Know What's Happening in Science
Know What's Happening in Science
High‑altitude hypoxia curbs blood‑sugar spikes in mice
A mouse study found that low‑oxygen (hypoxic) conditions cause red blood cells to absorb far more glucose and convert it into a molecule that eases oxygen release, acting as a glucose sink. Mice exposed to 8% oxygen showed markedly smaller blood‑sugar spikes after glucose injections, and the effect persisted after they returned to normal air.
Harvard researchers published a Cell study showing that mouse skin can fully regenerate by reactivating an embryonic healing program that normally shuts down after birth. They identified excessive nerve growth—hyperinnervation—driven by fibroblast‑derived Cxcl12 as the key barrier to regeneration. Genetic removal of Cxcl12 or local Botox treatment eliminated the nerve overgrowth and restored regeneration of hair follicles, glands, vessels and other cell types. The work suggests a tractable route to scar‑free wound healing in humans.
Doctors at Liverpool and Cardiff University, together with 20 NHS hospitals, completed a large randomized trial of a rapid procalcitonin‑guided algorithm for suspected sepsis. The study of 7,667 emergency patients showed a 17% relative drop in mortality—from 16.6% to 13.6%—equating...
A new neuroimaging study published in *Politics and the Life Sciences* shows that Democrats and Republicans use distinct neural pathways when making identical grocery choices, even though their purchasing behavior is statistically indistinguishable. Researchers scanned 65 partisans in Kansas City...
A new cross‑species study shows that both humans and mice experience a gradual loss of modular specialization in brain networks as they age. Researchers used ultra‑high‑field fMRI to scan awake mice throughout their lifespans, revealing that the human brain’s greater...
Scientists at Singapore’s A*STAR Infectious Diseases Labs discovered that tuberculous granulomas persist after standard TB therapy and provide a protected niche for secondary pathogens such as Mycobacterium abscessus. The study, published in Nature Communications, shows that these granulomas shield bacteria...
Jean‑Baptiste Lamarck is often remembered for the discredited idea that acquired traits are inherited, yet he pioneered the concept that organisms actively reshape themselves and their environments. Historian Jessica Riskin’s new book, *The Power of Life*, reexamines his broader contributions,...
One of the most remarkable things about 5-meo-DMT as an antidepressant is that the psychoactive experience is so brief. 10 minute peak, perhaps. 20 min total. And people seldom remember it well. Yet it has possibly the largest anti-depressant effect...
Bioengineers embedded soft, stretchable electronics into the tiny clusters to create “cyborg” organoids. These can mimic the pancreas, sensing glucose levels and releasing hormones. They could help build replacement cells for people with type 1 diabetes. https://spectrum.ieee.org/cyborg-stem-cell-therapy-for-diabetes
A new UCL‑Imperial study finds multiple sclerosis prevalence in England more than doubled between 2000 and 2020, rising from 107 to 232 cases per 100,000—a 6% annual increase. The surge reflects earlier, more accurate diagnoses and longer patient survival thanks...
A new study published in The Journal of Nutrition identifies the hormone asprosin as a potential predictor of weight and body‑composition changes in postmenopausal women. Analyzing data from more than 4,000 participants in the Women’s Health Initiative over three years,...
A multi‑institutional study in the Journal of Clinical Investigation shows that vertical sleeve gastrectomy in adolescents with type 2 diabetes and obesity triggers profound molecular reprogramming of kidney cells, leading to functional recovery. Over a 12‑month follow‑up, participants lost weight, improved...
The World Health Organization has endorsed a new near‑point‑of‑care molecular test that uses a simple tongue swab to detect tuberculosis in under an hour. Developed by PlusLife on its MiniDock platform, the device costs up to 90% less than GeneXpert...
While we don't have access to the astrophage from ProjectHailMary in real life, scientists are designing space probes that rely on the same basic principle it uses to travel between the stars: very low mass objects accelerated to very high...
A randomized trial involving 480 seniors at risk for Alzheimer’s tested whether exercise, intensive vascular risk reduction, or their combination could improve cognition over two years. While participants achieved significant cardiovascular gains—blood pressure fell 13 mm Hg and LDL dropped 24 points—the...
A team of geochemists led by Wayne Zhao sampled tiny fragments of mummy tissue and wrappings to identify the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that give ancient Egyptian mummies their distinctive aromas. The analysis uncovered a cocktail of resins, spices, animal...
A new meta‑analysis in JAMA Ophthalmology estimates that 21.9 million Americans live with age‑related macular degeneration (AMD), 10 million with diabetic retinopathy (DR), 1.1 million with diabetic macular edema (DME) and 0.9 million with retinal vein occlusion (RVO) as of 2022. Prevalence varies sharply...
A large prospective study of 341,519 adults followed for 13.4 years found that high combined intake of fruits, vegetables, legumes and potatoes cut the risk of Crohn's disease by 56 percent (adjusted hazard ratio 0.44). The same dietary pattern showed...
In Episode 193 of STEM Talk, neuroscientist Dr. Tommy Wood discusses his new book, *The Simulated Mind*, which challenges the long‑standing belief that adult brains are fixed and inevitably decline. He explains how modern research shows the brain remains plastic...
University of Calgary's newly formed Centre for Far‑From‑Equilibrium Nanostructured Cleantech Materials (CeFar) received a CAD 4.25 million (≈US 3.1 million) grant from the Canada Foundation for Innovation. The funding will expand CeFar’s ten labs across the Schulich School of Engineering and Faculty of Science,...
During the first quarter, leading spine surgeons performed a series of first‑in‑human procedures, showcasing new devices and techniques ranging from a standalone ALIF system to augmented‑reality‑guided resections. Notable milestones included Curiteva’s Inspire ALIF, Dymicron’s Triadyme‑C cervical disc, icotec’s CMORE CT...
The Journal of the American Society of Nephrology released new evidence‑based guidance on conservative management for kidney failure, authored by Susan P.Y. Wong and colleagues. The document outlines three core components—customized CKD care, symptom management, and coordinated care transitions—across varying...
The Neuroscience of Vitality and Aging (NOVA) Conference will convene on April 25, 2026 in Boston, bringing together neuroscientists, biotech entrepreneurs, policymakers, and investors for a single‑day interdisciplinary forum. Hosted by the Aging Initiative, the event aims to bridge fragmented...
A prospective study of 38 new wearers of Biofinity silicone‑hydrogel contact lenses found no statistically significant change in corneal sensitivity over the first six weeks of daily use. Measurements taken at baseline, one week, and six weeks showed stable sensitivity...
Scientists are investigating selective brain cooling as a proactive defense against altitude sickness, especially high‑altitude cerebral edema. Current treatments—acetazolamide, dexamethasone, supplemental oxygen—have limited efficacy and notable side effects. Cooling helmets and cervical collars can lower brain temperature by up to...
Chinese researchers have created a rare‑earth alloy, EuCo₂Al₉, that cools to 106 millikelvin using adiabatic demagnetization refrigeration, eliminating the need for scarce helium‑3. The solid‑state material combines ultra‑low temperature performance with high thermal conductivity, enabling compact, moving‑part‑free cooling modules. Laboratory tests...
A team led by Kevin Barreto and Liam Price coaxed GPT‑5.4 Pro into solving a Ramsey‑hypergraph conjecture that has been open since a 2019 paper by Will Brian and Paul Larson. The solution marks the first AI‑generated answer on the...
Marine biologists warn that the 2026 Atlantic Sargassum bloom is on track to become the largest and most odorous season on record, with an estimated 9.3 million tons heading toward Florida and the Caribbean. The bloom is arriving earlier than usual,...
Researchers at the University of Edinburgh have engineered bacteria to transform PET plastic waste into levodopa, a primary treatment for Parkinson’s disease. By inserting a seven‑gene, four‑step biosynthetic pathway into Escherichia coli, the team converted both industrial PET feedstock and...
Researchers at Oregon Health & Science University discovered that mild neonatal hypoxia—common in preterm infants—disrupts the maturation of hippocampal SK2 potassium channels without causing overt brain injury. The molecular defect emerges during adolescence, leading to lasting learning and memory deficits....
Phase 3 data presented at the 2026 Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections show that the doravirine‑islatravir (DOR/ISL) two‑drug regimen met non‑inferiority criteria versus the standard bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide (BIC/FTC/TAF) triple‑pill. At week 48, 91.8% of participants on DOR/ISL achieved viral suppression compared...
BTK inhibitors have become the cornerstone of chronic lymphocytic leukemia therapy, replacing traditional chemotherapy. Brukinsa (zanubrutinib) is a second‑generation irreversible inhibitor that offers high selectivity and strong efficacy in treatment‑naïve or early‑relapse patients, with reduced cardiovascular risk. Jaypirca (pirtobrutinib) is...
Aging and Parkinson’s disease force the brain into overdrive during balance recovery, causing larger neural and muscle responses even to minor slips. This heightened cortical activity correlates with reduced physical stability and increased fall risk. The study also shows that...
Researchers at NUS Medicine found that five hours of sleep deprivation disrupts synaptic plasticity in the hippocampal CA2 region, leading to social memory deficits in mice. Providing caffeine in drinking water for seven days restored CA2‑dependent long‑term potentiation and rescued...
Scientists using diffusion‑weighted MRI have shown that the human parietal cortex can undergo measurable microstructural changes within just one hour of learning. The alterations, linked to successful recall, persisted for at least 12 hours, indicating rapid neuroplasticity. The results overturn...
Introducing Ⓛ 𝗟𝗔𝗖𝗘 𝗟𝗜𝗧𝗛𝗢𝗚𝗥𝗔𝗣𝗛𝗬 A novel approach to chip-making that can extend Moore's Law 10x beyond what is possible with light — to atomic resolution. News today: "Manufacturers use light-based lithography systems made by the Dutch company ASML, which dominates the market....
We just ordered Boom's first Scanning Electron Microscope. Extremely serious materials development is now happening. I think by the end of this year Boom will have the most advanced turbine blade manufacturing anywhere in the world.
A large meta‑analysis of 421,799 Europeans found psychosocial stressors do not increase overall cancer risk. The study examined five psychosocial factors—including perceived support, distress, neuroticism, relationship status and recent loss—across breast, colorectal, lung, prostate and alcohol‑related cancers. No associations emerged...
Aging underpins most chronic diseases and remains the biggest challenge to human health. Thank you @carninci for the opportunity to present @humantechnopole on aging, genomics and AI approaches to identify longevity targets and drugs. https://t.co/ysDGHfJeY0
Gas infrastructure is spewing methane and carbon dioxide into the atmosphere as airstrikes intensify and the Strait of Hormuz remains closed. https://t.co/XysNBe1tfC
SpinLaunch is developing a kinetic‑launch system that uses a 100‑meter vacuum chamber to spin payloads, potentially cutting rocket fuel and structural mass by up to 70 %. The company raised $30 million in a Series C round, bringing total funding to $203 million, and...
Is there an association between daytime napping, cognitive function, and brain volume? A Mendelian randomization study in the UK Biobank https://t.co/AQI9U7Mpri
Hey academic climate folks, great new chaired position at @uniofeastanglia working w/ the folks at the Climatic Research Unit in Norwich UK: https://t.co/F5KtwO2jse (h/t @TimOsbornClim)
NASA’s Hubble and James Webb Space Telescopes captured a high‑resolution view of the Pinwheel Galaxy (Messier 101) on March 16, 2026. The combined ultraviolet, visible and near‑infrared data focus on the galaxy’s core, which lies about 25 million light‑years away and presents a rare face‑on...
The conflict in the Middle East appears to have forced some oil and gas companies to directly burn off more natural gas than usual at their facilities, releasing planet-warming pollution into the atmosphere https://t.co/HkXsn5239y
Effectiveness of fermentation broth of Cordyceps sinensis for primary insomnia: a randomized clinical trial with digital health tool https://t.co/g5iOuzkctO
The World Meteorological Organization announced that Earth's climate energy imbalance set a new record in 2025, with 91% of excess heat trapped by the oceans. The finding underscores accelerating warming and fuels urgent calls for stronger climate action.
Russia’s Progress 94 cargo freighter suffered an antenna deployment failure shortly after liftoff, preventing its planned autonomous docking with the International Space Station. NASA announced that cosmonaut Sergey Kud‑Sverchkov will pilot the vehicle manually using an undisclosed backup system. The spacecraft...
A new modeling study predicts Antarctic amplification, meaning the continent could warm 1.4 times faster than the rest of the Southern Hemisphere. The acceleration is expected once global temperatures reach about 2 °C (3.6 °F) above pre‑industrial levels, potentially by the 2040s‑2050s....
