Experts discuss GLP-1 drug efficacy in treating obesity and its associated health issues. Key findings include the neurobehavioral links between mental health and obesity, as well as policy implications for access to these treatments.
A recent study investigated the mechanisms behind AI political persuasion, finding that post-training and prompting are key levers. The research revealed a persuasion-accuracy tradeoff, highlighting the need for policymakers to reassess the risks of persuasive AI.
A new study reveals that Nanotyrannus lancensis was a fully mature, distinct species of smaller tyrannosaurid, not a juvenile T. Rex. The discovery sheds light on late Cretaceous ecosystems, suggesting greater predatory diversity than previously recognized.
A recent study by Marco de Martino and colleagues sheds new light on the domestication of cats, suggesting they originated from North African wildcats rather than the Levant. Genetic analysis reveals that true domestic cats only appeared in Europe and southwest Asia several thousand years after the Neolithic.
In a groundbreaking study, macaques were found to synchronize their taps with musical beats in real-time, even when presented with new songs. This ability to perceive and move to rhythm suggests that the roots of beat perception may be more widespread than previously thought.
A new study using an AI-powered browser extension reveals that even small changes in exposure to hostile political content on X (formerly Twitter) can measurably influence feelings toward opposing political parties. The findings provide direct causal evidence of the impact of algorithmically controlled post ranking on a user's social m...
Researchers analyzed nearly a decade of satellite data to quantify seasonal variations in ice velocity globally. Glaciers in temperate regions show substantial seasonal swings driven by local air temperatures, with peak flow occurring earlier in the year.
A new study suggests that pairing modest antiviral therapies with immune modulation can restore damaged tissues and lung function after severe influenza infection. The findings offer a potential foundation for future clinical strategies to improve outcomes in severe acute respiratory disease.
A massive swarm of earthquakes in 2025 was triggered by pulses of magma tunneling far below the seafloor, according to a new study. The findings provide a detailed look at a 'pumping' magmatic dike in action and offer insights into more reliable eruption forecasting.
A toxin-secreting gut bacterium may fuel ulcerative colitis by killing protective immune cells that maintain intestinal homeostasis. Intestinal macrophages play a crucial role in this process and their absence makes the colon highly vulnerable to inflammation.
Researchers found Theia's iron isotopic compositions matching those of Earth and non-carbonaceous meteorites, suggesting it formed closer to the Sun than initial thought. High-precision analyses reveal Theia's origin in the inner Solar System, challenging previous models.
The 2025 AAAS Kavli Science Journalism Awards recognize journalists who produced compelling stories on the misuse of science, flaring practices, and other critical topics. Seven Gold Awards and nine Silver Awards went to winners from around the world.
Uche Medoh, winner of the Science & SciLifeLab Prize, solved a 50-year puzzle in his field by uncovering the machinery behind BMP, a molecule with protective effects against various disorders. His research could help increase its levels to treat multiple diseases.
A study of an Early Triassic-age fossil site in the Arctic found complex and diverse oceanic ecosystems, with many marine tetrapod lineages diversifying soon after the end-Permian mass extinction event. The findings suggest that vertebrate evolution paralleled the rapid resurgence of invertebrate life in the Early Triassic.
A new genomic study found that dogs traveled with humans as they migrated across Eurasia, forming part of cultural and biological exchanges. The study analyzed ancient dog genomes alongside human and modern dog genomes, revealing coincidences between dog movement and human migration patterns.
A new study reveals that domestic dogs developed their distinctive forms thousands of years before modern breeding practices. Early Holocene dogs exhibited roughly half the morphological range seen in modern dogs, with notable variation emerging millennia before modern breeds.
A magnetically guided microrobotics system enables precise drug delivery to diseased tissues, minimizing unwanted side effects. The system integrates movement, navigation, and imaging functions, ensuring seamless integration into clinical practice.
A new geochemical technique reveals that Arctic sea-ice coverage waxed and waned with atmospheric warming over the last 300,000 years, not ocean heat. This finding suggests that future reductions in Arctic sea ice will enhance biological nutrient consumption.
Researchers propose a new mechanism for magma bubble nucleation driven by mechanical energy from shear forces. The study found that viscous shear can supply the energy needed to trigger bubble formation, contradicting traditional views on decompression-induced nucleation.
Researchers found extreme warming of Amazon lakes in 2023, with water temperatures soaring above 40°C and lake levels plummeting to record lows. The study highlights the vulnerability of tropical lakes to intense warming and calls for better monitoring of these ecosystems under climate change.
New research reveals how genetic changes in the MKK3 gene fine-tune seed dormancy and determine whether grains sprout too soon. This discovery offers breeders new genetic tools to balance seed dormancy and crop resilience under changing climate conditions, which could help reduce crop losses due to pre-harvest sprouting.
A new study on the March 2025 Mandalay earthquake reveals that an unusually thick, low-velocity fault zone enabled a supershear rupture to sustain for hundreds of kilometers. This behavior often occurs on simple, straight faults like the San Andreas and Sagaing faults.
Researchers discovered how neural circuits assemble with precision during development by studying the fruit fly's olfactory system. They found that partner selection occurs on a two-dimensional surface, then along fixed trajectories, and identified key surface proteins mediating attraction and repulsion between neuron types.
The AAAS launched the Pathways to Policy Fellowship, its third immersive fellowship program, recognizing institutions outside the federal government play a significant role in shaping public policy. The program places scientists in sectors such as nonprofits and private industry with options for renewal and expansion.
A genetic study reveals that the London Underground Mosquito originated in ancient Mediterranean civilizations over a thousand years ago. The mosquito adapted to human habitats aboveground environments, priming itself for urban success.
A new study has precisely dated New Mexico fossils to around 66.4-66 million years ago, showing diverse dinosaur species thriving in the region until the end of the Cretaceous Period. This finding challenges the long-held idea that non-avian dinosaurs were in a gradual decline before extinction.
Researchers discovered that duck-billed dinosaur 'mummies' are actually delicate clay molds formed by microbes as they decayed. The unique preservation reveals complex hide patterns, similar to modern squamates, with functional and morphological similarities to some reptiles.
The 2023 marine heatwave caused widespread coral mortality in Florida's Coral Reef, leading to the functional extinction of critically endangered Acropora species. Researchers found that between 97.8 and 100% of coral colonies had died by March 2024, highlighting the urgent need for interventions to maintain these populations.
The Science/Science Careers' 2025 Top Employers Survey ranked the top companies in biotechnology, biopharmaceuticals, and pharmaceuticals based on employee responses. The survey found that companies with strong reputations as employers prioritized innovation, leadership, and work culture.
A new framework proposes an 'aviation sustainability index' to guide investment decisions and distinguish genuine progress from greenwashing. The authors aim to tackle the lack of breakthrough clean technologies and weak incentives for investors in the competitive aviation sector.
A stinkbug's hindleg contains symbiotic fungi that mother bugs use to coat their eggs in protective hyphae, shielding them from parasitic wasps. The fungus physically blocks wasp parasitism, indicating a mechanical rather than chemical or pathogenic protection.
Research findings from the International Drought Experiment reveal that consecutive extreme drought years lead to significant declines in ecosystem productivity, with some sites experiencing a 2.5-fold reduction in productivity over four years. This cumulation is attributed to species mortality, failed establishment, and changes in com...
The World Health Organization's Expert Committee on Drug Dependence is reassessing the status of the coca leaf, a plant long cultivated in South America. Research confirms its safety and cultural significance, differing from cocaine, which has a well-documented history of addiction and harm.
Research reveals that the April 2024 total solar eclipse disrupted bird behavior, with some species bursting into song after the Sun returned. The study, combining citizen science and machine learning, found that the temporary darkness reset birds' biological clocks, prompting them to behave as if a new day had begun.
China's emerging AI regulation aims to balance oversight with openness, fostering collaboration and long-term innovation. The country's Model AI Law and Scholar's Proposal are key references for ongoing policy discussions, with a focus on exemptive laws, efficient adjudication, and experimentalist requirements.
A new study reveals that greater noctule bats capture and consume migrating birds in flight, employing unique aerial handling techniques. The bats use echolocation to spot prey, then execute high-speed chases before capturing their quarry, often consuming it during prolonged flights.
The Golden Goose Award recognizes federally funded research that unexpectedly benefits society, such as the development of cisplatin for testicular cancer treatment. The award also honors scientists who have made significant contributions to disease diagnostics.
Researchers found that subtle changes in four amino acids of the naked mole-rat's cGAS enzyme enhance its ability to repair aging-related genetic damage. This allows for stronger interactions with repair factors, boosting HR repair and contributing to the species' extraordinary longevity.
Astronomers have detected phosphine (PH3) in the atmosphere of low-temperature brown dwarf Wolf 1130C using James Webb Space Telescope. The abundance is comparable to that of Jupiter and Saturn, with a value of 0.100 parts per million.
Wildfire disasters worldwide have become markedly more burdensome over the last 40 years, tripling in fatality events and increasing economic losses fourfold since 1980. The escalation is driven by intensifying climate conditions and human activities such as land-use shifts and fire suppression policies.
A recent study highlights the need for improved biosecurity screening in AI-assisted protein engineering, where vulnerabilities in current software allow proteins of concern to evade detection. The authors developed software patches that resulted in improved detection rates without increasing false positives.
Catastrophic wildfires are increasing worldwide, posing significant challenges for governments. A study suggests investing in proactive wildfire mitigation and prevention is more cost-effective than reactive response and recovery.
A study by Harvard University found that EurekAlert! press releases were 4 times more likely to receive U.S. media coverage than journal articles without press releases. The researchers analyzed 1,155 archaeology papers and found that over 90% of those published in top journals were covered by at least one major U.S. news outlet.
A 'what-if' scenario analysis suggests that a 40% reduction in NIH funding could limit the development of several promising pharmaceuticals. The study found that 14 out of 557 approved drugs between 2000 and 2023 were supported by at-risk grants, which would have been cut under a hypothetical budget reduction.
Termites cultivate fungus in specialized combs, but invasive fungi like Pseudoxylaria threaten their crops. Fungus-farming termites employ flexible behaviors to suppress weeds, isolating infected areas with soil boluses enriched with microbial allies.
The Yunxian 2 cranium, dated to nearly one million years ago, exhibits a mix of primitive traits from earlier humans and more derived features shared with Homo longi and Homo sapiens. This suggests that the Yunxian group may represent a transitional form, capturing an early phase of rapid diversification within these lineages.
A global field experiment found that camouflage and warning coloration are effective antipredator strategies under different ecological conditions. The study suggests that predator competition is a key factor shaping the evolution of these strategies, with camouflage potentially being less stable than warning coloration.
A new study finds that El Niño increases the likelihood of extreme daily downpours in India's wetter regions, potentially leading to hazardous conditions. The research suggests changes in atmospheric buoyancy and low-pressure system tracks drive this intensification, which has remained steady over time despite regional shifts.
Recent studies provide insights into the complex role of human activity in the movement and adaptations of Aedes aegypti and Anopheles funestus. The research reveals the urgent need for tailored interventions against malaria and dengue, highlighting the importance of locally tailored control strategies.
A recent study challenges conventional wisdom about US science funding and partisan control, revealing a complex relationship between political power and federal appropriations. Grants constitute only a small fraction of total spending, with most funds going to private firms through contracts or in-house agency research.