A new review reveals that microplastics can change the mobility, bioavailability, ecological toxicity, and food-chain transfer of heavy metals, but the direction and magnitude of these changes differ substantially among metals. Biodegradable plastics are not automatically environmentally safer in metal-contaminated soils.
Autophagy plays a central role in gastric cancer cell survival and treatment response to cisplatin. Controlling autophagy could make cancer cells more vulnerable to chemotherapy.
Rice engineers use electrical charge to control therapeutic peptide release from gelatin-based materials, enabling longer-lasting treatments. The study improves peptide retention and reduces initial burst release, offering potential for tailored release profiles in regenerative applications.
Excess body fat promotes chronic inflammation, telomere shortening, mitochondrial dysfunction, and other age-related changes, accelerating the aging process. Weight loss interventions and anti-obesity therapies may partially reverse these changes, improving metabolic function and reducing biological markers linked to aging.
A growing understanding of RNA biology reveals that N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is a key regulator of nervous system development and a potential contributor to neurological damage caused by toxic environmental exposures. Disruptions in m6A regulation have been linked to various neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's, Parkinson'...
Researchers explore ferroptosis as a promising strategy to treat prostate cancer. Ferroptosis is a distinct form of regulated cell death that occurs when there is excessive accumulation of reactive oxygen species and oxidative damage to polyunsaturated fatty acid-containing membrane lipids.
A University of Oklahoma researcher is receiving a five-year, $2 million NCI grant to investigate how pancreatic cancer uses cholesterol to survive chemotherapy. The research aims to identify new ways to treat this deadliest form of cancer by uncovering the biological processes that help tumors thrive.
Tumors expressing POU2F3, a tuft cell master regulator, represent a distinct molecular class of 'tuft cell-like' cancers. These tumors exhibit unique biological characteristics that may create new opportunities for diagnosis and targeted therapy.
Emerging evidence suggests that Fabry disease involves a complex network of biological disturbances, including oxidative stress, inflammation, and mitochondrial dysfunction. New findings highlight the importance of kidney podocyte injury, disrupted energy metabolism, and immune cell involvement in organ damage.
The Local Volume Mapper is capturing light to reveal the physics and chemistry of stellar birthplaces across vast expanses of the sky in unprecedented detail. Astronomers are analyzing specific spectral lines to map the precise temperature, density, chemical abundance, and motion of interstellar gas.
A new research perspective proposes that developmental and growth programs continue operating beyond their beneficial period, driving aging. Programmatic mechanisms of aging are supported by evidence from animal models and experimental observations.
Scientists discover PIWI proteins and piRNAs play key role in controlling stem cells' identity, repair tissues, and develop specialized cell types through epigenetic regulation. The pathway has potential as both biomarker and therapeutic target for treating diseases such as cancer, bone disorders, and neurodegenerative conditions.
Ménière’s disease is a complex inner ear disorder with diverse symptoms, influenced by genetic susceptibility, immune dysfunction, viral infection, inflammation, and ion regulation. A new review proposes the endolymphatic sac as a central site where multiple factors converge, leading to endolymphatic hydrops and disease progression.
Researchers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute have developed a protein degrader discovery platform that identifies molecular glues that can target disease-related proteins for elimination. The team discovered the first molecular glue degrader, M12, which is metabolically activated and can degrade multiple cancer-related proteins.
The 46th COSPAR Scientific Assembly addressed the challenge of preserving dark and quiet skies for astronomical observations and satellite technology. The session considered scientific, technical, operational, and regulatory perspectives to balance benefits with environmental and societal concerns.
The NFDI4Earth consortium facilitates access to environmental and climate data, while the DAPHNE4NFDI consortium preserves large-scale measurement datasets for long-term reuse. The NFDI-MatWerk and FAIRmat consortia develop common standards and digital tools for materials research, enabling faster and more targeted material development.
Researchers identified a recurring setup of atmospheric conditions that lead to prolonged periods of intense rainfall. The study found that existing operational weather forecasts can capture these large-scale patterns, paving the way for more accurate predictions of high-impact southwest monsoon events.
A UTHealth Houston-led team has created the most complete genetic profile of the brown rat, revealing a more complex DNA than previously understood. The assembly provides a complete genetic fingerprint and uncovers over 60 new genes, including those involved in immunity and biological processes.
Assistant Professor Haonan Ling is exploring virtual solutions to biomanufacturing for the Genesis Mission, which aims to strengthen America's energy industry and national security. The project could significantly accelerate the development and deployment of sustainable biomanufacturing for fuels and chemicals.
Astronomers observed a rare cosmic event where a massive star's shock breakout was detected without a typical gamma-ray burst. The star's characteristics matched other supernovae that produced gamma-ray bursts, but no jet was found.
A team of researchers from BrainLinks-BrainTools proposes a new model for understanding the neural processes involved in movement planning. They demonstrate how neurons in the premotor cortex communicate with both inhibitory and excitatory neurons in the primary motor cortex, enabling precise execution of planned movements.
A recent study by MSU entomologists found that urban growers' use of pollinator management practices is driven more by access to educational resources and labor than demographics. The researchers surveyed 74 urban growers and found that hard-copy books, online materials, and conversations with fellow growers were the most commonly used...
A digital treatment concept, PRO B, combines close monitoring via an app with on-demand in-person care to alleviate fatigue and improve daily life for patients with metastatic breast cancer. The approach has been shown to reduce exhaustion, improve physical functioning, and decrease hospital visits.
A Montana State University team found that severe snow droughts are four times less frequent in the western US during the preindustrial era compared to today. The study used computer models and historical data to simulate winters under two different climates, revealing a significant difference in drought frequency.
New research finds that investment opportunities, financial constraints, and operating profiles are key drivers of company tax rates. Factors such as CEO management styles also play a significant role in determining effective tax rates.
A new study by UC Santa Cruz researchers uses paleogenomics to create a genetic roadmap for the restoration of the continent's largest land mammal. The findings reveal that North American bison differ in their overall size, body shape, and coat due to adaptations to distinct regional habitats.
Scientists created a platform that pinpoints genetic triggers for microbes to produce new chemicals and materials. The method enables rapid, precise reprogramming of bacteria as biotechnology tools, supporting the domestic production of valuable products.
A study by CU Anschutz researchers found that nearly 40% of Colorado's 46 county jails lacked publicly available opioid treatment policies, hindering the implementation of life-saving treatments. The lack of transparency and comprehensive policies poses significant barriers to care for incarcerated people with opioid use disorder.
A new study explains how ants synchronize their movements using a mathematical model, revealing that a single active ant can trigger a rapid chain reaction through the colony. The research suggests that individual workers play a crucial role in coordinating collective behavior, operating at high speeds to transmit information efficiently.
Researchers have found a new compound that promotes joint health and reduces inflammation-related genes in a model of osteoarthritis. The drug, M04, has shown promise as an innovative OA therapy by slowing down the disease process, giving people more years of pain-free living.
Researchers at Ohio State University have developed a process for converting carbon dioxide and industrial waste into green hydrogen, producing valuable mineral products. The technology reduces energy requirements and creates negative emissions, paving the way for widespread adoption and economic benefits.
Research found that six gratitude interventions had a greater impact than three control measures, with greatest effect from social connection-based practice. Gratitude interventions led to improvements in psychological states linked to human flourishing, including positive affect, feelings of social reciprocity, and life satisfaction.
Scientists are working to provide geodiversity data to researchers, helping close the gap in understanding ecosystems. By analyzing satellite data, they can capture more than just the mean environment, revealing microclimates that support specific species.
Astronomers discovered a cosmic river of gas that tilted the outer ring of GW Orionis, causing its orbital plane to deviate from its expected orientation. This finding suggests that streamers may play a significant role in shaping planetary systems.
New study sheds light on the brain's 'searchlight' mechanism, where grid cells subtly probe the environment to guide navigation. Researchers used a low-tech method to measure rats' attention and found that grid cell sweeps follow prey, suggesting a more complex brain function than previously thought.
A low-fat vegan diet reduces dietary energy density by 30%, enabling participants to eat satisfying amounts of food while taking in fewer calories and losing weight. This approach allows for greater flexibility and sustainability in weight management, focusing on the composition of the diet rather than calorie restriction.
Researchers developed a wearable device that measures blood flow through tiny vessels beneath the skin and associates it with mental health symptoms. The study found moderate success in distinguishing between people reporting stress-related symptoms and those who did not.
A study by OIST researchers has developed a physics-based model to reproduce and predict individual ant movement. The model uses stochastic, or random, modeling to analyze video recordings of ants exploring laboratory environments, allowing for the derivation of predictions about their behavior in new environments.
A Brazilian engineer's family is diagnosed with hereditary medullary carcinoma after genetic testing reveals an inherited mutation in the RET gene. The condition was initially reactive but shifted to preventive and precision strategies, allowing for earlier interventions and improved outcomes.
A new open-source toolkit called 'egg' has been developed to simplify the process of optimizing software tools, such as compilers and synthesizers. The toolkit uses data structures known as 'equality graphs' to compare different approaches and determine the most efficient configurations.
A new study found that hypertension patients are more likely to follow doctors' recommendations for medication than make lifestyle changes. The Health Belief Model suggests that perceptions of personal risk and disease severity influence treatment intentions.
A new study reveals that Siberian permafrost regions are emitting large amounts of methane, with emissions rising by 12.0 Tg between 2010 and 2023. The increase is driven by climate change, with western Siberia experiencing warmer conditions and eastern Siberia becoming drier, leading to an accelerating growth in methane emissions.
Researchers used fossil skulls and virtual models to find that the neocortex's expansion was tied to increased visual input. The study challenges a long-held idea about how primates developed large brains.
Early humans likely consumed substantial amounts of carbohydrates, including natural sugars from fruits and honey, to fuel brain growth and development. The new review challenges the dominant idea that meat was the primary driver of brain evolution.
Researchers discovered that Candida auris uses chitin to create a 'perfect nest' on the skin, evading immune clearance. This understanding offers potential targets for preventing C. auris persistence and may help explain how it becomes deadly in vulnerable patients.
A global review of snakebite data reveals strong correlations between outdoor work, rainy seasons, and limited access to healthcare education. Targeted policies can reduce snakebite risk through workplace safety, rural development, and health education initiatives.
SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases·TypeSystematic review·DateAug 6, 2026
New study finds replacing functioning gasoline vehicles with EVs reduces lifetime greenhouse gas emissions. Even a relatively new vehicle's scrappage and replacement with an EV can deliver substantial climate benefits.
A team of researchers has successfully designed complete, functional bacteriophage genomes using AI, which could enable the creation of more durable phage-based therapies. The study also highlights important biosafety and biosecurity concerns that must be addressed to prevent potential harm.
A four-million-year study modelled the glucose needs of humans and their ancestors, finding natural sugars supplied energy for growing brains before cooking made starch-rich foods easier to digest. The research suggests earliest hominins were highly reliant on carbohydrate-rich foods, particularly fruit.
A new study reveals that snail mucus's mechanical properties are fine-tuned by collagen and calcium for different tasks. The research found that collagen VI is the primary structural component, while differences in collagen content and amorphous calcium carbonate determine unique properties.
Research from University of California - Santa Cruz shows battery electric cars produce less carbon emissions than internal combustion engines. Replacing a functional gas-powered vehicle with an EV leads to significant emission reduction benefits, making it the right choice for environmentally conscious consumers.
Researchers used earthquake-monitoring equipment to study hurricanes, revealing key details about storm evolution and intensification. Seismometers detected ground movements, while infrasound microphones monitored atmospheric pressure, providing valuable information on hurricane conditions.
Methane emissions from Siberia have more than doubled over the past decade due to rapid warming and increasing wildfires. The study highlights a sharp rise in potent greenhouse gas emissions driven by Arctic warming, posing significant challenges to meet global climate goals.
Researchers discovered that moth flies use a different genetic pathway than fruit flies to establish the head-to-tail axis. The odd-paired gene ensures correct body segment formation, but its expression is earlier and localized to the egg's prospective head region in moth flies.
A recent study by researchers at Nagoya University found that low-frequency noise below 100 Hz can cause blood vessel damage to kidneys in mice. The study suggests that the frequency of noise matters more than its loudness, with high-frequency noise having no effect on kidney function.
The Altmetric MCP brings real-world engagement data into AI workflows, capturing broader research impact beyond citation counts. This enables medical affairs teams and researchers to demonstrate the value of their work across societal platforms.
A new study investigates the efficacy of stem cell injections for treating knee osteoarthritis, finding that MSC potency can be predicted through lab-based tests. Patients who showed improved pain and mobility scores had MSCs with enhanced anti-inflammatory effects.
A study led by Dr. Michael Harrison found that regional dips in oxygen levels serve as a signal for the coordinated growth of heart muscle and coronary vessels. The system operates as a self-limiting feedback loop, with epicardial cells detecting hypoxia to activate genes that orchestrate expansion.
Leaders in quantum science and technology will gather for the summit to explore applications of quantum physics, including data security and electronics. Researchers are also developing programs to train professionals in quantum information sciences.
Researchers examine how chronic stress, trauma, and violence shape physical health and well-being across the lifespan. The editorial highlights a special issue of 16 empirical papers synthesizing research on childhood adversity, protective factors, and biological embedding of trauma over time.