Chalmers researchers have developed a simple, light-based platform to study the mysterious “invisible glue” that binds materials at the nanoscale. Gold flakes floating in salt water reveal how quantum and electrostatic forces interact through vivid color changes. The technique could lead to new discoveries in physics, chemistry, and biology — from designing biosensors to understanding how galaxies form.

A study found that daily vitamin D supplements helped slow telomere shortening—the cellular process linked to aging and disease. Researchers believe its anti-inflammatory effects may protect DNA. While results are promising, the ideal dose remains unclear, and experts stress that lifestyle choices still matter most for longevity.

Scientists have uncovered evidence that megaquakes in the Pacific Northwest might trigger California’s San Andreas Fault. A research ship’s navigational error revealed paired sediment layers showing both fault systems moved together in the past. This finding hints that the next “Big One” could set off a devastating one-two seismic punch along the coast.

Researchers at King’s College London have created the first evidence-based dietary guidelines for chronic constipation, finding real relief may come from kiwifruit, rye bread, and mineral water. Psyllium, probiotics, and magnesium oxide also showed benefits, while common fiber and senna advice fell short. The guidelines emphasize self-management and high-quality evidence, offering practical tools for patients and clinicians alike.

Researchers suggest that dark matter might subtly color light red or blue as it passes through, revealing traces of its existence. Using a network-like model of particle connections, they argue that light could be influenced indirectly by Dark Matter through intermediaries. Detecting these tints could unlock a whole new way to explore the hidden 85% of the Universe. The finding could reshape how telescopes search for cosmic mysteries.

Researchers have developed a DNA-based therapy that targets the PCSK9 gene to lower cholesterol naturally. Using polypurine hairpins, they increased cholesterol uptake by cells and reduced artery-clogging lipid levels. The results show dramatic drops in PCSK9 and cholesterol levels in animal models, pointing to a safer and more effective alternative to statins.

Texas A&M researchers found that in an aggressive kidney cancer, RNA builds “droplet hubs” that activate tumor genes. By creating a molecular switch to dissolve these hubs, they stopped cancer growth in lab and mouse tests. The work reveals how RNA can be hijacked to fuel disease, and how breaking its scaffolding could lead to new therapies for multiple pediatric cancers.

A wireless eye implant developed at Stanford Medicine has restored reading ability to people with advanced macular degeneration. The PRIMA chip works with smart glasses to replace lost photoreceptors using infrared light. Most trial participants regained functional vision, reading books and recognizing signs. Researchers are now developing higher-resolution versions that could eventually provide near-normal sight.

Researchers at the University of Surrey developed an AI that predicts what a person’s knee X-ray will look like in a year, helping track osteoarthritis progression. The tool provides both a visual forecast and a risk score, offering doctors and patients a clearer understanding of the disease. Faster and more interpretable than earlier systems, it could soon expand to predict other conditions like lung or heart disease.

Scientists have uncovered a toxic alliance between Aβ and fibrinogen that may explain how Alzheimer’s disease begins. The two proteins together create stubborn clots that damage blood vessels and spark inflammation in the brain. These effects appear even at very low concentrations and disrupt the blood-brain barrier, paving the way for neurodegeneration. The findings highlight a potential new therapeutic target for early intervention.

Under the sea, green algae have evolved a clever way to handle too much sunlight. Scientists found that a special pigment called siphonein acts like a natural sun shield, protecting the algae’s delicate photosynthetic machinery from burning out. Using advanced imaging and simulations, researchers showed how siphonein helps algae safely manage excess light energy. The discovery could inspire new solar technologies that mimic nature’s built-in protection systems.

Our Milky Way is far from calm — it ripples with a colossal wave spanning tens of thousands of light-years, revealed by ESA’s Gaia telescope. This wave, moving through the galaxy’s disc like ripples in water, shifts stars up and down in a mesmerizing pattern. Astronomers, studying young giant and Cepheid stars, think even the galactic gas joins the motion. The origin remains mysterious, possibly from an ancient collision, but upcoming Gaia data could soon unveil the secrets of our galaxy’s undulating heart.

Common dolphins in the North Atlantic are living significantly shorter lives, with female longevity dropping seven years since the 1990s. Researchers found this decline by analyzing stranded dolphins, revealing a 2.4% drop in population growth linked to bycatch deaths and environmental pressures. The findings expose flaws in traditional counting methods and call for adaptive conservation measures, such as smarter fishing restrictions.

Mizzou scientists are exploring how a ketogenic diet may protect the brain and prevent Alzheimer’s in people genetically predisposed to it. Their study found that female mice with the APOE4 gene benefited most, showing improved gut and brain health on a high-fat, low-carb diet. The findings highlight the value of personalized nutrition and early intervention to preserve cognition.

Scientists from the University of Exeter has developed a precise method to interpret ankle blood pressure readings—an innovation that could transform care for people unable to have their arm blood pressure measured. By analyzing data from over 33,000 participants, researchers created an algorithm and online calculator that improves accuracy and could prevent thousands of misdiagnoses worldwide.

A powerful new drug combination—niraparib added to standard prostate cancer therapy—has been shown to significantly delay disease progression in men with specific DNA repair gene mutations. In the large AMPLITUDE trial, patients receiving the combo lived longer without symptoms worsening and saw nearly a 50% risk reduction in BRCA-mutated cases. While side effects like anemia were more common, the results mark a major step toward precision medicine for prostate cancer.

Researchers have found that 2D materials can self-form microscopic cavities that trap light and electrons, altering their quantum behavior. With a miniaturized terahertz spectroscope, the team observed standing light-matter waves without needing mirrors. This unexpected discovery offers a new method to manipulate exotic quantum states and design materials with tailored properties.

New research reveals that exercise counteracts the mood-damaging effects of a Western-style diet through specific gut and hormonal mechanisms. Running restored metabolites tied to mental well-being and balanced key hormones like insulin and leptin. However, poor diet limited the brain’s ability to generate new neurons, showing diet still matters for full brain benefits.

Physicists have uncovered the fascinating world of “rotating crystals” — solids made of spinning particles that behave in strange, almost living ways. These odd materials can twist instead of stretch, shatter into fragments, and even reassemble themselves.

Menopause brings profound shifts not just in hormones but in the very structure of the brain. Scientists have found that gray matter in regions tied to memory and thinking can shrink, while white matter may show damage linked to blood flow issues. Yet there’s hope — evidence points to partial recovery and adaptive changes postmenopause.