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Scientists finally solve the 100-year mystery behind tough tires
For nearly 100 years, reinforced rubber has powered everything from car tires to airplanes, yet scientists never fully understood why adding tiny particles of carbon black made rubber so incredibly strong. Now, researchers at the University of South Florida have finally cracked the mystery using massive computer simulations that took the equivalent of 15 years of computing time. They discovered that carbon black forces rubber to “fight against itself” when stretched, dramatically boosting its strength and durability.
Meet a Health Hero: John Matthews of Ride Hard, Breathe Easy
He rode across America for his mom.That cross-country journey became a nonprofit that has raised $1.2 million for lung-cancer patients, families, and researchers.
How the use of 'digital twins' may transform the way ALS is treated
The technology may help predict the way the unpredictable disease progresses in individual patients, Temple researchers say
Scientists seek to understand effects of rain falling on snow in the Arctic
When rain falls on snow in the Arctic, ice layers can form on top of and within the snowpack. This increasingly common dynamic can influence the ability of animals, including caribou and muskoxen, to forage and move across the landscape. That, in turn, affects the people who rely on wildlife for subsistence, culture, wellbeing and income. Given the widespread impacts of rain-on-snow events, Colorado State University researchers are studying and modeling their effects in Arctic systems. The work is especially important considering the rapid rate of climate change across the region
Scientists discover a mysterious silicone pollutant that may be everywhere
Researchers have uncovered unexpectedly high levels of silicone-based pollutants called methylsiloxanes floating through the atmosphere across cities, rural regions, and even forests. Much of the pollution appears to come from vehicle emissions, likely linked to engine oil additives that survive combustion and escape into the air. Scientists say humans may inhale more of these compounds daily than other notorious pollutants like PFAS or microplastics.
Scientists Think Africa May Be Cracking Along a New Tectonic Plate Boundary
If the rift keeps growing larger, the African continent could end up splitting in half, researchers say.
Scientists create detailed map of odor receptors
Researchers uncovered surprising details about how smell receptors are organized in the nose.
'Speculation' and 'egregious failure': 30 researchers publish scathing critiques of study that questioned date of early human occupation of Monte Verde in Chile
Dozens of scientists have banded together to pen scathing research letters to the journal Science about the publication of a study claiming the 14,500-year-old Monte Verde archaeological site in Chile is much younger than shown.
Study finds digital therapy app improves student mental health
WashU researchers led a population-based study of thousands of college students showing that a phone app with text coaching increased access to care and eased symptoms of depression, anxiety and eating disorders.
Can spreading basaltic volcanic rock dust improve crops and the health of Florida’s soils?
UF researchers are testing volcanic rock dust to improve soil health across the state’s sandy and organic farmlands.
OHSU researchers connect tinnitus with elevated serotonin activity in the brain
While far from a cure, the new research could one day help scientists understand how to reverse tinnitus through brain chemistry.
It’s not where you think: men’s “G-spot” mystery finally solved - Futura-Sciences
Unraveling the Myths: Is the Glans Really the Most Sensitive Part? For years, researchers have maintained that the glans (head) of the penis is the most sensitive area when it comes to sexual sensation. This was considered common wisdom in the urological community. But a recent study published in the...
New drugs could wipe out the “zombie cells” linked to cancer and aging
Researchers found a new way to kill harmful “zombie” cells that linger after chemotherapy and help cancers become more aggressive. These senescent cells survive by relying on a protective protein called GPX4, even while sitting on the edge of a deadly iron-triggered collapse. New drugs remove that protection, causing the cells to self-destruct. In mice, the approach reduced tumor size and boosted survival, hinting at a promising new cancer therapy.
Scientists make old blood stem cells young again in major anti-aging breakthrough
As blood stem cells age, their lysosomes become overactive and damaged, triggering inflammation and weakening the body’s ability to regenerate healthy blood and immune cells. By calming this cellular “overdrive,” researchers restored the stem cells’ youthful function, dramatically boosting their ability to regenerate and produce balanced blood cells.
A rare cancer-fighting plant compound has been decoded
Scientists at UBC Okanagan have uncovered how plants produce mitraphylline, a rare natural compound with promising anti cancer potential. The team identified two enzymes that work together to build the molecule’s unusual twisted structure, solving a mystery that had puzzled researchers for years. Because mitraphylline appears only in tiny amounts in tropical plants like kratom and cat’s claw, the discovery could make it far easier to produce sustainably in the future.
How science can escape the nostalgia trap
A new paper by Lingfei Wu in Science shows that older researchers produce less disruptive work — though they offer strengths of their own, too.
Cannabis compounds may boost metabolic health while supporting weight loss
Researchers identify potential mechanism linked to reduced type 2 diabetes risk
The Science on Creatine Dosage Is Shifting – Here’s How Many Grams You Should Take
Some wellness influencers recommend five times the usual – we talked to researchers for the real scoop
The Science on Creatine Dosage Is Shifting – Here’s How Many Grams You Should Take
Some wellness influencers recommend five times the usual – we talked to researchers for the real scoop
After-School Sports An Overall Boon To Children And Teens, Study Shows
By Dennis Thompson HealthDay ReporterTUESDAY, May 12, 2026 (HealthDay News) — Children benefit in both body and mind when they participate in after-school sports, a new study says. Kids in after-school sports show measurable advantages in brainpower, mental health and physical fitness, researchers ...
AI-assisted hacking is already here, Google warns
Researchers have found the first known case of cybercriminals using AI to exploit a zero-day flaw.
Why Swedish scientists gave salmon cocaine
A recent study caught our eye: salmon on cocaine. Or really, researchers giving salmon cocaine…for science. See, scientists know human drugs pollute aquatic environments – past studies have shown even anti-anxiety drugs can change how fish act. But illicit drugs are less studied. And Jack Brand, an aquatic ecologist at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, wanted to know how illicit drugs like cocaine might change fish behavior, like foraging and mating. To answer that question, Jack and his team gave salmon cocaine. Interested in more science? Email us your question at shortwave@npr.org.Listen to every episode of Short Wave sponsor-free and support our work at NPR by signing up for Short Wave+ at plus.npr.org/shortwave.
Scientists say this algae could remove microplastics from drinking water
Researchers created a special kind of algae that can grab microscopic plastic pollution out of water almost like a magnet. The algae produce limonene, an orange-scented oil that helps them bind to water-repelling microplastics, forming easy-to-remove clumps. As a bonus, the algae also clean wastewater while growing.
James Webb telescope reveals the clearest map ever of the Universe’s cosmic web
Astronomers using NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope have created the clearest map yet of the universe’s “cosmic web” — the enormous hidden structure that connects galaxies across space. By analyzing more than 164,000 galaxies through the massive COSMOS-Web survey, researchers were able to trace this vast network back to when the universe was just a billion years old.
Inside the science of great sleep
The old advice to simply get eight hours misses a bigger picture, researchers say. New studies reveal that timing, consistency, and sleep quality all play a major role in health.
DeepAFM: A deep learning method to decode protein motion
Proteins change shape as they function, and these changes are essential for processes such as drug interactions and cellular activity. Researchers from the Tokyo University of Science developed an AI-based method called DeepAFM that is trained on millions of simulated images representing different protein states, accurately identifying transitions between closed and open states in a protein called SecA. This approach highlights the growing potential of AI to solve complex challenges in biology and medicine.
Scientists discover hidden chemical signature that could reveal alien life
Scientists may have found a powerful new way to hunt for alien life — not by searching for specific molecules, but by looking for hidden patterns in how those molecules are organized. Researchers discovered that living systems leave behind a kind of chemical “fingerprint” in the statistical distribution of amino acids and fatty acids, one that consistently differs from nonliving chemistry.
Scientists learn how mosquitoes are able to track and bite humans
Researchers found that infrared radiation from a source at roughly the temperature of human skin doubles mosquitoes’ host-seeking behavior.
Scientists discover hidden switch in immune cells that helps the body kill deadly fungus
Scientists at the University of East Anglia (UK) have contributed to discovering a "control switch" inside our immune cells that helps the body destroy dangerous fungal infections. Researchers found that ...
Is This Why Science Advances One Funeral at a Time?
Is This Why Science Advances One Funeral at a Time? As researchers age, they produce less disruptive work.
Why coffee tastes bitter, according to molecular biology
Researchers imaged taste receptors responding to coffee compounds for the first time.
Google says hackers used AI to create zero day security flaw for the first time
The findings make clear that the race to use AI to find network vulnerabilities has “already begun,” said researchers.
Google selects U of A for quantum research group focused on life sciences
The Research Program at the Intersection of Life Sciences & Quantum AI, or REPLIQA, brings together U of A researchers from science and engineering fields to lay a foundation for new biological discoveries.
New AI tool developed by Stowers Institute and Helmholtz Munich scientists predicts how cells choose their future — helping uncover hidden drivers of development
Scientists at the Stowers Institute for Medical Research and Helmholtz Munich have developed RegVelo, a new AI framework that predicts how cells acquire their identities and identifies the genetic regulators guiding those changes. Published in Cell, the study used zebrafish neural crest development to show RegVelo can uncover early drivers of cell fate, including regulators of pigment cell formation, and then support those predictions experimentally. The researchers also applied the framework across multiple biological systems, suggesting its value extends beyond neural crest cells as a broadly useful tool for studying how cells change over time. The team says the new model could pave the way for future cell therapy treatments.
Scientists say this common sweetener may be quietly rewiring your metabolism
Researchers say fructose is not just “empty calories” — it may actively push the body toward fat storage and metabolic disease. A new review found that fructose affects the body differently from glucose, disrupting normal energy regulation and promoting processes linked to obesity, insulin resistance, and cardiovascular problems.
Scientists Question Trust in AI Over Colleagues
The Conversation publishes an article by researchers at the Institute for Basic Science arguing that rapid adoption of AI in laboratories risks eroding scientific culture and human relationships. The article cites **AlphaFold** as an example of an AI tool that dramatically sped protein-structure prediction, and it notes a broader boom in national initiatives to integrate AI into science, per The Conversation. The authors warn that early-career researchers may outsource troubleshooting and critical evaluation to AI, which could weaken independent thinking and collegial critique. Editorial analysis: For practitioners, the piece highlights trade offs between productivity gains and the social practices that sustain reproducible research.
National Academy of Sciences experts denounce Trump’s NSF board purge
In an open letter, thousands of researchers criticized the White House’s firing of the research agency’s board as ‘an alarming attack’ on U.S. science
Marketers say NAD+ pills and infusions can boost longevity. What's the evidence?
Wellness and longevity influencers are pushing a compound called NAD+. There's scientific interest in its potential, but researchers say the marketing claims have gotten ahead of the science.
How jellyfish bycatch could be valuable collagen source for cosmetics and biotech
Dr Ainara Ballesteros is a Juan de la Cierva postdoctoral researcher at the Institute of Environment and Marine Science Research at the Catholic University of Valencia, where she leads a research group focused on jellyfish biology, aquaculture, and the sustainable use of marine resources. Her work is centered on developing innovative solutions based on marine science, particularly through the study of underused organisms as sources of high-value compounds within circular bioeconomy and zero-waste strategies. She is joined in this work by Raquel Torres, a PhD student at the same institute, who is carrying out her doctoral thesis within this line of research, focused on jellyfish valorization, collaboration with the fishing sector, and the sustainable management of marine resources. They are co-authors on a new Frontiers in Marine Science article which investigated whether jellyfish accidentally caught by small-scale fishers in Spain could be transformed into a valuable resource instead of being treated as waste. The team worked side by side with fishers to better understand their perceptions of jellyfish bycatch, identify which species are most frequently caught, and evaluate whether one of them, Rhizostoma pulmo, could serve as a sustainable source of high-quality collagen.
Science spotlight: AI 'transformative' for cosmetic dermatology
Artificial intelligence (AI) offers significant promise in cosmetic dermatology, but technologies must be used in synergy with human expertise to overcome risks associated with scaled integration. According to a review published in Actas Dermo-Sifiliográficas [1], AI tools have revolutionised skin assessment and the development of personalised treatments in cosmetic dermatology already. And, looking ahead, the researchers said advances are set to further transform the category. “AI has...
Academy of Sciences secures grant to help endangered sea stars, Bay Area's coastal ecosystem
There's an update on a Bay Area project -- spearheaded by the Academy of Sciences -- to help bring a struggling sea star species back from the brink of extinction, which would help put our coastal ecosystem back in balance. Here's a look at the latest breakthrough as researchers try to determine how to safely reintroduce the sea stars back into the ocean.
UCSC researcher aims to fill gaps in Pajaro Valley air monitoring data, help farmworkers deal with pollution health impacts
Javier González-Rocha, an assistant professor of mathematics at UC Santa Cruz, has been working to identify air monitoring data gaps in the Pajaro Valley to better inform farmworkers and the local community.
Your mum said it first! 5 health tips now backed by science
Mums know things. Not the kind of things you find in textbooks or peer-reviewed journals, but the real-world wisdom that somehow always turns out to be right! She told you to eat your greens and get some fresh air, but you’d roll your eyes. Now? Researchers are catching up, validating every single thing she told you as a kid, proving that sometimes the best health advice doesn't come from a lab coat; it comes from someone who just knew. Your mum! So, this Mother’s Day, let’s give our mums the credit they deserve!
Science & Medicine: For veterans with traumatic brain injuries, AI offers a new weapon against post-traumatic headaches
Hundreds of thousands of veterans live with traumatic brain injuries that can trigger chronic headaches, often made worse by PTSD. A researcher at UT Health San Antonio is using AI to help predict and prevent the pain before it starts.
“Cannot be explained” – New ultra stainless steel stuns researchers
A team at the University of Hong Kong has developed a new “super steel” that can survive the harsh conditions needed to make green hydrogen from seawater. The material uses an unexpected double-protection mechanism that resists corrosion far better than conventional stainless steel. Even more impressive, it could replace costly titanium parts used in today’s hydrogen systems.
Brain scans reveal a shocking difference between psychopaths and other people
Scientists have uncovered a striking brain difference linked to psychopathy: people with psychopathic traits were found to have a striatum — a brain region tied to reward, motivation, and decision-making — that was about 10% larger on average than those without such traits. Using MRI scans and psychological assessments on 120 participants, researchers connected this enlarged brain region to thrill-seeking, impulsive behavior, and a stronger drive for stimulation.
Scientists stunned as volcano cloud destroys methane in the atmosphere
A colossal underwater volcano in the South Pacific may have revealed a surprising new weapon against climate change. After the 2022 eruption of Hunga Tonga–Hunga Ha’apai, scientists detected enormous amounts of formaldehyde in the atmosphere — a telltale sign that methane, one of the planet’s most powerful greenhouse gases, was being destroyed. Researchers now believe volcanic ash mixed with salty seawater and sunlight created reactive chlorine particles that effectively “cleaned up” some of the methane released by the eruption itself.
Antarctica is melting from below and scientists say it’s worse than expected
Scientists have uncovered a hidden Antarctic threat that could accelerate global sea level rise far faster than expected. Deep beneath floating ice shelves, long channels carved into the ice appear to trap warmer ocean water, dramatically speeding up melting from below. Even regions of East Antarctica once considered relatively stable may be far more vulnerable than scientists realized. Researchers warn that current climate models may be missing this dangerous process entirely, meaning future sea level rise could be underestimated.
Harvard researchers investigate link between mental health crises and police shootings
Mayflies have crazy, acrobatic sex
Researchers froze mayfly couples in the middle of mating—for science.
Scientists reversed liver aging with young gut bacteria in stunning study
Rebooting the gut microbiome with bacteria from youth may help stop aging-related liver damage and even prevent liver cancer, according to new research in mice. Older mice that received their own preserved youthful microbiome showed less inflammation, reduced DNA damage, and no signs of liver cancer. Researchers also found that the treatment suppressed a cancer-linked gene called MDM2, making older mice biologically resemble younger ones.
Black licorice compound shows promise against inflammatory bowel disease
Researchers have developed a stem cell-based model of the human intestine that may transform how new IBD treatments are discovered. After testing thousands of compounds, they identified glycyrrhizin — a natural substance found in black licorice — as a promising anti-inflammatory candidate. In both lab-grown tissue and mice, the compound reduced intestinal damage and cell death linked to IBD.
The hidden atomic gap that could break next-generation computer chips
A major obstacle may be standing in the way of the next generation of ultra-tiny computer chips. Researchers discovered that many promising 2D materials lose their advantages because an invisible atomic-scale gap forms when they are combined with insulating layers. That tiny gap weakens electronic performance and could prevent further miniaturization. The team says new “zipper materials” that lock together more tightly may offer a path forward.
Scientists say this simple music trick can boost workout endurance by 20%
A new study shows that listening to your own favorite workout music can dramatically boost endurance. Cyclists exercising with self-selected songs lasted nearly 20% longer than when riding in silence, yet they didn’t feel more exhausted at the end. Researchers say music may help people stay in the “pain zone” longer without increasing perceived strain.
New chemical kills 95% of termites without harming humans
Scientists may have found a smarter, safer way to wipe out termites hiding inside homes. A chemical called bistrifluron prevents drywood termites from forming new exoskeletons during molting, killing entire colonies from within. In tests, it eliminated about 95% of termites while avoiding the toxic side effects of traditional fumigation. Researchers say the method could provide longer-lasting protection as termites spread into new areas.
Physicists discover quantum particles that break the rules of reality
Physicists may have just cracked open a hidden side of the quantum world. For decades, every known particle was thought to belong to one of two categories — bosons or fermions — but researchers have now shown that bizarre “in-between” particles called anyons could also exist in a one-dimensional system. Even more exciting, these strange particles may be adjustable, allowing scientists to tune their behavior in ways never before possible.
Ice age humans in China crafted surprisingly advanced stone tools 146,000 years ago
Scientists in China discovered that ancient humans were making surprisingly advanced stone tools during a harsh ice age 146,000 years ago. The tools, created by Homo juluensis, show careful planning and complex thinking rather than simple stone-chipping. Researchers dated the site using tiny calcite crystals inside animal bones, revealing the tools are much older than expected. The discovery challenges the idea that human creativity only thrives in easy, prosperous times.
Scientists found the “holy grail” gene that could one day help humans regrow limbs
Scientists studying axolotls, zebrafish, and mice have uncovered a shared set of genes that may one day help humans regrow lost limbs. By identifying powerful “SP genes” involved in regeneration, researchers discovered that disabling these genes stopped proper bone regrowth in salamanders and mice. They then used a gene therapy inspired by zebrafish biology to partially restore regeneration in mice, marking a major step toward future treatments that could replace damaged limbs with living tissue instead of prosthetics.
Why we need to talk more about menopause and its health consequences
More than 1 million women in the U.S. start menopause every year, yet this biological certainty is too often shrouded in secrecy or ignored by many mainstream researchers. Horizons moderator William Brangham explores what we do and don’t know about menopause with Dr. Sharon Malone and Dr. Lauren Streicher.
Trump administration again suspends UC Berkeley research grants
The Trump administration has again suspended research grants to the University of California. The National Science Foundation froze at least 18 grants to the university shortly before Trump ousted the scientists on the board overseeing the agency, an attorney representing researchers said.
2026 National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate (NDSEG) Fellowship Award
First year Materials and Nanoscience graduate student Stéphane Miaule (Tolbert group) has been awarded the 2026 National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate (NDSEG) Fellowship, one of the country’s most prestigious honors for graduate students in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). The program, jointly sponsored by the U.S. Army, Navy, and Air Force, supports doctoral students across a broad range of scientific and technological fields of strategic importance. This highly competitive fellowship provides full tuition, fees, and a monthly stipend for three years. In 2026, only 102 fellowships were awarded nationwide, and Stéphane is the sole recipient from UCLA. Before transferring from Santa Monica College to UCLA, Stéphane interned at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center and Marshall Space Flight Center, where he researched the mechanical and thermodynamic properties of lunar regolith, as well as radiation shielding materials for lunar habitation development. At UCLA, he joined the Soft Materials Research Laboratory under Professor Qibing Pei, focusing on the synthesis and characterization of hafnium oxide nanocomposite scintillators. After earning his bachelor’s degree in chemistry, he remained in the Soft Materials Research Laboratory as a post-baccalaureate researcher for one year before joining Professor Sarah Tolbert’s group as a Ph.D. student. Stéphane’s Ph.D. research is focused on improving the properties of conjugated polymers, which are a family of plastic materials that can conduct electricity. Stéphane is specifically looking at self-assembling polymers that can be processed in water to create light-weight, flexible, high-conductivity polymer devices without the need for toxic or volatile organic solvents. After completing his Ph.D., Stéphane hopes to work in a national laboratory, researching semiconducting polymers for applications in new electronic devices. “The Graduate (1967) featured a memorable scene in which the protagonist was told that ‘there’s a great future in plastics.’ We know this still holds true today, as polymer research has expanded rapidly due to the wide variety of applications these materials enable. Through my work on semiconducting polymers, I hope to contribute to the continued development of plastic electronics,” Stéphane said. Penny Jennings, UCLA Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, penjen@g.ucla.edu.
The Material Science Behind A Spacecraft's Impact Armor
Aerospace engineers have to consider numerous factors when designing a spacecraft, but one that comes up more and more often is the need to design against Micro-Meteoroids and Orbital Debris (MMOD). While most designers understand the threat, designing structural solutions capable of withstanding the hypervelocity impacts these undercontrolled pieces of material can cause can take a significant bite out of a mission’s mass budget. A new paper from Binkal Kumar Sharma of the University of Bremen and Harshitha Baskar, an independent researcher, provides a detailed review of cutting-edge options for defending against those deadly particles.
UCF Grad’s Mission to Build Pipeline of Young Innovators
Guided by their two-time alum instructor and UCF researchers, three Oviedo High School students are ready to represent Central Florida at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF).
Scientists: Forgo the jargon and focus on the people, experts say
Nearly half of Americans say scientists are not good communicators, but there are ways experts can better connect, researchers said at Technical.ly’s 2026 Builders Conference.
Penguins are helping scientists track ‘forever chemicals’ in Patagonia
Researchers fitted Magellanic penguins with chemical-absorbing leg bands to gather data about pollution in the ocean.
Class of 2026: Gati Wambura extends her reach as a ‘global health citi
With her Ph.D. from VCU’s Department of Health Policy, the researcher builds on her Kenyan roots and her experience on other continents.
Scientists discover a new way to prevent gum disease without killing good bacteria
Scientists have uncovered a surprising way to influence the bacteria living in our mouths — not by killing them, but by interrupting how they “talk” to each other. Researchers found that dental plaque bacteria use chemical signals to coordinate growth, and by blocking those signals, they were able to encourage healthier bacteria while reducing disease-linked microbes tied to gum disease. Even more intriguing, the bacterial conversations changed depending on oxygen levels above and below the gums, revealing an entirely new layer of complexity inside the mouth.
David Attenborough Has Inspired Countless Scientists. To Mark His 100th Birthday, Here Are Ten Living Things They've Named After Him
Researchers around the planet grew up watching documentaries hosted by the English broadcaster and naturalist, which sparked their love of the natural world. Now, their discoveries become tributes to his legacy
Science is becoming less disruptive. Is an aging workforce to blame?
Most researchers conduct their more disruptive work early in their careers, but as they age, they tend to abandon that groundbreaking energy
Nature’s giant vacuum cleaner: Scientists reveal how the Sun is secretly cleaning Earth’s space junk
Science News: As Earth’s orbit becomes increasingly crowded with decommissioned satellites and fragments from the 1960s, however, researchers have identified a natu.
Former OpenAI Researcher To Raise $500 Million For AI Science Startup
Periodic Labs, which plans to push breakthroughs in physics and chemistry using artificial intelligence, has seen its valuation jump sixfold in just eight months.
How Anthropic’s Mythos has rewritten Firefox’s approach to cybersecurity
Security researchers at Mozilla say Anthropic's Mythos has unearthed a wealth of high-severity bugs in Firefox.
The National Academy of Sciences Elects Two Berkeley Lab Researchers
Two Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) scientists have been elected to the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) in recognition of their distinguished and continuing achievements in original research. They are part of a cohort of 120 new members and 25 international members. The National Academy of Sciences is a private, nonprofit institution that was established under a congressional charter signed by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863. It recognizes achievement in science by election to membership, and — alongside the National Academy of Engineering and the National Academy of Medicine — provides science, engineering, and health policy advice to the federal government and other organizations. The 2026 electees bring the total number of active members to 2,705 with 557 international members. Gary Karpen is a biologist senior faculty scientist in Berkeley Lab’s Biological Systems and Engineering Division and a Professor of Cell and Developmental Physiology in the Department of Molecular and Cell Biology at UC Berkeley. Karpen studies how the structure, organization, and maintenance of genetic material impact inheritance and cell function. His lab focuses on chromatin — a packaged form of DNA strands wrapped around proteins that comprises our chromosomes — with a particular emphasis on centromeres, rarely expressed sequences called heterochromatin, DNA repair, and regulatory RNAs. His research reveals insights into fundamental aspects of nuclear organization and genome regulation that are shared across the tree of life, broadening our understanding of cancer and other diseases, birth defects, and aging. Kam-Biu Luk is a Professor Emeritus of physics at UC Berkeley and a retired senior faculty scientist in Berkeley Lab’s Physics Division. He is an experimental particle physicist whose research has focused on neutrinos: nearly massless, electrically neutral elementary particles that can pass through matter virtually undetected. Neutrinos are created during radioactive decay processes, including the fusion process occurring in stars and the fission process that powers nuclear reactors. Luk initiated and co-led the Daya Bay Reactor Neutrino Experiment, a project based in China with more than 200 international collaborators. In 2012, the Daya Bay experiment discovered a new form of a phenomenon called “neutrino oscillation” in which neutrinos change from one type to another. For this discovery, Luk and his collaborator Yifan Wang received the 2014 American Physical Society Division of Particles and Fields W.K.H. Panofsky Prize for outstanding work in experimental particle physics, and he was also the co-recipient of the 2016 Breakthrough Prize. Luk is currently participating in the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE) hosted by Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, which will investigate any potential difference in behavior between neutrinos and antineutrinos that may shed light on the evolution of the universe, especially why antimatter is absent in the present universe. ### Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) is committed to groundbreaking research focused on discovery science and solutions for abundant and reliable energy supplies. The lab’s expertise spans materials, chemistry, physics, biology, earth and environmental science, mathematics, and computing. Researchers from around the world rely on the lab’s world-class scientific facilities for their own pioneering research. Founded in 1931 on the belief that the biggest problems are best addressed by teams, Berkeley Lab and its scientists have been recognized with 17 Nobel Prizes. Berkeley Lab is a multiprogram national laboratory managed by the University of California for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science. DOE’s Office of Science is the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States, and is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. For more information, please visit energy.gov/science.
NASA’s Prithvi Becomes First AI Geospatial Foundation Model In Orbit
A team of researchers demonstrated NASA and IBM’s open-source Prithvi Geospatial artificial intelligence foundation model aboard two in-orbit platforms.
Recognizing excellence in global health: Student Research Showcase winners
The 2026 Harvard Global Health Student Research Showcase, held in partnership with the Department of Global Health and Population at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, brought together an interdisciplinary community of students, researchers, and faculty committed to addressing some of the world’s most pressing health challenges.
4 WVU students awarded prestigious NSF Graduate Research Fellowships
The four West Virginia University students — Daniel Campa, of Morgantown; Colin Krisulevicz, of Salisbury, Maryland; Rebecca Ozbolt, of Akron, Ohio; and Samuel Stalnaker, of Atwater, California and Cowen — have joined the ranks of the nation’s top emerging researchers after earning National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowships.
Scientists accidentally discover DNA that breaks the rules of life
A routine experiment with a new single-cell DNA sequencing method turned into a surprising scientific twist when researchers stumbled upon a bizarre genetic code in a microscopic pond organism. Instead of following the near-universal “rules” of life, this newly identified protist rewrites how genes signal their end. This unexpected discovery challenges long-held assumptions about how genetic translation works and hints that nature may be far more flexible—and mysterious—than scientists realized.
Google Chrome Is Downloading a 4GB AI Model Onto Your Device Without Consent, Researcher Warns
Maybe Google doesn't ask permission because it knows what the answer would be.
Researcher explores the hidden science of pipe failure
How do aging cast iron pipes actually start leaking? The School of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering's Edward John is the highlight in a new UK Water Industry Research (UKWIR) video looking ...
Clean hydrogen created from plastic waste using battery acid from old cars and solar power
Researchers turned hard-to-recycle plastic into hydrogen using battery acid. This circular upcycling system tackles multiple problematic waste streams at once, the scientists claim.
Stanford researchers develop AI scientists for therapeutic discovery
The multi-agent system generated SARS-CoV-2-binding proteins in days.
Announcing the global launch of Web of Science Research Intelligence: An AI-powered research intelligence platform for funding, strategy, and impact
Web of Science Research Intelligence unites trusted data and AI to help research offices, library teams, and researchers secure funding and demonstrate impact.
National Institutes of Health Grant Terminations Disproportionately Impact Minority Scientists
Survey of nearly 1,000 researchers whose grants were cut shows BIPOC, LGBTQ+ and women investigators faced higher odds of targeted equity-related terminations, raising concerns about long-term impacts on the U.S. scientific workforce
New AI method tackles one of science’s hardest math problems
Penn researchers have developed a smarter AI method for solving notoriously difficult inverse equations, which help scientists uncover hidden causes behind observable effects. By introducing “mollifier layers” that smooth noisy data, they’ve made these calculations more stable and far less computationally demanding. This could transform fields like genetics, where understanding how DNA behaves is key to disease research.
National Academy of Sciences elects six Berkeley researchers to its
The National Academy of Sciences announced its newest members this week, among them six eminent UC Berkeley faculty members, including former U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen. Membership
Could a ‘Plastic Detox’ Help With Health and Fertility?
We talk with the fertility researcher and one of the couples in the documentary 'The Plastic Detox' to hear what they think we should — and should not — take away from the experiment.
Researchers are giving salmon cocaine. Don't worry, it's for science
With cocaine and its metabolite, benzoylecgonine, being detected in waterways across the globe, Canadian researcher Erin McCallum and her team set out to understand the impact of these illicit drugs on fish in Sweden.
Global public health researcher Bhavya Joshi receives Meredith A. Minkler Award
The prize is given to a student who demonstrates exceptional commitment to community-based research, organizing, social justice, and/or advocacy.
Attackers are cashing in on fresh 'CopyFail' Linux flaw
: Researchers dropped a reliable root exploit and it didn’t sit idle for long
FSU researchers develop method to expand winter weather forecasting capabilities from weeks to months
Florida State University researchers have discovered how to accurately predict winter weather forecasts months in advance, affording sectors such as
A Security Researcher Decompiled The White House App, & What They Found Is Pretty Alarming
Recently, The White House launched its own official app on iOS and Android, claiming that it gives users "unparalleled access to the Trump
Microsoft Edge keeps cleartext passwords in RAM, security researcher warns
Microsoft Edge “by design” keeps all saved user passwords unencrypted in RAM for the entire session.
Webb space telescope reveals a scorching “super-Earth” that looks like Mercury
A scorching, airless world just 48 light-years away is offering scientists a rare glimpse into the geology of distant planets. Using the James Webb Space Telescope, researchers studied LHS 3844 b—a tidally locked “super-Earth” with a permanent dayside hot enough to melt metal—and discovered it’s a dark, barren rock with no atmosphere.
Stanford’s new chip boosts light 100x with surprisingly low energy
Researchers at Stanford have developed a compact optical amplifier that dramatically boosts light signals using very little power. By recycling energy inside a looping resonator, the device achieves strong amplification with minimal noise and wide bandwidth. Its efficiency and small size mean it could run on batteries and be integrated into consumer electronics. This breakthrough could enable faster communications and more powerful optical technologies.
Scientists boost strawberry flavor and nutrition without changing growth
A surprising genetic twist shows that boosting a seemingly ordinary “housekeeping” gene can dramatically improve fruit quality without any trade-offs. By increasing the activity of a tRNA-related gene in strawberries, researchers unlocked richer color, stronger aroma, and higher levels of health-boosting compounds like anthocyanins and terpenoids. Even more striking, these enhancements came with zero impact on plant growth, fruit size, or sweetness—avoiding the usual downsides of metabolic tinkering.
Scientists connect “time crystal” to real device in quantum breakthrough
A strange kind of matter that “ticks” forever without energy input has just taken a major leap toward real-world use. Known as a time crystal, this quantum system repeats its motion endlessly—like a clock that never winds down—and scientists have now managed to connect it to an external device for the first time. By linking the time crystal to a tiny mechanical oscillator, researchers showed they can actually control its behavior, opening the door to powerful new technologies.
Stanford science reveals genetically distinct ‘ghost elephants’
Using DNA extracted from dung, researchers discovered that high-altitude elephants in Angola have a unique genetic lineage linked to Namibian elephants, highlighted in a new documentary by Werner Herzog.
The Science on Creatine Dosage Is Shifting. Here’s How Many Grams You Should Take.
Some wellness influencers recommend five times the usual. We talked to researchers for the real scoop.
Engineering the Future: How Horacio Espinosa is Revolutionizing Medicine and Material Science
Horacio Espinosa '89 Sc.M., '90 Sc.M., '92 Ph.D. has spent his career finding answers that are reshaping how we understand materials, medicine, and the microscopic world. A three-time Brown graduate and world-leading researcher, Espinosa is the 2026 recipient of the Horace Mann Medal, the Brown Graduate School's highest honor for alumni who have made significant contributions in their field.
As visa rules tighten, impacts to researchers and US science escalate
New restrictions are increasingly squeezing international researchers in the US and threatening the country’s long-term scientific competitiveness, analysts say