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Researchers from Queen Mary University of London have found that a medication originally developed for glycemic control can reverse serious heart damage—not by controlling blood sugar as originally intended, but by retraining the immune system to protect the heart from within.

Some solid materials can cool down or heat up when pressure is applied or released. This behavior enables cooling and heating technologies that do not rely on climate-damaging refrigerant gases. In practice, however, a major obstacle remains: many materials behave differently during heating and cooling, which makes their response difficult to use reliably in real devices. In a study published in the journal Communications Materials, researchers investigate a solid material known for its exceptionally large cooling/heating response (thermal response) under pressure and ask a simple question: can this response be made more reliable? They show that a very small change in composition leads to a clear improvement and use neutron experiments to explain why this improvement occurs.

In recent years, mRNA in lipid nanoparticles (mRNA–LNPs) has emerged as a promising strategy for treating numerous conditions, including COVID-19, various cancers and chronic genetic disorders. To date, this technology has not been successfully used for pancreatic diseases, but that could be about to change. In a paper published in Nature, scientists from China report the development of a new lipid nanoparticle drug-delivery system specifically designed for the pancreas.

Planetary systems such as our solar system take hundreds of millions of years to evolve. Since humanity has only existed for a sliver of that time, astronomers have only observed planetary systems at birth or, more often, long after they have settled into adulthood. There is an information gap about what happens in the middle.

Certain imagery-based techniques can reduce the fear of failure that results from difficult childhood memories, according to research by scientists from SWPS University and the Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology. The researchers described their findings in a paper published in the journal Frontiers in Psychology.

A comprehensive game plan and strategic tactics are critical to winning soccer, but how much does a team's unpredictability in moving the soccer ball around the pitch matter? In a new article published in PLOS One, an international team of researchers analyzed event data from top-tier association soccer competitions to provide insights into match analysis, player tactics and game strategy.

The dominant theory in neuroscience has been that the sensory processing circuits in our brain are finalized in early childhood and fixed afterward. A recently published study, however, overturned this widely believed theory, and suggested that the brain remodels its own circuits even during adulthood and increases the precision of sensory perception.

Monthly injections of long-acting cabotegravir-rilpivirine are superior to standard oral antiretroviral therapy (ART) in persons with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and medication adherence challenges, according to a study published online Feb. 18 in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Large-capacity rechargeable batteries capable of sustaining repeated charge-discharge cycles are expected to become core technologies for electric vehicles and other elements of an electrified society. However, current systems often rely on costly metals such as lithium and platinum, creating an urgent demand for more cost-effective alternative materials.

Researchers working with Professor Ralf Erdmann at Ruhr University Bochum, Germany, have discovered a critical vulnerability shared by the pathogens that cause African sleeping sickness, Chagas disease, and leishmaniasis. The PEX38 protein plays a crucial role in the formation of certain organelles of the trypanosomes that are essential for their energy supply. Because humans do not require this protein, it represents a promising target for new treatments against tropical diseases that affect more than 1 billion people worldwide every year.

A research team in China has developed an electrolyte using monofluorinated hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) solvents capable of achieving energy densities higher than 700 Wh kg−1 at room temperature and about 400 Wh kg−1 at −50 °C, a significant improvement over current technologies. Their work, recently published in Nature, has potential applications in electric vehicles, aerospace, and grid storage for operation in extreme climates.

Duckweed is the fastest-growing flowering plant, but new knowledge of duckweed genetics discovered by Adelaide University researchers could lead to even faster growing rates. The research team, led by Professor Nikolai Borisjuk at the Institute of Cell Biology and Genetic Engineering in Kyiv, Ukraine, described for the first time the architecture of the duckweed 5S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) chromosomal locus at the nucleotide level.

German carmaker BMW said Friday it plans to deploy two AI-powered humanoid robots in a factory in a pilot program for the first time this year.

NASA said Friday it's adding an extra moon mission by Artemis astronauts before attempting a high-risk lunar landing with a crew.

Academic writing is one of the skills that students find most difficult to learn on the side. Particularly in bachelor's programs, precise and specific feedback is needed to turn initial drafts into robust exposés for final theses and peer reviews—feedback from fellow students—into genuinely helpful guidance. In practice, this is extremely challenging: In large courses, a vast number of texts have to be carefully read and evaluated according to uniform criteria every semester, and on top of that, there is assessment of the peer reviews.

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is among the most common psychiatric disorders, affecting approximately 330 people worldwide. This disorder is characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, low motivation, a loss of interest in daily activities, and possible disruptions in sleep and/or appetite changes.

For patients with advanced melanoma without BRAF mutation who no longer respond to immune checkpoint inhibitors, treatment options remain frustratingly limited. A new study from Vanderbilt researchers led by Professor Emerita of Pharmacology Ann Richmond outlines a promising therapeutic strategy that may resensitize these resistant tumors to immunotherapy.

Simulated lunar dirt can be turned into extremely durable structures, potentially paving the way to more sustainable and cost-effective space missions, a new study suggests. Using a special laser 3D printing method, researchers melted fake lunar soil—a synthetic version of the fine dusty material on the moon surface, called regolith simulant—into layers and fused it with a base surface to manufacture small, heat-resistant objects.

Higher levels of blood lactate may be the key to a longer life for people with the neurodegenerative condition ALS, new research suggests. A study at The University of Queensland and Japan's Shiga University of Medical Science has revealed blood lactate is a key biomarker that can predict physical outcomes and prognosis in patients with ALS. The research was published in the Annals of Neurology.

A research team affiliated with UNIST has unveiled a novel dry-process manufacturing method for thick electrodes aimed at enhancing electric vehicle (EV) driving range while reducing battery production costs. Professor Won-Jin Kwak of the School of Energy and Chemical Engineering at UNIST, in collaboration with Professor Junghyun Choi of Gachon University and Professor Janghyuk Moon of Chung-Ang University, have successfully overcome key challenges associated with thick, dry-processed electrodes—specifically initial capacity loss and manufacturing complexity.

Tardigrades, commonly known as water bears, may be better suited by a new name: Tardiguardians of the Galaxy. Unlike the fictional ragtag team of unenthusiastic heroes, the microscopic animals are providing real insight into how humans could adapt extraterrestrial resources to support space exploration, as well as whether such resources could help protect against the Earthly contaminants that humans might shed.

Emergency evacuations during natural disasters like earthquakes and tsunamis increasingly rely on advanced technology to effectively assess real-time crowd movement and points of congestion. Disaster-preparedness involves the development of an optimized technology that is easy to use and interpret.

In the era of climate crisis, hydrogen vehicles are emerging as an alternative for eco-friendly mobility. However, the fuel cell, known as the "heart of the hydrogen car," still faces limitations of high cost and short lifespan. The core cause is the platinum catalyst. While it is a decisive material for generating electricity, the reaction is slow, performance degrades over time, and manufacturing costs are high. Korean researchers have presented a clue to solving this difficult problem.

A protein that is a key modulator of fat, glucose and cholesterol levels in the body usually works in tandem with another protein, but new research shows it can also work with an unexpected partner—itself. A team of Penn State researchers has now characterized the structure of this twin pairing, finding that while its conformation is different, it can still perform its function of activating the expression of other genes. The finding, the team said, could open new pathways for therapies for liver cancer, diabetes and other metabolic diseases by targeting the twin pair to treat or prevent disease with potentially fewer off-target side effects.

Japan is an archipelago with diverse climate zones and complex topography that is prone to heavy rain and flooding. Add the growing effects of global warming. These disaster risks are heightened with an increased frequency and intensity of extreme precipitation events. Thus, predicting when and where these events might strike is crucial for future-proofing vulnerable infrastructure, especially in rural areas.

Many cutting-edge technologies, ranging from augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) to LiDAR (light detection and ranging) systems, rely on components that enable the precise control of light. These components include so-called spatial light modulators (SLMs), systems that dynamically adjust the position of a light wave within its cycle (i.e., phase), as well as its amplitude or direction across several pixels.

Refugee and immigrant children are less likely to visit the emergency department (ED) for minor illnesses (e.g., respiratory infections) compared to children born in Ontario, according to a new study from ICES and The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids). The study, "Emergency department visits for minor illnesses among recent refugee and immigrant children," is published inJAMA Network Open.

This striking image from the science camera on ESA's Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (Juice) shows interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS spewing dust and gas. The tiny nucleus of the comet (not visible) is surrounded by a bright halo of gas known as the coma. A long tail stretches away from the comet, and we see hints of rays, jets, streams, and filaments.

New research from the University of St Andrews published in Current Biology has shown that the role of age in male humpback whale reproduction has changed as populations recover from centuries of exploitation. Whaling drove many large whale populations to the brink of extinction. But its legacy runs deeper than a drastic decline in numbers. Decades after commercial whaling ended, its impacts continue to shape whale populations, influencing not just how many whales there are, but which males get to reproduce.

A new Trinity study is the first-of-its-kind in Ireland to specifically focus on women to address the disproportionately poor physical health of this population when compared to the general population. The study published by Trinity College researchers from the School of Medicine in the journal BMJ Open, explored the effect of an exercise program in a Dublin day center for women who are dealing with challenging issues.

A team from the Monash University Biomedicine Discovery Institute has identified a tick-derived evasin that can bind to two major classes of chemokines, a discovery that is important for the development of therapeutics targeting inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. The work is published in the journal Structure.

Researchers have taken inspiration from nature to create a robotic wing that can sense and adapt to changes in water to deliver unparalleled stability. Drawing on the adaptive movements of birds and fish, the wing senses disturbances in the flow of water and automatically changes its shape to adjust to these.

Modern hip replacements are nearly twice as likely as older hip replacements to last at least 25 years, suggests a study published in The Lancet. The authors of the systematic review and meta-analysis employed advanced modeling techniques to estimate that 92% of modern hip replacements are likely to last at least 25 years.

UBC Okanagan researchers and Canadian egg farmers have created a practical tool to help producers balance environmental and economic trade-offs. Researchers at UBC Okanagan and Canadian egg farmers have built a practical decision-making tool to help producers balance environmental, economic and management trade-offs on their farms. The project developed software that brings together key sustainability indicators in one place to help farmers establish benchmarks for their farms, compare options and understand the consequences of different green technology adoption and management choices.

Has the U.S. Department of Agriculture flipped everything you thought you knew about nutrition on its head? At first glance, the newly released dietary guidelines featuring a new food pyramid may seem like a protein-first approach to eating well. However, registered dietitians and public health experts say the basics are largely the same as the advice author Michael Pollan shared in his book "Food Rules": "Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants."

With a simple motion, a jack-in-the-box-like spring designed at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory showed the potential of additive manufacturing, also known as 3D printing, to cut costs and complexity for futuristic space antennas. Called JPL Additive Compliant Canister (JACC), the spring deployed on the small commercial spacecraft Proteus Space's Mercury One on Feb. 3, 2026. An onboard camera captured a video of the spring popping out of its container as the spacecraft passed over the Pacific Ocean in low-Earth orbit.

You've probably heard or read about congestive heart failure. Maybe you've even been told you have it, or know someone who has. In the future, however, you may not encounter the "congestive" part of the diagnosis as frequently in discussions with your doctor or in health articles like this. The term "congestive heart failure" is falling out of favor with doctors. A Keck Medicine of USC cardiologist explains why—and why the shift may signal better outcomes for patients.

Innovation in artificial intelligence applications, including the rising tide of AI agents, is based on startups accessing AI foundation models offered by Anthropic, OpenAI, and Google. Each of these companies also competes with those startups, creating conflicts of interest. A new report by Vanderbilt Policy Accelerator director of artificial intelligence and technology policy Asad Ramzanali and Akhil Rajan analyzes the foundational model market, highlights a case study of a startup that experienced unfair treatment from a foundation model provider, and recommends a requirement for AI neutrality similar to "net neutrality" rules in broadband.

An AI can accurately diagnose a rare endocrinological condition just by analyzing pictures of the back of the hand and the clenched fist. The privacy-conscious achievement by Kobe University holds promise for establishing more efficient referral systems and reducing health care disparities across communities.

A University of Tsukuba research team has found that drinking unsweetened, highly carbonated (sparkling) water during a three-hour esports session can help players maintain mental focus with less fatigue and greater game enjoyment than when drinking plain water. The study is published in the journal Computers in Human Behavior Reports.

Participants in a New Zealand e-bike pilot program say cycling has improved their physical and mental health and helped in managing chronic conditions such as diabetes and asthma, a study from the University of Otago, Wellington–Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka, Pōneke has found.

Regular perovskite solar cells (PSCs)—which place the electron-transport layer beneath the perovskite absorber and the hole-transport layer on top—have limitations with respect to large-scale manufacturing and stability. In contrast, inverted PSCs—which reverse the positions of the electron- and hole-transport layers—boast high power conversion potential and good compatibility with scalable solution processing techniques, making them a promising photovoltaic technology.

New data centers are springing up worldwide as demand soars for artificial intelligence and cloud computing, with Asia one of the sector's fastest growing regions.

A new material can store energy from sunlight and convert it into hydrogen days later. The material, jointly developed by researchers from Ulm and Jena, can do this even in the dark. The process is reversible and can be reactivated several times using a pH switch. The results are published in the journal Nature Communications.

A team from the University of Stuttgart, together with international researchers, has succeeded in enhancing both the efficiency and environmental resilience of perovskite solar cells. This is another important step toward the application of a technology that holds great promise for photovoltaics. The research is published in the journal Nature Energy.

A 22-meter robot arm will help remove a third sample of radioactive debris from inside Japan's stricken Fukushima nuclear plant, its operator said Thursday, as it unveiled the snake-like device.

In the search for more, new and cleaner sources of energy, a largely untapped resource is emerging: natural hydrogen.

Training police officers with a virtual-reality game can significantly improve their ability to regulate stress, even in realistic, high-pressure situations. The VR game, developed at the Donders Institute at Radboud University, has already been integrated into several police training programs.

Reasoning large language models (LLMs) are designed to solve complex problems by breaking them down into a series of smaller steps. These powerful models are particularly good at challenging tasks like advanced programming and multistep planning. But developing reasoning models demands an enormous amount of computation and energy due to inefficiencies in the training process. While a few of the high-power processors continuously work through complicated queries, others in the group sit idle.

Adelaide University researchers have initiated the development of a world-first cybersecurity system designed to protect drones from increasingly sophisticated cyber threats. The new study led by the Industrial AI Research Center and published in the journal Computers & Industrial Engineering, paves the way for safer and more resilient unmanned aerial systems (UAS) that are less vulnerable to hacking, signal disruption and malicious software.

A battery's positive end (cathode) and negative end (anode) are two vital components that largely define how well it can perform. In particular, researchers have focused on improving the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of cathode design, since they can account for a significant amount of the costs for producing lithium batteries.

Africa's freight corridors, long dominated by diesel trucks and constrained by unreliable power grids, are emerging as a new frontier in the global shift toward clean logistics, with solar-powered charging hubs designed specifically for heavy-duty electric trucks.