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.
Researchers found that girls whose mothers took paracetamol during pregnancy had smaller ovaries, fewer ovarian follicles, and lower levels of reproductive hormones at three months old. The study, published in Human Reproduction Open, suggests that foetal exposure to paracetamol may affect reproductive development, but the findings do ...
Researchers have developed the AlphaGenome Atlas, a comprehensive map of more than 9 billion possible single-letter DNA changes. The one-petabyte dataset provides artificial intelligence-generated predictions for the molecular effects of these changes, accelerating understanding of the human genome.
Researchers discovered that prehistoric builders deliberately transported enormous 25-tonne stones from Brimham Rocks 18km away to build Britain's tallest stone row, the Devil's Arrows. The study challenges long-held assumptions about ancient monument construction and highlights the importance of landscape and shared belief systems.
SourceCurtin University·JournalProceedings of the Royal Society A Mathematical Physical and Engineering Sciences·TypeImaging analysis
The fossil, known as Charnia, is 560 million years old and preserved in three-dimensional detail, providing rare insights into the earliest animals. Researchers discovered subtle ridges along its branches, which had not been detected in other fossils.
Researchers discovered the stones were hauled from Brimham Rocks, 11 miles west, using 'Isotopic fingerprinting' to match the stones' mineral profiles. The study confirmed a missing stone is hidden in plain sight in Aldborough, proving local legends and 19th-century theories correct.
SourceUniversity of York·JournalProceedings of the Royal Society A Mathematical Physical and Engineering Sciences
Researchers have discovered a novel approach to enhance methane partial oxidation efficiency by creating reconstructed active motifs on Ni/Al2O3 catalysts. This innovation enables low-loading catalysts to achieve high performance, reducing reliance on high metal loadings and providing new opportunities for rational catalyst design.
An international team proposes a physics-aware framework to make AI-guided hydrogen storage materials discovery more reliable. The framework connects reproducibility-aware data, thermodynamics-constrained models, AI-driven inverse design, and experimental validation to create a learning cycle.
A new global framework for insect conservation tackles the major blind spot in biodiversity conservation, proposing locally led research and collaboration. The framework identifies four major obstacles to tropical insect conservation and proposes combining conventional scientific research with regional and non-English literature.
Researchers at Kyoto University developed a molecular strategy to change porous liquid viscosity by more than eight orders of magnitude while retaining its intrinsic porosity. The study used cuboctahedral rhodium-based metal-organic polyhedra with attached flexible polyethylene glycol chains, altering the surface groups to change the c...
SourceKyoto University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeExperimental study
The OrgAIcat framework uses machine learning to predict enantioselectivity in organocatalysis and optimizes reactions. It constructs the iSynth dataset from literature data and develops the R-SPOC descriptor to characterize complex reactions.
Researchers discovered that cancer cells with RET mutations produce higher levels of the OPG protein, which disrupts bone renewal and blocks destruction, favoring bone accumulation. Measuring OPG levels via blood tests could identify and monitor patients with aggressive disease.
A new study found that horse personality is linked to daily management, riding, and care practices, with stable relationships and social housing considered crucial for welfare and behavioral development. Intrinsic factors like age, sex, and breed also play a role.
A child developed erythema ab igne after resting a laptop on his abdomen for hours, highlighting the risk of disfiguration from electronic device heat. The condition, usually clearing up when heat is removed, can also result in persistent pigmentation or malignant transformation in chronic cases.
SourceBMJ Group·JournalBMJ Case Reports·TypeCase study
Research from Monash University and the University of Sydney found that walking at a brisker pace may be the sweet spot for those with sedentary lifestyles, and that every step counts, regardless of pace or daily step count.
SourceMonash University·JournalBritish Journal of Sports Medicine·TypeObservational study
Research found that different combinations of step count and intensity lower risk of early death, with brisk pace for 30 minutes/day and fewer steps at faster pace or more steps at slower pace being associated with lower risk. Higher intensity at lower volume provides health benefits comparable to higher volume at lower intensity.
SourceBMJ Group·JournalBritish Journal of Sports Medicine·TypeObservational study
A study suggests that exposure to Helicobacter pylori may be associated with a 1.6-fold greater risk of bowel cancer, with a potential link to around 1 in 5 cases worldwide. The risk is higher among those born in more recent decades, highlighting the need for further research and preventive strategies.
SourceBMJ Group·JournaleGastroenterology·TypeData/statistical analysis
Researchers introduce a benchmark to assess the physics-awareness of machine learning models for atomic interactions, which translate quantum characteristics into macroscopic physical properties. The benchmark evaluates models' ability to predict thermal and mechanical properties of materials, addressing potential errors in forces that...
Researchers used state-of-the-art computational techniques to reveal fundamental differences in moon formation from a Mars-sized object and Earth 4.5 billion years ago. Material strength of the two ancestral bodies matters in the process, changing how researchers think the planetary collision happened.
SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·TypeComputational simulation/modeling
A new AI tool has been developed to rapidly and accurately measure colonoscopy quality, improving care quality and reducing colorectal cancer mortality. The tool analyzed nearly 19,000 colonoscopies performed by 55 physicians, identifying key moments and tracking quality indicators that cannot be feasibly measured by humans at scale.
A study of 13 drinking water sources in China's Poyang Lake region reveals that river-type sources carry higher risks from antibiotics and resistant bacteria than reservoir-type sources. The findings highlight the importance of considering water source type when designing monitoring and pollution-control strategies.
A systematic review found that hospital-based interventions can improve connection to outpatient treatment for patients with alcohol use disorder, but the evidence is limited and uncertain. The interventions that showed promise combined behavioral strategies and care coordination with medications for AUD or social support.
A new theory maps a common playbook to prevent stakeholder activism from gaining momentum, identifying three phases of corporate strategies that can prevent or discourage stakeholder movements. The researchers propose a systematic approach to understanding organizational repression, which can be effective but also risks backfiring.
Researchers discovered a lower risk of subsequent type 1 diabetes development among individuals under 30 who had COVID-19, especially among unvaccinated individuals. The study found a 16% reduced risk across all variants combined and a 42% lower risk 31-180 days post-infection.
The ACC Latin America 2026 conference will bring together experts and cardiovascular clinicians to examine emerging cardiovascular science and evidence-based strategies for improving global heart health. The conference will also recognize individuals who have earned the distinguished Fellow of the ACC (FACC) designation.
Researchers discovered a hidden weak spot in bacteria's tail-building process, revealing a vulnerability that could be exploited by future drugs. Without a key protein, bacteria's cell wall breaks down, leading to cell death. This finding could help scientists design new antibiotics targeting the same vulnerability.
The Chesapeake Bay saw a 7% increase in underwater grasses in 2025, with gains in salty waters, reaching 89,385 acres. However, regional declines were observed, particularly in the Tidal Fresh Zone and Virginia tributaries due to invasive aquatic plant reductions.
Vitamin E and CBD common in vaping devices can soften lung surfactant, which aids breathing, at high concentrations, according to a new study from the University of Kansas. The study suggests that vaping could potentially hurt lung function, particularly in adolescents whose lungs are still developing.
A team from Helmholtz Munich developed MemBrain v2, an AI tool that automates the analysis of cell membranes in 3D images, cutting work from weeks to hours. The tool locates specific membrane proteins and analyzes their spatial arrangement, showing how cellular processes are organized at the molecular level.
The discovery of the first adult T. rex trackway provides insights into the movement of this iconic predator. The 23-foot-long trackway, consisting of four three-toed footprints, was estimated to be around 66.5 million years old and suggests the T. rex was walking at a pace comparable to a brisk human walking pace.
Researchers used AI models to produce 50 different forecasts of the storm that pushed back the Allies' invasion of Normandy in June 1944. The model incorrectly predicted calm conditions on D-Day, contrary to Captain James Stagg's analysis, which had warned of poor conditions and a higher risk of dangerous winds.
The Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation has awarded six Clinical Investigators $4.8 million to develop new cancer treatments. The grants aim to restore immune defenses to prevent relapse and improve survival in patients with acute myeloid leukemia and other blood cancers.
The vaccine, NXT-2, provides protection against pathogenic fungi while maintaining the balance of beneficial microbes in the gut. The study confirms that the vaccine's immune response does not significantly alter the resident fungi or bacteria populations in the gut.
Research found that after three hours of exposure to pollution, heart rate variability declines, indicating increasing physiological stress on the heart. The study suggests that individuals with cardiovascular conditions or those spending long periods outdoors should take note of air quality alerts.
University journalism programs are filling news deserts by providing community news, but face challenges in maintaining consistency and recognition. The six case studies in the book highlight the pros and cons of university-operated news outlets, including the benefits of faculty expertise and student coverage.
Researchers Ahmedullah Aziz and Sai Swaminathan received NSF CAREER Awards for their projects in superconducting logic systems and AI for community impact. Aziz will develop superconducting electronics for high-performance computing, while Swaminathan is creating low-cost AI devices for local problem-solving.
Researchers discovered PECAM-dependent mechanism for immune cell traffic in the retina, identifying neutrophils as proresolving mediators. Targeting PECAM controlled white blood cell traffic, leading to improved clinical outcomes in uveitis model.
SourceElsevier·JournalAmerican Journal Of Pathology·TypeExperimental study
A new study from the University of Surrey found that the 2022 Mpox outbreak was caused by a weakened form of the virus, which may have helped it spread faster. The virus acquired mutations before spreading globally, resulting in less severe symptoms in patients who unknowingly spread it across borders.
A new study by Concordia researchers reveals that exposure to wildfire smoke during larval development causes higher rates of wing deformities in spruce budworm and forest tent caterpillar moths. The moths also become heavier, a result that may reflect higher mortality among smaller, weaker individuals.
SourceConcordia University·JournalEnvironmental Science and Pollution Research·TypeObservational study
Researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago engineered ribosomes to specialize in one protein, introducing a new platform for synthetic biology. The platform, Ribo-M, physically links a ribosome to messenger RNA, enabling efficient production of unusual proteins, therapeutic molecules, and other engineered products.
The WIN 2026 Symposium will bring together experts to explore advances in precision oncology and strategies for improving personalized cancer care. The symposium, themed Precision Oncology: Innovation and Equity Across the Globe, will feature an international lineup of distinguished oncology and biomedical research leaders.