Biological Science

Newly discovered fossils in Ethiopia show that Homo coexisted with Australopithecus 2.6 million years ago, rewriting the timeline of human evolution. Far from a straight line, early human history was a tangled web of competing species.

Super-cooling radioactive atoms could create a laser-like neutrino beam, potentially opening a new avenue for studying these elusive particles and even enabling novel forms of communication. Every instant, torrents of neutrinos pass through our bodies and the objects around us without leaving a trace. Smaller than electrons and lighter than photons, these ghostlike particles are [...]

Potential applications range from biomedical imaging to the conversion of light energy. University of Tokyo researchers Shinjiro Takano, Yuya Hamasaki, and Tatsuya Tsukuda have directly imaged how the geometric arrangement of atoms in gold nanoclusters develops at the very earliest stages of growth. Under the same conditions, the team also “grew” an unexpected elongated nanocluster [...]

UAlbany chemists created manganese diboride, a high-energy material with potential for rocket fuel and new technologies. Chemists at the University at Albany have developed a high-energy compound that could transform rocket fuel and make space travel more efficient. When ignited, this compound produces significantly more energy per unit of weight and volume than current propellants. [...]

A new study suggests that psychological well-being may be crucial for healthy aging. Studies of Blue Zones, regions where people commonly live to older ages, suggest that a strong sense of purpose is linked with longer life. New research from UC Davis indicates that purpose may offer another advantage as people get older: a lower [...]

A global study shows nearly half of diabetes cases remain undiagnosed, with stark regional gaps in care, raising concerns of a growing “silent epidemic.” A new study published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology reveals that millions of people worldwide are living with diabetes without knowing it, or are not receiving the care they need. [...]

MiR-93 promotes fatty liver disease, but vitamin B3 can counteract its effects. This discovery suggests a new treatment approach. Roughly 30% of people worldwide are affected by metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MASLD), a condition that until recently lacked targeted therapies. In an important breakthrough, scientists have identified a genetic factor that worsens the disease, and [...]

JWST confirms GJ 1132 b lacks an atmosphere. This challenges the habitability of planets around M-dwarfs. Astronomers often encounter conflicting results when investigating cosmic questions. This is a normal aspect of the scientific method, as it highlights the need for more data to confirm or reject a hypothesis. A prominent example in exoplanet research involves [...]

Impact history should be considered a key factor in the search for habitable Earth-like exoplanets. Southwest Research Institute, working with Yale University, has produced a review highlighting recent scientific advances in understanding how the rocky inner planets, known as terrestrial planets, came to be and how they have changed over time. Their Nature Review journal [...]

NASA’s Perseverance rover has identified its most compelling evidence yet for ancient microbial life on Mars. A rock sample dubbed “Sapphire Canyon,” collected from the Bright Angel formation in Jezero Crater, shows mineral and chemical patterns that resemble biosignatures—possible traces of past microbial activity. These “leopard spots,” rich in iron-based minerals, could have been formed [...]

Native pond turtle populations rise after removal of American bullfrogs at national park. When scientists from the University of California, Davis, first began studying the effects of invasive bullfrogs on northwestern pond turtles in Yosemite National Park, the soundscape was dominated by the frogs’ calls. “At night, you could look out over the pond and [...]

A hidden alliance between algae and bacteria in the Eel River powers ecosystems, sustains salmon, and may inspire future clean technologies. In northern California, salmon represent far more than a food source. They are central to tribal traditions, vital for tourism, and serve as indicators of river health. Working along the Eel River, researchers from [...]

Temperature shapes tomato resistance. New cultivars could help growers worldwide. Scientists from the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS), working with university collaborators, are helping American tomato growers confront a serious plant disease. They discovered that a tomato line developed three decades ago shows promising resistance to the tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV), an emerging [...]

NGC 3603-A1 is a pair of giant stars locked in a rapid 3.8-day orbit. Their dynamic relationship provides clues to how massive stars evolve and form black holes. A team of astronomers combined archival data from the Hubble Space Telescope with fresh observations to obtain precise measurements of the binary star system NGC 3603-A1. One [...]

Physicists have created a novel detector capable of probing dark matter particles at unprecedentedly low masses. About 80 percent of the universe’s mass is believed to be dark matter, yet the makeup and organization of its particles remain largely unknown, leaving physicists with fundamental questions. To investigate this elusive material, scientists are working to detect [...]

A young star’s disk shows unexpectedly high CO₂ and little water. The result questions standard theories of planet formation. A research team led by Jenny Frediani at Stockholm University has identified a planet-forming disk with an unexpectedly unusual chemistry: it contains far more carbon dioxide (CO₂) than anticipated in areas where Earth-like planets may eventually [...]

A gut microbe molecule drives diabetic kidney scarring. Blocking it may offer new treatment options. A new study from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and Mie University in Japan has revealed that a molecule produced by gut bacteria can travel to the kidneys, where it triggers inflammation, tissue scarring, and fibrosis. These processes represent a [...]

A new microarray acne patch eliminates pimples in just seven days and could pave the way for future medical treatments far beyond skincare. Waking up with a pimple does not have to be stressful. Pimple patches are small, sticker-like bandages that cover a blemish and support healing. A research team reporting in ACS Applied Materials [...]

Exercise intensity affects the gut microbiome, shifting bacteria and gut health markers. Diet and rest patterns also contribute to these changes. Exercise is widely known to benefit both mental and physical health, but new findings from Edith Cowan University (ECU) suggest that the intensity of training may also influence the gut microbiome. PhD candidate Bronwen [...]

Warming soil releases toxic metals that threaten fish and disrupt food chains. In Alaska’s Brooks Range, rivers that were once clear enough to drink have turned a murky orange as toxic metals spread through the water. Warming is thawing long-frozen ground, setting off chemical reactions that are harming fish and disrupting entire ecosystems. As global [...]

Critical U.S. minerals are already mined but discarded. Small-scale recovery could meet demand and cut waste. According to a new study published in Science, existing U.S. mines already produce all the critical minerals needed each year for energy, defense, and technology. The problem, explained Elizabeth Holley, associate professor of mining engineering at the Colorado School [...]

USF and FAU researchers identify bacterium behind 1,500-year-old pandemic mystery. For the first time, scientists have obtained direct genomic evidence of the bacterium responsible for the Plague of Justinian, the earliest known pandemic in recorded history. The outbreak, which struck the Eastern Mediterranean nearly 1,500 years ago, has now been firmly tied to Yersinia pestis, [...]

Orangutans, humans’ close evolutionary relatives, have developed remarkable strategies to survive in the unpredictable rainforests of Borneo. A Rutgers-led study reveals that these apes balance protein intake and adjust their activity to match food availability, avoiding obesity and metabolic disease. Unlike humans, who often overeat processed foods without adjusting energy use, orangutans switch between fruits, leaves, and even stored body fat depending on the season. Their ability to maintain protein levels and conserve energy during scarcity offers insights not only into their survival but also into healthier dietary habits for people.

Flathead catfish are rapidly reshaping the Susquehanna River’s ecosystem. Once introduced, these voracious predators climbed to the top of the food chain, forcing native fish like channel catfish and bass to shift diets and habitats. Using stable isotope analysis, researchers uncovered how the invaders disrupt food webs, broaden dietary overlaps, and destabilize energy flow across the river system. The findings show how a single invasive species can spark cascading ecological consequences.

Plants are spreading across the globe faster than ever, largely due to human activity, and new research shows that the very same traits that make plants thrive in their native lands also drive their success abroad. A study of nearly 4,000 European species reveals that tall, adaptable, nutrient-loving generalists dominate both at home and in foreign ecosystems.

Tiny ocean microbes called Prochlorococcus, once thought to be climate survivors, may struggle as seas warm. These cyanobacteria drive 5% of Earth’s photosynthesis and underpin much of the marine food web. A decade of research shows they thrive only within a narrow temperature range, and warming oceans could slash their populations by up to 50% in tropical waters.

Puff adders control rodents naturally, protecting crops. They could be key to sustainable agriculture. One of Africa’s most widespread snakes may turn out to be an agricultural hero in disguise A study led by the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa, found that puff adders (Bitis arietans) are remarkably effective at suppressing rodent [...]

A new sustainable method has been developed to break down keratins, transforming leftover wool and feathers into useful products. Every year, textile and meat-processing operations generate billions of tons of feathers, wool, and hair. These materials are rich in keratin, the tough, fibrous protein found in hair, skin, and nails. Converting this animal waste into [...]

New and more precise acidity measurements may help make PFAS easier to track. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are nicknamed “forever chemicals” in part because their acidity helps them linger in the environment. Many of these toxic chemicals are strongly acidic, so they readily shed protons and take on a negative charge, which lets them [...]

Virginia Tech scientists are probing how mitochondrial stress and calcium overload may cause Alzheimer’s to strike memory circuits first, offering clues to the disease’s earliest breakdown. One of the first parts of the brain affected by Alzheimer’s disease is the entorhinal cortex — a region that plays a big role in memory, spatial navigation, and [...]