Scientists at the University of Bath have developed a simple three-minute brainwave test called Fastball EEG that can detect memory problems years before Alzheimer’s is typically diagnosed. Unlike traditional memory tests, it passively records brain responses to images and has now been proven effective in people’s homes. With breakthrough Alzheimer’s drugs working best in early stages, this low-cost, accessible tool could transform early detection and treatment.

Scientists at Delft University of Technology have managed to watch a single atomic nucleus flip its magnetic state in real time. Using a scanning tunneling microscope, they indirectly read the nucleus through its electrons, finding the nuclear spin surprisingly stable for several seconds. This “single-shot readout” breakthrough could pave the way for manipulating atomic-scale quantum states, with future applications in quantum sensing and simulation.

Scientists uncovered a 310-million-year-old fish fossil with a “tongue bite,” teeth on the roof and floor of its mouth that worked like a second jaw. This adaptation, previously thought to have appeared much later, shows how fish rapidly experimented with new feeding strategies after mass extinction.

A Japanese research team successfully harnessed E. coli to produce PDCA, a strong, biodegradable plastic alternative. Their method avoids toxic byproducts and achieves record production levels, overcoming key roadblocks with creative fixes.

A small tissue fold in fly embryos, once thought purposeless, plays a vital role in stabilizing tissues. Researchers show that it absorbs stress during early development, and its position and timing likely shaped its evolutionary emergence.

Solar Orbiter has identified the Sun’s dual “engines” for superfast electrons: explosive flares and sweeping coronal mass ejections. By catching over 300 events close to their origin, the mission has solved key mysteries about how these particles travel and why they sometimes appear late. The findings will improve space weather forecasts and help shield spacecraft and astronauts from solar radiation.

Spotting Earth-like planets is nearly impossible with conventional telescopes, but researchers propose a bold fix: a rectangular design that can separate a planet’s faint glow from its blinding star. This approach could uncover dozens of nearby worlds that might host life.

Metformin, the world’s most widely used diabetes drug, has long been recognized for its surprising range of benefits beyond lowering blood sugar, from reducing inflammation to lowering cancer risk. Yet its exact mechanism has remained unclear for decades. Now, researchers at Kobe University have uncovered the first clinical evidence that the drug alters levels of key metals in the blood.

Past climate assessments let big polluters delay action, placing more burden on smaller nations. A new method based on historical responsibility demands steep cuts from wealthy countries and more financial support for poorer ones. Courts are now stepping in, making climate justice not just political but also legal.

Overactivation of dopamine neurons may directly drive their death, explaining why movement-controlling brain cells degenerate in Parkinson’s. Mice with chronically stimulated neurons showed the same selective damage seen in patients, along with molecular stress responses. Targeting this overactivity could help slow disease progression.

Scientists have decoded the 3D structure of an ancient viral protein hidden in our DNA. The HERV-K Env protein, found on cancer and autoimmune cells, has a unique shape that could unlock new diagnostics and therapies.

Astronomers using ALMA have discovered that planet-forming discs are not flat and serene but subtly warped, reshaping our understanding of how planets form. These slight tilts, similar to those seen among planets in our Solar System, suggest that planetary systems emerge in more chaotic and dynamic conditions than once believed. The findings point to new connections between disc warps, gas flow, turbulence, and the feeding of young stars, raising exciting questions about the forces shaping worlds across the cosmos.

Scientists at Northwestern University have developed a groundbreaking nickel-based catalyst that could transform the way the world recycles plastic. Instead of requiring tedious sorting, the catalyst selectively breaks down stubborn polyolefin plastics—the single-use materials that make up much of our daily waste—into valuable oils, waxes, fuels, and more.

Snowfall shortages are now destabilizing some of the world’s last resilient glaciers, as shown by a new study in Tajikistan’s Pamir Mountains. Using a monitoring station on Kyzylsu Glacier, researchers discovered that stability ended around 2018, when snowfall declined sharply and melt accelerated. The work sheds light on the Pamir-Karakoram Anomaly, where glaciers had resisted climate change longer than expected.

Scientists at the University of Pennsylvania have shown for the first time that it’s possible to detect dormant cancer cells in breast cancer survivors and eliminate them with repurposed drugs, potentially preventing recurrence. In a clinical trial, existing medications cleared these hidden cells in most participants, leading to survival rates above 90%. The findings open a new era of proactive treatment against breast cancer’s lingering threat, offering hope to survivors haunted by the fear of relapse.

Virginia Tech researchers are investigating how overloaded mitochondria in the brain’s memory circuits may spark early Alzheimer’s damage. Their work focuses on calcium signaling and how it might trigger breakdowns in the entorhinal cortex.

A new model called StarryStarryProcess lets scientists map star spots with precision, improving how exoplanets are studied. By factoring in both transits and stellar rotation, it provides richer details about stars and their influence on planetary signals.

NASA’s SPHEREx joined Webb and Hubble in studying interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS, gathering data on its size, chemistry, and physical traits. While harmless to Earth, the comet provides scientists a rare opportunity to learn more about solar system wanderers.

Webb, Hubble, and SPHEREx are joining forces to study the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS, revealing details about its structure and chemistry. The comet isn’t dangerous, but it’s offering scientists a rare chance to explore material from outside our solar system.

A long-term study following insomnia patients treated with cannabis-based medical products revealed sustained improvements in sleep quality, mood, and pain management over 18 months. Most participants reported better rest and less anxiety or depression, while only a small fraction experienced mild side effects such as fatigue or dry mouth.