Brightsurf delivers daily science news discoveries, articles, and the latest scientific breakthroughs. Your trusted source for science news today, covering nature news, science & technology, and scientific discoveries from leading research institutions worldwide.
A new method, MALVINA, connects bacterial entry into cells, host-cell responses, DNA damage, and genetic background at the single-cell level. This allows researchers to measure the efficiency of bacterial entry, accumulation, and DNA damage, separating distinct virulence profiles among different bacterial strains.
A study by Javier I. Borráz-León and colleagues found that countries with more cats reported higher happiness, while those with higher Toxoplasma gondii prevalence reported lower happiness. The researchers suggest that economic factors, such as income and public health, may influence the relationship between cats and happiness.
SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS One·TypeObservational study
Scientists from ICTER developed a method that uses dynamic scattering to reduce speckle noise and improve image quality. By deliberately changing the way light reaches a stationary object, successive images can be averaged to preserve the fixed structure and weaken random artefacts.
A University of Iowa study suggests the placenta-brain axis plays a role in neurodevelopment, with low placental growth factor (PlGF) levels linked to higher odds of ADHD diagnosis in children. The study found that low PlGF levels in the third trimester were associated with a higher risk of ADHD diagnosis in children.
Researchers have found high-altitude glacier in Tibet preserved fragments from the last ice age, extending Earth's glacial record by over 100,000 years. The analysis of ice cores from the Guliya Plateau reveals consistent oxygen isotope patterns, suggesting that the environmental signals they contain are reproducible.
Dr. Matthew Dent's research aims to identify the molecular sensors that microorganisms use to detect carbon monoxide, a gas that is deadly to humans. By studying these sensors, Dent hopes to develop new medical treatments, biosensors, and alternative bioenergy strategies.
Jason Williams, interim director since 2025, is now permanent director of the AgResearch and Education Center at Milan. He will oversee projects like a community garden and expand precision agriculture initiatives.
Researchers have developed a biochar catalyst that can actively break down antibiotics, achieving high removal efficiency in wastewater treatment. By controlling the nitrogen-to-boron ratio, the material's surface structure and active sites can be optimized for efficient degradation.
The ONR I2D and TECHx events brought together 300 industry participants to accelerate warfighter capabilities for the Navy and Marine Corps. The events highlighted 11 Focus Areas, including AI, C5ISR, and Naval Space, and provided opportunities for two-way technical exchange.
A study published in Addiction Neuroscience found that music therapy reduces cravings and alters brain activity in people with substance use disorders. The therapy was shown to improve emotional regulation and reduce negative emotions, providing encouraging evidence for its role in addiction treatment.
A new study found that chimpanzees steal less pineapple from friends and show less hostility, suggesting they have emotional expectations similar to humans. Closely bonded chimps also experience less agitation when victims are friends, implying mutual expectations in friendships.
A multidisciplinary UCLA research team is developing a noninvasive approach to determine whether indeterminate pulmonary nodules are cancerous. The team aims to improve risk stratification, support earlier and more accurate clinical decision-making, and reduce unnecessary biopsies or surgery.
Researchers developed a compact 0.36-mm² photonic chip for industrial swept-source OCT inspection, achieving high-precision 3D imaging and contactless measurement. The system's sensitivity reached 87 dB and successfully resolved internal structures, with an absolute error of less than 2 μm in thickness measurements.
A nationwide study found that many oral blood cancer drug prescriptions were initially rejected due to insurance hurdles and high out-of-pocket costs, with fill rates dropping significantly when patients faced higher costs. The study suggests that changes to prior authorization, drug coverage rules, and cost-sharing are needed to ensur...
A recent clinical trial led by Stanford Medicine shows that a new oral medication, acebilustat, effectively alleviated many symptoms of lymphedema, a condition characterized by excess lymph fluid accumulation. The study involved 23 participants with lymphedema, who took acebilustat for a year and experienced significant symptom relief.
SourceStanford Medicine·JournalScientific Reports·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial
A new study from the University of Colorado Boulder found that those with the busiest schedules were significantly less likely to be depressed and performed better academically. People with a chronic sense of rush or
A new wearable device can track changes in arm movement impairment caused by strokes, enabling clinicians to make real-time adjustments to therapy programs. The device uses a machine-learning algorithm to interpret movement data, providing a more accurate reflection of a patient's true condition.
UC San Diego Health has adopted new coil technology and FDA-approved liquid-based treatment for chronic subdural hematoma, expanding minimally invasive treatment options. These advances provide more options for customizing treatment based on a patient's anatomy and clinical needs.
A recent study found that simulated space radiation can lead to increased cardiac fibrosis, calcium dynamics, and immune function changes in rats. The researchers also discovered gene variants that may be linked to the damage
SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS One
A new study found that certain parenting approaches, such as lower supervision and inconsistent discipline, are associated with a higher likelihood of children showing behavioral and emotional problems. High positive parenting with better supervision was linked to lower internalizing and externalizing behaviors in children.
SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS One·TypeSurvey
A study of 556,474 US patients with OSA found the prevalence peaks at age 55, with frequent cardiovascular comorbidities like hypertension and diabetes. The study also identified age- and sex-stratified prevalence of OSA and stroke risk comorbidities.
SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS One
Poverty in the EU declined between 2015 and 2023, but disparities persist among nations. The study highlights the need for sustainable policy responses to address poverty, material deprivation, and digital skills gaps.
SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS One·TypeObservational study
A large international survey study of 64,472 participants found that impulsivity is strongly associated with increased substance use frequency among individuals with a history of sexual abuse. The study suggests that impulsivity may play a moderating role in the relationship between sexual abuse and substance use, varying by country, g...
SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS One
Researchers found that high-intensity walking programs led to greater improvements in frailty status compared to casual pace walking in older adults. The study, published in PLOS, suggests that high-intensity walking may be an effective way to reverse frailty in older adults.
SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS One
A new driver of resistance in HR+ breast cancer has been identified through the discovery of FAH's nuclear role in stimulating CDK9 activity. This finding suggests a possible path to target resistant cancer cells and offers a new biomarker for resistance to CDK4/6 inhibitors.
A study analyzing 2,928 Spanish-speaking participants found that machine-learning clocks based on speech can estimate chronological age and brain aging. The speech clock was associated with biological aging, cognitive health, cumulative burden, and dementia.
A new review of research from across sub-Saharan Africa found that food insecurity is linked to depression, suicide attempts, HIV vulnerabilities, and poorer sexual and reproductive health outcomes among adolescent mothers. The study suggests that addressing hunger may also help reduce depression and other mental health burdens.
Researchers analyzed data from the Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) satellite, which was designed to track large bodies of water. They found that the satellite could measure water levels with moderate to high confidence at over 85% of canal locations in Asia. This discovery could give farmers around the world a powerful new to...
A decade-long study by Johns Hopkins Medicine researchers found that adults with sickle cell retinopathy who actively smoked were almost three times more likely to experience worsening of the eye condition. Smoking cessation is identified as a potential way to prevent vision loss.
Jody Puglisi will receive the 2027 Ignacio Tinoco Award for his groundbreaking NMR studies on RNA recognition and single-molecule FRET studies of ribosome function. His research has advanced fundamental concepts of RNA's dynamic role in biology.
Nils G. Walter will receive the 2027 Kazuhiko Kinosita Award for his pioneering work on single-molecule fluorescence techniques advancing RNA biology and gene expression. The award recognizes his exceptional leadership in single-molecule biophysics and innovative contributions to the field.
Nondestructive sensing and failure diagnosis can turn hidden aging signals into actionable health information for lithium-ion batteries. The review proposes a unified framework connecting degradation mechanisms, internal physical signals, and state estimation to guide smart battery management system design.
Rosemary Cater, a researcher at the Institute for Molecular Bioscience, will receive the 2027 Margaret Oakley Dayhoff Award for her work on transporters at the blood-brain barrier. The award recognizes a woman in the early stages of a career in biophysics who has made impactful publications or leadership.
Benoît Roux, University of Chicago, receives 2027 Klaus Schulten and Zaida Luthey-Schulten Award for pioneering work in calculating binding free energies and developing simulation programs. His contributions have shaped modern computational biophysics, explaining biological function at the molecular level.
The University of Pittsburgh will establish the Pittsburgh Laser Engine, a training center for displaced coal workers and union electricians. The center will offer 10-week hands-on courses in advanced laser processing and fiber-optic sensing, preparing workers for high-paying careers in AI data centers, power systems, and other critica...
Yu-li Wang will receive the 2027 Carolyn Cohen Innovation Award for his foundational discoveries in mechanobiology and protein dynamics. His work has transformed biophysics and inspired generations of scientists, advancing the field across disciplines.
Filippo Mancia will receive the 2027 Award in Membrane Protein Biophysics for his pioneering work on lipid-interacting membrane proteins. His groundbreaking research has transformed our understanding of essential biochemical processes, establishing him as a pioneer in membrane protein biophysics.
Lauren L. Porter will receive the Early Career Award for her work on predicting and understanding fold-switching proteins. The award recognizes her contributions to biophysics research and service during her independence.
Jason Casar and M. Julia Maristany receive 2027 Doctoral Research Award for innovative biophysics research. Casar develops ingestible optical microgauges to measure cardiac forces, while Maristany applies multiscale simulations to study chromatin organization.
Kandice Tanner, a researcher at the National Cancer Institute, will receive the 2027 Michael and Kate Bárány Award for her pioneering work on the biophysical determinants of organ-specific metastasis. The award recognizes her outstanding contributions to biophysics, highlighting her innovative approach to complex biological processes.