News on early, curiosity-driven science that opens new directions. Covers materials discovery, AI-guided research, pediatric research standards, and energy science.
A research team led by Ohio University's Sabrina Curran has discovered new evidence of early hominin activity in Europe, suggesting that hominins were present on the continent at least 1.95 million years ago. This finding pushes back previous timelines and provides valuable insights into the behavior of early human ancestors.
A cognitive science professor at UC Merced proposes a suite of video games to accelerate cancer research using artificial intelligence and gamified citizen science. The 'Cancer Wars' initiative aims to harness the collective problem-solving power of millions of gamers to tackle complex scientific problems.
Researchers have discovered a complex mechanism that allows bacteria to build resistance to antibiotics, involving a KorB-KorA regulatory system. This finding offers a fresh insight into long-range gene silencing in bacteria and provides a potential target for novel therapeutics.
A new study from the Salk Institute has discovered that a protein called BCL6 plays a crucial role in maintaining healthy muscle mass. Increasing BCL6 levels successfully reversed muscle losses in mice, suggesting that pairing GLP-1 medications with a BCL6-boosting drug could help counteract unwanted muscle loss.
Dale Gary, a distinguished professor of physics at NJIT's Center for Solar-Terrestrial Research, has been named an American Astronomical Society Fellow. He is recognized for his national and international leadership in solar radio engineering and physics, advancing our understanding of solar energetic processes.
A new study aims to characterize the human virome, exploring its role in health and disease. The project will investigate nonpathogenic viruses and their potential impact on human phenotypes over time. Researchers hope to discover novel biomarkers for health and disease, as well as new therapeutic approaches.
The final synthetic chromosome unlocks new possibilities in metabolic engineering and strain optimisation, enabling the generation of genetic diversity on demand. The achievement represents a major milestone in synthetic biology and has important implications for future genome engineering projects.
Researchers found that white-faced capuchin monkeys who showed a stronger stress response were more likely to survive extreme droughts. The study, led by UCLA's Susan Perry, used natural experiment of an El Niño drought in Costa Rica to investigate the adaptive nature of stress response.
UVA researchers analyzed 300 blood serum samples from babies who died from SIDS and identified specific biological indicators linked to their deaths. The study found 35 predictors of SIDS, including ornithine and a lipid metabolite critical for brain and lung health.
A POSTECH research team found that EGF/EGF-like domains interact with GlcNAc-based biopolymers to achieve strong underwater adhesion without oxidation, leading to durable and reversible bonds.
Researchers discovered that removing arginase-II gene can slow down muscle aging in mice, leading to improved muscle health and reduced inflammation. This finding suggests targeting the Arg-II gene could help maintain muscle strength and mobility in older adults.
The Chris Chang Lab develops a copper-detection tool to uncover how copper regulates cell growth in lung cancer. The probe identifies cells with elevated copper levels and reveals a connection between copper and the antioxidant response mediated by NRF2.
A new method can detect tiny amounts of SARS-CoV-2 virus in blood, stool, and saliva from patients with acute COVID-19 infections. The technology has potential for guiding treatment of long COVID and monitoring viral loads for future infectious diseases.
A research team from the University of Minnesota Medical School received a $1.2 million grant to study the use of TMS in addition to CBIT as a treatment for children with Tourette syndrome. The trial found that this new treatment improved brain circuits involved in tics, and the researchers hope it could lead to a future treatment option.
The Aging Research and Drug Discovery Meeting (ARDD2025) will feature Nobel laureates Morten Meldal and Michael Levitt. Their groundbreaking discoveries have had a lasting impact on drug development and molecular design, highlighting the conference's pivotal role in advancing healthspan and longevity science.
Researchers have created a detailed structural map of GABA A receptors in the human brain, revealing how they assemble and interact with drugs. The study provides new insights into treating epilepsy, anxiety, depression, and insomnia, and paves the way for customized therapies.
UCSF researchers found that when brain cells of female mice express only a maternal X chromosome, their memory and cognitive skills deteriorate faster. This study could explain the variation in brain aging between the sexes and individual women.
Researchers developed efficient tin-based catalysts for electrochemical CO2 reduction, enabling the production of high-value formic acid with improved selectivity and activity. The study's findings provide critical insights into the reaction mechanism, highlighting the importance of structural and kinetic factors in catalyst design.
Researchers developed mucoadhesive films combining xyloglucan and green tea extract to treat oral mucositis, a painful inflammation caused by cancer treatment. The films demonstrated high strength and adhesion forces comparable to commercial products, showing promise as a novel treatment for oral mucositis.
Researchers tracked spur-winged lapwings in urban and rural areas, finding that city-dwellers are more mobile, especially during nesting season. The study also reveals seasonal differences in exploration patterns between males and females, highlighting the complex impact of human presence on bird behavior.
UCSF researchers identify a molecular timer controlling mouse birth timing, which could lead to new tests for human preterm labor risk and interventions. DNA packaging during pregnancy plays a crucial role in regulating gene expression, with KDM6B working as a 'timer' that winds down over time.
Researchers identify Fam102a as a key regulator of both osteoclast and osteoblast differentiation, leading to enhanced osteoblast formation and bone volume. The study reveals significant protein-protein interactions involving Fam102a and Kpna2, shedding light on the critical molecular interactions involved in bone remodeling.
Researchers have identified a key protein called Apex1 as a potential therapeutic target for stopping the immune system from attacking itself. By inhibiting this protein, harmful T cells that cause autoimmune diseases and allergies can be eliminated.
Researchers used a new method to precisely locate a fast radio burst, finding it in the outskirts of an old elliptical galaxy. This discovery raises questions about how energetic events occur in regions without new star formation, and challenges existing theories about FRB origins.
A study found that a simple blood test could predict breast cancer risk in older women by measuring biological aging via DNA methylation changes. Lifestyle factors, such as obesity and hormone replacement therapy, also influenced epigenetic aging and breast cancer risk.
Scientists discovered that dry museum skulls of long-dead birds can provide surprisingly detailed information on their brain structures. The study found a nearly 1:1 correlation between the brain's volume and digital imprints, allowing researchers to gather insight into elusive species without seeing their brains.
Researchers are exploring halide perovskites, a material that converts sunlight into energy efficiently. The team created distinct properties using ultra-cool methods, enabling mass production of solar cells.
Researchers discovered that skin-penetrating nematodes, like Strongyloides stercoralis, interact with human hosts through CO2-sensing pathways. The study found that infective larvae are repelled by CO2, while noninfective larvae and adults have a neutral reaction.
Researchers at University of Birmingham have discovered three new protein biomarkers TFF3, LCN2, and CEACAM5 that show strong predictive potential for colorectal cancer. These biomarkers are linked to cell adhesion and inflammation, processes closely associated with cancer development.
Kevin Bauer's new professorship at Goethe University Frankfurt aims to understand human-machine interaction and promote responsible AI research. His research focuses on the psychological and organizational factors determining the efficiency and quality of collaboration between humans and machines.
Researchers at The University of Hong Kong have discovered that the PICH protein plays a vital role in preventing genetic errors during cell division, which can lead to diseases such as cancer. Without PICH, cells experience severe DNA damage and accumulate genetic errors.
Researchers at Tokyo Metropolitan University have discovered a new superconducting material with a 'dome-shaped' phase diagram, typical of unconventional superconductors. This breakthrough could lead to the development of high-temperature superconducting materials for wider deployment in society.
Research identifies IL-1R1-expressing neurons in key brain regions, including the somatosensory cortex and hippocampus, which regulate sensory processing, mood regulation, and memory. The study provides new insights into how inflammation contributes to sensory, mood, and memory disorders.
Scientists introduce a novel approach to construct robust electrode/electrolyte interphase layers on both cathode and anode of aqueous zinc batteries. The use of glutamate additives enables efficient suppression of undesirable side reactions, leading to improved electrochemical performance and cycling stability.
A recent study from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center sheds new light on the heterogeneity of GBM tumors and the role of cancer stem cells in tumor growth. The research identifies six distinct transcriptional states, each with its own unique gene signature, and provides guidance for future research to develop targeted therapies.
Researchers at UT Health San Antonio and The University of Texas at San Antonio have won the 2025 Hill Prizes for their groundbreaking work on non-opioid painkillers and emergency airway management. The $500,000 prize funding will support the development of novel analgesics and a new design for endotracheal tubes.
Scientists have created a stable 2D material, InSbMoO6 (ISM), using lone pair electrons as chemical scissors. ISM exhibits strong nonlinear optical responses and good air stability, making it promising for integrated photonics applications.
The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has received USGIF accreditation for its online graduate certificate and master's degree in CyberGIS and Geospatial Data Science. The partnership will train students to address large-scale problems using geospatial sciences, mathematical and statistical sciences, and cyberinfrastructure.
Researchers have identified the pathogens and diagnostic tests for the two diseases, revolutionizing cassava disease management in Latin America, the Caribbean, and Southeast Asia. The study, published in peer-reviewed journals, marks a significant milestone in fighting the spread of these devastating diseases.
The University Hospitals fundraising campaign, Because of You, has received over $1.5 billion in community support towards its ambitious $2 billion goal. This milestone marks a significant commitment to advancing healthcare services and care for patients across the country.
Researchers developed a method to produce strigolactones using microbial cell factories, amplifying production by over 125 times. This allows for the study of these scarce plant molecules in greater depth, offering insights into sustainable agricultural practices and plant development.
Stem Cell Reports, an open access journal of the International Society for Stem Cell Research, is seeking highly motivated early career scientists to join its Early Career Scientist Editorial Board. The selected members will have the opportunity to shape the journal's editorial direction and promote stem cell research.
Researchers at UMass Amherst have developed a non-toxic bacterial therapy, BacID, to deliver cancer-fighting drugs directly into tumors. The therapy uses genetically engineered strains of Salmonella that can target tumors and control the release of cancer-fighting drugs inside cancer cells.
Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology have developed a unique method for encoding natural touch sensations via specific microstimulation patterns in implantable electrodes. This allows individuals with spinal cord injuries to feel tactile edges, shapes, curvatures and movements, enabling them to control a bionic arm with the...
Dr. Adam Kohn has been appointed as the Chair of Neuroscience at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, succeeding an extensive national search. He will lead research focused on visual processing and neural coding.
Researchers at the University of Utah and UCI have discovered a unique quantum behavior that allows for the manipulation of electron-spin and magnetization through electrical currents. This phenomenon, dubbed anomalous Hall torque, has potential applications in neuromorphic computing.
A new study published in Aging found that pioglitazone reduced the frequency of skin ulcers in Werner syndrome patients. The research suggests that pioglitazone's anti-inflammatory properties may help wounds heal faster and prevent ulcers from forming.
Researchers at Garvan Institute of Medical Research discovered how chronic hepatitis C infection leads to autoimmune disease by identifying 'rogue clone' B cells with harmful autoantibodies. The study found that a triad of genetic mutations is required for the autoimmune disease to develop, opening new paths for treatments.
Researchers used engineered small extracellular vesicles to target a death receptor on cancer cells, triggering self-destruction and killing multiple cancer types in lab-dish tests. The approach outperformed existing DR5-targeting strategies and showed promise in mouse models, suggesting potential for solid tumor cancers.
A research team at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center has identified a novel molecular pathway leading to the formation of tertiary lymphoid structures (TLSs) in tumors. TLSs are immune cell clusters that can boost the local immune response and may be harnessed for immunotherapy treatments.
A recent study by Emory University researchers found that mRNA vaccines developed to fight COVID-19 are less effective in patients with autoimmune diseases like lupus. The findings highlight the importance of developing tailored vaccination strategies for this vulnerable population.
Researchers at RHIC reveal direct evidence that even small nuclei can create tiny specks of quark-gluon plasma, a key signature of the primordial soup. The study finds that energetic particles lose energy and slow down significantly in these collisions, indicating the presence of QGP.
A multidisciplinary team led by the Wyss Institute aims to create novel anesthesia-inducing drugs that can safely induce an anesthesia-like state without compromising vital functions. The project leverages expertise from Harvard's MCB, MIT, and Tufts University to develop safe battlefield-ready anesthetics.
Researchers at John Innes Centre have discovered a biological mechanism that enhances partnerships between plant roots and soil microbes, increasing nutrient uptake. This finding holds great potential for advancing sustainable agriculture by reducing the need for inorganic fertilizers.
Baleen whales face increased risk of boat injuries in densely inhabited regions due to vessel activity. The study analyzed changing whale distributions and reported incidents relative to vessel presence in the Northwest Atlantic.
Simon Fraser University has received a $23 million grant to expand its Invention to Innovation (i2I) programs, providing bilingual innovation and entrepreneurship training for graduate students, researchers, and faculty. The program aims to bridge the gap between invention and innovation, equipping researchers with skills to thrive as ...
The Aligning Science Across Parkinson’s initiative is launching a new funding opportunity to support collaborative research teams focused on understanding Parkinson’s disease heterogeneity across six focus areas. The grants will provide up to $3 million per year over three years.
Researchers created new proteins using AI that bind to and neutralize deadly snake toxins, providing a safer alternative to traditional antivenoms. The study's results show an 80-100% survival rate in mice, offering potential benefits for people in developing countries.
The Lancet Commission on Clinical Obesity proposes a new model for diagnosing clinical obesity based on objective measures of illness at the individual level. The proposal aims to settle the ongoing dispute around the idea of obesity as a disease, providing a medically coherent framework for diagnosis.
Researchers identified a novel genetic risk factor for SARS-CoV-2 infection, linking a PTPN2 variant to increased ACE2 expression and susceptibility. The study suggests Tofacitinib may mitigate this risk, offering new treatment options for patients at higher genetic risk.