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 review shows how climate change alters microclimates, which can differ substantially from regional climate averages. Vegetation and atmospheric changes, such as cloud cover, influence local climate conditions, affecting biodiversity responses to climate change.
A new study from Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology uses computational models to shed light on the evolutionary origins of potassium conduits, identifying spike timing as a probable evolutionary pressure. The research suggests that higher unitary conductance channels, found in mammals and birds, were essential for achieving pr...
Researchers used Cell Painting to study 52 cancer drugs in 3D minispheres, revealing differences in how they affect cells. The study found that two drugs, 5-fluorouracil and olaparib, behaved differently when looking at individual cells, with 5-fluorouracil causing less DNA damage but stopping cells from dividing more effectively.
The ECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research Group will conduct a phase 2/3 clinical trial to evaluate ivonescimab combined with chemotherapy for first-line treatment of advanced biliary tract cancer. The trial aims to test the efficacy of ivonescimab beyond standard chemotherapy and immunotherapy.
Researchers found that higher postpartum depression scores were associated with greater mother–infant bonding difficulties, which can affect maternal well-being and child development. Repeated assessments identified varied symptom patterns, including mothers whose bonding difficulties increased during the first three months.
EPND+ builds on five years of public-private collaboration, supporting existing and future research collaborations in neurodegeneration and beyond. The new organization will operate the EPND Hub, providing a unified gateway to valuable research resources, data, and biosamples.
A recent study by Flinders University found that women with postpartum psychosis often contact healthcare services seven times before receiving a diagnosis. The research highlights the need for greater awareness of the condition and timely assessment to improve outcomes for mothers and their families.
Research found single mothers' children experienced decline in math, reading, and early motor development after EITC expansion, attributed to reduced time with parents. Increased employment among single mothers may outweigh income benefits for children's development, emphasizing need for affordable childcare.
Researchers have identified a gene that regulates tea plants' flavor and cold tolerance, providing insights into how to expand high-quality tea production. The study's findings suggest that targeting this gene could improve both flavor quality and stress resilience in tea plants.
Researchers found sustained increases in hospitalizations and deaths among Medicare beneficiaries aged ≥65 years in North Carolina after Hurricane Matthew. The study also showed a stronger association between hurricane exposure and hospitalizations and deaths, with Black individuals experiencing worse outcomes.
A study found that regular tea consumption was linked with an 11% lower risk of cardiovascular disease, with the lowest risk estimated at approximately 6–8 cups per day among weekly drinkers. Black tea showed more consistent inverse associations with vascular disease than green tea.
A study of 15 Australian women with postpartum psychosis found that they experienced delayed recognition, inadequate assessment, and dismissal of their concerns. The findings emphasize the need for professionals to listen to women's accounts and respond appropriately to improve outcomes.
New research suggests that heat-based recovery strategies may influence some biological processes involved in recovery following muscle-damaging exercise, but do not translate to significant improvements in muscle strength or soreness over a 72-hour period
Researchers used palaeoproteomics to analyze ancient proteins in sediments from a 60,000-year-old archeological site in South Africa, revealing the presence of collagen from the common eland. The findings provide new insights into the complex technical and symbolic behaviors of early Homo sapiens.
Researchers developed a heat-informed framework to assess available playing time and evaluate tournament schedules under hot conditions. The study found that adjusting playing hours had a stronger effect on the availability of low-risk hours than changing tournament dates.
Researchers found that IT vulnerabilities in automotive software have shifted to apps and cloud services, posing risks to driver data and car control. Experts advise car manufacturers to secure systems and encourage owners to update software and use strong passwords
Researchers developed a high-entropy perovskite to protect iridium nanoparticles, improving the stability of catalysts used in water electrolysis. The new design allowed the catalyst to last over 3,800 hours with minimal loss in performance.
Scientists have discovered ancient fish bones in deep-sea sediments, providing evidence of past vertebrate life in the central Arctic Ocean. The findings reveal that two Arctic-endemic fish species, ice cod and polar cod, survived the last ice age, with ice cod thriving in polynyas and polar cod disappearing from the North Pole area.
Researchers at Tohoku University developed a new method to predict the mechanical properties of iron ore pellets under extreme heat, combining high-energy X-ray CT with computer simulations. The findings could help improve the efficiency and stability of blast furnaces, enabling the steel industry to move toward lower-carbon production.
The Whitley Award-winning book, Australian Moths: A Natural History, brings together three decades of research on moth evolution, ecology, and conservation. The book, edited by Prof. Roger Kitching, is a comprehensive synthesis of the latest understanding of moths in Australia.
A research team at POSTECH developed an AI technology that analyzes genetic information from cancer patients to predict their response to immunotherapy. The study, published in npj Digital Medicine, outperformed biomarkers in predicting treatment response across four cancer types and six patient cohorts.
A research team has identified the conditions that allow rapidly feeding supermassive black holes to launch powerful relativistic jets. The team observed 3C 120, an active galaxy with a supermassive black hole rapidly accreting matter while launching a powerful jet.
Researchers identify five types of war brownfields with distinct recovery paths, including remnant military fortifications and radioactively contaminated sites. These landscapes require tailored approaches, taking into account security risk, environmental consequences, and heritage value.
A new fibre blend, ur gut®, has been found to improve gut health in people with IBS without worsening symptoms, according to an ECU study. The fibre blend, which combines resistant starch and psyllium husk, positively reshaped the gut microbiome in participants.
A revised water footprint estimates water consumption in agriculture and forestry, distinguishing between blue water and green water usage. The study found that human water appropriation in south-central Chile was 2.7 times lower than conventional estimates, with forestry plantations being a major source of rainwater appropriation.
China's 70-year soil conservation journey shows that environmental recovery takes time, requiring sustained work of 10 to 20 years. The country's experience highlights the importance of integrating engineering, ecological restoration, law, and local livelihoods to address different forms of erosion.
A team of scientists discovered that radiation defects can form local 'core-shell' structures in silicon carbide, affecting its properties. The defect area becomes unstable, surrounded by a region with stronger bonding, modifying the electronic environment of nearby atoms.
Researchers from Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, have discovered that high pressure can transform single-layer nickelate La2NiO4 into a metal without destroying its magnetic order. Strontium doping also alters the material's magnetic moments, leading to ferromagnetism at high doping levels.
Researchers found sex-specific differences in fetal brain gene expression linked to advanced paternal age, shedding light on autism's biological mechanisms. Female embryos conceived by aged fathers showed distinct gene expression profiles and increased gene expression levels.
A study by UC San Diego researchers found that macaques exposed to a deadly disease outbreak became more wary of contaminated food, suggesting that pathogen-avoidance behavior can be shaped by experience. The findings provide new insight into the behavioral immune system and its evolutionary roots.
Researchers investigated the association between Alzheimer-related changes and disease progression in ALS, finding that coexisting changes may affect prognosis. The study suggests that biomarkers like amyloid beta and NfL could improve diagnosis and prognosis, and may contribute to better patient stratification and more efficient clini...
A recent study published in Ornithology found that marbled murrelet chicks are more vulnerable to predation when ocean conditions are poor, taking an average of 25% longer to fledge. The research also highlighted the importance of prey species availability in determining murrelet reproductive output.
A UCLA-led study found that misunderstanding an opponent's intentions can fuel conflict, but sharing a visual boundary can help stop it. Researchers created a two-person territorial-conflict computer game to explore this phenomenon.
The Roman skeleton found in Westminster Abbey's sarcophagus may belong to high-ranking medieval monk Aelfwig or his successor Wulnoth, according to new analysis. The bones were dated to between 987 and 1052 AD, and the skeleton was found to be around 5ft 9ins in height.
A new study reveals that barn owls were once the center of diversity in the Caribbean, with fossil evidence of giant owl species found in Cuba and the Bahamas. The owls' origin is now believed to be in the Caribbean, rather than the Americas via a land bridge, and they likely reached the islands by flying over the Atlantic from Eurasia.
A large international study found that diverse and sustained social activities may boost cognitive performance and slow the decline in brain health associated with ageing. Engaging in at least 3 social activities, including volunteering and sports club membership, was particularly effective in keeping minds sharp.
US vaping rates have increased substantially between 2013-14 and 2023, with daily vaping rising by 230% and vaping among under 21s quadrupling. The increase in vaping frequency among adults has contributed to the overall rise in vaping rates, with vaping days among those under the minimum legal age of 21 more than quadrupling over the ...
A national study found that young adults were more likely to use high-nicotine e-cigarettes and experience increased nicotine dependence. By 2022, nearly half of young adults who vaped daily used e-cigarettes containing at least 4% nicotine.
A new subtype of depression called 'circadian depression' has been identified, affecting around a quarter of people with severe depression. This subtype is linked to the body's internal clock and is more responsive to behavioural and medical therapies targeting the body clock's unique brain circuits.
High-nicotine vaping surged 80% among US 18-24 year olds from 2017 to 2022, associated with increased nicotine dependence and daily vaping. The proportion of young adults vaping daily doubled, from 26% to 55.5%, and high-nicotine e-cigarettes' popularity rose among this age group.