Archived Intelligence

29 December 2025

Lead StoryNeuroscience
40 Hz audiovisual stimulation: Can a sensory rhythm rewire the ageing brain?

40 Hz audiovisual stimulation: Can a sensory rhythm rewire the ageing brain?

Researchers discovered that exposing middle-aged mice to light and sound at a specific frequency reignited the production of new neurons. The study identifies TrkB signalling as the mechanism allowing these new cells to mature and integrate into the brain's circuitry.

Full Report

Image for Breaking the Shield: A New Chapter in CRISPR Antibiotic Resistance Research
Genetics & Molecular Biology

Breaking the Shield: A New Chapter in CRISPR Antibiotic Resistance Research

Researchers have successfully used CRISPR-Cas9 and CRISPR interference to strip a clinical E. coli isolate of its drug defences. By disabling the bacterium's efflux pumps, the study restored the lethal potency of common antibiotics.

Image for Beyond the Mask: The Future of Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Treatment
Medicine & Health

Beyond the Mask: The Future of Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Treatment

The dominance of CPAP machines is waning due to poor patient tolerance and a better understanding of disease mechanisms. Emerging pharmacotherapies and weight-loss drugs offer targeted alternatives to mechanical airway support. The field is shifting towards precision medicine based on individual physiological traits.

Image for High-Entropy Alloy Catalysts: A Major Leap for Zinc-Air Batteries
Chemistry & Material Science

High-Entropy Alloy Catalysts: A Major Leap for Zinc-Air Batteries

Researchers have developed a method to precisely engineer the atomic structure of complex alloys, creating nanowires that significantly outperform commercial standards in battery longevity and efficiency.

Image for Drifting into the Deep: The Mechanics of Macroalgal Carbon Sequestration
Environmental Science

Drifting into the Deep: The Mechanics of Macroalgal Carbon Sequestration

Researchers combined satellite imagery with ocean drifter data to prove that seaweed off Greenland floats far enough offshore to reach deep ocean sinks. Simulations suggest that once there, deep water currents pull the plants down until pressure bursts their air bladders, locking carbon away on the seafloor.

Image for A Hands-On Approach to Long COVID Fatigue Treatment Shows Promise
Medicine & Health

A Hands-On Approach to Long COVID Fatigue Treatment Shows Promise

Researchers trialled a self-help osteopathic routine involving massage and hydrotherapy to manage post-viral exhaustion. While participants found the regimen demanding, the intervention group reported significantly greater improvements in fatigue scores compared to those on a waiting list.

Image for AI for Diabetic Retinopathy: Scrutinising the Claims of Agentic Frameworks
Computer Science & AI

AI for Diabetic Retinopathy: Scrutinising the Claims of Agentic Frameworks

Researchers propose AADR-AI, a framework utilising agentic intelligence to detect diabetic retinopathy with a claimed 96.7% accuracy. The study focuses on multi-agent ensembles to improve decision-making and adaptability in medical imaging.

Image for Probiotics for diabetes: A critical review of the latest meta-analysis data
Medicine & Health

Probiotics for diabetes: A critical review of the latest meta-analysis data

A systematic review of twelve trials indicates that probiotic supplements may lower fasting glucose and alter gut flora. However, extreme statistical heterogeneity suggests that individual patient responses vary wildly, with age and treatment duration playing significant roles.

Image for Microplastics Toxicity: Visualising Gut Stress in Marine Copepods
Environmental Science

Microplastics Toxicity: Visualising Gut Stress in Marine Copepods

Researchers utilised fluorescence imaging to map gut acidification and oxidative stress in marine copepods exposed to micro- and nanoplastics. The study reveals that while smaller particles induce higher systemic stress, the presence of food sources like diatoms complicates the toxicity profile by exacerbating acidity while mitigating oxidative damage.

Image for High-Yield Electrocatalytic Nitrate Reduction via Tandem Fe-Ru Catalysts
Chemistry & Material Science

High-Yield Electrocatalytic Nitrate Reduction via Tandem Fe-Ru Catalysts

Researchers engineered a cascade catalytic system achieving 96.03% Faradaic efficiency in ammonia synthesis. By integrating dispersed Iron sites with Ruthenium nanoparticles, the method solves critical bottlenecks in converting nitrate waste into zero-carbon fuel.

Image for 98% Accuracy Achieved in autumn Army Worm Detection Using Thermal Fusion
Computer Science & AI

98% Accuracy Achieved in autumn Army Worm Detection Using Thermal Fusion

A new hybrid deep learning model combines RGB and thermal imagery to identify maize pests with near-perfect precision. By fusing visual data streams, researchers boosted classification accuracy from a coin-flip 60% to a robust 98%, rendering manual scouting potentially obsolete.

Image for Soil organic carbon sequestration: Modelling diversification in the Po Valley
Environmental Science

Soil organic carbon sequestration: Modelling diversification in the Po Valley

Researchers combined field trials with predictive modelling to assess if crop diversification can restore carbon in Italy’s intensive agricultural zones. The findings indicate potential gains over monoculture, though success relies heavily on specific climate variables.

Daily Briefing: 29 December 2025 | The Synaptic Report