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.
A recent study analyzed blood samples from over 11,000 seabirds worldwide to estimate oceanic mercury distribution. The analysis found that mercury levels vary according to prey trophic level, bird body weight, and foraging depth, with distinct regional patterns of contamination.
A new study from the University of Eastern Finland finds that a brief 12-item questionnaire can assess health literacy in Finnish adults and support reliable comparisons across population groups. Key findings include clear differences in health literacy between men, women, education levels, and age.
A study by Osaka Metropolitan University found that combining on-demand transport with buses increases daily walking by an average of 1,730 steps. This synergistic effect occurs when DRT reduces the access barrier, leading residents to take buses more often and accumulate more walking through routine movements.
Research in mice suggests artificial sweeteners can affect gut microbiome and gene expression, potentially impacting metabolic health. The study found that offspring of mice fed sucralose or stevia had altered gene expression linked to inflammation and metabolism.
Researchers from OIST used medieval records and buried trees to identify a sub-extreme solar proton event between winter 1200 CE and spring 1201 CE. They also reconstructed the Sun's activity cycle, which was shorter than today's eleven-year cycles.
A new study from UC Riverside shows that a locally adapted population of SoCal honeybees can naturally suppress deadly mites. The hybrid bees are less susceptible to Varroa mite infestations and cross-thresholds, making them more resistant than commercial breeds.
Researchers developed DARC-NESS, a model that explains why nightmares persist in children and how to break the cycle through tailored therapy. By focusing on nightmare efficacy and child response mechanisms, clinicians can create effective treatment plans to empower kids to master their dreams.
Scientists at University of Rochester identify a key mechanism behind methane production in the open ocean, which could worsen global warming. The research suggests that phosphate scarcity triggers methane-producing microbes to thrive, leading to more methane released into the atmosphere.
The Barrow Neuro Analytics Center has nearly doubled its dedicated research space to 18,000 square feet, supporting growing neurological research programs. Researchers at the center are globally renowned for their work on Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's, and other neurological disorders using data-focused methods.
Two new TB vaccines, VPM1002 and Immuvac, demonstrate safety and effectiveness in preventing progression to active TB in latent infection, particularly in children. However, they do not offer general protection against all forms of TB or prevent weight-related mortality.
A study estimates that quitting tobacco could give a major economic uplift to over 20 million households in India, with the greatest impact felt in rural areas and among the poorest households. The analysis suggests that these households would receive a significant boost in income, potentially moving up one or two economic classes.
Natalie Bennett argues that the current food system is unsustainable, with half of global calories coming from just three crops. She proposes alternative approaches rooted in indigenous experience, such as permaculture and agroecological methods.
A new study by Bernard Capp reveals that refusing to doff one's hat was a potent act of political defiance during the civil war era, with elite men both adopting and resisting the practice. In contrast, an 18th-century Englishman's hat remained a powerful symbol of personal protection.
Researchers at Rice University have discovered a new way to enable pi interactions between dioxygen and f-block metals like neodymium, creating lanthanide-oxos. This breakthrough could lead to the development of highly reactive molecules as synthetic replacements for iron-oxo.
A real-world study found that adults taking GLP-1 RAs for weight loss have significantly lower total energy and protein intake. The use of an AI-powered nutritional tracking app revealed that 88% of users were under national protein guidelines, with many skipping meals to reduce protein intake.
A new study reveals that tropical trees have more positive interactions with their neighbors, leading to increased diversity and richness in these ecosystems. This finding may help explain why tropical forests are home to so many tree species.
A study by Cornell University researchers found that prompting employees to reflect on unintended outcomes leads to more creative ideas during brainstorming. Reflecting on past 'happy accidents' helps individuals regain control, leading to higher-quality ideas.
Researchers at São Paulo State University developed a theoretical framework for short Kitaev chains to serve as spectroscopic tools for identifying quantum statistics. The 'poor man's Majorana' configuration allows for the detection of quantum nature through spectral signatures.
A new system combines AI and EMS to physically guide users through unfamiliar tasks, marking a leap toward general-purpose, context-aware embodied assistance. Users are guided by dynamically generated muscle cues, adapting to mistakes and re-prompting the system for corrections.
Dr. Hongmei Wang joins Stem Cell Reports as an Associate Editor, bringing expertise in early embryo and placental development. Her laboratory investigates mechanisms governing embryonic and placental development, with potential for improving reproductive health outcomes.
A new longitudinal study from Université de Montréal finds that three simple movement habits in toddlerhood significantly predict a more physically active lifestyle in adolescence. Active play with parents, limited screen time, and sufficient sleep are key predictors of later physical activity levels.
Researchers at National Jewish Health used radiomics to analyze chest CT scans from 320 people with sarcoidosis, identifying four distinct imaging profiles linked to differences in lung function and disease severity. The approach could help advance diagnosis and patient care by providing objective measurements of lung abnormalities.
A national survey found significant disparities in IBS diagnosis across sex and racial groups in the US. Men and Black patients are less likely to receive a formal diagnosis compared to women and white patients, despite similar reported healthcare-seeking behavior and symptom severity.
A new study suggests that AI-written text messages can motivate older adults to move more, but cultural insensitivity and quality issues affect their responses. Participants rated only about 5% of the messages as culturally insensitive and roughly 6% had quality problems.
A new study by University of Maryland researcher Meredith Gore and colleagues found that traded wild mammals are 1.5 times more likely to share infectious agents with humans than species not involved in trade. The risk is higher for animals traded illegally or sold live, which fuels the demand for exotic pets.
A new $1.75 million grant from the Merck Foundation aims to address barriers to good heart health in Atlanta communities. The partnership delivers more personal support, pairing patients with community health workers who coordinate care and services.
MIT Sloan researchers demonstrate a new approach to designing social science experiments by applying integrative experiment design to a longstanding question about punishment in public goods games. The study reveals how punishment's effect on collective welfare can swing from substantially harmful to substantially helpful, depending on...
The Tennessee State University College of Agriculture and the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture have launched a joint seed funding program to support collaborative research projects focused on precision agriculture, biotechnology, and food security. The program aims to develop solutions that benefit producers, communitie...
A recent study found a significant link between very high PFAS exposure and an increased incidence of asthma in children. Researchers analyzed data from over 11,000 children born in Sweden and discovered that the risk of developing asthma was around 40% higher among those with very high PFAS exposure.
A retrospective cohort study found that outpatient early methadone dose titration is associated with improved treatment retention in individuals using fentanyl. This approach also lowers the risk of opioid toxicity, according to Canadian and US clinical guidance.
The discovery of an ancient egg containing the embryo of Lystrosaurus reveals that its ancestors laid eggs, and offers insights into their reproductive strategy. The large eggs suggest that Lystrosaurus did not produce milk for its young, and its precocial hatchlings were capable of feeding themselves.
Lauer and Barnes advocate for a national scientist databank, like the National Practitioner Data Bank, to promote transparency on staff misconduct. This approach could help institutions avoid problematic hires while allowing preventive steps to be taken by new employers.
A team of researchers discovered that the way cells sense oxygen determines if regeneration can even begin in mammalian limbs. They found that regenerative-competent amphibians show reduced oxygen-sensing capacity, while mammals respond strongly to oxygen and switch off regenerative programs.
Researchers found that Vibrio cholerae can efficiently acquire new sedentary chromosomal integron (SCI) gene cassettes from extracellular DNA. This process allows the bacteria to diversify its antiviral defenses and potentially expand its protection against viruses in different environments.
Researchers document a decades-long study of wild chimpanzee behavior, revealing a rare permanent split and subsequent lethal conflict within the Ngogo chimpanzee group. The study suggests that shifting social ties, competition over resources, and leadership changes can contribute to group divisions and violence.
A Swedish study found that high prenatal PFAS exposure is associated with a higher incidence of asthma in childhood. The research used a register-based cohort of children born between 2006 and 2013 to assess the relationship between maternal exposure and asthma outcomes.
A study led by Cleo Bertelsmeier found that wild mammals traded for pets, meat, or fur are 1.5 times more likely to share infectious agents with humans. The risk is higher when species are traded illegally or alive.
A recent study led by Cedars-Sinai Health Sciences University found that the same brain neurons are activated when people perceive and imagine objects. The research provides a detailed understanding of the neural mechanism underlying visual perception and creation of mental images in the human brain.
A new study links global wildlife trade to increased transmission of human-infecting pathogens, with traded mammals 40% more likely to harbor these diseases. The duration of species in trade amplifies this risk, suggesting cross-species transmission is inherent to the trade.
A large-scale experiment found that punishment consistently increases cooperation, but its effect on collective welfare varies depending on factors such as communication, contribution framing, and interaction duration. The study suggests that these elements interact in complex ways, with communication being the most influential factor.
A new analysis from UC San Francisco argues that diagnostics are being overlooked, slowing progress against major diseases despite advances in targeted therapies. The study suggests that nearly half of the world's population lacks adequate access to diagnostics due to inadequate investment and insurance reimbursement.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin observe permanent fission in wild chimpanzees, resulting in sustained intergroup violence. The findings suggest that relational dynamics can drive polarization and lethal conflict in chimps without language, ethnicity, or ideology.
A team led by Jiefu Li developed a new method to examine proteins lining the inside surface of blood vessels, revealing two proteins and pathways that play a role in opening and closing the blood-brain barrier. This discovery could help scientists understand how the barrier functions and develop better ways to deliver medicines for neu...
A new study by University Hospitals Harrington Heart & Vascular Institute highlights the long-term impact of preventive heart and vascular care. The study shows a significant decline in cardiovascular mortality rates after investments in local cardiac care, with notable reductions among older age groups.
A new multi-layer ionospheric mapping function for PPP-AR has been validated, improving convergence times by 4-10% and early-stage positioning. The method outperforms conventional Single Layer Model (SLM) in equatorial regions where ionospheric gradients are hardest to tame.
Researchers at UT MD Anderson have made significant advancements in cancer care, including a blood-based biomarker for cancer risk in people with Lynch Syndrome and a new target to sensitize pancreatic tumors to immunotherapy. The studies also identified a strategy to overcome radiation therapy resistance in lung cancer.
A mathematical model identifies universal patterns in competitive systems, revealing an optimal 'sweet spot' where excellence and opportunity coexist. The study found that high-performing systems strike a delicate balance between demand and opportunity.
Researchers have created a 3D experimental system to study the response of low-grade gliomas to drugs, providing a more realistic environment for testing treatments. The system uses organoids from pluripotent stem cells to replicate glioma development and characteristics.
Researchers developed an analytic tool using machine learning to predict how CPAP affects cardiovascular disease risk in patients with obstructive sleep apnea. The study found significant variation in treatment response across the cohort, identifying subgroups who benefited or were harmed by the therapy.
The conference discusses how funded literary translations represent cultural diversity and impact global circulation of texts, publishing market, and cultural policies. It is part of the research project Translating diversity: institutional agents and literary translation policies in Ibero-America.
A McGill-led study found that non-producing oil and gas wells emit microbial methane at rates roughly three times higher than earlier estimates. The team collected samples from 401 non-producing wells across Canada and detected traces of microbial methane in over 50% of them.
Researchers at UTIA are studying the genetic, cellular and microbial factors that influence feed efficiency in cattle. By identifying cell types, characterizing microbes and determining genetic influences, they aim to develop practical improvements for producers.
Researchers at BESSY II discovered a new method to investigate hydroxyl radicals, gaining surprising insights into their reaction pathway. They found that the proton of the hydroxyl radical reacts with TEMPO first, revealing an unexpected intermediate state.
A recent study published in Ecological Applications found that habitat restoration efforts in Forest Park have increased native bird diversity, with increases mostly seen in native species. The research also highlights the importance of access to water and varied habitats for boosting biodiversity.
Several open-source AI models consistently produced summaries that were more comprehensive than physician-written versions, particularly in capturing molecular and genetic findings. The study found that Llama 3.1 and DeepSeek performed best among the six evaluated models.
A new framework was developed to enable SMEs to systematically assess their supply chain risks and take proactive steps to build resilience. The integrated approach combines expert knowledge with established methods, identifying 11 key hazards across the supply chain.
Researchers found that orangutans and chimpanzees exhibit exactness in mimicking each other's facial expressions, particularly laugh faces, with a level of precision similar to humans. The study suggests that this ability may have given great apes important advantages in social interactions.
Researchers have developed an integrated reiterative pipeline that uses machine learning and structural biology to identify promising vaccine targets across multiple related viruses simultaneously. The system evaluates viral proteins to identify short fragments called epitopes that can trigger a strong immune response.
Researchers have developed a lead-free thin film that significantly improves the efficiency of microdevices in harvesting energy from ambient motion. The Mn-doped bismuth ferrite film exhibits stronger piezoelectric behavior, lower dielectric loss, and improved device-level performance.
A majority of Americans value U.S. membership in NATO and consider it a meaningful security asset, but views are sharply divided along partisan lines. Democrats are more supportive of NATO than Republicans, who hold less favorable views on the alliance's benefits to U.S. security.