Using a massage gun on or around the eyes can cause major tearing and bruising to the retina, warns a recent case report. The device's rising popularity highlights the need for clearer manufacturer guidelines and standardised use instructions to prevent such injuries.
A newly discovered jumping gene in a bacterial predator allows it to transfer genes to other species via circular RNA. This process accelerates evolution and challenges current understanding of horizontal gene transfer.
Andrew Monteith, a microbiology professor at the University of Tennessee, has been awarded a four-year funding to explore the role of heat in infection and inflammation. His team aims to develop new models that incorporate temperature signals to better understand immune cell behavior and develop potential treatments.
Researchers found that over-the-counter probiotics contain only 36 unique species of bacteria, with most common species being forms of Lactobacillus. The analysis suggests a lack of consistency in the combination of species used to support gut health and vaginal health claims.
Researchers believe that weaker penalties for misconduct, low investigation likelihood, and minimal perceived consequences contribute to increased misconduct. The study identifies three distinct groups of researchers, each with different perspectives on what drives misconduct.
Researchers developed nanotube membranes that enable ultrafast ion transport, opening new pathways for high-efficiency clean energy generation and lithium recovery. The discovery shows boron nitride nanotubes selectively move lithium ions faster than expected, with potential applications in blue energy generation and battery recycling.
A systematic review of existing research studies recommends improved support for individuals undergoing opioid substitute withdrawal, including specialist training, medication provision, and psychological support. The study aims to improve the success rate of detoxification from opioid substitutes.
A new research project will study the effect of immune cell aging on Parkinson's disease risk and progression. The team aims to identify individuals at greater risk for Parkinson's disease and develop targeted treatments.
A team of scientists has developed a new technology that significantly shortens the development process of aptamers, synthetic alternatives to antibodies. By screening for 'aptamer families' and identifying the best-performing member, researchers can reduce development time from several months to only a few days.
A brain enzyme has been found to build polysialic acid chains on itself, regulating its own activity. The sugar chain acts as a switch, suppressing the enzyme's function when attached. Once removed, the enzyme reactivates outside the cell, offering a new mechanism for regulation and repair.
A new study introduces a comprehensive national measure to assess community readiness for digital health services. The Digital Health Index (DHI) combines socioeconomic conditions, healthcare access, and digital connectivity to identify digitally vulnerable communities.
The top 10% of global consumers are responsible for $1.7-$5.7 trillion in annual environmental damage, exceeding current climate and biodiversity financing commitments. Biodiversity loss accounts for 47-56% of total damages, while climate change accounts for 36-45%.
Researchers from Stellenbosch University found high concentrations of DMSP in Antarctic sea ice, which produces climate-cooling gases when broken down. This discovery highlights the crucial role of the Southern Ocean marginal ice zone in global sulfur cycling and climate regulation.
Scientists have created a practical way to make ultra-black coatings that meet automotive standards, using a composite of carbon black pigment and carbon nanotubes. The resulting color is a deep jet black with excellent long-term stability, opening the door for high-end car models in darker hues.
Researchers developed an mRNA vaccine that targets neuroblastoma, delaying tumour development by 10-11 days and reducing tumour size by 70% in preclinical models. The vaccine uses peptide nanoparticles to target GPC2, a protein found on the surface of neuroblastoma cells.
The Crown Princess Victoria Professorship in Biodiversity at the University of Gothenburg aims to strengthen interdisciplinary research into biodiversity and develop innovative strategies for its conservation. Alexandre Antonelli, a leading researcher, has been appointed to lead this initiative.
Researchers developed a PLA additive that enhances biodegradability without compromising strength or transparency. The modification process improves composting efficiency, making it feasible for home composting bins.
A spatial map of muscle-invasive bladder cancer reveals organized tumor cell states, immune environments, and therapeutic vulnerabilities. Luminal-like cells are found in tumor cores with relevant therapeutic markers, while basal-like cells near margins show signs of aggressiveness. This study guides treatment strategies by accounting ...
A new study of over 10,000 women reveals that those taking hormone therapy are more likely to engage in healthy behaviors such as a balanced diet and regular physical activity. Meanwhile, postmenopausal women who never used hormone therapy reported shorter sleep durations.
A new study from the University of Tokyo finds that a one-off training session increased time spent by fathers on childcare and housework, freeing up mothers to use for their own work. The training corrected common misconceptions about paternity leave and led to significant behavioral change.
A study found that walking in areas with high soot concentrations increases cough and mucus production in people with COPD. However, physical activity remains advisable for those with the condition, as long as busy roads are avoided.
A two-year study of 365 older adults found that high doses of omega-3s from fish oil supplements did not improve memory or cognitive function. Brain scans also showed no shrinkage of the hippocampus, a key brain region for memory.
The Journal of Dental Research and JDR Clinical & Translational Research have announced their 2025 journal impact factors, showing significant growth for JDR. The JDR climbed to #5 in the 'Dentistry, Oral Surgery & Medicine' category with a 2-year impact factor of 6.6.
Researchers have digitized nearly two million weather observations from Canada's colonial history, offering new insights into the country's changing climate. The dataset includes temperature, precipitation, wind, and detailed descriptions of extreme events, revealing a highly variable climate near the end of the Little Ice Age.
A new study from Northwestern University found that fathers without access to paid leave face higher levels of anxiety and depression. The study highlights the critical role paid paternity leave plays in supporting new dads' mental health following the birth of their baby.
A new study at McGill University found that a listener's desire to extend a conversation depends mainly on their interest in the topic, not the speaker's oratorical style. The researchers also discovered that engaging vocal styling is marked by higher loudness and pitch, but this has no impact on conversation length.
The SwRI-led Lucy mission has found that asteroid Donaldjohanson rotates on two axes, with a wobbling pattern observed every 10.5 and 26.5 Earth days.
A new framework for describing military compliance with political preferences has been introduced by a doctoral thesis at Åbo Akademi University. The framework, which proposes four ideal-type roles of the armed forces in policy implementation, is applied to Putin's military campaigns in Georgia and Syria. The results show that Western ...
Researchers developed an AI system called SmartTrap that uses optical tweezers to capture particles, take measurements, and load new samples autonomously. This technology accelerates the analysis of life's smallest components, potentially transforming laboratories in the near future.
A study of nearly 1,000 TikTok videos found that sunscreen misinformation attracts disproportionate audience engagement, with critique-focused content generating more likes, shares, and comments than promotional videos. The analysis highlights the viral potential of contrarian content on TikTok.
Researchers developed a full-space adjoint topological optimization framework for meta-optics, achieving on-demand precise shaping of complex vector fields inside an optical cavity. This breakthrough overcomes limitations of conventional topological optimization and enables subwavelength-scale full-vector wave optimization.
A UCalgary study shows that removing a single gene makes colon cancer cells vulnerable to immunotherapy, allowing them to recognize and attack tumours. The research led by Dr. Arshad Ayyaz discovered that cancer cells secrete a protein that hides from the immune system, but knocking out this gene makes them visible.
Researchers from Nantong University found rich biodiversity and 80 different species of springtails in two nature reserves. They described five new scaled species belonging to three genera of the Entomobryidae family.
Research at UCLA finds that childhood abuse and neglect alter cellular energy production, affecting physical and mental health. Mitochondria in cells produce more energy in response to stress, but this can lead to maladaptive effects over time.
Researchers have discovered a completely unknown type of immune cell, named ruptoblasts, which rewrite our understanding of the immune system. These cells act like cellular grenades, releasing powerful killing agents to destroy pathogens and prevent infection.
A new study published in Science found that trans-vaccenic acid (TVA) in breast milk promotes the development of a broader and more effective immune cell population in mice. TVA exposure during breastfeeding also reprograms immune cells to improve responses to pathogens, leading to faster recovery times from infections.
A UCLA-led team discovered that synchronized electron movement can trigger electrical signals more than 100 times larger than conventional electronic materials. This breakthrough could lead to smaller, more energy-efficient devices using a quantum-like collective state of matter called charge-density-wave.
A nationwide study reveals a rapidly-evolving epidemic of community-associated multidrug resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae across the US, with over 2,000 samples screened from 42 states. The bacteria's genetic blueprint provides critical updates for public health and potential treatment options.
Researchers designed a Ce-Cu2O catalyst with dual active sites to regulate hydrogen utilization in electrochemical nitrate reduction reaction. The new mechanism enables cooperative L-H and E-R hydrogenation processes, improving ammonia selectivity under high current densities.
A new class of ultrathin polymer membranes can rapidly and selectively separate complex hydrocarbon mixtures, reducing the energy required for refinery streams. The breakthrough enables fast liquid transport and high molecular selectivity, promising a far more energy-efficient alternative to thermal distillation.
A new lab-on-a-chip platform, CellTrap, visualizes individual cell contacts to better understand the effectiveness of immunotherapies. The platform shows that early activation signals in immune cells indicate a cell-damaging effect later in cell-cell interactions.
Scientists at the National Graphene Institute have captured the growth of semiconducting tellurium nanostructures in real time, revealing how tiny seed particles form and grow into nanowires. Adding bismuth seed particles can speed up the process and improve the structure's shape.
Arctic Ocean 2050 brings together over 500 researchers and advanced technologies to generate fundamental and applied knowledge. Paul E. Renaud, new program director, will lead the initiative from October 2026, focusing on balancing conservation with resource use.
A new study published in JMIR Serious Games suggests that playing open-world adventure games can lower loneliness levels and increase stoicism in adults. The research found that specific types of games, such as The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Yoshi's Crafted World, provide a 'digital diet' for emotional well-being.
A cohort study of over 1.8 million Canadian adults found that shorter prescription courses, single medication, and short-acting agents are associated with lower rates of long-term benzodiazepine use. This study provides valuable insights for informing prescribing practices to reduce reliance on these medications.
Insilico Medicine will showcase its core capabilities and latest R&D pipeline at the BIO 2026 International Convention. The company's CEO, Dr. Alex Zhavoronkov, will present four featured speeches on AI-driven drug discovery and quantum technology-enabled research.
The Mars Organic Molecule Analyzer (MOMA) instrument distinguishes between chiral variants of pristane and phytane, which are promising indicators of past life on Mars. The researchers used samples from the Murchison meteorite, finding all chiral variants in equal proportions.
A new study develops a HZSM-5 coated biochar catalyst that turns wet torrefied Chlorella microalgae into valuable aromatic hydrocarbons. The process achieves high aromatic selectivity and reduces unwanted compounds, making it a promising strategy for upgrading nitrogen-rich biomass.
The Dutch trading ship "Dom van Keulen" has been identified as the centuries-old shipwreck discovered off the south coast of England holding 400 gold coins. The cargo included African gold, gum arabic, and saltpetre, providing important context for 17th-century maritime trade.
New research reveals orangutans selectively consume certain medicinal plants in specific sequences, suggesting 'self-medication' behaviors. The study, based on 20 years of observations, found plant combinations with known medicinal benefits are eaten consistently beyond simple nutrition needs.
A two-year study found that pairing moderate drainage with biochar may reduce methane and carbon dioxide losses from agricultural peat soils. Biochar treatment reduced cumulative carbon dioxide emissions by up to 52%, while maintaining soil carbon stores.
A large Danish study found that bending forwards and walking a lot at work during early pregnancy may increase the risk of miscarriage. The study associated each additional hour of forward bending with a 36% higher risk, while walking was linked to an 18% higher risk.
Research reveals genetic variations linked to obesity are more strongly associated with high BMI in younger generations, suggesting a stronger link between genetics and environment
The scientific computing community must integrate AI with simulation and focus on energy-efficient methods due to increasing design constraints. The authors propose a suite of workflow-shaped benchmarks and a 'moonshot' to build a new foundation benefiting both fields.
A team of neuroscientists highlights the distinction between intelligence and consciousness, warning against confusing AI systems with human-like emotions and experiences. Decades of research support their argument, citing examples like blindsight, which demonstrates intelligent behavior without conscious experience.
Researchers created a high-bandwidth particle detection system combining artificial diamonds and custom microchips to measure advanced accelerator beams. The system performed extremely well, exceeding expectations and providing clean signals across a wide dynamic range.
Scientists create microscopic 3D light-emitting ceramic structures using chemical synthesis and advanced laser-based 3D printing, enabling the fabrication of single-phase crystalline YAG:Ce³⁺ with high precision. This technology has the potential to transform the design and manufacturing of optical devices, leading to more energy-effic...
Researchers have updated Abrams' Law to account for fly ash in concrete mix design, producing accurate strength predictions and paving the way for sustainable structures. The new formula has been tested across various conditions, with results showing strong correlation between compressive strength and water-binder ratio.
Researchers developed a gene therapy that restored normal brain activity and improved behavior in mice with Fragile X syndrome by replacing the missing FMRP protein. The treatment administered during early development showed significant improvements in cognitive flexibility, social interactions, and probabilistic reversal learning.
A previously inactive moss gene plays a key role in their reproductive success, regulating the number of offspring and improving resource allocation. The study found that this gene acts as a brake, preventing too many sporophytes from developing, which is advantageous for parental resources.