Textbook chemistry gains blue-light upgrade to build complex drug molecules in fewer steps
In drug discovery, building complex molecules quickly is the name of the game.
Headlines
- All
- Africa
- Asia
- Business
- Culture
- Environment
- Europe
- Gaming
- Markets
- Middle East
- Movies & TV
- Music
- Politics
- Science
- South America
- Tech
- World News
Climate change leaves northern tree swallows more vulnerable those in the southern US
Tree swallows in the northern U.S. and Canada face the greatest risk from climate change despite responding to temperature the same way as tree swallows in the southern U.S., according to a new study led by Cornell researchers that analyzed nearly 95,000 nests across five
We assessed dozens of programs for men who use violence. Here's what we learned
Domestic and family violence is an epidemic. In 2024, the prime minister declared it a national crisis. Official statistics show time and again that this violence is overwhelmingly perpetrated by men. This is unlikely to be news to most of us—we see it play out in our
Autonomous drones measure volcanic gas clouds, offering clearer eruption warning signs
To better assess the danger posed by volcanoes, researchers at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) have developed a new measurement system. Laser beams are sent through escaping gas clouds and reflected by drones. An algorithm uses the reflected signals to generate a map
Neil the seal is more than a viral animal. He's become a global folk hero
I am one of Hobart's many residents who traveled to a nearby beach to witness Neil the seal—an animal that has been receiving global attention for his wild personality and humorous antics.
Scientists decipher how a psychedelic substance is created, then engineer a plant to produce several at once
Long before scientists began studying them in the lab, mind-altering substances were already being gathered from plants, fungi and even animals for use in rituals, healing practices and mental health treatment. Researchers at the Weizmann Institute of Science have now managed
Self‑building molecular rings bring next‑generation drug delivery and smart materials closer
Rotaxanes are dumbbell-shaped mechanically interlocked molecules in which one or more ring-shaped molecules are threaded through a linear segment, known as the axle. To keep the ring from sliding off, two bulky groups, sometimes called stoppers, are added to the ends of the
Patterned frozen soils get their shape from gravity and funky physics
Hillslopes in Arctic regions with frozen soils can host a suite of geometric patterns, from circles and stripes to polygonal patterned ground. They can also have solifluction patterns, or markings left behind when partially thawed permafrost slips and flows down a slope.
In deep oceans, evolution is supercharged. This diversity could help unlock humanity's greatest challenges
Far beneath the surface of the ocean lies the largest and least explored habitat on Earth. The deep sea is cold, dark, highly pressurized—and home to a huge amount of undiscovered life.
Low-cost genome sequencing approach is powering genetics research on mental illness and many other studies
For researchers on the hunt for the genetic roots of disease, the cost of deep whole-genome sequencing makes it challenging to conduct large genetic studies involving thousands of participants, which are needed to reveal new genetic insights. So scientists at the Broad
Gravitational waves reveal hidden populations within black hole mergers
Since gravitational waves were first detected in 2015, instruments including LIGO, Virgo and KAGRA have picked up a steady stream of signals from colliding black holes, building a catalog that now numbers in the hundreds. Yet despite this wealth of data, a fundamental question
Creating synthetic life in a lab? SpudCell falls short of the goal, but raises even more useful questions
Nature is beautiful, powerful and essential. But nature is not always gentle. The same biological world that gives rise to forests, coral reefs and human life also produces infections, cancer, genetic disease, crop blights and toxins. Natural processes can heal, sustain and
Climate oscillations shape nature's coral refuges in a warming ocean
Why do some coral reefs weather marine heat waves better than others? A new study published in Scientific Reports shows that the answer may lie not only in local ocean conditions, but also in climate patterns that span entire ocean basins. By combining long-term ocean
Alzheimer's tau protein has a surprising secret role in memory
Researchers found that tau is essential for turning new experiences into lasting memories by helping organize the brain's memory-storing cells. The mouse study also revealed how abnormal tau may contribute to Alzheimer's by disrupting both the formation of new memories and the
Oldest quasars ever discovered add to 'perplexing' space mystery
The Euclid space telescope has spotted the oldest quasars—the brightest objects in the universe—ever discovered, deepening a cosmic mystery that has been puzzling scientists.
Physicists recreate black hole energy extraction in the lab
Researchers have recreated the physics of extracting energy from a spinning black hole using a stationary device that produces synthetic ultrafast rotation. The achievement transforms a long-standing theoretical idea into a practical experiment and could inspire new advances in
Deep-sea life has a secret food source scientists never expected
Scientists discovered that extreme deep-sea pressure squeezes valuable nutrients out of sinking organic particles, providing an unexpected food source for ocean microbes. The finding could rewrite our understanding of both deep-ocean ecosystems and how carbon is stored on Earth.
New method brings single-particle quality control to nanocrystal manufacturing
Nanocrystals are already used in millions of devices, including televisions, laptops and displays, and are considered key materials for the next generation of quantum, sensing and solar technologies. However, they have not yet fully realized their potential. One major reason is
Deadly meat allergies from tick bites are on the rise. Should you be worried?
Alpha-gal syndrome is increasing across the U.S., driven by lone star ticks
This ultrasound treatment may help stop arthritis before it starts
A simple, non-invasive ultrasound treatment could one day help injured joints heal instead of remaining trapped in a cycle of damaging inflammation. Researchers at The University of Alabama in Huntsville found that continuous low-intensity ultrasound encouraged key immune cells
Is it a problem for cats to eat insects? Researchers are probing feline diets to find out
The sheer amount of insects that free-range cats consume might surprise you
Firefighters gain upper hand on deadly Spain wildfire
Firefighters battling a wildfire in southern Spain that killed 12 people began to contain the blaze Saturday as the hardest-hit village remained deserted, with charred vegetation and blackened homes a grim reminder of the inferno that sent terrified people fleeing their homes.
Typhoon makes landfall in China, downgraded to severe tropical storm
Typhoon Bavi was downgraded to a severe tropical storm Sunday after making landfall in eastern China, where authorities had evacuated nearly 2 million people in its path.
In Sicily, drones at work to predict volcanic eruptions
Hovering over the volcano, a buzzing drone pauses in front of a laser beam on the crater's edge as researchers test whether the devices can measure gases to predict eruptions.
Why sharing-economy drivers are disengaging—and how platform design can win them back
Rideshare and delivery platforms operate in an unusually fluid labor market. Drivers can log off, switch apps or stop working at any moment, making engagement unpredictable. Companies often respond with bonuses, surge pricing and promotions, yet inconsistent commitment remains
New heat wave blasts US, could break records
Some 44 million Americans were under a heat wave warning Saturday as temperatures in the Rocky Mountains and northern Plains of the United States were expected to hit 43°C (110°F) over the weekend.
Scientists discover how the brain rewires itself to truly multitask
Practice may do more than make perfect. Researchers found that extensive training physically reorganizes the brain, allowing learned tasks to bypass the prefrontal cortex and run through specialized circuits instead. By freeing the brain's "thinking" center, people became
Scientists finally solved the mystery of Earth's greatest mass extinction
Why do beaches today have seashells from clams and snails instead of brachiopods? A new study suggests the answer lies in Earth's greatest mass extinction, when warming oceans and falling oxygen levels wiped out animals that couldn't adapt. Species with body plans and
Columbia scientists discover surprising link between serotonin and heart valve disease
Scientists have uncovered evidence that serotonin, the chemical best known for regulating mood, may also speed the progression of a common heart valve disease in some people. The research suggests that patients with degenerative mitral regurgitation who take SSRI
Almost a quarter of Dutch bee colonies did not survive last winter
During the winter of 2025–2026, 24% of Dutch honeybee colonies were lost. The upward trend observed in recent years therefore continues. This is the fourth consecutive year in which winter mortality has exceeded 20%. The figures are based on the annual survey of Dutch
Why gold never tarnishes has finally been explained
Gold may have a secret self-defense system that helps it resist tarnishing. Researchers discovered that atoms on gold surfaces reorganize themselves into patterns that block oxygen from reacting with the metal, suppressing oxidation by up to a trillion-fold. Beyond explaining
Yale scientists may have found how Parkinson's disease spreads through the brain
Yale scientists discovered two neuron surface proteins that appear to help spread the toxic protein linked to Parkinson’s disease. Blocking these proteins in mice dramatically reduced disease progression, offering a potential new target for future therapies.
Q&A: Unforeseen consequences of the 'great aging' of America
The average life span for Americans hovered around 40 years for the first 100 years of the nation's existence. But after 1880, breakthroughs in modern medicine and public health resulted in a dramatic rise in life expectancy. By 1930, the average American could expect to enjoy
Common blood pressure drug could make cancer therapy far more powerful
Researchers found that the common blood pressure drug telmisartan can significantly improve the performance of the cancer drug olaparib, potentially expanding its benefits beyond patients with BRCA-related tumors. The combination is already being tested in human clinical trials
Drawing the line: Virtual fences trigger the same cattle behavior as physical ones
Virtual fences could make managing grazing livestock on farms more flexible and more efficient while improving animal welfare. A new study by the University of Göttingen shows that virtual fences trigger behavior in cattle similar to that caused by conventional electric fences,
Secure glass containers for storing chemical waste through laser welding
As the adoption of electric vehicles continues to grow, so does the need for the safe and permanent storage of battery materials and industrial chemical waste. Certain waste streams require disposal in what are known as Category IV landfills, which impose particularly stringent
Synthetic rotation brings black hole energy theory into lab, amplifying waves
More than half a century ago, Sir Roger Penrose envisioned a scenario in which energy could be extracted from a black hole spinning at extreme speeds. He proposed that a particle entering its ergosphere—a region of space dragged around by a rotating black hole—could split into
The Vikings were more than bearded marauders, but Scandinavia's national museums continue to project that image
If you visit Scandinavia, you are likely to find yourself at an exhibition about Vikings. There are many to choose from.
Reimagining the furnace: How a new magnetic design could supercharge industrial plasma
Imagine trying to trap a miniature star inside a machine without letting it touch the walls or burn itself out. This is the central, high-stakes challenge of high-temperature plasma engineering.
Immune cells get transformed into fungus-fighting nanoparticles
Tiny particles made from the membranes of human immune cells could offer a promising new way to fight fungal infections that are becoming harder to treat. Engineers at the University of California San Diego created antifungal nanoparticles that target Candida albicans, a fungus
When species are forced to move: Prediction models underestimate climate-related extinction risk
Climate change threatens many plant and animal species not only when their habitats disappear as climatic conditions change, but also when those habitats shift. In a new study, a team of University of Potsdam researchers found that whether a species' habitat disappears or
