Common supplement could help fight psoriasis, scientists discover

A widely available nutritional supplement derived from vitamin B5 may offer a promising new approach to treating psoriasis, according to research from China. Scientists found that pantethine can calm immune cells involved in autoimmune inflammation, preventing psoriasis from developing in mice and improving symptoms in a small human clinical trial.…

When your gut bacteria run out of fiber, they may start eating your gut lining

Eating more plants is widely associated with better health, but scientists are still uncovering exactly why. New research suggests that fiber is only part of the story. Certain plant proteins that resist digestion may also play a surprisingly important role in shaping gut bacteria and determining whether they produce beneficial…

A quantum breakthrough makes light behave like both a solid and a liquid

Scientists have demonstrated an extraordinary form of quantum matter that combines two properties that seem incompatible. Known as a supersolid, this unusual state has the orderly structure of a crystal while also displaying the frictionless flow associated with a special kind of liquid. Even more remarkably, researchers have now observed…

Scientists discover a surprising link between acorns and lyme disease

Tick-borne illnesses are becoming increasingly common across the United States, and Lyme disease remains the most frequently reported. Nearly 500,000 Americans are diagnosed each year. The infection is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, which typically reaches humans through the bite of an infected blacklegged tick. Antibiotics can treat Lyme…

A simple supplement may help clear brain fog after cancer

For some breast cancer survivors, the effects of treatment can linger long after their cancer care ends. Memory lapses, difficulty concentrating, and persistent exhaustion can interfere with everyday life, sometimes for years. Now, researchers at the UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center have found promising early evidence that a supplement…

Caltech robot makes history by building a structure in space

For the first time, a robot has successfully assembled part of a structure in space without astronauts, demonstrating a technology that could dramatically change how large spacecraft and scientific instruments are built. The robotic system was developed by researchers at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) with funding from the…

NASA reveals bold new plan to return astronauts to the Moon in 2028

NASA has revealed new details about its accelerated effort to return American astronauts to the Moon in 2028. The updated strategy includes testing two competing lunar landers, streamlining rocket preparations, and introducing a lighter spacesuit to help make the first moonwalks possible sooner. During an October 23 briefing, NASA Administrator…

A little-known protein could be a major culprit in type 2 diabetes

Researchers have identified a protein that may play an important role in Type 2 diabetes by interfering with the body’s ability to respond to insulin. The discovery could provide a promising new target for treatments designed to improve blood sugar control. The protein, known as Miro1, was found at higher…

Scientists discover stunning new Amazon fish that may already be endangered

A tiny fish with brilliant orange markings has been discovered in the Brazilian Amazon, but scientists warn that the newly identified species may already be at risk of extinction. Found in a handful of forest pools threatened by human activity, the colorful fish has prompted researchers to call for urgent…

An ancient ocean full of giant predators reveals a surprising twist in evolution

An extraordinary collection of fossils in central Colombia is revealing a surprising chapter in Earth’s evolutionary history. Researchers have uncovered evidence of a time when ancient animal groups that were approaching extinction lived alongside newer groups that would eventually flourish. The discovery suggests that major evolutionary transitions can occur without…

Einstein's equations reveal how gravity could break, reconnect, and release energy

More than 100 years after Albert Einstein developed his theory of gravity, physicists have uncovered a surprising possibility hidden within his equations. Their work suggests that gravitational fields can undergo a process in which their underlying structures break and reconnect, allowing energy to flow from gravity into matter. The phenomenon,…