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Brain cells continually pull material from the fluid around them, including nutrients, signaling molecules, and fragments of their own outer surfaces. This process, called endocytosis, supports learning, memory, and the routine maintenance of neurons. Penn State researchers have now identified a previously unrecognized structure that may control much of this…
A colorful pet gecko that is unusually prone to developing cancer could become an important new tool for researchers studying how tumors form and spread. Scientists say the animal’s naturally occurring cancers may offer valuable insights into why some species are highly vulnerable to the disease while others are remarkably…
The Black Sea, which lies between Europe and Asia and connects to the Mediterranean through a series of waterways, is known for its dark waters. But every spring and summer, it undergoes a remarkable transformation, with large areas turning a vivid turquoise. On June 22, 2026, NASA’s PACE (Plankton, Aerosol,…
NASA has chosen 41 technology proposals from 37 American companies to help develop the capabilities needed for future missions to the Moon and Mars. The selections are part of the agency’s 2025 Announcement of Collaboration Opportunity (ACO), which is designed to accelerate innovations in areas such as space transportation, planetary…
Astronomers have directly confirmed four previously hidden white dwarf stars in nearby binary systems. Every system lies within 65 light-years of Earth, and one contains the ninth closest known white dwarf to the Sun. The discoveries were made by researchers at the University of Warwick and the University of Colorado…
People who regularly visit museums, theaters, concerts, and movie theaters may be doing more than enjoying themselves. A new study suggests these cultural activities are associated with a younger physiological age, meaning the body may function more like that of a younger person. The findings, published in the Journal of…
Scientists have uncovered why some amphibian populations rebound after being devastated by a deadly fungal disease that has wiped out frogs and toads around the world. The research, led by University College London (UCL), ZSL, and Imperial College London, found that the timing of an amphibian’s immune development plays a…
Archaeologists have uncovered crystals at numerous sites containing Homo remains, suggesting that early human relatives deliberately collected these unusual stones as far back as 780,000 years ago. What makes this behavior so intriguing is that the crystals were not used as tools, weapons, or jewelry. So why were they considered…
Researchers at King’s College London have uncovered an unexpected connection between chewing sugary gum after eating nitrate-rich vegetables and a temporary reduction in blood pressure. The findings suggest that, under specific conditions, sugary chewing gum can help the body make better use of dietary nitrate found in foods such as…
Could eating lots of chili peppers affect your cancer risk? Scientists have been debating that question for years, and the answer remains far from simple. While chili peppers contain compounds that have shown anti inflammatory and even anticancer effects in laboratory experiments, some human studies have linked very high consumption…
K2-18b has become one of the most closely watched exoplanets in recent years. The planet lies about 124 light years away in the constellation Leo and orbits within the habitable zone of a red dwarf star. Observations from the James Webb Space Telescope have revealed an atmosphere rich in carbon…
After nearly 40 years of research, scientists have uncovered evidence that challenges a long held assumption about forest soils. The world’s longest running soil warming experiment suggests that even carbon once considered stable can begin to break down as temperatures rise, releasing additional CO2 into the atmosphere. Jerry Melillo, a…
The growing popularity of GLP-1 medications such as Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus has largely been driven by their ability to help people lose weight, improve blood sugar control, and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Now, researchers have uncovered another possible benefit. A new clinical trial suggests that semaglutide, the…
A remarkable fossil at Montana State University’s Museum of the Rockies is offering scientists an unusually detailed glimpse into how Tyrannosaurus may have attacked its prey. The specimen, which contains a tyrannosaur tooth still embedded in another dinosaur’s skull, is the focus of a new study by researchers from Montana…
NASA’s Perseverance rover has reached a remarkable milestone on Mars, completing the equivalent of a full marathon (26.2 miles, or 42.195 kilometers) across the Red Planet. A new image captured on June 13, 2026, shows the rover as a tiny green speck against the Martian landscape, just one day before…
NASA has selected three commercial space companies to carry out four new Moon missions in late 2028, marking another major step in the agency’s effort to establish a permanent human presence on the lunar surface. Astrobotic, Firefly Aerospace, and Intuitive Machines will deliver scientific instruments to the Moon as part…
Researchers at the University of Michigan have uncovered a previously unknown biological pathway that explains how certain touch-sensitive hairs trigger the sensation of itch. The findings, made in mouse models, reveal a dedicated sensory system that may eventually help scientists develop better treatments for chronic itching disorders. “Itch is one…
Alan Turing’s famous ideas about artificial intelligence may have sent AI research down the wrong path for the past 75 years, according to prominent computer scientist Peter J. Denning. In his new book, Turing’s Mistake: Escaping the Yoke of Unintelligent Machines, Denning argues that two foundational assumptions made by Turing…
Dark matter has long been one of astronomy’s greatest mysteries. It cannot be seen or touched, yet its gravitational influence helps shape galaxies and the large scale structure of the universe. For decades, scientists have relied on the “cold dark matter” model to explain how galaxies formed and evolved. But…
A new study from Yale School of Medicine (YSM) suggests that the eye processes visual information in a far more connected way than scientists had believed. The findings challenge a long standing view of how visual signals travel through the retina and may help explain how we detect faint objects…
Regular exercise may benefit the heart in a way scientists are only beginning to understand. Beyond improving cardiovascular fitness, new research suggests that moderate aerobic exercise reshapes the nerves that regulate the heart. The findings could eventually help doctors develop more precise treatments for common heart conditions. Researchers from the…
Getting a little less sleep each night may have a bigger impact on your health than you realize. Researchers at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons found that adults who cut their nightly sleep by about 80 minutes for six weeks gained an average of one pound and…
Scientists at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) have found a much simpler way to produce unusual light structures known as optical skyrmions by reviving a classic optics experiment that dates back more than 200 years. Optical skyrmions are tiny, stable swirling patterns formed within the properties of light. Their…
Scientists at the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign have uncovered evidence that could reshape how researchers think about both the brain and artificial intelligence. Their findings suggest that decision making begins much earlier in the brain than traditional theories propose, offering fresh ideas for designing future AI systems that are…
A diet packed with fruits, vegetables, and whole grains is widely considered one of the best ways to support overall health and reduce the risk of many diseases, including cancer. But new research from the USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, part of Keck Medicine of USC, suggests an unexpected possibility.…
Scientists have proposed a new way to describe black holes that could overcome a major limitation in one of Stephen Hawking’s most influential ideas. The research introduces an updated approach to black hole thermodynamics that works even when black holes are changing over time, potentially offering new insights into how…
A new USC led study of more than 214,000 older adults from 14 countries and regions suggests that preventing dementia may require different strategies in different parts of the world. Researchers found that many of the most important modifiable dementia risk factors, including low education, high blood pressure, and smoking,…
Quantum mechanics is the branch of physics that explains how matter and energy behave at the atomic and sub atomic scale. Developed in the early 1900s by pioneers including Max Planck, Niels Bohr, Werner Heisenberg, and Erwin Schrödinger, it has become one of the most successful scientific theories ever created.…
Bacteria that cause gum disease may do more than damage your teeth. New preliminary research suggests they could also contribute to the buildup of calcium in the heart’s aortic valve, potentially leading to calcific aortic valve stenosis (CAVS), a common and potentially life threatening heart valve disorder. The findings were…
Scientists are preparing for a new era of lunar exploration, but a new study suggests that every landing could leave behind more than footprints. Researchers found that methane released in spacecraft exhaust may spread across the moon surprisingly quickly, potentially contaminating regions that could preserve ancient chemical clues about how…
