From Italy and the World

A major Atlantic Ocean current is slowing, and the consequences could reach far beyond the Atlantic. New research from the University of California, Riverside suggests the change could strengthen powerful storms along the California coast while reducing snowfall over Greenland. The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation, or AMOC, is a vast…

Much like paper must be folded into the correct shape to create an origami sculpture, proteins inside cells must form precise three-dimensional structures before they can function properly. As prediabetes advances toward diabetes, this delicate process can begin to break down. Misfolded and defective proteins accumulate inside cells, creating stress…

For the first time, scientists have accurately determined the age of prehistoric paintings inside Font-de-Gaume, a celebrated decorated cave near Les Eyzies in Dordogne (southwestern France). The new findings provide firm dates for two black images, a bison and a masklike figure, and reveal that parts of the artwork were…

Eating a nutritious diet, losing weight, and becoming more physically active can significantly reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes. However, lifestyle changes do not appear to offer the same level of protection to everyone. Researchers report that people assigned to Tübingen’s type 2 diabetes risk cluster 5 continued to…

NASA’s Psyche spacecraft completed a highly successful flyby of Mars, giving the mission a carefully planned gravitational boost while also producing valuable scientific data. Researchers are now examining those observations as they prepare for the spacecraft’s arrival at the asteroid Psyche in 2029. On May 15, the spacecraft passed Mars…

NASA’s Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory has observed a rare supermassive black hole far from the center of a distant galaxy as it tore apart and consumed a star. Astronomers describe it as an apparent “orphan” because it sits unusually far from the galactic core, where supermassive black holes are normally…

Researchers at the University of Michigan have developed a semiconductor device that uses laser light to direct the movement of electrons without requiring an applied electric field or electrical power source. The device was primarily designed to investigate fundamental physics and demonstrate a behavior that had never previously been observed.…

Many molecules come in two forms that are mirror images of one another, much like left and right hands. Although these molecular twins can appear nearly identical, they may behave in dramatically different ways, particularly in living systems and medicines. Telling these enantiomers (also called chiral molecules) apart has remained…

Exercise may provide some relief for people with hip osteoarthritis, but the improvements in pain and physical function may be too small for many patients to notice in everyday life, according to a new Cochrane review. The researchers caution that stronger evidence is still needed before firm conclusions can be…

Deep-diving insect larvae in an African lake are forcing scientists to reconsider a popular explanation for why insects are almost entirely absent from the open ocean. Their secret is a remarkably durable system of air sacs that can tolerate far more pressure than researchers expected. Billions of lake fly larvae…

Why do some dreams feel so vivid that they seem almost real, while others unfold as confusing fragments that are difficult to remember or understand? New research suggests the answer may depend on a combination of personality, sleep quality, mental habits, and major events unfolding in the outside world. A…

Unsweetened sparkling water may be a better option for teeth than sugar-sweetened soda, according to preliminary research comparing how several popular drinks affect acidity in the mouth. Tooth enamel can begin to dissolve when the mouth’s pH falls below about 5.5. The new findings suggest that sparkling water can temporarily…

Archaeologists have identified a prehistoric hammer made from elephant bone that dates back almost 500,000 years. Found in southern England, the object is the oldest known elephant bone tool ever discovered in Europe. Researchers from UCL and the Natural History Museum, London analyzed the rare artifact, which offers a striking…

Jupiter and Saturn are the two largest planets in the Solar System, and both are surrounded by enormous families of moons. Jupiter currently has more than 100 reported moons, while Saturn, which is also encircled by an extensive ring system, has more than 280. The makeup of those moon systems…

A small clinical trial suggests that limiting food intake to fewer hours each day could provide modest cognitive benefits for older women, beyond those associated with weight loss alone. The pilot study followed women with overweight or obesity who were participating in a six-month weight loss program. Those who ate…