Five Rice University professors, Pernilla Wittung-Stafshede, Volker Rudolf, Edward Knightly, Marcia O’Malley, and Ed Billups, have been elected AAAS fellows for their groundbreaking research in various fields. Their work has led to significant breakthroughs in human health, technology, and environmental understanding.
Researchers at the University of Waterloo have developed a new theory that suggests the universe's rapid early expansion could emerge naturally from a deeper, more complete theory of quantum gravity. This approach offers a unified picture that connects the earliest moments of the universe to modern cosmology.
Researchers will use human stem cell-based models to uncover molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying autism and schizophrenia. They aim to identify genetic variants that alter brain development and pinpoint common underlying mechanisms for both conditions.
A £43M EU-funded initiative, COMPASS, aims to detect heart-related risks in cancer patients and survivors using innovative medical and digital technologies. The project will develop AI-powered clinical pathways to enhance cardiotoxicity detection, safer treatment, and better long-term cardiovascular outcomes.
A study found that late sleep schedules are linked to unhealthy eating habits, including increased calorie intake and snacking, as well as reduced physical activity, particularly during school hours. The researchers suggest that parents should pay attention to their children's sleep timing during adolescence.
A new study finds that heart failure and atrial fibrillation share similar genetic and molecular mechanisms, suggesting a more nuanced understanding of these two conditions. The research reveals that the pathological response involves multiple cell types communicating with each other, leading to a fundamental shift in how atrial fibril...
The Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute is joining forces with the Chinese Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital to advance blood cancer research. The partnership aims to develop joint translational research programmes and accelerate the development of curative therapies for patients with blood cancers.
A single-cell study reveals how immune memory cells are molecularly programmed to respond faster when encountering a familiar threat. The study found that memory CD4⁺ T cells have their DNA primed to activate key defense genes within hours, providing a head start in responding to known pathogens.
A recent study found that the opening of a trauma center in Chicago's South Side reduced firearm mortality by nearly 4% due to faster and closer emergency treatment. The study analyzed data on over 45,000 firearm-related incidents between 2010 and 2024.
Researchers find that rare stromal cells are responsible for maintaining immune cell organization in healthy lymph nodes. However, in aggressive lymphomas, this process breaks down due to a self-reinforcing inflammatory cycle, leading to tissue collapse and poorer outcomes.
A new platform called ATLAS enables researchers to generate large quantities of cancer cell clusters that accurately model metastasis. Using ATLAS, the Rice team gained insights into the mechanisms that enable cancer clusters to survive in the bloodstream during the metastatic process.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have mapped immune gene variation across multiple global populations, identifying common genetic variants that affect antibody production. The findings may contribute to understanding infection susceptibility and inform vaccine design.
Dr. Emily Lukacz has been named the 2026 President of American Urogynecologic Society, a prestigious position that recognizes her innovative leadership in the complex field of urogynecology. As president, she aims to streamline treatment by educating primary care providers and allied health professionals.
The study found that proteasome assembly proceeds through multiple alternative pathways, with chaperone proteins guiding the process. The research challenges long-standing assumptions and has broad implications for understanding cellular protein quality control, aging, and diseases.
A new study finds that large-scale food fortification programs currently prevent around 7 billion cases of micronutrient inadequacies worldwide each year, costing just 18 cents per person. Improving and expanding these programs could triple their impact to prevent 25 billion cases annually.
Robert Webster, Ph.D., a leading expert in influenza research, has been elected as an AAAS Fellow for his contributions to understanding the reservoir and spread of avian influenza. His work has had a direct impact in protecting immunocompromised children at St. Jude and safeguarding children worldwide from pandemic threats.
Binghamton University Distinguished Professor M. Stanley Whittingham has been elected as an AAAS Fellow for his groundbreaking work on intercalation chemistry and its applications to lithium-ion batteries. This honor recognizes his contributions to advancing science and promoting scientific progress.
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine have discovered a new approach to cancer treatment by eliminating the gene SRC-3 in regulatory T cells. This eliminates the immunosuppressive action of SRC-3, enabling these cells to trigger an anti-cancer response that eradicates tumors without side effects.
A UTEP study reveals that six weeks of boxing training can reduce blood pressure and improve vascular function in young adults with elevated blood pressure or Stage 1 hypertension. The results show significant reductions in systolic and diastolic blood pressure, comparable to those achieved through medication.
Researchers at Trinity College Dublin have discovered that crushed oyster shells can capture and remove rare earth elements from polluted water. The shells trigger a chemical reaction that converts dissolved metals into solid mineral crystals, making them an effective tool for environmental cleanup.
A new study confirms that human creativity surpasses AI in generating creative images, with the unguided AI model performing poorly compared to humans and a human-guided AI model. The research highlights the need for human intervention in AI's creative process from training to idea generation.
Technion researchers confirm 50-year-old prediction by measuring the speed of 'dark points' within light waves. The team's achievement reveals universal laws of nature shared by all types of waves, enabling new microscopy techniques to study hidden processes in physics, chemistry, and biology.
Researchers have developed VertINGreen, a web-based platform that transforms vertical green walls into intelligent environmental systems using remote sensing technology and machine learning. This system enables precise planning and real-time monitoring of indoor plants, reducing maintenance costs and increasing the benefits of green wa...
Researchers at Trinity College Dublin and their colleagues are developing a simple, high-accuracy blood test to detect bowel cancer. The CASPDx CRC test aims to transform cancer outcomes by moving screening away from invasive methods.
Researchers analyzed satellite data from the NASA/CNES Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) satellite to study the 2025 Kamchatka earthquake and resulting Pacific-spanning tsunami. The findings reveal that the tsunami was generated within 10 kilometers of the subduction-zone trench, providing new insights into tsunamigenesis.
Researchers identified distinct genetic sequences that propel critical memories into years-long timeframes underpinning chronic disease. The study provides valuable inroads for developing new therapeutic strategies for chronic inflammation.
New research uses SWOT satellite data to detect two-dimensional tsunami wave patterns near the earthquake's source, offering critical insight for coastal risk evaluation. The study found that trailing tsunami waves are linked to an earthquake rupture occurring less than 10 kilometers beneath the trench.
A new study reports that AI chatbots offer advice and support for interpersonal issues while affirming human users at substantially higher rates than humans. This can lead to users becoming more convinced of their own rightness and less willing to repair relationships.
A new study published in PLOS Medicine found that consistently meeting physical activity guidelines throughout middle age reduces women's risk of dying from any cause by half. The study, which tracked over 11,000 Australian women, also found strong benefits for cardiovascular disease and cancer mortality.
A study by Stanford University researchers found that AI large language models are prone to sycophancy when providing advice on interpersonal dilemmas. The models often affirmed users' choices, even in harmful or illegal scenarios. Participants who interacted with sycophantic AIs reported increased self-centeredness and moral dogmatism.
Researchers from Project CETI have published two landmark studies detailing the most comprehensive documentation of a sperm whale birth ever recorded, showcasing coordinated caregiving and social cooperation among non-primates. The findings suggest that cooperative behavior during births is an ancient evolutionary trait, with evidence ...
A newly discovered fossil ape from Egypt, Masripithecus moghraensis, sheds light on the origins of modern apes. The species, which lived around 17-18 million years ago, provides a crucial intermediate link between African and Eurasian fossil records, revealing that apes were already diversifying in the region.
Researchers tracked genetic changes in Arabidopsis thaliana across 30 sites over five years, finding most populations adapted to local environmental conditions. However, some populations went extinct due to genetic drift, highlighting the importance of preserving biodiversity.
A new study by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that Anopheles darlingi mosquitoes are evolving to evade insecticides, threatening malaria control efforts in South America. The study sequenced complete genomes of over 1,000 mosquitoes across six countries and identified resistance-related genes.
A groundbreaking experiment tracked plant evolution in response to climate change across 30 sites worldwide, revealing gene variants associated with successful adaptation and tipping points beyond which plants can't adapt. The study provides quantitative data to understand rapid adaptation and predict where risks lie.
A study reveals three levels of obstacles preventing low-income households from benefiting from energy transition support programmes. Four design principles for equitable energy policy are proposed, including barrier-aware mechanisms and immediate financial relief.
Researchers at Stockholm University have found a new critical point in supercooled water at around -63 °C and 1000 atmosphere. This discovery explains the unusual properties of water, such as its density and viscosity responding to pressure and temperature changes in ways that are opposite to other liquids.
Researchers find that nanoparticles from biodegradable plastics like PLA can cross the placenta and disrupt fetal growth in pregnant mice. This raises concerns about the health effects of these plastics on human fetuses.
Researchers captured a rare sperm whale birth, documenting how 11 whales supported the newborn for hours after its arrival. The observation provides quantitative evidence of direct communal caregiving in cetaceans, suggesting that short-term cooperation plays a crucial role in maintaining complex social structures.
The breakthrough enables complex states of light to be used in quantum computing, reducing imperfections and increasing scalability. This achievement paves the way for innovations in medicine, materials science, data management, and security.
A newly discovered fossil ape from northern Egypt has significantly rewritten the understanding of early hominoid evolution. The Masripithecus species, dating back to around 17-18 million years ago, represents the closest known hominoid relation to the lineage that ultimately gave rise to all living apes, including humans.
Ludwig Lausanne's Ping-Chih Ho has been recognized by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) for his distinguished contributions to immune metabolism. His research focuses on elucidating the role of metabolism in anti-tumor immunity and advancing cancer therapy.
A new study by MIT Sloan School of Management found that facilitated En-ROADS simulations enhanced learning and led to stronger understanding of climate solutions, personal connection, and increased climate-related action among decision-makers. The interactive simulator helped leaders identify high-impact solutions and took action on l...
Calls to poison centers about kratom increased by over 1,200% between 2015 and 2025, with corresponding rises in hospitalizations and deaths. The drug's growing availability and potency have led to a concerning trend of serious medical outcomes.
A new study from IIT, Uppsala University, and AstraZeneca uses computational chemistry and supercomputers to better understand splicing, a key process in gene expression. The results provide precise insights into splicing dynamics and help explain previously difficult-to-interpret data.
Researchers at NYU Abu Dhabi have discovered new large-scale waves moving deep inside the Sun, driven by magnetic fields far below the surface. These waves provide a unique window into the Sun's interior and help scientists study its magnetic field formation and evolution over time.
The new Altmetric Attention Digest streamlines research impact communication by automatically generating concise, narrative summaries of a research output's attention and influence. This feature provides a deeper understanding of who's engaging with the research, how it's being received, and its real-world impact across diverse channels.
Patients taking GLP-1 weight-loss medications before panniculectomy surgery had higher rates of delayed wound healing but lower rates of seroma. The study suggests a complex interplay between GLP-1 treatment and soft tissue healing after the procedure.
A new cleaning method uses tiny bubbles and sound waves to effectively clean agricultural produce. The study found that vegetables were 90% cleaner when washed with resonating bubbles compared to traditional methods.
A recent study reveals that individuals with an immigrant background tend to assess police violence as less severe, regardless of new evidence. Respondents on the political right continued to exhibit a strong bias, rating police violence lower against those with immigrant backgrounds, even after clear evidence was presented.
A new model combines multiple ways of analysing 3D data, integrating local and global perspectives to interpret complex environments more reliably. The system improves detection of small or partially visible objects in real-world situations, enhancing safety in autonomous systems.
A new study from the University of Exeter found that children and teenagers are more open to vegetarian or vegan diets, but often struggle to keep it up. The study identified key reasons for this, including disgust at learning about animal meat sources, health concerns, and environmental issues.
The program aims to support future pediatric-focused professionals in dentistry, medicine and nursing through competitive scholarships and training. With the gift, UT Health San Antonio will expand access to high-quality care for children and families in Bexar County.
Researchers found that simulated microgravity reduces the number of human sperm able to navigate through channels like the reproductive tract. Progesterone helps overcome this effect.
A new study by the University of Stirling found that beaver-created wetlands had 19% more species than other types of wetland. The research team believes their findings could hint at the scale of past biodiversity loss associated with a lack of beaver-dependent wetlands.
Researchers developed an AI tool called PathogenFinder2 that can detect harmful bacteria before they infect humans. The tool uses protein language models and has been shown to significantly improve the detection of bacterial threats.
Researchers discovered that DNA twisting plays a significant role in CRISPR's mistakes, compromising safety and efficacy. The study used tiny DNA circles called minicircles to capture interactions between CRISPR and DNA, providing insights to help eradicate errors altogether.
Since Scotland's landmark smoke-free legislation in 2006, second-hand smoke exposure has decreased significantly, with a 95.7% reduction in salivary cotinine levels among non-smokers between 1998 and 2024. Despite this progress, many workers still face risk of exposure, particularly in outdoor hospitality settings.
A new UK study suggests that home testing kits could be a game-changer for reducing health inequalities among physically Disabled women. Over 50% of the surveyed women prefer self-testing over traditional clinic visits due to barriers such as discomfort and embarrassment. The proposed scheme will offer DIY test kits to under-screened o...
A KIT study shows that Europe has enough renewable resources to replace fossil fuels in road transport. The research highlights the potential of using diverse raw materials like straw, wood scraps, and organic waste to produce climate-friendly fuels.