In a remarkable twist of science, researchers have transformed a fungus long associated with death into a potential weapon against cancer. Found in tombs like that of King Tut, Aspergillus flavus was once feared for its deadly spores. Now, scientists at Penn and several partner institutions have extracted a new class of molecules from it—called …

From cursed tomb fungus to cancer cure: Aspergillus flavus yields potent new drug Read More »

Researchers in Sweden have developed a powerful new material that dramatically boosts the ability to create hydrogen fuel from water using sunlight, making the process eight times more effective than before. This breakthrough could be key to fueling heavy transport like ships and planes with clean, renewable energy. ​Researchers in Sweden have developed a powerful …

This triple-layer sunlight catalyst supercharges green hydrogen by 800% Read More »

Ancient coral fossils from the remote Seychelles islands have unveiled a dramatic warning for our future—sea levels can rise in sudden, sharp bursts even when global temperatures stay steady. ​Ancient coral fossils from the remote Seychelles islands have unveiled a dramatic warning for our future—sea levels can rise in sudden, sharp bursts even when global …

123,000-year-old coral fossils warn of sudden, catastrophic sea-level rise Read More »

What if your old chest scans—taken years ago for something unrelated—held a secret warning about your heart? A new AI tool called AI-CAC, developed by Mass General Brigham and the VA, can now comb through routine CT scans to detect hidden signs of heart disease before symptoms strike. ​What if your old chest scans—taken years …

Your CT scan could reveal a hidden heart risk—and AI just learned how to find it Read More »

DNA from a skull found at Newgrange once sparked theories of a royal incestuous elite in ancient Ireland, but new research reveals no signs of such a hierarchy. Instead, evidence suggests a surprisingly egalitarian farming society that valued collective living and ritual. ​DNA from a skull found at Newgrange once sparked theories of a royal …

No kings buried here: DNA unravels the myth of incestuous elites in ancient Ireland Read More »

A groundbreaking wireless implant promises real-time, personalized pain relief using AI and ultrasound power no batteries, no wires, and no opioids. Designed by USC and UCLA engineers, it reads brain signals, adapts on the fly, and bends naturally with your spine. ​A groundbreaking wireless implant promises real-time, personalized pain relief using AI and ultrasound power …

USC’s new AI implant promises drug-free relief for chronic pain Read More »

Exploration for deep-sea minerals in the Clarion Clipperton Zone threatens to disrupt an unexpectedly rich ecosystem of whales and dolphins. New studies have detected endangered species in the area and warn that mining noise and sediment could devastate marine life that relies heavily on sound. With so little known about these habitats, experts urge immediate …

Mining the deep could mute the songs of sperm whales Read More »

Two Ice Age wolf pups once thought to be early dogs have been identified as wild wolves, thanks to detailed DNA and chemical analysis. Surprisingly, their last meals included woolly rhinoceros meat—an unusually large prey item—hinting that ancient wolves might have been bigger than today’s. Their well-preserved bodies also shed light on wolf pack behavior …

These frozen wolf cubs ate a woolly rhino—and changed what we know about dogs Read More »

Southern resident killer whales have been caught on drone video crafting kelp tools to groom one another—an unprecedented behavior among marine mammals. This suggests a deeper social and cultural complexity in these endangered whales than scientists previously realized. ​Southern resident killer whales have been caught on drone video crafting kelp tools to groom one another—an …

Killer whales use seaweed tools in never-before-seen grooming behavior Read More »

Scientists have uncovered a stealthy tactic used by the SARS-CoV-2 virus: one of its proteins can leap from infected cells to healthy ones, effectively tricking the immune system into attacking the body’s own tissues. ​Scientists have uncovered a stealthy tactic used by the SARS-CoV-2 virus: one of its proteins can leap from infected cells to …

COVID-19 protein triggers immune attacks on healthy cells — but a common drug can stop it Read More »