Scientists reclassified a long-misunderstood fossil from Brazil as a new genus, Franscinella riograndensis. Using advanced microscopy, they discovered spores preserved in situ—a rare find that links fossil plants to microfossil records. The breakthrough reshapes knowledge of Permian ecosystems and highlights the power of revisiting classic fossils with new tools. ​Scientists reclassified a long-misunderstood fossil from …

Scientists just found rare spores inside a fossil older than dinosaurs Read More »

Researchers have discovered an unusual “quantum echo” in superconducting materials, dubbed the Higgs echo. This phenomenon arises from the interplay between Higgs modes and quasiparticles, producing distinctive signals unlike conventional echoes. By using precisely timed terahertz radiation pulses, the team revealed hidden quantum pathways that could be used to encode and retrieve information. ​Researchers have …

Mysterious “quantum echo” in superconductors could unlock new tech Read More »

Ultra-processed foods make up the bulk of U.S. diets, and new research links high intake to inflammation, a predictor of heart disease. People consuming the most UPFs were far more likely to show elevated hs-CRP levels, especially older adults, smokers, and those with obesity. Scientists warn that UPFs may contribute to cancer and other chronic …

What happens to your body when you eat too many ultra-processed foods Read More »

Boston University researchers found that ordinary moments can gain staying power if they’re connected to significant emotional events. Using studies with hundreds of participants, they showed that the brain prioritizes fragile memories when they overlap with meaningful experiences. This could help explain why we recall certain details surrounding big events and may lead to new …

How the brain decides which moments you’ll never forget Read More »

Researchers in Japan discovered that Parkinson’s patients diagnosed in their 80s are far more likely to show signs of amyloid buildup, a hallmark of Alzheimer’s, even without dementia symptoms. The study compared younger and older patients, finding that older individuals had three times the rate of amyloid positivity. Surprisingly, Parkinson’s patients overall showed lower amyloid …

Hidden Alzheimer’s warning signs found in Parkinson’s patients without dementia Read More »

Beer and wine, staples of human history for millennia, are still yielding new surprises. Recent research highlights how yeast extracts can cloud lagers, gluten can be quickly detected with a simple test strip, tannins give red wine its lip-puckering edge, and sulfites alter gut bacteria in unexpected ways. These discoveries not only deepen our understanding …

Four strange secrets scientists just found in beer and wine Read More »

Daily cocoa extract supplements reduced key inflammation markers in older adults, pointing to a role in protecting the heart. The findings reinforce the value of flavanol-rich, plant-based foods for healthier aging. ​Daily cocoa extract supplements reduced key inflammation markers in older adults, pointing to a role in protecting the heart. The findings reinforce the value …

Cocoa supplements show surprising anti-aging potential Read More »

Researchers discovered that autism’s prevalence may be linked to human brain evolution. Specific neurons in the outer brain evolved rapidly, and autism-linked genes changed under natural selection. These shifts may have slowed brain development in children while boosting language and cognition. The findings suggest autism is part of the trade-off that made humans so cognitively …

Autism may be the price of human intelligence Read More »

Oil wells often dry up far earlier than predicted, leaving companies baffled about the “missing” reserves. A Penn State team tackled this puzzle by harnessing PSC’s Bridges-2 supercomputer, adding a time dimension and amplitude analysis to traditional seismic data. Their findings revealed hidden rock structures blocking oil flow, meaning reserves weren’t gone—they were trapped. ​Oil …

Why “dry” oil wells aren’t really empty Read More »

Ancient copper smelters may have accidentally set the stage for the Iron Age. At a 3,000-year-old workshop in Georgia, researchers discovered that metalworkers were using iron oxide not to smelt iron but to improve copper yields. This experimentation shows how curiosity with materials could have sparked one of history’s greatest technological leaps, turning iron from …

The accidental discovery that forged the Iron Age Read More »