 links adipose tissue lipolysis with anxiety, Nature Metabolism (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s42255-025-01264-3

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on April 16, 2025 at 9:57am

Key to the high aggressiveness of pancreatic cancer identified

Pancreatic cancer is one of the most aggressive cancers and has one of the lowest survival rates—only 10% after five years. One of the factors contributing to its aggressiveness is its tumor microenvironment, known as the stroma, which makes up the majority of the tumor mass and consists of a network of proteins and different non-tumor cells. Among these, fibroblasts play a key role, helping tumor cells to grow and increasing their resistance to drugs.

Now, a study  by researchers has identified a new key factor contributing to this feature of pancreatic cancer: a previously unknown function of Galectin-1 protein inside the nuclei of fibroblasts.

This discovery, published in the journal PNAS, offers new insights into the role of these cells in the progression of pancreatic cancer.

The stroma is considered a key component in the aggressive nature of pancreatic cancer, as it interacts with tumor cells, protects them, and hinders the action of drugs. Moreover, stromal cells, particularly fibroblasts, produce substances that support tumor growth and dissemination. 

Until now, fibroblasts were known to secrete Galectin-1, a protein with pro-tumoral properties. This study, however, shows that the molecule is also located inside fibroblasts—specifically in their nuclei—where it plays a key role in gene expression regulation.

The presence of this molecule activates fibroblasts, making them support tumor cell development. The researchers also discovered that Galectin-1 can regulate gene expression in these cells at a highly specific level without altering the DNA sequence, through epigenetic control. One of the genes it regulates is KRAS, which plays a critical role in pancreatic tumors.

This gene is also present in tumor cells in 90% of patients, though in this case it is mutated. It is considered one of the main drivers of uncontrolled growth and tumor aggressiveness.

 The newly discovered functions now pave the way for developing new strategies to tackle this type of tumor.

Judith Vinaixa et al, Nuclear Galectin-1 promotes KRAS -dependent activation of pancreatic cancer stellate cells, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2025). DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2424051122

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on April 16, 2025 at 9:25am

Researchers resurrect extinct gene in plants with major implications for drug development

Researchers resurrected an extinct plant gene, turning back the evolutionary clock to pave a path forward for the development and discovery of new drugs.

Specifically, the team repaired a defunct gene in the coyote tobacco plant.

In a new paper, they detail their discovery of a previously unknown kind of cyclic peptide, or mini-protein, called nanamin that is easy to bioengineer, making it "a platform with huge potential for drug discovery" . The paper is published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

It will provide chemical biologists with other tools to develop new peptide-based cancer treatments, for discovering new antibiotics and also for agricultural applications for defense against pathogens and insects.

Made up of short strings of amino acids, cyclic peptides are very small and almost tailor-made for use in drug development.

Cyclic peptides are much smaller, so it's like a small molecule drug but has the chemical features of a protein. You can also engineer it. We can easily generate a library that produces millions of these peptides that can be used for drug screening.

The researchers  previously discovered that cyclic peptides exist in plants, which brought him to coyote tobacco. As they delved into the genetic code of this plant, they discovered a pseudogene that was no longer functional.

This particular gene had previously encoded the cyclic peptide nanamin in coyote tobacco, but over time, due to adaptive mutations, it had faded away into the evolutionary past. But that didn't stop the researchers.

They found that this gene still existed in related plant species and, using a new method called molecular gene resurrection, cloned the gene and corrected the mutation.

To their surprise, they were able to recover the ancestral function of this gene.

Beyond resurrecting an extinct gene, this research proves the viability of cyclic peptides, and nanamin specifically, as the foundation for a number of novel uses.

Nanamin's size and chemical mutability makes it an asset for discovering new drugs and agriculture.

Elliot M. Suh et al, The emergence and loss of cyclic peptides in Nicotiana illuminate dynamics and mechanisms of plant metabolic evolution, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2025). DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2425055122

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