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 meta-analysis of 300 studies reveals common patterns in gene expression associated with communication between neurons and synaptic plasticity. The study identifies a prominent presence of genes involved in synapses and rapid responses to neuronal activation.
The United Nations Statistical Commission adopts the International Classification of Dying Places, providing a common framework for classifying where people are cared for and die. The classification enables countries to record and compare places of death, end-of-life care, and preferences, supporting the Sustainable Development Goals a...
Over 1,200 health professionals and researchers from 27 European countries demand stronger EU action to tackle extreme heat, citing significant human and economic consequences. The open letter calls for binding measures, dedicated funding, and a radical shift in ambition to protect public health.
A quality improvement initiative increased chlamydia and gonorrhea screening rates among adolescents in primary care practices. Screening rates increased from 25% to 75% among sexually active females and from 20% to 75% among sexually active males.
Simple automated text reminders and personalized telephone support increased bowel cancer screening uptake among non-responders in London, with 6.5% of initial non-responders completing their test kits. The interventions detected an additional 50 extra cancers annually, bridging the eight-percentage-point gap with the national average.
A new study has found that climate fluctuations during England's Industrial Revolution may have contributed to childhood vitamin D deficiency and related diseases. Researchers analyzed teeth from a centuries-old cemetery and found that individuals born after major volcanic eruptions or periods of low solar output were more likely to su...
Researchers developed a mask-assisted screen-printing method to produce uniform, continuous ultrathin lithium films. The approach enabled the fabrication of lithium arrays with equivalent thicknesses of 10, 20, and 28 μm, improving structural stability and energy density.
The research team developed a next-generation perovskite semiconductor thin film with reduced defects, enabling high-performance solar cells and LEDs. The films demonstrated the highest quality reported to date, with a charge-carrier lifetime of 295 μs and a surface recombination velocity of 0.3 cm/s.
Researchers developed a method to determine the 3D structures of small, low-polarity molecules by using crystalline sponges with phenanthrene as a co-guest. The method successfully determined the structures of 24 out of 30 sesquiterpenoid-type compounds, including 11 new structures.
Researchers at Yokohama National University have developed a graphene mesosponge that improves energy and power densities in commercial lithium-ion batteries. The addition of graphene mesosponge creates three-dimensional electron- and ion-conducting networks, facilitating efficient battery performance.
A team of researchers has developed a microbial consortium that controls basal rot, eases salt-alkali stress and boosts growth in onions. The consortium, comprising five strains, has been shown to inhibit the dominant basal rot pathogen by 95.15% and improve soil pH and nutrient status.
Researchers developed a semi-solid slurry strategy that significantly increases manganese-based flow battery capacity while enabling operation at higher current densities. The approach combines additional solid MnO₂ with a change in the electrochemical reaction pathway, overcoming limitations of conventional manganese-based systems.
Organoid coculture models closely recapitulate tumor microenvironment features, enabling studies of tumor-stroma crosstalk and immunotherapy responses. These models offer improved predictive power for clinical drug efficacy, particularly for agents with intercellular interactions.
Researchers have developed a thermoresponsive hydrogel sealant inspired by slugs for endoscopic repair of gastrointestinal fistulas. The sealant, which solidifies upon entering the body, offers a new minimally invasive way to treat gastrointestinal fistulas.
Researchers developed Treellis, a 3D modelling tool that enables users to explore deeper understanding and learning when engaging with AI. The tool addresses the gulf of evaluation and execution challenges, allowing users to control and manipulate designs without relying on AI.
A new system called UQ-DAAAM identifies and corrects unreliable object descriptions in a robot's memory, improving its ability to interact with its environment. This method boosts the robot's confidence and improves the accuracy of its answers to questions about objects, their locations, and when it saw them.
The study successfully constructed an all-organic ferroelectric nematic liquid crystal FNT3 with significantly enhanced nonlinear magnetic response and short-range spin correlation. The system exhibits a unique collective magnetic response with a narrow hysteresis loop and near-superparamagnetic characteristics.
A major study published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B found that active conservation can successfully recover species on the edge of survival. Conservation efforts, such as invasive predator control and habitat restoration, led to recoveries in 61% of species that received direct support.
Archaeological research at Bournemouth University reveals Verica, a key figure in the Roman Invasion of Britain, was a woman. Verica's female identity challenges the patriarchal mindset of 19th-century historians and sheds light on a powerful female leader in late Iron Age Britain.
A new study found that replacing dairy products with unfortified plant-based alternatives can lead to marked declines in iodine, calcium, riboflavin, and vitamin B12 micronutrients. Mandatory fortification of plant-based alternatives and iodine-fortified bread may help prevent deficiencies, especially in vulnerable groups.
Extracorporeal shockwave therapy may reduce short-term pain and improve short-term flexion for frozen shoulder, but longer-term effects are uncertain. Manipulation under anaesthesia with or without steroid injections also show promise in improving short-term flexion.
Fireworks-related injuries cause vision and limb loss globally, mainly affecting marginalized communities. Stronger regulations and public education campaigns are crucial to prevent these avoidable injuries.
A landmark trial found that older patients with kidney failure may benefit from a structured care approach without dialysis, offering an alternative to traditional treatment. The study, led by the University of Bristol, found that both approaches resulted in similar overall length and quality of life.
A new study found that women with familial hypercholesterolemia have a higher prevalence of pre-eclampsia compared to those without the condition. The study suggests that pre-eclampsia should be considered as part of cardiovascular risk assessment for women with familial hypercholesterolemia, particularly when planning a pregnancy.
Researchers developed the Anticholinergic Medication Index (ACMI) to identify older patients at risk of delirium and serious falls. The ACMI scores anticholinergic burden, which can increase risk of delirium, falls, and dementia in older people.
A KAIST-led research team found a protein-regulatory function of zinc finger proteins that suppresses harmful amyloid-beta aggregation, reducing toxicity and improving recognition memory in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. The approach also breaks down preformed fibrils into less toxic fragments.
A device using an artificial intelligence e-nose and machine learning algorithms detects and analyzes odors, enabling better interactions between humans and machines. The system also demonstrates the feasibility of programmable, cost-effective odor delivery systems for creating engaging multisensory experiences.
Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a new 3D printing method called DIAL, which combines the speed and precision of light-based printing with the broad ink compatibility of extrusion-based printing. DIAL rapidly prints complex, finely detailed, free-standing objects without the need for scaffolding.
Researchers from the University of Oklahoma are developing two projects to improve irrigation reporting across the US, with NASA funding. The Operational Satellite Irrigation Reporting Information System (OSIRIS) aims to provide timely and reliable irrigation information to state water agencies.
Researchers developed biochar-based amendments to reduce cadmium accumulation and increase selenium levels in rice grains, offering a sustainable solution for farming in naturally metal-rich regions. The approach increased selenium mobility and availability while immobilizing cadmium, improving rice yields and nutritional quality.
The American Academy of Neurology launches a year-end giving campaign for the AAN Research Program, supporting brain research funding. One hundred percent of donations go directly to brain research, aiming to find new treatments and cures for brain diseases and disorders.
Researchers developed a scoring system to predict cognitive decline in older adults based on brain activity patterns. The system, known as the Alzheimer's resilience-vulnerability connectome, showed promise in distinguishing super agers from those with Alzheimer's disease with high accuracy.
Researchers found that PSD-95 levels were elevated in mice with MEF2C haploinsufficiency, leading to cognitive impairments and seizures. Targeting PSD-95 may be effective in reducing seizures and rescuing cognitive abilities in those with MEF2C haploinsufficiency or other neurodevelopmental disorders.
Lehigh University researchers will help lead a DOE-funded pilot to generate electricity and heat for rural Indiana County communities using an existing underperforming natural gas well. The project aims to repurpose abandoned hydrocarbon wells for low-enthalpy geothermal mining, creating economic and environmental opportunities.
A longer reproductive period and use of hormone replacement therapy during menopause were associated with lower small-vessel disease burden in the brain. Women who had used both hormone replacement therapy and the contraceptive pill showed the most favorable profile for their vascular brain health.
A Swedish study found a 38% higher odds of multiple sclerosis in people exposed to petroleum-derived lubricants at work, particularly among smokers and those with specific genetic characteristics. The study of 2,872 people with MS and 6,122 without MS showed an association between workplace exposure and MS risk.
A new study discovered that women with a longer reproductive lifespan had fewer signs of brain damage and better brain health later in life. Menopausal hormone therapy use was also associated with fewer brain microbleeds and healthier white matter integrity.
A new species of pygmygoby, Trimma charon, has been discovered in the Red Sea's unexplored deep reefs. The species, found at a depth of 30 meters, has distinctive golden spots on its tail fin and is considered a significant discovery for the region's goby genus.
A new report by the Mental Awareness, Respect and Safety Centre at Edith Cowan University highlights the importance of worker voice in managing psychosocial hazards in the Pilbara iron ore industry. The study found that company-driven avenues for collective worker voice were widely seen as ineffective, and individuals feared speaking u...
A new study found that coordinated activity in large pedestrian crowds generates stronger seismic signals than uncoordinated activity, with amplitudes increasing more rapidly with crowd size. This suggests that seismic excitation depends on the type of activity, not just the number of people.