The American College of Physicians recommends estrogen therapy as the first-line treatment for perimenopausal and postmenopausal women experiencing menopausal vasomotor symptoms, which include hot flashes and night sweats. For women without a uterus, estrogen monotherapy is also a viable option.
A new study finds that individuals with dementia who are overweight or obese tend to live longer than those in a normal weight range. The researchers suggest that nutrition may play a key role in the health and survival of people with dementia, pointing to potential benefits of excess weight in this context.
A recent study published in the American Journal of Public Health found significant political differences in perceptions of vaccine safety and effectiveness. Respondents perceived the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine as the safest and most effective, while the COVID-19 vaccine received lower ratings. The study highlights the importa...
A liquid-crystal-integrated metalens enables two bright-field imaging states and one interference-synthesized edge-enhanced state. The device uses polarization-multiplexed metalens to select different imaging responses without moving the meta-device or applying digital post-processing.
Dr Bolortsetseg Minjin, a renowned Mongolian palaeontologist, has been awarded a state honour medal for her efforts to protect and repatriate fossils, including dinosaur-themed science. The award recognizes her work to recover and repatriate Mongolian dinosaur fossils that were illegally being exported.
A global review of observed climate change impacts on plant communities in Mediterranean ecosystems reveals major gaps in monitoring and understanding. The study found that evidence of climate change effects is unevenly distributed and lacks modern causal inference approaches, highlighting the need for coordinated research to strengthe...
Astronomers have discovered a star slowly consuming a brown dwarf, 300 light years away, in a system that challenges the traditional view of stellar cannibalism. The slow stellar cannibalism could carry on for hundreds of thousands, or even billions of years, offering an alternative to the star swallowing its companion.
A new study highlights the limitations of forensic techniques, including sniffer dogs, bloodstain pattern analysis, and ballistics evidence. The research argues that greater scrutiny is needed to ensure accurate and reliable presentation of forensic evidence in courts.
A UVM study found that lake trout embryos developing in Lake Champlain accumulated substantial amounts of thiamine, while lab-reared embryos showed no increase. The findings suggest that developing embryos may be able to uptake sufficient concentrations of thiamine to offset problems due to thiamine deficiency.
A study by Paul Berghuis and colleagues reveals that young dune landscapes exhibit fixed patterns, with marram grass density playing a crucial role in shaping the landscape. The researchers found that the distribution of dune sizes and the speed at which they merge are in line with the physics of phase separation.
Researchers Karl Deisseroth, Peter Hegemann, and Georg Nagel have been awarded the 2026 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their work on light-gated ion channels and optogenetics. Their discoveries have revolutionized brain research and opened new avenues for understanding neural circuits and developing new treatments.
Chemical Insights will share research on chemical and exposure safety at the ISES Annual Meeting, highlighting impacts on human health. The symposium will feature five presentations, one workshop, and six poster sessions on chemical emissions and exposure safety.
A recent position paper argues that systemic racism is often assumed to be the default explanation for racial disparities in sociology, stifling debate and challenging alternative explanations. This assumption has far-reaching implications, including altering conceptions of harm, justice, and group identity.
The Mount Sinai Tisch Cancer Center has implemented a real-time EHR-to-EDC technology platform, reducing clinical trial data-entry time by over half and improving data accuracy. The platform automatically transfers 70% of data with 100% accuracy, freeing up research teams to focus on patient care and advancing research.
A new study models C. diff transmission in oncology units, revealing that asymptomatic colonized patients are the primary source of new infections. The model provides a clearer picture of C. diff transmission events and could help inform protocols to prevent future disease transmission.
Chronic exposure to cigarette smoke reprograms lung stem cells, making them vulnerable to specific cancer-causing gene alterations. Researchers found that cigarette smoke altered both epigenetic programming and gene expression in lung stem cells, creating distinct precancerous cell states.
Researchers developed a system of mathematical equations to examine interactions between interventions and post-infection effects. The team found that even small post-infection costs could shift the optimal vaccine coverage to higher rates, even to elimination levels.
A new editorial emphasizes the need to prioritize nurse staffing and supportive work environments to address the health impacts of extreme heat. The authors argue that building climate resilience requires ensuring bedside nurses have the necessary resources to deliver timely care and continuous surveillance during heat events.
The review proposes co-designing oncolytic viruses and CAR cells to overcome solid tumor barriers, enabling a self-amplifying therapeutic system. Oncolytic viruses can be engineered to deliver payloads, expanding target recognition and maintaining CAR cell function.
A candy-coated device called Lollylab can detect acetaminophen levels in saliva in under two minutes, making it a potential tool for monitoring medication levels. The device, which uses a graphene sensor, was tested on six adults and found to be reliable and comfortable to use.
Researchers developed a thin-film lithium niobate integrated photonic receiver for high-resolution dual-band radar, achieving a 12 GHz equivalent bandwidth and 1.27 cm ranging resolution. The device integrates electro-optic modulation and microwave demultiplexing on a single chip, reducing system size and weight.
Karl Deisseroth, Peter Hegemann, and Georg Nagel discovered channelrhodopsin, enabling light-controlled nerve signals in the brain. This breakthrough has enabled neuroscientists to study brain function and neural circuits, paving the way for new research and therapeutic efforts.
Researchers Karl Deisseroth, Peter Hegemann and Georg Nagel awarded the 2026 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their groundbreaking discoveries in optogenetics. Their work established the use of light-sensitive proteins to control specific cells with light, enabling precise optical control of neurons.
Researchers developed a programmable platform capable of rotating single cells along arbitrary axes and switching between distinct rotational modes. The platform uses a plasmonic substrate with localized temperature gradients and depletion forces to confine cells, enabling highly flexible control of forces and torques.
A study of mental health stigma in Japan found that high levels of social distancing toward people with mental illness serve as a barrier to care. However, a sense of 'mattering' may encourage treatment. Prior treatment experience and beliefs about treatment efficacy were also associated with greater treatment-seeking willingness.
Researchers demonstrate that potassium can act as an ultralow-loss plasmonic metal, overcoming the conventional loss-confinement tradeoff. The new fabrication method called slipping-assisted oxide-free crystallization enables centimeter-scale potassium films with low optical damping and strong optical confinement.
Researchers, led by Melissa Omand, are using AI to analyze underwater images of marine snow particles, which carry carbon, nutrients, and pollution. The project aims to improve estimates of material movement through the ocean and better understand climate change and plastic pollution.
The 11th International Cell Senescence Association Conference brings together researchers worldwide to advance understanding of cellular senescence and its roles in aging, cancer, and disease. Aging supports the conference through a $200 cash poster prize recognizing outstanding scientific research.
Tau filaments from Alzheimer's disease and vacuolar tauopathy exhibit distinct structural properties, influenced by polyubiquitin post-translational modifications. Shifting polyubiquitin alters filament structures, revealing new insights into tau filament formation and stabilization.
Physicist William Renninger is developing novel ways to couple light with sound, which could open new possibilities for quantum computing, high-speed networking, and dark matter detection. His project will focus on creating light-driven sound devices and measurement methods that can operate across chips and bulk crystals.
Researchers at Kyoto University developed a new, egg-yolk-free cryopreservation solution for rat sperm, yielding a fertilization rate of approximately 70% and 36% live births. The solution, combining OptiPrep, ethylene glycol, sericin, and nucleotides, reduces damage to sperm plasma and acrosomal membranes.
Researchers found that venomous snakes stand out more against their natural background than non-venomous species, suggesting a link between venom and warning coloration. The study supports the idea that being highly visible may be a survival strategy for some venomous snakes.
Carbon nanomaterials, such as MWCNTs and graphene oxide, can prime alfalfa roots to accelerate polyethylene breakdown in soil, reducing plastic persistence and phytotoxicity. The study identifies key microbial taxa and predicted metabolic functions linked to enhanced breakdown, offering a proof-of-concept strategy for rhizoremediation.
Reforms to EU chemicals legislation create both opportunities and challenges for the green transformation in the pharmaceutical sector. Stakeholders view regulations as supporting sustainable practices, but also pose challenges, such as diverting resources away from sustainability measures.
A new study from Ukraine used satellite imagery to assess the wartime destruction of forests hosting unique bird song dialects of the Common Chaffinch, finding nearly a third have been damaged or destroyed by combat. The study highlights the cultural loss of these dialects, which cannot be restored by replanting the forest, and calls f...
Researchers in India have developed a manganese-based catalytic system that selectively converts toluene into benzaldehyde using air as the oxidant, achieving high selectivity for benzaldehyde without over-oxidising it further. The system, composed of manganese acetate, iron chloride, and sodium bromide, outperforms traditional catalys...
A recent study revealed that wild cranberry populations in North America diverged 12,000 years ago, evolving unique genetic adaptations to their local environments. The research found that modern breeding programs have been drawing almost exclusively from one genetic toolkit, leaving a significant gap in how breeders source genetic mat...
A MedUni Vienna study reveals that maternal immune cells, specifically neutrophils, support early placental development by reprogramming their behavior to support placental cell migration. This finding highlights the adaptive role of neutrophils in pregnancy, which can switch from fighting pathogens to supporting normal developmental p...
Researchers created a practical framework to capture genetic variation in tomatoes, identifying new genes controlling fruit size, flavor, and resistance to fungal disease. The study provides new targets for breeding tomatoes with improved yield, quality, and resilience.
The new resources, created using Google's Gemini Notebook, offer interactive tools and video/audio overviews to deepen engagement with childhood development research. Dr. Jacqueline Harding's books provide accessible guidance on early childhood development, play, and human connection.
The volume demonstrates that Ibn Khaldun's ideas remain remarkably relevant in understanding social cohesion, governance, education, and development. His concepts of umran and aṣabiyyah continue to inform policymakers and scholars seeking to understand the development of societies.
Scientists from Princeton University's PPPL have developed a new framework to reach fusion ignition conditions, using a 'heat-first' approach. The research, published in Physical Review Letters, shows that adding a trace of tungsten and super high magnetic fields can significantly increase the efficiency of fusion ignition.
A review of 44 studies found that people with alcohol problems often struggle with eating disorders, highlighting the need for integrated treatment. Healthcare services may be missing this connection, potentially leading to poorer outcomes for patients.
Researchers discovered a way to generate photocurrent without a p–n junction, pushing solar cells beyond conventional limits. By harnessing dynamic atomic motion, they found that temporary symmetry breaking can enhance photoelectric conversion, opening new avenues for high-efficiency photovoltaic materials.
Researchers discovered that quantum systems keep a permanent mark of their own past, known as a 'quantum birthmark', that never fades. This finding sheds new light on the relationship between classical and quantum mechanics, and could be harnessed to power nanoelectronics.
Researchers accidentally discovered a natural repellent against an invasive blueberry pest when fruit flies invaded their laboratory. The compound, produced by yeast, elicits aversive responses in spotted-wing flies but remains attractive to common fruit flies, offering a potential new control measure for this costly pest.
Researchers found that reducing MsMTA expression lowers global m6A levels, resulting in shorter stems, decreased biomass, and increased soluble sugars. The study reveals a molecular framework for breeding alfalfa with a better balance between forage yield, digestibility, and energy value.
Digital Science has appointed Charlesworth as its strategic sales partner for Altmetric and Dimensions in China's scholarly publishing sector. The partnership aims to support the growing demand for research data and information, enabling publishers to access high-quality research insights and understand the reach and attention generate...
A 16-week study found that daily peanut consumption beneficially affected brain insulin responsiveness in older adults, particularly in regions involved in memory. This may contribute to cognitive benefits and support brain health.
Researchers have successfully demonstrated a technique to produce a plasma beam antenna capable of transmitting radio waves using a laser. The antenna is tunable and can be controlled to sweep a range of frequencies, making it a valuable tool for applications such as space exploration and satellite technologies.
Scientists construct haplotype-resolved female genome of Vernicia montana, pinpointing a ~61.4-kb sex-determining region driven by inverted repeats, reshaping regulatory landscape of existing genes
Researchers propose using master protocol trials to speed up the development of treatments for rare diseases, which affect fewer than 200,000 people in the US. By testing multiple drugs or conditions simultaneously, these trials aim to reduce costs and improve testing efficiency, ultimately bringing effective treatments to patients fas...
Boston University researcher Masha Kamenetska has been named to the Moore Foundation's 2026 cohort of Experimental Physics Investigators, receiving $1.35 million in research funding. She and her team will use ultrafast laser spectroscopy to examine the interaction of light and matter at the nanoscale and beyond.
The use of ultrasound-guidance for procedures like lumbar puncture can benefit patients with the most challenging anatomy and urgent need for diagnostic clarity. Researchers believe empowering neurologists and neurology trainees to perform lumbar punctures at bedside can lead to improved patient outcomes.
A new University of Georgia study found that coral reefs are increasingly vulnerable to disease and heat stress, with corals with preexisting disease conditions being particularly susceptible. The study suggests that conservation efforts should focus on the edges of reefs, where corals are more likely to survive warmer temperatures, an...
A recent study found that nearly half of lawyers reported high or very high burnout, with burnout strongly associated with workplace conditions and psychological distress. The study also revealed high levels of symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress among lawyers, as well as hazardous drinking.
A study by Millie Rincón-Cortés and colleagues found that rat mothers with limited nesting resources exhibit altered neural activity before and during harmful behavior towards their pups. The researchers suggest that this maladaptive brain signature may be a key factor in postpartum depression and caregiving hindrance.
Researchers used machine-learning and super-resolution microscopy to analyze pollen fossils, tracing changes in grass diversity and photosynthetic types over 25,000 years. The study found pollen diversity was lower during the last ice age, but increased with rising CO2 levels and temperatures.
Researchers have successfully engineered structures that mimic the bone-tendon interface, using a combination of sheet-based and strut-based metamaterials. This breakthrough could lead to improved implants and tissue-engineered structures that match the body's mechanical and biological properties.
Scientists have developed a new way to engineer ferroelectric materials by creating nanoscale heterostructures within a ceramic, enabling robust sensors and actuators. The new design route creates built-in heterointerfaces that function as high-performance piezoelectric materials.