MIT Scientists Reprogram Immune Cells Inside the Body To Destroy Cancer

Illustration of Targeted mRNA Delivery to NK CellsNatural killer cells reprogrammed inside mice eliminated lymphoma tumors and helped damaged livers heal, though whether this approach could help people with cancer or autoimmune disease remains unknown. To make a cancer treatment from a patient’s T cells, doctors first collect a blood sample and send it to a laboratory. There, these immune cells are […]

Scientists Discover Ancient Human DNA Hidden in Cave Walls for Thousands of Years

Pigment Sampling in Tebellín, SpainAncient DNA from cave walls offers clues to prehistoric visitors’ sex and ancestry, potentially allowing scientists to investigate who used these spaces without disturbing archaeological deposits. A cave wall can hold traces of prehistoric visitors even when it has no paintings or other visible signs of human activity. Scientists have recovered ancient human DNA from […]

Scientists Discover a Hidden Oxygen Source Deep Inside Earth That Could Rewrite Our Planet’s History

Planet Earth Core Structure Interior LayersAncient eruptions may have helped shape the air we breathe, with laboratory experiments revealing magma’s unexpected ability to store extra oxygen. Molten rock deep inside Earth can take up an extra supply of oxygen under pressure, according to a new study. That finding raises the possibility that rising magma could release oxygen on its way […]

What if Dark Energy Was Once Negative? Scientists Uncover a Surprising New Possibility

Dark Matter Artists ConceptA gravity model that lets dark energy change sign could help resolve a persistent disagreement over how fast the universe is expanding. In an existing theory of gravity, the same present-day matter density can fit two very different histories of the universe. Researchers had largely pursued the one that kept dark energy’s density positive. Exploring […]

Scientists Turn Major Crude Oil Problem Into an Unexpected Energy Breakthrough

Illustration of Synthetic Membrane Separating Crude OilA simple membrane uses crude oil’s own deposits to separate lighter components at room temperature, with simulations suggesting nearly one-third less energy use when paired with distillation. Refineries heat crude oil above 350°C (662°F) to separate a mixture that supplies transportation fuels and raw materials for plastics, packaging, textiles, and other consumer products. This century-old […]

Ancient Skeletons Reveal a Secret Hidden in Medieval Sicily for 1,000 Years

Excavation of Roman to Norman Ruins at Casale San PietroAncient DNA reveals medieval Sicily as a genetic melting pot, where people buried in Christian and Muslim cemeteries shared roots in North Africa, Europe, and the Mediterranean. Sicily changed rulers repeatedly between the 5th and 15th centuries CE, passing through the hands of the Roman and Byzantine Empires, Islamic dynasties, and the Normans and Swabians. […]

Scientists Discover a $10 Flood Protection Trick That Works Better Than Sandbags

Sandbag Home Flood ProtectionStacking heavy sandbags against a doorway is a familiar response to flooding, but laboratory tests suggest sealing the gaps with ordinary duct tape could keep more water out. Could a cheap roll of duct tape help protect your home from flooding? New research suggests it could make a surprisingly big difference. In controlled tests, correctly […]

Researchers Discover a Surprising Twist in How Our Cells Age

Human Embryonic Stem CellsScientists uncover a surprising paradox in how our cells age, revealing that more cellular cleanup isn’t always better and exercise may help restore a youthful balance. Every day, our cells must dispose of damaged proteins and other unwanted material to keep themselves functioning properly. They accomplish this through a natural recycling process called autophagy, which […]

Scientists Discover Chronic Back Pain Can Change How Your Brain Sees You

Human Spine Back Pain SittingA chronic back pain flare may switch on a brain network tied to identity, linking physical pain with how you see yourself. Researchers at UC San Diego School of Medicine found that movement-triggered flares in people with chronic low back pain activated a brain network associated with identity and inward reflection. Painful heat produced the […]

Cannabis May Be Sabotaging Your Sleep Without You Even Knowing It, Study Finds

Cannabis Pillow SleepNearly 35 years of observational data link greater lifetime cannabis use to poorer sleep in middle age, challenging its reputation as a sleep aid. More than eight hours of sleep might sound like a good night’s rest, but a new Northwestern Medicine study linked recent cannabis use to both a greater likelihood of sleeping that […]

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