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 population-based cohort study found no meaningful increase in the risk of major birth defects among pregnant people who used benzodiazepines during the first trimester. Researchers analyzed data from 4.2 million Medicaid and commercially insured pregnancies between 2000 and 2020, comparing outcomes between those who filled at least o...
A honey bee's detached stinger uses a unique double-piston mechanism to pump venom into its target, generating a continuous flow of venom. Researchers discovered the stinger's components, including a venom sac, pumping chamber, and valves that change shape to form a seal, delivering pressure for pumping while minimizing backflow.
Researchers studied elephant carcasses in Kruger National Park and found that decomposition creates nutrient hotspots that can persist for years, fueling microbial activity and plant vigor. However, these hotspots also reduce biodiversity, with only a few fast-growing species dominating the ecosystem.
A new study found that tau proteins have a single dominant hotspot that recruits other tau proteins to misfold and propagate, leading to cognitive decline. Blocking this hotspot could prevent misfolded tau proteins from spreading and may lead to the development of new diagnostic and therapeutic agents.
A recent study published in JNeurosci found that people with early blindness and musicians exhibit similar improvements in pitch discrimination, which is attributed to reduced internal noise. This reduction in internal noise enables individuals to better distinguish between pitches, leading to enhanced hearing ability.
A new study found that Oregon's licensed psilocybin centers largely follow safety guidelines, offering reassurance about treatment practices. However, the high cost of treatment may limit access for many individuals struggling with mental health conditions.
A research team led by Georgetown University and the Buck Institute aims to predict and intervene in harmful protein changes before disease begins. The team will use artificial intelligence, computational modeling, and experimental measurements to develop new diagnostics and treatments for neurodegenerative diseases and cancer.
UCSF researchers analyzed 590,282 heart attack hospitalizations in California between 2011 and 2022 to find that specialized emergency services improve survival rates in communities with critical access gaps. In contrast, adding capacity where it already exists offers little benefit, highlighting the importance of resource distribution...
A new policy proposal prioritizes heart transplant candidates based on medical urgency, rather than treatment choices, to save more lives. The policy uses a score that considers objective laboratory-based measurements of heart failure, rather than subjective treatment decisions.
A Mediterranean-style diet during pregnancy significantly lowers the risk of infant colic and eczema, with each weekly serving of seafood reducing the risk by 25%. The study also found that mothers with a history of allergic conditions benefit the most from a healthy diet.
A new study from Tulane University researchers found that gay, lesbian, and bisexual teens who have someone to turn to with a serious problem have significantly better mental health outcomes. The study found that 61% of teens without a trusted person experienced depression, compared to 35% of those with at least one person to turn to.
A preclinical study from Duke University researchers suggests that the effectiveness of an experimental approach to limiting stroke-related brain injury may depend on the brain's collateral circulation. In mouse models of ischemic stroke, the researchers found that AZD1390, a brain-penetrant inhibitor of the ATM kinase, reduced acute i...
The American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery Foundation published an updated guideline for tinnitus, which focuses on adults with persistent, bothersome tinnitus. The guideline recommends a comprehensive hearing evaluation, cognitive behavioral therapy, and sound enrichment to manage tinnitus, while discouraging the use...
A new review by University of East Anglia scientists reaffirms human-caused global warming, citing decades of climate fingerprint research and advances in attribution science. The study strengthens the scientific basis for the 2009 Endangerment Finding and emphasizes the need for policies to limit greenhouse gas emissions.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University have created tiny robots called 'millirobots' that can deliver medicine directly to infected heart tissue, reducing treatment time from weeks to just hours. The robots use magnetic guidance and are designed to replace open-heart surgery and ineffective IV-drug therapy.
A study examining 2,018 adults across Italy, Korea, the UK, and the US found that perceived burdensomeness, defeat, and internal entrapment were strongly associated with suicidal ideation. The study's results suggest that understanding suicidal thoughts may require attention to both closely linked experiences and interconnected psychol...
A new study using historical weather records from the Democratic Republic of Congo and Belgium has found daily maximum, minimum, and average temperatures rose by tenths of a degree per decade between 1960 and 1990. The number of hot days nearly doubled, while cold days decreased, consistent with global trends.
A study published in the journal CANCER found that young women with breast cancer experience delays in care, with lower income and younger age being the most common factors. These delays can lead to later stages of disease and more extensive treatment, impacting quality of life.
Research shows that Indigenous communities may accept oil extraction despite its harms due to the uneven distribution of impacts and benefits. Dr. Julie Dayot's study found that communities see oil extraction as a means to address existing environmental problems and mitigate its effects on their livelihoods.
A nationwide Swedish study suggests folic acid may not reduce suicide risk in all age groups and sexes, casting doubt on its benefits. The study found no significant associations among women, but annual folic acid dispensing rates in men aged 20–24 were associated with higher suicide-related deaths.
A culture of fear in healthcare enables serious crimes against patients, while whistleblowers are often silenced due to fear of retaliation or career consequences. Experts warn that systemic reforms are necessary to prevent medical crimes and foster a culture of accountability and transparency.
A study of 700 people with long Covid found distinct differences in lung and mouth microbiomes, linked to respiratory, cognitive, and digestive problems. The research suggests that changes in the microbiome may contribute to the development of long Covid.
A pilot study found that low-dose LSD improves women's sustained attention, but has no effect on men's attention. The study, led by Iva Totomanova, involved 24 women and 24 men, and used a double-blind placebo-controlled design. The results suggest that people may respond differently to LSD depending on their sex, cognitive task, and c...
Effective management of high blood pressure could prevent over 518,000 annual deaths from cardiovascular disease worldwide. The study found that expanding treatment of high blood pressure, statin medications for high cholesterol, and managing blood sugar could reduce the most deaths.
A new Commission identifies 17 interlinked catastrophic threats to health and global stability, including air pollution, antimicrobial resistance, and climate change. The Commission recommends building threat-ready health systems, accelerating investment in breakthrough innovation, and strengthening risk monitoring to address these risks.
A study of 267 women with bipolar disorder found that those with regular periods more often report severe premenstrual symptoms, including irritability, physical symptoms, and significant distress. The findings emphasize the need for closer collaboration between psychiatry and gynaecology to address reproductive mental health in women ...
A new brain-imaging study found that intensive breathing exercises can alter consciousness by changing brain communication, with reduced blood flow to the brain by up to 45%. Participants reported experiences similar to those of psychedelic drug users, including altered perception and vivid mental imagery.
Researchers found that women who received prenatal training had better outcomes than those who didn't, with a significant difference in women who had previously given birth. The training improved their ability to read and respond to emotional cues from babies, leading to a lower risk of post-birth depression.
A study published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease found that people with low or high haemoglobin levels had a higher risk of developing dementia over a 15-year period. The research suggests that abnormal haemoglobin levels may be a marker of physical vulnerability relevant to brain health.
Engineers at the University of California San Diego developed a fluorine-free battery binder that simplifies manufacturing and recycling without sacrificing performance. The new binder performs just as well as conventional lithium-ion batteries and enables easier recycling by dissolving in water.
The 2026 Friends of BrainHealth research awards support innovative projects in brain health and dementia prevention, including early detection and metabolic health. The awards position Center for BrainHealth researchers to compete for multimillion-dollar state grants and accelerate broad-scale translational research.
A new study published in Science found that the viscosity of marine snow plays a crucial role in transporting carbon to the deep ocean. Gooey marine snow can shuttle more than six times the carbon to the deep ocean than less viscous particles, making it a key factor in the carbon cycle.
Researchers from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center have made several groundbreaking discoveries in the field of MSK research, including the role of immune cells in fueling triple-negative breast cancer and the development of a new strategy to combat leptomeningeal metastases. Additionally, the study found that trastuzumab deruxtec...
A study by UC Berkeley researcher Brian Christian found that relying on AI for just 10 minutes impairs focus and persistence with difficult tasks. The research suggests that overreliance on AI can erode cognitive fitness and hinder productivity.
Researchers at the University of California, Riverside, are testing a novel protein-based therapy to correct abnormal brain activity in Fragile X syndrome. The therapy, developed by Bowen's FX Therapeutics, aims to restore normal brain function in individuals with the disorder.
Researchers at Saint Louis University School of Medicine have made a groundbreaking discovery in the processing of nitrogen, a crucial element in fertilizer production. By uncovering a previously unknown structure in a key enzyme, the team has created an entirely new framework for understanding biological nitrogen fixation, which could...
A new method, PAATAM, combines vascular geometry and signal-intensity features to generate robust 3D vascular maps, preserving flow velocity and direction. This enables real-time, freehand, and minimally invasive photoacoustic imaging for surgical guidance, perfusion assessment, and postoperative evaluation.
The study describes a spectrum of dynamic architectures among glycan-building enzymes, from the rigid POMGNT2 dimer to the flexible, reversible assemblies of LARGE1 and K4CP. These contrasting architectures suggest a connection between molecular organization and catalytic demands.
Researchers have successfully rejuvenated human cells in a test tube by directly reprogramming red blood cell precursors into stem cells from which neurons can be derived. This process resets the molecular clocks that indicate a cell's age, resulting in cells exhibiting a molecular age of less than 20 years.
Researchers develop a method to retrofit existing large language models to operate at the byte level, overcoming character-level limitations. The resulting models outperform previous byte-level models and have the potential to improve tasks such as spelling and text analysis in various scientific fields.