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New images from NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope are providing a clearer look at a mysterious and rarely studied nebula surrounding a dying star. The observations reveal new details about the structure of this unusual cloud of gas and dust and how it is changing over time. Called Nebula PMR…
The COVID-19 pandemic brought messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines into the global spotlight. After completing clinical trials, the first COVID-19 mRNA vaccine was given on December 8, 2020. Researchers later estimated through modeling that these vaccines prevented at least 14.4 million deaths worldwide during their first year. Because of their strong…
Astronomers may be getting closer to understanding one of the biggest mysteries in cosmology: dark energy, the unknown force believed to be driving the accelerating expansion of the universe. Dark energy is thought to account for about 68% of the universe. Despite its enormous influence, scientists still do not know…
Researchers investigating a mysterious cosmic phenomenon called cosmic birefringence have created a new approach to reduce uncertainty in how it is measured. The advance, reported in Physical Review Letters, could improve the precision of observations that probe fundamental physics. The study is the first to quantitatively examine uncertainty in the…
For more than two decades, scientists have explored a group of cancer drugs known as CD40 agonist antibodies. Early experiments suggested these treatments could strongly activate the immune system and help it destroy cancer cells. However, results in people were disappointing. Clinical trials showed only modest benefits, and the drugs…
A new study from UCLA Health reports that long-term residential exposure to the pesticide chlorpyrifos is linked to a substantially higher risk of Parkinson’s disease. People living in areas with ongoing exposure had more than a 2.5 times greater likelihood of developing the condition. The research, published in the journal…
A new randomized clinical trial suggests that listening to specially designed music for just 24 minutes may significantly lower anxiety. The music was paired with auditory beat stimulation (ABS), a technique that uses rhythmic sound patterns to influence brain activity. Researchers say the approach could provide an accessible, drug free…
Bread has been a dietary staple for thousands of years, and sourdough is experiencing a renewed surge in popularity. Many people value it for its natural ingredients, nutritional benefits, and distinctive flavor. Yet the biological processes behind sourdough fermentation remain surprisingly complex. What exactly occurs during this fermentation, and how…
Mummification has fascinated historians and scientists for centuries, yet many details about how ancient Egyptians preserved the dead have remained unclear. New research now shows that the distinctive musty scent of mummified remains holds valuable clues about how these elaborate burial rituals were carried out. A study led by chemists…
In the laboratory of UC Santa Barbara materials scientist Stephen Wilson, researchers are investigating the physics behind unusual states of matter while designing materials that could support properties useful for future quantum technologies. In research published in Nature Materials, Wilson’s team describes a new way to use a phenomenon known…
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…
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…
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…
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…
A successful root canal may provide benefits that extend beyond saving a tooth. New research suggests that treating certain dental infections could help lower inflammation associated with heart disease while also improving blood sugar and cholesterol levels. Researchers at King’s College London conducted a clinical study examining changes in blood…
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…
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…
Predicting volcanic eruptions early enough to warn authorities and nearby communities remains one of the biggest challenges in volcanology. A study published in Nature Communications describes a new detection technique called “Jerk,” developed by researchers and engineers from the Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris (IPGP) and the GFZ…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
About 66 million years ago, a massive asteroid struck Earth and unleashed one of the most destructive events in the planet’s history. The impact ignited global fires, triggered dramatic climate shifts, and wiped out the dinosaurs along with countless other species. Yet new research suggests the catastrophe also opened the…
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…
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 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…
Mars looks very different today than it did billions of years ago. Scientists believe the planet once had flowing water, a thicker atmosphere, and a much warmer climate. Now the Red Planet is frigid, dry, and surrounded by only a thin layer of air. Researchers think the biggest reason for…
