Omega-3 fish oil supplements could backfire without this key enzyme

Nearly 19 million adults in the United States take fish oil supplements. These products are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, mainly eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, commonly known as EPA and DHA. Many people use them in hopes of lowering inflammation and reducing the risk of chronic diseases. When it…

Scientists discover hidden brain cells that help heal spinal cord injuries

Researchers at Cedars-Sinai have identified a biological repair process that could eventually lead to new treatments for spinal cord injuries, stroke, and neurological diseases such as multiple sclerosis. The findings, published in Nature, reveal an unexpected role for astrocytes, a major support cell in the central nervous system. “Astrocytes are…

Twin beams blast from a hidden star in stunning Hubble Space Telescope image

A remarkable new image from NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope highlights a striking mix of brightness and shadow inside the Egg Nebula. This dramatic scene has been shaped by clouds of dust recently expelled by a dying star. About 1,000 light years away in the constellation Cygnus, the nebula surrounds a…

Twisted 2D magnet creates skyrmions for ultra dense data storage

As the world generates more data than ever, scientists are searching for ways to store that information in smaller and more efficient formats. “As data volumes continue to grow, future magnetic storage media must be able to store information reliably at ever higher densities,” says Professor Jörg Wrachtrup, Head of…

Scientists make microplastics glow to see what they do inside your body

Tiny plastic fragments known as microplastics and nanoplastics have spread across the planet. They have been found in deep ocean waters, farmland soils, wildlife, and even inside the human body. Despite their widespread presence, researchers still do not fully understand what happens after these particles enter living organisms. A new…

Roman mosaic in Britain reveals a 2,000 year old Trojan War secret

Researchers studying what has been called one of the most important mosaics ever found in the UK say it portrays a rarely told version of the Trojan War that had largely faded from history. A new investigation by the University of Leicester explains why the well known Ketton mosaic in…

This vegan diet cut insulin use by nearly 30% in type 1 diabetes

A low-fat vegan diet that does not restrict calories or carbohydrates may help people with type 1 diabetes use less insulin and lower their insulin expenses. The findings come from new research by the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, published in BMC Nutrition. Insulin is a hormone that moves glucose…

New calcium-ion battery design delivers high performance without lithium

Scientists at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) have reported a major advance in calcium-ion battery (CIB) research that could reshape how energy is stored and used in daily life. By incorporating quasi-solid-state electrolytes (QSSEs), the team developed a new type of CIB designed to improve both…

The exact speed that makes an AI prosthetic arm feel like your own

As artificial intelligence powered prosthetic arms become more common, understanding how people respond to them will be essential. Acceptance depends not only on how well these devices function, but also on how natural they feel. In this study, researchers used virtual reality to create the illusion that a participant’s own…

Scientists discover hidden trigger behind achilles pain and tennis elbow

Achilles tendon pain, tennis elbow, swimmer’s shoulder, and jumper’s knee affect both young athletes and older adults. These painful conditions develop when tendons are pushed beyond their limits and repeatedly strained. “Tendons are fundamentally susceptible to overuse,” explains Jess Snedeker, a professor of orthopaedic biomechanics at ETH Zurich and Balgrist…

60,000 years ago humans were already using poisoned arrows

Scientists have detected traces of plant-based poison on Stone Age arrowheads from South Africa, marking the oldest confirmed use of arrow poison ever identified. The findings, published in Science Advances, show that people living in southern Africa 60,000 years ago already understood how to harness toxic plants to improve their…