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New research suggests that Australia’s Indigenous population before European colonization was far larger than historical estimates have indicated. Scientists now estimate that approximately 2.22 million Indigenous people lived across the continent before the arrival of the First Fleet in 1788, potentially up to seven times the number suggested by some…
A dinosaur fossil that spent nearly a century overlooked in a museum collection has turned out to belong to an entirely new species of prehistoric predator. About the size of a large tiger and armed with enormous curved claws, the animal roamed what is now Britain approximately 120 million years…
Cancer rates are increasing among adults of different ages in England, but a new study has uncovered a particularly concerning pattern among younger people. Rates of bowel and ovarian cancer have risen among younger adults (under 50), while the same increases have not been observed in older age groups. The…
Finishing a tough workout always feels good. That is, until a few hours later when those uncomfortable muscle aches start setting in. This discomfort can linger for days – making easy, everyday tasks a challenge. In search of relief, some recreational gym-goers are adopting the kind of recovery techniques once…
Two brothers named Gary and Shaggy have helped Cornell University researchers make a rare genetic discovery. In a study published in Scientific Reports, scientists reported the first molecular characterization of Marfan syndrome in domestic cats, a condition primarily recognized in humans. Gary and Shaggy first stood out as kittens because…
How much energy your body needs to move as an adult could be influenced by how active you were during childhood. A new study led by researchers at Penn State suggests that physical activity early in life may have lasting effects on movement efficiency. Using birds as a model, the…
For decades, researchers have invested billions of dollars in Alzheimer’s treatments designed to target amyloid beta, a peptide that forms harmful deposits in the brain. But a biochemist at the University of California, Santa Cruz, believes scientists may have overlooked another potential contributor to the disease: a smaller, closely related…
Scientists investigating why the Moon’s two sides look so different have uncovered new evidence that could help explain this long-standing mystery. A research team led by Professor Hejiu Hui of Nanjing University analyzed lunar rocks collected by China’s Chang’e-6 (CE6) mission and found clues suggesting that enormous movements of molten…
Researchers led by Cedars-Sinai Health Sciences University have discovered a protein that may allow harmful aging cells to escape detection by the immune system. By helping these cells remain in the body instead of being cleared away, the protein could contribute to their accumulation and the development of health problems…
A colossal prehistoric snake that lived in India about 47 million years ago may have been one of the largest snakes ever to exist. Known as Vasuki indicus, the ancient reptile could have reached an extraordinary 15.2 meters (50 feet) in length, putting it in the same league as Titanoboa,…
A minimally invasive procedure that targets abnormal blood vessels in the knee could provide lasting relief for people struggling with osteoarthritis, offering a potential alternative to joint replacement surgery. In a study involving 194 patients, researchers found that a treatment using tiny particles that dissolve within hours was associated with…
Even when artificial intelligence behaves exactly like a human, people are reluctant to consider it conscious, according to a new study from Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU). As artificial intelligence becomes more advanced, reports of AI systems misleading users, working together, or appearing to pursue independent goals are becoming…
A scorching hot planet nearly 320 light-years from Earth has provided the first direct evidence for a fundamental assumption about how planets form. Astronomers discovered that WASP-189b shares an important chemical characteristic with its host star, supporting a long-standing idea that also helps scientists investigate potentially habitable worlds. The breakthrough…
Scientists have uncovered thousands of previously overlooked chemical reactions that could help improve the conversion of carbon dioxide (CO2) into valuable fuels and industrial chemicals. By combining machine learning with advanced computer simulations, researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) identified 9,389 individual reactions occurring on a copper catalyst,…
Africa boasts up to 25% of Earth’s animal and plant species. This diversity is driven by diverse habitats: harsh deserts, vast grasslands, dense forests, towering mountains, lush coastlines and teeming seas. It is also due to deep evolutionary roots, as many animal and plant groups originated here in the distant…
A massive galaxy cluster dating back to an era when such enormous structures were only beginning to take shape is challenging scientists’ understanding of how the universe evolved. New observations from NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) reveal that the cluster contains an unusually dense concentration of matter, suggesting that…
Cells rely on a natural cleanup system to prevent damaged materials from accumulating inside them. Known as autophagy, this process collects defective proteins and other cellular waste, packages them into specialized compartments, and breaks them down into basic molecular components that can be reused. This recycling system helps protect cells…
A furry predator that lived 165 million years ago is offering scientists an unexpected glimpse into the evolution of mammals. Known as Megacauda sungei, this ancient hunter measured only about half a meter (20 inches) from nose to tail, yet it was remarkably large compared with most of its Jurassic…
Scientists have reconstructed a remarkably detailed family tree of cells in a developing mouse embryo, tracing their origins back to the moment a fertilized egg first divided into two cells. Using an innovative DNA recording technology, the researchers followed how those early cells multiplied, developed specialized roles, and eventually helped…
A particle does not have to pass through a magnetic field to be influenced by it. That surprising feature of quantum physics has now been recreated by researchers at the University of Oxford, who used a hybrid quantum computer to demonstrate how an invisible magnetic influence can bring a simulated…
Feeling overwhelmed by stress or struggling to adjust when things go wrong? Everyday habits such as eating a nutritious breakfast, getting regular exercise, and sleeping enough may play an important role in how well your mind handles difficult situations. New research from Binghamton University suggests that these healthy routines are…
Scientists have spent decades studying the brain’s cells, connections, genes, and proteins. Yet another essential part of brain biology has received far less attention: lipids. These fatty molecules make up the membranes surrounding neurons, contribute to the myelin insulation that protects nerve fibers, and play important roles in communication between…
Scientists have discovered a surprising ability of light that allows it to develop spinning patterns as it moves through empty space, without relying on special lenses, mirrors, or materials. The finding reveals that light possesses a hidden geometric structure that can influence its behavior in ways researchers previously thought were…
Scientists have developed a way to coat mitochondria, the tiny structures that produce energy inside our cells, with advanced materials without interfering with their function. The achievement could eventually help researchers develop new approaches to treating diseases caused by malfunctioning mitochondria. The research was conducted by IRCCS Fondazione Istituto Neurologico…
The FDA has approved the first drug designed to directly treat Alexander disease, an extremely rare neurological disorder that progressively damages the nervous system and can be fatal. The treatment, called Zanvastro, represents a major advance for patients who previously had no options beyond managing their symptoms. Alexander disease can…
Just two weeks after reaching orbit, Europe’s new Copernicus Sentinel-3C satellite has delivered its first spectacular images of Earth, revealing everything from the snow-covered Alps to the frozen Arctic and the brilliant turquoise waters of the Caribbean. But the satellite is doing much more than taking beautiful pictures. Its instruments…
The real problem with smartphone use may not be how many hours people spend staring at their screens. What they do during that time could be even more important. Researchers at Semmelweis University have found that problematic smartphone use is closely associated with poor self-control and a strong fear of…
The calorie count printed on a food package might seem like a straightforward measure of how much energy you will get from eating it. But the number on the label does not necessarily match the calories your body actually absorbs. One reason is that digestion involves more than just breaking…
More than 2 billion years ago, Earth underwent a dramatic transformation as oxygen began building up in its atmosphere. But that change left scientists with a major mystery: How did the planet maintain enough oxygen to remain habitable over millions of years? Researchers have now uncovered evidence that the answer…
Octopuses, squid, and cuttlefish possess some of the most sophisticated nervous systems in the animal kingdom, giving them remarkable abilities such as solving problems and rapidly changing their appearance to blend into their surroundings. But how did these extraordinary capabilities evolve? Scientists have uncovered a surprising clue that may lie…