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.
Research suggests that deep sleep strengthens resilience to stressful situations in mice by reorganizing brain activity in the prelimbic cortex. The study found that mice who experienced more deep sleep were better able to cope with stressful social situations.
A recent GEOMAR study found that climate change can trigger cascading natural hazards in the Arctic. The research team investigated an earthquake that triggered a rock avalanche on Jan Mayen island, revealing the devastating impact of permafrost degradation on the region's slopes and glaciers.
Research from Austria and Ireland shows that nicotine addiction remains a major health concern, with vaping and smoking increasing among children and young people. The studies found that smoking has declined, but vaping has risen, particularly among those under 18, and that people are taking up smoking at a younger age. The findings hi...
A prospective cohort study found that adults with hemoglobin levels 1 to 3 g/dL above the World Health Organization's anemia thresholds had lower mortality compared to those with levels below and above this range. The study suggests that further investigation of borderline anemia is warranted.
A new study found that weight loss injection semaglutide may reduce asthma attacks by up to 40% in people with airways diseases like asthma and COPD. Semaglutide also led to a 20% reduction in COPD flare-ups.
Teenagers from lower-income households are more likely to have eating disorders, contrary to common stereotypes. The study found that family income showed the strongest correlation, with two-thirds of studies indicating that lower-income families were more likely to have eating disorder symptoms.
A clinical trial shows that laughter therapy can reduce breathing difficulties and is as effective as traditional breathing exercises in COPD patients. Patients who underwent laughter therapy had less difficulty breathing and better overall health compared to those who received traditional breathing exercises or no treatment.
A KAIST research team has identified the cause of measurement artifacts in nanoscale battery analysis, which can lead to misinterpretation of ion movement. The team developed a method to reduce these artifacts by smoothing battery material surfaces.
A large Europe-wide study has found that smoking leads to increased loneliness, with current smokers reporting higher levels of loneliness and social isolation. The study suggests that smoking damages psychosocial health in addition to physical effects, and highlights the need to challenge the social norms surrounding smoking.
A recent study found that AI chatbots incorrectly reassure sleep apnea patients that their symptoms are not serious, discouraging them from seeking specialist assessment. This can lead to delayed diagnosis and treatment, increasing the risk of complications such as high blood pressure, stroke, and heart disease.
Research presented at the European Respiratory Society Congress found common bacteria in classroom dust, such as Streptomyces and Mycobacterium spp., are associated with reduced lung function in children. Children exposed to classrooms with higher levels of these bacteria had lower forced vital capacity, FEV₁, and PEF.
Researchers at KAIST discovered that weak hydrogen bonds can block copper's tendency to reshape its bonding structure, making it less stable. This finding opens new avenues for selective metal separation and recognition, as well as catalyst design.
A new study found that babies born with a higher genetic risk for COPD showed reduced lung function growth between birth and six years old, especially in areas with high air pollution. This suggests that early-life environment, including air pollution, may contribute to the foundations of the disease.
Researchers at Tokyo Metropolitan University discovered that reducing pressure helps extend plasma lifetime and increase atomic oxygen availability. The findings promise more effective oxygen plasma treatments for industries, including biomedical and semiconductor sectors.
AflHapX is critical for A. flavus's adaptive response to iron excess and starvation, influencing aflatoxin B1 production. The transcription factor regulates genes involved in iron homeostasis, aflatoxin biosynthesis, and oxidative stress responses.
Dr. Sophie de Vries receives funding to study how plants balance immunity with cooperation, while Dr. Tristan Stöber works on developing AI systems that can build accurate internal models of the world. Professor Elisa Oberbeckmann investigates gene regulation mechanisms.
The GSA opposes the significant reductions to Bears Ears and Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monuments, which preserve exceptional records of Earth history and support ongoing scientific discoveries. The organization calls for the restoration of boundaries and long-term stewardship of these irreplaceable landscapes.
UVic researchers played a significant role in Canada's Changing Climate Report 2026, providing detailed assessments of past and future climate changes in Canada. The report finds that human-caused greenhouse gas emissions are driving widespread changes, including extreme heat, warming oceans, and rising sea levels.
Researchers at the University of Arizona assessed seven generative AI models for fallibility, persuadability and correctability during lengthy conversations. The study revealed intrinsic limitations of these models, including oscillation between accepting and rejecting false statements, and the need for careful human engagement to miti...
The UN University's latest publication highlights the need for domain-informed AI in grid planning to address physical and fiscal risks from outdated climate data. The authors warn that 15-20 year lifespans of electricity infrastructure are based on historical weather records unlikely to hold in the coming decades.
Scientists have developed a method to identify where Earth's biggest earthquakes are most likely to occur, focusing on subduction zones. The approach uses GPS measurements to detect locked regions along faults, which store energy until a major earthquake triggers. While the method cannot predict tsunami size or timing, it can narrow do...
Scientists have discovered 10 new species of branching marine worms, shedding light on their evolution and diversity. The study, published in the Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, used DNA sequencing and anatomical analyses to solve a long-standing puzzle and provide new insights into the evolution of complex body forms.
The study introduces a new bamboo fiber foam that combines electromagnetic shielding, flame retardancy, thermal insulation, and electrically driven heating in one lightweight material. The foam was created using ambient drying, which reduces energy consumption compared to traditional processing methods.
A four-year study in Heidelberg University found that a behavioral therapy-based program was 50% more effective than media education in preventing gaming disorder and problematic online behaviors in high-risk adolescents. The program achieved better results among participants at high risk of addiction.
Microplastics act as pollutant shuttles, carrying chemicals, pathogens and antibiotic resistance genes through water, soil, food webs and environmental boundaries. A three-tiered framework identifies conditions for dominant ecological risks, highlighting the need for realistic risk assessment and unified global governance.
A new review suggests slow pyrolysis can reduce environmental risks while recovering materials, metals, and energy from contaminated agricultural biomass. The process involves controlled heating, producing biochar, bio-oil, and gases, with potential applications in soil amendment, water treatment, and metal recovery.
Researchers discovered a bacterium in urine that can convert DHEA into testosterone, shedding light on a previously unknown microbial route to a hormone central to prostate biology. This finding raises new questions about the potential role of microorganisms near the prostate in shaping its chemical environment.
A statewide evaluation will assess the implementation and impact of California's traditional health care practices benefit, covering culturally grounded healing approaches for substance use disorders. The project aims to identify best practices for strengthening access to traditional healing and improving care for Native communities.
Researchers used satellite-observed chlorophyll fluorescence to detect subtle physiological changes in evergreen trees, revealing forest stress two years before bark beetle mortality appears. The technology could provide early warning for forest managers to prepare before mortality becomes widespread, helping to mitigate climate change...
Expectant mothers in the Philippines used creative coping strategies to manage sociopolitical stressors, including reframing difficult circumstances and maintaining a positive outlook. The study suggests that how new moms cope with stressful news may be more important than the news itself, with 67% of participants citing financial stre...
Dr. Amir Iravani brings expertise in molecular imaging and radiopharmaceutical therapy to UCLA Health, expanding research and clinical cancer care. He aims to integrate theranostics into cancer care, expand clinical trials, and develop new treatments for solid tumors and hematologic malignancies.
New research from Texas A&M University suggests that younger brains may be more vulnerable to post-traumatic epilepsy after traumatic brain injury, despite their flexibility to adapt. Older brains showed fewer signs of epilepsy but were vulnerable to neuroinflammation, circuit remodeling, and memory loss.
The Gerontological Society of America supports the 2026-27 respiratory season vaccine evidence review, highlighting the importance of evidence-based immunization recommendations across the life course. Vaccinations continue to provide meaningful protection against severe illness, hospitalization, and death for individuals of all ages.
A new white paper by Dr. Contessa T. Walker-Jackson suggests that teacher recognition should be specific, consistent, and connected to teachers' actual work. The paper recommends five leadership practices for school leaders to make recognition part of everyday practice, which can support teacher morale and engagement.
The employment-to-population ratio for people with disabilities increased from 38.3% to 39.8% in August 2026, a new all-time high. This uptick is attributed to more job seekers finding employment, despite rising cost-of-living prices affecting people with disabilities living at or below the poverty line.
A new study by the University of Vienna reveals that ammonia-oxidizing archaea in marine sponges are not strict specialists, but instead use amino acids such as valine, leucine, and isoleucine as additional food sources. This finding suggests that these symbiotic microbes may have an unknown ability to communicate with their animal hosts.
A new study found that inducing mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) during embryonic development protects the adult heart from chemotherapy toxicity in mice. The study discovered that stressed mitochondria release citrate, leading to long-term epigenetic changes that promote beneficial mitohormetic adaptations. These findings s...
SUNY Cobleskill Ag & Tech is developing a virtual reality course in agricultural engineering to provide rural farmers with hands-on training. The grant aims to give farmers technical skills without leaving their land, reducing costs and improving productivity.
Researchers found that energy-demanding tissues have larger macrophage crews to manage waste, with the number of macrophages tracking mitochondrial activity and waste production. This system is critical for tissue health and function, and may help preserve tissue function as we age.
Carbon did not migrate into the core, resulting in a graphite crust; silicon and sulphur are responsible for the core's low density. The graphite crust is approximately 40-120 meters thick and is composed of 1-3% carbon.