Scientific evidence is lacking to support the US government’s decisions to caution against using a common painkiller in pregnancy and fast-track the approval of an experimental medication for autism ​Scientific evidence is lacking to support the US government’s decisions to caution against using a common painkiller in pregnancy and fast-track the approval of an experimental …

What we know, and don’t, about the link between painkillers and autism Read More »

Comparing a map of the neurons in a nematode worm – the connectome – with a map of how signals travel across those neurons has revealed a surprising number of differences, suggesting that the structure of the brain alone doesn’t explain how it works ​Comparing a map of the neurons in a nematode worm – …

Mapping the structure of the brain doesn’t fully explain its function Read More »

Particles similar to axions, the leading candidate for dark matter that has long eluded detection, may have already been created in particle colliders – and remained hidden in the data ​Particles similar to axions, the leading candidate for dark matter that has long eluded detection, may have already been created in particle colliders – and …

Hints of exotic dark matter particles could be hiding in LHC data Read More »

A fossil from about 66 million years ago reveals a species of dinosaur that is new to science, with claws that would have ripped through its prey’s flesh ​A fossil from about 66 million years ago reveals a species of dinosaur that is new to science, with claws that would have ripped through its prey’s …

Dinosaur found with a crocodile in its jaws named as new species Read More »

Nitazenes, a powerful and largely hidden class of synthetic opioids, are quickly becoming a deadly factor in the overdose crisis. Over 20 times stronger than fentanyl, these drugs often go undetected on routine drug tests, making overdoses harder to diagnose and reverse. Cases from Tennessee reveal a disturbing pattern of fatalities, with nitazenes frequently mixed …

Doctors warn of a stealth opioid 20x more potent than fentanyl Read More »

A team from the University of Illinois has uncovered surprising evolutionary links between the genetic code and tiny protein fragments called dipeptides. By analyzing billions of dipeptide sequences across thousands of species, the researchers revealed that these molecular pairs trace the earliest steps in the origin of life. ​A team from the University of Illinois …

Tiny protein pairs may hold the secret to life’s origin Read More »

Plastic particles from everyday items like Styrofoam cups and take-out containers are finding their way into the brain, where they may trigger Alzheimer’s-like symptoms. New research shows that mice carrying the Alzheimer’s-linked APOE4 gene who consumed microplastics exhibited sex-dependent cognitive decline, mirroring the differences seen in human patients. ​Plastic particles from everyday items like Styrofoam …

Could plastic in your food be fueling Azheimer’s? Read More »