https://www.sciencedaily.com/news/index.htm/ en-us Sun, 25 Jan 2026 10:06:42 EST Sun, 25 Jan 2026 10:06:42 EST 60 https://www.sciencedaily.com/images/scidaily-logo-rss.png https://www.sciencedaily.com/news/index.htm/ For more science news, visit ScienceDaily. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260125083421.htm A Roman-era skeleton discovered in southern England has finally given up her secrets after more than a decade of debate. Known as the Beachy Head Woman, she was once thought to have roots in sub-Saharan Africa or the Mediterranean—an idea that sparked global attention. But new, high-quality DNA analysis paints a different picture: she was most likely a local woman from Roman Britain. Sun, 25 Jan 2026 10:04:57 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260125083421.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260125083356.htm A massive new study comparing more than 100,000 people with today’s most advanced AI systems delivers a surprising result: generative AI can now beat the average human on certain creativity tests. Models like GPT-4 showed strong performance on tasks designed to measure original thinking and idea generation, sometimes outperforming typical human responses. But there’s a clear ceiling. The most creative humans — especially the top 10% — still leave AI well behind, particularly on richer creative work like poetry and storytelling. Sun, 25 Jan 2026 09:50:27 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260125083356.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260125081143.htm Long before farming took hold, ancient Indigenous peoples of the American Southwest were already shaping the future of a wild potato. New evidence shows that this small, hardy plant was deliberately carried across the Four Corners region more than 10,000 years ago, helping it spread far beyond its natural range. Sun, 25 Jan 2026 09:09:55 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260125081143.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260125081138.htm Researchers have developed a technique that allows them to carve complex three dimensional nanodevices directly from single crystals. To demonstrate its power, they sculpted microscopic helices from a magnetic material and found that the structures behave like switchable diodes. Electric current prefers one direction, but the effect can be flipped by changing the magnetization or the twist of the helix. The findings show that geometry itself can be used as a tool for electronic design. Sun, 25 Jan 2026 08:48:10 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260125081138.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260125081133.htm After analyzing 40 years of tree records across the Andes and Amazon, researchers found that climate change is reshaping tropical forests in uneven ways. Some regions are steadily losing tree species, especially where conditions are hotter and drier, while others are seeing gains. Rainfall patterns turned out to be just as important as rising temperatures. Sun, 25 Jan 2026 08:27:34 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260125081133.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260124234535.htm NASA is moving into a new phase of space exploration, with major progress across human spaceflight, science missions, and advanced technology. In just one year, the agency has launched multiple crewed and science missions, test-flown new aircraft, and pushed forward plans for the Moon, Mars, and beyond. With Artemis II set to send astronauts around the Moon for the first time in more than 50 years, NASA is laying the groundwork not just for a return to the lunar surface, but for a sustained human presence in deep space. Sun, 25 Jan 2026 00:25:37 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260124234535.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260124073929.htm Locust swarms can wipe out crops across entire regions, threatening food supplies and livelihoods. Now, scientists working with farmers in Senegal have shown that improving soil health can dramatically reduce locust damage. By enriching soil with nitrogen, crops become less appealing to the insects, leading to fewer locusts, less plant damage, and harvests that doubled in size. Sat, 24 Jan 2026 08:08:59 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260124073929.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260124073926.htm People with spinal cord injuries often lose movement even though their brains still send the right signals. Researchers tested whether EEG brain scans could capture those signals and reroute them to spinal stimulators. The system can detect when a patient is trying to move, though finer control remains a challenge. Scientists hope future improvements could turn intention into action. Sat, 24 Jan 2026 09:35:20 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260124073926.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260124073920.htm A large, decades-long study suggests that signs of ADHD in childhood may have consequences that extend well beyond school and behavior. Researchers followed nearly 11,000 people from childhood into midlife and found that those with strong ADHD traits at age 10 were more likely to experience multiple physical health problems and health-related disability by their mid-40s. Sat, 24 Jan 2026 07:39:20 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260124073920.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260124003856.htm Scientists are warning that a little-known group of microbes called free-living amoebae may pose a growing global health threat. Found in soil and water, some species can survive extreme heat, chlorine, and even modern water systems—conditions that kill most germs. One infamous example, the “brain-eating amoeba,” can cause deadly infections after contaminated water enters the nose. Even more concerning, these amoebae can act as hiding places for dangerous bacteria and viruses, helping them evade disinfection and spread. Sun, 25 Jan 2026 03:07:24 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260124003856.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260124003851.htm Chronic inflammation may be quietly reshaping the colon and making it more vulnerable to early-onset colorectal cancer. Scientists found that colon tissue in younger patients was stiffer, even in areas that appeared healthy, suggesting these changes may happen before cancer develops. Lab experiments showed that cancer cells grow faster in rigid environments. Sat, 24 Jan 2026 10:48:02 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260124003851.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260124003832.htm Aging immune cells may be sabotaging the body from within. Researchers found that macrophages produce a protein that locks them into a chronic inflammatory state, making infections like sepsis more deadly in older adults. Turning off this signal reduced inflammation and improved survival in older models. The findings hint at future treatments that could dial back harmful immune overreactions. Sat, 24 Jan 2026 10:38:46 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260124003832.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260124003829.htm Researchers have found that a natural aging-related molecule can repair key memory processes affected by Alzheimer’s disease. The compound improves communication between brain cells and restores early memory abilities that typically fade first. Because it already exists in the body and declines with age, boosting it may offer a safer way to protect the brain. The discovery hints at a new strategy for slowing cognitive ageing before severe damage sets in. Sun, 25 Jan 2026 02:17:02 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260124003829.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260124003822.htm A groundbreaking new radio image reveals the Milky Way in more detail than ever before, using low-frequency radio “colors” to map the galaxy’s hidden structures. The image is sharper, deeper, and wider than anything previously released, uncovering both star-forming regions and the remains of ancient stellar explosions. Scientists can now better distinguish where stars are being born versus where they’ve met dramatic ends. The discovery opens powerful new ways to study the life cycle of stars and the shape of our galaxy. Sat, 24 Jan 2026 03:56:41 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260124003822.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260124003816.htm Astronomers have spotted a rare, rule-breaking quasar in the early Universe that appears to be growing its central black hole at an astonishing pace. Observations show the black hole is devouring matter far faster than theory says it should—about 13 times the usual “speed limit”—while simultaneously blasting out bright X-rays and launching a powerful radio jet. This surprising combination wasn’t supposed to happen, according to many models, and suggests scientists may be catching the black hole during a brief, unstable growth spurt. Sat, 24 Jan 2026 03:27:23 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260124003816.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260124003813.htm A distant Sun-like star suddenly went dark for months, stunning astronomers who quickly realized something massive was passing in front of it. Observations revealed a gigantic disk of gas and dust filled with vaporized metals, swirling around an unseen companion object. For the first time, scientists directly measured the motion of these metallic winds inside such a disk. The findings suggest that even ancient star systems can still experience catastrophic planetary smashups. Sat, 24 Jan 2026 22:45:03 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260124003813.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260124003811.htm Pancreatic cancer may evade the immune system using a clever molecular trick. Researchers found that the cancer-driving protein MYC also suppresses immune alarm signals, allowing tumors to grow unnoticed. When this immune-shielding ability was disabled in animal models, tumors rapidly collapsed. The findings point to a new way to expose cancer to the body’s own defenses without harming healthy cells. Sat, 24 Jan 2026 00:38:11 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260124003811.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260124003808.htm Falling space junk is becoming a real-world hazard, and scientists have found a clever new way to track it using instruments already listening to the Earth itself. By tapping into networks of earthquake sensors, researchers can follow the sonic booms created when space debris tears through the atmosphere, revealing where it traveled, broke apart, and possibly hit the ground. Sat, 24 Jan 2026 23:11:43 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260124003808.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260124003806.htm Scientists are finding new ways to replace expensive, scarce platinum catalysts with something far more abundant: tungsten carbide. By carefully controlling how tungsten carbide’s atoms are arranged at extremely high temperatures, researchers discovered a specific form that can rival platinum in key chemical reactions, including turning carbon dioxide into useful fuels and chemicals. Even more promising, the same material proved dramatically better at breaking down plastic waste, outperforming platinum by more than tenfold. Sat, 24 Jan 2026 04:15:29 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260124003806.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260123225925.htm Giant kangaroos that lived during the Ice Age may not have been as slow and grounded as once believed. A new study finds their leg bones and tendons were likely strong enough to support hopping, despite their massive size. Rather than traveling this way all the time, these animals may have relied on short bursts of hopping. This ability could have played a key role in escaping predators. Fri, 23 Jan 2026 23:21:29 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260123225925.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260123225920.htm Chemotherapy’s gut damage turns out to have a surprising upside. By changing nutrient availability in the intestine, it alters gut bacteria and increases levels of a microbial molecule that travels to the bone marrow. This signal reshapes immune cell production, strengthening anti-cancer defenses and making metastatic sites harder for tumors to colonize. Patient data suggest this immune rewiring is linked to better survival. Fri, 23 Jan 2026 23:12:49 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260123225920.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260122093439.htm Type 2 diabetes becomes more dangerous to the heart the longer a person has it. Researchers found that after several years, red blood cells can begin interfering with healthy blood vessel function. This harmful shift was not present in newly diagnosed patients but emerged over time. A small molecule inside blood cells may help flag rising cardiovascular risk early. Thu, 22 Jan 2026 11:06:02 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260122093439.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260122093437.htm A new blood test may reveal Crohn’s disease years before symptoms begin. The test detects an unusual immune response to gut bacteria in people who later develop the condition. By studying healthy relatives of Crohn’s patients, researchers identified early warning signals long in advance. The findings raise hope for earlier diagnosis and future prevention. Thu, 22 Jan 2026 09:34:37 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260122093437.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260122093435.htm A new study reveals that super agers over 80 have a distinct genetic edge. They are much less likely to carry the gene most associated with Alzheimer’s risk, even when compared with other healthy seniors. Researchers also found higher levels of a protective gene variant in this group. Together, the findings help explain why some people age with remarkably youthful minds. Thu, 22 Jan 2026 09:41:30 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260122093435.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260122074702.htm Scientists found that nasal cells act as a first line of defense against the common cold, working together to block rhinovirus soon after infection. A fast antiviral response can stop the virus before symptoms appear. If that response is weakened or delayed, the virus spreads and causes inflammation and breathing problems. The study highlights why the body’s reaction matters more than the virus alone. Thu, 22 Jan 2026 08:15:47 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260122074702.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260122074659.htm Scientists studying genetic data from over a quarter million people have uncovered new clues about what controls how fast the gut moves. They identified multiple DNA regions linked to bowel movement frequency, confirming known gut pathways and revealing new ones. The biggest surprise was a strong connection to vitamin B1, a common nutrient not usually linked to digestion. Thu, 22 Jan 2026 07:53:07 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260122074659.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260122074035.htm A new study suggests humans belong in an elite “league of monogamy,” ranking closer to beavers and meerkats than to chimpanzees. By comparing full and half siblings across species and human cultures, researchers found that long-term pair bonding is unusually common in our species. Even societies that permit polygamy show far more monogamy than most mammals. This rare evolutionary shift may have played a key role in human social success. Thu, 22 Jan 2026 23:58:52 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260122074035.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260122074033.htm New research suggests that auditory hallucinations in schizophrenia may come from a brain glitch that confuses inner thoughts for external voices. Normally, the brain predicts the sound of its own inner speech and tones down its response. But in people hearing voices, brain activity ramps up instead, as if the voice belongs to someone else. The discovery could help scientists develop early warning signs for psychosis. Fri, 23 Jan 2026 08:46:23 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260122074033.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260122074031.htm In Guatemala’s Western Highlands, researchers found that the drinking water people trust most may actually be the riskiest. Bottled water from refillable jugs—seen as the safest choice—was frequently contaminated with harmful bacteria, while protected municipal wells were the cleanest. Fri, 23 Jan 2026 09:53:04 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260122074031.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260122074030.htm Researchers have identified a promising new weapon against triple-negative breast cancer, one of the most aggressive forms of the disease. An experimental antibody targets a protein that fuels tumor growth and shuts down immune defenses, effectively turning the immune system back on. In early tests, the treatment slowed tumor growth, reduced lung metastases, and destroyed chemotherapy-resistant cancer cells. Thu, 22 Jan 2026 23:43:30 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260122074030.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260122074028.htm Rare rocks buried deep in central Australia have revealed how a valuable niobium deposit formed during the breakup of an ancient supercontinent. More than 800 million years ago, tectonic rifting opened pathways that allowed metal-rich magma to rise from the mantle. These unusual rocks contain niobium, a key ingredient in high-strength steel, electric vehicles, and emerging energy technologies. The discovery offers fresh insight into how some of Earth’s most important mineral resources reach the surface. Fri, 23 Jan 2026 07:07:44 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260122074028.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260122073623.htm Alzheimer’s may be driven far more by genetics than previously thought, with one gene playing an outsized role. Researchers found that up to nine in ten cases could be linked to the APOE gene — even including a common version once considered neutral. The discovery reshapes how scientists think about risk and prevention. It also highlights a major opportunity for new treatments aimed at a single biological pathway. Fri, 23 Jan 2026 10:16:38 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260122073623.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260122073622.htm A rare fossil discovery in Ethiopia has pushed the known range of Paranthropus hundreds of miles farther north than ever before. The 2.6-million-year-old jaw suggests this ancient relative of humans was surprisingly adaptable, not a narrow specialist as once believed. Instead of being outmatched by early humans, Paranthropus appears to have been just as widespread and resilient. The find forces scientists to rethink how early human relatives lived—and competed. Fri, 23 Jan 2026 07:37:31 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260122073622.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260122073620.htm Europa’s subsurface ocean might be getting fed after all. Scientists found that salty, nutrient-rich surface ice can become heavy enough to break free and sink through Europa’s icy shell, delivering essential ingredients to the ocean below. The process is fast, repeatable, and works under many conditions. It offers a promising new explanation for how Europa could support life. Fri, 23 Jan 2026 06:14:45 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260122073620.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260122073618.htm Chemists at UCLA are showing that some of organic chemistry’s most famous “rules” aren’t as unbreakable as once thought. By creating bizarre, cage-shaped molecules with warped double bonds—structures long considered impossible—the team is opening the door to entirely new kinds of chemistry. Fri, 23 Jan 2026 03:33:33 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260122073618.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260122073616.htm Blockchain could make smart devices far more secure, but sluggish data sharing has held it back. Researchers found that messy network connections cause massive slowdowns by flooding systems with duplicate data. Their new “Dual Perigee” method lets devices automatically favor faster connections and ditch slower ones. In tests, it nearly halved delays, making real-time IoT services far more practical. Thu, 22 Jan 2026 07:36:16 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260122073616.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260122032004.htm NASA astronaut Suni Williams has retired after 27 years of service and a career defined by endurance, leadership, and firsts in space. She spent 608 days in orbit, completed nine spacewalks, and twice commanded the International Space Station. Williams flew on everything from the space shuttle to Boeing’s Starliner, playing a key role in shaping modern human spaceflight. Her legacy will influence future missions to the Moon and beyond. Thu, 22 Jan 2026 04:11:44 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260122032004.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260121233404.htm Scientists are learning how to temporarily reshape materials by nudging their internal quantum rhythms instead of blasting them with extreme lasers. By harnessing excitons, short-lived energy pairs that naturally form inside semiconductors, researchers can alter how electrons behave using far less energy than before. This approach achieves powerful quantum effects without damaging the material, overcoming a major barrier that has limited progress for years. Thu, 22 Jan 2026 00:03:43 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260121233404.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260121233400.htm When quantum spins interact, they can produce collective behaviors that defy long-standing expectations. Researchers have now shown that the Kondo effect behaves very differently depending on spin size. In systems with small spins, it suppresses magnetism, but when spins are larger, it actually promotes magnetic order. This discovery uncovers a new quantum boundary with major implications for future materials. Wed, 21 Jan 2026 23:43:56 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260121233400.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260121034148.htm A new building material developed by engineers at Worcester Polytechnic Institute could change how the world builds. Made using an enzyme that turns carbon dioxide into solid minerals, the material cures in hours and locks away carbon instead of releasing it. It’s strong, repairable, recyclable, and far cleaner than concrete. If adopted widely, it could slash emissions across the construction industry. Wed, 21 Jan 2026 03:41:48 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260121034148.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260121034146.htm A major global study suggests that a hidden mismatch between two common blood tests could quietly signal serious trouble ahead. When results from creatinine and cystatin C—two markers used to assess kidney health—don’t line up, the risk of kidney failure, heart disease, and even death appears to rise sharply. Researchers found that this gap is especially common among hospitalized and older patients, and that relying on just one test may miss early warning signs. Wed, 21 Jan 2026 12:19:18 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260121034146.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260121034140.htm A long-standing law of thermodynamics turns out to have a loophole at the smallest scales. Researchers have shown that quantum engines made of correlated particles can exceed the traditional efficiency limit set by Carnot nearly 200 years ago. By tapping into quantum correlations, these engines can produce extra work beyond what heat alone allows. This could reshape how scientists design future nanoscale machines. Thu, 22 Jan 2026 02:27:26 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260121034140.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260121034134.htm Fungal infections are becoming deadlier as drug resistance spreads and treatment options stall. Researchers at McMaster University discovered that a molecule called butyrolactol A can dramatically weaken dangerous fungi, allowing existing antifungal drugs to work again. Instead of killing the fungus directly, the molecule sabotages a vital internal system, leaving the pathogen exposed. The breakthrough could help revive an entire class of antifungal medicines once thought obsolete. Thu, 22 Jan 2026 02:05:14 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260121034134.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260121034132.htm The microbes living in sourdough starters don’t just appear by chance—they’re shaped by what bakers feed them. New research shows that while the same hardy yeast tends to dominate sourdough starters regardless of flour type, the bacteria tell a more complex story. Different flours—like whole wheat or bread flour—encourage different bacterial communities, which can subtly influence flavor, texture, and fermentation. Wed, 21 Jan 2026 11:57:54 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260121034132.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260121034130.htm New research suggests that consistent aerobic exercise can help keep your brain biologically younger. Adults who exercised regularly for a year showed brains that appeared nearly a year younger than those who didn’t change their habits. The study focused on midlife, a critical window when prevention may offer long-term benefits. Even small shifts in brain age could add up over decades. Thu, 22 Jan 2026 01:51:37 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260121034130.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260121034128.htm Researchers from New England Biolabs (NEB®) and Yale University describe the first fully synthetic bacteriophage engineering system for Pseudomonas aeruginosa, an antibiotic-resistant bacterium of global concern, in a new PNAS study. The system is enabled by NEB’s High-Complexity Golden Gate Assembly (HC-GGA) platform. In this method, researchers engineer bacteriophages synthetically using sequence data rather than bacteriophage isolates. Wed, 21 Jan 2026 11:29:55 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260121034128.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260121034125.htm New experiments reveal that protein precursors can form naturally in deep space under extreme cold and radiation. Scientists found that simple amino acids bond into peptides on interstellar dust, long before stars and planets exist. This challenges the idea that complex life chemistry only happens on planets. It also boosts the odds that life-friendly ingredients are widespread across the universe. Wed, 21 Jan 2026 09:18:29 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260121034125.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260121034119.htm Epaulette sharks can reproduce without any measurable increase in energy use, stunning researchers who expected egg-laying to be costly. Scientists tracked metabolism, blood, and hormone levels through the entire reproductive cycle and found everything stayed remarkably stable. This efficiency suggests these sharks have evolved to optimize energy in ways not seen before. Wed, 21 Jan 2026 08:37:28 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260121034119.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260121034114.htm Solar Orbiter has captured the clearest evidence yet that a solar flare grows through a cascading “magnetic avalanche.” Small, weak magnetic disturbances rapidly multiplied, triggering stronger and stronger explosions that accelerated particles to extreme speeds. The process produced streams of glowing plasma blobs that rained through the Sun’s atmosphere long after the flare itself. Wed, 21 Jan 2026 03:41:14 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260121034114.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260120095116.htm Scientists have uncovered why people with chronic kidney disease so often die from heart problems: damaged kidneys release tiny particles into the bloodstream that actively poison the heart. These particles, produced only by diseased kidneys, carry genetic material that disrupts heart function and can lead to heart failure. Tue, 20 Jan 2026 10:40:35 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260120095116.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260120095111.htm Researchers have identified a key molecular interaction that accelerates Parkinson’s disease by damaging the brain’s energy systems. They designed a new treatment that intercepts this harmful process, protecting brain cells and restoring their function. In lab and animal models, the approach improved movement and cognitive performance while reducing inflammation. The findings point toward a new generation of Parkinson’s therapies aimed at the root cause, not just the symptoms. Tue, 20 Jan 2026 10:08:47 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260120095111.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260120015654.htm Researchers have found a reliable way to grow helper T cells from stem cells, solving a major challenge in immune-based cancer therapy. Helper T cells act as the immune system’s coordinators, helping other immune cells fight longer and harder. The team discovered how to precisely control a key signal that determines which type of T cell forms. This advance could lead to ready-made cell therapies that are cheaper, faster, and easier to access. Tue, 20 Jan 2026 03:27:50 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260120015654.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260120015650.htm Scientists have uncovered a surprising reason why some chronic wounds refuse to heal, even when treated with antibiotics. A common bacterium found in long-lasting wounds does not just resist drugs. It actively releases damaging molecules that overwhelm skin cells and stop them from repairing tissue. Researchers discovered that neutralizing these harmful molecules with antioxidants allows skin cells to recover and restart healing. Tue, 20 Jan 2026 02:35:17 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260120015650.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260120015646.htm Scientists have uncovered new clues about why diabetic foot infections can become so severe and difficult to treat. By analyzing the DNA of E. coli bacteria taken from infected wounds around the world, researchers found an unexpected level of diversity, with many strains carrying genes linked to antibiotic resistance and aggressive disease. Rather than a single dangerous strain, multiple types of E. coli appear able to thrive in diabetic foot ulcers, helping explain why infections can worsen quickly and sometimes lead to amputation. Tue, 20 Jan 2026 02:02:20 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260120015646.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260120000333.htm Scientists at Stanford Medicine have discovered a treatment that can reverse cartilage loss in aging joints and even prevent arthritis after knee injuries. By blocking a protein linked to aging, the therapy restored healthy, shock-absorbing cartilage in old mice and injured joints, dramatically improving movement and joint function. Human cartilage samples from knee replacement surgeries also began regenerating when exposed to the treatment. Tue, 20 Jan 2026 23:55:09 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260120000333.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260120000330.htm Quantum computers could revolutionize everything from drug discovery to business analytics—but their incredible power also makes them surprisingly vulnerable. New research from Penn State warns that today’s quantum machines are not just futuristic tools, but potential gold mines for hackers. The study reveals that weaknesses can exist not only in software, but deep within the physical hardware itself, where valuable algorithms and sensitive data may be exposed. Tue, 20 Jan 2026 09:03:36 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260120000330.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260120000328.htm Researchers report that vagus nerve stimulation helped many people with long-standing, treatment-resistant depression feel better—and stay better—for at least two years. Most participants had lived with depression for decades and had exhausted nearly every other option. Those who improved at one year were very likely to maintain or increase their gains over time. Even some patients who didn’t respond initially improved after longer treatment. Tue, 20 Jan 2026 23:44:34 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260120000328.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260120000323.htm Ibuprofen may be doing more than easing aches and pains—it could also help reduce the risk of some cancers. Studies have linked regular use to lower rates of endometrial and bowel cancer, likely because the drug dampens inflammation that fuels tumor growth. Researchers have even found it can interfere with genes cancer cells rely on to survive. Still, experts warn that long-term use carries risks and shouldn’t replace proven prevention strategies. Tue, 20 Jan 2026 03:47:11 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260120000323.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260120000318.htm After the Big Bang, the Universe entered a long, dark period before the first stars formed. During this era, hydrogen emitted a faint radio signal that still echoes today. New simulations show this signal could be slightly altered by dark matter, leaving behind a measurable fingerprint. Future radio telescopes on the Moon may be able to detect it and shed light on one of astronomy’s greatest mysteries. Tue, 20 Jan 2026 08:34:32 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260120000318.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260120000311.htm Astronomers have captured the most dramatic view yet of a planet losing its atmosphere, watching the ultra-hot gas giant WASP-121b for an entire orbit with the James Webb Space Telescope. Instead of a single stream of escaping gas, the planet is wrapped in two colossal helium tails—one trailing behind like a comet, the other stretching ahead toward its star. Tue, 20 Jan 2026 08:01:33 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260120000311.htm