Closing the data loop in AI-driven drug discovery
The cost of pharmaceutical development doubles every nine years, and bringing new drugs to market requires 10-15 years on average. AI-driven drug discovery aims to address these challenges by using data to accelerate the development process and reduce costs.
Eating within 8 hours may help keep the aging brain sharp
Older women who restricted eating to 8-9 hours daily showed better performance on planning and problem-solving tests than those eating over 12 hours during a six-month trial. Both groups lost similar weight, suggesting meal timing may affect cognitive function independently of calorie reduction.
Why the same DNA damage causes cancer in some people but not others
Inherited genetics determines whether DNA damage leads to cancer in some individuals but not others, according to a controlled mouse study. The findings could enable doctors to predict cancer risk more accurately and customize screening and treatment approaches for each patient.
After 241 days in orbit this NASA astronaut is finally home
Chris Williams and two Roscosmos cosmonauts returned to Earth after 241 days aboard the International Space Station. During their mission, they traveled more than 102 million miles and completed 3,856 orbits around the planet.
DNA vacuum captures animal traces from air to map Danish wildlife
Researchers created a DNA vacuum that extracts animal genetic material from air samples to identify which species inhabit an area. Testing in three Danish natural areas demonstrated the method successfully mapped local wildlife through airborne DNA collection.
The best way to save giant sequoias may be more fire
Prescribed burns made giant sequoias nearly four times more likely to survive recent extreme wildfires. An analysis of 26,400 trees found that controlled fires prevented approximately 1,900 deaths among ancient sequoias across treated areas.
CRISPR makes prostate cancer vulnerable to immunotherapy
CRISPR gene editing made prostate cancer cells more visible to the immune system, improving immunotherapy effectiveness in mice. The technique targets genetic alterations that normally help tumors evade immune detection.
Why losing the wrong fat can trigger diabetes
Damaged fat cells become inflamed, stop storing lipids, and disappear, disrupting metabolism. Diabetes can develop from loss of healthy fat tissue rather than excess fat alone.
NASA Astronaut Chris Williams, Crewmates Return from Space Station
Three astronauts completed an eight-month mission aboard the International Space Station and landed safely on Sunday at 5:27 a.m. CDT southeast of Dzhezkazgan using a parachute-assisted descent. The crew departed the station at 2:03 a.m. and included NASA astronaut Chris Williams and Roscosmos cosmonauts Sergey Kud-Sverchkov and Sergei Mikaev.
A hidden Alzheimer’s tipping point may decide who gets dementia
Scientists identified a possible tipping point involving how the brain's immune cells respond to plaques and tau that may determine whether Alzheimer's-related changes lead to dementia. This discovery offers a potential treatment target to extend cognitive resilience in patients with Alzheimer's-related brain changes.
Cameras attached to whale sharks capture krill chases never witnessed before
Cameras attached to whale sharks recorded feeding behavior on krill swarms that scientists had never directly observed before. The footage revealed hunting sequences involving the world's largest fish pursuing dense concentrations of small crustaceans.
A single dose reversed autism-like symptoms in adult mice within hours
A single dose of rapamycin reversed autism-like symptoms in adult mice within approximately two hours, including brain overactivity, sensory sensitivity, and repetitive behaviors. The improvement was temporary but demonstrated that adult brain circuits retain greater adaptability than previously understood.
The Universe can outrun light without breaking Einstein’s rules
Distant galaxies can recede faster than light through cosmic expansion without violating Einstein's relativity because space itself expands. Eventually, acceleration will push nearly every galaxy beyond the Local Group out of observable range.
Oral GLP-1 drugs may quiet the brain’s food craving circuit
Oral GLP-1 drugs reduced pleasure-driven eating in mice by suppressing deep brain reward circuits. The discovery suggests these medications may help treat food cravings and potentially substance use disorders.
A daily fiber supplement reduced knee arthritis pain and improved strength
A prebiotic fiber supplement decreased knee osteoarthritis pain and improved grip strength over six weeks in a trial. The supplement also reduced pain sensitivity while suggesting a connection between gut health and muscle function.
Prize honors discovery of altermagnetism as a third fundamental class of magnetism
Researchers discovered altermagnetism, a third fundamental class of magnetism joining ferromagnetism and antiferromagnetism. The 2026 Europhysics Prize was awarded to Jairo Sinova, Libor Šmejkal, and Tomas Jungwirth for identifying this previously unknown magnetic classification.
Long-lived ytterbium states could sharpen quantum computing and atomic clocks
Researchers demonstrated that ytterbium ions can enter long-lived, nearly stable states previously uncertain for decades. These states could improve quantum computers and atomic clocks by enabling longer coherence times in quantum systems.
Scientists turn modern biobanks into a new window on human evolution
Scientists are using large population biobanks to study how natural selection shapes modern human genomes, building on traditional approaches like fossils and ancient DNA. This research examines genetic variation across living populations to reconstruct ongoing evolutionary processes in humans.
New methods for removing harmful nitrates from drinking water identified
Scientists identified new methods to remove nitrates from drinking water contamination caused by fertilizers and livestock manure in agricultural areas. The techniques target groundwater sources that rural households depend on through private wells that often lack routine testing protocols.
NASA’s ESCAPADE Snaps Family Portrait of Earth, Moon
One of NASA's ESCAPADE spacecraft captured photos of Earth and the Moon in visible and thermal infrared light from 363,250 miles away. The spacecraft was 115,600 miles from the Moon when it took the images.
The quest to keep organs alive outside the body
Researchers are developing methods to preserve organs outside the body for longer periods, addressing a critical shortage caused by organs surviving only hours on ice. Scientists are working toward creating organ banks that would store preserved human organs for future transplantation.
New Crew Members Welcomed to International Space Station
Three new crew members arrived at the International Space Station on July 14, 2026, after launching from the Baikonur Cosmodrome. The arrivals included Roscosmos flight engineers Anna Kikina and Pyotr Dubrov, along with NASA flight engineer Anil Menon.
NASA Announces New Spacecraft Technology Demonstration Mission at Moon
NASA awarded Advanced Space a contract for the CAPSTONE 02 mission to demonstrate rendezvous, proximity operations, autonomous navigation, and cislunar communication capabilities. The mission supports cislunar infrastructure development for the Artemis program and Moon Base orbital operations.
With Hopes High for New H.I.V. Prevention Pill, Merck Takes Steps to Ensure Access
Merck is enabling generic manufacturers in Africa and India to produce a new H.I.V. prevention pill that could cost as little as $5 per person annually. Access to the drug remains uncertain in much of Latin America despite the company's efforts to expand availability.
Scientists discover a compound that could supercharge aging muscle repair
A sulfur-based compound called LASSS protects a key muscle-repair protein and enhances its function. This discovery may eventually lead to treatments that slow age-related muscle loss and preserve strength in aging populations.
A new antiviral could stop measles before an outbreak takes off
An experimental antiviral pill prevented a measles-like virus from spreading through air or close contact in ferrets when given before or after exposure. The drug also reduced illness duration and the period infected animals remained contagious.
The Download: an organ transplant breakthrough, and homegrown Chinese chips
Supercooled kidneys were successfully transplanted into pigs, marking a landmark achievement in organ preservation. This breakthrough addresses the critical time constraints that typically limit organ viability during the transplant process.
Sweden’s hidden rare earth deposits could help break China’s grip
Swedish researchers are cataloging all elements in the country's mineral deposits to develop magnets using naturally available combinations. This approach aims to reduce pollution, waste, and reliance on China for rare earth elements used in magnets and green technologies.
China’s Tianwen-1 captures interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS near Mars
China's Tianwen-1 orbiter captured images of interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS as it passed near Mars, showing the comet's tail and glowing coma. The photographs reveal material that originated outside our solar system.
Ancient ape fossil in Egypt challenges the story of human origins
A newly identified fossil ape from northern Egypt suggests North Africa and the Middle East were possible origins for the ape lineage leading to modern apes and humans. The fossil shows closer similarities to living apes than known East African species from the same age period.