The Daily Trickle

Financial incentives helped more underserved smokers quit, trial finds

A peer-reviewed randomized clinical trial, a study that assigns people to groups by chance, compared ways to help medically underserved adults who smoke quit after being referred for lung cancer screening. Sustained abstinence through 6 months was 8.8% with added financial incentives, compared with 4.3% with usual care. Adding free pharmacotherapy to usual care did not make a significant difference.

Published

Oct 5, 2026

Preprint reports molecules that disrupt a cancer-linked protein complex

A preprint, not yet reviewed by other scientists, describes peptide-based compounds that disrupt the Nrf2/MafG transcription factor complex in cells. In a lung cancer model, the authors report that disrupting the complex restored sensitivity to gemcitabine.

Published

Oct 5, 2026

Proposal would exempt in-home dialysis in nursing homes from certificate of need

The Washington Department of Health proposes exempting in-home dialysis services provided in a nursing home from the certificate of need (CN) process. The certificate of need program covers new nursing homes and kidney disease treatment centers, and the expansion of their services. The comment period closes October 27, 2026.

Published

Oct 7, 2026

Comments close

Oct 27, 2026

How to weigh in: Comment by October 27, 2026.

Veterinary licensing fee rule takes effect February 1, 2027

The Washington Department of Health has issued a final rule on licensing fees for veterinarians, veterinary technicians, veterinary medication clerks and humane societies. It takes effect on February 1, 2027. The summary does not state the new fee amounts.

Published

Oct 7, 2026

Effective

Feb 1, 2027

How to weigh in: No comment period: this is a final rule.

Chiropractic procedure classification rule takes effect October 18, 2026

The chiropractic quality assurance commission is adopting amendments to the rule section WAC 246-808-505, which classifies chiropractic procedures and instrumentation. The final rule takes effect on October 18, 2026.

Published

Oct 7, 2026

Effective

Oct 18, 2026

How to weigh in: No comment period: this is a final rule.

Advance care planning methods perform similarly for older Black and White adults

A peer-reviewed randomized trial, EQUAL ACP, compared facilitated advance care planning with a self-guided approach among Black and White adults aged 65 or older with serious illness. Within each racial group, completing advance care planning within a year did not differ significantly between the two approaches. The trial ran in 10 primary care and geriatrics clinics in the South of the United States.

Published

Oct 7, 2026

Study links a tRNA molecule to therapy resistance in prostate cancer

A peer-reviewed study in Nature reports that a tRNA molecule, tRNA1Arg(UCU), helps control whether prostate cancer cells change lineage and resist therapies that target the androgen receptor. The authors say levels of this molecule are lower in neuroendocrine prostate cancer, and low levels were associated with faster metastasis and poorer survival.

Published

Oct 7, 2026

Study points to BMP signaling as a possible target for retinal fibrosis

A peer-reviewed study in PNAS examines BMP2 and BMP4 signaling in retinal fibrosis, a blinding complication of conditions including proliferative diabetic retinopathy. In mice and cultured cells, the authors report that a BMP/ALK inhibitor caused a preretinal membrane to regress, and they say the pathway may be a potential therapeutic target.

Published

Oct 7, 2026

Preprint links hot weather and rain to child hospital admissions in Sweden

A preprint, not yet reviewed by other scientists, is a nationwide study of 4,638,247 children and adolescents aged 6-18 in Sweden, using linked register data. It finds that hot temperatures, large swings in temperature within a day, and higher precipitation are associated with more hospital admissions. Differences were clearer by age and region than by sex or socioeconomic position.

Published

Oct 7, 2026

Preprint finds protein markers associated with colon cancer risk

A preprint, not yet reviewed by other scientists, studies circulating proteins and colorectal cancer risk using data from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) and replication cohorts. It finds different protein profiles for colon and rectal cancers, and names COMP, MIC-1/GDF15 and TFF3 as the most robustly supported markers for colon cancer risk.

Published

Oct 7, 2026

Longer emergency department stays linked to leaving work and later hospital use

A preprint, not yet reviewed by other scientists, is a retrospective cohort study of 3,347,008 people aged 25 to 64 who attended an NHS Type 1 emergency department in England between April 2021 and March 2023. Compared with stays under 2 hours, longer stays were associated with a higher risk of leaving employment and of hospitalisation over two years, with an adjusted hazard ratio of 1.95 for hospitalisation at 12 hours or more. These are associations, not proof that long stays cause these outcomes.

Published

Oct 7, 2026

Preprint: engineered Brucella bacteria worsened brain damage in tau mice

A preprint, not yet reviewed by other scientists, tests repeated doses of attenuated Brucella strains in transgenic mice that overexpress mutant tau. The authors report that the engineered strain, which is engineered to express the metabolite indole, worsened hippocampal volume loss and tau pathology compared with control animals and animals given the non-engineered strain.

Published

Oct 8, 2026

Preprint: amygdala dopamine signals shape cocaine seeking in rats

A preprint, not yet reviewed by other scientists, reports experiments in rats on the basolateral amygdala (BLA). Cues signaling that cocaine is available drove dopamine signals and activity in D1 neurons there, and the authors report that boosting D1 neuron activity at those moments increased cocaine binging.

Published

Oct 8, 2026

Preprint maps how psychedelics reshape information flow in the human brain

A preprint, not yet reviewed by other scientists, analyzes information flow across the cortex in 80 participants given LSD, psilocybin, ketamine, DMT or 5-MeO-DMT. The authors say the psychedelic brain is one in which cortical populations become alike, but not necessarily together. A minimal model with reduced self-coupling reproduces the patterns, they report.

Published

Oct 8, 2026

Preprint links a bacterial system to Staphylococcus aureus growth in Kupffer cells

A preprint, not yet reviewed by other scientists, reports that the ArlRS two-component system is required for Staphylococcus aureus to replicate inside Kupffer cells, the primary hepatic macrophages. In experiments, the authors say deleting arlRS reduced kidney abscess formation and improved host survival.

Published

Oct 10, 2026

Preprint proposes continuous amyloid score for early Alzheimer's staging

A preprint, not yet reviewed by other scientists, describes a continuous amyloid staging score built from regional amyloid PET scans with a deep learning model, tested on data from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI). Among people with similar overall amyloid burden, higher scores were associated with faster memory decline in both ADNI and A4+LEARN.

Published

Oct 11, 2026

Preprint: raising blood pressure did not raise brain blood flow under anesthesia

A preprint, not yet reviewed by other scientists, reports on 16 neurologically intact patients undergoing elective surgery under propofol-based general anesthesia. Raising mean arterial pressure by approximately 25% with norepinephrine, a vasopressor, left cerebral blood flow unchanged, although flow was approximately 50% lower than when awake. The authors say further pressure increases should not be assumed to raise cerebral blood flow.

Published

Oct 11, 2026

Preprint finds gut cells sense harmful bacteria and signal the brain in zebrafish

A preprint, not yet reviewed by other scientists, reports zebrafish experiments on enteroendocrine cells that sense harmful bacteria. The authors say a subset expressing Trpa1, activated by Edwardsiella tarda, signals through a vagal sensory pathway that supports immune defense and bacterial clearance.

Published

Oct 11, 2026

Preprint finds NHS clinicians' structured data entry driven by attitudes and norms

A preprint, not yet reviewed by other scientists, is a mixed-methods study at a large NHS teaching hospital in central London using the Epic EHR. It combines a survey of doctors with interviews, and concludes that attitudes and social norms drive structured data entry more than perceived control. Usability fixes alone are unlikely to succeed, the authors say.

Published

Oct 11, 2026

Proposed refinery worker training and certification rule for high hazard facilities

The Washington Department of Labor and Industries proposes amending chapter 296-71 WAC on refinery worker training and certification in high hazard facilities. The change would implement EHB 1173, a 2025 law that the department is required to enforce. The comment period closes October 30, 2026.

Published

Oct 7, 2026

Comments close

Oct 30, 2026

How to weigh in: Comment by October 30, 2026.

Hood Canal shellfish harvest reopens in parts of Marine Area 12

This temporary emergency rule, in effect since September 3, 2026, reopens harvest of clams, mussels and oysters on public beaches in parts of Marine Area 12 (Hood Canal) that the department of health (DOH) has found safe. It extends the oyster season on one beach and keeps closed the portions that are not yet safe, as set by DOH monitoring.

Published

Oct 7, 2026

Effective

Sep 3, 2026

How to weigh in: No comment period: this is a final rule.

Columbia River nontreaty commercial fishing expands while protecting listed fish

This temporary emergency rule, in effect since September 9, 2026, allows nontreaty commercial fishing in the Columbia River while protecting fish listed as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). It adds further fishing periods to the nontreaty mainstem Zone 4-5 drift net fishery and keeps earlier nontreaty commercial fisheries in place.

Published

Oct 7, 2026

Effective

Sep 9, 2026

How to weigh in: No comment period: this is a final rule.

Skagit River fishing seasons postponed and part of river temporarily closed

This temporary emergency rule, in effect since September 14, 2026, postpones the opening of seasons in upper areas of the Skagit River and Cascade River. It temporarily closes fishing in the Skagit River from Gilligan Creek to The Dalles Bridge, reduces the salmon daily limit, prohibits bait, and requires single-point barbless hooks from the mouth to Gilligan Creek.

Published

Oct 7, 2026

Effective

Sep 14, 2026

How to weigh in: No comment period: this is a final rule.

Lake Washington salmon fishing closes after smaller coho return than forecast

A temporary emergency rule, in effect since September 16, 2026, closes recreational salmon fishing in Lake Washington. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife says in-season counts at the Ballard Locks show the coho return to the Lake Washington and Lake Sammamish basin is smaller than forecast. The closure is needed to help meet broodstock and natural spawning goals.

Published

Oct 7, 2026

Effective

Sep 16, 2026

How to weigh in: No comment period: this is a final rule.

Columbia River treaty fishing sets fall gillnet season and trims a sanctuary

A temporary emergency rule, in effect since September 15, 2026, sets Zone 6 fall season treaty commercial gillnet fisheries in the Columbia River while protecting salmon listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). It also reduces the Spring Creek Hatchery sanctuary area and allows treaty commercial sales to nontreaty buyers in 2026, in line with federal court orders.

Published

Oct 7, 2026

Effective

Sep 15, 2026

How to weigh in: No comment period: this is a final rule.

Snake River wild Chinook retention closed and steelhead limits reduced

A temporary emergency rule, in effect since September 18, 2026, closes retention of wild, unmarked adult Chinook in the Snake River. It also reduces hatchery steelhead daily limits in the Snake and Tucannon rivers.

Published

Oct 7, 2026

Effective

Sep 18, 2026

How to weigh in: No comment period: this is a final rule.

Stillaguamish River recreational fishing seasons closed in parts

A temporary emergency rule, in effect since September 18, 2026, closes recreational fishing seasons in portions of the Stillaguamish River mainstem and North Fork. The rule says only that the closure is necessary.

Published

Oct 7, 2026

Effective

Sep 18, 2026

How to weigh in: No comment period: this is a final rule.

Lake Washington salmon fishing reopens as coho counts improve

A temporary emergency rule, in effect since September 18, 2026, returns recreational salmon seasons in Lake Washington to the permanent rules, reopening coho retention. Fish counts at the Ballard Locks have improved significantly over the past week, which the rule says indicates a coho return sufficient to reopen fishing.

Published

Oct 7, 2026

Effective

Sep 18, 2026

How to weigh in: No comment period: this is a final rule.

Hanford Reach wild Chinook retention closed and shift to mark-selective fishing

A temporary emergency rule, in effect since September 23, 2026, closes retention of wild Chinook in the Hanford Reach area of the Columbia River. Based on current harvest levels, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife moves the fishery to mark-selective fishing for adult Chinook, which extends harvest of hatchery fish while limiting effects on natural-origin fish.

Published

Oct 7, 2026

Effective

Sep 23, 2026

How to weigh in: No comment period: this is a final rule.

Proposed change to rules on killing wolves attacking domestic animals

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife proposes amending WAC 220-440-020 and 220-440-080 on killing wolves that attack domestic animals. The proposal responds to a January 2024 communication from Governor Jay Inslee granting a petition for rulemaking on wolf management. The abstract is cut off, so the full list of proposed changes is not shown. The comment period closes November 23, 2026.

Published

Oct 7, 2026

Comments close

Nov 23, 2026

How to weigh in: Comment by November 23, 2026.

Texas fire protection exam chart change takes effect October 15, 2026

The Texas Commission on Fire Protection adopted an amendment to 37 TAC §439.19(b) on the number of test questions, without changes to the text as proposed. It adds combination exam options for Basic Structure Fire Suppression and merges the Basic Fire Inspector I and II exams into one Basic Fire Inspector exam. The amendment took effect October 15, 2026.

Published

Oct 9, 2026

Effective

Oct 15, 2026

How to weigh in: No comment period: this is a final rule.

Texas alcohol commission proposes removing a rule on warnings to licensees

The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) proposes deleting subsection (e) of 16 TAC §41.12. That subsection let the agency issue written warnings for late compliance reports without an administrative hearing, and the agency no longer believes such warnings should count as an aggravating factor. The comment period closes November 9, 2026.

Published

Oct 9, 2026

Comments close

Nov 9, 2026

How to weigh in: Comment by November 9, 2026.

Preprint models how nanocluster pairs could break the bond in nitrogen gas

A preprint, not yet reviewed by other scientists, reports calculations on pairs of tetrahedral Ag20 nanoclusters, studying how plasmonic coupling could break the strong bond in nitrogen gas. The calculations suggest a 6 Å gap between the clusters works best, but these are theoretical results, not laboratory tests.

Published

Oct 5, 2026

Max Planck Society reports how police recruits' attitudes change in first year

The Max Planck Society reports how the attitudes of police recruits change during their first year of training, and where training could help preserve trust. This is the institution's own account of its work.

Published

Oct 5, 2026

Health influencer posts mostly cover healthy living; 38% promote products

Pew Research Center reports, as its own announcement, that just over half of health and wellness content on social media focuses on healthy living, and about a third discusses medical topics. It also says 38% of posts include a product or service promotion.

Published

Oct 7, 2026

Preprint describes an AI agent that rebuilds atomic structures from papers

A preprint, not yet reviewed by other scientists, describes Paper2CIF, an AI agent that reconstructs atomic structures from published chemical evidence. The authors report 97.08% phase identification accuracy and 91.23% final structural accuracy across 171 articles.

Published

Oct 9, 2026

Proposed rule would allow pet dogs in domestic breweries and microbreweries

The Washington State Board of Health proposes a rule to allow dogs on the premises of domestic breweries and microbreweries that do not provide food service subject to a food service permit. It follows a 2025 state law, EHB 1602, that lets these businesses offer food through contract kitchens. The comment period closes October 23, 2026.

Published

Oct 7, 2026

Comments close

Oct 23, 2026

How to weigh in: Comment by October 23, 2026.

Proposed changes to guardianship assistance program subsidies

The Washington Department of Children, Youth, and Families proposes amending chapter 110-85 WAC on its guardianship assistance program subsidies (GAP and EGAP). The changes would centralize those subsidies, widen eligibility for prospective guardians, and clarify how agreements can be modified, suspended and given effective dates. The comment period closes October 27, 2026.

Published

Oct 7, 2026

Comments close

Oct 27, 2026

How to weigh in: Comment by October 27, 2026.