Why evolution rewarded ants that sacrificed protection

The question is playful and unrealistic, but it points to a serious idea: the tension between quantity and quality. New research suggests this same tradeoff has shaped evolution, especially in the rise of complex animal societies. How ants choose numbers over toughness A study published on December 19, 2025, in…

A new drug could stop Alzheimer’s before memory loss begins

An experimental drug developed at Northwestern University has demonstrated further promise as an early intervention for Alzheimer’s disease. In a new study, Northwestern scientists identified a previously unknown highly toxic sub-species of amyloid beta oligomers — toxic clusters of peptides — that appear to drive several of the brain’s earliest…

Why one long walk may be better than many short ones

A large population-based study examined whether the way people accumulate their daily steps affects their long-term health, regardless of how many total steps they take. The research focused on adults who were not highly active, defined as walking fewer than 8,000 steps per day (<8,000 steps per day). The findings…

This simulation reveals what really happens near black holes

After decades of steady progress, computational astrophysicists have reached a major turning point in black hole research. A new study presents the most detailed and complete model yet of luminous black hole accretion, the process by which black holes pull in surrounding matter and emit intense radiation. Using some of…

Parkinson’s breakthrough changes what we know about dopamine

A new study led by researchers at McGill University is calling into question a long-standing idea about how dopamine influences movement. The findings suggest a shift in how scientists understand Parkinson’s disease and how its treatments work. The research, published in Nature Neuroscience, shows that dopamine does not directly control…

This AI finds simple rules where humans see only chaos

Researchers at Duke University have created a new artificial intelligence framework designed to uncover clear, easy-to-understand rules behind some of the most complicated dynamics seen in nature and modern technology. The system is inspired by the work of history’s great “dynamicists” — scientists who study systems that change over time.…

A traditional Brazilian plant shows unexpected strength against arthritis

A research team in Brazil has found strong evidence that the Joseph’s Coat plant (Alternanthera littoralis) is both safe and effective at reducing inflammation, easing pain, and protecting against arthritis. The study was carried out by scientists from the Federal University of Grande Dourados (UFGD), the State University of Campinas…

Study links full-fat cheese to lower dementia risk

A large new study suggests that eating more full-fat cheese and cream may be linked to a lower risk of developing dementia later in life. High-fat cheeses are defined as containing more than 20% fat and include familiar varieties such as cheddar, Brie and Gouda. Participants who ate 50 grams…