Scientists unlock a powerful new way to turn sunlight into fuel

Photocatalysis offers a promising way to convert the vast supply of sunlight into useful chemical energy. Among the materials attracting growing attention are polyheptazine imides, which have structural and functional features that make them particularly effective for photocatalytic reactions. Until recently, scientists had only limited insight into how changes in…

Cells can sense 10x farther than expected and it may explain cancer spread

The fairy tale of the princess and the pea tells of a young royal so sensitive she could detect a tiny pea hidden beneath many mattresses. In biology, something similar happens when a cell senses conditions far beyond what it directly touches. Until recently, this remarkable ability was mostly linked…

Scientists create a cancer flashlight that lights up tumors

Researchers at the University of Missouri are developing a new way to determine which cancer patients are most likely to benefit from targeted therapies by illuminating tumors in medical scans. Barry Edwards, an associate professor of biochemistry in the School of Medicine, recently designed a very small antibody that seeks…

MIT scientists discover gut protein that traps and kills dangerous bacteria

The moist surfaces that line the body contain specialized molecules that help defend against microbes and prevent infections and inflammation. Among these protective molecules are lectins, a group of proteins that identify microbes and other cells by attaching to sugars on their surfaces. Researchers at MIT have now identified one…

Scientists discover AI can make humans more creative

Artificial intelligence (AI) is commonly viewed as a technology designed to automate work and potentially replace human labor. However, new research from Swansea University offers a different perspective. The findings suggest that AI can also function as a creative collaborator that encourages exploration, engagement, and inspiration. Researchers from the University’s…

THOR AI solves a 100-year-old physics problem in seconds

Researchers at The University of New Mexico and Los Alamos National Laboratory have introduced a new computational approach designed to solve one of the most difficult problems in statistical physics. Their system, called the Tensors for High-dimensional Object Representation (THOR) AI framework, uses tensor network algorithms to handle extremely large…

Millions of kids take melatonin but doctors are raising red flags

Melatonin has quickly become one of the most widely used sleep aids for children around the world. Its popularity is largely driven by the belief that it is a natural and easily accessible solution for insomnia. However, new research suggests that its rapid growth in use has moved faster than…

Astronomers just found the source of the brightest fast radio burst ever

An international team of astronomers, including researchers from the University of Toronto, has identified the brightest Fast Radio Burst (FRB) ever observed and traced its origin to a nearby galaxy using a coordinated network of radio telescopes. FRBs are among the most puzzling phenomena in astronomy, but locating where they…

Scientists discover hidden water beneath Mars that could have supported life

Researchers at New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) have discovered new clues suggesting that water once moved beneath the surface of Mars. The findings indicate that the Red Planet may have remained capable of supporting life for much longer than scientists once believed. The research, published in the Journal of…

Scientists tested vitamin D for COVID and found an unexpected long COVID clue

Findings from a large study led by Mass General Brigham suggest scientists should continue investigating whether vitamin D supplements could influence long COVID. The research showed that taking high doses of vitamin D3 did not make COVID-19 infections less severe, but it may have a possible connection to long COVID…

The financial crisis that quietly stunted a generation

Sharp increases in food prices during economic crises tend to hit certain groups the hardest. Urban residents and families with lower levels of education are often especially vulnerable. These price shocks can lead to long term health problems, including stunted growth in children. Researchers at the University of Bonn recently…

Crops irrigated with wastewater store drugs in their leaves

In regions where freshwater supplies are limited, farmers sometimes rely on treated wastewater to water their crops. While this practice helps conserve scarce water resources, it has raised concerns among regulators and consumers. Wastewater can contain trace amounts of various substances, including psychoactive medications commonly used to treat mental health…

Fathers’ tobacco use linked to metabolic changes in their children

New research published in the Journal of the Endocrine Society suggests that a father’s nicotine exposure could influence how his offspring process sugar. In a mouse study, scientists found that paternal nicotine intake led to metabolic changes in the next generation. These alterations may affect how the body handles glucose…

Scientists discover ALS protein that links DNA repair to cancer and dementia

Researchers at Houston Methodist have discovered that a protein tied to neurodegenerative conditions such as dementia and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) also helps control a critical DNA repair process. This repair system, known as DNA mismatch repair, corrects mistakes that occur when cells copy genetic material. The discovery suggests that…

Hidden deep-sea proteins could supercharge disease tests

Researchers have identified previously unknown DNA-binding proteins in some of the most extreme places on Earth and demonstrated that they can enhance rapid medical tests used to detect infectious diseases. The international team was led by Durham University and included collaborators in Iceland, Norway, and Poland. The scientists examined genetic…

A donut-shaped protein breaks apart to start bacterial cell division

A research team led by Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) scientist David Reverter has identified the molecular mechanism that regulates bacterial cell division. The discovery reveals how the MraZ protein binds to the dcw gene cluster to control this process. The findings were published in Nature Communications. Cell division is…

NASA’s Curiosity rover investigates strange spiderweb ridges on Mars

A rugged Martian landscape that resembles a giant spiderweb when seen from orbit may hold important evidence about the history of water on ancient Mars. For roughly six months, NASA’s Curiosity rover has been studying an area covered with geological features known as boxwork. These formations appear as narrow ridges…

Scared of spiders? Scientists say the real nightmare is losing them

Members of the arachnid class — think spiders, scorpions and harvestmen (daddy long legs) — often trigger feelings of fear or disgust. Despite this reaction, these animals play an essential role in maintaining healthy ecosystems. As global biodiversity declines, including what some researchers describe as an “insect apocalypse,” two ecologists…

How often do people really fart? Scientists built smart underwear to find out

Researchers at the University of Maryland have developed Smart Underwear, the first wearable device designed specifically to measure human flatulence. The small sensor tracks hydrogen in flatus, allowing scientists to reexamine long held assumptions about how often people pass gas. The technology also offers a new way to observe gut…

Scientists discover giant swirling plumes hidden deep inside Greenland’s ice sheet

Far beneath the surface of the Greenland ice sheet, scientists have identified enormous swirling structures that resemble rising plumes. These strange formations have puzzled researchers for more than a decade. Now, scientists from the University of Bergen (UiB) believe they have finally uncovered an explanation by using mathematical models similar…

A lab mistake at Cambridge reveals a powerful new way to modify drug molecules

Researchers at the University of Cambridge have created a new technique that uses light instead of toxic chemicals to change complex drug molecules. The discovery could speed up drug development and make the process of designing medicines more efficient. The study, published on March 12 in Nature Synthesis, introduces what…

Gut bacteria that make serotonin may hold the key to IBS

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a widespread digestive condition that affects the gastrointestinal tract. It occurs more frequently in women and commonly causes symptoms such as abdominal pain, constipation, or diarrhea. The exact cause of IBS remains uncertain. However, scientists believe that conditions inside the intestine, including the gut microbiota…

Scientists warn Australia’s “zombie tree” could vanish within a generation

Researchers have given a newly identified Australian tree species an unusual nickname. Scientists call it the “zombie” tree because, although some individuals are still alive, the species is unable to grow and reproduce normally without major intervention. Professor Rod Fensham, a botanist at the University of Queensland, said urgent action…

Simple water trick cuts diesel engine pollution by over 60%

Researchers at the Federal University of Technology Owerri in Nigeria have identified a promising strategy for reducing pollution from diesel engines without hurting their performance. By analyzing studies from around the world, the team examined a technology known as Water-in-Diesel Emulsion (WiDE). Their findings suggest that adding small amounts of…

Our Sun may have escaped the Milky Way’s center with thousands of twin stars

Astronomers have uncovered signs that our Sun may have taken part in a large-scale movement of similar stars that left the inner regions of the Milky Way about 4 to 6 billion years ago. To investigate this possibility, researchers compiled and analyzed an exceptionally precise catalog of stars using observations…

Study finds two types of colon polyps can raise bowel cancer risk fivefold

Researchers from Flinders University and Flinders Medical Centre have identified an important connection between two common types of bowel polyps and a greater risk of cancer. Their findings appear in the journal Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology (CGH). Bowel cancer, also known as colorectal cancer, is a major health concern. In…