Wednesday, September 03, 2025

Do state bans on flavored e-cigarettes inadvertently increase traditional cigarette use?

Wiley

A study in Health Economics reveals that comprehensive state bans on flavored e-cigarettes may reduce vaping among young adults, but they can also lead to increased use of traditional cigarettes.

Using information from national datasets and advanced statistical methods, researchers found evidence that young adults 18–24 years of age decrease their use of e-cigarettes by about 2–3 percentage points after state bans, while increasing traditional cigarette use by a similar amount. Because cigarettes are more dangerous to health than e-cigarettes, there appears to be a net negative effect on health for this age group.

For youth under 18 years of age, there was some suggestive evidence of increasing cigarette use. The bans had no effect on e-cigarette and smoking participation among adults aged 25 years and older.

“Although the bans aim to curb youth initiation into nicotine use, the findings suggest a troubling substitution effect that could undermine broader tobacco control efforts,” said corresponding author Henry Saffer, PhD, of the of the National Bureau of Economic Research and the Graduate Center of the City University of New York.

URL upon publication: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/hec.70030

Additional Information
NOTE: The information contained in this release is protected by copyright. Please include journal attribution in all coverage. For more information or to obtain a PDF of any study, please contact: Sara Henning-Stout, newsroom@wiley.com.

About the Journal
Health Economics is an international health policy journal publishing articles on all aspects of global health economics. We welcome theoretical contributions, empirical studies, and analyses of health policy from the economic perspective. With a wide scope, Health Economics welcomes contributions on the valuation, determinants and definition of health, health care supply and demand, planning and market mechanisms, treatment micro-economics, and health care system performance.

About Wiley
Wiley is a global leader in authoritative content, data-driven insights, and knowledge services that advance science and learning. For more than 200 years, we’ve empowered researchers, learners and institutions worldwide to drive progress and solve the world’s most pressing challenges. Visit us at Wiley.com and Investors.Wiley.com. Follow us on Facebook, X, LinkedIn and Instagram.

Journal

Health Economics

DOI

10.1002/hec.70030

Article Title

Comprehensive E-cigarette Flavor Bans and Tobacco Use among Youth and Adults

Article Publication Date

3-Sep-2025

Do sports teams provide less injury protection for players with temporary contracts?

Wiley

Research in Economic Inquiry reveals that Major League Baseball teams appear to manage player injuries differently depending on contract status, with players on temporary contracts missing significantly fewer games due to injury. This suggests that teams may invest less in the long-term health of non-permanent players.

For the study, investigators analyzed 2009–2017 data, with 4,125 observations for 1,184 unique players, so that the average player had available data for approximately 3.5 years.

The findings raise important questions about fairness, risk management, and the treatment of temporary workers—issues that resonate beyond sports and into broader employment practices.

“If we see less investment in the health of professional athletes employed on a temporary basis, workers who often generate significant economic value for teams, one can only wonder about the levels of investment in the health of temporary workers in other industries,” said corresponding author Richard Paulsen, PhD, of the University of Michigan. “Firms have little incentive to prioritize the well-being of interns and other temporary workers—if these workers burn out from working long hours, any long-term consequences will likely not be the current firm’s problem.”

URL upon publication: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/ecin.70016

About the Journal
Published since 1962, Economic Inquiry is a highly regarded scholarly journal in economics publishing articles of general interest across the profession. Quality research that is accessible to a broad range of economists is the primary focus of the journal. Join our long list of prestigious authors, including more than 20 Nobel laureates.

Journal

Economic Inquiry

DOI

10.1111/ecin.70016

Article Title

Temporary Employment and the Protection of Investments in Human Capital: Examining the Major League Baseball Player Market

Article Publication Date

3-Sep-2025

Could a new method offer a sustainable solution for lithium recovery?

Wiley

Society is experiencing increased global demand for lithium, a critical resource for rechargeable batteries in electric vehicles, consumer electronics, and energy storage systems. Conventional lithium extraction methods from ore reserves or liquid lithium resources are saddled with low efficiency, high costs, and environmental concerns, but researchers have now developed a promising new method.

As described in Advanced Functional Materials, the method involves a solar-powered evaporator that extracts lithium from saline, or salt, lakes. The method relies on narrow bandgap λ-MnO2, a form of manganese dioxide with a high affinity for lithium, that can extract lithium from salt water while simultaneously desalinating it to generate freshwater.

In field tests, the method achieved 89.50% lithium selectivity and produced freshwater compliant with World Health Organization, indicating that it holds potential as a solution for both lithium recovery and water purification. It also achieved an 87% reduction in energy demand and a 77.35–93.11% lower environmental cost (5.31 euros per unit mass) compared with conventional methods.

“This work establishes a scalable and eco-friendly pathway for lithium extraction from abundant saline resources, while simultaneously advancing global decarbonization goals through the integration of renewable solar energy with zero-liquid-discharge water purification, demonstrating tremendous potential for practical application,” said co–corresponding author Yu Tang, Professor of Chemistry, Lanzhou University, in China.

URL upon publication: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/adfm.202517554

About the Journal
Advanced Functional Materials, part of the prestigious Advanced portfolio and a top-tier materials science journal, publishes outstanding research related to improving chemical and physical properties of materials. By covering a broad scope and providing breakthrough research on all aspects of materials science, our readers range from materials scientists, chemists, physicists, and engineers, together with biologists and medical researchers.

Journal

Advanced Functional Materials

DOI

10.1002/adfm.202517554

Article Title

Band-gap Engineered λ-MnO2 for Highly-efficient Solar-Driven Lithium Selective Extraction and Freshwater Generation from Saline Lake Brine

Article Publication Date

3-Sep-2025

The hidden cost of reputation-driven science reporting

How science journalists deal with predatory journals

Universiteit van Amsterdam

Science journalists aren't particularly concerned about so-called “predatory journals”, confident that they have the skills and intuition needed to avoid reporting on problematic research. For many, a journal's reputation and name-recognition are decisive factors in assessing the quality of scientific research – but this could be exacerbating existing imbalances in science and journalism. This perspective emerges from a new study, led by Dr Alice Fleerackers of the University of Amsterdam (UvA), and published on 2 September in Journalism Practice.

Predatory journals prioritise profit over editorial and publication standards. They often charge researchers publication fees but offer little to no real quality control, such as peer review. As a result, some journals publish almost everything submitted. ‘Predatory journals are not a harmless side effect of the academic publishing industry,’ says Fleerackers. ‘They are becoming increasingly common, raising concerns about the integrity of scientific publishing. They not only undermine the reliability of science but also jeopardise science journalism, as journalists can unknowingly report on weak or even flawed research.’

In the new study, Fleerackers – along with colleagues from Simon Fraser University (Canada) and San Francisco State University (US) – investigated how science journalists view predatory journals and what strategies they employ to ensure the reliability of the journals they report on. The researchers present a qualitative analysis of interviews with 23 health, science, and environmental journalists in Europe and North America.

Problematic, but only in theory

Some of the journalists interviewed were familiar with the phenomenon of predatory journals and acknowledged that they are theoretically problematic. However, most weren't concerned that they might be using them in their own work. They acknowledged that these journals might be a problem for colleagues, but not for them.

Well-known, therefore reliable

Journalists in the study were confident they wouldn't fall for a predatory journal because of their strong intuition, which they said allowed them to immediately distinguish high-quality from problematic research. Besides their intuition, they also relied on strategies for verifying the reliability of research that they had developed through years of experience. These strategies often centred on trust proxies – like the journal's prestige, impact factor, and selectivity – as well as whether the journal claimed to conduct peer review.

Proofreading also played a role for some journalists: if an article contained grammatical or spelling errors, it could be a sign of low-quality research. Open access journals were also considered less reliable by several journalists. ‘But by far the most commonly used benchmark for reliability was the journal's reputation,’ Fleerackers explains. ‘Some journalists avoid all journals they're not familiar with and report only on research published in top journals like Science and Nature.’

Distortion in science news

According to Fleerackers, journalists' focus on the reputation and prestige of journals has major consequences for the diversity of research in the news media. ‘Research from newer, lesser-known journals, and from journals in the Global South, for example, remains hidden from the public. Most journalists in our study didn't realise that their selection strategies could perpetuate the existing imbalance in science news. I hope that our study can raise awareness of this among journalists.’

Journal

Journalism Practice

DOI

10.1080/17512786.2025.2551984

Article Title

‘I’d like to think I’d be able to spot one if I saw one’: How science journalists navigate predatory journals

Review explores critical role of microbiome in cancer development and treatment

FAR Publishing Limited

The human microbiome plays a pivotal role in cancer initiation, progression, and treatment response, according to a major review article published in the open-access journal iMeta. The study, led by an international team of researchers, details how bacteria, viruses, and fungi interact with tumors and the immune system to either promote or inhibit cancer growth.

Key findings include the identification of specific microbial signatures associated with various cancer types, the role of microbial metabolites in reshaping the tumor microenvironment, and the potential of microbiome-based biomarkers for early detection and prognosis. The review also explores how microbiome influence the efficacy of chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapies, and discusses emerging interventions such as probiotics, fecal microbiome transplantation, and engineered microbial therapies.

“The microbiome is not just a passive bystander but an active regulator of cancer biology,” said senior author Dr. Peng Luo. “Understanding these interactions opens new avenues for precision oncology and non-invasive diagnostics.”

The authors call for continued innovation in microbiome research technologies, deeper mechanistic insights, and robust clinical trials to translate these findings into effective therapies.

Journal

iMeta

DOI

10.1002/imt2.70070

Using AI to improve nickel catalysts for converting carbon dioxide into methane

Advanced Institute for Materials Research (AIMR), Tohoku University

image:
The complete process of machine learning-driven CO2 methanation catalyst design.
view more
Credit: Jiayi Zhang et al.

The conversion of carbon dioxide into clean fuels is regarded as an important route toward carbon neutrality. CO2 methanation, in particular, has drawn increasing interest due to its favorable thermodynamic properties and environmental benefits. Yet, large-scale deployment continues to face challenges such as insufficient catalyst activity at low temperatures and vulnerability to carbon deposition.

Researchers have now applied an explainable machine learning (ML) framework to support the rational design of nickel-based catalysts for CO2 methanation. Instead of relying on traditional trial-and-error methods, the study introduces a systematic approach for data processing, cross-validation, and ensemble learning model construction. Among the tested methods, a categorical boosting (CatBoost) model achieved R² values of 0.77 for CO2 conversion and 0.75 for CH4 selectivity.

By analyzing key descriptors, the study identified optimal reaction conditions: temperature between 250-350 °C, gas hourly space velocity below 15,000 cm³ g⁻¹ h⁻¹, BET surface area of 50-200 m² g⁻¹, and nickel content higher than 5%. These insights demonstrate how data-driven methods can guide catalyst optimization and shorten the pathway from laboratory research to industrial application.

"This work shows how machine learning can help us better understand the critical factors influencing CO2 methanation performance," said Hao Li, a Distinguished Professor at Tohoku University's Advanced Institute for Materials Research (WPI-AIMR. "By making the models explainable, we are not only predicting results but also gaining knowledge about why certain conditions matter."

Looking ahead, the research team will integrate density functional theory calculations and high-throughput experimental data to build multi-scale predictive models. They will also conduct systematic experimental validation to refine catalyst designs.

"Our goal is to establish a platform that combines computational chemistry, machine learning, and catalytic engineering," Li explained. "In doing so, we hope to contribute practical solutions for carbon recycling and the efficient use of renewable energy." This study provides a perspective on how explainable machine learning can be applied to catalyst research, supporting both the development of cleaner fuels and the broader transition to sustainable energy systems.

The study was published in the journal ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering on August 22, 2025.

About the World Premier International Research Center Initiative (WPI)

The WPI program was launched in 2007 by Japan's Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) to foster globally visible research centers boasting the highest standards and outstanding research environments. Numbering more than a dozen and operating at institutions throughout the country, these centers are given a high degree of autonomy, allowing them to engage in innovative modes of management and research. The program is administered by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS).

See the latest research news from the centers at the WPI News Portal: https://www.eurekalert.org/newsportal/WPI
Main WPI program site: www.jsps.go.jp/english/e-toplevel

Advanced Institute for Materials Research (AIMR)
Tohoku University
Establishing a World-Leading Research Center for Materials Science
AIMR aims to contribute to society through its actions as a world-leading research center for materials science and push the boundaries of research frontiers. To this end, the institute gathers excellent researchers in the fields of physics, chemistry, materials science, engineering, and mathematics and provides a world-class research environment.

Data processing and model building process for machine learning modeling of CO2 methanation catalysts.

By comparing the performance of three machine learning algorithms, XGBoost, Random Forest, and CatBoost, in catalyst performance prediction, the differences in the advantages of different algorithms in specific tasks are revealed.

Credit

Jiayi Zhang et al.

Journal

ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering

DOI

10.1021/acssuschemeng.5c02957

Article Title

Application of an Explainable Machine Learning to CO2 Methanation for Optimal Design Nickel-Based Catalysts

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Wednesday, September 03, 2025

Do state bans on flavored e-cigarettes inadvertently increase traditional cigarette use?

Journal

DOI

Article Title

Article Publication Date

Do sports teams provide less injury protection for players with temporary contracts?

Journal

DOI

Article Title

Article Publication Date

Could a new method offer a sustainable solution for lithium recovery?

Journal

DOI

Article Title

Article Publication Date

The hidden cost of reputation-driven science reporting

Problematic, but only in theory

Well-known, therefore reliable

Distortion in science news

Journal

DOI

Article Title

Review explores critical role of microbiome in cancer development and treatment

Journal

DOI

Using AI to improve nickel catalysts for converting carbon dioxide into methane

Data processing and model building process for machine learning modeling of CO2 methanation catalysts.

By comparing the performance of three machine learning algorithms, XGBoost, Random Forest, and CatBoost, in catalyst performance prediction, the differences in the advantages of different algorithms in specific tasks are revealed.

Credit

Journal

DOI

Article Title

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