Brightsurf delivers daily science news discoveries, articles, and the latest scientific breakthroughs. Your trusted source for science news today, covering nature news, science & technology, and scientific discoveries from leading research institutions worldwide.
A new Stanford-led study confirms the primary cause of the Permian–Triassic extinction event, which wiped out 96% of marine species and 70% of land animals. The research reveals that organisms with slower metabolisms and more vulnerable conditions were disproportionately affected by warming oceans and decreased oxygen availability.
A new study published in Biochar shows that combining green manure with biochar can improve soil quality, support maize yield, and reduce dependence on nitrogen fertilizer. The research found that soil microbial diversity emerged as a central driver of improved soil quality.
Andean leaf-eared mice have evolved to survive extreme elevations with low oxygen and freezing temperatures. They can generate higher heat through shivering and process plant-derived dietary toxins.
Researchers at Tufts University developed tiny tattoo-like sensors that track temperature, humidity, and stem growth in plants. These sensors provide an early warning system for farmers, allowing them to respond before visible signs of plant stress appear.
The COCOON Lab provides a coordinated suite of microscopes that work together to connect macro-scale observations to findings at the nanoscale. This allows researchers to study biological and industrial materials in unprecedented detail, from the macroscale down to the molecular scale.
A two-year field study shows that biochar-derived from rice straw improves soil health and crop resilience to saline-sodic stress. Biochar enhances nitrogen metabolism, increases yield, and reduces oxidative stress, making it a promising strategy for sustainable rice production in salt-affected regions.
Researchers have developed a biochar adsorbent that combines physical and chemical interactions to capture tetracycline molecules. The material showed high tetracycline adsorption capacity and good resistance to coexisting ions, suggesting potential for repeated operation.
A team of researchers developed a method to control powering down catalysts, improving carbon dioxide conversion without loss of performance. The approach reduces costs by about 25% and enables reliable operation with intermittent renewable electricity.
Researchers have discovered that relativistic effects play a crucial role in the bonding of heavy elements like bismuth. The traditional picture of triple-bonded molecules does not hold true for these elements. Instead, the bonds are more complex and involve hybrid sigma-pi bonds.
A new study published in Prevention Science suggests that current prevention efforts may not be reaching enough people or providing a worthwhile return on investment. The researchers propose a more scalable approach embedded directly into systems people already interact with daily.
Researchers have developed a novel quantum material that can naturally enable the study of non-Hermitian dynamics, a phenomenon where systems exhibit unusual behaviors. The material, a magnetic topological insulator, allows for the creation of electronic networks with direction-dependent connections, enabling the accumulation of states...
Physicists at UC Irvine have developed an AI system called Autonomous Model Builder that can autonomously design theoretical physics models, helping identify promising new explanations for the behavior of neutrinos. The system uses reinforcement learning and is designed to assist human physicists in narrowing down vast theory spaces.
A new $250,000 grant will support the development of a novel therapeutic approach for sepsis-associated neurocognitive dysfunction. The treatment aims to protect the brain from inflammation-related damage during and after sepsis, potentially preventing or slowing neurodegeneration and cognitive decline.
The Sunrise III mission has provided a treasure trove of data on the Sun's dynamics, revealing new insights into its quiescent state and volatile behavior. The observatory captured image sequences at intervals of about a quarter of a second, revealing structures as small as 50 kilometers in size.
A new study by Mount Sinai researchers has estimated that Phelan-McDermid syndrome affects approximately 13.7 cases per 100,000 people, equivalent to about 1 in 7,300 individuals. The condition is a rare genetic disorder caused by deletion or mutation of the SHANK3 gene and often co-occurs with autism spectrum disorder.
Researchers developed microparticles that infiltrate stubborn bacterial matrices and release tiny oxygen bubbles to clean surfaces and wounds efficiently. The particles were shown to effectively clean surgical instruments and infected wounds, accelerating healing and reducing inflammation.
The Robert A. Winn Excellence in Clinical Trials Award Program is training a new generation of physicians to solve healthcare's representation challenge through immersive education and mentorship. The program has grown rapidly, drawing hundreds of applicants annually from medical schools across the country.
A national study found that pediatric mental health treatment patterns rebounded and exceeded pre-pandemic levels, driven by new patients seeking care. Antidepressant prescriptions rose significantly among girls, with a notable increase in the youngest children.
A single monitoring network developed by McGill University and partners detected multiple types of data in the Lower St. Lawrence, including underwater earthquakes, whale calls, ship noise, and tidal activity. The results show potential applications for conservation and marine policy.
A new book reveals Iran's government failure to address devastating environmental catastrophes, while persecuting campaigners trying to raise awareness. The country's rulers have failed to provide a comprehensive plan, despite the concerning state of its natural environment, leading to issues like water scarcity and deforestation.
A new study found that increased transparency through EU regulations has led to more stakeholder criticisms of companies' environmental and social practices. As a result, companies are under greater scrutiny to maintain responsible business conduct and close the gap between their actions and public expectations.
A recent study by Suhnyoung Jun and Sepideh Sadaghiani found that the brain operates on multiple parallel streams, each with its own character, unfolding independently of others. These separate processes are governed by shared spatial and temporal principles.
The University of California, San Francisco is launching a novel clinical trial to test a combination of therapies for the most common form of Alzheimer's disease. The trial will enroll up to 825 participants and test drugs that target both amyloid and tau proteins, with the goal of slowing disease progression.
Researchers found that yeast-based supplements can reprogram early-stage immune cells to produce enhanced anti-tumor responses. The study suggests a potential solution for obesity-related immune dysfunction and cancer, using a food-grade supplement with an excellent safety record.
Baylor researchers developed a novel method of somatic gene editing in mice to generate tumor models. The new rat models closely mimic human disease biology, response to therapy and immune microenvironment, offering a powerful way to study cancers not well studied in mouse models.
A new study found that women with unmedicated depression may struggle to regulate body temperature in hot weather, but those taking SSRIs respond similarly to healthy individuals. The research suggests that SSRI treatment can help depressed women tolerate heat stress more effectively.
New research proposes a new model for understanding mud volcano behavior, revealing that large flows grow progressively through repeated small events. A hidden layer beneath the surface acts as a lubricant, allowing overlying mud to slide slowly, reshaping the landscape in ways not immediately visible.
A study by Universitat Rovira i Virgili analysed 29 substances in commercial products sold in Tarragona, finding that phthalates were the most prevalent contaminants, especially in hake dishes. The risk assessment concluded that levels detected do not pose a significant health risk.
A large dengue outbreak in Italy was analyzed to identify transmission patterns. The data show that more than half of linked transmission events involved people within 100m apart. Temperature played a role in reducing transmission, with a drop in autumn temperatures contributing to the decline.
Researchers at ORNL developed a novel electric motor drive design that cuts neutral-point current and common-mode voltage to reduce excess heat and premature wear. The approach achieves a 90% reduction in neutral-point voltage fluctuations and a 43% drop in capacitor current stress, improving system reliability.
Genital herpes is a viral infection that establishes a lifelong infection by entering nerve cells and can be relieved with medication. Researchers have identified glycoprotein G as a promising target for a future vaccine, which could provide protection against HSV-2 spread to the nervous system.
Boston University's T32 program in lung science receives a 5-year grant to train pre-doctoral PhD students and postdoctoral MD/PhD fellows in advanced areas of lung research. The program focuses on integrating basic and clinical sciences to diagnose and treat lung diseases.
A team of psychology researchers found that children aged five to nine frequently endorsed their group's claims even when evidence suggested otherwise. However, incentivizing them to tell the truth under private conditions reduced partisanship. The study suggests that group affiliation influences children's responses and offers insight...
Researchers used satellite images to study Adélie penguin colonies across Antarctica over a 30-year span, finding that those with more sea ice ate more fish, while those with less sea ice relied on krill. This trend linked to long-term changes in penguin populations, with colonies relying on krill-based diets facing decline.
Kessler Foundation has been recognized as one of NJBIZ’s Best Places to Work in New Jersey, marking the 13th time since 2012. The Foundation's commitment to fostering a collaborative culture and supporting employees has earned it a place on the prestigious list.
A study by Penn State researchers found that certifying third-party repair services increases repair rates and helps brands retain market share. By signaling the value or 'unused utility' left in broken products, certified brand repair services increased repair leads with a 700% increase.
Researchers at the University of Michigan found that pollinators are driving plant adaptation in morning glories, leading to a steep decline in their ability to adapt to changing climate conditions. The study suggests that human activities such as pesticide use and habitat destruction have contributed to this decline.
Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital discovered that C1 neurons in mice modulate fear and anxiety, with prolonged activation leading to heightened anxiety. Inhibition of these neurons reduced anxiety-like behaviors, suggesting they may be a valuable therapeutic target for anxiety disorders.
A new study analyzes geographic biases in telemetry research, finding that most studies are conducted in politically stable, English-speaking countries with high conservation funding. The research emphasizes the need for in-country capacity sharing and collaboration to ensure biodiversity hotspots are not left understudied.
Researchers identified a specific pocket within ERG and developed a small molecule probe, PBITE-1, that can bind to it. This breakthrough allows for the targeting of ERG in prostate cancer cells, potentially leading to personalized therapy.
Researchers uncovered previously undetected slow slip events in Parkfield, California, and found that these silent fault movements systematically follow increased low-frequency earthquake activity. The discovery suggests that slow slip may play an important role in how stress evolves along active faults.
Afzalbek Fayzullaev, a second-year Boston University medical student, has been awarded the ASTRO Medical Student Fellowship Award to conduct an eight-week mentored research project in radiation oncology. He aims to investigate the readability of patient education materials and their impact on treatment adherence.
A Dartmouth study reveals that people's gaze patterns in new environments contain unique personality preferences. The researchers used eye-tracking data to model individual gaze patterns and create machine-learning models that could distinguish between participants based on their conceptual themes.
This issue of Perspectives in the Arts and Humanities Asia delves into various aspects of culture and identity in Asia, including literary and performing arts, visual media, and spirituality. The journal features papers on Hui Muslims, Pacific War fiction, and selected essays of Fernando Zialcita.
A recent study overturns the idea that flowering plants didn't evolve large fruits and seeds until after the mass extinction of dinosaurs. The research found that these modern reproductive strategies may have emerged much earlier, around 74 million years ago.
Researchers at UCF developed a new technology to improve the performance of vibratory sensors, which convert vibrations into electronic signals. The SHIELD project aims to create more reliable sensors that can withstand harsh environments, enabling applications such as navigation systems and aerospace systems.
Researchers used structured light from quantum optics to transform Boehm's brushes into brighter patterns, improving their detectability. This technique may help diagnose retinal diseases like macular degeneration.
A team of researchers developed a programmable quantum simulator that shapes light to replicate how particles move through complex materials. The platform, called spatial light modulators, allows for the simulation of particle motion on various geometries, including closed loops and cylindrical surfaces.
A recent Phase II open-label study evaluated vamorolone in 20 steroid-naive boys aged 2-4 years with DMD, showing dose-dependent improvements in motor function. The traditional corticosteroids often cause growth stunting and other complications in long-term use.
Dr. Tim Allerton's research focuses on heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), a condition affecting millions of Americans. His team aims to determine how declining hydrogen sulfide levels contribute to muscle function and exercise capacity in patients with HFpEF.
Researchers at ESA's Annual Meeting will present new findings on the ecological effects of fire across forests, rangelands, peatlands and urban natural areas. The studies examine changing fire regimes, post-fire recovery, wildlife responses and the ecological effects of smoke, ash and fire retardants.
Researchers developed a flapping-wing robot that can fly through the air and swim underwater, studying how birds adapt to life in two radically different environments. The study found that smaller wings increase underwater speed but do not improve swimming efficiency, suggesting reduced wing size enhances maneuverability.
A new project developed by the University of Birmingham and Mind in Camden aims to improve understanding and response to people who hear voices, particularly when linked to suicidal thoughts. The resources encourage listening, curiosity, and collaboration to help individuals make sense of their experiences and feel more supported.
Biomni is an AI-powered multi-skilled biomedical research agent that designs and develops complex research workflows. It provides full citations and tracking of its work, making science more rigorous and reproducible.
The study found that collagen fibers and mineral platelets are arranged differently on the upper side of the femoral neck, making them less flexible and more prone to fractures. The researchers hope their work will contribute to a deeper understanding of bone structure and analysis methods.
A team of researchers, led by Ying Zhang, has developed artificial intelligence-driven tools to identify and attack software vulnerabilities. By teaching AI to generate proof-of-concept exploits, developers can see exactly how attackers could exploit known flaws, motivating them to fix issues before malicious actors do.
A study published in PLOS Medicine found that British Bangladeshi and British Pakistani individuals are more likely to develop multimorbidity, a condition where people experience multiple chronic illnesses simultaneously. The research identified sociodemographic and genetic factors that increase the risk of developing these conditions,...
New Cornell University research reveals that social media content creation is often depicted as a 'dream job,' but highlights the less auspicious elements of work in this space, including endemic burnout. The researchers found that creators have few mechanisms for protection from work-related harms due to their status as independent co...
The University of Texas at Arlington's Smart Hospital has been granted international accreditation by the Society for Simulation in Healthcare, recognizing its excellence in teaching and education. The accreditation reflects years of intentional effort to align training with real-world healthcare needs.
Researchers have discovered a new root response called saprotropism that guides plants away from decaying plant-derived matter. This adaptation enables roots to avoid hostile zones in soil and promotes healthy growth.