How worried should you be about ultra-processed foods?
We are constantly told to watch out for the health risks of eating ultra-processed food, but should you be worried every time you sit down for a meal? Sam Wong takes a look at the evidence
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You don’t need to lose weight to reverse prediabetes, study finds
For years, people with prediabetes have been told the same thing: lose weight or risk developing diabetes. But new research flips that idea on its head, showing that blood sugar can return to normal even without shedding pounds. The key isn’t just how much fat you carry—it’s
Wildfires in carbon-rich tropical peatlands hit 2000-year high
Tropical peatlands, some of the planet’s largest underground carbon stores, are now burning at levels never seen in at least 2,000 years. By analyzing charcoal preserved in peat across multiple continents, scientists discovered that fires had actually been declining for more
Scientists recreated a dinosaur nest to solve a 70-million-year-old mystery
Scientists recreated a life-size oviraptor nest to understand how these dinosaurs hatched their eggs. Their experiments showed the parent likely couldn’t heat all the eggs directly, meaning sunlight played a key role. This uneven heating could cause eggs in the same nest to
Changing shower and toilet habits could help close England's five billion-liter water gap, research finds
Changing how people shower, report leaks and flush toilets could help close England's projected five billion liter daily water shortfall—but only if the water sector builds the evidence base to make it work, according to a new report led by the University of Surrey. The report
More and more teachers and students are using AI, even though it might do more harm than good
K-12 teachers and students across the country are increasingly using AI in and out of classrooms, whether it is teachers turning to AI to refine lesson plans or students asking AI to help them research a particular topic.
Some 'designer' crossbreed dogs may have more problem behaviors than pure breeds
In a new, survey-based study of three kinds of "designer" crossbreed dogs, cockapoos, cavapoos and labradoodles, all three showed more undesirable behaviors than at least one of their purebred progenitor breeds, with cockapoos displaying the most unwanted habits. Gina Bryson of
The Science Is in: No One Likes Your Cockapoo
Why not get a cocker spaniel or poodle instead? The post The Science Is in: No One Likes Your Cockapoo appeared first on Nautilus .
School phone policies not silver bullet for student outcomes
Students who attend schools with smartphone bans report missing sleep to make up for "lost time" on their phones but benefit from more face-to-face socializing in the school day, as a new UK study reveals a mixed picture of how phones affect secondary school students'
New DNA base editor minimizes bystander edits while maintaining high efficiency
The trajectory of base editing has been remarkable, progressing from the laboratory to patient care, treating debilitating or terminal illnesses, in less than a decade. A type of gene editing that makes chemical changes to our DNA, base editing was developed by Alexis Komor,
How to stop panic buying: Research finds COVID lesson
Panic buying doesn't just respond to shortages—it creates them. And according to a University of the Sunshine Coast behavioral scientist, the lessons learned during COVID-19 remain critical for preventing future buying frenzies.
New ice core studies expand histories of greenhouse gases and ocean temperature to 3 million years
New analyses of ancient ice from Antarctica and the air contained inside it are extending the history of Earth's climate records and expanding researchers' understanding of how the planet has changed over the last 3 million years.
The surprising cancer link between cats and humans
Scientists have mapped the genetics of cancer in cats for the first time at scale, uncovering major overlaps with human cancers. Key mutations—like those linked to breast cancer—appear in both species, and some human cancer drugs may also work in cats. Because pets share our
Global insect rescue plan requires new technology to ensure success
Cameras that photograph insects overnight and AI that identifies them are among a new generation of tools that could finally allow scientists to track whether the world's plan to save nature is working for its most overlooked creatures. A global team of scientists has found
Clearing circular RNA from cells extends lifespan, C. elegans study reveals
Cells in our bodies produce RNA based on genetic information stored in DNA, and RNA serves as a blueprint for making proteins. Researchers at KAIST have discovered a new phenomenon: Removing "circular RNA" that accumulates in cells as we age can slow down aging and extend
Platypus Anatomy Just Got Weirder
These egg-laying oddities are more birdlike than previously thought The post Platypus Anatomy Just Got Weirder appeared first on Nautilus .
Ancient climate records reveal a wetter Levant that may have guided early humans out of Africa
For modern residents of the Levant, the "Red Sea Trough" usually brings a brief, dusty transition between seasons. But 127,000 years ago, this same weather pattern may have been the literal key to human history. A new study, led by Ph.D. student Efraim Bril, Prof. Adi Torfstein
White-rot fungi show promise for reducing pharmaceutical residues in biosolids
Antidepressants and other psychoactive drugs are designed to affect the human brain. But after they enter the water system in excrement or unused drugs flushed down the drain, traces of these compounds can enter the environment in biosolids—the nutrient-rich material left over
Seals risk death by polar bear for a varied meal, study finds
As climate change reshapes Arctic food webs, ringed seals will swim into risky polar bear territory if the menu is varied enough. This is the central finding of a new study published in Ecology Letters. UBC researchers tracked 26 ringed seals and 39 polar bears in eastern
In Germany, climate-related television content reaches engaged viewers but misses skeptical groups
Researchers from Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, the University of Hamburg, Freie Universität Berlin and the Fraunhofer Institute for Digital Media Technology IDMT show in a recent publication in the journal Nature Climate Change that television in Germany remains one
Plant survival under three simultaneous stressors may hinge on a single protein
Researchers at the University of Missouri have discovered certain proteins may be the key to saving plants' lives when multiple stressors hit at the same time. This knowledge may one day lead to crops that are more resistant to harsh conditions brought on by multiple stressors
This simple habit could help seniors live longer and stay independent
Cycling might be one of the simplest ways for older adults to stay healthier, longer. A 10-year study in Japan found that seniors who rode bicycles had lower risks of needing long-term care and dying—especially those who didn’t drive. Continuing or even starting cycling later
Is glass a solid or a super slow liquid? Physicists create equilibrium glassy phase from rod-shaped particles
Glass appears to be a solid, but in theory it sometimes behaves more like an extremely slow liquid. Physicists in Utrecht now show that glass-like structures can also exist in equilibrium, which is something many theories say should be impossible.
Dolls beat tablets at building social understanding, six-week study suggests
Research by Cardiff University has found that playing with Barbie dolls can help reach key milestones in developing empathy and social understanding during childhood. Doll play was found to be beneficial for both boys and girls, and is particularly valuable for those
Scientists turn rubber waste into new materials and capture CO₂
Researchers at the University of St Andrews have unveiled two breakthrough techniques for chemically recycling and upcycling nitrile‑rubber products, such as disposable gloves, seals, and industrial parts, into new materials that are also capable of capturing carbon dioxide.
Cell-inspired sensor can monitor blood for 10 hours without sensitivity loss
A team led by La Trobe University has drawn inspiration from nature to develop a breakthrough sensor that can rapidly track tiny molecular changes in blood, paving the way to real-time, personalized medicine. The discovery overcomes one of the biggest barriers in blood testing:
Scientists discover new bee species that depends on native Texas shrub
Entomologists have discovered a new species of mining bee that has an unusually tight relationship with cenizo, the official state shrub of Texas. Silas Bossert, assistant professor in Washington State University's Department of Entomology, worked with colleagues in Texas and
Durable dual-atom catalyst enables high-temperature CO₂ to CO conversion
The conversion of carbon dioxide (CO₂) into carbon monoxide (CO), an industrial feedstock, has attracted significant attention as a key step for producing synthetic fuels and chemical products. However, because CO₂ is a chemically stable molecule, the reaction typically
Energy-efficient Fe-Ni catalyst could cut costs for alkaline water electrolysis
Affordable, green energy production has long been promoted as a means to accelerate the decarbonization of sectors such as heavy industry, long-duration energy storage, and transportation, which are difficult to electrify. Such decarbonization would reduce greenhouse gas
Controlling the pinewood nematode: Finding the best balance between cost and effectiveness
The pinewood nematode (Bursaphelenchus xylophilus) is the most devastating parasite of pine forests across Eurasia. To combat the pinewood nematode, European regulation requires that Member States clear-cut all susceptible tree species within a 500 meter radius of infested
How AI deep learning is helping scientists protect California's coastal ecosystems
Researchers at UCLA's Institute of the Environment and Sustainability have developed the most high-resolution statewide maps of California's kelp forests to date, giving researchers, conservationists and community members unprecedented access to information essential to
Satellite data reconstruct 2025 LA fires, showing rapid spread in first day
A severe drought, powerful Santa Ana winds and a not-fully-extinguished brushfire combined to create the most destructive wildfire in the history of Los Angeles in early 2025. The Palisades Fire, which fully ignited on Jan. 7, destroyed Los Angeles' Pacific Palisades
New approach improves precipitation accuracy for hydrological models
Hydrological models represent water movement in natural systems, and they are important for water resource planning and management. But the models depend on reliable input data for weather factors, and precipitation can be very difficult to measure and represent accurately. A
The Comedy of Errors That Was the First-Ever Space Walk
Murphy’s Law was in full effect The post The Comedy of Errors That Was the First-Ever Space Walk appeared first on Nautilus .
Simple pretreatment activates cellulose for saccharification
Utilization of biomass as a chemical resource is a promising strategy for establishing a circular economy. Cellulose, a polymer composed of glucose units, is the most abundant form of biomass, and glucose is a versatile feedstock for chemicals. However, cellulose is a highly
Study reveals hidden 'chemical currency' fueling the ocean's carbon cycle
A new study, led by Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) and Columbia University, identifies a diverse set of molecules released by marine phytoplankton that fuel microbial life and help drive Earth's carbon cycle. While scientists know that carbon is moved through an
A new antimicrobial for cleaning and sanitizing dry-food processing equipment
Efforts to prevent pathogenic contaminations such as salmonella in dry food processing facilities will take a step forward through new research from the University of Massachusetts Amherst describing a novel chemical mixture for sanitation in low-moisture environments.
Increasing the share of organic farming leads to healthier, more diverse soils, international study finds
An international team led by University of Alicante (UA) scientists has found that increasing the share of organic farming may improve crop yields and help maintain soil health and biodiversity. Published in the journal Nature Sustainability, the study concludes that landscapes
Terahertz spin waves can be converted into computer signals, study shows
What will the computers of tomorrow look like? Chances are good that spintronics will play a decisive role in the next generation of computers. In spintronics, the intrinsic angular momentum of an electron (the spin) is used to store, process and transmit data. This technology
Diverse C-terminal variation rewires protein stability in health and disease
Proteins are the tiny machines that keep our cells running, and how long they last in the cell often determines how well they can do their job. One important part of a protein is its tail end, known as the C-terminus. Although this region may seem small, it can vary in many ways.
AI rebuilds molecules from exploding fragments
Researchers at the Department of Energy's SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory and collaborating institutions recently built a generative AI model that can recreate molecular structures from the movement of the molecule's ions after they are blasted apart by X-rays, a technique
How two dim stars came together to shine brightly
Brown dwarfs get a bad rap in the stellar world, often labeled as "failed stars" for their inability to sustain nuclear fusion at their cores. The mass of these objects falls between planets and stars, ranging from 13 to 80 times the mass of Jupiter. Because they aren't massive
What makes a genus real? Scientists use tree bats to evaluate a testable '2 Sigma Genus Concept'
Dr. Amy Baird, Professor of Biology at the University of Houston-Downtown (UHD), and her colleagues are seeking to change the attitude of biologists toward the meaning of taxonomic categories above the species level with their paper "The 2 Sigma Genus Concept in mammalogy:
Across Europe, warm-adapted plants spread as cold specialists retreat
An international study shows how climate change is reshaping plant communities across Europe. Published in Nature, the study analyzed a unique database of more than 6,000 vegetation plots across forests, grasslands and mountain summits in Europe, with observations spanning
Did Music Give Rise to Language?
An interview with a music cognition researcher about the evolutionary roots of music The post Did Music Give Rise to Language? appeared first on Nautilus .
Fluorescent ruby-like gems have been found on Mars for the first time
The Perseverance rover has found tiny crystals that seem to be rubies or sapphires inside pebbles on Mars, where they have never been seen before
Polymer composite method cuts micro-voids to boost conductivity
Modern portable and wearable electronic devices increasingly integrate high-performance components and wireless communication technologies. While this integration enhances functionality, it also raises the risk of electromagnetic interference (EMI) and heat accumulation, both
Drought hits gulf fisheries, sparking food security fears
A severe and prolonged U.S. drought in the late 1980s played a central role in one of the largest fisheries declines ever recorded in the Gulf of Mexico, according to a new study published in Nature Communications.
Building trust in the future of quantum computing
Quantum computers could solve certain problems that would take traditional classical computers an impractically long time to solve. At the Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (JAIST), researchers are now working to make these systems reliable and trustworthy.
Finding Easter eggs in entertainment boosts enjoyment and fan behavior, study finds
If you've watched popular movies or television shows in the last decade, there's a good chance you've found an Easter egg or two: not an actual brightly colored egg but a subtle reference to another movie or story in the form of a character in the background or object that also
