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A newly discovered species of Bartonella bacteria in Brazil’s Amazon sand flies shares DNA similarities with dangerous Andean strains. Scientists stress the need for further studies to see if it can infect humans and spread beyond its known regions.

For decades, scientists have puzzled over why lunar rocks show signs of strong magnetism when the moon itself has no global magnetic field today. New simulations suggest the answer may lie in a powerful asteroid impact billions of years ago.

Sucralose, the sugar substitute in many diet products, may weaken cancer immunotherapy by altering gut bacteria and reducing arginine levels needed for immune cells. But supplementation with arginine or citrulline could counteract this effect, pointing to new clinical trial possibilities.

Satellite data reveals sea-level rise has unfolded almost exactly as predicted by 1990s climate models, with one key underestimation: melting ice sheets. Researchers stress the importance of refining local projections as seas continue to rise faster than before.

Hidden fat wrapped around organs, known as visceral fat, has now been linked to faster heart aging. Using AI and imaging from more than 21,000 people in the UK Biobank, scientists found that this invisible belly fat accelerates stiffening and inflammation of the heart, while fat stored around hips and thighs may actually protect women.

Getting a smartphone before age 13 may drastically increase the risk of poor mental health later in life, according to data from more than 100,000 people. Early use is linked to suicidal thoughts, aggression, and detachment, largely driven by social media, cyberbullying, and lost sleep. Researchers urge urgent action to restrict access and protect young minds.

Two tiny pterosaurs, preserved for 150 million years, have revealed a surprising cause of death: violent storms. Researchers at the University of Leicester discovered both hatchlings, nicknamed Lucky and Lucky II, with broken wings—injuries consistent with being tossed through the air by powerful gusts. These storms not only claimed their lives but also created the rare conditions that preserved them so perfectly in the Solnhofen limestones.

A team of chemists has discovered how to transform PET plastic waste into BAETA, a material that captures CO2 with remarkable efficiency. Instead of ending up as microplastics in the environment, discarded bottles and textiles could become tools to combat climate change. The method is energy-friendly, scalable, and potentially lucrative, offering industries both sustainability and practicality.

Scientists at the University of Tokyo have unveiled “gold quantum needles,” a newly discovered nanocluster structure formed under unusual synthesis conditions. Unlike typical spherical clusters, these elongated, pencil-shaped formations display unique quantum behaviors and respond to near-infrared light, making them promising tools for biomedical imaging and energy applications.

Ghost sharks have evolved rows of true teeth on a bizarre forehead rod used for mating. Fossil and genetic evidence revealed the tenaculum’s teeth develop the same way as those inside the mouth, offering a striking example of evolution’s ability to repurpose biological tools.

UC Santa Barbara researchers project that human impacts on oceans will double by 2050, with warming seas and fisheries collapse leading the charge. The tropics and poles face the fastest changes, and coastal regions will be hardest hit, threatening food and livelihoods worldwide.

Scientists have created a transparent solar coating that turns ordinary windows into clean energy generators without affecting clarity. Using cholesteric liquid crystal layers, the coating redirects polarized sunlight to the window edges where solar cells collect it. A small prototype already powered a fan, and full-sized windows could boost efficiency 50-fold while cutting the need for costly photovoltaic cells.

A hidden quantum geometry that distorts electron paths has finally been observed in real materials. This “quantum metric,” once thought purely theoretical, may revolutionize electronics, superconductivity, and ultrafast devices.

Scientists found that Red Sea corals can endure warming seas but grow much smaller and weaken under long-term heat stress. Though recovery is possible in cooler months, rising global temperatures may outpace their resilience, endangering reefs and the people who depend on them.

Seagrass, a vital coastal ecosystem, may be one of the planet’s best natural carbon sponges—but its fate depends on how we manage nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus. While moderate nutrient input can supercharge seagrass growth and boost carbon storage, too much—especially nitrogen—fuels phytoplankton that block sunlight and devastate seagrass beds.

Scientists have uncovered microbial DNA preserved in mammoth remains dating back more than one million years, revealing the oldest host-associated microbial DNA ever recovered. By sequencing nearly 500 specimens, the team identified ancient bacterial lineages—including some linked to modern elephant diseases—that coexisted with mammoths for hundreds of thousands of years. These discoveries shed light on the deep evolutionary history of microbes, their role in megafaunal health, and how they may have influenced adaptation and extinction.

A large Brazilian study following more than 12,000 middle-aged adults found that those consuming the most artificial sweeteners—commonly found in diet sodas, flavored waters, and processed snacks—experienced significantly faster declines in memory and thinking skills. The effect was equivalent to about 1.6 years of extra brain aging, with the strongest impact seen in people under 60 and those with diabetes.

Scientists have uncovered a surprising way Parkinson’s disease may start: tiny toxic proteins that punch holes in brain cells like revolving doors. Instead of causing instant collapse, these flickering pores slowly weaken the cells, which could explain the gradual onset of symptoms.

New research reveals that carbon made it possible for Earth’s molten core to freeze into a solid heart, stabilizing the magnetic field that protects our planet. Without it, Earth’s deep interior — and life above — might look very different.

Meal timing shifts with age, and researchers found that eating breakfast later is tied to depression, fatigue, sleep problems, and an increased risk of death. Monitoring when meals are eaten could provide an easy health marker for aging adults.

Scientists at the University of Bath have developed a simple three-minute brainwave test called Fastball EEG that can detect memory problems years before Alzheimer’s is typically diagnosed. Unlike traditional memory tests, it passively records brain responses to images and has now been proven effective in people’s homes. With breakthrough Alzheimer’s drugs working best in early stages, this low-cost, accessible tool could transform early detection and treatment.

Scientists at Delft University of Technology have managed to watch a single atomic nucleus flip its magnetic state in real time. Using a scanning tunneling microscope, they indirectly read the nucleus through its electrons, finding the nuclear spin surprisingly stable for several seconds. This “single-shot readout” breakthrough could pave the way for manipulating atomic-scale quantum states, with future applications in quantum sensing and simulation.

Scientists uncovered a 310-million-year-old fish fossil with a “tongue bite,” teeth on the roof and floor of its mouth that worked like a second jaw. This adaptation, previously thought to have appeared much later, shows how fish rapidly experimented with new feeding strategies after mass extinction.

A Japanese research team successfully harnessed E. coli to produce PDCA, a strong, biodegradable plastic alternative. Their method avoids toxic byproducts and achieves record production levels, overcoming key roadblocks with creative fixes.

A small tissue fold in fly embryos, once thought purposeless, plays a vital role in stabilizing tissues. Researchers show that it absorbs stress during early development, and its position and timing likely shaped its evolutionary emergence.

Solar Orbiter has identified the Sun’s dual “engines” for superfast electrons: explosive flares and sweeping coronal mass ejections. By catching over 300 events close to their origin, the mission has solved key mysteries about how these particles travel and why they sometimes appear late. The findings will improve space weather forecasts and help shield spacecraft and astronauts from solar radiation.

Spotting Earth-like planets is nearly impossible with conventional telescopes, but researchers propose a bold fix: a rectangular design that can separate a planet’s faint glow from its blinding star. This approach could uncover dozens of nearby worlds that might host life.

Metformin, the world’s most widely used diabetes drug, has long been recognized for its surprising range of benefits beyond lowering blood sugar, from reducing inflammation to lowering cancer risk. Yet its exact mechanism has remained unclear for decades. Now, researchers at Kobe University have uncovered the first clinical evidence that the drug alters levels of key metals in the blood.

Researchers spotted a colossal cloud of gas and dust in the Milky Way, filled with turbulent motion, newborn star seeds, and even a natural microwave laser. This newly found Midpoint cloud appears to funnel material toward the galactic center, offering key insights into star formation in extreme cosmic regions.

Past climate assessments let big polluters delay action, placing more burden on smaller nations. A new method based on historical responsibility demands steep cuts from wealthy countries and more financial support for poorer ones. Courts are now stepping in, making climate justice not just political but also legal.

Overactivation of dopamine neurons may directly drive their death, explaining why movement-controlling brain cells degenerate in Parkinson’s. Mice with chronically stimulated neurons showed the same selective damage seen in patients, along with molecular stress responses. Targeting this overactivity could help slow disease progression.

Scientists have decoded the 3D structure of an ancient viral protein hidden in our DNA. The HERV-K Env protein, found on cancer and autoimmune cells, has a unique shape that could unlock new diagnostics and therapies.

Astronomers using ALMA have discovered that planet-forming discs are not flat and serene but subtly warped, reshaping our understanding of how planets form. These slight tilts, similar to those seen among planets in our Solar System, suggest that planetary systems emerge in more chaotic and dynamic conditions than once believed. The findings point to new connections between disc warps, gas flow, turbulence, and the feeding of young stars, raising exciting questions about the forces shaping worlds across the cosmos.

Scientists at Northwestern University have developed a groundbreaking nickel-based catalyst that could transform the way the world recycles plastic. Instead of requiring tedious sorting, the catalyst selectively breaks down stubborn polyolefin plastics—the single-use materials that make up much of our daily waste—into valuable oils, waxes, fuels, and more.

Snowfall shortages are now destabilizing some of the world’s last resilient glaciers, as shown by a new study in Tajikistan’s Pamir Mountains. Using a monitoring station on Kyzylsu Glacier, researchers discovered that stability ended around 2018, when snowfall declined sharply and melt accelerated. The work sheds light on the Pamir-Karakoram Anomaly, where glaciers had resisted climate change longer than expected.

Scientists at the University of Pennsylvania have shown for the first time that it’s possible to detect dormant cancer cells in breast cancer survivors and eliminate them with repurposed drugs, potentially preventing recurrence. In a clinical trial, existing medications cleared these hidden cells in most participants, leading to survival rates above 90%. The findings open a new era of proactive treatment against breast cancer’s lingering threat, offering hope to survivors haunted by the fear of relapse.

Virginia Tech researchers are investigating how overloaded mitochondria in the brain’s memory circuits may spark early Alzheimer’s damage. Their work focuses on calcium signaling and how it might trigger breakdowns in the entorhinal cortex.

A new model called StarryStarryProcess lets scientists map star spots with precision, improving how exoplanets are studied. By factoring in both transits and stellar rotation, it provides richer details about stars and their influence on planetary signals.

NASA’s SPHEREx joined Webb and Hubble in studying interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS, gathering data on its size, chemistry, and physical traits. While harmless to Earth, the comet provides scientists a rare opportunity to learn more about solar system wanderers.

Webb, Hubble, and SPHEREx are joining forces to study the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS, revealing details about its structure and chemistry. The comet isn’t dangerous, but it’s offering scientists a rare chance to explore material from outside our solar system.

A long-term study following insomnia patients treated with cannabis-based medical products revealed sustained improvements in sleep quality, mood, and pain management over 18 months. Most participants reported better rest and less anxiety or depression, while only a small fraction experienced mild side effects such as fatigue or dry mouth.

High-ventilation breathwork with music can evoke psychedelic-like states, shifting blood flow in the brain and reducing negative emotions. Participants experienced unity and bliss, pointing to a natural therapeutic tool with powerful potential.

Once a universal feature of human psychology, the “unhappiness hump” in midlife has disappeared, replaced by a new trend: mental health is worst in youth and improves with age. Data from the U.S., U.K., and dozens of countries suggest today’s young people are driving this shift, facing deeper struggles than previous generations.

Fossilized bones in Brazil reveal that deadly infections plagued sauropods 80 million years ago. Researchers uncovered unhealed lesions consistent with osteomyelitis, pointing to pathogens spread through stagnant waters or insect bites.

Scientists in Japan have uncovered a strange new behavior in “heavy” electrons — particles that act as if they carry far more mass than usual. These electrons were found to be entangled, sharing a deep quantum link, and doing so in ways tied to the fastest possible time in physics. Even more surprising, the effect appeared close to room temperature, hinting that future quantum computers might harness this bizarre state of matter.

Japanese scientists have developed ADRIANA, a non-opioid painkiller that could provide powerful relief without the dangers of addiction. With successful trials already completed, large U.S. studies are now underway, raising hopes for a safer future in pain treatment.

A sweeping review of nearly 100 studies has raised concerns about the mental health impacts of high-potency cannabis products. Researchers found strong links to psychosis, schizophrenia, and cannabis use disorder, while results for anxiety and depression were mixed and sometimes contradictory. Although the findings confirm that higher THC concentrations pose risks, the evidence still isn’t clear enough to offer firm clinical guidance, leaving scientists calling for better-designed studies to fill the gaps.

Scientists are racing to improve weight loss treatments beyond drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy, which are effective but plagued by nausea, bone loss, and weight regain. Tufts University chemists have created a new multi-target compound that goes beyond the usual GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon approaches by adding a fourth hormone, PYY. This “quadruple-action” design aims to deliver weight loss results on par with bariatric surgery—up to 30%—without invasive procedures, and could change the future of obesity treatment.

Researchers have uncovered why smell often fades early in Alzheimer’s: the brain’s immune cells dismantle key nerve connections between the olfactory bulb and brainstem. Membrane changes in neurons send an “eat-me” signal to microglia, which mistakenly destroy them. Evidence from mice, human tissue, and PET scans confirms this process. These insights could pave the way for earlier diagnosis and more effective treatment.

A single RSV vaccine dose is proving to be a powerful shield for older adults, significantly reducing hospitalizations and severe illness over two consecutive RSV seasons. While protection is strongest in the first year and declines somewhat in the second, the findings highlight both the immediate benefits and the importance of ongoing monitoring. With RSV causing tens of thousands of hospitalizations every year in the U.S., this research underscores the potential of vaccination to save lives and guide future booster strategies.

Just 500 million years after the Big Bang, a colossal black hole, 300 million times the mass of the Sun, was already blazing at the heart of a tiny, brilliant galaxy. Found with JWST, this discovery could explain the strange "Little Red Dots" seen in the early cosmos and rewrites what we thought was possible for black hole growth.

Astronomers have taken a fresh look at the famous “Hand of God” pulsar, combining X-ray data from NASA’s Chandra Observatory with new radio observations from the Australia Telescope Compact Array. At the center is pulsar B1509-58, a rapidly spinning neutron star only about 12 miles wide that powers a nebula stretching 150 light-years across. The strange hand-shaped structure continues to surprise researchers, revealing puzzling filaments, patchy remnants, and boundaries that defy expectations.

Astronomers have found over 5,000 exoplanets, and now scientists think these distant worlds could unlock one of the universe’s greatest mysteries: dark matter. A new study suggests that Jupiter-like planets may gradually collect superheavy dark matter particles in their cores, which could one day collapse into planet-sized black holes.

Saturn’s moon Titan may be more alive with possibilities than we thought. New NASA research suggests that in Titan’s freezing methane and ethane lakes, simple molecules could naturally arrange themselves into vesicles—tiny bubble-like structures that mimic the first steps toward life. These compartments, born from splashing droplets and complex chemistry in Titan’s atmosphere, could act like primitive cell walls.

A breakthrough pill, baxdrostat, has shown remarkable success in lowering dangerously high blood pressure in patients resistant to standard treatments. In a large international trial, it cut systolic pressure by nearly 10 mmHg, enough to significantly reduce risks of heart attack, stroke, and kidney disease. The drug works by blocking excess aldosterone, a hormone that drives uncontrolled hypertension.

Beta blockers, used for decades after heart attacks, provide no benefit for patients with preserved heart function, according to the REBOOT trial. The massive study also found women faced higher risks when taking the drug. Experts say the results will change heart treatment guidelines worldwide.

A massive global study uncovered a striking paradox: even as total burned land has dropped by more than a quarter since 2002, human exposure to wildfires has skyrocketed. Africa accounts for a staggering 85% of these exposures, while California stands out as an extreme hotspot despite its relatively small share of burned land. Climate change is fueling more intense fire weather, population growth is pushing communities into fire-prone landscapes, and the overlap between people and flames is growing more dangerous.

Stanford researchers reveal meandering rivers existed long before plants, overturning textbook geology. Their findings suggest carbon-rich floodplains shaped climate for billions of years.

As the Great Salt Lake shrinks, scientists are uncovering mysterious groundwater-fed oases hidden beneath its drying lakebed. Reed-covered mounds and strange surface disturbances hint at a vast underground plumbing system that pushes fresh water up under pressure. Using advanced tools like airborne electromagnetic surveys and piezometers, researchers are mapping the hidden freshwater reserves and testing whether they could help restore fragile lakebed crusts, reduce dust pollution, and reveal long-buried secrets of the region’s hydrology.

New research suggests that exercise may not just make us feel younger—it could actually slow or even reverse the body’s molecular clock. By looking at DNA markers of aging, scientists found that structured exercise like aerobic and strength training has stronger anti-aging effects than casual activity. Evidence from both mice and humans shows measurable reductions in biological age, with benefits reaching beyond muscles to the heart, liver, fat tissue, and gut.