Headlines

A complicated future for a methane-cleansing molecule

Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas that is second only to carbon dioxide in driving up global temperatures. But it doesn't linger in the atmosphere for long thanks to molecules called hydroxyl radicals, which are known as the "atmosphere's detergent" for their ability to

A catalyst-free way to add boron to arenes

RIKEN chemists have demonstrated a method to synthesize organic compounds that contain the element boron. Organoboron compounds are used in a wide range of drugs, including those for treating cancer, fungal infections and eczema. They are also employed as intermediates in

Insulin pills may soon replace daily injections

For over a century, scientists have chased the dream of insulin pills, but the digestive system kept destroying the drug before it could work—forcing millions of patients to rely on daily injections. Now, researchers at Kumamoto University have developed a clever workaround

DNA reveals two new bass species hidden in plain sight

Two new species of black bass have been officially identified after decades of confusion with similar fish. Bartram’s bass and Altamaha bass stand out not just in appearance, but in their DNA, revealed through detailed genetic analysis of hundreds of specimens. Scientists say

Why a canceled meeting feels so liberating

Unless your employer is Lumon Industries, where the "Severance" workday never ends, a canceled meeting can feel like a gift of limitless time. A Rutgers University study published in the Journal of the Association for Consumer Research explains why: Unexpectedly gaining time

This new tooth powder whitens teeth without damage

Researchers have developed a teeth-whitening powder that works with the vibrations of an electric toothbrush to safely remove stains. Unlike traditional whiteners, it not only brightens teeth but also repairs enamel and supports healthy oral bacteria. Lab tests showed dramatic

Drought spurs rise in antibiotic-resistant soil microbes

A new Caltech study indicates that drought increases the abundances of antibiotic-resistant microorganisms in soils, which directly correlates with an increase in antibiotic-resistant infections in hospitals. In other words, regions experiencing high aridity—hotter, drier

New findings on the first steps in protein synthesis

In the earliest phase of creating human proteins, the protein complex NAC performs an essential task by starting the first steps toward folding proteins into their correct three-dimensional structures. An international research team led by scientists from the Center for