A new global study finds that physical inactivity is a major, preventable driver of serious diabetes complications worldwide. Analyzing data from more than 2.3 million adults with diabetes, researchers estimate that up to 10% of strokes, diabetic retinopathy, and heart failure cases could be avoided if recommended physical activity levels were met. The burden was disproportionately higher among women, people with lower educational attainment, and in several high- and middle-income regions.

The precise tuning of magnetic nanoparticle size and spacing directly influences the alignment of intrinsic magnetic moments and magnetic domains, thereby shaping magnetic properties. However, the dynamic evolution mechanisms of magnetic domain configurations in relation to electromagnetic (EM) attenuation behavior remain poorly understood. To address this gap, a thermodynamically controlled periodic coordination strategy is proposed to achieve precise modulation of magnetic nanoparticle spacing. This approach unveils the evolution of magnetic domain configurations, progressing from individual to coupled and ultimately to crosslinked domain configurations. A unique magnetic coupling phenomenon surpasses the Snoek limit in low-frequency range, which is observed through micromagnetic simulation. The crosslinked magnetic configuration achieves effective low-frequency EM wave absorption at 3.68 GHz, encompassing nearly the entire C-band. This exceptional magnetic interaction significantly enhances radar camouflage and thermal insulation properties. Additionally, a robust gradient metamaterial design extends coverage across the full band (2–40 GHz), effectively mitigating the impact of EM pollution on human health and environment. This comprehensive study elucidates the evolution mechanisms of magnetic domain configurations, addresses gaps in dynamic magnetic modulation, and provides novel insights for the development of high-performance, low-frequency EM wave absorption materials.

Researchers from Beijing Forestry University (China) and the Smithsonian Institution (USA) have utilized advanced phylogenomic techniques to resolve long-standing debates regarding the classification of Clematis. By analyzing nuclear DNA from samples worldwide, the team proposed a robust new classification system comprising 22 sections for this economically and ecologically important genus.

Scientists from Shandong Agricultural University have uncovered a hidden side of the Green Revolution genes that transformed global wheat production. Long known for reducing plant height, these genes are now shown to reshape wheat canopy architecture by controlling tiller angle and number. By fine-tuning this genetic balance, the study reveals new ways to optimize light capture, boost yield, and design wheat varieties better suited for the demands of modern, high-density agriculture.

Stimulating two brain areas, nudging them to collectively fire in the same way, increased a person’s ability to behave altruistically, according to a study published February 10^th in the open-access journal PLOS Biology by Jie Hu from East China Normal University in China and colleagues from University of Zurich in Switzerland.

University of Calgary researchers have designed a study to investigate whether high doses of vitamin B3 or niacin could rejuvenate compromised immune cells to kill glioblastoma tumour cells. The clinical trial was designed to determine the maximum dose and potential benefit of controlled-release niacin that could be added to the recommended chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments.

A new scientific study has confirmed the accidental capture of a juvenile white shark (Carcharodon carcharias) within the Spanish Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), providing rare evidence of the species' persistent presence in the Mediterranean. The findings, published in Acta Ichthyologica et Piscatoria, contextualize this 2023 encounter within 160 years of regional records and highlight the urgent need for conservation of this iconic species.