Science News
The surprising brain chemistry behind instant friendships
Science Daily - 13 Aug 2025 23:01
UC Berkeley scientists found oxytocin is key for quickly forming strong friendships, but less critical for mate bonds. In prairie voles, a lack of oxytocin receptors delayed bonding and reduced partner selectivity, chang...
AI finds hidden safe zones inside a fusion reactor
Science Daily - 13 Aug 2025 22:16
Scientists have developed a lightning-fast AI tool called HEAT-ML that can spot hidden safe zones inside a fusion reactor where parts are protected from blistering plasma heat. Finding these areas, known as magnetic shad...
Genetic Switch May Be Key to Human Brains Unique Abilities
Neuroscience News - 13 Aug 2025 20:05
Researchers have identified a genetic region, HAR123, that may help explain what makes the human brain unique. Acting as a transcriptional enhancer, HAR123 influences the development of neural progenitor cells, which giv...
Jacket that gets thinner when you sweat could help avoid overheating
New Scientist - 13 Aug 2025 20:00
A material made from bacterial cellulose alters its insulating properties in dry and moist conditions, which could help you stay a comfortable temperature whatever the weather
Quitting Smoking May Boost Recovery From Other Addictions
Neuroscience News - 13 Aug 2025 19:10
A large-scale U.S. analysis found that adults recovering from alcohol or other drug addictions were significantly more likely to maintain long-term remission if they also quit smoking. Using data from over 2,600 particip...
Mind-blowing effects of nature on our brains revealed in new book
New Scientist - 13 Aug 2025 19:00
Kate Douglas discovers plans for a "nature revolution" in Marc Berman's fascinating and ambitious new book Nature and the Mind
Is this the best acronym in science? It's certainly the smelliest
New Scientist - 13 Aug 2025 19:00
From AMANDA to COSTAR, coming up with a good acronym will help sell a scientific project. Feedback admires the brains behind a new machine-learning model, the Flavor Analysis and Recognition Transformer
Introvert, extravert, otrovert? There's a new personality type in town
New Scientist - 13 Aug 2025 19:00
Psychiatrist Rami Kaminski says he has observed a previously unrecognised personality type the "otrovert". Here is what he thinks these people can teach us
Intravert, extravert, otrovert? There's a new personality type in town
New Scientist - 13 Aug 2025 19:00
Psychiatrist Rami Kaminski says he has observed a previously unrecognised personality type the "otrovert". Here is what he thinks these people can teach us
Trees have a microbiome inside them? This is both obvious and profound
New Scientist - 13 Aug 2025 19:00
Groundbreaking new research reveals something that should have been obvious all along: trees have a vast, diverse microbiome in their interiors, says Graham Lawton
Stark images show water's role in human strife and survival
New Scientist - 13 Aug 2025 19:00
As part of the exhibition Thirst: In Search of Freshwater, photographer M'hammed Kilito's images showcase the importance and fragility of humanity's relationship with fresh water
The surprising exercises that will improve your sleep
New Scientist - 13 Aug 2025 19:00
What's the best exercise to help you sleep better? Grace Wade investigates and makes some unexpected discoveries
This book could convince you to become an engineer
New Scientist - 13 Aug 2025 19:00
From DNA sequencing to rainbows, the world of microfluidics is well-served by Albert Folch's book How the World Flows, says Karmela Padavic-Callaghan
Colossal black hole 36 billion times the mass of our sun is one of the largest ever seen in the universe
Live Science - 13 Aug 2025 18:35
We know little about how young galaxies and their black holes grew up.
Pacific Ocean changes may 'lock in' US megadrought for decades
New Scientist - 13 Aug 2025 18:30
A major cycle of Pacific Ocean temperatures is shifting due to climate change, and that could drive decades of megadrought in the western US
Prominent medical journal refuses RFK's call to retract a vaccine study
Live Science - 13 Aug 2025 18:12
A recent study that confirmed that aluminium in vaccines doesn't pose a risk to children has sparked a war of words between the RFK, Jr. and a U.S. medical journal.
Human eggs have special protection against certain types of aging, study hints
Live Science - 13 Aug 2025 18:10
A new study suggests that the mitochondria in human egg cells don't accumulate DNA mutations with age, which sets them apart from other tissues in the body.
13-year drought crippled Maya on Yucatán Peninsula 1,000 years ago, study finds
Live Science - 13 Aug 2025 18:00
An analysis of a stalagmite within a Mexican cave reveals detailed evidence of drought that contributed to the downfall of the Maya civilization in the area 1,000 years ago.
Fossils Show Early Humans and New Australopithecus Lived Together
Neuroscience News - 13 Aug 2025 17:32
An international team of researchers working at Ledi-Geraru in Ethiopia has uncovered fossils indicating that early Homo and a newly identified Australopithecus species coexisted between 2.6 and 2.8 million years ago. Th...
No, blue whales aren't going silent off California. Here's why.
Live Science - 13 Aug 2025 17:18
Reports of blue whales going silent off California don't reflect the findings of a recent study.
6 of the most fascinating moments in the life of our solar system
New Scientist - 13 Aug 2025 17:00
Travel through time to witness some of the most remarkable episodes in our solar system's history, uncovering its ancient origins and glimpsing the destiny that awaits it in the distant future
Tiny discs can levitate in the upper atmosphere using sunlight alone
New Scientist - 13 Aug 2025 17:00
A physics phenomenon discovered 150 years ago allows tiny objects to levitate using just sunlight and now it could enable swarms of sensors to explore part of Earths long-neglected upper atmosphere