In noisy environments, keeping your eyes open—not closed—might be the secret to hearing better. Many people instinctively shut their eyes when trying to pick out a faint sound. The common belief is that blocking out visual input helps the brain focus, making it easier to hear subtle noises. But that idea does not always hold […]
Kids Exposed to “Forever Chemicals” May Grow Up With Weaker Bones
Common “forever chemicals” could quietly undermine kids’ bone strength before they even reach adulthood. New research published today (March 17) in the Journal of the Endocrine Society suggests that exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) early in life could play a role in how children’s bones form during adolescence. PFAS are man-made chemicals commonly […]
Kids Exposed to “Forever Chemicals” May Grow Up With Weaker Bones
Common “forever chemicals” could quietly undermine kids’ bone strength before they even reach adulthood. New research published today (March 17) in the Journal of the Endocrine Society suggests that exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) early in life could play a role in how children’s bones form during adolescence. PFAS are man-made chemicals commonly […]
Eating Ultra-Processed Foods Could Raise Your Heart Risk by 67%
Eating more ultra-processed foods sharply raises the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and death, with each serving adding to the danger. People who regularly ate large amounts of ultra-processed foods faced a much greater risk of serious heart problems, according to research presented at the American College of Cardiology’s Annual Scientific Session (ACC.26). Those consuming […]
Do Our First Cells Hold the Secrets to Longevity and Cancer Risk?
A new study investigates how telomeres adjust their length during the first cell divisions of life. Small plastic or metal tips at the ends of shoelaces, called aglets, keep laces from unraveling and protect them from wear. Chromosomes have a similar protective feature. Their ends are capped by telomeres—structures made of repeated DNA sequences and […]
These Strange Fanged Frogs Turn Out to Be Multiple Species
A frog species known since 1838 may actually be several different species, according to a new genetic study of Southeast Asia’s “fanged frogs.” When people hear about the discovery of a new species, they often picture something straight out of an adventure story, according to Chan Kin Onn of Michigan State University. “Most people have […]
Tropical Peatlands Are Burning Like Never Before in 2000 Years
After centuries of decline, tropical peatland fires have exploded in the past 100 years—driven largely by human activity and threatening massive carbon releases. A new study reports a dramatic rise in wildfires in tropical peatlands during the 20th century. The increase stands out when compared with fire activity over the previous two thousand years. Peatlands […]
Physicists Discover New Proton-Like Particle at CERN’s Large Hadron Collider
CERN scientists have uncovered a new proton-like particle, the Ξcc+, revealing a heavier and long-predicted member of the subatomic world. Researchers from The University of Manchester have played a major part in identifying a previously unknown subatomic particle at CERN’s Large Hadron Collider (LHC). The particle, called the Ξcc+ (Xi-cc-plus), is a heavy proton-like particle […]
Scientists Built a Life-Size Dinosaur Nest and the Results Were Surprising
Scientists recreated a life-sized oviraptor and nest to investigate how these bird-like dinosaurs hatched their eggs. How exactly did oviraptors, bird-like but flightless dinosaurs, hatch their eggs? Scientists have long debated whether these dinosaurs relied mainly on heat from the environment, similar to crocodiles and turtles, or used body warmth from a brooding adult like […]
Scientists Built a Life-Size Dinosaur Nest and the Results Were Surprising
Scientists recreated a life-sized oviraptor and nest to investigate how these bird-like dinosaurs hatched their eggs. How exactly did oviraptors, bird-like but flightless dinosaurs, hatch their eggs? Scientists have long debated whether these dinosaurs relied mainly on heat from the environment, similar to crocodiles and turtles, or used body warmth from a brooding adult like […]