Scientists at Stellenbosch University have uncovered a rare class of plant compounds, flavoalkaloids, in Cannabis leaves for the first time. Using advanced two-dimensional chromatography and mass spectrometry, they identified 79 phenolic compounds across three strains, 25 of which had never before been reported in Cannabis. The surprising discovery highlights the complexity of the plant and …

Don’t toss cannabis leaves. Scientists just found rare compounds inside Read More »

Metformin, long trusted for diabetes, turns out to work in the brain too. By shutting down Rap1 in the hypothalamus, the drug lowers blood sugar more effectively than previously understood, opening doors for new therapies. ​Metformin, long trusted for diabetes, turns out to work in the brain too. By shutting down Rap1 in the hypothalamus, …

Metformin’s secret brain pathway revealed after 60 years Read More »

Astronomers studying an oddball brown dwarf called “The Accident” have finally spotted silane, a long-predicted silicon molecule missing from Jupiter and Saturn’s skies. Its ancient, oxygen-poor atmosphere allowed the molecule to form, offering new insight into how planetary atmospheres evolve. ​Astronomers studying an oddball brown dwarf called “The Accident” have finally spotted silane, a long-predicted …

NASA’s celestial “Accident” unlocks secrets of Jupiter and Saturn Read More »

Barrels dumped off Southern California decades ago have been found leaking alkaline waste, not just DDT, leaving behind eerie white halos and transforming parts of the seafloor into toxic vents. The findings reveal a persistent and little-known legacy of industrial dumping that still shapes marine life today. ​Barrels dumped off Southern California decades ago have …

Scientists finally solve the mystery of ghostly halos on the ocean floor Read More »

NASA’s Perseverance rover has discovered mudstones in Mars’ Jezero Crater that contain organic carbon and unusual textures hinting at possible biosignatures. These findings suggest that ancient Martian environments may have supported chemical processes similar to those on Earth, where microbial life thrives. While the team stresses they have not discovered evidence of life, the rocks …

Life on Mars? NASA discovers potential biosignatures in Martian mudstones Read More »

Scientists in Canada have uncovered a surprising culprit behind high blood sugar and liver problems: a hidden fuel made by gut bacteria. This little-known molecule, called D-lactate, slips into the bloodstream and pushes the liver to make too much sugar and fat. By creating a simple “trap” that blocks the molecule in the gut, researchers …

Surprising gut discovery reveals a hidden trigger of diabetes and liver disease Read More »

Glioblastoma’s stealthy spread has met a new challenge: MRI-powered fluid flow mapping that reveals where the cancer is likely to invade next. The innovation is now being advanced by a spinoff company to guide personalized cancer treatments. ​Glioblastoma’s stealthy spread has met a new challenge: MRI-powered fluid flow mapping that reveals where the cancer is …

Mapping the secret escape routes of deadly brain tumors Read More »

A groundbreaking discovery on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi reveals that early hominins crossed treacherous seas over a million years ago, leaving behind stone tools that reshape our understanding of ancient migration. These findings, older than previous evidence in the region, highlight Sulawesi as a critical piece of the puzzle in human evolution. Yet, the …

Who were the mystery humans behind Indonesia’s million-year-old tools? Read More »

Dating dinosaur eggs has always been tricky because traditional methods rely on surrounding rocks or minerals that may have shifted over time. Now, for the first time, scientists have directly dated dinosaur eggs by firing lasers at tiny eggshell fragments. The technique revealed that fossils in central China are about 85 million years old, placing …

These dinosaur eggs survived 85 million years. What they reveal is wild Read More »

Hubble has uncovered a rare ultra-massive white dwarf created in a violent star merger. Once thought to be ordinary, the star’s ultraviolet signature revealed its explosive history and hinted that such cosmic collisions may be surprisingly common. ​Hubble has uncovered a rare ultra-massive white dwarf created in a violent star merger. Once thought to be …

This rare white dwarf looks normal, until Hubble shows its explosive secret Read More »