https://www.sciencedaily.com/news/index.htm/ en-us Wed, 07 Jan 2026 07:37:18 EST Wed, 07 Jan 2026 07:37:18 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/2026/01/260107012114.htm Scientists have discovered that wildfires release far more air-polluting gases than previously estimated. Many of these hidden emissions can transform into fine particles that are dangerous to breathe. The study shows wildfire pollution rivals human-made emissions in some parts of the world. This helps explain why wildfire smoke can linger and worsen air quality long after the flames are gone. Wed, 07 Jan 2026 01:34:01 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260107012114.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260106224644.htm Global cancer cases have surged dramatically, doubling since 1990 and reaching 18.5 million new diagnoses in 2023. Deaths have also climbed to over 10 million a year, with the steepest increases hitting low- and middle-income countries. Without urgent action, researchers project more than 30 million new cases annually by 2050. Alarmingly, around four in ten cancer deaths are tied to preventable risks such as smoking, poor diet, and high blood sugar. Wed, 07 Jan 2026 02:57:53 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260106224644.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260106224639.htm Bariatric surgery far outperformed GLP-1 weight loss drugs in a new real-world comparison of more than 50,000 patients. Two years after treatment, surgery patients lost about 58 pounds on average, while those using semaglutide or tirzepatide lost roughly 12 pounds. Even patients who stayed on GLP-1 drugs for a full year saw much smaller results than surgical patients. High dropout rates and real-world challenges appear to blunt the drugs’ effectiveness. Wed, 07 Jan 2026 07:36:49 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260106224639.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260106224630.htm Researchers in Japan built a miniature human brain circuit using fused stem-cell–derived organoids, allowing them to watch the thalamus and cortex interact in real time. They found that the thalamus plays a decisive role in maturing the cortex and organizing its neural networks. Signals from the thalamus triggered synchronized activity in specific neuron types, while others remained unaffected. The system closely mimics human brain development and could transform how scientists study neurological disorders. Wed, 07 Jan 2026 07:15:10 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260106224630.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260106224628.htm Researchers have reconstructed ancient herpesvirus genomes from Iron Age and medieval Europeans, revealing that HHV-6 has been infecting humans for at least 2,500 years. Some people inherited the virus directly in their DNA, passing it down across generations. The study shows that these viruses evolved alongside humans—and that one strain eventually lost its ability to integrate into our chromosomes. It’s the first time this long, intimate relationship has been proven with ancient genetic evidence. Wed, 07 Jan 2026 07:07:41 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260106224628.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260106224627.htm Researchers have developed a magnetic nanomaterial that can kill bone cancer cells and support bone regeneration at the same time. The material heats up under a magnetic field to destroy tumors, while its bioactive coating helps it bond to bone and stimulate healing. Tests showed rapid formation of bone-like minerals, a key sign of successful integration. The breakthrough could lead to smarter, less invasive treatments for bone tumors. Wed, 07 Jan 2026 04:35:39 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260106224627.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260106224625.htm Scientists have created a new way to watch plants breathe—live and in high definition—while tracking exactly how much carbon and water they exchange with the air. The breakthrough could help unlock crops that grow smarter, stronger, and more drought-resistant. Wed, 07 Jan 2026 02:17:23 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260106224625.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260106224623.htm Teens who sleep in on weekends may be giving their mental health a boost. A new study found that young people who made up for lost weekday sleep had a significantly lower risk of depression. While consistent sleep is still best, weekend catch-up sleep appears to offer meaningful protection. The findings highlight how powerful sleep can be for adolescent well-being. Wed, 07 Jan 2026 01:04:25 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260106224623.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260106001920.htm Dogs began diversifying thousands of years earlier than previously believed, with clear differences in size and shape appearing over 11,000 years ago. A massive global analysis of ancient skulls shows that early dogs were already adapting to different roles in human societies. This challenges the idea that dog diversity is mainly a product of recent breeding. Instead, it points to a long process of coevolution between humans and their earliest canine companions. Tue, 06 Jan 2026 23:43:56 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260106001920.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260106001918.htm Earthquakes happen daily, sometimes with devastating consequences, yet predicting them remains out of reach. What scientists can do is map the hidden layers beneath the surface that control how strongly the ground shakes. A new approach speeds up complex seismic simulations by a factor of about 1,000, making risk assessments far more practical. While it won’t forecast the next quake, it could help cities better prepare for one. Tue, 06 Jan 2026 23:15:15 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260106001918.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260106001916.htm A familiar mouth bacterium best known for causing cavities may also be quietly influencing the brain. Scientists found that when this microbe settles in the gut, it produces compounds that can travel through the bloodstream and harm neurons involved in movement. In animal studies, this process triggered inflammation, motor problems, and brain changes linked to Parkinson’s disease. The findings hint that protecting oral and gut health could help protect the brain as well. Tue, 06 Jan 2026 22:25:32 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260106001916.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260106001914.htm Researchers discovered that a poison frog species described decades ago was based on a mix-up involving the wrong museum specimen. The frog tied to the official species name turned out to be brown, not the colorful animal shown in the original photo. After tracing old records and images, scientists corrected the error and reclassified the frog as part of an already-known species. The case underscores how vital museum collections are—and how even small mistakes can ripple through science for years. Tue, 06 Jan 2026 20:59:08 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260106001914.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260106001913.htm Many people with multiple sclerosis struggle with balance and coordination, and this study uncovers a hidden reason why. Researchers found that inflammation in the brain disrupts the energy supply of vital movement-controlling neurons. As their mitochondria fail, these cells weaken and eventually die, worsening motor problems over time. Protecting brain energy systems could open the door to slowing these symptoms. Tue, 06 Jan 2026 03:18:40 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260106001913.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260106001911.htm Scientists are learning to engineer light in rich, multidimensional ways that dramatically increase how much information a single photon can carry. This leap could make quantum communication more secure, quantum computers more efficient, and sensors far more sensitive. Recent advances have turned what was once an experimental curiosity into compact, chip-based technologies with real-world potential. Researchers say the field is hitting a turning point where impact may soon follow discovery. Tue, 06 Jan 2026 20:28:28 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260106001911.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260106001909.htm A distant pulsar’s radio signal flickers as it passes through space, much like stars twinkle in Earth’s atmosphere. By monitoring this effect for 10 months, researchers watched the pattern slowly evolve as gas, Earth, and the pulsar all moved. Those changes create minuscule delays in the signal, but measuring them helps keep pulsars incredibly precise. The findings also aid SETI scientists in spotting signals that truly come from beyond Earth. Tue, 06 Jan 2026 18:19:08 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260106001909.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260106001907.htm A new chip-based quantum memory uses nanoprinted “light cages” to trap light inside atomic vapor, enabling fast, reliable storage of quantum information. The structures can be fabricated with extreme precision and filled with atoms in days instead of months. Multiple memories can operate side by side on a single chip, all performing nearly identically. The result is a powerful, scalable building block for future quantum communication and computing. Tue, 06 Jan 2026 02:14:34 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260106001907.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260106001906.htm Scientists have found that combining silybin with carvedilol works far better against liver fibrosis than either drug alone. The duo targets the root drivers of liver scarring, sharply reducing collagen buildup and liver damage in experimental models. Importantly, both drugs are already approved and commonly prescribed. That makes this discovery especially promising for rapid clinical translation. Tue, 06 Jan 2026 01:28:00 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260106001906.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260106001903.htm Living cells pay a hidden energy price not just to run chemical reactions, but to keep them on track and block all the alternatives. A new thermodynamic framework makes it possible to calculate these overlooked costs and compare different metabolic pathways. When tested on photosynthesis, the method showed that nature favors pathways that minimize wasted energy. This offers a powerful new lens on how life’s core processes may have evolved. Tue, 06 Jan 2026 18:05:33 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260106001903.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260105165824.htm When a huge earthquake struck near Kamchatka, the SWOT satellite captured an unprecedented, high-resolution view of the resulting tsunami as it crossed the Pacific. The data revealed the waves were far more complex and scattered than scientists expected, overturning the idea that large tsunamis travel as a single, stable wave. Ocean sensors confirmed the quake’s rupture was longer than earlier models suggested. Together, the findings could reshape how tsunamis are modeled and predicted. Tue, 06 Jan 2026 00:12:25 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260105165824.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260105165822.htm Mars looks familiar from afar, but surviving there means creating a protective oasis in a hostile world. Instead of shipping construction materials from Earth, researchers are exploring how to use Martian soil as the raw ingredient. Two tough microbes could work together to bind dust into a concrete-like material and even help generate oxygen. The vision: 3D-print habitats using local resources, one experiment at a time. Tue, 06 Jan 2026 05:13:55 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260105165822.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260105165820.htm Scientists have uncovered a surprising viral shortcut that turns moving cells into delivery vehicles for infection. Instead of spreading one virus at a time, infected cells bundle viral material into large structures called Migrions and pass them directly to new cells. This collective delivery jump-starts viral replication and boosts disease severity. The finding reveals a migration-based route of viral spread that defies classic models of infection. Mon, 05 Jan 2026 21:34:44 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260105165820.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260105165818.htm A long-running debate over Tamiflu’s safety in children may finally be settled. Researchers found that influenza, not the antiviral medication, was linked to serious neuropsychiatric events like seizures and hallucinations. Even more striking, kids treated with Tamiflu had about half the risk of these events compared to untreated children with the flu. The results suggest the drug may be protective rather than harmful. Mon, 05 Jan 2026 20:48:09 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260105165818.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260105165817.htm Researchers at USF Health have discovered a new way opioid receptors can work that may lead to safer pain medications. Their findings show that certain experimental compounds can amplify pain relief without intensifying dangerous side effects like suppressed breathing. This research offers a fresh blueprint for designing opioids that last longer, work better, and pose fewer risks. It also opens doors to safer treatments for other brain disorders. Tue, 06 Jan 2026 06:27:34 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260105165817.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260105165815.htm Researchers have created microscopic robots so small they’re barely visible, yet smart enough to sense, decide, and move completely on their own. Powered by light and equipped with tiny computers, the robots swim by manipulating electric fields rather than using moving parts. They can detect temperature changes, follow programmed paths, and even work together in groups. The breakthrough marks the first truly autonomous robots at this microscopic scale. Tue, 06 Jan 2026 07:33:12 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260105165815.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260105165813.htm Researchers studying Caribbean whales and orcas have discovered two new viruses not previously observed in these animals. The viruses were found using advanced genetic sequencing of archived samples, revealing a previously invisible layer of marine life. Their genetic makeup suggests these viruses may have ancient roots in whale evolution. What they mean for whale health is still a mystery, but the discovery opens the door to many new questions. Tue, 06 Jan 2026 08:10:12 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260105165813.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260105165811.htm Nearly all women in STEM graduate programs report feeling like impostors, despite strong evidence of success. This mindset leads many to dismiss their achievements as luck and fear being “found out.” Research links impostorism to worse mental health, higher burnout, and increased thoughts of dropping out. Supportive environments and shifting beliefs about intelligence may help break the cycle. Mon, 05 Jan 2026 20:01:59 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260105165811.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260105165809.htm The idea that we make over 200 unconscious food choices a day has been repeated for years, but new research shows the number is more illusion than insight. The famous figure comes from a counting method that unintentionally exaggerates how many decisions people really make. Researchers warn that framing eating as mostly “mindless” can undermine confidence and self-control. A more realistic view focuses on meaningful choices—and practical strategies that make healthy decisions easier. Mon, 05 Jan 2026 18:57:43 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260105165809.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260105165806.htm New research shows gut bacteria can directly influence how the brain develops and functions. When scientists transferred microbes from different primates into mice, the animals’ brains began to resemble those of the original host species. Microbes from large-brained primates boosted brain energy and learning pathways, while others triggered very different patterns. The results suggest gut microbes may have played a hidden role in shaping the human brain—and could influence mental health. Mon, 05 Jan 2026 18:23:28 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260105165806.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260104202819.htm A protein once thought to simply help cancer cells avoid death turns out to do much more. MCL1 actively drives cancer metabolism by controlling the powerful mTOR growth pathway, tying survival and energy use together. This insight explains why MCL1-targeting drugs can be effective—but also why they sometimes damage the heart. Researchers have now identified a way to reduce that risk, potentially unlocking safer cancer therapies. Mon, 05 Jan 2026 17:30:38 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260104202819.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260104202818.htm A meltwater lake that formed in the mid-1990s on Greenland’s 79°N Glacier has been draining in sudden, dramatic bursts through cracks and vertical ice shafts. These events have accelerated in recent years, creating strange triangular fracture patterns and flooding the glacier’s base with water in just hours. Some drainages even pushed the ice upward from below, like a blister forming under the glacier. Scientists now wonder whether the glacier can ever return to its previous seasonal rhythm. Mon, 05 Jan 2026 16:49:31 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260104202818.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260104202815.htm A large study has revealed that dozens of widely used chemicals can damage beneficial gut bacteria. Many of these substances, found in pesticides and everyday industrial products, were never thought to affect living organisms at all. When gut bacteria are stressed by these chemicals, some may also become resistant to antibiotics. The research raises new questions about how chemical exposure could be influencing human health behind the scenes. Mon, 05 Jan 2026 05:46:41 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260104202815.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260104202813.htm A new CRISPR breakthrough shows scientists can turn genes back on without cutting DNA, by removing chemical tags that act like molecular anchors. The work confirms these tags actively silence genes, settling a long-running scientific debate. This gentler form of gene editing could offer a safer way to treat Sickle Cell disease by reactivating a fetal blood gene. Researchers say it opens the door to powerful therapies with fewer unintended side effects. Mon, 05 Jan 2026 05:08:21 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260104202813.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260104202809.htm CO2 can stimulate plant growth, but only when enough nitrogen is available—and that key ingredient has been seriously miscalculated. A new study finds that natural nitrogen fixation has been overestimated by about 50 percent in major climate models. This means the climate-cooling benefits of plant growth under high CO2 are smaller than expected. The result: a reduced buffer against climate change and more uncertainty in future projections. Mon, 05 Jan 2026 04:46:45 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260104202809.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260104202750.htm Researchers have developed experimental compounds that make cells burn more calories by subtly tweaking how mitochondria produce energy. Older versions of these chemicals were once used for weight loss—but were banned for being deadly. The new approach fine-tunes the effect, allowing cells to burn extra fuel safely. If successful, this could pave the way for new obesity treatments with added health benefits. Mon, 05 Jan 2026 03:56:53 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260104202750.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260104202738.htm One of the most complete human ancestor fossils ever found may belong to an entirely new species, according to an international research team. The famous “Little Foot” skeleton from South Africa has long been debated, but new analysis suggests it doesn’t truly match any known Australopithecus species. Instead, researchers say its unique mix of features points to a previously unidentified human relative, reshaping ideas about early human diversity. Mon, 05 Jan 2026 02:09:35 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260104202738.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260104202734.htm Scientists have found a way to see ultrafast molecular interactions inside liquids using an extreme laser technique once thought impossible for fluids. When they mixed nearly identical chemicals, one combination behaved strangely—producing less light and erasing a single harmonic signal altogether. Simulations revealed that a subtle molecular “handshake” was interfering with electron motion. The discovery shows that liquids can briefly organize in ways that dramatically change how electrons behave. Mon, 05 Jan 2026 01:36:16 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260104202734.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260104202730.htm Tiny bits of Earth’s atmosphere have been drifting to the moon for billions of years, guided by Earth’s magnetic field. Rather than blocking particles, the magnetic field can funnel them along invisible lines that sometimes stretch all the way to the moon. This explains mysterious gases found in Apollo samples and suggests lunar soil may hold a long-term archive of Earth’s history. It could also become a valuable resource for future lunar explorers. Mon, 05 Jan 2026 00:47:06 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260104202730.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260104202125.htm Inside high-energy proton collisions, quarks and gluons briefly form a dense, boiling state before cooling into ordinary particles. Researchers expected this transition to change how disordered the system is, but LHC data tell a different story. A newly improved collision model matches experiments better than older ones and reveals that the “entropy” remains unchanged throughout the process. This unexpected result turns out to be a direct fingerprint of quantum mechanics at work. Mon, 05 Jan 2026 00:11:59 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260104202125.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260103155040.htm UK experts are warning that access to new weight-loss drugs could depend more on wealth than medical need. Strict NHS criteria mean only a limited number of patients will receive Mounjaro, while many others must pay privately. Researchers say this risks worsening existing health inequalities, especially for groups whose conditions are often missed or under-diagnosed. They are calling for fairer, more inclusive access before gaps in care widen further. Sun, 04 Jan 2026 01:35:36 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260103155040.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260103155038.htm Seeing plastic trash while hiking inspired a Rutgers chemist to rethink why synthetic plastics last forever while natural polymers don’t. By mimicking tiny structural features used in DNA and proteins, researchers designed plastics that remain durable but can be triggered to fall apart naturally. The breakdown speed can be precisely tuned, from days to years, or switched on with light or simple chemical signals. The discovery could reshape everything from food packaging to medicine delivery. Sun, 04 Jan 2026 07:25:59 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260103155038.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260103155036.htm A groundbreaking study shows that breast cancer screening works better when it’s personalized. Instead of annual mammograms for all, women were screened based on genetics, health history, and lifestyle factors. This approach reduced advanced cancers without increasing risk for those screened less often. Most women preferred the personalized model, hinting at a major shift in future screening guidelines. Sun, 04 Jan 2026 02:42:02 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260103155036.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260103155034.htm Type 2 diabetes doesn’t just raise the risk of heart disease—it physically reshapes the heart itself. Researchers studying donated human hearts found that diabetes disrupts how heart cells produce energy, weakens the muscle’s structure, and triggers a buildup of stiff, fibrous tissue that makes it harder for the heart to pump. These changes are especially severe in people with ischemic heart disease, the most common cause of heart failure. Sun, 04 Jan 2026 00:34:03 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260103155034.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260103155032.htm Not all microbes are villains—many are vital to keeping us healthy. Researchers have created a world-first database that tracks beneficial bacteria and natural compounds linked to immune strength, stress reduction, and resilience. The findings challenge the long-standing obsession with germs as threats and instead highlight the hidden health benefits of biodiversity. This shift could influence everything from urban design to environmental restoration. Sun, 04 Jan 2026 07:14:46 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260103155032.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260103155030.htm Overfished coral reefs are producing far less food than they could. Researchers found that letting reef fish populations recover could boost sustainable fish yields by nearly 50%, creating millions of extra meals each year. Countries with high hunger and nutrient deficiencies would benefit the most. Rebuilding reefs could turn ocean conservation into a powerful tool against global hunger. Sun, 04 Jan 2026 02:09:19 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260103155030.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260103155028.htm Researchers have discovered a way to help aging intestines heal themselves using CAR T-cell therapy. By targeting senescent cells that build up over time, the treatment boosted gut regeneration, reduced inflammation, and improved nutrient absorption in mice. It even helped protect the intestine from radiation damage, with benefits lasting up to a year. Early results in human intestinal cells suggest the approach could one day improve gut health in older adults and cancer patients. Sat, 03 Jan 2026 20:59:17 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260103155028.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260103155026.htm Your daily rhythm may matter more for brain health than previously thought. Older adults with weaker, more disrupted activity patterns were far more likely to develop dementia than those with steady routines. A later daily energy peak was also linked to higher risk. The study points to the body clock as a possible early warning sign for cognitive decline. Sat, 03 Jan 2026 19:52:00 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260103155026.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260103155024.htm Scientists may have cracked the case of whether a seven-million-year-old fossil could walk upright. A new study found strong anatomical evidence that Sahelanthropus tchadensis was bipedal, including a ligament attachment seen only in human ancestors. Despite its ape-like appearance and small brain, its leg and hip structure suggest it moved confidently on two legs. The finding places bipedalism near the very root of the human family tree. Sat, 03 Jan 2026 17:54:42 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260103155024.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260103155022.htm The brain constantly blends split-second reactions with slower, more thoughtful processing, and new research shows how it pulls this off. Scientists discovered that brain regions operate on different internal clocks and rely on white matter connections to share information across these timescales. The way this timing is organized affects how efficiently the brain switches between activity patterns tied to behavior. Differences in this system may help explain why people vary in cognitive ability. Sat, 03 Jan 2026 17:29:40 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260103155022.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260101160859.htm Scientists have discovered a rogue planet roaming the Milky Way after combining observations from Earth and a space telescope. This rare dual perspective allowed them to weigh the planet and pinpoint where it lies in the galaxy. With a mass similar to Saturn, the planet likely formed around a star before being thrown out. The finding opens a new window into how planets are lost to interstellar space. Sun, 04 Jan 2026 07:44:00 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260101160859.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260101160857.htm Scientists have developed molecular devices that can switch roles, behaving as memory, logic, or learning elements within the same structure. The breakthrough comes from precise chemical design that lets electrons and ions reorganize dynamically. Unlike conventional electronics, these devices do not just imitate intelligence but physically encode it. This approach could reshape how future AI hardware is built. Sat, 03 Jan 2026 16:07:40 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260101160857.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260101160855.htm Researchers using China’s “artificial sun” fusion reactor have broken through a long-standing density barrier in fusion plasma. The experiment confirmed that plasma can remain stable even at extreme densities if its interaction with the reactor walls is carefully controlled. This finding removes a major obstacle that has slowed progress toward fusion ignition. The advance could help future fusion reactors produce more power. Sun, 04 Jan 2026 17:22:31 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260101160855.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251231203753.htm The Champagne Cluster is a rare and beautiful example of two galaxy clusters smashing together. Its festive name comes from both its New Year’s Eve discovery and its bubbly appearance in space. Images reveal superheated gas and galaxies spread across a massive collision zone. Astronomers believe this system could help explain how dark matter responds when giant structures collide. Wed, 31 Dec 2025 21:04:28 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251231203753.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251228074505.htm Scientists have uncovered why big predators like sharks spend so much time in the ocean’s twilight zone. The answer lies with mid-sized fish such as the bigscale pomfret, which live deep during the day and rise at night to feed, linking deep and surface food webs. Using satellite tags, researchers tracked these hard-to-study fish for the first time. Their movements shift with water clarity, potentially altering entire ocean food chains. Sun, 28 Dec 2025 08:41:45 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251228074505.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251228074503.htm Researchers found that U.S. metal mines already contain large amounts of critical minerals that are mostly going unused. Recovering even a small fraction of these byproducts could sharply reduce dependence on imports for materials essential to clean energy and advanced technology. In many cases, the value of these recovered minerals could exceed the value of the mines’ primary products. The findings point to a surprisingly simple way to boost domestic supply without opening new mines. Sun, 28 Dec 2025 13:58:04 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251228074503.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251228074502.htm New research shows Karnak Temple was built on a rare island of high ground formed as Nile river channels shifted thousands of years ago. Before that, the area was too flooded for settlement, making the temple’s eventual rise even more remarkable. The landscape closely mirrors ancient Egyptian creation myths, where sacred land emerges from water. This suggests Karnak’s location was chosen not just for practicality, but for its deep symbolic power. Sun, 04 Jan 2026 19:45:57 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251228074502.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251228074500.htm Researchers compared a traditional Chinese medicine, Yueju Pill, with a standard antidepressant and found both reduced depression symptoms. However, only Yueju Pill increased a brain-supporting protein associated with mood improvement. Brain imaging showed that unique network patterns—especially in visual regions—could predict who benefited most from Yueju Pill. This opens the door to more personalized depression treatments guided by brain scans. Sun, 04 Jan 2026 20:38:03 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251228074500.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251228074458.htm Thanks to Einstein’s relativity, time flows differently on Mars than on Earth. NIST scientists have now nailed down the difference, showing that Mars clocks tick slightly faster—and fluctuate over the Martian year. These microsecond shifts could play a big role in future Mars navigation, communications, and even a solar-system-wide internet. It’s a small time gap with big consequences for space exploration. Tue, 30 Dec 2025 11:54:08 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251228074458.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251228074457.htm New research shows that AI doesn’t need endless training data to start acting more like a human brain. When researchers redesigned AI systems to better resemble biological brains, some models produced brain-like activity without any training at all. This challenges today’s data-hungry approach to AI development. The work suggests smarter design could dramatically speed up learning while slashing costs and energy use. Sun, 04 Jan 2026 19:08:41 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251228074457.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251228074455.htm Feeling warm or cold doesn’t just register on the skin—it changes how connected we feel to our own bodies. Research shows that temperature sensations help shape body ownership, emotional regulation, and mental well-being. Disruptions in thermal perception are linked to conditions like depression, trauma, and stroke-related body disconnect. These insights could lead to new sensory-based mental health treatments and more lifelike prosthetics. Sun, 04 Jan 2026 18:17:24 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251228074455.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251228074453.htm Scientists have detected the most distant supernova ever seen, exploding when the universe was less than a billion years old. The event was first signaled by a gamma-ray burst and later confirmed using the James Webb Space Telescope, which was able to isolate the blast from its faint host galaxy. Surprisingly, the explosion closely resembles supernovae linked to gamma-ray bursts in the modern universe. Sun, 28 Dec 2025 11:27:21 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251228074453.htm