Research Discoveries

Breaking new ground in our understanding of early human diet and evolution, scientists have discovered that our ancient relatives may not have been the avid meat-eaters previously believed. Research reveals that Australopithecus, one of humanity’s earliest ancestors who lived in South Africa between 3.7 and 3.3 million years ago, primarily maintained a plant-based diet rather than regularly…

If you could see inside your brain after eating processed meats, you might think twice about that morning bacon ritual. An eye-opening new study has revealed that even modest consumption of processed red meat could be aging your brain faster than normal. Doctors from Brigham and Women’s Hospital and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health…

When the issue is obesity, the questions are many, and the routes to answers anything but straight. What is abundantly clear is a need for consensus on two foundational matters: What is a useful definition for obesity? Is obesity a disease? To answer these questions and standardize the concepts, a group of 58 experts, representing multiple medical…

Ever wondered if your parents really did have a favorite child? That nagging suspicion might not be all in your head. A study analyzing data from over 19,400 participants concludes that parents do indeed treat their children differently, and the way they choose their “favorites” is more systematic than you might think. “For decades, researchers have known…

Shocking new survey reveals 54% of young Americans report ads infiltrating their dreams Remember when sleep offered an escape from endless advertising? That era may be ending. While U.S. citizens already face up to 4,000 advertisements daily in their waking hours, research suggests that even our dreams are no longer safe from commercial messaging. A new study…

Most people know smoking is bad for their health, but a new study suggests it could also be bad for their wealth. Research from Finland reveals that smoking in early adulthood can significantly impact your career trajectory and earning potential, with effects that ripple through decades of working life. Living in an age where smoking rates have…

What if reducing your cancer risk was as simple as adding a glass of milk to your daily diet? A study of over half a million women concludes that dairy products, particularly those rich in calcium, may help protect against colorectal cancer, while alcohol and processed meats continue to pose significant risks. The massive research project tracked…

From business and public administration to daily life, artificial intelligence is reshaping the world – and politics may be next. While the idea of AI politicians might make some people uneasy, survey results tell a different story. A poll conducted by my university in 2021, during the early surge of AI advancements, found broad public support for…

Calling people obese is medically “flawed” – and the definition should be split into two, a report from global experts says. The term “clinical obesity” should be used for patients with a medical condition caused by their weight, while “pre-clinically obese” should be applied to those remaining fat but fit, although at risk of disease. This is…

That perfect thermostat setting might be more important than you think, especially at grandma and grandpa’s house. A new study finds that indoor temperature significantly affects older adults’ ability to concentrate, even in their own homes where they control the climate. The research suggests that as climate change brings more extreme temperatures, elderly individuals may face increased…

Minimally processed foods make up just a small percentage of what’s available in the U.S. supermarkets Next time you walk down the aisles of your local grocery store, take a closer look at what’s actually available on those shelves. A stunning report reveals the majority of food products sold at major U.S. grocery chains are highly processed,…

Ages 11 and 12 represent a pivotal transition from childhood to adolescence — a time traditionally marked by first crushes, growing independence, and deepening friendships. But according to new research, this age group is also marked by something more troubling: widespread social media addiction. The study of over 10,000 American youth reveals that most pre-teens are active…

39% of healthy dogs may silently carry dangerous Salmonella strains, researchers warn UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Next time your furry friend gives you those irresistible puppy dog eyes, you might want to think twice before sharing your snack. That’s because scientists say that household dogs could be silent carriers of dangerous antibiotic-resistant Salmonella bacteria, potentially putting their…

Firefighters battling the deadly wildfires that raced through the Los Angeles area in January 2025 have been hampered by a limited supply of freshwater. So, when the winds are calm enough, skilled pilots flying planes aptly named Super Scoopers are skimming off 1,500 gallons of seawater at a time and dumping it with high precision on the…

The Bible’s lex talionis – “Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot” (Exodus 21:24-27) – has captured the human imagination for millennia. This idea of fairness has been a model for ensuring justice when bodily harm is inflicted. Thanks to the work of linguists, historians, archaeologists and anthropologists, researchers know a lot…

Small study demonstrates the enormous fat-burning and gut-boosting powers of an ‘underappreciated’ berry In an era where 74% of Americans are considered overweight and 40% have obesity, scientists have discovered that an ancient berry might offer modern solutions. Research from Washington State University reveals that elderberry juice could help regulate blood sugar levels and improve the body’s…

The age-old debate about differences between male and female brains has taken a dramatic turn with new evidence suggesting these variations begin before a baby’s first cry. In the largest study of its kind, researchers at Cambridge University’s Autism Research Centre have discovered that structural brain differences between the sexes don’t gradually emerge through childhood — they’re…

When it comes to making financial decisions, conventional wisdom suggests keeping emotions out of the equation. But new research reveals that men, contrary to traditional gender stereotypes, may be significantly more susceptible to letting emotions influence their financial choices than women. A study led by the University of Essex challenges long-held assumptions about gender and emotional decision-making.…

In a discovery that could reshape how we think about water fluoridation, researchers have uncovered a troubling pattern across 10 countries and nearly 21,000 children: higher fluoride exposure consistently correlates with lower IQ scores. The meta-analysis raises critical questions about the balance between preventing tooth decay and protecting cognitive development. While fluoride has long been added to…

Movies are getting deadlier – at least in terms of their dialogue. A new study analyzing over 160,000 English-language films has revealed a disturbing trend: characters are talking about murder and killing more frequently than ever before, even in movies that aren’t focused on crime. Researchers from the University of Maryland, University of Pennsylvania, and The Ohio…

It’s a well-known fact that to lose weight, you either need to eat less or move more. But how many calories do you really need to cut out of your diet each day to lose weight? It may be less than you think. To determine how much energy (calories) your body requires, you need to calculate your…

Could you find an hour a week to devote to slowing your biological aging? You’ll get other, additional benefits – adding not just more years to your life but more life to your years. That hour can also create a sense of purpose, improve mental health, give you a psychological lift, boost your social connectedness, and you’ll…

A novel diagnostic test using just a nasal swab could transform how doctors diagnose and treat childhood asthma. Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have developed this non-invasive approach that, for the first time, allows physicians to precisely identify different subtypes of asthma in children without requiring invasive procedures. Until now, determining the specific type of asthma…

In an otherwise nondescript office in downtown Charlottesville, Va., a small leather chest sits atop a filing cabinet. Within it lies a combination lock, unopened for more than 50 years. The man who set it is dead. On its own, the lock is unremarkable — the kind you might use at the gym. The code, a mnemonic…

In an era where many of us spend our days hunched over computers or scrolling through phones, mounting evidence suggests our sedentary lifestyles may be quietly damaging our health. A new study from the University of Iowa reveals that physically inactive individuals face significantly higher risks for up to 19 different chronic health conditions, ranging from obesity…

The next time you find yourself in a heated argument, absolutely certain of your position, consider this: researchers have discovered that the more confident you feel about your stance, the more likely you are to be working with incomplete information. It’s a psychological quirk that might explain everything from family disagreements to international conflicts. We’ve all been…

Scientists have long been fascinated by collective intelligence, the idea that groups can solve problems better than individuals. Now, an interesting new study reveals some unexpected findings about group problem-solving abilities across species, specifically comparing how ants and humans tackle complex spatial challenges. Researchers at the Weizmann Institute of Science designed an ingenious experiment pitting groups of…

Over the past year, books like Less by Patrick Grant and documentaries like Buy Now: The Shopping Conspiracy have encouraged consumers to rethink their internalized beliefs that more consumption equals better living. As we enter a new year, it’s the perfect time to reflect on and leave behind some consumer myths that are detrimental to ourselves and…

Imagine scrolling through your social media feed when your AI assistant chimes in: “I notice you’ve been feeling down lately. Should we book that beach vacation you’ve been thinking about?” The eerie part isn’t that it knows you’re sad — it’s that it predicted your desire for a beach vacation before you consciously formed the thought yourself.…

Americans may be divided on many issues, but when it comes to rating 2024, they’ve reached a surprising consensus: it was decidedly average. In a nationwide survey of 2,000 people, the year earned a 6.1 out of 10—though beneath this seemingly tepid score lies a heartening discovery about what truly matters to Americans: personal connections topped the…

Manifestation is the art of turning your dreams into reality by aligning your thoughts, beliefs, and actions toward achieving them. It’s a combination of positive thinking and purposeful action. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to manifest your aspirations with clarity and confidence. 1. Understand Manifestation and How It Works Manifestation is rooted in the idea that…

In a breakthrough that reads like alchemy, scientists at the University of Geneva have solved a long-standing mystery about how gold travels through the Earth’s crust to form valuable deposits of this precious metal. Their discovery reveals that a particular form of sulfur acts as nature’s gold courier, challenging previous theories about how precious metal deposits form.…

Smokers are being urged to kick the habit for 2025 after a fresh assessment of the harms of cigarettes found they shorten life expectancy even more than doctors thought. Researchers at University College London found that on average a single cigarette takes about 20 minutes off a person’s life, meaning that a typical pack of 20 cigarettes…

In a concerning discovery for tea lovers everywhere, scientists have found that a simple cup of tea might come with an unwanted extra ingredient: billions of microscopic plastic particles. A new study reveals that common tea bags can release substantial amounts of micro and nanoplastics (MNPLs) into your brew during the steeping process. The research, conducted by…

Southern right whales have lifespans that reach well past 100 years, and 10% may live past 130 years, according to our new research published in the journal Science Advances. Some of these whales may live to 150. This lifespan is almost double the 70-80 years they are conventionally believed to live. North Atlantic right whales were also…

Many people hold the view that evolution in modern humans has come to a halt. But while modern medicine and technologies have changed the environment in which evolution operates, many scientists are in agreement that the phenomenon is still occurring. This evolution may be less about survival and more about reproductive success in our current environment. Changes…

People think many millions of times slower than the average internet connection, scientists have found. The body’s sensory systems, including the eyes, ears, skin, and nose, gather data about our environments at a rate of a billion bits per second. But the brain processes these signals at only about 10 bits per second, millions of times slower…

CORONA DEL MAR, Calif. — Is your New Year’s resolution to lose some weight? A new poll finds many people may actually achieve their goals in 2025 — with a little help from their pharmacist. More than a quarter of Americans are planning to turn to GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Wegovy to reach their 2025 weight…

“Brain rot” was named the Oxford Word of the Year for 2024 after a public vote involving more than 37,000 people. Oxford University Press defines the concept as “the supposed deterioration of a person’s mental or intellectual state, especially viewed as the result of overconsumption of material (now particularly online content) considered to be trivial or unchallenging.”…

COVID emerged suddenly, spread rapidly and killed millions of people around the world. Since then, I think it’s fair to say that most people have been nervous about the emergence of the next big infectious disease – be that a virus, bacterium, fungus or parasite. With COVID in retreat (thanks to highly effective vaccines), the three infectious…

Systems theorist suggests the ‘next giant leap in evolution’ is nearing, but authoritarian politics could get in the way Picture a caterpillar transforming into a butterfly. At a certain point, the creature enters a critical phase where its old form breaks down before emerging as something entirely new. According to a thought-provoking paper by renowned systems theorist…

What does a baby know about right and wrong? A foundational finding in moral psychology suggested that even infants have a moral sense, preferring “helpers” over “hinderers” before uttering their first word. Now, nearly 20 years later, a study that tried to replicate these findings calls this result into question. In the original study, Kiley Hamlin and…

When Nike launched its customization platform NikeID, few could have predicted it would reveal profound insights about human psychology. Now, research spanning four countries shows that personalized products trigger a fascinating emotional phenomenon called “vicarious pride.” That is, recipients of customized gifts experience the same pride their friends felt while creating them. The study, published in the…

When the world turned upside down during the COVID-19 pandemic, some people seemed to weather the storm better than others. Though many struggled with depression and loneliness during lockdowns, others maintained their mental well-being and even thrived. What made the difference? According to new research, one key factor may be something called a “growth mindset” – the…

This feature is part of a National Post series by health reporter Sharon Kirkey on what is keeping us up at night. In the series, Kirkey talks to sleep scientists and brain researchers to explore our obsession with sleep, the seeming lack of it and how we can rest easier. Psychologist Brian Sharpless has been a horror…

For a long time, dieting and exercise were the only realistic options for many people who wanted to lose weight, but recent pharmaceutical advances have led to the development of weight loss drugs. These are based on natural hormones from the intestine that help control food intake, such as GLP and GIP. GLP-1-based drugs such as semaglutide…

New survey finds the average viewer spends 110 hours each year just figuring out what to watch. In an era of endless entertainment options, streaming subscribers are drowning in choices — and not in a good way. A new survey reveals a startling paradox: despite having more content at their fingertips than ever before, viewers are struggling…

Most people know by now that microplastics are building up in our environment and within our bodies. However, according to Dr. Leonarde Transande, director of environmental pediatrics at NYU School of Medicine, there are ways to reduce the influx of plastics into our bodies. It starts with avoiding canned foods. Plastic is everywhere. It’s in our food…

Study reveals extraordinary self-healing potential in advanced heart failure patients TUCSON, Ariz. — For decades, medical science has insisted that the human heart cannot repair itself in any meaningful way. This dogma, as fundamental to cardiology as a heartbeat itself, is now being challenged by game-changing research that reveals our hearts may possess an extraordinary power of…

Think about the last time you checked your work email after hours. Do you find yourself having the urge to scan your inbox frequently while on vacation? A new study from the University of Nottingham suggests these digital intrusions may be taking a significant toll on employee wellbeing. The research, published in Frontiers in Organizational Psychology, explores…

In the gut of some Alzheimer’s patients lies an unexpected culprit: a common virus that may be silently contributing to their disease. While scientists have long suspected microbes might play a role in Alzheimer’s disease, new research has uncovered a surprising link between a virus that infects most humans and a distinct subtype of the devastating neurological…

This holiday season, take a moment to ask yourself, “Does this person really want what I’m buying them?” A new survey finds the answer is likely no! Researchers have found that more than half of Americans (53%) will receive a gift they don’t want. As Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy go looking for waste in Washington, it…

Anyone who has had a job that required intensive amounts of analysis will tell you that any speed gain they can find is like getting an extra 30, 60, or 90 minutes back out of their day. Automation tools in general, and AI tools specifically, can assist business analysts who need to crunch massive amounts of data…

Every time you walk down a city street, electronic eyes are watching. From security systems to traffic cameras, surveillance is ubiquitous in modern society. Yet these cameras might be doing more than just recording our movements: according to a new study that peers into the psychology of surveillance, they could be fundamentally altering how our brains process…

From the snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas to the dramatic spires of Patagonia, Earth’s mountains stand as nature’s most awe-inspiring monuments. On International Mountain Day, we celebrate these colossal formations that have shaped cultures, inspired religions, and challenged adventurers throughout human history. These geological giants aren’t just spectacular viewpoints – they’re vital ecosystems that provide water, shelter…

Married millennials who are otherwise happy in their relationships are getting “sleep divorces,” a phenomenon in which mismatched sleeping habits make it impossible for the couple to continue sleeping in the same bed, or even in the same bedroom. Watch an old episode of I Love Lucy and you’ll probably cock your head to the side like…

For adults over 50, maintaining close friendships isn’t just about having someone to chat with over coffee – it could be integral to their health and well-being. A new study reveals a stark reality: while 75% of older adults say they have enough close friends, those saying they’re in poor mental or physical health are significantly less…

When you bake a loaf of bread or a batch of muffins, you put the dough into a pan. As the dough bakes in the oven, it expands into the baking pan. Any chocolate chips or blueberries in the muffin batter become farther away from each other as the muffin batter expands. The expansion of the universe…

Could humans expand out beyond their homeworld and establish settlements on the planet Mars? The idea of settling the Red Planet has been around for decades. However, it has been seen by skeptics as a delusion at best and mere bluster at worst. Mars might seem superficially similar to Earth in a number of ways. But its…

Of all the days to stay in bed, Friday the 13th is surely the best. It’s the title of a popular (if increasingly corny) horror movie series; it’s associated with bad luck, and it’s generally thought to be a good time not to take any serious risks. Even if you try to escape it, you might fail,…

Imagine a world where diabetes could be treated with a simple pill that essentially reprograms your body to produce insulin again. Researchers at Mount Sinai have taken a significant step toward making this possibility a reality, uncovering a groundbreaking approach that could potentially help over 500 million people worldwide living with diabetes. Diabetes, affecting 537 million people…

In 1988, the World Health Organization (WHO) called for the global eradication of polio. Within a decade, one of the three poliovirus strains was already virtually eradicated — meaning a permanent reduction of the disease to zero new cases worldwide. Polio, also known as poliomyelitis, is an extremely contagious disease caused by the poliovirus. It attacks the…

When two of humanity’s most powerful eyes on the cosmos agree something strange is happening, astronomers tend to pay attention. Now, the James Webb Space Telescope has backed up what Hubble has been telling us for years: the universe is expanding faster than our best physics can explain, and nobody knows why. Scientists have long known that…

This autumn, a Swiss Catholic church installed an AI Jesus in a confessional to interact with visitors. The installation was a two-month project in religion, technology, and art titled “Deus in Machina,” created at the University of Lucerne. The Latin title literally means “god from the machine”; it refers to a plot device used in Greek and…

From the powdery slopes of the French Alps to Japan’s legendary snowfields, the world’s elite ski resorts offer far more than pristine runs and breathtaking views. These winter wonderlands combine challenging terrain, luxurious amenities, and rich cultural experiences that make them bucket-list destinations for both serious athletes and leisure travelers. Whether you’re seeking champagne powder in Colorado,…

Many people “shop ’til they drop” during the holidays — but a new survey finds that may not be such a great thing. Researchers find one in four people grapple with compulsive overspending during the holiday season. The research, commissioned by Beyond Finance and conducted by Talker Research among 2,000 people who celebrate a winter holiday, paints…

Every second, trillions of invisible particles are passing through your body at nearly the speed of light. These ghostly travelers, called neutrinos, might hold the key to some of science’s biggest questions – including why we exist at all. Now, a global team of scientists has mapped out an ambitious decade-long plan to unlock their secrets. “It…

The Arctic Ocean’s pristine white ice cap, a defining feature of our planet visible even from space, could undergo a historic transformation in the next few years. A new study reveals that while most projections show the first ice-free day occurring within nine to 20 years after 2023, there’s an unlikely but significant possibility this milestone could…

Inside your chest lies not just a muscular pump, but a sophisticated neural network that scientists are just beginning to fully understand. A new study reveals that the heart’s internal nervous system – known as the intracardiac nervous system (IcNS) – is far more complex than previously thought, challenging long-held views about how our hearts maintain their…

Whether you’re finally getting to your annual physical with your primary care physician or seeing a specialist, you’ve likely learned where you fall on the body mass index (BMI), a calculated measurement of weight relative to height. But some researchers are paving the way for another measurement to join the conversation in assessing a person’s health risks.…

What if the key to protecting your heart was as simple as rethinking what’s on your dinner plate? A 30-year study by Harvard researchers suggests just that — finding that the secret to preventing cardiovascular disease may be as simple as swapping your sources of protein. Specifically, scientists revealed how the balance between plant and animal proteins…

Instead of condensing on the planet’s surface, any water in Venus’ atmosphere likely remained as steam, suggests the research from the University of Cambridge. Venus may never have hosted oceans on its surface, according to new research. Despite a scientific debate raging for years over the history of Venus and whether it ever held liquid oceans, new…

A study published in the November issue of Redox Biology has found that adding intravenous, high-dose vitamin C to a chemotherapy regimen doubled the survival of patients with late-stage, metastatic pancreatic cancer from eight months to 16 months. “This is a deadly disease with very poor outcomes for patients. The median survival is eight months with treatment,…

Children, especially toddlers and preschoolers, have an uncanny ability to surprise adults. And one of the more alarming discoveries parents can make is their child has stuck a small object, such as a Lego piece, up their nose. Queensland Children’s Hospital recently reported more than 1,650 children with foreign objects up their nose had presented to its…

Despite being the land of opportunity, the American Dream remains frustratingly out of reach for most Americans, with a mere 31% believing they’ve financially “made it” in life. The surprising twist? Millennials are leading the pack in financial confidence, with 34% claiming they’ve achieved financial success – the highest percentage among all generations. The comprehensive survey of…

Study of ancient footprints first ever to show that early ancestors coexisted in shared space In the arid landscapes of northern Kenya, a remarkable discovery is reshaping our understanding of human evolution. Scientists have uncovered 1.5-million-year-old footprints that provide the first direct evidence that two different early human species likely encountered one another, potentially sharing the same…

For the first time, scientists have directly observed pain signals being transmitted to the brains of shore crabs, providing the strongest evidence yet that these creatures can sense and process pain. This discovery, made by researchers at the University of Gothenburg, could revolutionize how we treat crustaceans – from seafood restaurants to research laboratories. The study, published…

Imagine skipping Thanksgiving dinner with your family or passing up a chance to write a heartfelt thank-you note, believing these moments aren’t worth your time. Think again. A researcher from the University of Florida finds that people consistently underestimate the profound emotional impact of life’s seemingly mundane experiences. Dr. Erin Westgate, an assistant professor of psychology leading…

Nearly half of adolescents and three-quarters of adults in the U.S. were classified as being clinically overweight or obese in 2021. The rates have more than doubled compared with 1990. Without urgent intervention, our study forecasts that more than 80% of adults and close to 60% of adolescents will be classified as overweight or obese by 2050.…

If you’ve ever lost weight only to watch the pounds creep back on, you’re not alone. Now, scientists have uncovered a biological explanation for this frustrating phenomenon known as the “yo-yo effect” – and it turns out our fat cells have a surprisingly long memory. Researchers at ETH Zurich have discovered that being overweight leaves a lasting…

The Earth underwent a complete makeover after the last Ice Age, turning from a frozen wasteland to a slushy planet surrounded by oceans. In a new study, researchers looked at how it was possible for the once snowball Earth to rapidly melt and enter its “plumeworld ocean” era. The surface ocean remained deeply frozen for several million…

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — Forget everything you thought you knew about weight and health. A head-turning study suggests that being physically fit might matter more than how much you weigh when it comes to your risk of dying from heart disease or other causes. A team led by researchers from the University of Virginia has turned traditional wisdom about…

You know that feeling you get when you take a breath of fresh air in nature? There may be more to it than a simple lack of pollution. When we think of nutrients, we think of things we obtain from our diet. But a careful look at the scientific literature shows there is strong evidence humans can…

Which came first, the chicken or the egg? It’s been a puzzle that has stumped humanity for ages. However, an ancient cellular clue may have finally answered this timeless question! A team in Switzerland says that long before chickens clucked or embryos developed, a microscopic marine creature was rehearsing the intricate dance of cellular division. This served…

For men, sex in their 40s or 60s is different from their 20s. However, it can still be healthy and enjoyable. Sex isn’t just for young men. Seniors can enjoy sex into their 80s and beyond. Moreover, it’s good for their physical health and self-esteem. Although sex can be healthy for adults of all ages, there are…

In what might be the best return on investment since Bitcoin’s early days, scientists have discovered that every hour of walking could yield up to six hours of additional life. Unlike cryptocurrency, however, this investment is guaranteed by the laws of human biology. An exciting modeling study reveals that if every American over the age of 40…

How did everything begin? It’s a question that humans have pondered for thousands of years. Over the last century or so, science has homed in on an answer: the Big Bang. This describes how the Universe was born in a cataclysmic explosion almost 14 billion years ago. In a tiny fraction of a second, the observable universe…

In a remarkable medical breakthrough, doctors have successfully used stem cells to treat a debilitating eye condition that can lead to vision loss. The world-first procedure, which involves transplanting lab-grown corneal cells derived from human stem cells, has the potential to restore sight for those suffering from a condition called limbal stem cell deficiency. LSCD is a…

While most of us learned that the wheel was invented around 3500 BCE for transportation, a groundbreaking discovery in Israel suggests we need to roll back our understanding of rotational technology by several thousand years. Researchers have unearthed over 100 perforated stone discs from a 12,000-year-old village that may represent humanity’s first experiments with wheel-like objects –…

The cub’s mummified remains, including its head, front arms and paws, and part of its chest, were found well-preserved in Yakutia, Russia, in 2020. The frozen remains of a sabre-toothed cat thought to be about 31,800 years old have been studied for the first time in history, according to a study. The cub’s mummified remains, including its…

A new therapeutic vaccine offers fresh hope for women battling super aggressive triple-negative cancer. The vaccine teaches patients’ immune systems to identify and attack cancer cells. Around 16 out of 18 patients remained cancer-free three years after receiving the vaccine. The researchers from Washington University School of Medicine now want larger clinical trials to prove the vaccine’s…

In a remarkable discovery, researchers have found evidence of living microbes thriving in one of the most inhospitable environments on Earth – the Atacama Desert of Chile. This vast, arid landscape is often described as the driest place on the planet, making it seemingly impossible for any life to exist. Yet, the new study reveals a diverse…

In 1932, while the rest of the world was grappling with the Great Depression, Scotland was busy giving intelligence tests to nearly every 11-year-old in the country. Little did those children know they were kickstarting one of the most illuminating studies ever conducted on how our brains age – or that their test scores would still be…

For nearly 40 years, scientists have generally agreed that Earth’s Moon formed from debris after a Mars-sized object slammed into our young planet. However, new research suggests a different possibility: our Moon may have been captured from space, originally paired with another rocky object before Earth’s gravity pulled it into orbit. This new theory helps address some…

Researchers have found a surge in the prevalence of mutations that can be attributed to a protein family in the human body called APOBEC Since the world eradicated smallpox in 1980, scientists have known that the battle against poxviruses was far from over. Of the multiple types that exist, scientists have been wary of one in particular:…

There’s been an exciting new discovery in the fight against plastic pollution: mealworm larvae that are capable of consuming polystyrene. They join the ranks of a small group of insects that have been found to be capable of breaking the polluting plastic down, though this is the first time that an insect species native to Africa has…

For nearly 400 years, the swirling red vortex known as Jupiter’s Great Red Spot has captured the attention and imagination of astronomers. But surprising new research suggests this planetary icon is actually not the same one described by Italian astronomer Giovanni Domenico Cassini. A detailed analysis of historical observations dating back to the 1600s reveals that what…

  Astrocytes — named for their star-like shape — are a type of brain cell as abundant as neurons in the central nervous system, but little is known about their role in brain health and disease. Many neurological diseases are caused by or result in the loss of cells in the central nervous system. Some diseases are…

In a remarkable finding that challenges what scientists have long believed, a new study finds that the ability to learn and form memories is not exclusive to the brain, but is in fact a fundamental property shared by cells throughout the human body. The study, led by Nikolay V. Kukushkin of New York University and published in…