BRAZIL STUDY SHOWS LOW REPLICATION RATE IN BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH
A coalition of over 50 research teams in Brazil conducted a large-scale effort to replicate biomedical studies, with disappointing results. Less than half of the experiments could be reproduced, reflecting a broader trend in scientific replication issues. The study focused on papers from Brazilian researchers published between 1998 and 2017, using common biomedical methods like cell metabolism assays and genetic amplification. The project involved 213 scientists across 56 labs and encountered challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. Of 97 replication attempts, only 21% met criteria for success. The original studies often overestimated the effects of interventions, with observed effect sizes 60% larger in the original papers. The replication difficulties highlight issues such as experimental design limitations, poor documentation, and natural variability between labs. Experts agree that while these results do not indicate misconduct, they underscore the need for better data sharing, open protocols, and improved reproducibility in scientific research. (Nature)
ERYTHROPOIETIN FOUND TO PROTECT TUMORS FROM IMMUNE ATTACK
Erythropoietin, a hormone known for enhancing athletic performance, has been found to play a role in tumor survival by shielding cancer cells from the immune system. A study published in Science revealed that blocking erythropoietin in mice led to tumor shrinkage or even disappearance. The research, led by immunologists from Stanford University, showed that erythropoietin prevents immune cells, particularly macrophages, from attacking tumors. By using CRISPR to stop tumors from producing the hormone, researchers observed reduced cancer cell numbers and immune cells invading the tumors. Additionally, the absence of erythropoietin receptors on liver macrophages allowed tumors to shrink and responded to immunotherapy, which would not normally work in cold tumors. The researchers also found that human liver tumors exhibited high levels of erythropoietin and had lower survival rates. The team is exploring ways to block erythropoietin to make tumors more susceptible to immunotherapies. Further studies are needed to assess the clinical potential of this approach. (Science)
USDA WITHDRAWS RULE TO REDUCE SALMONELLA IN POULTRY
The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has withdrawn a proposed rule aimed at reducing Salmonella illnesses linked to raw poultry products. The rule, introduced by the Biden administration in August 2024, sought to classify poultry with certain Salmonella levels as adulterated, prevent its sale, and require poultry slaughterhouses to implement preventive measures. Salmonella causes an estimated 1.35 million infections, 26,200 hospitalizations, and 420 deaths annually in the U.S. FSIS withdrew the proposal after reviewing over 7,000 public comments, which raised concerns about the USDA’s legal authority, the scientific basis for the rule, and its potential economic impact. FSIS emphasized that it still supports reducing Salmonella illnesses but must find a more feasible approach. The National Chicken Council praised the withdrawal, claiming the rule was legally unsound, while food safety advocates criticized the decision, arguing that it would leave consumers vulnerable to Salmonella outbreaks. (CIDRAP)
TAUBENBERGER APPOINTED ACTING DIRECTOR OF NIAID
Jeffery Taubenberger, renowned for sequencing the entire genome of the 1918 flu virus, has been appointed acting director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID). Taubenberger, a long-time intramural researcher at NIAID, succeeds Jeanne Marrazzo, who was removed from the position by the Trump administration in March 2025. NIAID, with a budget of $6.6 billion in 2024, is the second-largest branch of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Taubenberger steps into the role as the White House looks to reorganize NIH and cut its budget. While he has not managed an institute as large as NIAID, his scientific credentials are strong, particularly his groundbreaking work on the 1918 flu virus. Colleagues, including virologists Adolfo García-Sastre and Richard Webby, praise his expertise and experience in influenza research. Taubenberger will begin his new role immediately. (Science)
RESEARCHERS DISCOVER FLAW IN APPLE GOOGLE JUICE JACKING PROTECTIONS
Researchers have revealed a flaw in the “juice jacking” mitigations developed by Apple and Google, which were designed to prevent malicious chargers from accessing phones. Juice jacking, first discovered in 2011, involves chargers that secretly steal data or install malicious code while charging devices. Apple and Google introduced protections in 2012 that required user confirmation before allowing data access from a charger. However, researchers at Graz University of Technology discovered a new attack, called “ChoiceJacking,” that bypasses these protections. This attack exploits weaknesses in USB protocols and allows a malicious charger to autonomously spoof user input, granting it access to sensitive files. Despite Apple and Google’s recent updates to improve security, many Android devices remain vulnerable due to fragmented OS updates. The vulnerability is most significant for devices with USB debugging enabled, allowing attackers to gain deeper access. While these attacks are rare, experts warn users to avoid public charging stations to reduce risks. (Ars Technica)
FOSSIL REVEALS OLDEST KNOWN ANT SPECIES DATING BACK 113 MILLION YEARS
A fossil discovered in the Museum of Zoology at the University of São Paulo has revealed the oldest known ant species, dating back 113 million years, predating previous ant fossils by millions of years. The specimen, a hell ant (Vulcanidris cratensis), was preserved in limestone and is part of the Cretaceous period’s Haidomyrmecinae subfamily. These ants, now extinct, had scythe-like jaws that likely allowed them to pin or impale prey. Unlike other hell ants found in amber, this fossil demonstrates the early distribution of ants worldwide. The discovery offers insights into early ant evolution and unusual features, such as wasp-like wings and predatory strategies, which didn’t survive past the mass extinction that ended the dinosaurs. This find extends the known fossil record of ants by about ten million years and highlights the advanced predatory behavior of early ants. The fossil was imaged using micro-computed tomography, revealing its connection to hell ants found in Burmese amber. (CNN)
TRUMP’S RETURN SPURS EUROPE’S DRIVE FOR SPACE AUTONOMY
The return of Donald Trump to the White House has sparked a shift in European political priorities, with leaders seeking greater self-reliance and increasing defense spending. This drive for autonomy extends to space, with the European Space Agency (ESA) planning to boost investment in space technology to reduce reliance on the U.S. ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher emphasized the importance of space for Europe’s security and scientific progress. Europe’s space ambitions face challenges, including its dependence on SpaceX for satellite launches and concerns over the influence of Elon Musk on U.S. space policy. Aschbacher remains optimistic about continued cooperation with the U.S. but is exploring alternative partnerships with countries like Australia, the UAE, and India. ESA is also focused on developing its own reusable rocket technology, aiming to reduce launch costs and enhance Europe’s space independence. Aschbacher stresses that space investments are crucial for maintaining Europe’s standard of living and economic progress. (The Guardian)
ASTRONOMERS OBSERVE FIRST-EVER PLANETARY SUICIDE IN SPACE
Astronomers have observed what may be the first-ever “planetary suicide,” where a Jupiter-sized planet seemingly self-destructed by plunging into its parent star. Initially observed as a nova 12,000 light-years away by the Gemini South observatory in 2023, further analysis with the James Webb Space Telescope revealed that the star had not yet evolved into a red giant but was still in its main sequence phase, fusing hydrogen. This led researchers to propose that the nova was caused by the planet’s destruction rather than the star expanding. The study, published in the Astrophysical Journal, suggests that gravitational forces from the star or nearby bodies may have gradually pulled the planet closer, eventually breaking it apart as it reached the star. While some skepticism remains, the new findings provide compelling evidence for this unusual phenomenon, which could become more common with further observations. (Wired)
LUNAR HATCH PROJECT EXPLORES FARMING SEA BASS ON MOON AND MARS
A project called Lunar Hatch, led by Dr. Cyrille Przybyla at the French National Institute for Ocean Research, is exploring whether sea bass can be farmed on the moon and Mars to provide food for astronauts. The fish will first be sent to space as eggs to hatch during their journey to the International Space Station, where they will be observed before being frozen and returned to Earth. The project aims to create a sustainable “closed-loop food chain” on the moon, where fish, algae, and other organisms recycle waste to produce food in a self-sustaining aquaculture system. The goal is to provide astronauts with two portions of fish each week during long missions. Lunar Hatch has been under development for nearly a decade and has received support from the European Space Agency and the French space agency CNES. The project’s principles could also be applied to Earth, helping isolated communities with sustainable food production. (The Guardian)
Thanks for reading. Let’s be careful out there.
WORDS: The Biology Guy.