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Water has been studied more than almost any other substance, yet scientists have long debated a surprisingly simple question: What happens to its chemistry when it is squeezed into spaces only a few molecules wide? Those tiny spaces exist throughout nature and technology, including nanoscale pores, membranes, and biological channels.…
Researchers at McGill University have developed a new quantum device that generates tiny sound-like particles called phonons at temperatures just above absolute zero. The advance could help pave the way for phonon lasers, a technology with potential uses in communications, medical diagnostics, and advanced sensing. “Modern communication is largely based…
A new study from the University of Warwick suggests that the rhythm of human laughter has remained surprisingly consistent for at least 15 million years. By comparing the laughter of humans and other great apes, researchers uncovered evidence that this ancient vocal pattern may offer valuable clues about how human…
Nearly half of Americans with kidney failure who are referred for a kidney transplant never begin the evaluation process required to be considered for a donor organ, according to a new nationwide study. Even more striking, fewer than one in five complete the evaluation and secure a place on the…
New research from a Virginia Tech neuroscientist at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC is raising questions about a long-standing approach to studying chronic neurological conditions such as dystonia, ataxia, and tremor. These disorders originate from problems in the cerebellum, a region of the brain involved in coordinating movement.…
Modern neuroscience and psychoanalysis may have far more in common than many people realize, according to a new paper published in the neurocognitive journal Entropy. The researchers argue that today’s leading model of brain function shares striking similarities with ideas that originated with Sigmund Freud and have been developed by…
Researchers have found another clue that diet may influence how the brain ages. In a study of more than 2,000 older adults in Japan, people with lower levels of vitamin C in their blood tended to have less gray matter and weaker connections within an important brain network involved in…
Scientists at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine have identified a crucial missing piece in the long standing mystery of how melanoma tumors avoid death and continue growing. Writing this week in Science, Jonathan Alder, Ph.D., and colleagues describe a combination of genetic changes that allows melanoma cells to…
Scientists have uncovered a previously unknown way that sea anemones defend themselves against viruses, revealing that the evolution of animal immune systems may be far more diverse than previously believed. The newly identified defense relies on a protein that closely resembles one of the most important antiviral proteins in humans,…
Alzheimer’s disease is marked by the buildup of a toxic protein called Tau, which damages and eventually kills brain cells. As this harmful protein moves into new areas of the brain, the disease progresses, leading to worsening memory loss and cognitive decline. Now, researchers have uncovered an unexpected player in…
Creatine is one of the world’s most popular sports supplements, widely used to improve strength and muscle performance. Now, researchers are exploring whether it could have benefits far beyond the gym. A new systematic review published in Brain Medicine examined whether creatine might help relieve depression by supporting the brain’s…
Researchers at the University of Oxford have created a new calculator that estimates a person’s individual risk of developing serious muscle disorders while taking statins. The tool is designed to help patients and doctors make more informed decisions about these commonly prescribed cholesterol lowering medications, which are widely used to…
A long-running debate about a mysterious crater hidden beneath the North Sea has finally been settled. Researchers have confirmed that the Silverpit Crater was created when an asteroid or comet slammed into the region roughly 43 to 46 million years ago. The finding resolves a scientific argument that has lasted…
That question is at the center of a new paper published in Nature Astronomy, where researchers examine the often-overlooked problem of “false negatives” in the search for extraterrestrial life. These are cases in which life exists, or once existed, but scientists fail to detect it. “We are currently investing a…
Researchers led by the Institute of Cosmos Sciences of the University of Barcelona (ICCUB) have developed a new technique that could greatly improve how scientists study the expansion of the Universe and investigate the mysterious force known as dark energy. Published in Nature Astronomy, the research introduces a framework called…
A study published in Oncotarget is highlighting a promising new approach to fighting pancreatic cancer. The paper, titled “The anticancer effects of PCAIs in pancreatic cancer cells involve MAPK and PI3K/AKT pathways hyperactivation,” was led by first author Kweku Ofosu-Asante and corresponding author Nazarius S. Lamango of the Florida A&M…
Americans spend more than $1 billion each year on fish oil supplements, largely because of claims that the omega-3 fatty acids they contain can support brain health. These essential nutrients help build and maintain the connections between brain cells that are important for thinking and memory. But new research from…
Researchers led by Daan van der Vliet, working with teams from the Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Leiden University, and Utrecht University, have identified a biological process that may help explain why multiple sclerosis (MS) becomes especially severe in some patients. Examining brain tissue from people with rapidly progressing MS, they…
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine have discovered that the human brain can continue performing surprisingly advanced language tasks even when a person is fully unconscious under general anesthesia. The findings, published in Nature, challenge long held assumptions about the relationship between consciousness and cognition. They also offer new insights…
Researchers have uncovered an unexpected natural ally that could help farmers tackle one of agriculture’s fastest growing challenges: salty soil. A team including scientists from the University of East Anglia (UEA), led by Chinese researcher Dr. Yanfen Zheng, found that naturally occurring soil bacteria can significantly improve plants’ ability to…
A recent study led by researchers at the University of the Sunshine Coast (UniSC) suggests that high intensity interval training (HIIT) could be one of the most effective ways for older adults to reduce body fat while maintaining muscle mass. The research compared different exercise intensities in healthy older adults…
Astronomers led by Northwestern University have uncovered an unusual feature surrounding the famous “Pink Planet”: skies filled with salty clouds. For more than a decade, the ancient world, known for its pinkish haze, has remained one of astronomy’s enduring mysteries. As one of the coldest planetary-mass companions ever directly imaged,…
A widely used agricultural pesticide may pose a greater threat to brain health than previously recognized. Researchers at UCLA Health report that long-term exposure to chlorpyrifos near the home is associated with a more than 2.5-fold increase in the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease. The study, published in Molecular Neurodegeneration,…
Hawaii faces a growing plastic waste challenge. Recycling on the islands is expensive and difficult, and large amounts of marine debris continue to wash ashore or remain in surrounding waters. Now, researchers are exploring an innovative solution by turning discarded fishing nets and household plastic waste into asphalt for roads.…
Teenagers who use cannabis may be more likely to develop serious psychiatric conditions by young adulthood, according to a major new study published in JAMA Health Forum. Researchers tracked 463,396 adolescents between the ages of 13 and 17 through age 26. They found that teens who reported using cannabis within…
Supereruptions are among the most powerful volcanic events on Earth. These massive eruptions release more than 1,000 cubic kilometers of magma, rock, and ash, with the potential to dramatically affect climate, ecosystems, and human societies. Because of their enormous impact, scientists are working to better understand the underground processes that…
A long-term study has found that even occasional visits from mountain lions can reshape an entire ecosystem. Researchers studying a small suburban preserve about 45 miles south of San Francisco discovered that as mountain lion activity increased, the behavior of many other animals changed as well. The effects extended beyond…
A newly published study in Oncoscience explores a potential new approach to treating glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer that remains extremely difficult to treat. The paper is titled “Selective blood-brain barrier penetration and tumor targeting of nitrosylcobalamin in glioblastoma: Pharmacokinetics, tissue distribution, and synergistic activity with trail and…
Many people notice a familiar change as they get older: the waistline gradually expands, even when overall body weight does not change dramatically. This increase in abdominal fat is more than a cosmetic concern. Excess belly fat has been linked to slower metabolism, accelerated aging, type 2 diabetes, heart disease,…
Astronomers have identified two of the fluffiest giant planets ever discovered, with densities so low they are actually less dense than cotton candy. The rare pair of “super-puff” planets was found by an international team led by the University of Oxford, working with Université Côte d’Azur/Observatoire de la Côte d’Azur…
