Mind the seismic gap: Understanding earthquake types in Guerrero, Mexico

Kobe University

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Guerrero, Mexico is an active site with several recent major earthquakes, but also a small area called the ‘Guerrero seismic gap’ (pictured) where no earthquakes have occurred for more than a century. Combined with the fact that it is also an actively studied area, which increases the availability of data, Kobe University geophysicists around SUENAGA Nobuaki decided to see if their simulations could explain the different types of earthquakes occurring there.

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Credit: Modified from Alejandro Linares Garcia via Wikipedia (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:ViewPuertoVicenteGuerrero2.JPG)

Plate temperature and water release can explain the occurrence of different types of earthquakes in Guerrera, Mexico. The Kobe University simulation study also showed that the shape of the Cocos Plate is responsible for a gap where earthquakes haven’t occurred for more than a century. The results are important for accurate earthquake prediction models in the region.

Where one tectonic plate is pushed down by another, the resulting stress is released in various tectonic events. There are catastrophic megathrust earthquakes, unnoticeable “slow slip events,” and continuous low-frequency “tectonic tremors,” and knowing which occurs under which conditions is essential to predicting earthquake probabilities and thus preparing for disasters. Kobe University geophysicist SUENAGA Nobuaki says: “We are especially interested in gaps where earthquakes are less likely to occur, because we assume that there is some difference in physical conditions at the plate interface.” Being a specialist in three-dimensional computer simulations to understand the relationship between earthquakes, the temperature at the interface between the plates, and the role of water produced when rocks are transformed under great heat and pressure, Suenaga wanted to apply his experience to finding out what conditions create these distribution patterns.

His team also includes the Colombian research assistant Erika Moreno, who experienced a devastating earthquake in 1999 which also destroyed her family’s house. “I did not understand what was happening around me and so I decided to study Earth sciences to add to our knowledge about the nature of earthquakes,” she says, also mentioning that her studies led her from her home country via the National Autonomous University of Mexico to Kobe University for their pioneering research on computational modeling of earthquake mechanism.

Suenaga’s team thus focused on studying the Guerrero region of Mexico, explaining: “In this region there is a gap where no major earthquake has occurred in over a century, and the risk of one occurring in the near future is high and the expected damage is large. So we thought that the area is important.” However, computer models need to be verified by actual measurements, and the data usually used for this is not available in that area. “We introduced a new indicator that uses data obtained by ships, aircraft, satellites etc., and this made it possible to evaluate our model,” explains the Kobe University researcher.

His team published their results in the journal Scientific Reports, reporting three main findings. First, they were able to show that the temperature at the interface between the plates is a good predictor of the type of earthquake. Second, the seismic gap is caused by the specific shape of the plate in that area, which causes temperatures there to be lower than in the surrounding area. And third, water released from the transformation of the rock can explain the occurrence of slow slip events and tectonic tremors. “This study is the first to estimate the specific amount and location of that water and it revealed that the increased pore pressure from the water could reduce the stress between the plates, allowing them to slip more effectively. Thus, the Guerrero seismic gap can release strain energy through slow slip events,” says Suenaga. Simply put, this area is better lubricated.

However, other studies showed that slow slip events likely don’t release the stress in all parts, and in particular not in shallow parts of the plate, which is where megathrust earthquakes causing catastrophic damage occur. Suenaga explains, “Slow slip events are often seen as precursors of huge earthquakes and so it is important to understand the mechanism behind low slip events.” Moreno adds, “Our work is crucial because studying the way plates are pushed underneath others and the processes that occur as a consequence provides insights into the distribution of volcanism and the locations of earthquakes.”

One goal for this work is to help authorities to make better estimates of earthquake risks and thus improve preparedness. But Suenaga wants to generalize the results to other regions. He explains: “Since the tectonic background and underground structure are completely different depending on the region, it is very difficult to construct a single physical model that can explain earthquake phenomena everywhere. However, we hope to get closer to a universal numerical model by continuing to build models for various subduction zones and deepening our understanding of the physics of earthquake occurrence and modeling know-how.”

This research was funded by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (grant 21H05203). It was conducted in collaboration with researchers from the National Autonomous University of Mexico and the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

Kobe University is a national university with roots dating back to the Kobe Higher Commercial School founded in 1902. It is now one of Japan’s leading comprehensive research universities with nearly 16,000 students and nearly 1,700 faculty in 10 faculties and schools and 15 graduate schools. Combining the social and natural sciences to cultivate leaders with an interdisciplinary perspective, Kobe University creates knowledge and fosters innovation to address society’s challenges.

Kobe University geophysicist SUENAGA Nobuaki performs three-dimensional computer simulations to understand the relationship between different types of earthquakes, the temperature at the interface between the plates, and the role of water produced when rocks are transformed under great heat and pressure.

Credit

N. Suenaga et al., Scientific Reports 2025 (DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-91257-9)

Journal

Scientific Reports

DOI

10.1038/s41598-025-91257-9 

Method of Research

Computational simulation/modeling

Subject of Research

Not applicable

Article Title

Three-dimensional thermomechanical modelling beneath Guerrero, Mexico, and its relation to the occurrence of interplate seismic phenomena

Article Publication Date

3-Mar-2025

 

AI dental assistant reads X-rays with near-perfect accuracy

Ateneo de Manila University

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Sample dental panoramic radiographs (DPRs) as seen by the YOLO 11n deep learning model, which is able to identify tooth structures with up to 98.2% accuracy.

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Credit: Pei-Yi Wu et al., 2025

The Ateneo Laboratory for Intelligent Visual Environments (ALIVE) and international researchers have developed a deep learning model that aims to revolutionize dentistry, with the capability to identify tooth and sinus structures in dental X-rays with an accuracy of 98.2%.

Using a sophisticated object detection algorithm, the system was specifically trained to help quickly and more accurately detect odontogenic sinusitis—a condition that is often misdiagnosed as general sinusitis and, if left unchecked, could spread infection to the face, eyes, and even the brain.

Odontogenic sinusitis, caused by infections or complications related to the upper teeth, is notoriously difficult to diagnose. Its symptoms—nasal congestion, foul-smelling nasal discharge, and occasional tooth pain—are nearly identical to those of ordinary general sinusitis. To make matters worse, only about a third of patients experience noticeable dental pain, meaning the condition is frequently overlooked by general practitioners. Traditional diagnosis requires collaboration between dentists and otolaryngologists, often leading to delayed treatment.  

By training deep learning models on dental panoramic radiograph (DPR) images, the researchers found a way to detect key anatomical relationships—such as the proximity of tooth roots to sinuses—with unprecedented accuracy. The study used the YOLO 11n deep learning model, achieving an impressive 98.2% accuracy, outperforming traditional detection methods.  

YOLO (You Only Look Once) is a state-of-the-art object detection algorithm known for its speed and accuracy. The YOLO 11n model, an improved version, is optimized for medical imaging tasks, enabling it to identify teeth and sinus structures with high precision in a single pass through the image. Unlike conventional diagnostic methods, which require multiple steps and expert interpretation, YOLO 11n rapidly pinpoints the affected areas in real time, making it an invaluable tool for dental professionals. 

Beyond accuracy, this AI-driven approach also offers practical benefits. It minimizes patient exposure to radiation by reducing the need for CT scans, which are currently the gold standard for diagnosing odontogenic sinusitis. It also provides a cost-effective screening tool, particularly useful in resource-limited areas where advanced imaging technology may not be available. And by flagging potential cases early, the system allows for prompt intervention, preventing complications and reducing the burden on healthcare providers.  

This breakthrough highlights AI’s growing role in medical diagnostics, bridging gaps where human expertise alone may fall short. With further validation, this technology could become a standard tool in dental and ENT clinics, ensuring that more patients receive timely and accurate diagnoses.

ALIVE head Dr. Patricia Angela R. Abu and her colleagues from Taiwan’s Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, National Cheng Kung University, Chung Yuan Christian University, and Ming Chi University of Technology published their findings in the journal, “Bioengineering.”

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Journal

Bioengineering

DOI

10.3390/bioengineering12020134 

Article Title

Deep Learning-Assisted Diagnostic System: Apices and Odontogenic Sinus Floor Level Analysis in Dental Panoramic Radiographs

 

ICT technologies in the US contaminate rather than clean an already polluted planet, researchers say

University of Sharjah

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Exploring the role of ICT adoption technologies and renewable energy consumption in achieving a sustainable environment in the United States.

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Credit: Environmental Sciences Europe (2025). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12302-025-01059-z

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is a factor augmenting CO2 emissions in the United States and doing little to address the host of environmental challenges facing the planet, research published in the journal Environmental Sciences Europe suggests.

The research investigates the key drivers of CO2 emissions in the United States – the case of the study – using data covering three decades (from 1990 to 2021). The research is led by scientists from Turkey, Poland, the United Arab Emirates and Malaysia.

It employs wavelet quantile-on-quantile regression to identify interrelationships between series across various quantiles and periods. It complements the method with quantile cointegration to allow for additional volatility of independent variables and the analysis of all dynamics across different quantiles and timeframes.

“The results of our study reveal that, across all quantiles and time periods, the adoption of ICT technologies and fiscal decentralization contribute to an increase in CO2 emissions,” confirms co-author Dr. Dilber Ozsahin, University of Sharjah’s associate professor of health sciences.

The study extends credit to “globalization, renewable energy consumption, and financial development” which, according to Dr. Ozsahin, “are associated with a reduction in these emissions.”

Although the study is wholly focused on the US, its findings can have broad implications to countries and regions with heavy ICT infrastructure and technologies and even more so when its conclusions contradict the widely held view that ICT can play a pivotal role in addressing environmental challenges facing society.

Previous research on the effect of ICT solutions on GHG emissions sees information technologies as a game changer in the fight against pollution telling that they could deliver about 8 Gtonnes CO2e or 12% of the global emissions savings in 2030.

“The results from the study showed that across all quantiles and periods, ICT adoption technologies and fiscal decentralization increase CO2, while globalization, renewable energy consumption and financial development lessen CO2,” the authors write.

 The adoption of ICT technologies has transformed various industries, enabling energy efficiency, smart grid solutions, and data-driven decision-making. From AI-powered energy management systems to IoT-enabled smart cities, technological advancements are playing a crucial role in optimizing energy use and reducing carbon footprints.

The study suggests that the United States, a world leader in information technologies, should adopt complementary policies to mitigate the environmental impact of ICT by incentivizing energy-efficient data centers and transitioning to renewable energy sources.

In the authors’ opinion, the pursuit of a sustainable future lies in integrating ICT-adopted technologies and renewable energy consumption – a merger they see as a key driver for environmental progress.

“Furthermore, expanding renewable energy capacity and infrastructure, promoting innovation, and providing financial incentives for clean energy transitions will be essential for meeting long-term (U.N.) sustainability goals,” maintains Dr. Ozsahin.

To alleviate ICT technologies on the environment, the authors emphasize “the need for complementary policies to mitigate [ICT] environmental impact,” urging governments “to focus on improving energy efficiency in ICT infrastructure by incentivizing energy-efficient data centers and promoting the use of low-power devices.

“The negative impact of renewable energy consumption on CO2, particularly in high-emission sectors, underscores the importance of expanding renewable energy capacity and infrastructure across the United States. Policymakers should focus on increasing the share of renewable energy in the energy mix by making substantial investments in solar, wind, and other sustainable energy sources.”

There has been “notable interest” in the project, according to Dr. Ozsahin, from various external stakeholders, including industries, policymakers, and other actors outside the university.

“These groups recognize the potential impact of the project on advancing sustainability and technological solutions. Their involvement and support will be crucial in ensuring the successful implementation and scaling of the initiatives, particularly in integrating ICT technologies with renewable energy for long-term environmental and economic benefits.”

Asked what in her opinion should the U.S. pursue in battling environmental challenges, Dr. Ozsahin said, “The integration of digital solutions with eco-friendly energy policies presents an opportunity to achieve long-term environmental goals while fostering economic growth.

“By harnessing ICT technologies and renewable energy, the United States should be making significant strides toward a cleaner and more sustainable environment”.

 

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Journal

Environmental Sciences Europe

DOI

10.1186/s12302-025-01059-z 

Method of Research

Data/statistical analysis

 

Children participated in cave paintings because they were perceived as mediators between the physical and spiritual worlds

New Study Suggests: This Is Why Children Took Part in Creating Prehistoric Cave Art In prehistoric societies:

Tel-Aviv University

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Finger paintings made by children in Rouffignac Cave, 14,000 to 20,000 years ago.

 

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Credit: Dr. Van Gelder

A team of Tel Aviv University researchers from the field of prehistoric archaeology has proposed an innovative hypothesis regarding an intriguing question: Why did ancient humans bring their young children to cave painting sites, deep underground — through dark, meandering, hazardous passages? The researchers explain: “Next to many cave paintings, there is clear evidence of the presence of children as young as two years old. So far, most hypotheses have focused on the educational aspect — learning the community's traditions and customs. However, we believe that children also played a unique cultural role in these caves: Young children were credited with special qualities in the spiritual world, enabling them to communicate with entities from the beyond – which were believed to be accessible from the depths of the cave.”

The study was conducted by Dr. Ella Assaf, Dr. Yafit Kedar, and Prof. Ran Barkai from the Jacob M. Alkow Department of Archaeology and Ancient Near Eastern Cultures at Tel Aviv University. The paper was published in the journal Arts from MDPI.

Dr. Assaf explains: “Cave art created by early humans is a fascinating phenomenon that intrigues many researchers. To date, around 400 caves containing cave art have been discovered, mainly in France and Spain, with the artwork dated between 40,000 and 12,000 years ago. There is solid evidence of children's participation in the art work — handprints and finger paintings made by children aged two to twelve. In addition, footprints and handprints of children have been found in some caves, alongside those of adults. This naturally raises the question: Why were the children there? Why were very young children taken on exhausting and hazardous journeys deep into the dark, meandering caves with low oxygen levels — crawling through crevices, descending shafts, and climbing rocks to reach their destination?

Dr. Kedar elaborates: “Despite extensive research on cave art, few studies have focused on the presence of children. The prevailing hypothesis is that their participation served an educational purpose — passing down knowledge, traditions, and customs to the next generation. In our study, we argue that children's involvement had an additional meaning: In fact, they played an important, unique role of their own — direct communication with entities residing in the depths of the earth and otherworldly realms. This study follows our previous works, in which we presented cave art works as expressions of cosmological approaches, with emphasis on relationships between humans and various entities.”

Dr. Assaf adds: “Based on extensive studies about children in indigenous societies, along with new insights into rituals performed in caves with cave paintings, a new understanding is emerging regarding the role of children in the creation of cave art. By integrating data from these research fields, we were able, for the first time, to propose a novel and original explanation for the inclusion of children in creating cave paintings:  The world of childhood differs from that of adults, and children possess a range of unique mental and cognitive traits. For this reason, indigenous cultures worldwide, throughout history and prehistory, have viewed children as 'active agents' — mediators between this world and the entities inhabiting the natural world, the underworld, and the cosmos as a whole. In this way, children made a vital contribution to their communities - hunter-gatherers who lived in nature and sought to maintain continuous, respectful relationships with various entities: animals and plants that served as food sources, stones used for toolmaking, ancestral spirits, and more.”

Prof. Barkai: “Many of these societies regarded caves as gateways to the underworld - where, through shamanic rituals, they could communicate with cosmic entities and inhabitants of the underworld, to resolve existential problems. In this context, young children were perceived as liminal beings — belonging to both the realm they had left just recently (before birth) and the world they currently inhabit. Thus, small children were considered particularly suited to bridging the gap between the worlds and delivering messages to non-human entities. In this paper, we connect these insights and propose that children joined adults on journeys into the depths of caves and participated in painting and rituals as part of their role in the community—as ideal mediators with entities from the beyond.”

Link to the article:

https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0752/14/2/27

  

Finger paintings made by children in Rouffignac Cave, 14,000 to 20,000 years ago.

Credit

Dr. Van Gelder

  

Children’s footprints from Basura Cave, 14,000 years ago.

Credit

Prof. Marco Romano – Romano et al. 2019

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Journal

Arts

DOI

10.3390/arts14020027 

 

The use of TikTok and Instagram has a greater impact on girls’ psychological well-being during adolescence, according to a study by UPF and the UOC

This is the first quantitative study on the perception of Spanish adolescents regarding the impact of these networks on a broad number of aspects of their social life

Universitat Pompeu Fabra - Barcelona

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A study by UPF and the UOC reveals that girls who use Instagram and TikTok have a more negative perception of the impact of these networks on their psychological well-being than boys. Among the possible causes, the research notes that girls use the networks more intensively and feel more observed and pressured by their outward image and projected physical appearance, in addition to requiring more external positive feedback.

The research analyses young people’s perception of the networks’ impact on many other aspects of their social life (such as group membership or the ability to express themselves just as they are). This is the first quantitative study dedicated to Spanish adolescents’ perceptions of the impact of these networks on so many dimensions of their social life.

An article published recently in the scientific journal Revista De Comunicación presents the results of the research led by Mònika Jiménez (UPF) and Mireia Montaña (UOC), its principal researchers. Both Mònika Jiménez and the main author of the article, Clara Virós, are researchers with the Communication, Advertising and Society (CAS) research group of the UPF Department of Communication. Mireia Montaña is a member of the Learning, Media and Entertainment (GAME) research group of the UOC’s Information and Communication Sciences Department.

The study is based on a survey on a representative sample of 1,043 Spanish adolescents aged 12 to 18 (50.5% girls and 49.5% boys), of whom 70.7% are users of TikTok and (TT) 63.8% of Instagram (IG). Respondents rated the impact of networks on nine aspects of their social life from 1 to 5 (most negative to most positive). Overall, the highest scoring items are as follows: the capacity for group organization (with a score of 3.52), group membership (3.51) and the possibility of expressing themselves just as they are (3.48). In all dimensions of the study, except psychological well-being, there are no relevant differences according to gender.

The impact of the networks on communication with adults, the other lowest-scoring aspect according to adolescent boys and girls

In contrast, the items with the lowest rating, both among boys and girls, are psychological well-being and communication with their closest adults (3.06 in both cases). In the case of psychological well-being, girls rate this dimension with 2.99, compared to 3.13 for boys. The other dimensions assessed are the ability to argue and debate, peer socialization, the acceptance of established norms, and decision-making and social autonomy.

In general terms, the study shows that young people consider that the use of these networks has a neutral impact on their lives, that is, that the negative effects are offset by the positive ones. Hence, the scores of all dimensions hover above the mid-point of 2.5. The youths even point to certain positive effects of the use of the networks on their psychological well-being, for example they value that they provide them with connection, support and spaces for discussion with people in similar situations.

Another conclusion of the study is that young people perceive the impact of these two networks on their social life more positively when they are users of them than when they are not. Among IG users, the capacity for group organization, and group membership, are the highest rated dimensions scoring 3.55.

TikTok’s algorithm reinforces traditional gender roles

One of the three dimensions most valued by young TT users is the possibility of being and expressing themselves just as they are (3.54). This could confirm that some young people are still unaware of the TT algorithm in respect of its ability to offer personalized content. However, the research also indicates that young people have found new ways to socialize on TT although unlike IG, this network is not designed for social interaction.

What young TT users value most is that interactions with other users facilitate their understanding and acceptance of social norms and conventions (3.56). But the study warns that this trend reduces adolescents’ critical capacity with respect to established social traditions, for example with regard to gender roles. The researchers warn of the “gender bias” of TT content such as those suggested on the “For you” page, with significant effects on adolescents.

Mònika Jiménez (UPF) states: “Fashion and beauty content that the algorithm usually offers by default to girls has a clear impact on their body image and self-esteem. In the case of boys, the fact that the suggested content is closely related to sports and competitive games, with often aggressive behaviour, reaffirms the idea of the dominant man linked to toxic masculinity, with few places where they can show their emotions”.

Mireia Montaña (UOC) adds: “Adolescent girls have a more critical and often more negative perception of the impact of social media on their well-being, possibly because they are exposed to it more intensely  and feel more pressure regarding their outward appearance and receiving positive feedback . This suggests an urgent need to strengthen their emotional education and critical appraisal of networks”.

However, Mireia Montaña (UOC) warns that boys and girls are not passive consumers of networks: “Our study shows that they have rather an accurate perception of the effects of networks on their social and emotional life, although there is still room to work on their critical capacity, especially with regard to the TT algorithm. Along these same lines, Mònika Jiménez (UPF) concludes: “To date no studies have determined the extent to which adolescents possess the tools to grasp and deal with the consequences of algorithmic dictatorship, so there is a need to analyse their real capacity to do so and then decide on the tools they require”.

Reference article:

Virós-Martín, C., Jiménez-Morales, M., & Montaña-Blasco, M. (2025). Adolescentes, TikTok e Instagram: percepciones sobre el impacto de las tecnologías digitales en su vida social. Revista De Comunicación, 24(1), 519–537. https://doi.org/10.26441/RC24.1-2025-3774

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Journal

Revista de Comunicación

DOI

10.26441/RC24.1-2025-3774 

Method of Research

Survey

Subject of Research

People

Article Title

Adolescentes, TikTok e Instagram: percepciones sobre el impacto de las tecnologías digitales en su vida social