Mushroom study identifies most bitter substance known to date

The molecular world of bitter compounds has so far only been partially explored. Researchers have now isolated three new bitter compounds from the mushroom Amaropostia stiptica and investigated their effect on human bitter taste receptors.

In doing so, they discovered one of the potentially most bitter substances known to date. The study results, published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, expand our knowledge of natural bitter compounds and their receptors, thus making an important contribution to food and health research.

The BitterDB database currently contains more than 2,400 bitter molecules. For about 800 of these very chemically diverse substances, at least one bitter taste receptor is specified. However, the bitter compounds recorded are mainly from flowering plants or synthetic sources. Bitter compounds of animal, bacterial or fungal origin, on the other hand, are still rarely represented in the database.

Researchers assume that bitter taste receptors have developed to warn against the consumption of potentially harmful substances. However, not all bitter compounds are toxic or harmful, and not every toxin tastes bitter, as the example of the death cap mushroom toxin shows. But why is that the case?

Studies have also shown that the sensors for bitter substances are not only found in the mouth, but also in organs such as the stomach, intestines, heart and lungs, as well as on certain blood cells. Since we do not "taste" with these organs and cells, the question arises as to the physiological significance of the receptors there.

Comprehensive data collections on bitter compounds and their receptors could help us to find answers to these open questions.

The more well-founded data we have on the various bitter compound classes, taste receptor types and variants, the better we can develop predictive models using systems biology methods to identify new bitter compounds and predict bitter taste receptor-mediated effects. This applies to both food constituents and endogenous substances that activate extraoral bitter taste receptors.

The research team that undertook this study examined the Bitter Bracket (Amaropostia stiptica) as part of a collaborative project. The mushroom is non-toxic, but tastes extremely bitter.

Using modern analytical methods, the research group  has succeeded in isolating three previously unknown compounds and elucidating their structures. Using a cellular test system, the researchers then showed that the compounds activate at least one of the approximately 25 human bitter taste receptor types.

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Particularly noteworthy is the newly discovered bitter compound oligoporin D, which stimulates the bitter taste receptor type TAS2R46 even at the lowest concentrations (approx. 63 millionths of a gram/liter). To illustrate: the concentration corresponds to one gram of oligoporin D dissolved in about 106 bathtubs of water, where one gram corresponds approximately to the weight of a knife tip of baking soda.

 Lea M. Schmitz et al, Taste-Guided Isolation of Bitter Compounds from the Mushroom Amaropostia stiptica Activates a Subset of Human Bitter Taste Receptors, Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry (2025). DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.4c12651

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scientists discover babies can sense their heartbeat and breathing

Body signals such as heartbeat and breathing accompany us constantly, often unnoticed as background noise of our perception. Even in the earliest years of life, these signals are important as they contribute to the development of self-awareness and identity. But can babies  perceive their own body signals?

A recent study from Wiener Kinderstudien Lab at the University of Vienna demonstrates for the first time that babies as young as 3 months can perceive their own heartbeat. In addition, the team also investigated the first-time infants' perception of their own breathing and found developments during the first two years of life. The results are now published in the journal eLife.

The perception of internal body signals is closely linked to emotional awareness, mental health, and self-perception. Early in life, the ability to perceive one's own body signals may be particularly important, as it often forms the basis for interactions with caregivers—for example, babies rely on their caregivers to respond appropriately to signs of hunger or discomfort. Moreover, the development of self-awareness and identity partly depends on the perception and experience of one's own body.

The study shows that even 3-month-old babies can perceive their own heartbeat and that this ability remains relatively stable during the first two years of life. At the same time, the findings indicate that the perception of breathing improves significantly during the second year. Interestingly, the ability to perceive the heartbeat and breathing does not appear to be related—much like in adults.

Results showed that even at an early age, babies recognize the correspondence between their own heartbeat or breathing rhythm and the animated figures. 

Markus R Tünte et al, Respiratory and cardiac interoceptive sensitivity in the first two years of life, eLife (2023). DOI: 10.7554/eLife.91579

Your season of conception could influence how your body stores fat

Individuals who were conceived in colder seasons are more likely to show higher brown adipose tissue activity, increased energy expenditure and a lower body mass index (BMI), and lower fat accumulation around internal organs, compared with those conceived in warmer seasons, suggests a study published in Nature Metabolism. The findings, based on an analysis involving more than 500 participants, indicate a potential role for meteorological conditions influencing human physiology.

Although eating habits and exercise are key indicators of fat loss, exposure to cold and warmth also plays a part. In colder temperatures, the body generates more heat (cold-induced thermogenesis) via brown adipose tissue activity and stores less fat in the form of white adipose tissue than it does in hotter temperatures.

Researchers analyzed brown adipose tissue density, activity and thermogenesis in 683 healthy male and female individuals between ages 3 and 78 in Japan, whose parents were exposed to cold temperatures (defined in the study as between 17 October and 15 April) or warm temperatures (between 16 April and 16 October) during the fertilization and birth periods.

Individuals who were conceived during the cold season showed higher brown adipose tissue activity, which then correlated with increased energy expenditure, increased thermogenesis, lower visceral fat accumulation and lower BMI into adulthood. More specifically,  the researchers show that a key factor in determining brown adipose tissue activity in human offspring is a large daily temperature variation and lower ambient temperature during the pre-conception period.

Takeshi Yoneshiro et al, Pre-fertilization-origin preservation of brown fat-mediated energy expenditure in humans, Nature Metabolism (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s42255-025-01249-2

The gut microbiome as a predictive factor for kidney rejection

Kidney is one of the most  transplanted organs in the world. 

 For patients with advanced kidney failure, a kidney transplant remains the best treatment option.

The demand is correspondingly high:  several patients around the world  are on the waiting list for a kidney transplant. A serious risk for patients who have already received a transplant is rejection of the transplant. This is a defensive reaction of the body against the foreign tissue, which can lead to a complete loss of organ function in an emergency.

Why transplants are sometimes rejected and sometimes not depends largely on immune mechanisms. The causes are complex and often poorly understood. To help answer this question, researchers have analyzed the changes in the composition and function of the gut microbiome of kidney transplant patients .

They discovered an altered signature in the gut microbiome that preceded transplant rejection. This study, published in the American Journal of Transplantation, offers a possible starting point for recognizing the risk of rejection at an early stage.

Our gut is home to countless microorganisms that play an important role in how our immune system works. This is known as the microbiome. The majority of these, over 90%, are bacteria. These bacteria and the substances they produce communicate with our body—especially with the cells that protect us from disease. They therefore help to control and strengthen our immune system, which is important for both healthy and sick people.

In patients with chronic kidney disease, the composition of the gut microbiome is severely altered, resulting in lower concentrations of anti-inflammatory short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) and increased concentrations of pro-inflammatory metabolites from the microbiome.

In their study, researchers analyzed the changes in the composition and function of the gut microbiome of patients after kidney transplantation. They found changes in the gut microbiome that were already detectable before the transplant rejection reaction.

It was noticeable that in patients who showed a rejection reaction, bacteria that typically occur in patients with advanced kidney failure, such as Fusobacterium and disease-associated genera such as Streptococcus, increased again. This was not the case in the other group studied, the "non-rejection group."

Overall, the analyses showed that the production potential of short-chain fatty acids in the stool is reduced before kidney rejection. This is indicated by the reduced frequency of bacterial enzymes from which short-chain fatty acids are produced before rejection.

The previously observed dynamic regeneration of the microbiome after kidney transplantation may be significantly disturbed in the case of transplant rejection: prior to rejection, profound changes in the composition of the microbiome occur, characterized by reduced diversity and a low number of SCFA-producing bacterial populations.

The results suggest that the microbiome plays an important role in how the immune system reacts after a kidney transplant. This observation can help to identify the risk of transplant rejection at an early stage or perhaps influence it therapeutically .

Johannes Holle et al, Gut microbiome alterations precede graft rejection in kidney transplantation patients, American Journal of Transplantation (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.ajt.2025.02.010

Scientists make water-repellent replacement for toxic 'forever chemicals'

A team of international scientists has invented a substitute for synthetic chemicals, called PFAS (perfluoroalkyl substances), which are widely used in everyday products despite being hazardous to health and the environment.

Until now, it was believed fluorine—the element in such products which forms a highly effective barrier between substances like air and water, making them water repellent—could not easily be replaced because of its unique properties.

But scientists have discovered that the unique "bulky" attribute of fluorine, which makes it especially good at filling space, can actually be replicated in a different, non-toxic form. The findings are published in the Journal of Colloid and Interface Science.

From fire-fighting foam to furniture, food packaging and cookware, to make-up and toilet tissue, PFAS products are everywhere. Despite the risks to human health, and the fact they don't degrade, perfluoroalkyl substances persist in the environment, finding an alternative with comparable properties has proven elusive. But after many years of intensive research,  researchers have made a great breakthrough now. 

The results of their discovery are published in a study which unpacks the chemical structure of PFAS and pinpoints the characteristic "bulkiness" they sought to replicate in a safer form. It also demonstrates how non-fluorinated components, containing only non-toxic carbon and hydrogen, could be equally effective replacements.

Through extensive experimentation, it turns out these 'bulky' fragments feature in other common chemical systems like fats and fuels. So scientists took those principles and created modified chemicals which have these positive attributes and are also much safer.

Using their specialized laboratories for chemical synthesis, they substituted the fluorine in PFAS with certain groups containing only carbon and hydrogen. The whole process has taken about 10 years and the implications are very significant not least because PFAS is used in so many different products and situations.

The researchers now plan on using these principles discovered in the lab to design commercially viable versions of PFAS substitutes.

Masanobu Sagisaka et al, New fluorine-free low surface energy surfactants and surfaces, Journal of Colloid and Interface Science (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2025.03.018

Turning pollution into fuel with record-breaking carbon dioxide to carbon monoxide conversion rates

What if we could transform harmful pollution into a helpful energy source? As we strive towards carbon neutrality, researching energy innovations that reduce pollution is crucial.

Researchers developed a streamlined process for converting carbon dioxide (CO2) into carbon monoxide (CO)—a key precursor for synthetic fuels. Their method achieved record-breaking efficiency, cutting down the required time from 24 hours to just 15 minutes. The study is published in the journal Advanced Science.

CO₂-to-CO conversion is currently a hot topic to address climate change, but the conventional techniques had major pitfalls that scientists wanted to address.

The materials are expensive, unstable, has limited selectivity, and took long to prepare. It just wouldn't be feasible to use them in an actual industrial setting.

With industrial standards in mind, the researchers selected various phthalocyanines (Pc) expected to improve performance [metal-free (H₂Pc), iron (FePc), cobalt (CoPc), nickel (NiPc), and copper (CuPc)]. These were sprayed onto gas diffusion electrodes to directly form crystalline layers of the phthalocyanines on the electrode surface. Ultimately, CoPc—a low-cost pigment and metal complex—showed the highest efficiency in converting CO₂ to CO.

This graffiti-like method of simply spraying the catalyst on a surface reduces the typical processing time down to a mere 15 minutes. Conventional methods require a tedious process of mixing conductive carbon and binders, drying, and heat treatment over 24 hours.

Furthermore, under a current density of 150 mA/cm², the new system maintained stable performance for 144 hours. Using the DigCat Database (the largest experimental electrocatalysis database to date), the researchers confirmed that their catalyst surpassed all previously reported Pc-based catalysts.

Not only is this the best Pc-based catalyst for producing CO to date, but it successfully exceeds the industrial standard thresholds for its reaction rate and stability, say the researchers.

 Tengyi Liu et al, Surface Charge Transfer Enhanced Cobalt‐Phthalocyanine Crystals for Efficient CO₂‐to‐CO Electroreduction with Large Current Density Exceeding 1000 mA cm⁻², Advanced Science (2025). DOI: 10.1002/advs.202501459

Sperm don't just swim, they screw their way forward

Researchers have discovered that swimming sperm create swirling fluid vortices—shaped like rolling corkscrews—giving them an extra boost in the race to the egg.

The study, published in Cell Reports Physical Science, reveals that these vortices attach to the sperm cell and rotate in sync, adding extra spin that enhances propulsion and helps keep them on a direct path through the fluid.

As the sperm swims, its flagellum (tail) generates a whipping motion that creates swirling fluid currents that could optimize its propulsion in the reproductive tract. What's really fascinating is how these spiral-like 'imprints' in the surrounding fluid attach to the sperm body and rotate in sync, adding extra thrust.

The size and strength of these flow structures could impact sperm interactions with nearby surfaces, other sperm, or even the egg itself.

Farzan Akbaridoust et al, Superhelix flow structures drive sperm locomotion, Cell Reports Physical Science (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrp.2025.102524. www.cell.com/cell-reports-phys … 2666-3864(25)00123-7

Eating only during the daytime could protect people from heart risks of shift work, study suggests

A study  by researchers  suggests that, when it comes to cardiovascular health, food timing could be a bigger risk factor than sleep timing.

Numerous studies have shown that working the night shift is associated with serious health risks, including to the heart. However, a new study suggests that eating only during the daytime could help people avoid the health risks associated with shift work. Results are published in Nature Communications.

Prior research has shown that circadian misalignment—the mistiming of our behavioral cycle relative to our internal body clock—increases cardiovascular risk factors. So  what can be done to lower this risk? This new research suggests food timing could be that target.

Animal studies have shown that aligning food timing with the internal body clock could mitigate the health risks of staying awake during the typical rest time.

In the experiments conducted during this study, the  cardiovascular risk factors increased after simulated night work compared to the baseline in the participants who were scheduled to eat during the day and night. However, the risk factors stayed the same in the study participants who only ate during the daytime, even though how much and what they ate was not different between the groups—only "when" they ate.

 Chellappa SL et al. Daytime eating during simulated night work mitigates changes in cardiovascular risk factors: secondary analyses of a randomized controlled trial, Nature Communications (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-57846-y

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General anesthesia reduces uniqueness of brain's functional 'fingerprint,' study finds

Past psychology research suggests that different people display characteristic patterns of spontaneous thought, emotions and behaviors. These patterns make the brains of distinct individuals unique, to the point that neuroscientists can often tell them apart based on their neural activity.

Researchers recently carried out a study aimed at investigating how general anesthesia influences the unique neural activity signatures that characterize the brains of different people and animals.

Their findings, published in Nature Human Behavior, show that general anesthesia suppresses each brain's unique functional connectivity patterns (i.e., the connections and communication patterns between different regions of the brain), both in humans and other species.

Every person is unique, they think and feel and act in unique ways. This uniqueness comes from our brain. The way that areas of the brain interact with each other is unique to each individual: it can be used like a 'brain fingerprint.

But when you lose consciousness, for example during deep sleep, your sense of being 'you' is gone. So, the question 's: what happens to brain fingerprints when we lose consciousness, such as during the artificial sleep induced by general anesthesia?

To explore the effects of anesthesia on the brain's functional connectivity patterns, the researchers employed an imaging technique commonly used in neuroscience research called functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). This technique allows neuroscientists to monitor the activity of different brain regions over time and non-invasively, by measuring changes in blood flow.

They collected fMRI scans from healthy human volunteers before general anesthesia, then when they were unconscious because of the anesthesia, and then again after they recovered consciousness. 

For each scan, they  measured 'functional connectivity': a representation of how brain regions interact. They used this functional connectivity to obtain 'brain fingerprints,' telling them how easy or difficult it is to tell people apart based on their brain activity.

Interestingly, the fMRI scans collected by the researchers showed that the brain activity of people while they were under the influence of anesthesia was suppressed. In fact, anesthesia made people almost impossible to tell apart from each other solely by examining their brain activity, which was possible when they were still conscious.

In contrast, using brain fingerprints it is very easy to tell people apart when they are conscious. This effect is not uniform in the brain: it is strongest in the parts of the brain that are uniquely human and mostly distinguish us from other species. The implication is that just as your own conscious experience is unique to you, so are the brain patterns that support it. When consciousness is gone, people's brain activity is also less unique.

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The researchers gathered interesting new insights about the effects of general anesthesia on the brain and its unique patterns of neural activity. In the future, the results of their study could inspire further cross-species research looking at the brain before, during and after the administration of anesthetics, which could in turn inform the development of interventions to facilitate the rehabilitation of both people and animals after medical procedures that require anesthesia.
The researchers hope that by learning how the brain reboots consciousness after anesthesia, they can learn how to help recovery of consciousness in patients who suffer from coma and other forms of chronic unconsciousness after a brain injury.

Andrea I. Luppi et al, General anaesthesia decreases the uniqueness of brain functional connectivity across individuals and species, Nature Human Behaviour (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41562-025-02121-9

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In utero opioid use associated with smaller brain regions in newborns

Researchers have found that newborns exposed to opioids in utero exhibited smaller brain volumes in multiple regions compared to unexposed infants.

Cortical gray matter, white matter, deep gray matter, cerebellum, brainstem, and the amygdala all showed reduced size, indicating possible early markers of neurodevelopmental impairment.

Opioid exposure affects a growing number of pregnancies in the world. An estimated 7% of pregnant individuals report using opioids during pregnancy. These substances cross the placenta and may interfere with fetal brain development.

Antenatal opioid exposure has been linked to lower infant cognitive and language scores, increased rates of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and difficulties with executive functioning.

Confounding influences such as socioeconomic status, co-exposure to other substances, parenting environment, and genetic factors complicate any direct causal interpretation. In some studies, once these environmental risks are controlled, associations between opioid exposure and neurodevelopmental outcomes weaken or disappear.

In the study, "Antenatal Opioid Exposure and Global and Regional Brain Volumes in Newborns," published in JAMA Pediatrics, researchers conducted a multisite, prospective observational study.

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A total of 173 newborns with antenatal opioid exposure and 96 unexposed controls were recruited from four sites across the United States. All infants were born at or after 37 weeks of gestation and underwent brain MRI scans before eight weeks of age.

Three-dimensional volumetric MRI scans were acquired during natural sleep using Siemens and Philips 3T scanners. Volumetric data were analyzed using covariance models that controlled for postmenstrual age at scan, sex, birth weight, maternal smoking, and maternal education.

Opioid-exposed newborns had significantly smaller total brain volume compared to unexposed controls: 387.51 cm3 vs. 407.06 cm3. Reductions were also found in cortical gray matter: 167.07 cm3 vs. 176.35 cm3, deep gray matter: 27.22 cm3 vs. 28.76 cm3, white matter: 159.90 cm3 vs. 166.65 cm3, cerebellum: 23.47 cm3 vs. 24.99 cm3, and brainstem: 6.80 cm3 vs. 7.18 cm3.

Amygdala volume was also reduced in opioid-exposed infants. Left amygdala volume measured 0.48 cm3 compared to 0.51 cm3 in controls. Right amygdala volume measured 0.51 cm3 vs. 0.55 cm3 in controls.
Methadone-exposed newborns showed significantly smaller white matter volume. Buprenorphine-exposed newborns showed significantly smaller right amygdala volume.

Newborns exposed to opioids only and those exposed to opioids plus other substances both exhibited significant reductions in cortical and deep gray matter, cerebellum, brainstem, right amygdala, and total brain volume. Polysubstance-exposed newborns also showed reductions in white matter and the left amygdala.
Researchers concluded that antenatal opioid exposure is associated with reductions in global, regional, and tissue-specific brain volumes in newborns. Structural differences were observed across multiple brain regions and varied by type of opioid exposure.

Methadone exposure was linked with reduced white matter volume. Buprenorphine exposure was associated with smaller right amygdala volume. Newborns with polysubstance exposure showed volume reductions in additional areas, including white matter and the left amygdala.

According to the authors, these structural brain differences may represent early biomarkers of later neurodevelopmental dysfunction.

Yao Wu et al, Antenatal Opioid Exposure and Global and Regional Brain Volumes in Newborns, JAMA Pediatrics (2025). DOI: 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2025.0277

Nethra K. Madurai et al, Following the Developing Brain Affected by Opioid Exposure, JAMA Pediatrics (2025). DOI: 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2025.0274

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Study finds pet dogs pose significant threat to wildlife and ecosystems

New research into the overlooked environmental impact of pet dogs has found far-reaching negative effects on wildlife, ecosystems and climate.

While ecological damage caused by cats has been extensively studied, the new research found dogs, as the world's most common large carnivores, present a significant and multifaceted environmental threat.

The paper, "Bad Dog? The environmental effects of owned dogs," has been published in Pacific Conservation Biology.

The research found that human-owned, pet dogs disturb and directly harm wildlife, particularly shorebirds, even when leashed.

As well as predatory behavior like chasing wildlife, dogs leave scents, urine and feces, which can disrupt animal behavior long after the dogs have left. Studies have found that animals like deer, foxes and bobcats  are less active or completely avoid areas where dogs are regularly walked, even in the absence of the dogs.

Dog waste also contributes to pollution in waterways and inhibits plant growth, while wash-off from chemical treatments used to clean and guard dogs from parasites can add toxic compounds to aquatic environments. In addition, the pet food industry, driven by a vast global dog population, has a substantial carbon, land and water footprint.

Addressing these challenges required a careful balance between reducing environmental harm and maintaining the positive role of dogs as companions and working animals, say the researchers.

The sheer number of pet dogs globally, combined with uninformed or lax behaviors by some owners, is driving environmental issues that we can no longer ignore.

Bad Dog? The environmental effects of owned dogs, Pacific Conservation Biology (2025). doi.org/10.1071/PC24071

Handheld electro-shockers can pose risk for individuals with cardiac implants, study finds

Research has found that handheld electro-shockers commonly used for self-defense can potentially interact with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) such as pacemakers, putting individuals at risk.

The study in Heart Rhythm shows that the individual interactive risk is primarily based on the applied voltage, but also on the manufacturer and type of implanted CIED.

The use of TASER pistols by security forces has been controversial because of associated health risks for subjects receiving a TASER shock. In contrast to TASER pistols, which shoot electrical darts over a distance of up to 10 meters and transmit electrical currents through large parts of a person's body, a handheld electro-shocker delivers energy superficially by directly applying the device to a target.

The handheld electro-shockers tested in this study are legal to own and carry in most countries and therefore, patients with CIEDs might have an increased risk of coming into contact with these devices. This is the first time a study has evaluated the effects of these electro-shockers on CIEDs.

Effects of handheld electro-shockers on cardiac implantable electronic devices, Heart Rhythm (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.hrthm.2025.02.025

Research leads to designation of new type of diabetes: Type 5

Malnutrition-related diabetes—typically affecting lean, malnourished teens and young adults in low- and middle-income countries—is now officially recognized as a distinct form of the disease, known as type 5 diabetes.

Diabetes that is caused by obesity, known as type 2 diabetes, accounts for the majority of diabetes cases in developing countries. But increasingly young people are being diagnosed with diabetes caused not by too much food but by too little—by malnutrition, in other words. Type 5 diabetes is estimated to affect 20-to-25 million people worldwide, mainly in Asia and Africa.

Doctors are still unsure how to treat these patients, who often don't live for more than a year after diagnosis.

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While often discussed as two main types, diabetes actually encompasses several categories, including type 1, type 2, gestational diabetes, and other specific types like MODY (Maturity-Onset Diabetes of the Young).
Here's a breakdown of the main types of diabetes:
Type 1 Diabetes:
An autoimmune condition where the body's immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas.
Type 2 Diabetes:
A condition where the body becomes resistant to insulin, and the pancreas may not produce enough insulin to maintain normal blood sugar levels.
Gestational Diabetes:
A form of diabetes that develops during pregnancy, often due to hormonal changes that make the body less sensitive to insulin.
Other Specific Types of Diabetes:
MODY (Maturity-Onset Diabetes of the Young): A genetic form of diabetes that typically develops in childhood or early adulthood, often before the age of 25.
LADA (Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults): A type of diabetes that is similar to type 1 but develops more slowly, with the damage to the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas happening gradually.
Neonatal Diabetes: A rare form of diabetes that occurs in newborns or infants.
Secondary Diabetes: Diabetes that develops as a result of other medical conditions or medications, such as cystic fibrosis, pancreatitis, or corticosteroid use.

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Researchers identify simple rules for folding the genome

An international team of researchers have identified rules that tell cells how to fold DNA into the tightly packed, iconic X-shaped chromosomes formed during mitosis that help ensure the accurate passing of genetic information between cells during cell division.

Published in the journal Science, these findings illuminate basic biological functions underlying mitosis on a micrometer scale. Understanding how the cells accomplish this critical task may provide important new insights into inheritance and DNA stability and repair, as well as genetic mutations that lead to human diseases such as cancer.

 Kumiko Samejima et al, Rules of engagement for condensins and cohesins guide mitotic chromosome formation, Science (2025). DOI: 10.1126/science.adq1709

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Venom characteristics of a deadly snake depends on climate .... and can be predicted from local climate

Local climate can be used to predict the venom characteristics of a deadly snake that is widespread in India, helping clinicians to provide targeted therapies for snake bite victims, according to a study published in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases

Russell's viper (Daboia russelii) is found across the Indian subcontinent and is responsible for over 40% of snake bite-related deaths in India each year. Its venom is extremely variable, and snake bites cause different symptoms in different regions of India.

The toxic effects of snake venom are caused by the concentrations of different enzymes, which can be influenced by many factors, including prey availability and climate. However, the factors driving variation in Russell's viper venom are unknown.

To investigate, researchers analyzed venom samples from 115 snakes collected in 34 locations across India. They tested the activity of venom toxins, including enzymes that break down proteins, phospholipids and amino acids.

Next, they used historical climate data to understand the relationship between venom composition and the local climate where the snakes were caught. They found that temperature and rainfall partly explained regional variation in snake venom composition.

Protease activity showed the closest relationship to climate variables, whereas the activity of amino acid oxidases was unaffected by climate. Snakes in drier regions of India tended to have higher protease activity.

The researchers used this data to create a map of expected venom types across Russell's viper's range in India, which could be used to predict the clinical symptoms of snake bites in different regions.

The venom maps developed in this study could help clinicians select the most appropriate treatment for patients with snake bites, or to develop targeted therapies such as toxin-specific antibodies, the researchers say.

PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases (2025). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0012949

'Ozone-climate penalty' adds to India's air pollution

India's cities are already ranked among the world's most polluted, based on concentrations of fine particulate matter in the air. Now new research indicates they are battling rising levels of another life-threatening pollutant—surface ozone.

A study published in the journal Global Transitions says deaths from ozone in India exceeded 50,000 in 2022 and caused losses of around US$16.8 billion—about 1.5 times the government's total health spending that year.

Surface ozone is a toxic gas that not only affects public health but also impacts ecosystems and climate due to the greenhouse effect.

Ozone, a variant of oxygen, occurs at ground level as well as in the upper atmosphere. Formed naturally, the ozone in the stratosphere helps filter out harmful ultraviolet rays that are a part of the sun's radiation. However, surface ozone, also called ground-level ozone, is generated by interactions between pollutants. For example, nitrogen oxides found in vehicular exhaust can react with volatile organic compounds released by industrial activity and waste dumps to produce ozone. Surface ozone is the primary component of smog and can have negative effects on human health and the environment.

Short-term exposure to ozone increases the risk of death from heart disease, stroke, hypertension and respiratory issues, while long-term exposure may decrease lung capacity, induce oxidative stress, suppress immune response and cause lung inflammation.

Climate change, rising temperatures and altered weather patterns can raise surface ozone in a phenomenon described by experts as the "ozone-climate penalty". Factors that affect ozone generation include solar radiation, humidity, precipitation and the presence of precursors—substances that lead to the formation of a pollutant through a chemical reaction—such as methane, nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds.

Ozone pollution increases during the hot summer months and declines during the monsoon period from June to September as heavy rains wash out the pollutants, and reduced solar radiation limits photochemical reactions.

Critically, human exposure to fine particulate matter—known as PM_2.5—may worsen the health effects of ozone. 

PM_2.5 refers to particles smaller than 2.5 microns, which can enter the bloodstream through the lungs.

According to the 2024 World Air Quality Report, 11 of the world's 20 cities carrying the highest burden of PM_2.5 are in India.

A study (1) published in The Lancet Planetary Health found that the whole of the population of India lives in areas where PM_2.5 levels exceed WHO guidelines.

Part 1

Besides harming health, high levels of surface ozone reduce photosynthesis by damaging photosystems, CO₂ fixation and pigments. This leads to a reduction in carbon assimilation that results in the decline of crop yields.

According to the ozone study, India's rice yield loss due to ozone pollution rose from 7.39 million tons to 11.46 million tons between 2005 and 2020, costing around US$2.92 billion and impacting food security.

Even if precursor emissions remain at the current level, climate change alone could contribute to the increase in surface ozone in the highly polluted regions of South Asia by 2050 with the Indo-Gangetic Plains, one of the most fertile regions in the region, likely to face significant crop yield losses.

Much of the surface ozone generated is taken care of by nature, such as the monsoon rains. Dealing with the reported increase in ozone levels is best done by reducing the precursors—nitrogen oxides, methane and PM_2.5.

G.S. Gopikrishnan et al, Exposure to surface ozone and its associated health effects and economic burden in India, Global Transitions (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.glt.2025.03.002

Footnotes:

1. Estimating the effect of annual PM2-5 exposure on mortality in India: a difference-in-differences approach, The Lancet Planetary Health (2024). DOI: 10.1016/S2542-5196(24)00248-1. www.thelancet.com/journals/lan … (24)00248-1/fulltext

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Scientists uncover why carbon-rich meteorites rarely reach Earth

An international team of researchers may have answered one of space science's long-running questions—and it could change our understanding of how life began. Carbon-rich asteroids are abundant in space yet make up less than 5% of meteorites found on Earth.

Published in Nature Astronomy, researchers analyzed close to 8,500 meteoroids and meteorite impacts, using data from 19 fireball observation networks across 39 countries—making it the most comprehensive study of its kind. The paper is titled "Perihelion history and atmospheric survival as primary drivers of Earth's meteorite record."

The team discovered Earth's atmosphere and the sun act like giant filters, destroying fragile, carbon-rich (carbonaceous) meteoroids before they reach the ground.

Scientists have long suspected that weak, carbonaceous material doesn't survive atmospheric entry. What this research shows is many of these meteoroids don't even make it that far: they break apart from being heated repeatedly as they pass close to the sun. The ones that do survive getting cooked in space are more likely to also make it through Earth's atmosphere.

The study also found meteoroids created by tidal disruptions—when asteroids break apart from close encounters with planets—are especially fragile and almost never survive atmospheric entry.

Carbonaceous meteorites are particularly important because they contain water and organic molecules—key ingredients linked to the origin of life on Earth. Carbon-rich meteorites are some of the most chemically primitive materials we can study—they contain water, organic molecules and even amino acids.

However, scientists have so few of them in their meteorite collections that they risk having an incomplete picture of what's actually out there in space and how the building blocks of life arrived on Earth.

Understanding what gets filtered out and why is key to reconstructing our solar system's history and the conditions that made life possible.

 Patrick M. Shober et al, Perihelion history and atmospheric survival as primary drivers of the Earth's meteorite record, Nature Astronomy (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41550-025-02526-6

Half of the universe's hydrogen gas, long unaccounted for, has been found

Astronomers tallying up all the normal matter—stars, galaxies and gas—in the universe today have come up embarrassingly short of the total matter produced in the Big Bang 13.6 billion years ago. In fact, more than half of normal matter—half of the 15% of the universe's matter that is not dark matter—cannot be accounted for in the glowing stars and gas we see.

New measurements, however, seem to have found this missing matter in the form of very diffuse and invisible ionized hydrogen gas, which forms a halo around galaxies and is more puffed out and extensive than astronomers thought.

The findings not only relieve a conflict between astronomical observations and the best, proven model of the evolution of the universe since the Big Bang, they also suggest that the massive black holes at the centers of galaxies are more active than previously thought, fountaining gas much farther from the galactic center than expected—about five times farther, the team found.

The new  measurements are certainly consistent with finding all of the gas. 

The results of the study, co-authored by 75 scientists from institutions around the world, have been presented at recent scientific meetings, posted as a preprint on arXiv and are undergoing peer review at the journal Physical Review Letters.

While the still mysterious dark matter makes up the bulk—about 84%—of matter in the universe, the remainder is normal matter. Only about 7% of normal matter is in the form of stars, while the rest is in the form of invisible hydrogen gas—most of it ionized—in galaxies and the filaments that connect galaxies in a kind of cosmic network.

The ionized gas and associated electrons strung out in this filament network are referred to as the warm-hot intergalactic medium, which is too cold and too diffuse to be seen with the usual techniques at astronomers' disposal, and therefore has remained elusive until now.

In the new paper, the researchers estimated the distribution of ionized hydrogen around galaxies by stacking images of approximately 7 million galaxies—all within about 8 billion light-years of Earth—and measuring the slight dimming or brightening of the cosmic microwave background caused by a scattering of the radiation by electrons in the ionized gas, the so-called kinematic Sunyaev-Zel'dovich effect.

B. Hadzhiyska et al, Evidence for large baryonic feedback at low and intermediate redshifts from kinematic Sunyaev-Zel'dovich observations with ACT and DESI photometric galaxies, arXiv (2024). DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2407.07152

An alternative to artificial fertilizers: Small peptides enhance symbiosis between plants and fungi

Industrial farming practices often deplete the soil of important nutrients and minerals, leaving farmers to rely on artificial fertilizers to support plant growth. In fact, fertilizer use has more than quadrupled since the 1960s, but this comes with serious consequences. Fertilizer production consumes massive amounts of energy, and its use pollutes the water, air, and land.

Plant biologists  are now proposing a new solution to help kick this unsustainable fertilizer habit. 

In a new study, the researchers identified a key molecule produced by plant roots, a small peptide called CLE16, that encourages plants and beneficial soil fungi to interact with each other. They say boosting this symbiotic relationship, in which the fungi provide mineral nutrients to the plants through CLE16 supplementation, could be a more natural and sustainable way to encourage crop growth without the use of harmful artificial fertilizers.

The findings are published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

By restoring the natural symbiosis between plant roots and fungi, we could help crops get the nutrients they need without the use of harmful fertilizers.

In this mutually beneficial relationship, soil-borne arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi supply plants with water and phosphorus, which the plants accept in exchange for carbon molecules. These exchanges occur by specialized symbiotic fungal tendrils, called arbuscules, burying themselves into plant root cells.

Around 80% of plants can trade resources with fungi in this way. However, the traits that support this symbiosis have been weakened over centuries of agricultural plant breeding that prioritized creating crops with the biggest yields.

Scientists say new crop varieties could be bred to strengthen these traits again—an opportunity they intend to explore through the Institute's Harnessing Plants Initiative.

 Müller, Lena Maria, A plant CLE peptide and its fungal mimic promote arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis via CRN-mediated ROS suppression, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2025). DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2422215122

Drug pollution in water

The drugs we take, from anxiety medications to antibiotics, don't simply vanish after leaving our bodies. Many are not fully removed by wastewater treatment systems and end up in rivers, lakes, and streams, where they can linger and affect wildlife in unexpected ways.

The new  findings suggest that even tiny traces of drugs in the environment can alter animal behavior in ways that may shape their survival and success in the wild.

A recent global survey of the world's rivers found drugs were contaminating waterways on every continent—even Antarctica. These substances enter aquatic ecosystems not only through our everyday use, as active compounds pass through our bodies and into sewage systems, but also due to improper disposal and industrial effluents.

To date, almost 1,000 different active pharmaceutical substances have been detected in environments worldwide.

Particularly worrying is the fact that the biological targets of many of these drugs, such as receptors in the human brain, are also present in a wide variety of other species. That means animals in the wild can also be affected.

In fact, research over the last several decades has demonstrated that pharmaceutical pollutants can disrupt a wide range of traits in animals, including their physiology, development, and reproduction.

https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adp7174

Radiation from CT scans could account for 5% of all cancer cases a year, study suggests

CT can save lives, but its potential harms are often overlooked. CTs expose patients to ionizing radiation—a carcinogen—and it's long been known that the technology carries a higher risk of cancer.

Radiation from CT scans may account for 5% of all cancers annually, according to a new study  that cautions against overusing and overdosing CTs.

The danger is greatest for infants, followed by children and adolescents. But adults are also at risk, since they are the most likely to get scans.

Nearly 103,000 cancers are predicted to result from the 93 million CTs that were performed in 2023 alone. This is three to four times more than previous assessments, the researchers say.

The researchers said some CT scans are unlikely to help patients and are overused, such as those for upper respiratory infections or for headaches without concerning signs or symptoms. They said patients could lower their risk by getting fewer of these scans, or by getting lower-dose scans.

There is currently unacceptable variation in the doses used for CT, with some patients receiving excessive doses. 

JAMA Internal Medicine (2025). jamanetwork.com/journals/jamai … ainternmed.2025.0505

Modified antibody fragment blocks fertilization, paving way for nonhormonal contraceptive

Current methods of contraception rely on hormones, which can cause side effects such as mood changes, headaches or increased risk of blood clots. Blocking fertilization on the surface of the egg has been proposed as an alternative, but antibodies were deemed unsuitable due to possible immune responses triggered by their Fc region.

A new study  shows how a small antibody fragment can block fertilization by targeting a key protein on the surface of the egg. This discovery brings a nonhormonal contraceptive one step closer to reality. The study has been published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

In the study, the researchers describe how a modified antibody fragment can block fertilization by targeting the protein ZP2 on the surface of the egg. 

This small antibody fragment can block fertilization by targeting ZP2, a key protein in the outer layer of the egg that is involved in both sperm binding and blocking polyspermy.

The researchers have used X-ray crystallography to map the interaction between the antibody IE-3, which is known to prevent fertilization in mice, and ZP2 at the atomic level. A modified, smaller version of the antibody (scFV) was found to be equally effective, blocking fertilization in 100% of IVF tests with mouse eggs. Because it lacks the immune-triggering Fc region of the full antibody, scFV minimizes potential side effects.

Elisa Dioguardi et al, Structural basis of ZP2-targeted female nonhormonal contraception, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2025). DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2426057122

Repeated treatment with malaria medication can decrease its effect

In a recently published article in the journal Nature Communications, researchers present results indicating that repeated treatment with piperaquine, an antimalarial drug, can lead to the parasites developing decreased sensitivity to this drug. These findings may impact the use of piperaquine in the future.

Piperaquine is an important antimalarial drug characterized by a long half-life, meaning it remains in the body for several weeks and protects against new infections. This is a key asset of this drug. However, the researchers behind the study have discovered that this advantage can disappear with repeated treatment in areas with high malaria transmission.

The study shows that repeated treatment with dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine can lead to parasites developing drug tolerance by duplicating the plasmepsin 3 (pm3) gene. This allows them to reinfect patients earlier than expected during the expected protective period, reducing piperaquine's effectiveness as a prophylactic medicine.

 Leyre Pernaute-Lau et al, Decreased dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine protection against recurrent malaria associated with Plasmodium falciparum plasmepsin 3 copy number variation in Africa, Nature Communications (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-57726-5

Airborne microplastics infiltrate plant leaves, raising environmental concerns

Researchers have found that plant leaves can directly absorb microplastics (MPs) from the atmosphere, leading to a widespread presence of plastic polymers in vegetation. Concentrations of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polystyrene (PS) were detected in leaves collected from multiple environments, including urban areas and agricultural sites. The study is published in the journal Nature.

Researchers performed field investigations and laboratory simulation experiments to quantify plastic accumulation in plant leaves. Leaf absorption was confirmed as a significant pathway for plastic accumulation in plants, with evidence of translocation into vascular tissue and retention in specialized structures like trichomes.

MPs have been detected throughout terrestrial environments, including soil, water, and air. Laboratory studies have shown that plant roots can absorb MPs, with submicrometer and nanometer-sized particles of PS and polymethylmethacrylate transported upward from the roots of Triticum aestivum, Lactuca sativa, and Arabidopsis thaliana. Root uptake through the apoplastic pathway has been observed, yet translocation to shoots occurs slowly.

Airborne MPs have been measured at concentrations between 0.4 and 2,502 items per cubic meter in urban settings such as Paris, Shanghai, Southern California, and London. Laboratory experiments demonstrated the foliar absorption of nanoparticles including Ag, CuO, TiO₂, and CeO₂.

Plastic particles have been shown to deposit on plant surfaces, and some studies reported internal accumulation following exposure to high levels of commercial PS models.

At the most polluted sites, concentrations of PET reached tens of thousands of nanograms per gram of dry leaf weight. PS levels followed a similar pattern, with the highest values detected in leaves from the landfill site.

PET and PS were also found in nine leafy vegetables, with open-air crops exhibiting higher levels than greenhouse-grown counterparts. Nano-sized PET and PS were visually confirmed in plant tissue.

Older leaves and outer leaves of vegetables accumulated more plastic than newly grown or inner leaves, suggesting an accumulation over time.

Laboratory exposure of maize to plastic-laden dust resulted in measurable PET absorption in leaf tissue after just one day. PET was not detected in roots or stems under similar root-exposure conditions. Fluorescent and europium-labeled particles enabled visualization of stomatal entry and subsequent migration through the apoplastic pathway.

Part 1

Abscisic acid was applied to maize roots to chemically induce stomatal closure. Plants exposed to dust laden with PET MPs under these conditions showed significantly lower absorption in leaf tissue, confirming that open stomata are crucial for foliar uptake of airborne MPs.

Plastic particles absorbed through leaves accumulated in measurable quantities across multiple species and sites. Airborne PET and PS entered leaves through stomata and moved along internal pathways to vascular tissues and trichomes.

Concentrations increased with exposure time, environmental levels, and leaf age. Field measurements showed that plastic accumulation in aboveground plant parts exceeds what is typically absorbed through roots.

Widespread detection of plastic polymers and fragments in edible plant parts confirms atmospheric exposure as a significant route of entry into vegetation. As leaves function as a primary source in terrestrial food chains, the presence of accumulated MPs suggests the potential for exposure to multiple layers of the ecosystem.

With plastics around, even vegetarians are not safe!

 Ye Li et al, Leaf absorption contributes to accumulation of microplastics in plants, Nature (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41586-025-08831-4

Willie Peijnenburg, Airborne microplastics enter plant leaves and end up in our food, Nature (2025). DOI: 10.1038/d41586-025-00909-3

Part 2

Heart valve abnormality is associated with malignant arrhythmias, study reveals

People with a certain heart valve abnormality are at increased risk of severe heart rhythm disorders, even after successful valve surgery. This is according to a new study, "Mitral annular disjunction and mitral valve prolapse: long-term risk of ventricular arrhythmias after surgery" , published in the European Heart Journal.

The condition is more common in women and younger patients with valve disorder and can, in the worst case, lead to sudden cardiac arrest.

Mitral annular disjunction, MAD, is a heart abnormality in which the mitral valve attachment "slides." In recent years, the condition has been linked to an increased risk of severe cardiac arrhythmias. Until now, it has not been known whether the risk of arrhythmias disappears if MAD is surgically corrected.

MAD is often associated with a heart disease called mitral valve prolapse, which affects 2.5% of the population and causes one of the heart's valves to leak. This can lead to blood being pumped backward in the heart, causing heart failure and arrhythmias. The disease can cause symptoms such as shortness of breath and palpitations.

In the current study, researchers  investigated the risk of cardiac arrhythmias in 599 patients with mitral valve prolapse who underwent heart surgery at Karolinska University Hospital between 2010 and 2022. Some 16% of the patients also had the cardiac abnormality MAD.

The researchers have been able to show that people with MAD have a significantly higher risk of suffering from ventricular arrhythmias, a dangerous type of heart rhythm disorder that, in the worst case, can lead to cardiac arrest in a subset of patients.

People with MAD were more likely to be female and were on average eight years younger than those without MAD. They also had more extensive mitral valve disease. Although the surgery was successful in correcting MAD, these patients had more than three times the risk of ventricular arrhythmias during five years of follow-up compared to patients without preoperative MAD.

These results show that it is important to closely monitor patients with this condition, even after a successful operation, say the researchers.

The study has led to new hypotheses that the researchers are now investigating further. One hypothesis is that MAD causes permanent changes in the heart muscle over time. Another is that MAD is a sign of an underlying heart muscle disease.

The researchers are now continuing to study scarring in the heart using MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) and analyze tissue samples from the heart muscle.

Bahira Shahim et al, Mitral annular disjunction and mitral valve prolapse: long-term risk of ventricular arrhythmias after surgery, (2025). DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehaf195

Children exposed to brain-harming chemicals while sleeping: Scientists urge mattress manufacturers to act

Babies and young children may breathe and absorb plasticizers called phthalates, flame retardants, and other harmful chemicals from their mattresses while they sleep, according to a pair of studies published by the University of Toronto in Environmental Science & Technology and Environmental Science & Technology Letters. These chemicals are linked to neurological and reproductive problems, asthma, hormone disruption, and cancer.

Sleep is vital for brain development, particularly for infants and toddlers. However, this research suggests that many mattresses contain chemicals that can harm kids' brains. 

This is a wake-up call for manufacturers and policymakers to ensure our children's beds are safe and support healthy brain development.

In the first study, researchers measured chemical concentrations in 25 bedrooms of children aged 6 months to 4 years. They detected concerning levels of more than two dozen phthalates, flame retardants, and UV-filters in bedroom air, with the highest levels lurking around the beds. In a companion study, researchers tested 16 newly purchased children's mattresses and confirmed that they are likely the major source of these chemicals in children's sleeping environments. When the researchers simulated a child's body temperature and weight on the mattresses, chemical emissions increased substantially, as much as by several times.

The phthalates and organophosphate ester flame retardants measured in this study are hormone disruptors and are linked to neurological harms, including learning disorders, reduced IQ scores, behavioral problems, and impaired memory. Some are also linked to childhood asthma and cancer. Several UV-filters are hormone disruptors.

Children are uniquely vulnerable to exposure, given that they are still developing, have hand-to-mouth behaviors, and have breathing rates ten times higher than adults. They also have more permeable skin and three times the skin surface area relative to their body weight than adults.

Flame retardants are linked to neurological, reproductive, and hormonal harm as well as cancer, and also have no proven fire-safety benefit as used in mattresses.

Flame retardants have a long history of harming our children's cognitive function and ability to learn. It's concerning that these chemicals are still being found in children's mattresses even though we know they have no proven fire-safety benefit, and aren't needed to comply with flammability standards.

The researchers call for manufacturers to be more vigilant about the chemicals in children's mattresses through testing. Further, stronger regulations on the use of flame retardants and phthalate plasticizers in children's mattresses are needed.

Environmental Science & Technology Letters (2025). DOI: 10.1021/acs.estlett.5c00051

Are Sleeping Children Exposed to Plasticizers, Flame Retardants, and UV-Filters from Their Mattresses?, Environmental Science & Technology (2025). DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.5c03560

NASA experiment shows solar wind might make water on the moon

Scientists have hypothesized since the 1960s that the sun is a source of ingredients that form water on the moon. When a stream of charged particles known as the solar wind smashes into the lunar surface, the idea goes, it triggers a chemical reaction that could make water molecules.

Now, in the most realistic lab simulation of this process yet, NASA-led researchers have confirmed this prediction.

The finding, researchers wrote in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets, has implications for NASA's Artemis astronaut operations at the moon's South Pole. A critical resource for exploration, much of the water on the moon is thought to be frozen in permanently shadowed regions at the poles.

Solar wind flows constantly from the sun. It's made largely of protons, which are nuclei of hydrogen atoms that have lost their electrons. Traveling at more than 1 million miles per hour, the solar wind bathes the entire solar system. We see evidence of it on Earth when it lights up our sky in auroral light shows.

Most of the solar particles don't reach the surface of Earth because our planet has a magnetic shield and an atmosphere to deflect them. But the moon has no such protection. As computer models and lab experiments have shown, when protons smash into the moon's surface, which is made of a dusty and rocky material called regolith, they collide with electrons and recombine to form hydrogen atoms.

Then, the hydrogen atoms can migrate through the lunar surface and bond with the abundant oxygen atoms already present in minerals like silica to form hydroxyl (OH) molecules, a component of water, and water (H₂O) molecules themselves.

Scientists have found evidence of both hydroxyl and water molecules in the moon's upper surface, just a few millimeters deep. These molecules leave behind a kind of chemical fingerprint—a noticeable dip in a wavy line on a graph that shows how light interacts with the regolith. With the current tools available, though, it is difficult to tell the difference between hydroxyl and water, so scientists use the term "water" to refer to either one or a mix of both molecules.

Many researchers think the solar wind is the main reason the molecules are there, though other sources like micrometeorite impacts could also help by creating heat and triggering chemical reactions.

Spacecraft measurements had already hinted that the solar wind is the primary driver of water, or its components, at the lunar surface. One key clue, confirmed by Yeo's team's experiment: the moon's water-related spectral signal changes over the course of the day.

In some regions, it's stronger in the cooler morning and fades as the surface heats up, likely because water and hydrogen molecules move around or escape to space. As the surface cools again at night, the signal peaks again. This daily cycle points to an active source—most likely the solar wind—replenishing tiny amounts of water on the moon each day.

Li Hsia Yeo et al, Hydroxylation and Hydrogen Diffusion in Lunar Samples: Spectral Measurements During Proton Irradiation, Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets (2025). DOI: 10.1029/2024JE008334

**

Researchers resurrect extinct gene in plants with major implications for drug development

Researchers resurrected an extinct plant gene, turning back the evolutionary clock to pave a path forward for the development and discovery of new drugs.

Specifically, the team repaired a defunct gene in the coyote tobacco plant.

In a new paper, they detail their discovery of a previously unknown kind of cyclic peptide, or mini-protein, called nanamin that is easy to bioengineer, making it "a platform with huge potential for drug discovery" . The paper is published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

It will provide chemical biologists with other tools to develop new peptide-based cancer treatments, for discovering new antibiotics and also for agricultural applications for defense against pathogens and insects.

Made up of short strings of amino acids, cyclic peptides are very small and almost tailor-made for use in drug development.

Cyclic peptides are much smaller, so it's like a small molecule drug but has the chemical features of a protein. You can also engineer it. We can easily generate a library that produces millions of these peptides that can be used for drug screening.

The researchers  previously discovered that cyclic peptides exist in plants, which brought him to coyote tobacco. As they delved into the genetic code of this plant, they discovered a pseudogene that was no longer functional.

This particular gene had previously encoded the cyclic peptide nanamin in coyote tobacco, but over time, due to adaptive mutations, it had faded away into the evolutionary past. But that didn't stop the researchers.

They found that this gene still existed in related plant species and, using a new method called molecular gene resurrection, cloned the gene and corrected the mutation.

To their surprise, they were able to recover the ancestral function of this gene.

Beyond resurrecting an extinct gene, this research proves the viability of cyclic peptides, and nanamin specifically, as the foundation for a number of novel uses.

Nanamin's size and chemical mutability makes it an asset for discovering new drugs and agriculture.

Elliot M. Suh et al, The emergence and loss of cyclic peptides in Nicotiana illuminate dynamics and mechanisms of plant metabolic evolution, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2025). DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2425055122

Key to the high aggressiveness of pancreatic cancer identified

Pancreatic cancer is one of the most aggressive cancers and has one of the lowest survival rates—only 10% after five years. One of the factors contributing to its aggressiveness is its tumor microenvironment, known as the stroma, which makes up the majority of the tumor mass and consists of a network of proteins and different non-tumor cells. Among these, fibroblasts play a key role, helping tumor cells to grow and increasing their resistance to drugs.

Now, a study  by researchers has identified a new key factor contributing to this feature of pancreatic cancer: a previously unknown function of Galectin-1 protein inside the nuclei of fibroblasts.

This discovery, published in the journal PNAS, offers new insights into the role of these cells in the progression of pancreatic cancer.

The stroma is considered a key component in the aggressive nature of pancreatic cancer, as it interacts with tumor cells, protects them, and hinders the action of drugs. Moreover, stromal cells, particularly fibroblasts, produce substances that support tumor growth and dissemination. 

Until now, fibroblasts were known to secrete Galectin-1, a protein with pro-tumoral properties. This study, however, shows that the molecule is also located inside fibroblasts—specifically in their nuclei—where it plays a key role in gene expression regulation.

The presence of this molecule activates fibroblasts, making them support tumor cell development. The researchers also discovered that Galectin-1 can regulate gene expression in these cells at a highly specific level without altering the DNA sequence, through epigenetic control. One of the genes it regulates is KRAS, which plays a critical role in pancreatic tumors.

This gene is also present in tumor cells in 90% of patients, though in this case it is mutated. It is considered one of the main drivers of uncontrolled growth and tumor aggressiveness.

 The newly discovered functions now pave the way for developing new strategies to tackle this type of tumor.

Judith Vinaixa et al, Nuclear Galectin-1 promotes KRAS -dependent activation of pancreatic cancer stellate cells, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2025). DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2424051122

Researchers uncover molecular connection between body fat and anxiety

Researchers  have revealed a novel link between body fat (adipose tissue) and anxiety, shedding light on the intricate relationship between metabolism and mental health.

The findings, published in Nature Metabolism on April 15, 2025, are particularly relevant given the rising rates of anxiety and obesity, highlighting the importance of understanding the underlying biological processes.

Understanding the link between adipose tissue and anxiety opens up new avenues for research and potential treatments.

The research team discovered that psychological stress, which triggers the fight or flight response, initiates a process called lipolysis in fat cells. This process leads to the release of fats, which in turn stimulates the release of a hormone called GDF15 from immune cells found in fat tissue. GDF15 then communicates with the brain, resulting in anxiety.

Researchers came to their conclusion through a series of meticulously designed experiments involving mice. Behavioral tests assessed anxiety-like behavior, and molecular analyses identified the activated pathways. A clear connection between metabolic changes in adipose tissue and anxiety was established, offering new insights into the interplay between metabolism and mental health.

 Logan K. Townsend et al, GDF15 links adipose tissue lipolysis with anxiety, Nature Metabolism (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s42255-025-01264-3

New pollen-replacing food for honey bees brings hope for their survival

Changes in land use, urban expansion, and extreme weather all negatively impact nutrition for honey bees and other pollinators. Many crops depend on these pollinators for survival. Honey bees are generalists and do not get all their nutrition from a single source. They need variety in their diet to survive but find it increasingly difficult to find the continuous supply of pollen they need to sustain the colony.

Changes in land use, urban expansion, and extreme weather all negatively impact nutrition for honey bees and other pollinators.

Now Scientists have unveiled a new food source designed to sustain honey bee colonies indefinitely without natural pollen.

Published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B, the research details successful trials where nutritionally stressed colonies, deployed for commercial crop pollination  thrived on the new food source.

This innovation, which resembles the man-made diets fed to livestock and pets all their lives, contains all the nutrients honey bees need. It's expected to become a potent strategy for combating the escalating rates of colony collapse and safeguarding global food supplies reliant on bee pollination.
The newly developed food source resembles human "Power Bars." These are placed directly into honey bee colonies, where young bees process and distribute the essential nutrients to larvae and adult bees.

This breakthrough addresses one of the growing challenges faced by honey bees: lack of adequate nutrition in their environment.

The reported scientific work shows in commercial field conditions that providing nutritionally stressed colonies with the pollen-replacing feed results in a major measurable step change in colony health compared to current best practices. This new product has the potential to change the way honey bees are managed.

A critical discovery within the research is the role of isofucosterol, a molecule found naturally in pollen that acts as a vital nutrient for honey bees.

Colonies fed with isofucosterol-enriched food survived an entire season without pollen access, while those without it experienced severe declines, including reduced larval production, adult paralysis, and colony collapse. The new feed also contains a comprehensive blend of the other nutrients honey bees require.

A nutritionally complete pollen-replacing diet protects honey bee colonies during stressful commercial pollination - Requirement for isofucosterol, Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences (2025). DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2024.3078. royalsocietypublishing.org/doi … .1098/rspb.2024.3078

Scientists find evidence that challenges theories of the origin of water on Earth

A team of researchers have uncovered crucial evidence for the origin of water on Earth. Using a rare type of meteorite, known as an enstatite chondrite, which has a composition analogous to that of the early Earth (4.55 billion years ago), they have found a source of hydrogen which would have been critical for the formation of water molecules.

Crucially, they demonstrated that the hydrogen present in this material was intrinsic, and not from contamination. This suggests that the material which our planet was built from was far richer in hydrogen than previously thought.

The findings, which support the theory that the formation of habitable conditions on Earth did not rely on asteroids hitting Earth, have been published in the journal Icarus..

Without hydrogen, a fundamental elemental building-block of water, it would have been impossible for our planet to develop the conditions to support life.

The origin of hydrogen, and, by extension, water, on Earth has been highly debated, with many believing that the necessary hydrogen was delivered by asteroids from outer space during Earth's first approximately 100 million years. But these new findings contradict this, suggesting instead that Earth had the hydrogen it needed to create water from when it first formed.

The research team analyzed the elemental composition of a meteorite known as LAR 12252, originally collected from Antarctica. They used an elemental analysis technique called X-Ray Absorption Near Edge Structure (XANES) spectroscopy at the Diamond Light Source synchrotron at Harwell, Oxfordshire.

 A previous study led by a French team(1,2) had originally identified traces of hydrogen within the meteorite inside organic materials and non-crystalline parts of the chondrules (millimeter-sized spherical objects within the meteorite). However, the remainder was unaccounted for—meaning it was unclear whether the hydrogen was native or due to terrestrial contamination.

The new work by the team suspected that significant amounts of the hydrogen may be attached to the meteorite's abundant sulfur. Using the synchrotron, they shone a powerful beam of X-rays onto the meteorite's structure to search for sulfur-bearing compounds.

When initially scanning the sample, the team focused their efforts on the non-crystalline parts of the chondrules, where hydrogen had been found before.

Part 1

But when serendipitously analyzing the material just outside of one of these chondrules, composed of a matrix of extremely fine (sub-micrometer) material, the team discovered that the matrix itself was incredibly rich in hydrogen sulfide. In fact, their analysis found that the amount of hydrogen in the matrix was five times higher than that of the non-crystalline sections.

Since the proto-Earth was made of material similar to enstatite chondrites, this suggests that by the time the forming planet had become large enough to be struck by asteroids, it would have amassed enough reserves of hydrogen to explain Earth's present-day water abundance.

Because the likelihood of this hydrogen sulfide originating from terrestrial contamination is very low, this research provides vital evidence to support the theory that water on Earth is native—that it is a natural outcome of what our planet is made of.

Thomas J. Barrett et al,The source of hydrogen in earth's building blocks, Icarus (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.icarus.2025.116588

In contrast, in other parts of the meteorite that had cracks and signs of obvious terrestrial contamination (such as rust), very little or no hydrogen was present. This makes it highly unlikely that the hydrogen sulfide compounds detected by the team originated from an earthly source.

Footnotes:

1. L. Piani el al., "Earth's water may have been inherited from material similar to enstatite chondrite meteorites," Science (2020). science.sciencemag.org/cgi/doi … 1126/science.aba1948

2. "The origins of water," Science (2020). science.sciencemag.org/cgi/doi … 1126/science.abc1338

Part 2

Forensic Science: Glowing gunshot residue: New method illuminates crime scene clues

Crime scene investigation may soon become significantly more accurate and efficient thanks to a new method for detecting gunshot residues. Researchers  developed the technique that converts lead particles found in gunshot residue into light-emitting semiconductors. This method is faster, more sensitive, and easier to use than current alternatives.

Forensic experts at the Amsterdam police force are already testing it in actual crime scene investigations. The researchers published their findings in Forensic Science International on March 9.

The innovative light-emitting lead analysis method offers exciting opportunities for crime scene investigations. When a weapon is fired, it leaves gunshot residue containing lead traces on the surrounding environment, including clothing and skin.

Obtaining an indication of gunshot residue at the crime scene is a major advantage, helping us answer key questions about shooting incidents. For instance, determining whether the damage found could have been caused by a bullet and determining the relative position of a person who might have been involved in a shooting incident. We test for lead traces on possible bullet holes and a suspect's or a victim's clothing or hands.

Currently, police send all samples to the lab for analysis. However, the methods used there are often time-consuming, labor-intensive, and require expensive equipment.

The new analysis method builds on recent advances in perovskite research. Perovskites are a promising material used in applications ranging from solar cells to LEDs. A few years ago, researchers  developed an easy-to-use lead detection method based on perovskite technology.

In this method, a reagent converts lead-containing surfaces into a perovskite semiconductor. Shining with a UV lamp will make the newly formed semiconductor emit a bright green glow visible to the naked eye—making even small traces of lead easily detectable.

In 2021, Noorduin and Lukas Helmbrecht (formerly Ph.D. student in the group) established a start-up company to develop this lead testing method into a practical lead detection kit: Lumetallix. Over the past years, many people worldwide have been investigating their surroundings using the Lumetallix test kit. They report positive tests in all sorts of objects, for example: dinner plates, beer glasses, but also in paint dust at construction sites.

Now researchers developed an altered version of the Lumetallix reagent for the forensic application: one that reacts especially well with lead atoms in gunshot residue and produces a long-lasting green glow.

To validate the effectiveness of this method, the researchers conducted a series of controlled experiments. The results revealed well-defined luminescent patterns that were clearly visible to the naked eye, even at extended distances.

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The researchers made two other remarkable discoveries:

First, unlike other methods, the new light-emitting technique remains effective even after extensive washing of the shooter's hands. This is important for forensic investigations, as suspects often try to tamper with or remove evidence of their involvement.

Second, bystanders standing approximately 2 meters away from the shooter also tested positive for lead traces on their hands. "These findings provide valuable pieces of the puzzle when reconstructing a shooting incident. But, a positive test also needs to be carefully interpreted. It does not automatically mean that you fired a gun.

The researchers think this new method will be especially beneficial to first responders, such as police officers, who can use it to rapidly screen potential suspects and witnesses to secure crucial evidence.

Kendra Adelberg et al, Perovskite-based photoluminescent detection of lead particles in gunshot residue, Forensic Science International (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112415

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Bonobos refuse to participate when faced with unequal rewards

To better understand the evolutionary origins of fairness, researchers  investigated inequity aversion in bonobos, one of humans' closest relatives.

 The researchers conducted two rounds of experiments using established inequity paradigms: one in which the bonobos exchanged tokens for rewards, and another in which they tested whether their reactions might have been caused by disappointment in the experimenter. The study is published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences.

The results showed that bonobos refused to participate more often when they received a lesser reward than their partner. Unlike chimpanzees, their responses could not be explained by disappointment alone, supporting the idea that bonobos genuinely recognize and respond to unfair treatment.

Unlike chimpanzees, their reactions were not simply due to disappointment with the experimenter, but reflected a genuine aversion to unequal treatment.

Interestingly, bonobos were more tolerant of inequity when interacting with closely affiliated partners, similar to patterns seen in humans. This suggests that social bonds may influence reactions to fairness, reinforcing the idea that inequity aversion has evolved as a stabilizing force for cooperation.

Kia Radovanović et al, Bonobos respond aversively to unequal reward distributions, Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences (2025). DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2024.2873

People, not alligators, are at fault in most alligator bite cases

Risky human behavior, not aggression by alligators, is the leading cause of alligator bites, according to a study by scientists.

Published in the journal Human–Wildlife Interactions, the research is the first to develop a ranking system that categorizes human actions immediately before an alligator encounter. Researchers found that in 96% of recorded incidents, some form of human inattention or risk-taking preceded the attack. The findings show that alligator bites are not random; they're preventable.

The insights come at a time of year when alligator activity is ramping up. Mating season, which runs from April through June in some places, brings more frequent movement and territorial behavior among alligators, making human awareness and safe practices even more essential.

To reach their conclusions, the team analyzed nearly three centuries of records from 1734 to 2021 on human–alligator interactions using the CrocBITE database, now called CrocAttack.org. The team then augmented that information with internet searches, literature review and communications with wildlife agencies. Each case was classified by the level of human behavior risk: no risk, low, moderate or high.

Most bites occurred following moderate-risk behaviors, such as swimming or wading in areas known to be inhabited by alligators. The highest proportion of fatal bites occurred after high-risk behaviors, such as deliberately entering alligator-inhabited waters. In contrast, low and no-risk behaviors, like walking near water or simply being present on land, rarely resulted in attacks.

The takeaway lesson from this study is that many bites can be prevented if humans are aware of their surroundings and minimize risky behaviors such as walking small pets near bodies of water or swimming where alligators are known to be present, say the researchers. 

The most surprising finding was how high the percentage was for humans engaging in risky behavior. This indicates that humans—rather than alligators—are at fault in the vast majority of cases where bites occur.

The results emphasize that alligators aren't seeking conflict, but they will respond when humans provide what scientists call an "attractive stimulus," such as by splashing, swimming or entering alligator habitats.

Although some bites happened without clear warning, in many cases, people unknowingly triggered the alligator's natural response to defend itself or to hunt.

Researchers stress that humans are entering the environment of a large, wild predator much like hikers entering bear country or swimmers in shark-inhabited waters and should assume some level of responsibility and attentiveness.

Mark S Teshera et al, Human-Alligator Incidents in the United States: Risky Human Behaviors Cause Most "Attacks", Human–Wildlife Interactions (2023). DOI: 10.26077/wvfj-s221. digitalcommons.usu.edu/cgi/vie … cle=1885&context=hwi

Curiosity rover finds large carbon deposits on Mars

And scientists are trying to answer some of the questions on earlier Martian life and that of the Earth at present with these findings

Research from NASA's Curiosity rover has found evidence of a carbon cycle on ancient Mars, bringing scientists closer to an answer on whether the red planet was ever capable of supporting life.

The team is working to understand climate transitions and habitability on ancient Mars as Curiosity explores Gale Crater.

The paper, published in the journal Science, reveals that data from three of Curiosity's drill sites had siderite, an iron carbonate material, within sulfate-rich layers of Mount Sharp in Gale Crater.

The discovery of large carbon deposits in Gale Crater represents both a surprising and important breakthrough in our understanding of the geologic and atmospheric evolution of Mars. 

The abundance of highly soluble salts in these rocks and similar deposits mapped over much of Mars has been used as evidence of the 'great drying' of Mars during its dramatic shift from a warm and wet early Mars to its current, cold and dry state.

Sedimentary carbonate has long been predicted to have formed under the CO₂-rich ancient Martian atmosphere. 

NASA's Curiosity rover landed on Mars on Aug. 5, 2012, and has traveled more than 34 kilometers on the Martian surface.

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The discovery of carbonate suggests that the atmosphere contained enough carbon dioxide to support liquid water existing on the planet's surface. As the atmosphere thinned, the carbon dioxide transformed into rock form.
NASA says future missions and analysis of other sulfate-rich areas on Mars could confirm the findings and help to better understand the planet's early history and how it transformed as its atmosphere was lost.
Scientists are trying to determine whether Mars was ever capable of supporting life—and the latest paper brings them closer to an answer. It tells us that the planet was habitable and that the models for habitability are correct.
The broader implications are the planet was habitable up until this time, but then, as the CO2 that had been warming the planet started to precipitate as siderite, it likely impacted Mars' ability to stay warm.

"The question looking forward is how much of this CO2 from the atmosphere was actually sequestered? Was that potentially a reason we began to lose habitability?"
The latest research fits with his ongoing work on Earth—trying to turn anthropogenic CO2 into carbonates as a climate change solution.

Learning about the mechanisms of making these minerals on Mars helps us to better understand how we can do it here.
Studying the collapse of Mars' warm and wet early days also tells us that habitability is a very fragile thing. It's clear that small changes in atmospheric CO2 can lead to huge changes in the ability of the planet to harbour life.
The most remarkable thing about Earth is that it's habitable and it has been for at least four billion years. Something happened to Mars that didn't happen to Earth.
What is it and how can we avoid such a situation, if we ever can, here on Earth?

We must catch these answers that are blowing in the thin Martian atmosphere and embedded in the dust on the planet's surface.

Benjamin M. Tutolo, Carbonates identified by the Curiosity rover indicate a carbon cycle operated on ancient Mars, Science (2025). DOI: 10.1126/science.ado9966. www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.ado9966

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Astronomers detect strongest sign yet of possible life on a planet beyond our own

Astronomers have detected the most promising signs yet of a possible biosignature outside the solar system, although they remain cautious.

Using data from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), the astronomers have detected the chemical fingerprints of dimethyl sulfide (DMS) and/or dimethyl disulfide (DMDS), in the atmosphere of the exoplanet K2-18b, which orbits its star in the habitable zone.

On Earth, DMS and DMDS are only produced by life, primarily microbial life such as marine phytoplankton. While an unknown chemical process may be the source of these molecules in K2-18b's atmosphere, the results are the strongest evidence yet that life may exist on a planet outside our solar system.

The observations have reached the 'three-sigma' level of statistical significance—meaning there is a 0.3% probability that they occurred by chance. To reach the accepted classification for scientific discovery, the observations would have to cross the five-sigma threshold, meaning there would be below a 0.00006% probability they occurred by chance.

The researchers say between 16 and 24 hours of follow-up observation time with JWST may help them reach the all-important five-sigma significance. Their results are reported in The Astrophysical Journal Letters.

Earlier observations of K2-18b—which is 8.6 times as massive and 2.6 times as large as Earth, and lies 124 light years away in the constellation of Leo—identified methane and carbon dioxide in its atmosphere. This was the first time that carbon-based molecules were discovered in the atmosphere of an exoplanet in the habitable zone.

Those results were consistent with predictions for a 'Hycean' planet: a habitable ocean-covered world underneath a hydrogen-rich atmosphere.

However, another, weaker signal hinted at the possibility of something else happening on K2-18b. Scientists didn't know for sure whether the signal they saw last time was due to DMS, but just the hint of it was exciting enough for them to have another look with JWST using a different instrument.

To determine the chemical composition of the atmospheres of faraway planets, astronomers analyze the light from its parent star as the planet transits, or passes in front of the star as seen from Earth. As K2-18b transits, JWST can detect a drop in stellar brightness, and a tiny fraction of starlight passes through the planet's atmosphere before reaching Earth.

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The absorption of some of the starlight in the planet's atmosphere leaves imprints in the stellar spectrum that astronomers can piece together to determine the constituent gases of the exoplanet's atmosphere.

The earlier, tentative, inference of DMS was made using JWST's NIRISS (Near-Infrared Imager and Slitless Spectrograph) and NIRSpec (Near-Infrared Spectrograph) instruments, which together cover the near-infrared (0.8-5 micron) range of wavelengths. The new, independent observation used JWST's MIRI (Mid-Infrared Instrument) in the mid-infrared (6-12 micron) range.
This is an independent line of evidence, using a different instrument than the scientists did before and a different wavelength range of light, where there is no overlap with the previous observations. "The signal came through strong and clear."
It 's an incredible realization seeing the results emerge and remain consistent throughout the extensive independent analyses and robustness tests.
DMS and DMDS are molecules from the same chemical family, and both are predicted to be biosignatures. Both molecules have overlapping spectral features in the observed wavelength range, although further observations will help differentiate between the two molecules.
However, the concentrations of DMS and DMDS in K2-18b's atmosphere are very different than on Earth, where they are generally below one part per billion by volume. On K2-18b, they are estimated to be thousands of times stronger—over ten parts per million.
Earlier theoretical work had predicted that high levels of sulfur-based gases like DMS and DMDS are possible on Hycean worlds (covered in oceans). Given everything we know about this planet, a Hycean world with an ocean that is teeming with life is the scenario that best fits the data we have, say the scientists.
While the results are exciting, it's vital to obtain more data before claiming that life has been found on another world. While scientists are cautiously optimistic, there could be previously unknown chemical processes at work on K2-18b that may account for the observations.
Scientists have to conduct further theoretical and experimental work to determine whether DMS and DMDS can be produced non-biologically at the level currently inferred.
The inference of these biosignature molecules poses profound questions concerning the processes that might be producing them.
It's important that we're deeply skeptical of our own results, because it's only by testing and testing again that we will be able to reach the point where we're confident in them,"  the scientists add. "That's how science has to work."

Nikku Madhusudhan et al, New Constraints on DMS and DMDS in the Atmosphere of K2-18 b from JWST MIRI, The Astrophysical Journal Letters (2025). DOI: 10.3847/2041-8213/adc1c8

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Extreme microbial adaptations arise in one of  most polluted waterways

The industrially ravaged Gowanus Canal, long regarded as a symbol of urban environmental neglect, is being reimagined through the lens of scientific inquiry as a complex reservoir of microbial life shaped by intense selective pressures.

Research  has discovered microbes in Brooklyn's Gowanus Canal that carry genes for breaking down industrial pollutants and neutralizing heavy metals. Genetic screening also uncovered resistance to multiple antibiotic classes and thousands of biosynthetic gene clusters with implications for developing new antibiotics, industrial enzymes, and bioactive compounds.

Built in the mid 1800s, the 2.9 km long industrial canal has experienced over 150 years of unregulated environmental abuse. As a hub of heavy industry, various mills, petroleum and chemical plants have lined the canal banks.

Unknown volumes of arsenic, heavy metals, polychlorinated biphenyls, coal tar, petroleum products, volatile organic compounds, chlorinated solvents and untreated sewage overflow have discharged into the small waterway.

Designated a Superfund site in 2010, the Gowanus Canal is one of the most contaminated waterways in the United States. When the EPA began evaluating the site for restoration, they discovered approximately two hundred previously unknown and unpermitted pipes that discharge directly into the canal.

So toxic are the sediments and extreme the environment that mere skin contact with the water poses a health hazard for humans. To microbiologists, such extreme environments are highly intriguing opportunities to see how life finds a way to adapt and even thrive. Microbial life has previously been discovered in similarly extreme contexts.

Discoveries in NASA clean rooms revealed microbes that lived off of paint and cleaning solutions. An enzyme that revolutionized early genomic research came from a bacterium found in the hot springs of Yellowstone National Park. Microorganisms discovered in contaminated environments have previously been used to degrade petroleum hydrocarbons and other pollutants.

While the Gowanus Canal is unquestionably an environmental disaster, it can also serve as a long-running experiment in microbial evolution.

In the study, "Metagenomic interrogation of urban Superfund site reveals antimicrobial resistance reservoir and bioremediation potential," published in the Journal of Applied Microbiology, researchers performed a metagenomic analysis of microbial communities in the Gowanus Canal.

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With a comprehensive dataset and in-depth profiling of Gowanus microbial communities, researchers were able to identify previously undocumented microbial lineages and assess their potential for environmental remediation.

Metagenomic analysis of sediment samples from the Gowanus Canal revealed a diverse microbial community comprising 455 distinct microbial species, including bacteria, archaea, and viruses.

Across both surface and core samples, researchers identified 64 metabolic pathways involved in the degradation of organic contaminants, alongside 1,171 genes associated with the detoxification of heavy metals such as iron, copper, and nickel. Researchers identified 2,319 biosynthetic gene clusters, many of which may be linked to the production of novel secondary metabolites with potential therapeutic or industrial value.
A comprehensive screening of antimicrobial resistance genes demonstrated the presence of 28 resistance genes across eight different antibiotic classes, including agents commonly used in clinical settings such as rifampin and aminoglycosides.

Coexistence of pollutant-degrading genes and antimicrobial resistance likely arises from ecological adaptations driven by prolonged exposure to urban and industrial waste. Microorganisms within the canal deploy multiple degradation pathways to metabolize pollutants like toluene and phenolic compounds, while simultaneously exhibiting traits that confer resilience to heavy metal stress.
Findings suggest that extreme urban ecosystems like the Gowanus Canal may act as reservoirs of both beneficial and hazardous genetic elements. Some of the antimicrobial resistance genes appear to originate from human gut-associated microbes, likely introduced through untreated sewage overflow, raising urgent new concerns around public health risks.

While not an experiment any scientist would have chosen to run, if future research findings lead to novel industrial or clinical insights, it could transform the Gowanus Canal from a symbol of urban neglect into that of a living laboratory. One where the pressures of prolonged contamination have forged a microbial community that has created the keys to future ecological restoration and molecular innovation.

Sergios-Orestis Kolokotronis et al, Metagenomic interrogation of urban Superfund site reveals antimicrobial resistance reservoir and bioremediation potential, Journal of Applied Microbiology (2025). DOI: 10.1093/jambio/lxaf076

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Scientists hack cell entry to supercharge cancer drugs

A new discovery could pave the way for more effective cancer treatment by helping certain drugs work better inside the body. Scientists have found a way to improve the uptake of a promising class of cancer-fighting drugs called PROTACs, which have struggled to enter cells due to their large size.

The new method works by taking advantage of a protein called CD36 that helps pull substances into cells. By designing drugs to use this CD36 pathway, researchers delivered 7.7 to 22.3 times more of the drug inside cancer cells, making the treatment up to 23 times more potent than before, according to the study published April 17 in Cell.

Data from mouse studies shows this enhanced uptake led to stronger tumor suppression without making the drugs harder to dissolve or less stable.

The strategy called chemical endocytic medicinal chemistry (CEMC) takes advantage of a natural process where cells "swallow" molecules called endocytosis. It could change the future of drug design—especially for drugs that were once considered too big to work.

CD36-mediated endocytosis of proteolysis-targeting chimeras, Cell (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2025.03.036. www.cell.com/cell/fulltext/S0092-8674(25)00386-1