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 study finds that dementia with Lewy bodies preferentially affects certain brain regions, including those with genes linked to mitochondrial function and synapses. These regions show distinctive patterns of serotonin, dopamine, and GABA receptors, suggesting a potential target for new treatments.
A study by the University of Copenhagen found that only 13% of workplaces in Denmark are ready to introduce more plant-based lunches, while 42% are resistant to change. Workplaces with high tertiary activities and employees who eat less meat tend to be more open to change.
Researchers partnered with Navajo Nation tribal leaders to educate residents on safe drinking water sources. They identified high levels of uranium and other heavy metals in well water, and developed best practices for distributing educational resources.
Scientists have created more durable and adjustable colors inspired by butterfly wings, offering a safer alternative to traditional pigments. The new colors, produced from pterin crystals, are also environmentally friendly and have commercial potential.
A study of over 2,000 people in the US and China found that the distinction between medical and non-medical traits does not match public preferences. When given information, people decide not to implant embryos with a raised chance of low IQ or antisocial behavior about as often as they decide not to implant embryos with a raised chanc...
Researchers have created a 3D map of a hidden 'rock glacier' in the Wasatch Mountains, one of over 800 in Utah, and found it contains enough frozen water to fill 600 Olympic swimming pools. The study uses a novel technique to image the 3D ice body within a large rock glacier, revealing the scale of ice storage in Utah's mountains.
Researchers discovered a molecular mechanism that helps plants stay cool during heat stress by keeping their natural cooling system active. The protein UBP24 plays a key role in regulating leaf pores to allow for evaporation and cooling.
Researchers at La Jolla Institute for Immunology have developed a vaccine that uses T cells to fight Zika virus, but one vaccine, with both antibody and T cell protection, showed long-term protection against the virus. This discovery offers a new hope in the fight against Zika and its close viral relatives.
Tuberculosis bacteria can evolve to withstand airborne transmission and generate antibiotic resistance, according to a new study. Researchers identified a DNA repair gene called Mfd that helps certain drug-resistant strains survive transmission.
A hospital-based intervention combining training, quality improvement, and leadership support has been shown to reduce stillbirths and newborn deaths in sub-Saharan Africa. The study, published in Nature Medicine, found a 22% decrease in early perinatal death and a 19% reduction in oxygen-deprivation-related complications among newborns.
A new study suggests that large volcanic eruptions can disrupt the relationship between atmospheric circulations of the tropical Indian and Pacific oceans. Human-caused greenhouse gas emissions are now driving an unprecedented breakdown in inter-basin coupling, according to researchers.
A new AI framework reduces computational effort needed to optimize solid oxide electrolysis cells, improving hydrogen production efficiency and thermal stability. The framework achieved 14% improvement in electrochemical performance index and 80% reduction in temperature differences compared to baseline conditions.
The HydroGym platform uses reinforcement learning to train AI agents for actively controlling fluid flows, reducing drag and friction by up to 65%. The platform enables the systematic study of complex flows and improves the efficiency of airplanes, wind turbines, and other applications.
Researchers developed a tri-layer composite solid electrolyte with enhanced ionic conductivity and mechanical durability, boosting lithium-ion mobility and suppressing dendrite formation. The new electrolyte achieved nearly four times higher ionic conductivity and demonstrated over 1000 hours of stable cycling in symmetric cell tests.
A new, simplified amoeba-inspired computing model streamlines information-processing while enabling physical implementation, breaking volume-conservation law constraints. The model enables diverse materials and physical phenomena, solving combinatorial optimization problems with improved efficiency.
The RENI-1 study found durable and clinically meaningful outcomes for niraparib maintenance therapy in ovarian cancer patients, with median PFS reaching 36.5 months. Long-term niraparib use was feasible, particularly in patients with BRCA1/2 mutations, and did not adversely affect quality of life.
A large UK study found that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may reduce the risk of dementia, particularly for women who have undergone surgical menopause. The study, which followed over 180,000 postmenopausal women, found that HRT was associated with a 16% lower risk of developing Alzheimer's disease compared to non-users.
A new AI-based diagnosis tool can detect hypertension and diabetes from a single facial video, with high accuracy and potentially reaching far more people than traditional screening methods. The algorithm can estimate blood pressure from a facial video alone, without a cuff.
Researchers emphasize the need for personalized drug delivery systems that consider tumor biology, location, and patient factors to effectively treat oral cancer. Mucoadhesive films, oral sprays, and injectable hydrogels are promising technologies, but their translation to clinical use depends on practical considerations.
A team of engineers has unveiled ScaFi, a robot that swims like a fish, with a flexible tail made of fiberglass rods and a rigid front section. The robot's design allows it to scale up or down, making it suitable for studying shallow creeks to open water, while preserving fish-like gait and motion.
A new study reveals the importance of land use in maintaining soil health, with high levels of organic matter found in private gardens and low levels in lawns. The research uses buried cotton underwear to measure soil activity and provides insights into how to promote healthy soil ecosystems.
A study found that high blood levels of xylitol were associated with an increased risk of major adverse cardiovascular events. Researchers analyzed data from 17,710 participants and found a dose-dependent relationship between xylitol levels and cardiovascular event rates.
Researchers developed a novel divide-and-conquer approach for model checking linear temporal properties, called DCA2MC, to address state-space explosion and long verification times. The approach divides the original model checking problem into smaller, independent tasks, reducing memory consumption and verification time.
A research team at KIMS developed a flexible near-infrared photodetector with improved sensitivity and durability through p-type doping and electric-field optimization. The device achieved a 5.1-fold increase in photoresponsivity and demonstrated stable light detection across a broad wavelength range.
A new study finds that illness rates increase with proximity to the Santa Susana Field Laboratory, a site contaminated with radioactive and chemical waste. Wealthier residents, who were expected to take more action to protect themselves, were actually driven by fear to take precautions.
A study found that the FKBP5 gene, regulating stress hormones, is 'stuck on' in schizophrenia brains, leading to increased stress response and vulnerability to psychiatric conditions. The research suggests new treatment targets, targeting the gene, may develop to address this altered stress response.
A mother's obesity during pregnancy may program her son's liver metabolism and lead to glucose intolerance and reduced insulin sensitivity in adulthood. Transplacental extracellular vesicle RNA signaling is thought to play a key role in this effect.
A new study from the University of Surrey finds that traffic noise disrupts the benefits of bird song and other nature sounds, with negative impacts on stress reduction and positive mood changes. Reducing speed limits near parks and increasing vegetation could help mitigate this effect.
The NRG-LU005 trial found that patients receiving twice-daily radiation experienced a more favorable quality-of-life trajectory than those receiving once-daily radiation. This association remained after adjusting for patient characteristics, although the radiation schedule was not randomized.
Researchers at Hefei Institutes of Physical Science achieved record pulse energies with a laser diode-pumped Er,Pr:GYAP laser operating at 2.7 μm. The crystal helps improve laser performance, expanding the emission range and reducing energy losses. The laser produced high-energy pulses with Q-switched operation.
A study led by the Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute identified inherited genetic variants as a key factor in therapy-related myeloid neoplasms, a type of blood cancer. Patients with inherited cancer-predisposition variants had poorer outcomes and were more likely to develop extensive chromosome abnormalities.
A new study suggests that HLA-II peptide-binding diversity influences antibody responses and susceptibility to infections. Individuals with broader peptide-binding repertoires were more likely to show antibody responses and had a lower risk of severe infections requiring hospital care.
A study of 446 young adults from Australia and China found that frequent exposure to eating videos can lead to body image concerns, strong food cravings, and symptoms linked to disordered eating. The study suggests that these videos may contribute to unhealthy thoughts about food, eating, and appearance.
Researchers at Tohoku University found that stimulating the vagus nerve after training improves long-term learning in mice, suggesting a previously underappreciated mechanism behind vagus nerve stimulation. The study reveals that rhythmic changes in brain blood vessels play a key role in supporting long-term learning.
Researchers recorded a bycatch event of harbour porpoises entangled in a fishing net, gaining unprecedented insight into their behaviour. The incident showed the animals could avoid nets but made a rare mistake, leading to entanglement.
A research team created an ultrathin artificial lung that reproduces the movement of alveoli, air sacs inside the lung, and demonstrates the response to influenza virus. The lung operated stably through 240,000 breaths and showed promise for studying lung disease and drug responses.
A 20% sugar tax could prevent millions of cases of tooth decay and gum disease in Australia, saving the country from 3.7 million tooth decay cases and 115,000 complete tooth losses. The research also found that a sugar tax could generate approximately half a million health-adjusted life years for the 2019 Australian population.
A new Cochrane review finds that nicotine e-cigarettes are more effective in helping people quit smoking than conventional methods like nicotine gums and patches. The review of 80 randomized controlled trials involving 29,861 participants showed that e-cigarettes led to higher quit rates, resulting in about 4 more quitters per 100 people.
The publication of the alpha-synuclein seed amplification assay (αSyn-SAA) biomarker highlights a decade of collaborative progress in biomarker development. This milestone enables earlier testing of new treatments for Parkinson's disease, which could delay or prevent disease onset and progression.
Researchers create unique 'artificial fingerprints' using nanoparticles that can be authenticated with smartphone flashlight and laser pointer. The technology has potential applications in anti-counterfeiting and electronic device authentication.