News on early, curiosity-driven science that opens new directions. Covers materials discovery, AI-guided research, pediatric research standards, and energy science.
A new framework, PhysMat AI, integrates physical knowledge into AI for materials discovery, enabling more interpretable and testable predictions. This approach helps move materials discovery beyond correlation-based prediction toward reasoning based on physical principles.
A new analysis from Cure reveals that universities can engage with industry through four distinct pathways, with bottom-decile institutions outperforming top-ranked universities in commercialization and entrepreneurship. The study found that universities can build meaningful partnerships by leveraging their strengths in specific areas,...
Two new sea spider species are discovered in the Salish Sea, shedding light on the diversity of marine arthropods and their impact on ecosystems. Researchers found these species to have unique traits, such as hairy legs, red eyes, and dexterous ovigers.
A new AI tool has been developed to predict treatment and survival outcomes in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer treated with immunotherapy. The tool consistently outperformed standard clinical biomarkers, achieving high accuracy scores in predicting survival outcomes.
A new AI-powered system is being developed to discover new polymeric materials, reducing waste and accelerating innovation. The system integrates multiple tools, including polymer databases, predictive models, and automated laboratories, to create a self-automated workflow that refines itself.
Two OU-led research teams have been awarded nearly $1.4 million in funding under the DOE's Genesis Mission to develop AI for enhanced geothermal systems and quantum computing. OU's projects align with the university's impact-centers research priorities and address the Genesis Mission's pillars of Energy Dominance and Discovery Science.
Critical Path Institute (C-Path) has achieved ISO/IEC 27001:2022 certification, demonstrating its commitment to protecting sensitive information and partner trust. This certification reflects the organization's structured risk-based information security management system.
A decade-long review of Kids First DRC shows how shared data expands research opportunities across diseases, institutions, and scientific disciplines. The resource has supported findings with potential to improve diagnosis, risk assessment, and treatment in pediatric care.
The Alliance QUANTUM trial is testing whether post-transplant consolidation therapy with teclistamab improves survival in patients with primary plasma cell leukemia. Plasma cell leukemia is a rare but aggressive blood cancer with poor long-term survival rates.
A project led by Michela Taufer aims to accelerate AI-driven scientific discovery by enabling secure data sharing across the nation's research infrastructure. The National Science Data Fabric (NSDF) will connect researchers, computing resources, and data repositories, making advanced AI-driven science accessible to all.
The University of Tennessee has received a $20 million NSF grant to establish ATHENA, a national network of AI-powered laboratories for accelerating scientific discovery. The initiative aims to revolutionize materials discovery by accelerating design, synthesis, characterization and autonomous optimization of advanced materials.
A new species of wormlion fly has been discovered in the Himalayas, characterized by its large size and pitfall-feeding strategy. The species, Vermitigris tsangyanggyatso, is distinct from its closest relatives due to its unique physical traits.
The International Society for Stem Cell Research announces the launch of a global consortium focused on integrating human stem cell-derived models into preclinical drug development. Bayer is a founding member, aiming to establish standardized frameworks and regulatory guidance for these models.
Klick Labs is launching a series of clinical studies with Mayo Clinic exploring the use of novel vocal biomarkers in connection with Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, ovulation, and blood glucose. The research collaboration aims to leverage the voice's hidden properties to flag critical health issues and enhance patient care.
The University of Oklahoma is establishing the Oklahoma Center of ImmunoEngineering with an $11.5 million NIH award. The center will integrate wet lab science and data science to accelerate disease research. Four early-career faculty members are selected as research project leaders, and the center offers training workshops, seminars an...
Researchers at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center found that the tail region of mRNAs helps fold thousands of critical regulatory proteins correctly. This discovery sheds new light on fundamental biology and has practical implications for laboratory research.
The UK-led OpenBind initiative has released its first publicly available dataset and predictive AI model, accelerating the discovery of new medicines using artificial intelligence. The release showcases high-quality, standardized experimental data and a trained predictive model, enabling researchers worldwide to drive the next generati...
A global research network, led by ASAP and MJFF, is expanding its efforts to map the biological blueprint of Parkinson's disease and develop a standardized toolkit of global research resources. This expansion aims to accelerate the development of personalized therapies by understanding the disease's inherent heterogeneity.
The Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology has several active trials specifically designed to help people with head and neck cancers. Trials include testing high-dose prophylactic gabapentin to prevent opioid use during treatment, as well as immunotherapy with nivolumab and cabozantinib for mucosal melanoma and nasopharyngeal carcino...
Researchers at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center discovered that skin stem cells possess a remarkable form of inflammatory memory that can last over a year. This finding has implications for understanding how repeated inflammation affects skin aging and disease susceptibility. The study used MSK-IMPACT, a tumor sequencing test, to...
Lawrence Toll has been named a senior member of the National Academy of Inventors for his pioneering work on pain pathways, reward systems, and potential treatments. His research focuses on identifying new drug targets and therapeutic strategies to combat chronic pain and addiction.
The Alliance trial explores the combination of zanubrutinib and sonrotoclax for CLL treatment, aiming to send cancer into remission and allow patients to stop treatment earlier. The study has the potential to be life-changing for patients and their families, reducing the burden of ongoing therapy and improving quality of life.
Healthspan Horizons links real-world longitudinal data with deep discovery science to create uniquely powerful, long-term datasets revealing what drives human healthspan over time. The platform aims to translate discoveries into clearer guidance on what helps people stay resilient, supporting more years of energy, strength, and indepen...
New MSK research reveals that the TCA cycle's waste-management function may present an opportunity against cancer, microplastics impair immune 'housekeeping' functions and TOX plays different roles in different immune cells. A new combination approach for treating advanced kidney cancer after immunotherapy has also been identified.
Researchers have developed a new method for cleaning oil spills using massive fire whirls, which can burn through crude oil nearly twice as fast as in-situ fire pools. The results show that fire whirls produce 40% less soot and consume up to 95% of the fuel, leaving fewer harmful particles behind.
A comprehensive roadmap identifies mouse models that incorporate aging as a central element of Parkinson's disease pathogenesis, fostering cooperation among researchers. The collaboration aims to make it easier for scientists to include aging in their efforts to tackle the incurable neurodegenerative motor disease.
Researchers developed an autonomous AI network technology that enables multiple AI systems to spontaneously collaborate and share knowledge to discover new materials. This collaboration improves exploration efficiency and paves the way for the creation of numerous new materials.
The International Society for Stem Cell Research published its most downloaded papers of 2025, reflecting the field's scientific range from pluripotency to regenerative medicine. The journal's mission is to publish rigorous, transparent, and consequential science advancing discovery while informing clinical translation.
Researchers from MSK discovered that two distinct subtypes of regulatory T cells play opposing roles in colorectal cancer, with one restraining tumor growth and the other fueling it. The study suggests that selective approaches to targeting these cells could improve immunotherapy treatment for most patients with colorectal cancer.
University of Missouri researchers are combining in-home sensor technology with artificial intelligence to monitor daily changes in ALS patients' health. The system uses machine learning to estimate a patient's score on the ALS Functional Rating Scale Revised, predicting potential problems before they occur.
A team at the University of Pennsylvania has solved the mechanism of action of hydralazine, revealing its potential to halt the growth of brain cancer cells. By blocking an oxygen-sensing enzyme, hydralazine can reduce intracellular calcium levels, causing blood vessels to relax and tumor cells to enter a dormant state.
A new species of wolf snake, Lycodon irwini, has been discovered in the Great Nicobar Islands and named in honor of Steve Irwin. The snakes are glossy black, non-venomous, and likely feed on reptiles and small mammals.
Researchers successfully estimated precise altitude distribution of nitrogen molecular ions responsible for blue aurora emissions at high altitudes. The study revealed a peak emission intensity at 200 km altitude, suggesting higher-than-thought density of nitrogen molecular ions in the atmosphere.
The Allison Institute's third annual scientific symposium featured a panel discussion with five Nobel laureates, highlighting breakthroughs in cancer vaccines, immunotherapy, and immunology research. The event also recognized scientific achievement and leadership through award presentations.
The Variant Workbench enables researchers to explore genetic data in a single, integrated workspace, linking genomic information with clinical conditions. By reducing data complexity, the tool facilitates scientific discovery and accelerates pace of research.
Chrysothemis Brown, an immunologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, has been selected as a 2025 Freeman Hrabowski Scholar to pursue curiosity-driven research on early life immune development and tolerance. The award supports her lab's work in understanding immune tolerance and developing new treatments for immune-related dis...
A new species of the genus Leucothoe was identified on Sugashima Island, Japan. The discovery was associated with a specific type of limid bivalve, highlighting the unique biodiversity found in this region.
New MSK research explores the importance of tumor location in metastasis, regulatory T cells' role in pain management, and the effectiveness of proton therapy for leptomeningeal metastasis. The study found that different organ sites select for different cell types present in primary tumors, affecting their viability.
Astronomers have finally solved the mystery of globular clusters using detailed simulations, uncovering a new class of object that could be in our own galaxy. The study found multiple pathways for their creation and a new class of star system, “globular cluster-like dwarfs”, which sits between globular clusters and dwarf galaxies.
The ISSCR will host its 2028 Annual Meeting in Copenhagen, Denmark, bringing together researchers, clinicians, industry leaders, and policymakers from over 80 countries. The event will support new frontiers in stem cell science and regenerative medicine, fostering global collaboration and discovery of cutting-edge scientific advances.
Researchers have discovered a new material that matches or exceeds the performance of commercial iridium-based materials, but at a fraction of the cost. The breakthrough was achieved using a powerful new tool called a megalibrary, which rapidly screened vast combinations of metals to find a suitable alternative.
The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) has exceeded its $500 million fundraising goal through the Be Bold: A Campaign for Our Future initiative. The campaign, which aimed to accelerate student success, advance research excellence, and expand community impact, garnered support from over 60,000 donors contributing over 200,000 gif...
The International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) and STEMCELL Technologies have partnered to develop a free, on-demand course on the ISSCR Standards for Human Stem Cell Use in Research. The course will provide practical guidance on applying the standards to enhance rigor and reproducibility in human stem cell research worldwide.
A new open-access database, CampaignView, has been created to understand congressional elections. The database contains the biographies of over 5,000 major-party candidates who ran for the U.S. House of Representatives between 2018 and 2022.
Four new tarantula species have been discovered in the Arabian Peninsula and Horn of Africa, featuring extraordinary long palps on males to aid in mating. The genus Satyrex boasts a range of distinct characteristics, including bright coloration and fossorial habits.
A study using anonymized patient records from UC health centers found over 600 correlations between endometriosis and other conditions, including infertility, autoimmune disease, and certain cancers. The research supports the growing understanding of endometriosis as a multi-system disorder.
Researchers at Chan Zuckerberg Biohub San Francisco and Stanford University have developed an AI-driven Virtual Lab that can tackle sophisticated scientific problems. The team of AI agents, each equipped with varied expertise, can formulate, refine, and carry out complex research strategies, producing results that can be validated in r...
Researchers now have access to high-value datasets that could transform our understanding of Parkinson’s and other neurodegenerative diseases. Data from 3 million human cells across 9 brain regions will help explore the brain at unprecedented resolution.
Researchers created a digital twin to detect disease risk, initiate preventive treatment, and simulate effective treatments. The model uses extensive human data from the Human Phenotype Project to identify deviations from expected physiological changes in 17 body systems.
Researchers developed a self-driving lab that collects at least 10 times more data than previous techniques, dramatically expediting materials discovery research while slashing costs and environmental impact. The system uses dynamic flow experiments to continuously characterize samples, capturing data every half second.
The discovery sheds light on the complex connections between ancient Maya and central Mexican civilizations. Archaeologists found artifacts indicating early contact between the two regions around AD 350.
A recent study documents the discovery of over 100 new ribbon worm species off Oman's coast, highlighting a significant underestimation of global marine biodiversity. The finding underscores the importance of exploring lesser-studied regions, such as the tropics, to uncover the full extent of oceanic diversity.
Researchers at Weizmann Institute of Science discovered that nerve cells can sense mechanical forces in fat tissue, regulating brown fat activity and influencing energy balance. Mice lacking this sensing ability were resistant to obesity and metabolic conditions.
Researchers at the Weizmann Institute of Science have discovered a coordinated network of four cell types crucial for preventing immune reactions to food. This network is initiated by ROR-gamma-t cells, which temporarily suspend tolerance mechanisms to combat infection, and then resume when the threat has passed.
A study of Nobel laureates found that frequent moves and working in multiple locations can significantly reduce the time before starting Nobel-prize winning work. The researchers estimated that moving every two years can decrease the time by two years, while being in multiple locations reduces it by 2.6 years.
The 4th Annual MPS World Summit brings together over 1,500 international experts to explore advancements in Microphysiological Systems (MPS) research. This event focuses on drug and chemical safety, disease modeling, and regulatory testing.
Researchers have found that psychedelic compounds can reverse a cascade involving brain-resident cells and immune cells, increasing fear behavior when chronic stress disrupts signaling. This finding represents a paradigm shift in understanding psychedelics' therapeutic potential.
The Psychedelics journal has expanded its focus to include all psychoactive drugs, challenging traditional classifications and embracing a broader understanding of consciousness-altering substances. This move aims to reveal novel therapeutic applications and deepen human knowledge of the mind.
The Monte Gordo Grasshopper, thought extinct since 1980, has been rediscovered in Cape Verde's São Nicolau island. The species, a 'living fossil,' has shown remarkable resilience in the challenging environment.
The Global Virus Network warns of systemic inadequacies in pandemic preparedness, highlighting the need for $31.1 billion in annual funding to establish a comprehensive Pandemic Preparedness and Response system. The GVN advocates for strengthened systems to protect humanity from future pandemic threats.