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Japanese macaques, better known as snow monkeys, are famous for sitting in steaming hot springs when temperatures drop. While the warm water clearly helps them cope with winter cold, researchers at Kyoto University found that these baths do more than provide heat. “Hot spring bathing is one of the most…
Choosing the right method for multimodal AI—systems that combine text, images, and more—has long been trial and error. Emory physicists created a unifying mathematical framework that shows many AI techniques rely on the same core idea: compress data while preserving what’s most predictive. Their “control knob” approach helps researchers design…
An international team of scientists has discovered that albumin, the most abundant protein circulating in human blood, plays a powerful and previously unrecognized role in protecting the body from mucormycosis, a rare but frequently deadly fungal infection. The findings were published in Nature. The research was led by George Chamilos,…
A new study sheds light on the tense relationship between wolves and cougars in Yellowstone National Park. Researchers found that many of their encounters begin when wolves take over prey that cougars have already killed. To reduce these risky run ins, cougars have adjusted by targeting smaller animals, which helps…
Bones fractured in a (skiing) accident often mend without medical intervention. However, when a break is especially severe or a bone tumor must be surgically removed, doctors rely on implants to stabilize the area and support new bone growth. Today’s implants are commonly made from the patient’s own bone, called…
Researchers at Duke-NUS Medical School have discovered a molecular “switch” that determines whether pancreatic cancer cells respond to chemotherapy or resist it. The finding points to a way to potentially shift some of the most treatment resistant tumors into a state where existing drugs can work more effectively. The study,…
Modern neuroscience often describes the brain as a collection of specialized systems. Functions such as attention, perception, memory, language, and reasoning have each been linked to specific brain networks, and scientists have typically studied these systems separately. This approach has produced major breakthroughs. However, it has not fully explained a…
Science News from research organizations A super-tough microbe survived Mars-level impact forces, hinting that life might leap from planet to planet. Date: March 3, 2026 Source: PNAS Nexus Summary: A famously resilient bacterium may be tough enough to survive one of the most violent events imaginable on Mars. In laboratory…
Researchers at the University of Waterloo have identified the farthest jellyfish galaxy ever observed. The discovery was made using deep space observations from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). Jellyfish galaxies get their name from the long, flowing streams of gas that stretch out behind them, resembling tentacles. These galaxies…
Researchers at the University of Basel and ETH Zurich have demonstrated a way to reverse the polarity of a specialized ferromagnet using a focused laser beam. The advance points toward a future in which light could be used to design and reconfigure electronic circuits directly on a chip. Ferromagnets function…
For fusion energy systems to run safely and consistently, researchers must closely track the behavior of superheated plasma fuel. Key characteristics such as temperature and density directly influence whether fusion reactions can be sustained. Measuring these extreme conditions requires advanced instruments known as diagnostics, which act as the eyes and…
A new study led by researchers at the University of Arizona suggests that for every recognized vertebrate species, there are, on average, two additional species that have gone unnoticed. These overlooked organisms, known as “cryptic” species, appear almost identical to known species but are genetically distinct. The findings indicate that…
Scientists have uncovered tiny new fossils of Purgatorius, the earliest known relative of all primates, including humans, in a more southern part of North America than ever before. The discovery is offering fresh insight into how primates first evolved and spread across the continent. The origins and early geographic history…
Teens and young adults who survive cancer appear to age more quickly than people their same age who have never had the disease, according to new research. Scientists found signs of faster aging not only inside cells but also in brain performance, including memory, attention, and the ability to process…
At the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), researcher Leonardo Ferreira, Ph.D., is leading an ambitious effort to change how type 1 diabetes (T1D) is treated. Backed by $1 million from Breakthrough T1D, a leading global research and advocacy organization, Ferreira and collaborators at partner institutions are testing a new…
K’gari, the largest sand island on Earth, is famous for its clear freshwater lakes. New research from the University of Adelaide suggests those iconic waters may be more vulnerable than previously thought. By analyzing ancient sediment layers from lakes on K’gari, located off Queensland’s south eastern coast, scientists uncovered signs…
New research reveals that life beneath the surface of one of the driest places on Earth is far more resilient and diverse than many scientists expected. An international team led by the University of Cologne studied tiny soil worms known as nematodes in Chile’s Atacama Desert. Often compared to polar…
As more people seek mental health advice from ChatGPT and other large language models (LLMs), new research suggests these AI chatbots may not be ready for that role. The study found that even when instructed to use established psychotherapy approaches, the systems consistently fail to meet professional ethics standards set…
A tiny wireless retinal implant has helped restore central vision in people with advanced age-related macular degeneration (AMD), according to results published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Advanced atrophic AMD, also called geographic atrophy (GA), is the most common cause of permanent blindness in older adults and affects…
Polyamines are naturally produced molecules present in all living cells. They play a vital role in basic biological functions, including cell growth and specialization. In recent years, scientists have focused on these compounds, especially spermidine, for their potential to support healthy aging. Often described as ‘geroprotectors,’ they have been shown…
The outer planets are surrounded by dozens of moons locked in thick shells of ice. Some of these frozen worlds, including Saturn’s moon Enceladus, are believed to contain vast oceans of liquid water trapped between their icy crust and rocky interiors. Because liquid water is essential for life as we…
In the fast moving field of two dimensional materials, even a slight rotational shift between layers can dramatically change how a material behaves. Scientists previously discovered that when atom thin crystals are stacked with a small angular mismatch, their electronic properties can transform. This approach, known as moiré engineering, has…
Why do people leave tips? According to new research, the answer comes down to two main motivations. Some customers tip to genuinely reward good service. Others tip because they feel pressure to follow social norms. The difference matters. Customers who truly value the service often leave more than the customary…
Scientists at NYU have developed a way to use light to guide how microscopic particles arrange themselves into crystals. The work, reported in the Cell Press journal Chem, describes a straightforward and reversible technique for building crystals that could support the creation of a new class of responsive, adaptable materials.…
Scientists at the University of Liège have identified a crucial genetic regulator that allows macrophages to fully mature and help maintain organ health. This regulator, called MafB, acts as a “molecular switch” that turns specific genes on or off at precise moments and in specific cells. By controlling this genetic…
Conventional perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are structured with the electron transport layer underneath the perovskite light absorbing layer and the hole transport layer on top. Although this layout has delivered strong lab performance, it faces obstacles when scaled for large area manufacturing and long term stability. Inverted PSCs swap the…
Scientists have identified Brazil’s first known field of tektites, the glassy material created when an asteroid or other extraterrestrial object strikes Earth with extreme force. These newly recognized specimens, called geraisites after the state of Minas Gerais where they were first found, form a previously unknown strewn field. The discovery…
Researchers at the State University of Campinas (UNICAMP) in São Paulo, Brazil, have created a new product that blends native bee honey with cocoa bean shells. The result can be eaten on its own or added to foods and cosmetic formulations. The findings were published in ACS Sustainable Chemistry &…
Researchers at Rice University have produced the first comprehensive, label free molecular atlas of the Alzheimer’s brain in an animal model. The work offers a deeper look at how the disease begins and spreads. Alzheimer’s claims more lives each year than breast cancer and prostate cancer combined, underscoring the urgency…
Bubble tea shops are now nearly as common on British high streets as coffee chains, drawing crowds with colorful, photo friendly drinks in endless flavor combinations. The Taiwanese beverage, which blends black tea, milk, sugar, and chewy tapioca pearls, has spread worldwide since it first appeared in the 1980s. Yet…
