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Low-fat or low-carb — which is better for heart health? The answer may surprise you
New research shows that whole grains and plant-based foods, what researchers call a “quality” diet, are key to lowering the risk of coronary heart disease.
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham named on the 2026 TIME100 Health list
Lujan Grisham joins federal health care officials, pharmaceutical CEOs, scientists, researchers, actors and performers on the list.
New Smart Underwear Unlocks the Serious Science of Human Flatulence
It’s giving researchers insights into the microbiome—and you can help
Quantum Computing Breakthrough: Scientists Finally Unlock the Secret of Majorana Qubits
Scientists have finally figured out how to read ultra-secure Majorana qubits—bringing robust quantum computing a big step closer. “This is a crucial advance,” says Ramón Aguado, a CSIC researcher at the Madrid Institute of Materials Science (ICMM) and co author of the study. He explains that the
Gemini Deep Think: Redefining the Future of Scientific Research
Gemini Deep Think is accelerating discovery in maths, physics, and computer science by acting as a powerful scientific companion for researchers.
Celebrating the 2026 International Day of Women and Girls in Science
In honor of this year’s theme, “Synergizing AI, Social Science, STEM and Finance: Building Inclusive Futures for Women and Girls,” we're highlighting just some of the exceptional women researchers from the Columbia Climate School.
Life may have started as sticky goo clinging to rocks
Life may have started in sticky, rock-hugging gels rather than inside cells. Researchers suggest these primitive, biofilm-like materials could trap and concentrate molecules, giving early chemistry a protected space to grow more complex. Within these gels, the first hints of metabolism and self-replication may have emerged.
Scientists Propose Surprising Link Between Space Weather and Earthquakes
A new theoretical study explores how activity high above Earth could subtly influence processes deep within the planet’s crust. Researchers at Kyoto University are advancing a new idea about how space weather might intersect with earthquake physics. Their model asks whether changes in the ionosph
Understanding obesity-induced inflammation
NIH-funded researchers detailed a chain of events through which obesity promotes harmful inflammation.
The Science of Connection
Breaking new ground in understanding human bonds is the mission of a diverse cadre of UCLA researchers.
Congressional Researchers Analyze Whether Denying Marijuana Business Tax Deductions Under 280E Is Unconstitutional
As a federal marijuana rescheduling decision remains pending, congressional researchers have released an analysis of tax implications for cannabis businesses under current law—including a review of the idea that depriving the industry of the ability to take federal tax deductions amounts to a constitutional violation. In a report published on Friday, the Congressional Research Service […]
Scientists find genes that existed before all life on Earth
Life’s story may stretch further back than scientists once thought. Some genes found in nearly every organism today were already duplicated before all life shared a common ancestor. By tracking these rare genes, researchers can investigate how early cells worked and what features of life emerged first. New computational tools are now helping scientists unlock this hidden chapter of evolution.
When immune cells stop fighting cancer and start helping it
Scientists have uncovered a surprising way tumors turn the immune system to their advantage. Researchers at the University of Geneva found that neutrophils—normally frontline defenders against infection—can be reprogrammed inside tumors to fuel cancer growth instead. Once exposed to the tumor environment, these immune cells begin producing a molecule called CCL3 that actively promotes tumor progression.
Trailblazing Atmospheric Scientist Was ‘a Titan in the Scientific World’
Harvard University researcher Michael McElroy made groundbreaking contributions to climate science and helped shape global environmental policy.
Young scientists from across the UK shortlisted for largest unrestricted science prize
The Blavatnik Awards for Young Scientists today announced the Finalists for the 2026 Blavatnik Awards for Young Scientists in the United Kingdom. The Awards recognise scientific advances by UK researchers across Life Sciences, Chemical Sciences, and Physical Sciences & Engineering. Now in its ninth year, each Blavatnik Awards Laureate will receive an unrestricted £100,000 (US$135,000) prize, while the remaining six Finalists will be awarded £30,000 (US$40,400) each. This year’s Finalists include: Chemical Sciences Finalists Michael J. Booth, PhD – University College London (UCL) Mathew H. Horrocks, PhD – The University of Edinburgh Maxie M. Roessler, DPhil – Imperial College London Life Sciences Finalists Nicholas R. Casewell, PhD – Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine Thi Hoang Duong (Kelly) Nguyen, PhD – MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology Pontus Skoglund, PhD – The Francis Crick Institute Physical Sciences & Engineering Finalists Radha Boya, PhD – The University of Manchester Paola Pinilla, PhD – University College London (UCL) Iestyn Woolway, PhD – Bangor University
Anthropic AI Safety Researcher Warns Of World ‘In Peril’ In Resignation
Mrinank Sharma, who led the safeguards research team at Anthropic, shared his resignation letter on X, which quickly garnered nearly 1 million views.
Firearm injury survivors face long-term health challenges
Survivors of firearm injuries often experience long-term physical and functional health challenges that extend beyond the initial trauma, according to Rutgers Health researchers. Their recent study has ...
Moving beyond money to measure the true value of Earth science information
Earth science information can do more than quantify the instrumental or monetary value of nature; it can be used to measure social good, say researchers
Afraid of getting older? A study links health worries to faster epigenetic aging
Having anxiety about aging—particularly fears about declining health—may manifest on a cellular level and contribute to accelerated aging among women, according to a study by researchers at NYU School ...
2 to 3 Cups of Coffee a Day May Reduce Dementia Risk. But Not if It’s Decaf.
One to two cups of caffeinated tea per day helps too, researchers found after following nearly 132,000 people for 40 years.
Overlooked group of gut bacteria appears key to good health, global study finds
In a huge global study led by University of Cambridge researchers, a single group of bacteria—named CAG-170—has repeatedly shown up in high numbers in the gut microbiomes of healthy people. CAG-170 ...
Scientists were wrong for decades about DNA knots
Scientists have discovered that DNA behaves in a surprising way when squeezed through tiny nanopores, overturning a long-held assumption in genetics research. What researchers once thought were knots causing messy electrical signals turn out to be something else entirely: twisted coils called plectonemes, formed as flowing ions inside the pore spin the DNA like a phone cord. These twists can linger and grow as DNA moves through, leaving clear electrical fingerprints.
Making science more visible
As he enters a laboratory with saltwater pools full of fish, Luka Žuvić explains how climate change is affecting the feeding ecology and reproductive biology of Atlantic bluefin tuna, and how the species is adapting.It is a topic that may seem remote to many people. But in a country where fishing and aquaculture are important to the economy and national identity, Žuvić’s research is at the intersection of science and society. “In Croatia, marine and environmental science are closely connected to people’s lives because fisheries, aquaculture, tourism and coastal development are a big part of our lives,” explains Žuvić, a doctoral student working at the Croatian Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries in the Adriatic coastal city of Split. He also serves as one of Croatia’s ambassadors to Science Comes to Town (SCTT), a European Commission-funded project that aims to make scientific research more accessible, while inspiring young people to study the sciences. The project kicked off in Spilt on 20 January with a conference attended by partner institutions, community representatives, policymakers and scientists. Along with Split, Brest (in France) and Kiel (in Germany) will host a year of activities connecting scientists with the public.Žuvić, 31, is part of the Young Researchers' Career Development Project, a doctoral programme funded by the Croatian Science Foundation. His research on Atlantic bluefin tuna builds on a foundation-backed project focusing on the reproductive potential of farmed tuna, including their sexual maturation and spontaneous spawning in captivity, which has implications for the restoration of the Adriatic Sea's natural tuna populations. He also studies the tuna's feeding ecology through stomach-content analysis, using DNA metabarcoding and morphological approaches, and employs geometric morphometrics to improve the identification of juvenile tuna and related species. The research aims to enhance understanding of the tuna farming ecology, improve fish farm management and contribute to sustainable aquaculture and fisheries research.Engaging with local communitiesConnecting with the community is crucial for Žuvić’s research. Conversations with fishermen help him better understand the bluefin tuna's habits and how marine pollution affects the fish. “They are also curious about the biology and ecology of bluefin tuna,” he says of local fishermen, adding that sharing research with non-scientists benefits everyone. “Sometimes scientific research is invisible,” he explains. “That's why we as researchers need to go out from our institutions and labs to the public so that we can show them what we are working on. This helps create more trust in the scientists and their research.”Engaging the public also raises awareness about the anthropogenic changes to the marine environment resulting from human activities and pollution. Žuvić helps remove plastic and other rubbish from the Adriatic Sea that pose a direct threat to marine species. Predators, such as bluefin tuna, are especially vulnerable to ingesting waste churned up by fishing trawlers. “They are very opportunistic fish that follow trawlers and ingest everything,” he notes. To illustrate the impact, he has shown students the contents of bluefin tuna stomachs. “Finding a plastic bottle cap in the stomach of a bluefin tuna is concerning,” he says. "Science can be a powerful way to turn curiosity into practical solutions,” Žuvić adds, and sharing research outcomes “helps increase public awareness and improve understanding of human impacts on the marine environment.”The research also has implications for Croatia's economy. The Atlantic bluefin tuna’s rich, flavourful meat is highly valued for sushi and other raw fish dishes. However, overfishing nearly brought its population to collapse by the early 2000s. Although the species has made a comeback in the Atlantic and Mediterranean regions, catches continue to be managed through agreements with the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas. Croatia was a pioneer in developing commercial aquaculture as an alternative to open-sea fishing and accounts for about 10% of the EU’s farmed production of the bluefin tuna, with Japan being a key export market.A history of European collaborationCroatia has participated in Europe’s framework programmes for research and innovation since 2007, six years before officially joining the EU. Žuvić believes that EU funding and collaboration with other European researchers is vital for Croatian science. As part of the SCTT opening conference, the Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, the University of Split and other local institutions were part of a science fair to showcase research on topics, such as robotics and an EU LIFE project on the protection of sharks and rays in the Mediterranean. “I hope that Science Comes to Town will help increase scientific literacy and curiosity among citizens, particularly students, and show that science is not something that is distant or abstract, but something that directly affects everyday life,” Žuvić concludes. “Ultimately, I hope that projects like it contribute to building a society that values knowledge and critical thinking, and that we can think about long-term sustainability using knowledge from science.”Science|Business, which connects policymakers, academics and industry through its news reporting, analysis and events, is an SCTT partner.
This tiny organism refused to die under Mars-like conditions
Baker’s yeast isn’t just useful in the kitchen — it may also be built for space. Researchers found that yeast cells can survive intense shock waves and toxic chemicals similar to those on Mars. The cells protect themselves by forming special stress-response structures that help them endure extreme conditions. This resilience could make yeast a powerful model for astrobiology and future space missions.
Scientists may have found the brain network behind Parkinson’s
A new international study points to a specific brain network as the core driver of Parkinson’s disease. Scientists found that this network becomes overly connected, disrupting not just movement but also thinking and other bodily functions. When researchers targeted it with non-invasive brain stimulation, patients showed much stronger symptom improvement than with conventional stimulation. The discovery could reshape how Parkinson’s is diagnosed and treated.
Statistics and data science symposium hosts early-career scientists
Researchers celebrated the role of numerical data in scientific research at a Jan. 26 event at the Meyer and Renee Luskin Conference Center. The Lange Symposium on Computational Statics and Biomedical Data Science – hosted by the UCLA Department of Computational Medicine and Human Genetics – invited six speakers from across the country to discuss their research.
Scientists finally solve a 100-year-old mystery in the air we breathe
Scientists at the University of Warwick have cracked a long-standing problem in air pollution science: how to predict the movement of irregularly shaped nanoparticles as they drift through the air we breathe. These tiny particles — from soot and microplastics to viruses — are linked to serious health risks, yet most models still treat them as perfect spheres for simplicity. By reworking a century-old formula, researchers have created the first simple, accurate way to predict how particles of almost any shape behave.
Chang’e-6 lunar samples reveal a giant impact reshaped the Moon’s interior
A colossal ancient impact may have reshaped the Moon far more deeply than scientists once realized. By analyzing rare lunar rocks brought back by China’s Chang’e-6 mission from the Moon’s largest crater, researchers found unusual chemical fingerprints pointing to extreme heat and material loss caused by a giant impact. The collision likely stripped away volatile elements, reshaped volcanic activity, and left a lasting chemical signature deep below the surface.
996 culture in Silicon Valley is burning workers out: AI researchers
Two AI researchers said the 996 work culture, which is gaining traction in Silicon Valley, can lead to burnout for tech workers.
Ancient bones reveal chilling victory rituals after Europe’s earliest wars
New evidence from Neolithic mass graves in northeastern France suggests that some of Europe’s earliest violent encounters were not random acts of brutality, but carefully staged displays of power. By analyzing chemical clues locked in ancient bones and teeth, researchers found that many victims were outsiders who suffered extreme, ritualized violence after conflict. Severed arms appear to have been taken from local enemies killed in battle, while captives from farther away were executed in a grim form of public spectacle.
Light-based Ising computer runs at room temperature and stays stable for hours
A team of researchers at Queen's University has developed a powerful new kind of computing machine that uses light to take on complex problems such as protein folding (for drug discovery) and number partitioning ...
New type of magnetism discovered in 2D materials
In collaboration with international partners, researchers at the University of Stuttgart have experimentally demonstrated a previously unknown form of magnetism in atomically thin material layers. The ...
Why US-funded vaccine trial plan for babies in Guinea-Bissau caused outrage
The health trial by researchers at the University of Southern Denmark has been suspended by Bissau-Guinean authorities.
Keto and Schizophrenia Researcher Says Kennedy Mischaracterized His Work
Dr. Christopher M. Palmer said in an interview that the keto diet, while promising, did not “cure” the mental disorder as the health secretary had claimed.
'Invisible scaffolding of the universe' revealed in ambitious new James Webb telescope images
A team of researchers using the James Webb Space Telescope has produced the most detailed map of dark matter to date.
Video: How the science of saltwater-tolerating plants could protect coastlines
Rising sea levels along coastlines not only threaten populations, but also pose a danger to agricultural crops, which may be damaged by surging amounts of saltwater. Researchers have, in response, sought ...
ASU brings 'Science @ Scale' to AAAS meeting in Phoenix
When the American Association for the Advancement of Science Annual Meeting takes place this month in Phoenix, Arizona State University will be well represented.Dozens of ASU researchers — whose expertise ranges from technology for older adults living alone to water insecurity solutions — will speak at the event, whose theme this year, Science @ Scale, aims to highlight the importance of research’s value for the public good.
NASA Study: Non-biologic Processes Don’t Fully Explain Mars Organics
In a new study, researchers say that non-biological sources they considered could not fully account for the abundance of organic compounds in a sample
Game On: How Betting Became the Most Powerful Player in Sports
Koo Yul Kim, a researcher at UNC, shares insights into the marketing, impacts and future of sports betting platforms.
New Voices Program for Emerging STEM Leaders Announces 2026 Cohort
Twenty outstanding mid-career scientists, engineers, and medical professionals joins the National Academies’ New Voices in Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, a program that aims to expand the expertise engaged in National Academies work while developing a network of U.S. leaders to address national and global challenges. “Now more than ever, we need to nurture the next generation of talented American researchers, who are the future leaders of the U.S. science and innovation enterprise,” said NAS President Marcia McNutt.
Scientists found a hidden fat switch and turned it off
Researchers have discovered a previously unknown enzyme that plays a crucial role in fat production. By blocking it, they stopped weight gain, reduced liver damage, and lowered harmful cholesterol levels in animal studies. The finding opens the door to a new kind of medication that could tackle obesity, fatty liver disease, and cardiovascular disease all at once.
11 new researchers become Eric and Wendy Schmidt AI in Science Postdoctoral Fellows
Cornell researchers interested in diverse topics ranging from peptide engineering and cellular metabolites to quantum physics and sustainable computing are among the newest cohort selected by the Eric and Wendy Schmidt AI in Science Postdoctoral Fellows program.
TrumpRx, the President’s Online Drugstore, Opens for Business
TrumpRx is aimed at helping patients use their own money to buy medicines. But researchers who study drug pricing warned that many patients could pay too much if they use the site.
11 new researchers become Eric and Wendy Schmidt AI in Science Postdoctoral Fellows
The new cohort will investigate the use of AI to advance exploration in science, technology and engineering.
Inaugural ASU–Science Prize winners use AI to help farmers, trafficking victims
From continent-spanning satellite imagery to distributed criminal networks hiding online, some of our most intractable challenges are buried within mountains of data. Two researchers are using artificial intelligence to make sense of such complexity and turn overwhelming datasets into practical solutions.
This paper-thin chip turns invisible light into a steerable beam
Researchers have built a paper-thin chip that converts infrared light into visible light and directs it precisely, all without mechanical motion. The design overcomes a long-standing efficiency-versus-control problem in light-shaping materials. This opens the door to tiny, highly efficient light sources integrated directly onto chips.
Computer science undergraduate receives honorable mention for national research award
Adrian Faust, a senior in the Department of Computer Science, has received an honorable mention for the Computing Research Association (CRA) Outstanding Undergraduate Researcher Award.
International science cooperation must go on, say research leaders
Science leaders in Europe and Canada say international cooperation must go on amid geopolitical turmoil. At the same time, Europe and like-minded countries should continue to enhance and diversify international partnerships, a Science|Business conference hears. Hugh Brady, president of Imperial College London, told delegates that Europe’s response to the current geopolitical climate should be to “diversify in terms of research partnerships and build resilience and scale into our own system.”A first priority should be for the EU to sort out the scope of the upcoming European Competitiveness Fund and ensure that, together with the next iteration of Horizon Europe, it can drive the development and scale up of new technologies. The EU and the countries associated to the Horizon Europe programme represent “the world's most successful research innovation ecosystem,” Brady said. In order to mitigate the negative effects of shifting geopolitics, the EU together with the UK, Switzerland, Canada, South Korea and others should talk about “building resilience” and address their own “regional needs,” he added. Responding to TrumpUnder Donald Trump’s leadership, the US government has slashed science budgets and shut down international research programmes. Nearly 8,000 grants at the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation have been frozen or terminated. Courts have overturned most of these cancellations, but the disruption caused remains significant. While Europe may persuade a few thousand disgruntled scientists to move across the ocean to work on topics that have been de-funded in the US, it’s unclear what should happen next with transatlantic scientific cooperation more broadly.“Now is the time for us to show [US researchers] our support as much as we can,” Brady said.The European Research Council (ERC), the EU’s basic science funder, has seen a surge in applicants from the US. According its latest data, US-based researchers submitted 347 proposals to the last three big funding rounds, up from 158 in the previous set of calls. The European Commission has also launched a €22.5 million pilot call in 2025 for the Marie Skłodowska Curie Actions, the EU’s researcher training scheme. It plans to extend this support with a €51.25 million call in 2027 as part of the Choose Europe initiative, which is intended to make the continent a more attractive place to pursue a career in research. Related articlesData corner: US researchers are choosing EuropeEU-India deal highlights growing alignment on technology policyMeanwhile, in the private non-profit sector, the Volkswagen Foundation is experimenting with a new type of grant that would allow US researchers to split their time between the US and Germany. While these schemes are useful, Europe should not bet on an exodus of scientists from the US. “The idea that we might all see them flocking over to Europe is naïve and counterproductive,” said Maria Leptin, president of the ERC, also speaking at the Science|Business conference on February 5. “We need research in the US to be as healthy as possible. I really admire those who are staying there with a will to fight and an optimism that the world will turn into a better place again,” Leptin said. Preserving dataDespite political disruption, academics have found ways to continue cooperating and sharing research data. Leslie Weir, president of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions and Canada’s national librarian, said the US cuts have raised concerns about research data security, after ideologically sensitive databases were limited or deleted by the Trump administration. But international organisations teamed up to ensure that the data is not lost. “It's interesting to see that researchers and libraries across North America are collaborating to make sure that data at risk is duplicated elsewhere outside [the US],” Weir said.
When patients see the line between life and death, should we believe them?
Researchers have developed a model to explain the science of near-death experiences. Others have challenged it.
When patients see the line between life and death, should we believe them?
Researchers have developed a model to explain the science of near-death experiences. Others have challenged it.
Pitt researcher studies lingering health impacts from East Palestine train derailment
University of Pittsburgh researcher Juliane Beier is a leading authority on how colorless, sweet-smelling vinyl chloride can cause cancer and worsen liver disease. Her expertise meant she feared the worst when vinyl chloride vapors — the result of a controversial vent-and-burn operation by first responders — began billowing from derailed
Marine biologists discover 28 new deep sea species—and an old VHS tape
The level of ocean biodiversity near Argentina staggered researchers.
Enormous Pair of Deep-Earth Hot 'Blobs' Shape Earth’s Magnetic Field, Scientists Say
Without the blobs, Earth would be “magnetically dead,” the researchers said.
Inside Your Health: Measles outbreak
A new map published by researchers at Major Academic Centers and ABC News identified specific zip codes in Minnesota that are at higher risk for a measles outbreak.
Can AI ‘vibe research’ replace social science?
AI tool improvement is compounding fast enough for researchers to start using tools like Claude Code for real social science tasks.
Dad’s Early Bond May Affect a Child’s Health Years Later, Study Finds
By I. Edwards HealthDay ReporterWEDNESDAY, Feb. 4, 2026 (HealthDay News) — For decades, researchers mostly blamed moms when children developed long-term mental or physical health problems. Now, a new study suggests someone else may play a bigger role than once thought: Dad. By age 7, children whose fathers were less attentive to ...
Seals Are Seemingly Vanishing Off the Dutch Coast. These Scientists Are Trying to Get to the Bottom of the Mysterious Disappearances
Recent counts of the Wadden Sea’s adult harbor seal population have revealed a surprising trend of decline, prompting a consortium of researchers to investigate whether the animals are dying off, relocating or experiencing something else altogether
US-Greenland science partnerships are on thin ice
CU Boulder researcher Twila Moon shares what is at stake as President Trump bids for Greenland.
The science behind the storms
Penn State researchers spent six weeks chasing storms during the first hail research campaign in the United States in four decades. Named the In-situ Collaborative Experiment for the Collection of Hail In the Plains, or ICECHIP, it was the largest, most sophisticated international collaborative hail research campaign to date.
MIT's new brain tool could finally explain consciousness
Scientists still don’t know how the brain turns physical activity into thoughts, feelings, and awareness—but a powerful new tool may help crack the mystery. Researchers at MIT are exploring transcranial focused ultrasound, a noninvasive technology that can precisely stimulate deep regions of the brain that were previously off-limits. In a new “roadmap” paper, they explain how this method could finally let scientists test cause-and-effect in consciousness research, not just observe correlations.
OpenAI snags Anthropic safety researcher for head of preparedness role
OpenAI hired an Anthropic safety researcher as its head of preparedness, which pays up to $555,000 plus equity.
A hidden cellular process may drive aging and disease
As we age, our cells don’t just wear down—they reorganize. Researchers found that cells actively remodel a key structure called the endoplasmic reticulum, reducing protein-producing regions while preserving fat-related ones. This process, driven by ER-phagy, is tied to lifespan and healthy aging. Because these changes happen early, they could help trigger later disease—or offer a chance to stop it.
At science fair, UC Berkeley researchers lobby for $23B bond to offset Trump’s cuts
California scientists left their labs last week to defend their work studying disease treatments, resilience to extreme heat and more
Research Finds Interaction With Father, Not Mother, Affects Child Health
A long-term study of 292 families linked fathers’ parenting style to their children’s heart health years later. To researchers’ surprise, no such link was found with mothers.
Menlo and a16z back AI scientist startup Phylo
Stanford researchers Kexin Huang and Yuanhao Qu launch Phylo, raising $13.5M from a16z and Menlo Ventures to develop Biomni Labs, an AI system for biomedical research tasks.
Unsinkable metal discovery could build safer ships and harvest wave energy
Researchers mimicked the air-trapping tricks of diving bell spiders to create aluminum that stays afloat—even when punctured
Top recognition awarded to 11 stroke researchers for science, brain health contributions
Embargoed until Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, 10 a.m. CT/11 a.m. ET NEW ORLEANS, Feb. 3, 2026 – Eleven top scientists in stroke and brain health will be recognized for their individual exceptional professional achievements and contributions to stroke and...
Top recognition awarded to 11 stroke researchers for science, brain health contributions
Embargoed until Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, 10 a.m. CT/11 a.m. ET NEW ORLEANS, Feb. 3, 2026 – Eleven top scientists in stroke and brain health will be recognized for their individual exceptional professional achievements and contributions to stroke and...
Physicists push thousands of atoms to a 'Schrödinger's cat' state — bringing the quantum world closer to reality than ever before
Researchers have demonstrated that a nanoparticle of 7,000 sodium atoms can act as a wave, creating a record-setting superposition.
Autism: myth-busting and what scientists still don't know : Short Wave
Autism has a long history of misinformation that continues to today. The Trump administration has perpetuated some of this misinformation in the last year. Among other things, officials have claimed certain groups of people don’t get the condition and that taking Tylenol while pregnant causes autism to later develop in children. Today, NPR Science Correspondent Jon Hamilton sets the record straight with host Emily Kwong on what scientists do and don’t know about autism. If you liked this episode, check out our episodes on an Autism researcher’s take on Trump’s claims about Tylenol and a Fragile X treatment that may be on the horizon.Interested in more science in the news? 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.This episode was produced by Berly McCoy. It was edited by Rebecca Ramirez. Tyler Jones checked the facts. The audio engineer was Damian Herring.
California Academy of Sciences team finds ocean warming reaching deeper than expected
Researchers also uncovered evidence of corral damage at lower depths during a survey in the Indian Ocean. The data is helping to drive an initiative at the Academy known as Hope for Reefs - with the goal of reversing the damage in oceans around the world.
New catalyst turns carbon dioxide into clean fuel source
Researchers have found that manganese, an abundant and inexpensive metal, can be used to efficiently convert carbon dioxide into formate, a potential hydrogen source for fuel cells. The key was a clever redesign that made the catalyst last far longer than similar low-cost materials. Surprisingly, the improved manganese catalyst even beat many expensive precious-metal options. The discovery could help turn greenhouse gas into clean energy ingredients.
2-month-olds see the world in a more complex way than scientists thought, study suggests
The findings may help doctors and researchers better understand cognitive development in infancy.
The Colorado River's largest tributary flows 'uphill' for over 100 miles — and geologists may finally have an explanation for it
Millions of years ago, the Green River carved a path through the Uinta Mountains instead of flowing around the formation. Now, researchers have discovered how this could have happened.
It’s now easier than ever to navigate publicly available youth mental health data
Youth mental health researcher Hua Min created an easier way to find and analyze publicly available data to advance youth mental health research and outcomes.
It’s 2026 and You’re Uninsured. Now What?
Many Americans are expected to lose ACA or Medicaid coverage in coming months and years as a result of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and the expiration of enhanced pandemic-era subsidies that helped people afford Obamacare plans. Doctors and researchers say there are still ways to find affordable care.
How generative AI can help scientists synthesize complex materials
DiffSyn, a computer model developed by MIT researchers, suggests promising ways to synthesize new materials for faster experimentation.
A tiny light trap could unlock million qubit quantum computers
A new light-based breakthrough could help quantum computers finally scale up. Stanford researchers created miniature optical cavities that efficiently collect light from individual atoms, allowing many qubits to be read at once. The team has already demonstrated working arrays with dozens and even hundreds of cavities. The approach could eventually support massive quantum networks with millions of qubits.
Deflated: Israeli scientists find Jupiter is smaller than previously thought
Using data from NASA's Juno spacecraft, Weizmann Institute of Science researchers make most precise measurement to date, say the gas giant is thinner and flatter than believed
Scientists discover how to turn gut bacteria into anti-aging factories
Researchers found that small doses of an antibiotic can coax gut bacteria into producing a life-extending compound. In worms, this led to longer lifespans, while mice showed healthier cholesterol and insulin changes. Because the drug stays in the gut, it avoids toxic side effects. The study points to a new way of promoting health by targeting microbes rather than the body itself.
Scientists discover hidden geometry that bends electrons like gravity
Researchers have discovered a hidden quantum geometry inside materials that subtly steers electrons, echoing how gravity warps light in space. Once thought to exist only on paper, this effect has now been observed experimentally in a popular quantum material. The finding reveals a new way to understand and control how materials conduct electricity and interact with light. It could help power future ultra-fast electronics and quantum technologies.
Researchers pinpoint source of black hole's 3,000-light-year-long jet stream using enhanced telescope network
A new study has connected the famous m87 black hole, the first ever imaged, to its powerful cosmic jet, revealing how it launches particles at near light speed.
Healing Childhood Trauma: What Science Says About Breaking the Cycle
Decades after a landmark study showed the lasting health effects of such trauma, researchers are finding ways to guard against enduring harm.
The Science Behind a Great Guacamole
Guacamole is a game-day favorite, but what does it take to perfect it? Researchers at UC Riverside are peeling back the science of what makes a great avocado and how to turn it into a winning bowl of guacamole.
One in seven food delivery businesses in England are ‘dark kitchens’, study shows
University researchers say growth of the hidden fast food industry may pose risks to public health
UNT Health Fort Worth launches institute focused on the science of the senses
Researchers at the University of North Texas Health Fort Worth want to unpack how the brain pulls off those sensory feats through a new research center.
UNT Health Fort Worth launches institute focused on the science of the senses
Researchers at the University of North Texas Health Fort Worth want to unpack how the brain pulls off those sensory feats through a new research center.
A Secret Panel to Question Climate Science Was Unlawful, Judge Rules
The researchers produced a report a that was central in a Trump administration effort to stop regulating climate pollution.
New triple-drug treatment stops pancreatic cancer in its tracks, a mouse study finds
By targeting three key growth pathways at once, researchers eliminated pancreatic tumors in multiple mouse models and prevented the cancer from returning, a promising step toward overcoming treatment resistance.
Gray wolves are hunting sea otters and no one knows how
On a remote Alaskan island, gray wolves are rewriting the rulebook by hunting sea otters — a behavior few scientists ever expected to see. Researchers are now uncovering how these coastal wolves adapted to marine hunting, what it means for land–sea ecosystems, and whether this ancient predator–prey relationship is re-emerging as sea otters recover.
A breakthrough that could make ships nearly unsinkable
Researchers have found a way to make ordinary aluminum tubes float indefinitely, even when submerged for long periods or punched full of holes. By engineering the metal’s surface to repel water, the tubes trap air inside and refuse to sink, even in rough conditions. The technology could eventually be scaled up into floating platforms, ships, or even wave-powered energy systems.
A 20-year-old cancer vaccine may hold the key to long-term survival
Two decades after a breast cancer vaccine trial, every participant is still alive—an astonishing result for metastatic disease. Scientists found their immune systems retained long-lasting memory cells primed to recognize cancer. By enhancing a key immune signal called CD27, researchers dramatically improved tumor elimination in lab studies. The findings suggest cancer vaccines may have been missing a crucial ingredient all along.
An AI Toy Exposed 50,000 Logs of Its Chats With Kids to Anyone With a Gmail Account
AI chat toy company Bondu left its web console almost entirely unprotected. Researchers who accessed it found nearly all the conversations children had had with the company's stuffed animals.
Scientists use AI to crack the code of nature’s most complex patterns 1,000x faster
Order doesn’t always form perfectly—and those imperfections can be surprisingly powerful. In materials like liquid crystals, tiny “defects” emerge when symmetry breaks, shaping everything from cosmic structures to everyday technologies. Now, researchers have developed an AI-powered method that can predict how these defects will form and evolve in milliseconds instead of hours. By learning directly from data, the system accurately maps molecular alignments and complex defect behavior, even in situations where defects merge or split.
These two viruses may become the next public health threats, scientists say
Two emerging pathogens with animal origins—influenza D virus and canine coronavirus—have so far been quietly flying under the radar, but researchers warn conditions are ripe for the viruses to spread ...
Viral Moltbot AI assistant raises concerns over data security
Security researchers are warning of insecure deployments in enterprise environments of the Moltbot (formerly Clawdbot) AI assistant, which can lead to leaking API keys, OAuth tokens, conversation history, and credentials.
With AlphaGenome, Researchers Are Using A.I. to Decode the Human Blueprint
AlphaGenome is a leap forward in the ability to study the human blueprint. But the fine workings of our DNA are still largely a mystery.
Arctic scientists 'feel pretty uncomfortable' on Greenland
Science in the Arctic — and Greenland — is on the frontline of pressing challenges facing humanity, like climate change and genetics. Some researchers worry international collaboration is at risk.
Scientists turn tumor immune cells into cancer killers
Scientists at KAIST have found a way to turn a tumor’s own immune cells into powerful cancer fighters—right inside the body. Tumors are packed with macrophages, immune cells that should attack cancer but are usually silenced by the tumor environment. By injecting a specially designed drug directly into tumors, researchers were able to “reprogram” these dormant cells to recognize and destroy cancer.