Columbia scientists discover surprising link between serotonin and heart valve disease
Serotonin may accelerate degenerative mitral regurgitation progression in patients taking SSRI antidepressants who carry a specific genetic variant. These patients could require heart valve surgery at a younger age than those without the genetic variant.
Yale scientists may have found how Parkinson's disease spreads through the brain
Two neuron surface proteins appear to facilitate the spread of toxic protein associated with Parkinson's disease through the brain. Blocking these proteins in mice significantly reduced disease progression, suggesting a potential therapeutic target.
Drawing the line: Virtual fences trigger the same cattle behavior as physical ones
Virtual fences trigger cattle movement patterns similar to those caused by conventional electric fences. The study from the University of Göttingen, published in the journal Animal, found that cattle respond to virtual fences with comparable behavioral responses to physical electric fences.
Synthetic rotation brings black hole energy theory into lab, amplifying waves
Researchers demonstrated that waves interacting with a synthetically rotating object can extract energy and amplify, based on Penrose and Zeldovich's theoretical predictions about black hole energy extraction. The experiment confirmed that a wave encountering a sufficiently fast rotating object becomes amplified through energy extraction from the rotation itself.
Immune cells get transformed into fungus-fighting nanoparticles
Researchers created nanoparticles from human immune cell membranes that effectively fight Candida albicans fungal infections. In mice with severe infections, the nanoparticles significantly reduced fungus in major organs and improved survival rates.
Experimental drug reverses severe fatty liver disease by repairing the gut
An experimental drug called DT-109 reversed severe fatty liver disease in animal studies by repairing the gut and preventing harmful toxins from damaging the liver. This discovery could lead to new treatments for MASH and other gut-health-related diseases.
Second pregnancy changes the brain in surprising new ways
Each pregnancy produces distinct patterns of brain rewiring rather than repeating the same changes. A second pregnancy alters the brain differently than a first pregnancy, potentially helping researchers develop better treatments for peripartum depression.
Physicists finally build a quantum material predicted more than a decade ago
Researchers created a two-dimensional quantum material with unusual conducting edge states that were predicted over a decade ago. The material's conducting states can be controlled through strain, potentially enabling room-temperature quantum electronics applications.
Tiny bubbles could revolutionize inkjet printing
Researchers demonstrated that varying the quantity of ultra-fine bubbles within droplets can reshape printed patterns during inkjet printing without leaving chemical residues. By adjusting bubble numbers in each droplet, the technology enables cleaner printing for next-generation electronics manufacturing.
Geoscientists reveal how Earth's forces are shaping the 'Roof of the World'
Earth's deep interior processes are shaping the Tibetan Plateau's unique topography at its summit. An international team of Chinese and UK geoscientists from the University of Glasgow discovered this through studying formation evidence of this high mountainous area.
To ancient astronomers, Theta Eridani was brighter for 1,000 years—now we know why
Theta Eridani appeared as one of the 13 brightest stars to ancient astronomers like Ptolemy and al-Sufi, but is significantly dimmer today. Researchers determined the star must have been much more luminous between the second century A.D. and A.D. 964 to match historical brightness records.
New sensors capture warning signs before fish deaths in Lake Victoria
Sensors installed in Lake Victoria detected low-oxygen warning signs several hours before fish deaths occurred, providing crucial advance notice of dangerous environmental conditions. The research from Kings College London researchers highlights the capability of monitoring equipment to identify these hazardous events before widespread mortality happens.
Scientists use AI to produce first high-resolution map of global seagrass extent
Scientists created the first high-resolution global map of seagrass meadows using satellite imagery and AI analysis. Nearly 70% of seagrass meadows exist off five countries' coasts, with only 21% protected in marine conservation areas.
The biggest problem with solid-state batteries may finally be solved
Researchers identified how soft lithium dendrites crack the hard ceramic electrolyte in solid-state batteries, causing short circuits. This discovery could enable the development of safer, longer-lasting batteries for smartphones and electric vehicles.
Europe's most active volcano may have a secret origin
Mount Etna does not match any of the three classic volcano formation mechanisms and may instead be fueled by ancient magma pockets pushed upward through tectonic cracks. This would classify Etna as a rare fourth type of volcano, suggesting much larger volcanoes can form through processes previously linked only to small submarine eruptions.
Scientists found a longevity diet that helped mice eat more and lose fat
A modified Mediterranean-style diet with low protein and restricted methionine enabled mice to eat more while losing body fat and reducing frailty. Human data showed that lower animal protein intake correlated with reduced obesity and Type 2 diabetes rates.
Physicists created a tiny universe where time emerged without a clock
Physicists at the University of Birmingham created a mini universe using 24,000 ultracold atoms to demonstrate that time can emerge naturally from quantum system changes. The experiment showed time flow arises from internal changes within the system rather than requiring an external clock.
AI reveals hidden San Andreas Fault movements
AI algorithms detected slow slip movements along the San Andreas Fault that conventional monitoring systems had missed. These silent movements release stress over hours or days without generating earthquakes.
New catalyst could make mixed plastic waste recyclable in one chemical step
A new catalyst enables mixed plastic waste to be recycled in a single chemical step instead of requiring expensive sorting. The process breaks down different plastic types that cannot be melted together, preventing the contaminated material that currently results in most mixed plastics being burned or buried.
This alien planet never has sunrise or sunset. It may support life
A tidally locked exoplanet with one perpetually hot side and one frozen side could circulate internal heat in a stable loop that moderates temperatures in certain regions. Laboratory models show these worlds may support life despite extreme surface conditions on their permanently lit and dark hemispheres.
Anthropic found a hidden space where Claude puzzles over concepts
Researchers at Anthropic developed a tool called the Jacobian lens that reveals how Claude, their AI model, processes concepts internally. The technique provided unprecedented visibility into the model's hidden computational space while answering questions and performing tasks.
A hidden immune backup system could supercharge mRNA cancer vaccines
mRNA cancer vaccines recruit an unexpected immune cell type to fight tumors, contradicting previous assumptions about vaccine mechanisms. This discovery could enable more effective cancer vaccines and help scientists customize treatments for individual patients.
Large Tabular Models Excel Where LLMs Fail
Large language models fail at analyzing structured tabular data despite their text abilities, a weakness that affects banks, marketers, and research institutions. Startup Fundamental released NEXUS, a large tabular model specifically designed for row-and-column data, in February 2026 with $275 million in funding and adoption by Amazon Web Services.
Four nuclear reactors hit a big milestone in the US
Three US microreactors achieved criticality, a technical milestone showing they can sustain nuclear chain reactions. The Trump administration set this goal last year, with the achievement occurring around July 4th of this year.
Trees keep absorbing carbon long after they stop growing
Trees continue absorbing carbon dioxide after their growth stops, indicating that photosynthesis and wood production operate independently. This discovery may require revisions to predictions about carbon storage capacity in forests under future climate conditions.
A vitamin A discovery is changing what scientists know about vision
Blue cone cells transform into red and green cones during fetal development under vitamin A-related signals and thyroid hormones, rather than migrating away from the retina's center. This discovery could improve lab-grown retinal tissue development and support future cell therapies for age-related vision loss.
Harvard scientists turn a silicon chip into a DNA writing machine
A silicon chip can now write dozens of DNA sequences at once using electricity and water-based enzymes. The technology offers a cleaner alternative to conventional DNA manufacturing methods and could eventually enable portable DNA-writing devices and massive DNA data storage applications.
Tiny silica particles wiped out aggressive prostate cancer in mice
Engineered silica nanoparticles triggered tumor cell death and immune system activation in mice with aggressive prostate cancer. When combined with immunotherapy, the treatment achieved complete remissions in multiple mice.
Heidelberg physicists just united two opposing quantum theories
Physicists unified two competing quantum theories explaining how impurities behave in many-particle systems, solving a decades-old problem. The breakthrough applies to research on ultracold atoms, semiconductors, and exotic quantum matter systems.