International collaborative research led by Aakash Project^* researchers at the Research Institute for Humanity and Nature (RIHN) show an unequivocal contribution of crop residue burning (CRB) to air pollution in the rural/semi-urban regions of Punjab and Haryana, and a relatively lower contribution than previously thought to the Delhi national capital region (NCR). We have installed 30 units of compact and useful PM_2.5^** in situ instrument with gas sensors (CUPI-Gs) and have continuously recorded air pollutants in 2022 and 2023. New analytical methods have been developed to assess and predict the formation and transport of air pollutants due to emissions from CRB.

Researchers at the RIKEN Center for Brain Science (CBS) in Japan have uncovered how perceptual memories linked to positive emotions, such as joy or happiness, are strengthened during sleep. The study could help scientists understand the neurological basis for overcoming conditions like drug or sexual addiction.

Overview:

A research group from the Institute for Research on Next-generation Semiconductor and Sensing Science (IRES²) at Toyohashi University of Technology developed an innovative in vivo electrophysiological neural recording technology that minimizes neuronal death and allows stable recordings for over a year.

This breakthrough involves a 5-µm-diameter microneedle electrode fabricated on a flexible film using silicon-growth technology. Through experiments using mice, the team demonstrated significantly reduced neuronal death and stable neuronal activity recordings compared with traditional electrode technologies, overcoming long-standing challenges in neural recording.

Ammonium nitrate (NH₄NO₃, AN), is an excellent oxidizer, or a chemical that enhances a material’s ability to combust and release energy, that could be employed as a more environmentally friendly blasting agent, propellant or component of explosives because of its lack of metal atoms. However, due to the hygroscopicity and phase transitions of the compound, AN wasn’t considered a suitable oxidizer. Researchers recently cocrystallized AN with the amino acid glycine (Gly) to stabilize the molecules, eliminating temperature-induced phase transitions and decreasing hygroscopicity, making AN/Gly a safe, suitable and more environmentally friendly oxidizer alternative.

Thioxanthones are versatile but complex compounds used in several industrial fields, including printing, pharmaceuticals, and electronics. Now, researchers from Japan have developed an innovative synthesis method involving double aryne insertion, which streamlines the production of these chemicals. This approach has the potential to reduce complexity, lower costs, and minimize environmental impact, opening the door to advanced applications of thioxanthones in drug development, materials science, nanotechnology, and electronics.

Cognitive–behavioral therapy (CBT) is a widely used treatment option for people with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), but it is unclear if some of its components are more effective than others. Now, through a comprehensive review and meta-analysis of past randomized controlled trials, researchers have identified three pivotal CBT techniques for managing ADHD: organizational strategies, third-wave techniques, and problem-solving approaches. Their findings could guide future research on this topic and help revise current clinical guidelines.

Researchers from Japan find that certain antioxidant enzymes, called selenoproteins, significantly contribute to fighting cell aging. The team used a gene knockout mouse model to help them study the effects of disrupting selenoprotein synthesis. This knockout negatively impacted hematopoietic stem cells and B cell-lineage immune cells, which was driven by the lack of selenoprotein-mediated fighting of lipid peroxides. These phenotypes mimic what is observed in age-related diseases, emphasizing the importance of selenoproteins in these disorders.