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 five-year grant from the National Eye Institute will help investigate the retina's light-sensing structures and develop treatments for incurable retinal diseases leading to blindness. The research focuses on the photoreceptor outer segment, a process where daily new membranes are added to support vision.
A study led by Cristóbal Pizarro identified 87 bird species and 27 sites of biocultural significance in Chile's Río Cruces Wetland. Communities helped reconstruct the history of the ecosystem through their memories, knowledge, and experiences.
Boise State University will establish the Center for Reconfigurable Analog van der Waals Engines for Non-von-Neumann Sensing (RAVEN) with a $2.7 million award from NextFlex. The center will focus on developing sensors for extreme environments, reducing power draw and reliance on data links.
A new photonic chip developed by TDK Corporation has improved the efficiency of smart-glasses displays by switching laser colors faster and using less power. The chip's voltage-controlled design achieved a modulation bandwidth of 10 GHz, sufficient for 4K resolution, and reduced power consumption by over 75 percent.
Researchers introduce an integrated framework linking raw materials, manufacturing processes, and real-world applications to design more reliable and sustainable carbon technologies. The review highlights the importance of understanding biomass composition and processing methods to produce high-performing carbon nanomaterials.
Researchers discovered that adding manganese to biochar strengthens a natural microbial process, boosting nitrogen-conserving microbes and reducing nitrous oxide emissions. Manganese-loaded biochar increased a key nitrogen-conserving process by 2.9 times, reducing emissions by 89%.
A new study by uOttawa-led researchers reveals how a specialized protein helps cells safeguard their genetic material. The study shows that chemical changes to a histone variant regulate interactions with the TONSL protein, which plays a crucial role in repairing damaged DNA.
A modeling study suggests that delayed or shared decision-making approaches to hepatitis B vaccination could lead to a 19-83% increase in chronic infections among US children. The current universal birth-dose strategy remains the most effective strategy for preventing childhood infections.
The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) has announced an exceptional lineup of plenary speakers for its 63rd Annual Meeting, taking place in San Diego. The meeting will feature insights from renowned leaders such as Hillary Rodham Clinton, Shivdev Rao, and Clay B. Marsh, who will share their perspectives on leadership, innovation, resil...
A new study models the impact of changing hepatitis B immunization schedules on HBV infections and susceptibility, finding delayed vaccination until 2 months old increases infections by 19% and shared decision-making by 83%, while adult susceptibility also rises significantly.
A new study found that preschool students who received enhanced skill instruction reported better mental health, social adjustment, and quality of life than their peers. The research, published in American Psychologist, suggests that providing young children with social, problem-solving, and language skills can set them on the path for...
A new study suggests that routine liver cancer screening can be cost-effective and life-extending for individuals with alcohol-associated cirrhosis, even at low annual risk levels. The study found that biannual screening can generate significant life-years among both active drinkers and abstinent patients.
A WVU researcher is working to improve space weather forecasting to protect satellites from devastating solar disruptions. The project will develop models to predict when and how severe solar storms will affect satellites, and examine the effects on atmospheric drag and collision risk.
ORNL brings capabilities in plant-based raw materials, microbes, and materials development to BioMADE, enabling the commercial-scale production of new chemicals and materials. The partnership aims to address scale-up challenges and strengthen domestic biomanufacturing, with a focus on building a robust biobased economy.
A new study by Desert Research Institute researchers found that communities without waste collection services have higher microplastic concentrations in the river, and improving services can lead to a substantial reduction. The research highlights the importance of integrated waste management and reduced plastic use in protecting river...
Researchers have created a new tool, oceandatr, to make it easier to find, organize and map ocean data. The software package, developed in R, can access and organize a wide range of global ocean datasets and prepare them for analysis and mapping.
Researchers found that birds transport nutrients from land, lake, and sea through their waste and bodies, influencing ecosystem chemistry and plant growth. The study highlights the importance of birds in maintaining ecosystem fertility and resilience.
Researchers at the University of Oklahoma will conduct clinical trials to evaluate the effectiveness of combining CAR T-cell therapy with opaganib for ultra-high-risk multiple myeloma. The trials aim to improve treatment outcomes for patients with poor responses to standard treatments.
Melanie Ott and Alex Marson, directors at Gladstone Institutes, have been elected to the National Academy of Medicine for their pioneering achievements in science and medicine. Their work focuses on understanding viral mechanisms, developing innovative treatments, and repurposing human immune cells to fight disease.
Susan Ettner, Donald Kohn, and Dennis Slamon elected to National Academy of Medicine for their groundbreaking research in health economics, gene therapies, and cancer treatment. Their election recognizes major contributions to medical science, healthcare, and public health.
CU Boulder researchers found a correlation between gambling ad exposure and increased betting activity, as well as searches for help with problem gambling. The study analyzed advertising and search data across 41 states and found that exposure to gambling ads on social media platforms was associated with higher odds of subsequent gambl...
Researchers found Neptune's deep atmosphere richer in oxygen than Uranus's, hinting at different chemical origins. This difference in oxygen levels resulted in distinct carbon-to-oxygen ratios between the two planets.
Researchers at the University of Helsinki have developed an ultrasonic tube that guides matter through the air using curved elongated Bessel-like acoustic fields. The device can transport corrosive or sticky substances, as well as delicate, contamination-sensitive materials, with single-drop precision.
Dr. Donald Kohn, a renowned pediatric bone marrow transplant physician and gene therapy researcher, has been elected to the National Academy of Medicine for his groundbreaking work in blood stem cell gene therapies. His lab has made significant contributions to treating ADA-SCID, severe leukocyte adhesion deficiency-I, and other diseas...
A new program developed by Huntsman Cancer Institute has improved sun-protective behaviors among children of melanoma patients, decreasing overall sun exposure and damage, but not sunburn rates. The FLARE program teaches melanoma risk awareness, sun protection strategies, and collaborative problem-solving to families and children.
Researchers at Arizona State University have developed a new technique to destroy PFAS, breaking the chemicals apart rather than simply capturing them. The method uses palladium nanoparticles to convert hydrogen gas into a reactive form that strips fluorine from the PFAS molecule.
A University of Bonn study found that smart farming technologies are already profitable on 42% of global cropland, with the potential to increase to 75% with stronger environmental regulations. The benefits of smart farming are greatest in areas with high income and education levels, strict environmental regulations, and large-scale ag...
Researchers at Brown University discovered a molecular link between hunger and the formation of reward memories that play a role in alcohol addiction. Hunger drives cravings for alcohol by activating neurons containing octopamine, a fight-or-flight neurotransmitter equivalent to human norepinephrine.
Scripps Research has received a significant award of in-kind compute power from the Jen-Hsun and Lori Huang Foundation to advance the adoption of AI into biomedicine. The grant will support projects building a virtual human immune system and charting the
Researchers have found that neutrophils, white blood cells, are present in many tissues during embryonic development, performing functions similar to adult neutrophils. This discovery suggests that embryonic neutrophils may have roles in tissue development and homeostasis in addition to immune defense.
Researchers at Mizzou discovered that tongue exercise can improve the activity of surviving neurons controlling tongue movement, helping them compensate as other neurons are lost. This finding offers hope for preserving quality of life for those with ALS and other motor neuron diseases.
A 16-year study found that older adults with greenery within 100 meters of their homes have a 20% lower risk of developing dementia. The study highlights the importance of preserving and enhancing greenspace in urban environments to support brain health and healthy ageing.
Research finds that 1/4 of global data centers are located in water-stressed areas, where demand exceeds supply, and this number could rise to 1/3 under a future climate scenario. Data centers use nearby water resources, which vary seasonally, and their operations can impact local water management and infrastructure.
A team at the University of Basel has identified a molecular switch that controls the sorting of recyclable cargo into transport vesicles. The small protein ARF-1 ensures efficient loading and return of cargo to the cell surface. This process, known as 'kiss-and-run,' allows cells to reuse receptors and transport proteins, and disrupti...
Researchers at McGill University's Trottier Space Institute found that the gas orbiting Sagittarius A* is rich in metals, similar in composition to the stars in its orbit. The metal enrichment likely resulted from stars that exploded and released material into the black hole's surroundings over time.
A new study reveals that afforestation and reforestation efforts face significant social and institutional challenges, including poverty, food insecurity, and weak governance. This threatens to limit the global potential for forests to capture CO2, with the biggest hurdles facing tropical countries.
Vardit Ravitsky, President of The Hastings Center, has been elected to the National Academy of Medicine for her contributions to bioethics and public health. The academy recognized her work on reproductive health, gene editing, and the use of AI in healthcare.
Charles W.M. Roberts, MD, Ph.D., was elected to the National Academy of Medicine for his groundbreaking research on cancer epigenetics and its impact on developing novel therapies for children with cancer. As St. Jude president and CEO-elect, Roberts will continue to advance the field of pediatric oncology.
Carsten Bönnemann, MD, habil., was elected to the National Academy of Medicine for his research on neuromuscular disorders and his work advancing novel therapeutics. As the inaugural chair of St. Jude's Department of Genomic and Translational Neuroscience, Bönnemann aims to address the unmet need for effective treatments for progressiv...
Thiele's five-year award supports new chelator designs to improve targeted radiopharmaceuticals for cancer diagnosis and treatment. The research aims to advance personalized medicine by improving approaches to cancer diagnosis and treatment.