Reading view

There are new articles available, click to refresh the page.

Three-person DNA IVF stops inherited disease—eight healthy babies born in UK first

In a groundbreaking UK first, eight healthy babies have been born using an IVF technique that includes DNA from three people—two parents and a female donor. The process, known as pronuclear transfer, was designed to prevent the inheritance of devastating mitochondrial diseases passed down through the mother’s DNA. The early results are highly promising: all the babies are developing normally, and the disease-causing mutations are undetectable or present at levels too low to cause harm. For families once haunted by genetic risk, this science offers more than treatment—it offers transformation.

Do dogs know who’s kind? Scientists put it to the test—and got a surprise

Despite our strong belief in dogs' ability to sense good from bad in people, new research shows they may not actually judge human character, at least not in the way we think. When dogs watched how humans treated other dogs, they didn’t favor the kinder person later. Even direct interactions didn’t sway their behavior. The study suggests dogs' reputational judgments might be more nuanced—or harder to study—than we realized.

CRISPR uncovers gene that supercharges vitamin D—and stops tumors in their tracks

A gene called SDR42E1 has been identified as a key player in how our bodies absorb and process vitamin D. Researchers found that disabling this gene in colorectal cancer cells not only crippled their survival but also disrupted thousands of other genes tied to cancer and metabolism. This opens the door to highly targeted cancer therapies—by either cutting off vitamin D supply to tumors or enhancing the gene’s activity to boost health. The findings hint at vast possibilities in treating diseases influenced by vitamin D, though long-term impacts remain uncertain.

Selfies, sugar, and death: How tourists are endangering elephants

Tourists feeding wild elephants may seem innocent or even compassionate, but a new 18-year study reveals it s a recipe for disaster. Elephants in Sri Lanka and India have learned to beg for snacks sugary treats and human food leading to deadly encounters, injuries, and even the ingestion of plastic. Once wild animals become accustomed to handouts, they lose their natural instincts, grow bolder, and risk both their lives and the safety of humans.

Why Trump’s leg swelling could be a warning sign for millions

President Trump s diagnosis of Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI) has brought renewed attention to a frequently overlooked yet dangerous condition. CVI affects the ability of veins especially in the legs to return blood to the heart, often leading to swelling, pain, skin changes, and ulcers. The American Heart Association warns that CVI isn t just a cosmetic issue; it's strongly linked to cardiovascular disease and increased mortality, even when other risk factors are accounted for. Seniors, smokers, those with sedentary lifestyles, and people with obesity are particularly at risk.

Ancient recipes or rituals? Neanderthal bones reveal a prehistoric culinary mystery

Neanderthals living just 70 kilometers apart in Israel may have had different food prep customs, according to new research on butchered animal bones. These subtle variations — like how meat was cut and cooked — hint at cultural traditions passed down through generations. The findings challenge the idea that Neanderthal life was purely practical, suggesting instead a richer, more social layer to their culinary habits.

These dogs are trained to sniff out an invasive insect—and they're shockingly good at it

Dogs trained by everyday pet owners are proving to be surprisingly powerful allies in the fight against the invasive spotted lanternfly. In a groundbreaking study, citizen scientists taught their dogs to sniff out the pests’ hard-to-spot egg masses with impressive accuracy. The initiative not only taps into the huge community of recreational scent-detection dog enthusiasts, but also opens a promising new front in protecting agriculture. And it doesn’t stop there—these canine teams are now sniffing out vineyard diseases too, hinting at a whole new future of four-legged fieldwork.

This 10-minute ozone hack keeps mangoes fresh for 28 days

Mango lovers and growers alike may soon rejoice: scientists at Edith Cowan University have found that a simple dip in ozonated water can drastically extend the shelf life of mangoes by up to two weeks while reducing spoilage. This technique, called aqueous ozonation, helps prevent chilling injuries that typically occur during cold storage, a long-standing challenge in mango preservation.

Cognitive collapse and the nuclear codes: When leaders lose control

A shocking study reveals that many leaders of nuclear-armed nations—including US presidents and Israeli prime ministers—were afflicted by serious health problems while in office, sometimes with their conditions hidden from the public. From dementia and depression to addiction and chronic diseases, these impairments may have affected their decision-making during pivotal global crises.

Why broken crystals are stronger

Crystals may seem flawless, but deep inside they contain tiny structural imperfections that dramatically influence their strength and behavior. Researchers from The University of Osaka have used the sophisticated math of differential geometry to reveal how these defects—like dislocations and disclinations—interact in elegant, unified ways. Their findings could help scientists engineer tougher, smarter materials by intentionally leveraging these flaws rather than avoiding them.

Tai chi, yoga, and jogging rival pills for beating insomnia

Yoga, Tai Chi, walking, and jogging may be some of the best natural remedies for improving sleep and tackling insomnia, according to a large analysis comparing various treatments. While cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) remains effective, exercise-based approaches—especially Tai Chi—were shown to deliver significant improvements in total sleep time, efficiency, and reducing how long people stay awake after falling asleep. Yoga stood out for boosting overall restfulness, and jogging helped ease insomnia symptoms.

It’s not that you look—it’s when: The hidden power of eye contact

A groundbreaking study from Flinders University reveals that it's not just making eye contact that matters, but precisely when and how you do it. By studying interactions between humans and virtual partners, researchers discovered a powerful gaze sequence that makes people more likely to interpret a look as a call for help. Even more surprising: the same response pattern held true whether the "partner" was human or robot, offering insights into how our brains instinctively process social cues.

Frozen for 12,000 years, this Alpine ice core captures the rise of civilization

An ancient glacier high in the French Alps has revealed the oldest known ice in Western Europe—dating back over 12,000 years to the last Ice Age. This frozen archive, meticulously analyzed by scientists, captures a complete chemical and atmospheric record spanning humanity’s transition from hunter-gatherers to modern industry. The core contains stories of erupting volcanoes, changing forests, Saharan dust storms, and even economic impacts across history. It offers a rare glimpse into both natural climate transitions and human influence on the atmosphere, holding vital clues for understanding past and future climate change.

Corals in crisis: A hidden chemical shift is reshaping Hawaiian reefs

Hawaiian coral reefs may face unprecedented ocean acidification within 30 years, driven by carbon emissions. A new study by University of Hawai‘i researchers shows that even under conservative climate scenarios, nearshore waters will change more drastically than reefs have experienced in thousands of years. Some coral species may adapt, offering a glimmer of hope, but others may face critical stress.
❌