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 new study by Yale researchers found substantial variation in physical therapy costs across the US, with median rates ranging from $151 to $215. The study highlights the impact of insurance and location on PT costs, which can influence patient engagement and downstream health outcomes.
A new study found that reducing parent stress can help prevent childhood obesity by improving parenting and reducing unhealthy eating habits. The 12-week randomized prevention trial showed that parents who received mindfulness and behavioral self-regulation skills combined with healthy nutrition and physical activity counseling had low...
Research from Cornell University finds that women prefer jobs with narrower salary ranges and are less likely to negotiate for lower pay. The study suggests that pay transparency laws may inadvertently perpetuate gender gaps if not implemented carefully.
Researchers have advanced humanoid robot control, motion planning, and perception using Valkyrie, a 10-year mission robot developed by NASA. The university will continue research with Talos, a 1.75-metre-tall robot, to study human-robot cooperation and adapt to changing environments.
A leading climate-resilience architecture academic, Professor Susan Roaf, warns that modern buildings are not designed to cope with the impending realities of the 2030's and 2040's climates. This poses health risks and pressure on services. Roaf advocates for mixed-mode buildings that harness local energy and natural ventilation to mit...
The Endocrine Society has elected Joy Wu as its 2027-2028 President, a board-certified endocrinologist with a focus on osteoporosis and bone health. Wu is also a leading researcher in stem cell therapies for bone formation and prevention of cancer metastases to bone.
Researchers at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center discovered how transplanted neural stem cells interact with host retinal cells to preserve vision. The study, published in Nature Communications, found that the cells provide protective proteins, restore retinal cells, and reduce cellular stress.
The Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) has developed a scalable aquaculture platform that automates early-life stages, minimizing pathogen exposure and animal stress. The system uses light and flow-guided systems to improve survival rates and reduce labor input.
Engineers at the University of Illinois have developed a way to engineer magnets to behave like graphene, a two-dimensional material with strong potential for tech applications. This new method has implications for radiofrequency technology and opens up new avenues for studying and engineering two-dimensional magnetic systems.
A new study by Cornell University researcher Shane Littrell finds that employees who are more susceptible to corporate BS have lower scores on analytic thinking, cognitive reflection, and fluid intelligence. This can lead to less effective workplace decision-making and lower performance.
Rice researchers found that cerium magnesium hexalluminate is not a quantum spin liquid, despite exhibiting characteristics of quantum spin liquid states. The material's unique ability to 'choose' between different low energy states produced observational data similar to a quantum spin liquid state.
Scientists have made a major breakthrough in understanding how neutron stars respond to tidal forces, enabling them to infer their internal composition. By analyzing gravitational wave signals, researchers can 'hear' what's happening inside the stars and determine the presence of heavy elements, free electrons, and other exotic matter.
The Greaux Healthy initiative, launched by Pennington Biomedical Research Center, aims to prevent and treat childhood obesity in Louisiana. Studies show that childhood obesity is a national healthcare crisis in Louisiana, with over 1 in 3 children living with overweight or obesity.
The employment-to-population ratio for people with disabilities decreased from 38.4% in January to 38.1% in February, while the labor force participation rate also declined. The employment-to-population ratio for people without disabilities remained steady, at 74.5%. The decline in employment and labor force participation rates for peo...
Peter WT Pisters, MD, receives the prestigious Charles M. Balch, MD, Distinguished Service Award for his substantial contributions to surgical oncology through service, research, and leadership. He is recognized as a renowned cancer surgeon, researcher, and hospital administrator.
Chris Impey, Distinguished Professor of Astronomy at the University of Arizona, will receive the Lewis Thomas Prize for his work on exobiology and his ability to connect complex scientific ideas to a broad public audience. His books explore fundamental questions about the origins of life and the search for extraterrestrial life.
A survey by UJI mathematicians found that 69% of the Spanish population considers prostitution a form of violence against women. The study also shows that 79.1% of respondents agree that prostitution puts the dignity of those involved at risk.
Salk Institute researchers identified Med14, a protein connected to GLP-1 drug effects on pancreatic beta cells, leading to improved viability, insulin production, and stress resistance. The study suggests a potential molecular link between GLP-1 drugs and broader benefits, including type 2 diabetes susceptibility genes.
Researchers identify three types of post-amputation pain: phantom limb pain, residual limb pain, and musculoskeletal pain, which behave differently and require personalized care. The study's findings suggest that prosthetic design can directly influence comfort during real-world movement, improving mobility and quality of life for indi...
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis developed an operando microscopy platform to study lithium plating in batteries. The platform revealed the conditions under which plating occurs, allowing for the development of performance maps to optimize fast-charging protocols and enhance battery performance.
New research shows that limited overshoot does not alter the timeline for global net zero CO2 emissions, still expected between 2050 and 2060. Overshoot changes how climate impacts and mitigation efforts are felt over time, with greater social and economic consequences.
Researchers at Goethe University are developing non-hormonal contraceptives to address declining pill use and side effects. The PREVENT project aims to create safe and effective alternatives, focusing on small molecules that block proteins in sperm or egg cells.
Researchers have developed monolithically integrated III-V membrane photonic crystal lasers on SOI using selective lateral heteroepitaxy, achieving low-threshold single-mode lasing in the telecom band. This approach enables precise control of the active region and simplified fabrication, facilitating efficient and low-cost production.
Researchers at the University of Manchester found that large-area MoS₂ reduces energy loss in magnetic memory films by altering the film's internal crystal structure. This effect is not confined to laboratory-scale samples and has implications for real, scalable spintronic technologies.
Researchers at Arc Institute and Stanford University found that ketone body β-hydroxybutyrate strengthens CAR T cell fitness and antitumor activity. BHB supplementation improves CAR T cell expansion and tumor killing in mice, mirroring the effects of a ketogenic diet.
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine discover tubulin's role in preventing toxic protein clumps in brain cells, potentially fighting Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Tubulin steers Tau and alpha synuclein proteins towards their healthy roles, reducing toxic aggregation.
A new case report describes a large, calcified solid pseudopapillary neoplasm of the pancreatic head, emphasizing the importance of multidisciplinary evaluation and long-term follow-up for monitoring recurrence. The case underscores the diagnostic value of integrating imaging, histopathology, and immunohistochemistry.
Scientists create metasurface that reconstructs 3D vectorial holograms with high precision, sculpting both axial intensity and polarization state. The device enables volumetric vectorial holography for secure data encoding, optical computing, and advanced photonic communication.
Researchers have synthesized modified versions of psilocin that retain therapeutic activity while producing fewer hallucinogenic-like effects. The compounds, including 4e, demonstrate favorable stability for absorption and enable a gradual release of psilocin, potentially mitigating hallucinogenic effects.
Researchers have identified two compounds that restore chloride balance in neurons, thereby allowing GABAergic signaling to regain its inhibitory function. PCPZ and CLP-257 significantly improved KCC2 efficiency, reducing seizures and other electrical markers of epileptic activity in human brain tissue and animal models.
Researchers have discovered the protective role of LOXL2 protein in preventing cartilage damage and inflammation in temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis. The enzyme helps suppress inflammatory pathways, reducing cell death and preserving cartilage viability even under inflammatory conditions.
Researchers developed a unified detection framework to identify flex power operations in GPS and BeiDou, analyzing how these signal changes affect positioning accuracy and navigation reliability. The study introduces resilient estimation strategies and improved data-processing models to maintain stable navigation services.
PLP hosts satellite events globally to engage researchers in 2026 APS Global Physics Summit programming. Local workshops and networking opportunities ensure community-based spaces for scientists worldwide.
Researchers have developed new imaging techniques to detect hidden infections, inflammatory diseases, and cancers, while also evaluating the effectiveness of AI-powered tumor measurement and targeted radiotherapy for advanced solid tumors.
The RESPIN project has launched a new online course to provide a comprehensive understanding of IPBES and IPCC, two critical intergovernmental bodies. The course is designed for researchers, policymakers, and stakeholders and offers practical guidance on engaging with these bodies and applying scientific findings in policy and practice.
Researchers developed a method called optovolution that uses light to guide the evolution of proteins with dynamic, multi-state, and computational functions. This approach favors variants with better dynamics, allowing for the creation of new variants with improved light sensitivity and responsiveness.
Researchers develop gradient-thickness-protected microbottle resonator for large-scale optical trapping via whispering-gallery modes, enabling stable trapping over nearly 200 micrometers with ultralow optical power. The design supports high-order axial modes, generating multiple optical trapping sites along its length.
Researchers have developed a groundbreaking technology that simultaneously analyzes gene expression, epigenome, and 3D genome structure within a single cell. This innovation enables precise identification of disease genes and their dynamics, laying the foundation for developing treatment strategies for complex diseases.
UT Austin researcher Arumugam Manthiram is working to advance lithium-ion battery technology by understanding the chemistry of oxide cathodes. His research aims to develop more efficient and environmentally friendly battery materials, addressing supply chain disruptions and high costs.
IOP Publishing has launched a new annual award to recognize outstanding Editorial Board members for their contributions to guiding journal development, peer review, and community engagement. The awards celebrate the vital role Editorial Board members play in upholding rigorous standards and advancing scientific fields.
Attosecond pulses rely on ultrafast lasers, which face performance bottlenecks in pulse energy, duration, wavelength, and repetition rate. Key technological routes include increasing pulse energy and peak power through amplification architectures and combining strategies.
A new study reveals that applying an electric field to a ceramic material changes how phonons (tiny vibrations that carry heat) behave, leading to improved thermal conductivity. The material conducts heat almost three times more efficiently along the field direction than in perpendicular directions.
Researchers discover enzyme ANKIB1 crucial for innate immune signalling, driving type I and type III interferon induction. This finding solves a long-standing puzzle in innate immunity and provides opportunities for new therapies for devastating diseases.
The ACMG Foundation will present customized adaptive bicycles to children with genetic or medically complex conditions at the 2026 ACMG Annual Clinical Genetics Meeting. The bikes offer life-changing opportunities for mobility, independence, and participation in everyday activities.
A cross-sectional study documents persistent racial disparities in food insecurity over 23 years, with smaller disparities among SNAP-participating households. The study highlights the need for targeted policies to address food insecurity and its intersectional effects.
Researchers from MedUni Vienna have developed a new approach to drug discovery by targeting intracellular signalling proteins, such as β-arrestins, to control disease-relevant signalling pathways. This approach holds promise for personalized therapies, particularly for the treatment of neurological diseases.
Researchers from Weill Cornell Medicine found that state laws prohibiting private insurance from requiring prior authorization for buprenorphine did not significantly improve treatment retention. Despite a decrease in opioid overdose deaths, nearly 55,000 people still died from opioid overdose in 2024.
A machine-learning model developed by Weill Cornell Medicine predicts preeclampsia risk in late pregnancy with high accuracy. The model uses electronic health record data to continuously update risk predictions, potentially providing clinicians with timely clinical action.
Two studies have found that trust in landowners and experience with feral hogs significantly influence their willingness to manage the animals. Trust in neighbors and community was found to be associated with the likelihood of landowners taking actions to manage feral hogs, while experience with the animals was also a crucial factor.
Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine successfully remove caudate lobe tumor using robotic surgery, combining guidance tools to clearly mark boundaries and protect major vessels. The technique enables tumor removal with less pain, blood loss, and quicker recovery.
Researchers are developing sustainable alternative cements that can bind CO₂ permanently, making concrete a climate-friendly material. By using CO₂ from industrial exhaust gases, these new cements can reduce emissions and create a carbon sink.
A new study reveals that the cockroach Blaptica dubia can efficiently biodegrade polystyrene through a tightly integrated gut microbe–host metabolic system. The insects removed nearly 55% of ingested polystyrene within 42 days, achieving a degradation rate far exceeding those reported for other plastic-feeding insects.
A nationwide cohort study found a significantly elevated incidence of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests on post-holiday weekdays, particularly among vulnerable populations after consecutive rest days. The study supports enhanced emergency preparedness and targeted public health messaging during holiday periods.
Researchers found that village habitats, such as green spaces and fallow land, support a wide variety of insects, including wild bees. Native wildflowers like Knautia and Cirsium are valuable resources for pollinators. Tips for gardeners include using pollinator-friendly plants and allowing vegetation to grow without frequent mowing.
The Ateneo Laboratory for Intelligent Visual Environments (ALIVE) is developing machine learning solutions with industry partners to improve public health, traffic systems, and more. By bridging the gap between messy reality and mathematical models, ALIVE is creating intelligent visual systems that can handle real-world conditions.
Researchers uncover a critical mechanism that enables gastric cancer to spread to distant organs by stimulating Wnt signaling in surrounding stromal fibroblasts. Hyaluronan production creates a supportive microenvironment that promotes metastasis, and degrading hyaluronan suppresses metastatic tumor formation.
The Double-Helix Logic of Curriculum proposes a structural theory redefining education in AI age, emphasizing coexistence of universality and personalization. This framework situates curriculum within a broader shift towards Human Interdependence Paradigm, structuring conditions for differentiated strengths to accumulate and reinforce ...
Researchers will investigate the role of interleukin-1 receptor type 1 (IL-1R1) in brain function, behavior, and psychiatric health. The study aims to define the physiological role of IL-1R1 in the brain and explore its influence on social behaviors.
A new paper calls for integrating meaning, purpose, and spirituality into clinical practice to promote healthier behaviors and well-being. Practical strategies and tools are outlined to support clinician adoption, including patient-led conversations and culturally sensitive approaches.
A new study by Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research finds global warming has accelerated by 0.35°C per decade since 2015, surpassing previous decade averages. The research team analyzed five large global temperature data sets and found an acceleration with a statistical certainty of over 98 percent.