Today's Science Pulse
UK-led study reveals hidden massive star clusters deep within nearby galaxies
Astronomers using the VLA and ALMA uncovered previously unseen giant star clusters embedded deep inside nearby galaxies. The findings show that young stellar activity drives the evolution of these galaxies, reshaping their interstellar environments. Multiple observations confirm the clusters act as hidden “ring factories” of star formation.
Also developing:
By the numbers: Foundation Alloy raises $22M Series A
Monolithic 3D Tantalum Pentoxide Nonlinear Photonics
Researchers have demonstrated a monolithic 3‑D integration of tantalum pentoxide (Ta₂O₅) onto lithium‑niobate substrates, enabling wafer‑scale fabrication of low‑loss nonlinear photonic circuits. The approach leverages room‑temperature deposition and modest annealing, preserving underlying devices while delivering high‑Q microresonators for χ³ processes. Integrated χ² and χ³ nonlinearities allow cascaded frequency conversion, supercontinuum generation, and on‑chip frequency‑comb production. This platform promises compact, multi‑functional photonic chips for data‑center interconnects, LIDAR, and quantum systems.
Water Troughs Could Become Frontline Defence in Early Disease Detection
A new study by Charles Darwin University’s Research Institute for Northern Agriculture shows that environmental nucleic acid (eNA) testing of cattle water troughs can detect bacterial and viral signatures linked to livestock disease. The research compared four sampling methods—syringe, cartridge,...
Australia Declares Mainland Alpine Ash Forests Endangered
Australia’s federal government has listed mainland alpine ash forests as an endangered ecological community, citing severe decline from repeated bushfires and climate change. The 2019‑2020 summer fires destroyed roughly 80,000 hectares (about 200,000 acres) of these high‑altitude woodlands, and more...
Top Universities Sign in Support of AI for Science Strategy
A coalition of leading UK universities has formally endorsed the government’s AI for Science Strategy, describing it as a chance to cement the UK’s position in AI‑driven scientific research. Signatories—including Oxford, Cambridge, UCL, King’s College London and others—pledge expanded AI...
Nutritional and Phytogenic Modulation of Caprine Physiology: A Systematic Review of Moringa Oleifera Effects on Metabolism, Reproductive Function, and Lactation...
A systematic review of twelve controlled trials (2015‑2025) found that dietary Moringa oleifera, delivered as leaf powder, meal, extract or silage, consistently improves goat performance. Moderate inclusion (4‑10% of diet dry matter) enhanced nutrient digestibility, average daily gain by roughly...
The Association Between Acute Nutritional Changes and Prognosis in Ischemic Stroke Patients
Researchers analyzed 1,445 acute ischemic stroke patients and found that declines in the Prognostic Nutritional Index (PNI) during the first five days were independently linked to poorer functional outcomes at three months. Each 5‑unit increase in the change of PNI...
A Novel Nutritional Immune Risk Score Model for Long-Term Prognosis in Colorectal Cancer Using Clustering and Principal Component Analysis
Researchers created a Nutritional Immune Risk Score (NIRS) to improve long‑term prognosis for colorectal cancer patients by combining nutritional and tumor biomarkers. Using k‑means clustering and principal component analysis on 892 post‑resection cases, they identified four key variables—PNI, CEA, CA19‑9,...
Preoperative Nutritional Status and Its Association with Adverse Events Following Open Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair
A retrospective study of 125 patients undergoing open abdominal aortic aneurysm repair found that pre‑operative malnutrition markers—low serum albumin, total protein, and Prognostic Nutritional Index (PNI)—were independently associated with aneurysm rupture at presentation and higher 30‑day mortality. Albumin, total protein...
Body Composition–Based Nutritional Status During Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy and Its Association with Relative Dose Intensity and Hematologic Toxicity in Patients with...
A 2026 Frontiers in Nutrition study of 92 gastric‑cancer patients examined body‑composition changes measured by bioelectrical impedance before and after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. The analysis found that losses in muscle mass, skeletal muscle mass, and total body water were linked to...
Waters Debuts Industry-First Extended-Range MALS Detector for UHPLC/UPLC, Powering Rapid Characterization of Large Molecules
Waters Corporation launched the omniDAWN™ Multi‑Angle Light Scattering (MALS) Photometer, the first extended‑range detector compatible with UHPLC and UPLC. The instrument covers particle radii from 50 nm to 500 nm, enabling absolute molar mass and size measurements for large biomolecules such as...
Can You Stop Malaria Crossing Borders? One Nation’s Bid to Wipe Out the Disease
Eswatini, a land‑locked nation of 1.2 million, is intensifying its fight to eliminate malaria despite a surge in cross‑border infections and climate‑driven mosquito breeding. In 2024 the country recorded 362 confirmed cases, while neighboring Mozambique logged 11.6 million, underscoring the porous border...
A Chimpanzee’s Rhythmic Drumming with Floorboards Hints at Origins of Instruments
Japanese researchers observed Ayumu, a 26‑year‑old captive chimpanzee, repeatedly tearing floorboards to create makeshift drums and delivering rhythmic, multi‑minute performances while vocalizing. Over two years the team recorded 89 sessions across 37 days, finding that his beats were evenly spaced...
Public Can Instantly Download Raw Mars Rover Images
We have robots on Mars — 140 million miles away — actively sending us photos right now. And @nasa gives YOU the same access to those images as the mission teams. Download raw Mars 2020 images the moment they arrive: 👉 mars.nasa.gov/mars2020/multimedia/raw-images/
Colorado Leads Aerospace Innovation at Space Symposium
Great to be at the Space Symposium in Colorado Springs today, connecting with innovators and exploring the future of space. Colorado is proud to be the leader in aerospace—home to world-class companies, research institutions, and thousands of skilled workers helping...
How Your Gut Signals Fullness — and What Happens When That System Breaks Down
The post explains that the gut hormone GLP‑1, which curbs appetite and stabilizes blood sugar, depends on the short‑chain fatty acid butyrate produced by fermentable fiber. Modern diets high in seed oils and low in resistant starch starve butyrate‑producing bacteria,...
Menopause Hormone Therapy May Influence Triple‑negative Breast Cancer Risk
Amen. I wrote about this in detail in my Substack about Triple Negative Breast Cancer and Menopause Hormone Therapy: https://open.substack.com/pub/drjordanemont/p/cancer-cases-triple-negative-breast?utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=post%20viewer
UK Launches QTAP Cohort 3 Applications for Quantum Computing Access
Digital Catapult and the National Quantum Computing Centre have opened applications for the third cohort of the Quantum Technology Access Programme (QTAP). The six‑month scheme, running from July 2026 to February 2027, aims to give UK businesses practical quantum‑computing experience,...
Oak Ridge Lab Declares ‘Software Moment’ for Quantum‑HPC Integration
Oak Ridge National Laboratory announced a concerted effort to build a common software ecosystem for quantum‑high‑performance computing (Quantum‑HPC). The initiative, OpenQSE, targets a $97 billion global market projected for 2035 and seeks to prevent vendor lock‑in as quantum processors mature.
Nvidia Launches Ising Open‑source AI Suite to Speed Quantum Processor Calibration
Nvidia announced the open‑source Ising AI model suite, designed to accelerate quantum processor calibration and error correction. The company says the models run up to 2.5 times faster and deliver three times higher accuracy than existing tools, potentially shrinking calibration...
Big-Nosed Herbivorous Dinosaur May Have Been Picky Eater
New research by University of New England paleontologists reveals that the mid‑Cretaceous Australian ornithopod *Muttaburrasaurus langdoni* possessed teeth at the tip of its beak, indicating a more selective diet that may have included seeds, leaves, and possibly small animals. CT...
Spatiotemporal Light Pulses Could Secure Optical Communication by Masking Data
Ben‑Gurion University researchers have devised a secure optical‑communication scheme that embeds data within spatiotemporal optical vortices—light pulses whose structure conceals information from conventional detectors. The approach pairs these shaped pulses with a pre‑shared key and decoy‑signal algorithm, allowing only a...
Planets Need More Water to Support Life than Scientists Previously Thought
University of Washington researchers report that an Earth‑sized planet needs at least 20‑50% of Earth’s ocean water to sustain the geologic carbon cycle that stabilizes surface temperatures. Their simulations show that insufficient water leads to runaway carbon dioxide buildup, evaporating...
AI‑Enhanced Depression Screening Merges LLMs with Psychometric Tools for Faster, Nuanced Diagnosis
Researchers publishing in JMIR Formative Research unveiled an AI‑driven depression screening method that pairs large language models with standard psychometric scales, delivering real‑time, nuanced assessments. The hybrid approach promises higher detection accuracy while preserving the speed of traditional tools.
Andean Volcanic Surge 7‑5.4 Mya Linked to Global Cooling via Ocean Fertilization
University of Wyoming geologist Mark Clementz and his team have demonstrated that intensified volcanic activity in the Altiplano‑Puna region between 7 and 5.4 million years ago injected iron‑rich ash into the Southern Ocean, spurring diatom blooms that drew down 10‑15 ppm of...
Researchers Unveil Mastery-Based CBT Model to End Kids' Chronic Nightmares
A team of sleep scientists has introduced DARC‑NESS, a mastery‑based cognitive‑behavioral model designed to treat chronic nightmares in children. Published in Frontiers in Sleep, the framework emphasizes confidence‑building and coping skills to restore healthy sleep patterns and reduce downstream mental‑health...
UT Southwestern Study Finds Brain Cells Crucial to Endurance Performance
UT Southwestern Medical Center announced that new research identifies distinct brain cells that regulate endurance, showing stamina is not solely muscle‑based. The finding could pave the way for therapies that mimic exercise benefits for people unable to work out.
Ketone Ester Cut Alcohol Cravings in Small Study, Offering New Biohack
Researchers led by Xinyi Li reported that a single 395 mg/kg dose of a ketone ester supplement sharply reduced alcohol cravings in participants with alcohol use disorder and redirected brain metabolism from glucose to ketones. The pilot study, published in Psychiatry...
FDA Issues Draft Guidance to Standardize Safety Assessment of Genome‑Editing Gene Therapies
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today released a draft guidance titled “Safety Assessment of Genome Editing in Human Gene Therapy Products Using Next‑Generation Sequencing.” The document sets uniform pre‑clinical and IND requirements for ex vivo and in vivo CRISPR‑based...
Temperatures in Parts of Malaysia Hit up to 37.3°C as Uneven Rainfall Signals Rising Heat Risks Nationwide
Malaysia’s Meteorological Department reported a mix of soaring temperatures and spotty heavy rain on April 13, with Kuala Krai reaching a sweltering 37.3 °C. At the same time, Kuching recorded the day’s highest rainfall at 44.6 mm, underscoring uneven precipitation across the archipelago. Minister...
D‑Wave Launches Advantage2, Posts 179% Revenue Jump and $32.8 M Bookings
D‑Wave announced the general availability of its Advantage2 annealing quantum computer, reporting a 179% year‑over‑year revenue increase for fiscal 2025 and $32.8 million in bookings that already exceed the full‑year 2025 figure. The move expands the company’s sales pipeline by roughly...
EU Sets Course for Hybrid Quantum-Classical Supercomputing with Lumi‑Q Consortium
The European Union announced that its pending Quantum Computing Act will coordinate research and investment while launching the Lumi‑Q consortium, a 13‑partner effort across eight countries to test hybrid quantum‑classical architectures. The move signals a continent‑wide push to integrate quantum...
Newfund Closes €60 Million Neuro‑Tech Fund, Europe’s First Dedicated Brain‑Tech VC
Newfund announced the closing of a €60 million ($65 million) venture fund dedicated to neuro‑technology companies, reaching its hard‑cap within weeks. The fund, the first of its kind in Europe, aims to back early‑stage startups developing brain‑computer interfaces, neuro‑diagnostics and cognitive‑enhancement tools,...
China’s Lijian‑1 Y12 Rocket Sends Eight Satellites Into Orbit, Marking 12th Mission
China’s commercial space firm CAS Space launched the Lijian‑1 Y12 carrier rocket on April 14, 2026, successfully placing eight satellites into orbit. The flight, the 12th for the Lijian‑1 series, highlights a production cadence of over ten rockets a year...
KIMM Unveils KAIROS Humanoid Robot on 50th Anniversary, Aiming to Lead Intelligent Machine Era
The Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials (KIMM) unveiled its AI‑driven humanoid KAIROS during a 50th‑anniversary ceremony in Daejeon. The robot is the flagship of the institute’s K‑Moonshot national strategy and embodies a five‑year vision to shape Korea’s intelligent‑machine future.
Travere's FILSPARI Gains Full FDA Approval as First FSGS Therapy
Travere Therapeutics announced that the FDA has granted full approval to FILSPARI® (sparsentan) for adult and pediatric patients with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) without nephrotic syndrome. The decision makes FILSPARI the first and only FDA‑approved therapy for this rare kidney...
Effect of ‘Gamechanger’ Alzheimer’s Drugs ‘Trivial’, Review Concludes
A new Cochrane Review of 17 clinical trials involving more than 20,000 participants found that anti‑amyloid drugs—including lecanemab and donanemab—produce only trivial cognitive benefits and modest functional gains over 18 months. The analysis also highlighted a higher incidence of brain...
Scientists Wired up Volunteers’ Genitals and Had Them Watch Animals Hump to Test a Long-Held Theory
Researchers at Charles University tested whether mute videos of animal copulation trigger genital arousal in heterosexual men and women. Using penile plethysmography and vaginal photoplethysmography, they found no increase in blood flow during animal clips, while human sexual scenes produced...
Synthetic Biology Localizes Drug Production, Ending Fragile Supply Chains
Most pharmaceutical APIs still travel thousands of miles through fragile global supply chains before they reach a patient. COVID and the Russia-Ukraine war showed exactly what that fragility costs. Synthetic biology offers a different model: program cells to manufacture the molecules in...
Aged Polystyrene Microplastics Speed Worm Aging via Ferroptosis
Photoaged Polystyrene Microplastics Accelerate Aging in Caenorhabditis elegans via Ferroptosis-Linked Insulin Signaling Pathway https://t.co/gGPlKDdgW1 https://t.co/NZ31ToOTp2
The Hallmarks of Cancer: 25 Years Guiding Discovery and Therapy
Twenty‑five years after the original six Hallmarks of Cancer were proposed, Douglas Hanahan updates the framework to incorporate new hallmarks such as deregulated metabolism, immune evasion, and the tumor microenvironment. Advances in genomics, single‑cell and spatial profiling have deepened insight...
Biggest Polluters Falling Short of Climate Goals
Are two of the world’s biggest polluters doing enough to help the world avoid catastrophic climate change? https://t.co/V6giU1SQ3F
Daratumumab Boosts Revlimid Efficacy in Smoldering Myeloma
#EAonc EAA173 - Daratumumab to Enhance Therapeutic Effectiveness of Revlimid in Smoldering Myeloma (DETER-SMM) - PI: @nsc_natalie https://t.co/VtBMJUjI5X Activated: Apr 30, 2019 #mmsm @eaonc #NCT03937635 @VincentRK @mweissmdphd https://t.co/SKPUQiSaU4
Phase 3 Trial Tests Daratum
.@SWOG S2213 Ph3 RCT Dara-VC Induction Followed by ASCT or Dara-VCD Consolidation & Daratumumab Maintenance in Pts w/ Newly Diagnosed AL Amyloidosis [Activated: 12/1/23] https://t.co/OizUfJCc2c #mmsm #bmtsm https://t.co/Hq9VlRCTCI
When to Stop Myeloma Treatment: MRD Insights
MT @hhashmi87 #IMS25 Great Meet The Expert talk by @bdermanmd on MRD in Myeloma Risk vs benefit Who can stop treatment Active surveillance post discontinuation #mmMRD #mmsm https://t.co/FIDPrE7QRb
MRD‑negative Patients May Stop Myeloma Maintenance Therapy
Discontinuation of maintenance therapy in multiple myeloma guided by multimodal measurable residual disease negativity (MRD2STOP) - @bdermanmd et al. @ajjakubowiak #ASCO24 Abstract 106 https://t.co/FBTY7SnCxK #NCT04108624 #mmsm #mmMRD
Clonal Haematopoiesis Reveals New Insights Into Aging Biology
Ageing Through the Looking-Glass: The Different Flavours of Clonal Haematopoiesis "...how CH enhances our understanding of the biology of ageing." https://t.co/9MKGZIakFY https://t.co/noyHAviY3E
Vaccines Vanishing Threatens Global Health Catastrophe
The Horrors That Could Lie Ahead if Vaccines Vanish — @propublica good article on the work of @NathanLo3579 @Stanford my former mentee and amazing colleague https://t.co/n9oUgkvOZ7
Transporter 6 TLE Data Released; Qian
TLE orbit data now out for the Transporter 6 launch (Mar 30); nothing yet for last week's Qianfan launch.
Glioblastoma's Immune Microenvironment Blocks Checkpoint Therapy
The glioblastoma tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) is an immunosuppressive barrier to therapy that encumbers glioblastoma responses to immune checkpoint inhibition (ICI). https://t.co/rgIKZ8N0Q4
Fresnel Lens Heats Rocks, Drives Simple Stirling Generator
Pretty amazing if it works - concentrate sunlight with movable fresnel lens to heat rocks to 1000 degrees C and then a simple Stirling engine to generate power. Nothing that couldn’t have been built a century or more ago.