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 proposes that wildfires and erosion in the southern Levant may have inspired Neolithic communities to discover pottery-making. The study suggests that observing naturally baked clay during intense fires led to the development of ceramics.
Research reveals two distinct types of Indian Ocean Dipole with different physical mechanisms and climate impacts. The west-east type IOD shows a stronger connection with East African autumn rainfall, while the central-east type IOD has a weaker influence.
The FLEX mission will track how plants react to drought, heat, and other environmental stresses, providing insights into climate-resilient agriculture and natural ecosystem protection. Forschungszentrum Jülich operates the German FLEX project office and contributes its scientific expertise to the mission.
A new study identifies high-affinity autoreactive antibodies in atherosclerosis, accelerating disease progression, and provides a potential link to autoimmune diseases such as Multiple Sclerosis and Diabetes Type 1.
Researchers discovered that immune cells' vesicles, meant to destroy pathogens, actually promote the survival of Candida albicans in the bloodstream. The vesicles, carrying antimicrobial molecules, shield the fungus from immune attack by altering its surface, making it harder for immune cells to recognize.
Scientists at PSI discovered chiral phonons, which exhibit handedness, and now show that an electric field can control their handedness. The researchers created a tiny device using ferroelectric barium titanate and demonstrated the ability to switch the handedness of phonons at room temperature and low voltage.
Elke Deuerling, a renowned molecular biologist, has been awarded the Sir Hans Krebs Medal 2027 for her groundbreaking research on protein balance and proteostasis. Her work focuses on deciphering the molecular processes that maintain cellular protein levels, ensuring the health and viability of organisms.
Researchers at LMU have secured European Research Council Starting Grants for projects investigating immune cells, stroke biology, and pension reform. Kami Alexander Pekayvaz aims to develop a new therapy for thrombosis, while Steffen Tiedt seeks to improve stroke treatment through high-frequency multi-omics testing.
Researchers at the University of Liège developed a breath analysis method to predict response to biologics for severe asthma. The method uses a signature of 17 volatile molecules present in breath to distinguish between responder and non-responder patients, outperforming traditional tests in accuracy.
A new paper from Cambridge scientist Dr Chris Macdonald explores the benefits of higher-protein diets, including lower mortality risk, improved mental health, and enhanced cognition. The study also reveals the best plant-based sources of protein, with tofu ranking highest overall.
Researchers developed small molecules that activate macrophages to attack cancer cells, weakening the tumor's defenses against the immune system. The molecules, called Phagocytic Synapse Enhancers, were tested in cell cultures and animal models and showed promising results, slowing tumor growth and extending survival.
MASH disease is a systemic condition affecting multiple organs and biological processes, with different genetic, metabolic, and immune responses among patients. The disease's complexity requires targeted and individualised treatment strategies, with emerging therapies addressing various mechanisms and subtypes.
Researchers developed MOFU, a robot that mimics living organisms' volumetric motion, changing its body volume through expansion and contraction. This design improves human-robot interaction by increasing perceived animacy, as participants rated the robot as more lifelike in experiments.
Anhedonia, a common symptom of depression and other mental health conditions, may not be solely explained by dopamine pathways, according to a new international expert report. The report calls for more precise definitions, biological markers, and clinical trials targeting anhedonia as a primary outcome.
A national care improvement programme has led to more equitable access to antenatal magnesium sulphate, a treatment that reduces the risk of cerebral palsy in premature babies. The programme's rollout has narrowed regional and socioeconomic gaps in treatment rates, benefiting mothers and babies across England.
Researchers developed PASR, a computational method that recovers higher-frequency structural information from cryo-EM datasets, improving map quality and enabling higher-resolution reconstructions. The approach may reduce microscope usage time and data-storage demands for analyzing large, flexible, or heterogeneous biological complexes.
Generative AI can help travellers organise their thoughts, compare options and complete holiday plans, making it easier for those who find planning overwhelming. The technology can provide structure and support, freeing travellers to focus on making judgements and decisions.
Researchers at Adelaide University found an active online ivory market in Australia, worth over $1.3 million, with most listings lacking proof of legality. The study's findings highlight the need for a domestic ivory ban to combat poaching and trafficking.
Researchers from NUS Medicine and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital have discovered how blood cells release S1P, a key signalling lipid, into the bloodstream. S1P plays a crucial role in keeping blood vessels healthy and supporting normal cell function. The study used cryo-electron microscopy and computer simulations to capture a d...
A review of 31 studies found six consistent psychosocial domains shaping young people's experience of cancer, including family, relationships, and emotions. The study highlights a need for psychosocial support tailored to a child's developmental stage, suggesting a window for prehabilitation to build coping and resilience.
The team developed an optical ultrasonic sensor that detects minute vibrations caused by sound using light, overcoming signal attenuation in air. The sensor delivers exceptional performance with a high receiving responsivity and ultra-high sensitivity.
Researchers at the University of Osaka have identified a previously unknown mechanism that allows the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae to export the antibiotic fosfomycin. The discovery provides new clues to drug resistance and could lead to the development of more effective treatments for bacterial infections.
A new study reveals that human emissions cuts have affected Greenland ice, with sulfate and nitrate levels changing after 1990. The study, which analyzed a 79-meter ice core, found that pollution controls reduced emissions in North America and Europe, but their effects on the ice core impurities diverged after 1990.
Compound hot-dry events on the Tibetan Plateau are modulated by ENSO and North Atlantic Oscillation, with regional differences in surface energy processes driving warming and drying, and local land-atmosphere interactions exacerbating feedback loops.
By controlling solvent molecules' residence, researchers boost cyclohexene conversion in zeolite catalysts without modifying their structure. The study reveals a
Triplet excited states in organic molecules play crucial roles in various applications. Researchers have identified a molecular strategy for balancing competing requirements in organic donor-acceptor systems, controlling conformational dynamics to determine triplet generation efficiency. The study reveals that an intermediate donor-acc...
The spin states of myoglobin heme iron in aqueous solutions at room temperature were investigated using nitrogen K-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy. The study found spin equilibriums between different states in deoxymyoglobin and metmyoglobin.
Researchers evaluated biological age using six internationally recognized proteomic aging clocks, finding a reduction in predicted biological age among patients treated with rentosertib. The drug also showed promising dose-dependent reversal of Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), a measure of lung function declining with age.
A fluorinated imine additive improves graphite anode stability through a LiF-rich protective layer, enhancing lithium-ion transport and long-term battery stability. The additive retains 89.4% and 95.6% of maximum capacities after 1,000 cycles, outperforming additive-free cells.
A simple blending strategy enables reversible fluorescence in block copolymers, allowing visualization of mechanical stress without altering material properties. The approach preserves mechanical properties and offers a practical route for stress-sensing functions in existing polymer materials.
Researchers at the Center for Genomic Regulation in Ukraine describe a decentralized, cloud-based computing model and a train-the-trainer structure as key principles for resilient scientific capacity. The approach has been successful in producing trained researchers and has implications for protecting science during wartime.
The team successfully grew single-crystalline polar wurtzite NbAlN thin films on GaN substrates, preserving the wurtzite crystal structure and metal polarity. This discovery expands the options for designing carrier density in GaN heterostructures, offering a new family of transition-metal-containing polar nitride semiconductors.
Researchers at Nagoya University have developed a method to detect hidden matter around black holes by analyzing changes in ringdown waves. The study found that hidden matter affects ringdown differently depending on its pressure arrangement around the black hole.
A study found that CADD522 strengthened bones in post-menopausal mice while reducing body fat and reversing metabolic changes linked to menopause. The treatment also appeared to reverse menopause-related changes in fatty acids and lipid abnormalities.
Researchers developed a low-temperature steam-assisted process to create durable, conductive spinel coatings on magnesium alloys for harsh acidic environments. The coating achieved ultralow corrosion current density and high sheet resistance, making it suitable for next-generation energy storage and conversion technologies.
Researchers have discovered a stem cell that contributes to lumbar spinal stenosis, a condition characterized by enlarged ligaments and nerve compression. The stem cell's hyperactivity may lead to the development of new treatment options, including drugs used to manage high blood pressure.
A new study reveals that inhibitory brain circuits can suppress adult glioma growth by reducing calcium activity inside tumor cells. Inhibitory neurons form synaptic contacts with glioma cells and reduce tumor cell proliferation and survival in preclinical models.
University of California, Davis researchers successfully synthesized new compounds with reduced hallucinogenic and cardiotoxic effects, identifying one compound with antipsychotic-like effects. By systematically deconstructing LSD, they uncovered the importance of the phenethylamine-like traits in producing hallucinogenic effects.
Researchers found strong similarities in small-scale structural properties and gene expression patterns between humans and macaques, but more differences in large-scale connections. Chimpanzees occupy an intermediate position between macaques and humans, with brain systems showing reorganization in sensory, motor, and internal informat...
A new study reveals that early humans' unique heel-strike walking style allowed for efficient foraging strategies like hunting and gathering, but came at the cost of higher impact forces on bones and joints. This adaptation may have required later anatomical changes to enable safe and consistent walking.