The average number of active rigs per month that are drilling for oil and natural gas in the U.S. Lower 48 states has declined steadily over the past few years from a recent peak of 750 rigs in December 2022 to 517 rigs this October. The declining rig count reflects operators' responses to declining crude oil and natural gas prices and improvements in drilling efficiencies.

Researchers developed a new nano-micelle formulation, CBD-IN, that finally gets CBD into the brain effectively. In mice, it relieved neuropathic pain quickly and didn’t cause the usual movement or memory side effects. Surprisingly, the pain relief didn’t use typical cannabinoid receptors, instead calming abnormal nerve activity more directly. The findings hint at new avenues for treating chronic pain and neurological diseases.

Chronic pain might quietly push people toward developing high blood pressure—and the more widespread the pain, the greater the danger. A massive analysis of over 200,000 adults uncovered strong links between long-lasting pain, depression, inflammation, and rising hypertension risk.

Scientists used CRISPR to disable the NRF2 gene, restoring chemotherapy sensitivity in lung cancer cells and slowing tumor growth. The technique worked even when only a fraction of tumor cells were edited, making it practical for real-world treatment. Since NRF2 fuels resistance in several cancers, the approach could have broad impact.

Scientists mapped the Bas63 bacteriophage in unprecedented detail, uncovering how its tail machinery infects bacteria. The structure reveals rare whisker-collar features and distant evolutionary ties reaching back billions of years. These insights could guide new phage therapies and innovations in medicine, agriculture, and industry.

Scientists at Northwestern Medicine have developed a new genetic risk score that predicts who is most likely to experience irregular or dangerous heart rhythms. The test merges several types of genetic analysis into one powerful model, offering doctors a clearer way to spot risk early. Researchers believe this “genetic roadmap” could transform how conditions like AFib are detected and prevented. It may also help shape targeted therapies tailored to a person’s unique DNA.

Scientists built a tiny clock from single-electron jumps to probe the true energy cost of quantum timekeeping. They discovered that reading the clock’s output requires vastly more energy than the clock uses to function. This measurement process also drives the irreversibility that defines time’s forward direction. The insight could push researchers to rethink how quantum devices handle information.

A new dual-light microscope lets researchers observe micro- and nanoscale activity inside living cells without using dyes. The system captures both detailed structures and tiny moving particles at once, providing a more complete view of cellular behavior. Its creators tested it by analyzing changes during cell death and were able to estimate particle size and refractive index. They hope to push the technique toward imaging particles as small as viruses.

Across the planet, animals are increasingly suffering from chronic illnesses once seen only in humans. Cats, dogs, cows, and even marine life are facing rising rates of cancer, diabetes, arthritis, and obesity — diseases tied to the same factors affecting people: genetics, pollution, poor nutrition, and stress. A new study led by scientists at the Agricultural University of Athens proposes a unified model linking these conditions across species.

Older adults who regularly listen to or play music appear to have significantly lower risks of dementia and cognitive decline. The data suggests that musical engagement could be a powerful, enjoyable tool for supporting cognitive resilience in aging.

Researchers have uncovered that SerpinB3, typically linked to severe cancers, is also a key player in natural wound healing. The protein drives skin cell movement and tissue rebuilding, especially when paired with next-generation biomaterial dressings. Its newfound role explains why cancer cells exploit it and opens the door to new wound-healing therapies.

People are more likely to believe lies when there’s the possibility of a reward. Neuroimaging shows that the brain shifts into reward or risk mode depending on whether the context involves a gain or a loss. Friends show synchronized brain activity that can predict successful deception. Social bonds and incentives can subtly warp how we judge honesty.

Ultra-processed foods, already known for their links to health problems in adults, are now shown to harm young adults too, disrupting blood sugar regulation long before illness appears. A four-year USC study following 85 participants found that even modest increases in UPF consumption drove up the risk of prediabetes and insulin resistance, two early markers that pave the way for type 2 diabetes.

SACRAMENTO, CALIF.—Growth Energy, the nation’s largest biofuel trade association, submitted comments to the California Air Resources Board (CARB) today regarding the agency’s ongoing effort to finalize regulations that will ultimately govern the sale of E15, a more affordable fuel option made with 15% ethanol that was approved for sale in California earlier this year. 

In comments authored by Growth Energy Senior Vice President of Regulatory Affairs Chris Bliley, the organization urged CARB to treat E15 the same way it treats reformulated gasoline (RFG), allow fuel retailers to use existing infrastructure to sell E15, and recognize E15’s lower evaporative emissions compared to other fuel options, among other recommendations. 

“E15 will save Californians money at the pump,” said Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor. “CARB must ensure that the regulations it applies to this more affordable fuel choice don’t impede consumers from accessing those savings. We urge California to follow the example of other states that have widely adopted E15 in order to minimize unintended consequences, and we look forward to continuing our work with CARB to make sure California drivers start to see E15 at their nearest fuel retailer as soon as possible.” 

Read the full comments as submitted to the California Air Resources Board here. 

The post Growth Energy Urges CARB to Ensure California Drivers Get Access to E15 Savings appeared first on Growth Energy.

David’s Notes

1. 🎹 Do you like jazz? Are you a child of the 90s? Do you live in DC? If so, go watch my little brother’s jazz quintet cover 90s songs on Nov. 20! I’m so bummed I can’t go. Find tickets here.

2. 🗳️ One month ago, I covered the most important political race of 2025: the elections for Georgia Public Service Commission. I am delighted to say that Dems won both seats, by a margin larger than anyone predicted. One interesting addendum: there are more Georgia PSC elections next year.

If you haven’t listened to last week’s elections recap episode with Climate Cabinet, I highly suggest it:

3. 🗓️ Mark your calendars: December 7 is Volts’ 5th birthday! Should we do something?

4. 🎁 Speaking of which, it’s that time of year again: gift season. Recall that Volts is probably the only thing on Earth that’s stayed the same price since 2020 (beyond Costco’s rotisserie chicken).

Gift a loved one a Volts subscription today: https://www.volts.wtf/subscribe?gift=true

5. ✅ Community comment(s) of the month come from Christopher and Richard by way of last month’s community thread. Christopher is looking for your advice on his career transition and Richard needs your help to get past his HOA’s frustrating red-tape.

Monthly Thread — How It Works

This is your monthly opportunity to share! Use the comments section in this community thread to:

• CLIMATE JOBS & OPPORTUNITIES: Share climate jobs/opportunities

• SHARE WORK, ASK FOR HELP, FIND COLLABORATORS: Share your climate-related work, ask for help, or find collaborators

• CLIMATE EVENTS & MEETUPS: Share climate-related events and meetups

• EVERYTHING ELSE: Discuss David’s Notes or anything else climate-related

• QUESTIONS: Ask a question to the community or for an upcoming bonus episode (anyone can ask a question but bonus episodes are a paid-sub-only perk). Don’t be afraid to answer one another’s questions!

🚨 To keep organized, please only “REPLY” directly under one of Sam’s headline comments. Anything inappropriate, spammy, etc may be deleted. Be nice! Check out our Community Guidelines.

Astronomers have, for the first time, recorded the moment a star’s explosion broke through its surface. The nearby supernova, SN 2024ggi, revealed a surprisingly olive-shaped blast when studied with ESO’s Very Large Telescope. The discovery helps scientists better understand the forces that drive massive stars to explode and underscores how quick international cooperation can lead to groundbreaking results.

The “Seven Sisters” have far more relatives than anyone imagined. Using NASA and ESA space telescopes, astronomers found thousands of hidden stars linked to the Pleiades, forming a colossal stellar complex. The discovery expands the cluster’s size by a factor of 20 and offers a new way to trace the shared origins of stars—including our own Sun.

Penn State scientists identified a striking rise in melanoma across several Pennsylvania counties dominated by cropland and herbicide use. The elevated risk persisted even after factoring in sunlight, suggesting an environmental influence beyond the usual expectations. Researchers warn that drifting chemicals may expose nearby residents, not just farm workers.

GLP-1 drugs like tirzepatide and semaglutide offer powerful weight-loss effects but come with unanswered questions about long-term safety, side effects, and global accessibility. Researchers stress the need for independent studies before these treatments can be fully embraced worldwide.

Electrons can freeze into strange geometric crystals and then melt back into liquid-like motion under the right quantum conditions. Researchers identified how to tune these transitions and even discovered a bizarre “pinball” state where some electrons stay locked in place while others dart around freely. Their simulations help explain how these phases form and how they might be harnessed for advanced quantum technologies.