New study reveals how human astroviruses bind to humans cells and paves the way for new therapies and vaccines Human astroviruses are a leading viral cause of the stomach bug—think vomiting, diarrhea, and fever. It often impacts young children and older adults, leading to vicious cycles of sickness and malnutrition, particularly for those in low and middle income countries. It’s very commonly found in wastewater studies, meaning it’s frequently circulating in communities. As of now, there are no vaccines for…
UC San Diego-led team discovers new method for producing large amounts of color-changing, nature-inspired pigment in the lab Scientists at UC San Diego have moved one step closer to unlocking a superpower held by some of nature’s greatest “masters of disguise.” Octopuses, squids, cuttlefish and other animals in the cephalopod family are well known for their ability to camouflage, changing the color of their skin to blend in with the environment. This remarkable display of mimicry is made possible by…
Scientists uncover how support cells, once thought harmless, send damaging signals that weaken the heart Heart failure (HF) is one of the leading causes of death and disability worldwide, affecting millions of people and placing an enormous burden on healthcare systems. The disease occurs when the heart can no longer pump blood efficiently, leaving patients short of breath, fatigued, and at risk of life-threatening complications. For decades, scientists have focused on studying cardiomyocytes—the heart’s muscle cells responsible for pumping blood—believing…
The appearance of a hot sauce or pepper doesn’t reveal whether it’s mild or likely to scorch someone’s taste buds. So, researchers made an artificial tongue to quickly detect spiciness. Inspired by milk’s casein proteins, which bind to capsaicin and relieve the burn of spicy foods, the researchers incorporated milk powder into a gel sensor. The prototype, reported in ACS Sensors, detected capsaicin and pungent-flavored compounds (like those behind garlic’s zing) in various foods. “Our flexible artificial tongue holds tremendous…
European research team presents comprehensive review in Brain Medicine on tDCS, rTMS, and DBS for obsessive-compulsive disorder Lausanne, Switzerland – 28 October 2025. In a peer-reviewed article published today in Brain Medicine, a European research team presents a focused review of emerging neuromodulation techniques for treatment-resistant obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The article, “Neuromodulation techniques in obsessive-compulsive disorder: Current state of the art,” examines how transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), and deep brain stimulation (DBS) are changing…
New study finds that the nutritional value of prey within a single species can widely vary, offering key insights for food web dynamics and ecosystem change The hunt is on and a predator finally zeroes in on its prey. The animal consumes the nutritious meal and moves on to forage for its next target. But how much prey does a predator need to consume? Following a period of massive starvation among animals living along the California coast, University of California…
Earthquakes in the American state of Utah, the Soultz-sous-Forêts region of France or in the Dutch province of Groningen should not be able to occur even if the subsurface has been exploited for decades. This is because the shallow subsurface behaves in such a way that faults there become stronger as soon as they start moving. At least that is what geology textbooks teach us. And so, in theory, it should not be possible for earthquakes to occur. So why…
Young stars ejecting plasma could give us clues into the Sun’s past Kyoto, Japan — Down here on Earth we don’t usually notice, but the Sun is frequently ejecting huge masses of plasma into space. These are called coronal mass ejections (CMEs). They often occur together with sudden brightenings called flares, and sometimes extend far enough to disturb Earth’s magnetosphere, generating space weather phenomena including auroras or geomagnetic storms, and even damaging power grids on occasion. Scientists believe that when…
Just in time for Halloween, researchers from the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM), the Field Museum in Chicago, and Lawrence University in Wisconsin have announced the discovery of six new species of bats. These newly identified species, all found in the Philippines, belong to the group known as tube-nosed bats—a fascinating and diverse branch of the mammal family tree. Expanding the Tree of Life Formally recognized as new species through morphological and genetic analysis, this discovery expands the already impressive global…
Lawsonia inermis, widely recognised as the source of henna dye used for colouring skin and fabrics, may soon have a life-saving medical application. Researchers at Osaka Metropolitan University have discovered that pigments derived from the plant could help combat liver fibrosis — a serious disease that leads to excessive scar tissue formation in the liver due to chronic injury. Understanding Liver Fibrosis Liver fibrosis occurs when prolonged liver damage — often from factors like alcohol abuse or unhealthy lifestyles —…
Researchers have achieved a breakthrough in solar physics by providing the first direct evidence of small-scale torsional Alfvén waves in the Sun’s corona – elusive magnetic waves that scientists have been searching for since the 1940s. Researchers have achieved a breakthrough in solar physics by providing the first direct evidence of small-scale torsional Alfvén waves in the Sun’s corona – elusive magnetic waves that scientists have been searching for since the 1940s. The discovery, published today in Nature Astronomy, was…
Using 3D technology and interdisciplinary expertise, a research team has explored Buddhist temples in the remote Dolpo region of Nepal and digitized them for posterity In the high-altitude and extremely remote region of Dolpo in north-west Nepal, there are numerous Buddhist temples whose history dates back to the 11th century. The structures are threatened by earthquakes, landslides and planned infrastructure projects such as the Chinese Belt and Road Initiative. There is also a lack of financial resources for long-term maintenance….
Study finds the molecule CCL5 is both protective and harmful, suggesting future drugs could target only its damaging effects Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a progressive condition in which the kidneys gradually lose their ability to filter waste from the blood. It is a common health concern that affects an estimated 8–16% of the global population, particularly among older adults. CKD can arise from various causes, including glomerulonephritis, a group of diseases that damage the glomeruli, the tiny filtering units…
Chemical found in consumer products and used in dry cleaning shown to triple the risk of liver fibrosis LOS ANGELES — Liver disease is usually caused by one of three factors: alcohol consumption, fat buildup in the liver linked to obesity, diabetes and high cholesterol, or hepatitis B and C. Now, a new study published in Liver International from Keck Medicine of USC reveals that tetrachloroethylene (PCE), a chemical used in dry cleaning and found in consumer products such as…
Unless you’ve owned reptiles, you might not know that many of them “pee” crystals. Researchers publishing in the Journal of the American Chemical Society investigated the solid urine of more than 20 reptile species and found spheres of uric acid in all of them. This work reveals how reptiles uniquely package up and eliminate crystalline waste, which could inform future treatments for human conditions that also involve uric acid crystals: kidney stones and gout. Most living things have some sort…
Type 2 diabetes (T2D), once considered an adult-onset disease, is increasing at alarming rates in children and adolescents. Before the mid-1990s, just 1% to 2% of youth with diabetes had T2D. Today, that number has skyrocketed to between 24% and 45%, with the average age of diagnosis hovering around 13 years old. This troubling trend closely tracks with the ongoing rise in childhood obesity. While genetics, diet and physical activity all play roles in T2D risk, new research from Florida…
Feedback
