News on early, curiosity-driven science that opens new directions. Covers materials discovery, AI-guided research, pediatric research standards, and energy science.
Researchers at UCSF have discovered how a unique type of virus called a jumbo phage protects itself inside bacteria. The shield works via a set of secret handshakes that allow only useful proteins to pass through, giving the phage an advantage over regular phages when fighting infections.
Researchers at the University of Maryland discovered multiple pathways for dsRNA molecules to enter cells, challenging previous assumptions about RNA transport. They found that a protein called SID-1 plays a key role in regulating genes across generations, which could lead to better targeted treatments for human diseases.
A new tool named retriever extracts disease-specific drug response signatures to predict cancer treatment combinations, improving personalized treatment strategies. The tool refines predictions using single-cell RNA sequencing data and demonstrates its potential in identifying effective treatments for triple-negative breast cancer.
Researchers have created detailed maps of the retina using AI technology to better understand its link to various diseases. The study identified new genetic factors influencing retinal thickness, which may serve as a diagnostic biomarker for disease detection.
Researchers at FAU's Schmidt College of Medicine will explore the use of genetically engineered cells to treat degenerative diseases, with a focus on understanding how hypoxic conditions drive cellular transformation. The study aims to identify novel pathways controlling this process and develop strategies for engineering more complex ...
A recent study published in Communications Biology reveals that the Sudan virus binds to human cells through a specific protein called NPC1, which enables it to attach with nine times greater affinity than Ebola. This discovery may contribute to the high fatality rate of the Sudan virus.
A POSTECH research team developed a novel multidimensional sampling theory to overcome limitations of flat optics. Their study identifies constraints of conventional sampling theories and presents an innovative anti-aliasing strategy, significantly enhancing optical performance.
The hospital was ranked highly among healthcare professionals in the US and globally, reflecting its commitment to compassionate care and innovative research. UH Cleveland Medical Center is affiliated with several top medical schools and institutions, further solidifying its reputation as a leading Academic Medical Center.
Researchers discovered that a topical ABT-263 treatment effectively reduces aged skin senescence markers, priming the skin for improved subsequent wound healing. The treatment also triggered inflammation, which surprisingly helped the healing process by 'waking up' the skin's repair systems.
Dr. Kerry Ressler's research bridges the gap between molecular neuroscience and clinical psychiatry to understand PTSD's genetic architecture. Recent breakthroughs have identified over 100 significant genetic loci, representing a major step toward translating scientific discoveries into effective treatments.
A team of engineers from the University of Texas at Austin used x-ray, infrared, and other imaging technologies to investigate battery degradation in wireless earbuds. They found that temperature gradients, caused by clashes between critical components and the battery, led to damage and reduced battery life.
The Neuro-Oncology Translational Research Training Program aims to bridge laboratory discoveries and clinical applications in neuro-oncology, targeting glioblastoma and brain metastases. The program provides predoctoral and postdoctoral trainees with cutting-edge lab experience and mentorship across multiple disciplines.
Researchers at UCSF describe how to curb MYC levels by disrupting the protein assembly line controlled by RBM42. Disrupting RBM42 in pancreatic cancer cells stopped them from growing, suggesting drugs could be developed to do the same for other fast-growing cancers.
A recent study introduces an innovative method for analyzing body composition, providing accurate assessments of body fat and muscle distribution. The approach utilizes deep, nonlinear methods to enhance estimation accuracy, surpassing previous linear models.
Researchers developed a computer model called MANAscore to identify tumor-fighting immune cells in lung cancer patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors. The three-gene model helped find differences associated with patient response to immunotherapy, including the presence of stem-like memory T cells.
ApoB100 protein structure revealed for the first time, allowing for more precise testing and treatment of high cholesterol and heart disease. The discovery may lead to new drugs targeting LDL particles, reducing side effects of statin drugs.
Researchers at Virginia Tech have discovered a new solid lubricating mechanism that can reduce friction in machinery at extremely high temperatures. The novel coating has the potential to make components from rockets to semiconductors more safe, durable, and cost-effective.
Researchers have developed a new gene therapy that targets aggressive brain cancer, glioblastoma, with a precise delivery system. The treatment uses a novel virus to deliver a targeting drug to cancer cells, achieving cure rates of up to 90% in mouse models.
Researchers developed a novel microscopy technique to study metabolic changes in individual cancer cells at the single-cell level. They found that radiation treatment caused significant metabolic shifts in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cells, particularly through the activation of HIF-1α.
Filipino researchers have discovered that Taal volcanic ash can be used as a sustainable and lightweight alternative to expensive materials like concrete and lead. The natural presence of iron-rich minerals in the ash gives it strong radiation attenuation properties, making it effective for shielding against harmful X-rays and gamma rays.
Researchers at University of Hawaii at Manoa shed light on the transformation of supercooled water into ice, mimicking Earth's atmosphere conditions. The study provides valuable insights into cloud formation and precipitation, tying into a $26 million project to develop sustainable refrigerant technologies.
Researchers at Lancaster University have developed a new method to detect Alzheimer's disease by analyzing changes in brain oxygenation dynamics and neuronal function. The study found that individuals with Alzheimer's disease exhibit altered respiratory frequency, which may be an early indicator of the condition.
A new Weizmann Institute study identified all proteins in a stool sample – those from the microbiome, human body, and food – revealing secrets of the intestines and their impact on human disease. The method, dubbed IPHOMED, decodes microbiome activity by showing which proteins come from bacterial strains and amounts.
Researchers at the University of Surrey have discovered a unique mix of lipids in polar bear fur that drastically reduces ice adhesion, paving the way for safer and more sustainable anti-freezing solutions. The study found that specific lipids, such as cholesterol and diacylglycerols, exhibit low adsorption energies on ice.
Researchers at the University of Melbourne have identified a rare type of immune cell, called stem-like T cells, that holds the key to maintaining powerful, long-term immune responses. ID3+ T cells have the remarkable ability to resist burnout and maintain a powerful immune response over time.
Researchers at La Trobe University's Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute have developed a novel pre-clinical model expressing an enhanced version of the Cas12a enzyme, which can delete multiple genes simultaneously with high efficiency. This breakthrough enables complex genetic disorders to be modeled and interrogated.
The University of Texas at Arlington hosts weekly 1 Million Cups meetings, bringing together students, faculty, and local entrepreneurs to share ideas, network, and support startups. The program is part of the global 1MC network, which aims to facilitate community engagement and innovation.
A new machine learning approach developed by UCR researchers enables the detection of environmental patterns in large datasets generated by LIGO, improving data quality and reducing noise. This technology has potential applications in particle accelerator experiments and complex industrial systems.
Researchers at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center have made a breakthrough in creating allogeneic CAR T cells that can persist in fighting cancer without being rejected by patients. By modifying donor cells with the HIV protein Nef, the cells can survive and remain potent in treating various types of cancer.
A team of researchers at Duke University has developed a novel AI-based platform that can design and match small peptides with complex proteins, previously considered unreachable. The PepPrCLIP platform utilizes generative large language models to create peptide guide proteins and an algorithm framework to screen and test the peptides.
Researchers at Monash University have discovered how microbes consume huge amounts of carbon monoxide and reduce its levels in the atmosphere. By using a special enzyme called CO dehydrogenase, microbes extract energy from CO, powering their own survival while also cleaning the air.
The OSIRIS-REx mission returned a large sample from asteroid Bennu, which Japanese collaborators detected includes all five nucleobases required for life. The analysis revealed high concentrations of ammonia and nitrogen-rich organic matter.
Scientists at Tel Aviv University successfully transport mRNA-based drugs to the immune system of small and large intestines without passing through the liver. The breakthrough could enable treatments for inflammatory diseases such as Crohn's and colitis.
Berkeley Lab scientists analyzed asteroid Bennu samples using advanced tools, revealing a telltale set of salts formed by evaporation that illuminate the asteroid's watery past. The findings suggest Bennu may have delivered water and essential chemical building blocks of life to Earth in the distant past.
Researchers at Mayo Clinic developed patient-derived organoid models to study uveal melanoma, a common type of eye cancer. These 3D models accurately represent the disease's genetic and biological characteristics, enabling better understanding and treatment development.
Researchers found a genetic change, pR552*, that could give the RB1 gene a new function leading to cancer growth. This challenges the common belief that both copies of the RB1 gene must be damaged for cancer to develop.
Researchers gained insight into the early history of the solar system through well-preserved asteroid samples. The analysis revealed a variety of salts, including sodium carbonates, phosphates, sulphates, and chlorides, which formed from evaporation of brines. These findings may provide clues about the presence of life on distant icy b...
A predictive model developed by Ochsner Health researchers uses data-driven insights to determine whether urgent carotid-intervention patients will regain functional independence. The model has been shown to have a 93% accuracy rate and can help physicians tailor treatment plans and optimize intervention timing.
Researchers at Kyungpook National University have developed a new approach to map and engineer enzymes for enhanced plastic recycling. They employ landscape profiling to identify efficient biocatalysts for recycling polyethylene terephthalate (PET), producing high-purity monomers under mild conditions.
A deadly ciliate parasite has decimated sea urchin populations in the Caribbean, Red Sea, and Indian Ocean, with mortality rates reaching over 90%. The International team of researchers is working to track the disease and preserve sea urchins, which play a crucial role in maintaining coral reef health.
The foundation has awarded eight recipients of the 2025 Damon Runyon-Rachleff Innovation Award, including five early-career researchers with initial grants of $400,000 over two years. The awardees aim to develop novel cancer therapies using innovative approaches such as engineered skin bacteria and small molecule-boosted drug delivery.
A team led by biologist Thomas Mayer found that a small binding-pocket on cyclin B helps regulate the sequence of cell division events. Without this pocket, malformations occur due to incorrect kinase phosphorylation, leading to potential tumours or infertility.
A recent study published in JAMA Network Open found that heavy cannabis users exhibited reduced brain activity during working memory tasks, associated with worse performance. Abstaining from cannabis before cognitive tasks may help improve performance.
The ISS National Lab sponsored over 100 payloads to the orbiting laboratory, achieving the second-highest annual total. The lab also published a record 51 peer-reviewed articles in FY24, advancing scientific discovery and innovation.
Scientists found evidence of relatively recent geological activity on the moon's far side, contradicting previous assumptions about its 'geological dead' status. The team used advanced dating methods to track changes and found small ridges formed within the last 200 million years.
A global study will explore structural changes in the brains of people with bipolar disorder and compare them to major depression. The project aims to develop new tools for diagnosis and treatment, leveraging unprecedented sample sizes from over 3,500 individuals with BD and 9,000 healthy controls.
Researchers at the University of Queensland have identified a new henipavirus, Camp Hill virus, in shrews in Alabama, USA. The discovery suggests these viruses may be more globally distributed than previously thought, with implications for human health and vaccine development.
Borealis Mud Volcano provides a hard substrate for various species like anemones and octocoral colonies, sustaining local fish populations. The volcano's carbonates also offer shelter and feeding opportunities.
The collaboration aims to develop advanced 3D mini-brain models for replicating human brain architecture, enabling researchers to explore neurological diseases and screen drug candidates. The platform offers a high-throughput screening method for rapid testing of potential drug candidates.
Researchers at Yale University have made a groundbreaking discovery about the human ear, revealing two previously unknown sets of modes that govern sound detection and amplification. These modes, which include low-frequency mechanical responses, place constraints on how hair cells respond to incoming sound waves.
Researchers at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz discovered altermagnetism, a new concept in physics that combines the characteristics of ferromagnets and antiferromagnets. The discovery has the potential to increase data storage capacity by utilizing the magnetic moment of electrons for dynamic random-access memory.
The project leverages super-radiance to enhance the brightness and emission rate of fluorophores, enabling high-throughput imaging and tracking of molecular processes. This could lead to breakthroughs in fields like cell biology, materials science, and nanotechnology.
Laboratory experiments corroborate the theory that Titan maintains its nitrogen-rich atmosphere through internal heating of organic materials. The study found significant amounts of carbon gases like methane and nitrogen, supporting the existence of a geologically short-lived atmosphere.
The study establishes a consensus nomenclature and characterization framework to advance mitochondria transfer and transplantation biology. It defines types of mitochondrial transfers and reviews methods to define and enforce these processes.
A therapeutic HPV vaccine targeting HPV16 could potentially eliminate precancerous cervical lesions, according to a phase II clinical trial. The vaccine showed significant regression and reduced lesion size in patients with HPV16-positive high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia.
A new study published in Nature Medicine shows a promising approach to preventing metastases in breast cancer patients. Researchers found that administering digoxin reduced circulating tumour cell clusters by an average of 2.2 cells, significantly decreasing the risk of metastasis.
Researchers identified an unknown family of microbes uniquely adapted to tropical peatlands, with a dual role in the carbon cycle. These microbes can either stabilize or intensify climate change by releasing greenhouse gases like CO2 and methane.
Researchers have developed a groundbreaking approach using specially designed peptides to improve drug formulations, significantly enhancing anti-tumor efficacy in leukemia models. The innovative method achieves high drug loadings and optimizes delivery to targeted areas, holding significant potential for treating various diseases.
A new study from the University of Southern Denmark reveals that the brain's self-healing abilities are hindered by inflammation after a stroke. The researchers mapped specific cells that play a central role in rebuilding myelin, but found gender differences in how men and women respond to injuries.
A research team led by Associate Professor Ding P led a breakthrough discovery regarding the complex reaction mechanisms of carbon dioxide in supercritical water. They found that pyrocarbonate is a stable and important reaction intermediate in nanoconfined environments, which was previously overlooked.