Invisible fertility crisis: Chemicals and climate change threaten reproduction across species

The rise in infertility is not limited to humans, as environmental stressors are quietly undermining the reproductive potential of different forms of life. A recent review published in npj Emerging Contaminants investigated how today's environmental challenges are shaping the reproductive capacity of both humans and animals.

From the analysis emerged two major forces—synthetic chemicals and warming climate—that are not acting in isolation but as a unit, placing growing pressure on fertility and fecundity (biological capacity of an organism to reproduce) across a wide spectrum of species.

The effects range from skewed sex ratios and poorer egg and sperm quality to developmental abnormalities and falling population numbers. The impact is not limited to a single generation; it carries its mark into future generations and tends to worsen when chemical exposure and climatic changes hit together.

Susanne M. Brander et al, Impacts of environmental stressors on fertility and fecundity across taxa, with implications for planetary health, npj Emerging Contaminants (2026). DOI: 10.1038/s44454-026-00032-6

Your 'recycled polyester' leggings are not as sustainable as you think
Most recycled polyester in fashion is made from PET drink bottles, not textile waste, diverting material from an effective bottle-to-bottle recycling system into a less recyclable form. Once converted to clothing, polyester is typically downcycled, with limited recycling options, leading to landfill or incineration. Recycled polyester garments may shed more microplastics than virgin polyester, increasing environmental pollution. The most sustainable use for PET bottles remains within closed-loop bottle recycling rather than conversion to textiles.

original article.

Urban birds fear women more than men!

An international team of researchers have made the surprising discovery that urban birds—such as great tits, house sparrows and blackbirds—flee sooner when approached by women compared to men. But they don't yet understand why. Conducted across five European countries, the study involved male and female participants (matched for height and clothing) walking in a straight line towards birds in urban parks and green spaces.

The researchers found that compared to women, men were able to get an average of one meter closer to birds before they fled (termed flight initiation distance). The results, published in the journal, People and Nature, were consistent across all five countries: Czechia, France, Germany, Poland and Spain.

This finding was also consistent across the 37 bird species studied, from species that typically flee early, like magpies, to species that flee late, like pigeons.

From the results, the researchers conclude that urban birds can recognize the sex of the humans approaching them. But what traits the birds are picking up on or why they are more fearful of women remain a mystery.

The researchers have a few hypotheses for what birds are detecting, such as pheromones, body shape or gait, but say these are speculative and that more research is needed.

Federico Morelli et al, Sex matters: European urban birds flee approaching women sooner than approaching men, People and Nature (2025). DOI: 10.1002/pan3.70226

Light pollution alters food webs along riverbanks, finds study
Artificial light at night significantly disrupts energy and nutrient exchange between aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems along riverbanks, altering food web dynamics more than invasive species. Light pollution changes the diet composition of predatory spiders and increases predation by invasive crayfish, reducing insect emergence and impacting terrestrial predators. These effects highlight the underestimated ecological consequences of artificial lighting.

Collins Ogbeide et al, Artificial light at night and invasive signal crayfish alter aquatic‐terrestrial food webs, Functional Ecology (2026). DOI: 10.1111/1365-2435.70335

Fruit and nuts fight non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Eating fruit and nuts can help protect against non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)—but a popular fiber supplement can make the condition worse, new research has found. The paper, "Ellagic Acid Reduces Inulin's Adverse Effects: A Combined Approach to Enhance Therapeutic Potential in Non-alcoholic Steatohepatitis," was published in Molecular Nutrition and Food Research.

Caused by factors such as obesity, diabetes and high blood pressure, NAFLD become the most prevalent liver disease globally, affecting 38% of the population. And there is no way to treat it.

Scientists at ECU have been investigating dietary preventions and found that a certain compound found in some fruits and nuts, could stop and potentially reverse the damage caused by NAFLD.

They found that ellagic acid (EA), which is found in a variety of foods such as pomegranates, berries, grapes and walnuts, helped to protect the liver from disease.

Ellagic acid is a natural antioxidant known for its potential anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties and holds great promise in treating various chronic diseases.

The study, which was conducted on mice, also warns that a commonly used fiber supplement  readily available at pharmacies, health stores and online, could make NAFLD worse if taken on its own without EA.

Inulin is a type of soluble fiber often used as a prebiotic to improve gut health, but the research showed it led to an unexpected increase in body weight and blood glucose levels and worsened liver damage, possibly because of the imbalance of microbes in the gut associated with NASH.

This research reinforces the idea that diet matters—not just what we eat, but how different nutrients interact in the body.

Tharani Senavirathna et al, Ellagic Acid Reduces Inulin's Adverse Effects: A Combined Approach to Enhance Therapeutic Potential in Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis, Molecular Nutrition & Food Research (2026). DOI: 10.1002/mnfr.70456

Physicists reveal universal speed limit on quantum information scrambling

Theoretical physicists have discovered a "speed limit" on the time taken for quantum information to spread through larger systems. Publishing their results in Physical Review Letters, they have proved for the first time that this minimum time is closely linked with a system's entropy and temperature, perhaps paving the way for a deeper understanding of quantum information across a wide range of physical settings.

In 1974, Stephen Hawking proposed for the first time that black holes aren't entirely black. As well as emitting thermal radiation (now known as "Hawking radiation"), they also exhibit thermodynamic properties including temperature and an entropy proportional to their surface area.
Since entropy is a measure of the information carried by a system, this means a black hole's surface effectively stores a finite number of "qubits": the quantum equivalent of classical bits, each capable of storing quantum information as a superposition of two states simultaneously. In this way, the black hole's temperature as described by Hawking governs how these qubits interact and evolve over time.

In 2008, theoretical physicists Yasuhiro Sekino and Leonard Susskind took this idea a step beyond the abstract black hole picture. In the duo's conjecture, "systems of qubits at a certain temperature may take a minimum amount of time to share information with each other, which depends on the number of qubits and the temperature". This sharing of information is called 'scrambling,' and it effectively 'spreads' the information in each particle across the full system.

In the years since Sekino and Susskind's conjecture, theorists have studied the scrambling of quantum information in extensive detail. But one aspect of the concept that eluded mathematically exact predictions was the idea of a temperature-dependent "speed limit" on the scrambling process itself.
In 2024, Vikram and Victor Galitski at the University of Maryland revisited the idea through the lens of the energy-time uncertainty principle: a cornerstone of quantum theory which posits the more that is known about the energy of a quantum system, the less is known about the minimum time needed for it to change into a distinguishably different state, and vice versa. As a result, there is a minimum time needed for quantum systems to change, imposed by their well-defined energy levels.
Part 1

In their latest study, Vikram and Galitski expanded their theory further with insights from mathematician Laura Shou. Through their analysis, the trio concluded a clear relationship between the final entropy, the initial temperature, and the time taken to scramble a given number of units of quantum information.
They show that this kind of exact entropy- and temperature-dependent speed limit exists in every quantum system, where the previous expectation was that such speed limits only exist for systems in which each interaction only involves a few particles talking to each other.
With a deeper understanding of this speed limit, theorists could be far better placed to understand the emergence of thermal behavior in large-scale quantum systems, including emerging architectures for quantum computing and information processing. Even further, the result could be used to explore concepts from the origins of some forms of chaos, to the possibility of practical technologies for quantum teleportation, alongside more concrete theories of black hole radiation.

Amit Vikram et al, Proof of a Universal Speed Limit on Fast Scrambling in Quantum Systems, Physical Review Letters (2026). DOI: 10.1103/y9z4-v641. On arXiv: DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2404.15403

Part 2

A routine virus can slow breast cancer spread to the lungs, offering hidden protective power

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), mostly infects the lungs, nose, throat, and respiratory tract, and can cause illness ranging from mild cold and fever-like symptoms to severe pneumonia and bronchitis. A recent study has found that having a respiratory infection can act as a shield against the spread of cancer cells.
A natural antiviral chemical called type I interferons is produced by our body as one of the earliest responders in the fight against RSV infections. These molecules can also help prevent breast cancer from spreading to the lungs by changing the lung environment in a way that makes it difficult for cancer cells to survive or thrive. The findings are published in PNAS.

Ana Farias et al, Type I interferons induced upon respiratory viral infection impair lung metastatic initiation, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2026). DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2412919123

No brain required: This is how the single-celled Stentor learns
Stentor coeruleus, a single-celled organism lacking a nervous system, exhibits habituation by reducing its contraction response to repeated stimuli. This learning process relies on calcium influx and CaMKII-mediated protein modification rather than new protein synthesis. The acquired response can be inherited by daughter cells, indicating a non-neuronal molecular basis for memory storage.
Scientists have known for more than a century that a single-celled organism with no nerve cells—much less a brain—can behave in ways that resemble learning.
Now, scientists can explain how this simple organism, called Stentor coeruleus, learns: It uses molecular machinery that resembles what neurons have in the human brain. The results suggest that learning may be a fundamental feature of life.

In findings published in Current Biology, the researchers used modern neuroscience tools to study the pond-dwelling "Stentor," which is shaped like a trumpet and is large enough to be seen with the naked eye. These organisms contract when perturbed but stop after repeated jolts—a form of learning called habituation.
These single cells can perform behaviours that are normally associated with cognition and brains.
The results suggest that Stentors reacted to the jolts by allowing calcium to flow into their cells, which triggered an enzyme called CaMKII to add chemical tags to certain proteins. With each jolt, the Stentors became less likely to respond—suggesting the chemical tags had changed how the organisms sensed the jolts. The Stentors also passed this knowledge to their daughter cells when they divided.
Scientists are still trying to understand how Stentors store this knowledge, but it may involve mechanoreceptors, which respond to touch. Animal neurons do something similar using CaMKII to change the sensitivity of receptors on their surface. It's a tantalizing clue that learning may rely on molecular systems that existed long before the evolution of brains.

Deepa H. Rajan et al, Molecular pathways for learning in the single-cell Stentor coeruleus, Current Biology (2026). DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2026.03.080

A good yawn might do more than you think, say researchers

A simple yawn may feel like the most ordinary of human acts—a reflex triggered by tiredness, boredom, or seeing someone else's mouth stretch wide.

Yawning induces simultaneous outflow of cerebrospinal fluid and venous blood from the skull, a pattern distinct from deep breathing, which causes CSF inflow. This fluid movement may contribute to brain waste clearance and thermoregulation, suggesting a physiological role for yawning beyond social or behavioural triggers. Individual tongue motion during yawning is unique and consistent, resembling a biometric signature.

Now, a new imaging study suggests that yawning may play a subtle but intriguing role in moving fluids in and out of the brain. Although the researchers acknowledge the idea is speculative, they say their work introduces an interesting avenue for understanding the physiological functions of yawning.

Using real-time MRI scans, the team was able to see what happens inside the head and neck when people yawn, and compare it to the effect of normal and deep breathing.

The results, based on a small-scale group of 22 participants and published in Respiratory Physiology & Neurobiology, showed that yawning triggered a specific maneuver in which cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and venous blood moved out of the skull together, whereas during deep breathing cerebrospinal fluid flowed into the skull.
Cerebrospinal fluid is a clear liquid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord, filling the space around them like water around a floating object. It is important because it cushions and protects the brain and spinal cord from injury and also helps carry nutrients in and waste products out.

The fact that CSF and venous blood flows away from the skull during yawning, but CSF flows in the opposite direction when deep breathing, was a big surprise to the researchers.

They observed that yawning is a body movement that can influence the flow of fluids around the brain.
There has been speculation that yawning can help clear waste from the brain, but so far there has not been solid proof.

This new research suggests that yawning can play a role in cleaning brain fluid, which would most likely happen close to bedtime.
This finding could be important for further studies into neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and dementia—all of which have been potentially linked to the build-up of waste products in and around the brain that can be a result of impaired CSF flows.
Part 1

The research team also says the evidence suggests yawning is a way for the body to regulate the temperature in and around the brain.

In humans, the brain tissue can be up to 1°C warmer than the rest of the body, and venous blood leaving the brain is typically about 0.2–0.3°C warmer than the arterial blood entering it.
So when someone yawns, we can now see an increase in the cooler arterial blood flow into the skull, compensating for the coupled outflow of CSF and venous blood, and therefore we can surmise there may be a thermoregulatory process happening there.

"We could speculate that perhaps yawning is a way that the brain helps to cool itself down, but again we would need to do more research to state that with certainty.

"We do know that a hot brain is not a good thing because there is a risk of cell damage, seizures and cerebral swelling. And there is actually a very narrow band temperature-wise where the brain is steady and balanced, what is known as homeostasis.

"That's likely the reason why there are so many mechanisms—such as blood flow and sweating—that help regulate temperatures in the brain.

"We don't fully know what the level of contribution yawning may play in that, but this research opens up some interesting avenues for further investigation in that area as well."
The researchers also say they have identified for the first time that people appear to have a unique signature to their individual yawn, which can be identified by the complex way their tongue moves during the action.

Another interesting thing they found is that each person yawns in a unique way—so the tongue motion during the yawn is different between people, but very consistent for each person.
And it's not a simple motion. It's a very complex movement of the tongue during a yawn. It's almost like a fingerprint, so you could possibly identify someone just based on how they yawn.

Adam D. Martinac et al, Biomechanics of contagious yawning: Insights into cranio-cervical fluid dynamics and kinematic consistency, Respiratory Physiology & Neurobiology (2026). DOI: 10.1016/j.resp.2026.104575

Part 2

Evolution has reused the same genes for 120 million years, study shows

Scientists have shown that evolution has been using the same genetic "cheat sheet" for over 120 million years, suggesting that life on Earth may be more predictable than first imagined. The international team, studied several distantly related South American rainforest butterfly and moth species that sport similar wing colour patterns that warn away predators, a phenomenon known as mimicry.

The aim of the study was to discover the genes controlling these similar mimicry color patterns among seven distantly related species.

The scientists, including researchers from a number of South American countries, found that despite being very distantly related to each other, the various butterfly and moth species reused the same two genes—ivory and optix—to evolve near identical color patterns.

The genetic changes in the different butterfly species did not happen in the genes themselves, but in similar "switches" that turn the genes on or off. The moth species surprisingly used an inversion mechanism—a large chunk of DNA flipped backwards—a near identical genetic trick used by one of the butterflies.

Convergent evolution, where many unrelated species independently evolve the same trait, is common across the tree of life. But we rarely have the opportunity to investigate the genetic basis of this phenomenon.

Investigating seven butterfly lineages and a day-flying moth,  researchers show that evolution can be surprisingly predictable, and that butterflies and moths have been using the exact same genetic tricks repeatedly to achieve similar colour patterns since the age of the dinosaurs.

The research, published in the journal PLOS Biology, shows that evolution isn't always a roll-of-the-dice, but can be more predictable than previously thought.

PLOS Biology (2026). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3003742

Diabetes flips immune cells from repair to inflammation in peripheral artery disease, study finds

Type 2 diabetes can turn immune cells that help with tissue repair and anti-inflammatory responses into triggers of chronic inflammation. A recent study investigated why people with type 2 diabetes are at a higher risk of severe complications from peripheral artery disease (PAD).

PAD is a common circulatory condition in which plaque buildup narrows the arteries, reducing blood flow, usually in the legs. This can lead to lower extremity infections and the formation of non-healing ulcers in people with diabetes.

Using RNA-sequencing and gene mapping, researchers discovered that diabetes causes certain immune cells called macrophages that express the protein TREM2 to reprogram their behaviour from helping cells repair to causing harmful inflammation and preventing blood vessels from healing.

In this study, the researchers decided to intercept cell-to-cell communication within the blood vessels to make sense of how diabetes changes it, particularly the interactions between endothelial cells (ECs) and macrophages (MPs).

To do so, they studied human arteries from donors with and without type 2 diabetes. They used single-cell RNA sequencing to zoom in on individual cell types and identify which genes were switched on or off in each. To pinpoint exactly where this activity occurred, they turned to spatial transcriptomics, which helped them create a map of genetic activity within cells of the arterial structure.

In arteries from donors with type2 diabetes, MPs and ECs exhibit elevated expression of the TREM2 receptor. The genetic testing revealed a two-way signalling loop between ECs and MPs, in which both cell types continuously activate one another. This sustained cross-talk promoted the transition of TREM2+ macrophages, a subpopulation of the immune cells, from a protective, anti-inflammatory state to proinflammatory foam-like cells, thereby increasing inflammation.

As these MPs shifted, they began to influence ECs, changing their behaviour and prompting them to release chemicals that make blood vessel walls more sticky, which not only draws inflammatory cells into the vessels but also hinders healing.

Naseeb Kaur Malhi et al, Diabetes-induced TREM2–endothelial cell signaling impairs ischemic vascular repair, Science Translational Medicine (2026). DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.adu3761

Michael D. Chang et al, Programming peripheral artery disease in diabetes, Science Translational Medicine (2026). DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.aef8756

Report links biodiversity collapse to risks for financial systems and food security
Biodiversity loss, climate shocks, and geopolitical conflicts are destabilizing food systems, increasing food prices, and threatening long-term food security and financial stability. Chronic pressures such as soil degradation, water scarcity, and pollinator decline reduce crop yields, while acute shocks like trade disruptions and extreme weather exacerbate volatility. Urgent integration of nature-related risks into financial and policy decisions is recommended to prevent systemic crises.

Planetary Solvency: Tipping into the wild unknown. actuaries.org.uk/planetary-sol … nto-the-wild-unknown

The fascinating regional differences in birdsong
Birdsong exhibits both individual and regional variation, with many species displaying distinct dialects or "accents" based on geography and local learning. Song differences arise from learning processes, environmental factors such as urban noise and artificial light, and, in some cases, historical population changes. Urban birds often sing at higher pitches, with altered timing and structure compared to rural counterparts.

original article.

When promising cures collapse before they reach patients
Effective drug development and delivery depend on strong alignment between biotech innovators and pharmaceutical partners, particularly in experience, decision-making, and operational processes. Mismatched partnerships can cause delays or failures in bringing promising therapies to patients, while well-matched collaborations, as seen with Pfizer and BioNTech, facilitate rapid and successful drug deployment.

Stephan M Wagner et al, Experiences, Experience Gaps, and the Moderating Role of Technology Co-Development in Biotech–Pharma Partnerships, Production and Operations Management (2026). DOI: 10.1177/10591478261419268

Why feeling sick may be important for surviving infection
Sickness behaviors such as fatigue, loss of appetite, and social withdrawal may represent an adaptive, integrated immune response coordinated by brain–immune communication, rather than mere byproducts of infection. Disruption of this brain–immune axis is implicated in chronic conditions like long COVID and neuropsychiatric disorders. Understanding these mechanisms could inform more precise treatment strategies by distinguishing when symptom suppression is beneficial or detrimental to recovery.

https://www.cell.com/trends/immunology/fulltext/S1471-4906(26)00076-1

'Universal statistical laws governing culinary design', arXiv:2604....
Researchers analyzed over 100,000 recipes from around the world and found something quite surprising: cooking follows hidden statistical laws, much like language. Just as a few words dominate how we speak, a small set of ingredients appears again and again across cuisines. And as new recipes are created, they mostly reuse familiar ingredients rather than constantly introducing new ones. Even the structure of recipes shows a consistent pattern--longer recipes tend to use simpler ingredients. What this tells us is that cooking is not just a creative expression; it is a complex system shaped by universal principles. In a sense, every recipe is part of a shared ‘language of food’ that connects cultures across the world.”

Here is a plain-language explanation of the work: https://gist.science/paper/2604.28021?na=1 

and

https://arxiv.org/abs/2604.28021

A leading journal finds that AI is flooding academic publishing with lower quality work

Artificial intelligence can undoubtedly help scientists with their academic papers by summarizing research and helping to improve writing. However, one downside is that it has led to a wave of poorly written submissions and reviews, according to a new study published in Organization Science.

The authors didn't pull their punches about what they are seeing: "AI language models, combined with strong publish-or-perish incentives, are pushing our field to produce more rather than better research."

This leading journal in the social sciences receives papers from authors at major universities, non-native English-speaking institutions, and research teams worldwide. Concerned by the impact of AI on the quality of submissions, the journal's AI task force, which is composed of some of its editors, conducted a sweeping review of its content.

The team analyzed nearly 7,000 submissions and more than 10,000 reviews from 2021 to 2026. They started the study in 2021, two years before the launch of ChatGPT, so they could easily compare the writing quality before and after the arrival of AI.

To look for AI's hand, they used the Pangram Ai detection tool, which identifies characteristic traces in the writing. Each paper was assigned a score from 0 (entirely human) to 1 (entirely AI). As well as examining published papers, the study also considered every submitted draft and private review written by other scientists. The task force also measured the quality of the writing using standard tests that check for readability and style.

The study found that since the arrival of ChatGPT, the volume of submissions had risen by 42%, and most of this appears to be a direct result of AI. By early 2026, a majority of manuscripts used AI to some degree. However, writing quality, which was measured by Flesch Reading Ease, had dropped, and papers were becoming harder to read.

Part 1

The paper identifies two specific groups of researchers most likely to use AI for their writing. These were research teams from non-native English-speaking institutions and new entrants to the field with little experience of submitting to journals. However, using AI was associated with higher rejection rates.

Even some top business schools were not immune to getting some AI help. In fact, academics from institutions under strong pressure to publish showed a greater increase in AI-assisted submissions.

But it wasn't just the authors turning to AI. More than 30% of expert reviews submitted to the journal also used language models, a sharp increase from before ChatGPT.

The task force noted that these types of reviews are often narrower and less insightful than those written by humans. This is putting editors under more pressure as they have to spend time filtering out low-quality work. "AI is placing the peer-review system under stress that shows no signs of decreasing."
To improve the system, the journal suggests an overhaul of how research is valued. The focus should not be on the number of papers published but on the quality of the ideas.

Claudine Gartenberg et al, More Versus Better: Artificial Intelligence, Incentives, and the Emerging Crisis in Peer Review, Organization Science (2026). DOI: 10.1287/orsc.2026.ed.v37.n3

Part 2

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How oak trees outwit their predators
Oak trees delay leaf emergence by about three days following heavy caterpillar infestation, reducing caterpillar survival and leaf damage by 55%. This adaptive timing, detected via satellite data, demonstrates that trees respond not only to weather but also to biological threats, challenging models that consider only abiotic factors. The delay is a reversible defense, maintaining resilience amid climate change and insect pressure.

Satellite data show trees delay budburst across landscapes to escape herbivores., Nature Ecology & Evolution (2026). DOI: 10.1038/s41559-026-03071-9

Bigger, faster, but still outfoxed: How prey escape predators

Predators are typically larger, faster, and more powerful than the animals they hunt. Yet in nature, most attacks fail. A new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, by researchers asks: why do prey get away so often? The key, the researchers found, lies in something the original model overlooked: reaction times.
For decades, scientists have explained this using a simple idea: maneuverability. Because prey are smaller, they can often turn more sharply. A classic model, known as the turning gambit, proposes that a well-timed evasive turn allows prey to slip out of a predator's path, even if the predator is faster. The model even specifies exactly how much more maneuverable prey need to be for this to work. But in the half-century since this model was proposed, no one had tested whether its predictions hold across land, air, and water.
The new study compiled data on animal traits such as body mass, speed, and turning ability, to test the model's predictions. The results revealed a mismatch between theory and reality. Across all environments, prey are generally not maneuverable enough to compensate for their speed disadvantage. Paradoxically, aquatic environments, where the model predicted predators should hold a huge advantage, turned out to have the lowest capture success in nature. Predators caught prey in only around 1 in 10 attacks.

So if not maneuverability, what explains how prey get away so often? The key, the researchers found, lies in something the original model overlooked: reaction times. No predator can respond instantaneously to a prey's evasive turn. Seeing, processing, and reacting all take time. While these delays are short—just a small fraction of a second—they can make a huge difference.
It's this little head start, or benefit of starting to turn earlier, that gives prey enough space to evade. This exceptional maneuverability has a simple physical explanation: water is roughly 1,000 times denser than air, giving aquatic animals something far more substantial to push against to generate a sharp turn.
Prey escape predators not primarily through superior maneuverability, as previously thought, but due to reaction time delays in predators. These brief delays allow prey to initiate evasive maneuvers before predators can respond, significantly increasing escape success, especially in aquatic environments. Predator–prey dynamics are thus influenced by both biomechanical and neural factors.

Lars Koopmans et al, The allometry of vertebrate pursuit predation, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2026). DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2534397123

Rising temperatures could be driving up antibiotic resistance in soil, 11-year study finds

Every year, millions suffer, and thousands lose their lives to infections that were once easily treatable with the right dose of medication. The drugs are the same; human physiology is the same; the only difference is that microbes, such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi, have now developed resistance to drugs designed to kill them. This phenomenon, known as antimicrobial resistance, is rapidly rising, ringing sirens for emergency action across the globe.

It is predicted that by 2050, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) could cause up to 10 million deaths each year if it is not addressed seriously. 

A new 11-year study found that, in addition to the misuse and overuse of antibiotics, long-term climate warming can also increase the abundance of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in grassland soils by nearly 24%.

Higher temperatures favour the growth of Actinomycetota—a group of mostly Gram-positive bacteria that naturally carry many resistance genes. As these bacteria become more abundant, the overall concentration of ARGs in the soil increases. The findings are published in Nature.

Our water bodies and soil around us are a major source of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), which pathogens can acquire to survive antibiotic treatment. So far, research has not clearly shown how long-term warming influences antibiotic resistance in soils. Understanding this link is important for anticipating potential risks to human health and agriculture as the climate continues to change.

The experiments of researchers  showed that warming makes resistance genes more mobile, allowing them to move more easily between different bacteria. It also increased genes linked to resistance against glycopeptides and rifamycins—antibiotics that target bacteria.

At the same time, resistance genes associated with plant pathogens became more common, suggesting that in a warmer world, controlling crop diseases with traditional methods may become more difficult.

The study indicates that climate warming accelerates antimicrobial resistance in soil microbes at genetic and ecological levels, with significant implications for public health and environmental sustainability. 

Linwei Wu et al, Decade-long warming accelerates antibiotic resistance in grassland soils, Nature (2026). DOI: 10.1038/s41586-026-10413-x

That split-second panic when something rushes toward you may hinge on one deceptively simple sound cue

Those jolts of terror that seem to occur whenever a noise comes closer? While we assume that this is an age-old survival reaction, modern revelations show that there may be an easier explanation for what's occurring.

Many of us have experienced the heart-jolt of an approaching car horn or booming footsteps from behind. By the time we realize what's happening, the sound already seems much closer than it really is—as if our brains had an extra warning system.

It's long been thought that humans possess an adaptive looming bias—an inborn tendency to perceive advancing sounds as nearer or more urgent than receding ones. In fact, one hearing expert suggests we evolved an "auditory looming bias" that provides "advanced warning of approaching sound sources." That sounds logical: in nature, an approaching noise usually signals danger (or opportunity), and getting a head start to react is valuable. But what if this accepted wisdom isn't the whole story?

Then researchers conducted some experiments to find out the truth.

In a recent study published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, blindfolded volunteers with normal hearing listened through headphones to sounds that either approached or receded. The sounds—pure tones or broadband noise—were simulated to move over an 11-meter path, starting from three different distances (near, middle, far). After each sound, participants reported how far away it began and ended.

Because the experiments took place in an anechoic chamber with blindfolded listeners, the only distance cues came from changes in loudness as the sound moved. With vision eliminated and no echoes, any looming illusion would have to come from volume. Would approaching sounds still feel closer under those conditions?

The answer was yes—partially at least. On average, the approaching sounds were perceived to be closer both when they started and when they ended, compared to the receding sounds, particularly if the approaching sound was close at the start. This is in line with the classical phenomenon of looming.

However, a number of predictions based on the hypothesis of the hard-wired alarm system turned out to be incorrect. For example, there was no significant difference between judgments of distance when the sound stimulus was either a pure tone or noise. Also, surprisingly, the distance travelled by the approaching sound was roughly equal to that of the receding sound.

So if it's not a special bias, what is going on? It turns out the answer lies in simple acoustics. As a sound draws nearer, it naturally gets louder, and louder sounds tend to be interpreted as closer. The researchers ran the same sounds through a standard loudness model for time-varying signals. The result was striking: the model's predictions matched the human judgments almost perfectly.

The authors explain, "The pattern of results was accurately predicted using a model of loudness for time-varying sounds," adding that "it is not necessary to invoke the adaptive perceptual bias theory to account for asymmetries in loudness and distance judgements between approaching and receding sounds."

They even note that this is "the first time that auditory distance estimates are predicted using a loudness model." In other words, no mysterious looming detector was needed—just basic hearing.

Part 1

While these studies do not imply that there are no reflex responses to approaching dangers, visual looming stimuli and other types of auditory stimuli (echoes, higher frequencies) will trigger an involuntary reaction whenever danger is near. Yet, the most significant finding is that when sound serves as a basis for determining the distance of an approaching stimulus, people apply an unambiguous rule.

More importantly, these results refute one of the widespread beliefs about our response mechanisms. According to the researchers' claims, once loudness becomes a key indicator of the distance of the approaching stimulus, all distance decisions "are based on loudness." The authors conclude that this approach is not grounded in some auditory looming bias.

Asymmetries in human judgements of distance for approaching and receding sounds are predicted by a loudness model for time-varying sounds, Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences (2026). DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2026.0157. doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2026.0157

Part 2

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A 'living plastic' activates and self-destructs on command

A living plastic incorporating dormant Bacillus subtilis spores and two cooperative polymer-degrading enzymes fully degrades polycaprolactone into monomers within six days upon activation with nutrient broth at 50 °C, without generating microplastics. The material retains mechanical properties similar to conventional polycaprolactone and demonstrates potential for programmable, on-demand biodegradation in various plastic types.

Chenwang Tang et al, Degradable Living Plastics Programmed by Engineered Microbial Consortia, ACS Applied Polymer Materials (2026). DOI: 10.1021/acsapm.5c04611

Why your face doesn't perceive itchiness the same way your body does

In a new study, researchers show that itch sensations in the face are perceived differently from those in the body due to differences in signalling between trigeminal (located in the brain) and spinal pain pathways. The work could lead to the development of specific molecular targets for treating facial pain or itch. The study appears in Communications Biology.
On the body, itch signals go from neuronal projections in the skin through the dorsal root ganglia (DRG)—which are clusters of sensory cells located at the root of the spinal nerves—then to the spinal cord. But on the face and head, those signals travel to the trigeminal ganglia (TG)—which are clusters of sensory cells located in a small structure below the brain where it sits atop the skull."

We know that in terms of itch, the face and torso have different thresholds—in mice, for example, they have lower itch response to histamine exposure on the cheek as compared to the nape of the neck.
The researchers first looked at itch response in mice exposed to histamine on the cheek and nape. They observed that itch response on the cheek was significantly reduced when compared with the neck. Next, they looked at innervation—or how many nerves were present—in the face versus the neck to rule out structural causes for the difference in response.

Finally, they looked at the neuronal populations within the DRG and TG, and the neuropeptides they express.

The neurons within the DRG and TG differ, mainly because the sensory environments they work in differ. Skin doesn't need to be able to sense taste or smell, for example. But it also seems as though the neuronal populations don't handle signals the same way, either.

Wheeler, J.J. et al, Substance P and somatostatin neurons limit facial itch by recruiting distinct nociceptive circuits in the brainstem, Communications Biology (2026). DOI: 10.1038/s42003-026-10128-9 www.nature.com/articles/s42003-026-10128-9

People who are blind from birth never develop schizophrenia—what this tells us about the psychiatric condition
Congenital cortical blindness appears to confer strong protection against schizophrenia, with no reported cases among individuals blind from birth due to visual cortex damage. This protection is not seen in those who lose vision later or have blindness from eye damage, suggesting early absence of visual input alters brain development and prediction processes implicated in schizophrenia. Insights from this phenomenon may inform new approaches targeting perception and brain organization in schizophrenia treatment.

https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fp...

original article.

Engineered bacteria break the 20-amino-acid rule

There are over 500 different types of amino acids found in nature, yet protein synthesis in life forms uses only the canonical 20. Some bacteria are known to use extra amino acids, bringing the total to 21 or even 22, but no naturally occurring organism has been found that uses fewer than these 20 amino acids. Large-scale genetic studies are a testament to it.

One of life's many mysteries is how it ended up choosing only a set of 20 amino acids to build proteins for its wide catalog of organisms, from single-celled bacteria to behemoth whales. From a chemical standpoint, many of the canonical amino acids share similar chemical structures and properties, which might make them expendable. This raises an intriguing question: could life manage with one less amino acid?

In a recent study in Science, researchers used generative AI and deep-learning models like AlphaFold2, which can predict protein 3D structures, to design Ec19 —a genetically engineered strain of E. coli that functions using just 19 amino acids instead of the usual 20.

In Ec19, the researchers set out to see if they could remove isoleucine (Ile) and still obtain a living, healthy cell. The resulting strain remained genomically stable and grew at nearly the same rate as normal bacteria for over 450 generations in the laboratory, and whole-genome sequencing found no evidence of Ec19 attempting to restore Ile and revert to the 20-amino acid system.

Scientists also suggest that before the single-celled organism considered our last universal common ancestor (LUCA), early life forms likely used a smaller set of amino acids than the one we see today. Since many canonical amino acids have similar biochemical properties, their role might be redundant.

Computational studies have suggested that as few as 9 to 12 amino acids may be enough to build almost every known protein shape. Even the cell's own protein-making machinery isn't perfect, where every so often it slips, and about 8% of proteins end up with at least one wrong amino acid. Yet most of them still work just fine.
For this study, the researchers began by analyzing the 20 amino acids to determine which one was most replaceable, and isoleucine (Ile) emerged as a contender because it is chemically very similar to another amino acid, valine. So they followed a careful step-by-step approach known as the design-build-test framework to see if they could create a living cell that functions without the amino acid Ile.

Part 1

At first, swapping in a similar building block worked only about 43% of the time. To improve this, the researchers turned to AI, which helped them select the best replacement for a missing amino acid based on its surrounding context, ensuring the protein didn't fold incorrectly or collapse. They redesigned ribosomes that were capable of producing 52 Ile-free proteins. They eventually combined 21 of these redesigned parts into a single E. coli strain, which they named Ec19.

The results showed that the so-called universal 20-letter (amino acid) code of life isn't an absolute requirement for survival, and it is indeed possible to create a living organism that gets by with just 19 amino acids.

The researchers noted that as genome-scale modeling and DNA synthesis improve, scientists will be able to test many engineered genomes by swapping amino acids, creating cells with new traits and pushing the limits of synthetic biology.

Liyuan Liu et al, Toward life with a 19–amino acid alphabet through generative artificial intelligence design, Science (2026). DOI: 10.1126/science.aeb5171. www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.aeb5171

Part 2

Coloured microplastics could be making global warming worse

There's more bad news about microplastics. We already know they pose a risk to health and can pollute ecosystems, but now researchers have discovered that tiny plastic particles drifting in Earth's atmosphere could be a significant contributor to global warming.
According to a paper published in the journal Nature Climate Change, airborne microplastics trap nearly one-fifth as much heat as black carbon, also known as soot.
Researchers found that coloured microplastics and nanoplastics absorb much more sunlight than previously estimated. While white particles mostly scatter light, darker shades like blue, red, and black can absorb up to 74.8 times more sunlight than uncoloured plastic. The problem with this is that the particles then convert that energy into heat in the air around them.
The study revealed that the global average warming effect (direct radiative forcing, or DRF) from these particles is 0.039 watts per square meter. "Colored MNPs intensify DRF by 15.3-fold compared with non-pigmented particles," write the paper's authors. In some parts of the world, such as the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre circulation, their warming effect was found to be nearly five times that of local soot.
The scientists add, "MNPs emerge as dual-threat climate forcers, simultaneously driving radiative heating and carbon budget perturbations."

Yu Liu et al, Atmospheric warming contributions from airborne microplastics and nanoplastics, Nature Climate Change (2026). DOI: 10.1038/s41558-026-02620-1

Microplastics pass through earthworms without accumulating in body tissues, study shows
Microplastics ingested by earthworms remain confined to the gut and do not accumulate in internal tissues. Earthworms rapidly eliminate these particles when moved to clean soil, indicating minimal risk of tissue retention. High-resolution imaging confirmed the absence of microplastic translocation beyond the digestive tract. Further research is needed to assess implications for other organisms and humans.

Nicholas V Letwin et al, Assessing the accumulation of microplastics in earthworms (Eisenia fetida) using traditional bioaccumulation modeling and synchrotron-based microcomputed tomography, Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (2026). DOI: 10.1093/etojnl/vgag072

Masculine behavior bad for the planet says new research

Major new research on climate change, global warming and environmental collapse, how they connect with what men do, and what to do about it has just been published by a research team.
Men generally exhibit higher carbon footprints and environmental impacts, particularly through consumption, travel, and involvement in high-impact industries. They show less concern for climate change and are less likely to support or engage in environmental politics. These patterns are most pronounced among elite men in the global North, though some men actively work to counteract these trends.
The team's findings
Men tend to have a greater carbon footprint and greater environmental impact through consumption, especially travel, transportation, and tourism
Men tend to have less concern with climate change, and less willingness to change everyday practices to ameliorate it
Men tend to be less ambitious and less active in environmental politics, and less supportive of political parties that work for environmental justice
Men tend to be more involved in owning, managing, controlling heavy, chemical, carbon-based, industrialized agriculture, high environmental impact and extractive industries, and of course militarism, with its own devastating environmental effects
These damaging patterns apply especially to elite men in the global North
But some men are working urgently and energetically to change these tendencies.

Kadri Aavik et al, Men, masculinities, and the planet at the end of (M)Anthropocene: ecological/social/economic/political relations, processes and consequences, NORMA (2025). DOI: 10.1080/18902138.2025.2576458

Early-life chemical exposure may leave extra X and Y chromosomes in sperm

An estimated 7% of all men are affected by infertility. Multiple animal studies indicate that exposure to persistent environmental chemicals in early life can negatively impact male reproductive health, and now a human study suggests the same.
Prenatal and early-life exposure to organochlorines (PCBs) and perfluorinated compounds (PFASs) is associated with increased sperm aneuploidy, specifically extra X and Y chromosomes, in adult men. Elevated PCB levels correlated mainly with additional Y chromosomes, while PFAS exposure was linked to both extra X and Y chromosomes, indicating enduring impacts on sperm genetic integrity.
Normal sperm contain either an X (i.e., the designated chromosome for females) or Y (i.e., the one present in males) chromosome. PCB concentration in blood samples was associated mainly with having an additional Y chromosome, while PFAS exposure was consistently associated with both extra Y and X chromosomes.

Researchers theorize that PCB exposure could be from a maternal diet of contaminated seafood. PFAS exposure was likely due to environmental pollutants in food, water, and air.

Melissa J. Perry et al, In utero and childhood exposure to organochlorines and perfluorinated chemicals in relation to sperm aneuploidy in adulthood, Environmental Health (2026). DOI: 10.1186/s12940-026-01303-w

Both very low and very high heart rates are significantly associated with stroke risk, study finds

A study presented at the European Stroke Organization Conference (ESOC) 2026 suggests that both very low and very high resting heart rates are linked with an increased risk of stroke. As the largest population-level study to examine this relationship, the findings challenge the assumption that lower heart rates are always a sign of good cardiovascular fitness and carry no risk.
Both very low (<50 bpm) and very high (≥90 bpm) resting heart rates are independently associated with increased stroke risk, forming a U-shaped relationship, with the lowest risk at 60–69 bpm. This association persists after adjusting for major risk factors and is evident only in individuals without atrial fibrillation. Low heart rates are mainly linked to ischemic stroke, while high rates are associated with both ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke. In an analysis of the UK Biobank, researchers followed 460,000 participants for an average of 14 years, during which 12,290 strokes occurred. Analyses were adjusted for age, sex and cardiovascular risk factors, including atrial fibrillation—a heart condition that causes an irregular heartbeat and is a major cause of stroke. Stroke risk was lowest at resting heart rates of 60 to 69 beats per minute (bpm) but increased at both extremes—below 50 bpm and at or above 90 bpm—forming a clear U-shaped pattern. At these extremes, stroke risk was 25% higher in those with very low heart rates and 45% higher in those with very high heart rates. Importantly, in the overall population, this relationship remained after adjustment for established stroke risk factors including hypertension, diabetes and atrial fibrillation, suggesting it reflects a genuine biological signal. However, when participants were analyzed separately, the pattern was only seen in people without atrial fibrillation. In those with the condition, the relationship was not apparent. This is likely because atrial fibrillation is such a strong risk factor for stroke, increasing risk by around fivefold, that it outweighs the contribution of heart rate and limits our ability to detect its effect. Heart rate was therefore most informative in people without atrial fibrillation, where it may provide a valuable additional tool for identifying and stratifying stroke risk. The researchers also explored the potential mechanisms underlying the relationship between heart rate and stroke. Very low heart rates were primarily associated with ischemic stroke. This would be consistent with the hypothesis that very low heart rates could be associated with reduced blood flow to the brain by prolonging the relaxation phase between heartbeats. In contrast, elevated heart rates were associated with both ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke and may suggest increased stress on blood vessel walls that could contribute to both ischemic injury and a greater predisposition to bleeding.

Penn, D., et al. Reduced and elevated resting heart rates predict risk of stroke, independently of atrial fibrillation: A UK Biobank analysis. Oral presentation. European Stroke Organization Conference (ESOC) 2026.

Light without electricity? Glowing algae could make it possible

Bioluminescent algae Pyrocystis lunula can be chemically stimulated to emit sustained light for up to 25 minutes, especially under acidic conditions. Embedding these algae in hydrogels and 3D-printing them into structures enables long-lasting, controllable luminescence, with algae retaining 75% brightness after four weeks. This approach offers potential for sustainable lighting, environmental sensing, and carbon sequestration.
Researchers exposed the algae to an acidic solution with a pH of 4, similar to that of tomato juice, and a basic solution with a pH of 10, comparable to mild soap.

They found that both environments could trigger light production in P. lunula. In the acidic condition, the algae could stay aglow for as long as 25 minutes, with light appearing bright and concentrated. In the basic condition, the glow was more diffused and short-lived.
To turn these glowing algae into usable materials, the researchers embedded them into a naturally derived hydrogel, a type of water-based gel material. They then used 3D printing to shape the material into structures and shapes, from a crescent pattern to a CU Buffalo logo.

By exposing the structures to the acidic or basic solution, they prompted the P. lunula inside to emit light, illuminating the entire structure in a blue glow.

Inside these printed structures, the algae remained alive for weeks. The acidic condition worked best, with P. lunula in these 3D-printed structures retaining 75% of their brightness even after four weeks.
The findings could have wide applications beyond making eye-catching designs. These living materials could someday help light up autonomous robots for deep-sea or space exploration without the need for batteries.

Chemical Stimulation Sustains Bioluminescence of Living Light Materials, Science Advances (2026). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aee3907

Fewer insects, fewer nutritious crops: Pollinator decline puts human health at risk

Biodiversity loss is directly threatening human health and welfare, according to new research.
It's long been known that insect pollinators are vital for producing many of the fruits, vegetables and pulses that supply essential vitamins and minerals in our diets.

Declines in insect pollinators significantly reduce crop yields, leading to lower intake of essential nutrients such as vitamin A, folate, and vitamin E, and decrease farming income, thereby increasing risks of malnutrition, illness, and poverty among smallholder farmers. Supporting pollinator populations through local actions like planting wildflowers and reducing pesticide use can enhance both nutrition and economic resilience, highlighting the critical link between biodiversity and human health.

Working in ten smallholder farming villages and their surrounding landscapes in Nepal, the study traced the full chain of connections between wild pollinators, crop yields and the nutrients families rely on.

By tracking diets, crop nutrients and the insects visiting those crops over a year, the research team showed how pollinators directly support both nutrition and livelihoods.

The study found insect pollinators are crucial for both the nutrition and income of farming families, and pollinators were responsible for 44% of people's farming income and contributed more than 20% of their intake of vitamin A, folate and vitamin E.

When pollinators decline, families risk poorer nutrition, leading to higher vulnerability to illness and infections, and deeper cycles of poverty and poor health. One quarter of the global population currently suffers from this "hidden hunger."

The research showed there is real potential for positive change—when communities support pollinators, their nutrition and income can improve. Simple steps like planting wildflowers, using fewer pesticides or keeping native bees can help boost pollinator numbers, strengthening both nature and people's well-being.

Thomas Timberlake, Pollinators support the nutrition and income of vulnerable communities, Nature (2026). DOI: 10.1038/s41586-026-10421-x. www.nature.com/articles/s41586-026-10421-x

Chronic sunlight exposure can disrupt body clocks in skin

Years of chronic exposure of human skin to sunlight strongly disrupts its body-clock rhythm, according to a pioneering study

Chronic sunlight exposure disrupts the circadian rhythms of human skin, weakening the temporal coordination of gene activity, particularly those involved in DNA repair. Sun-exposed skin shows altered daily gene expression patterns and reduced rhythmicity compared to protected skin, which may contribute to photoaging and impaired skin health. These findings suggest that skin chronobiology is significantly affected by long-term UV exposure.

The findings could explain how ultraviolet (UV) light triggers inflammation and damage in exposed skin, so-called photoaging, which breaks down its supportive structure, altering how its cells behave.

Published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology, the study could have important implications on skin health and the design of skincare products that takes into account the time of day when they are applied.

The study is the first to directly compare daily rhythms of genes being turned on and off in human skin exposed to and protected from sunlight over half a century.

Almost all organs—including skin—exhibit 24 hourly rhythms which allows the body to anticipate and adapt to changes associated with the light-dark cycle, including daily exposure to solar radiation.

Michael M. Saint-Antoine et al, Comparative circadian transcriptome analysis reveals dampened and phase-advanced rhythms in sun-exposed human skin, Journal of Investigative Dermatology (2026). DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2026.03.038

Streetlights trigger bizarre 'death spirals' in thousands of isopods, scientists find

A new study  has documented a never-before-seen behavioural phenomenon: thousands of land-dwelling isopods forming massive, synchronized circular processions. This behaviour appears to be an unintended consequence of artificial light at night.

The study, published in Ecology and Evolution, explores how these small creatures, terrestrial relatives of crabs and shrimp, also known as "woodlice" or "pill bugs," abandon their typical solitary lives in sheltered areas to join swirling "mills" that can include over 5,000 individuals in a single group.

To understand what was driving this strange behavior, the team tested several environmental factors, including magnetic fields and different types of light:
Magnetism: Because the Golan Heights has unique magnetic properties, the team placed strong magnets near the isopods to see if it disrupted their pathing. The isopods showed no reaction, maintaining their circular march.
Ultraviolet light: Testing with UV flashlights attracted only a small fraction of the population and failed to trigger any circular movement.
White light: This proved to be the "smoking gun." When a white lamp was placed perpendicular to the ground, it consistently induced the mass circular motion.
The researchers discovered that the geometry of the light is the key. A vertical light beam creates a circular "boundary" of illumination on the ground. The isopods, attracted to the light, begin walking along this photic edge. Once the population density hits a certain threshold, the individual movements turn into a collective, self-sustaining swirl.

part 1

While the sight is mesmerizing, it may be a "trap" caused by human activity. The researchers noted that the sex ratio, mostly females, many of whom were carrying eggs, suggests this isn't a mating ritual. Instead, it appears to be a disruption of their natural instincts caused by artificial light at night (ALAN).

These "isopod mills" may have dire consequences. In one observation, a centipede was seen preying on the distracted, swirling mass. By drawing these creatures out of their natural shelters and trapping them in a loop, light pollution may be making them easy targets for predators and wasting the energy they need for survival.

The study highlights how even small changes in our environment, like the installation of a streetlight, can fundamentally alter the ancient behavioural patterns of the world's smallest inhabitants.

Idan Sheizaf et al, A Novel Light‐Induced Collective Circular Movement in Armadillo sordidus Isopods, Ecology and Evolution (2026). DOI: 10.1002/ece3.73487

Part 2

Crash data reveal women face 60% higher injury risk than men

Women have a 60% higher risk of injury in car accidents compared to men, with the disparity especially pronounced among female passengers and older women. Current vehicle safety systems and test standards, based on male body models, inadequately protect women due to anatomical and biomechanical differences. Recommendations include developing adaptive safety systems, using more realistic human models in testing, and improving occupant education on proper seat and belt positioning.

https://www.bmimi.gv.at/verkehrssicherheit/beratung-foerderung/vsf/...

Ultrasound waves rupture COVID-19 and flu viruses without damaging cells

Researchers have discovered that high-frequency ultrasound waves similar to those used in medical exams can eliminate viruses such as SARS-CoV-2 and H1N1 without damaging human cells. In an article published in Scientific Reports, they describe how the phenomenon, known as acoustic resonance, causes structural changes in viral particles until they rupture and become inactivated.
By degrading the structure of the pathogen, the protective membrane of the virus called the envelope bursts and deforms, preventing the virus from invading human cells

High-frequency ultrasound waves (3–20 MHz) induce acoustic resonance in spherical, enveloped viruses such as SARS-CoV-2 and H1N1, causing structural rupture and inactivation without damaging human cells. The effect is geometry-dependent and not influenced by viral mutations. This selective mechanism offers a potential antiviral strategy distinct from existing decontamination methods.
Ultrasound-mediated inactivation of enveloped viruses opens up a new treatment possibility for viral diseases.
The discovery surprised the researchers because it contradicts classical physics theories, as the wavelength of ultrasound is much longer than the size of the virus. In theory, this difference in size would prevent interaction.

The phenomenon is entirely geometric. Spherical particles, such as many enveloped viruses, absorb ultrasound wave energy more effectively. It's that accumulation of energy inside the particle that causes changes in the structure of the viral envelope until it ruptures. Therefore, if viruses were triangular or square, they wouldn't undergo the same 'popcorn effect' of acoustic resonance.
Since the process depends strictly on the shape of the viral particle and not on genetic mutations, variants such as those observed during the pandemic (omicron and delta, for example) do not affect the effectiveness of the technique.

Flavio P. Veras et al, Ultrasound effectively destabilizes and disrupts the structural integrity of enveloped respiratory viruses, Scientific Reports (2026). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-026-37584-x

Naruna E. Rodrigues et al, Trapped Acoustic Energy and Resonances in Spherical Scatterers, Brazilian Journal of Physics (2026). DOI: 10.1007/s13538-026-02020-y

Hidden sex differences may explain why lupus strikes women far more often

Analysis of over 1.25 million immune cells from nearly 1,000 individuals identified more than 1,000 sex-specific genetic switches, primarily on autosomes, that regulate immune cell activity differently in males and females. Females showed higher inflammatory pathway activity, linked to increased autoimmune disease risk, including lupus, while males had more monocytes and less inflammatory priming. These findings highlight the need for sex-specific approaches in autoimmune disease research and treatment.

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-05-hidden-sex-differences-lupus...

New study challenges the inevitability of cognitive decline and proves that brain gain is possible at any age

A study recently published in Scientific Reports reveals that cognitive decline is not an inevitable part of aging.
Longitudinal data from nearly 4,000 adults aged 19–94 show that cognitive performance can improve at any age through consistent, targeted brain-healthy practices. Gains were observed across all baseline levels, with the greatest improvements in those starting with lower scores, and no upper limit to brain health optimization was detected. Small, daily interventions correlated with higher brain health scores, and improvements were consistent across age groups, indicating that cognitive decline is not inevitable. Brain health was also shown to be resilient and trainable, even during major life stressors.
Key research findings:

No ceiling for improvement: Significant gains in brain health were observed across the board. Even top-tier performers continued to improve over 1,000 days, suggesting there is no known limit to brain optimization.
The low-starter advantage: Participants who entered the study with the lowest baseline scores demonstrated the most significant rates of improvement, demonstrating that poor brain health is not a life sentence.
Small habit changes make a big difference: Gains were directly correlated with consistency of utilization. Participants who engaged the most in 5 to 15 minutes of daily micro-training and adopted brain-healthy habits in their everyday lives achieved the highest brain health scores.
Universal potential at any age: Younger adults saw gains equal to those in their 70s and 80s, debunking the myth that proactive brain health is only for seniors.

Lori G. Cook et al, Measuring and increasing the brain health span across adulthood: a public health imperative, Scientific Reports (2026). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-026-51403-3

Cancer cells are better able to resist treatments when they have an abnormal number of chromosomes
Cancer cells with abnormal chromosome numbers (aneuploidy) exhibit reduced levels of PARP1 protein, impairing a cell death pathway triggered by oxidative DNA damage and enhancing resistance to treatment-induced stress. This mechanism enables aneuploid cancer cells to survive and spread more effectively, with metastatic tumors showing lower PARP1 levels than primary tumors.

Pan Cheng et al, PARP1 suppression drives ROS resistance in aneuploid cancer cells, Molecular Cell (2026). DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2026.04.006

Evidence review finds aluminum-adjuvant vaccines not tied to autism, asthma or type 1 diabetes

Current evidence does not support direct (causal) associations between aluminum-adjuvant vaccines and serious or long-term health outcomes, including autism, diabetes and asthma, finds a review of the latest data published by The BMJ.
Current evidence from randomized controlled trials and large observational studies shows no causal association between aluminum-adjuvant vaccines and serious or long-term health outcomes, including autism, type 1 diabetes, asthma, or myalgia. The most common adverse reactions are rare, localized, and self-limited injection site nodules or granulomas.
Small amounts of aluminum salts (adjuvants) are commonly used in vaccines against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), hepatitis, HPV, and meningitis to make them more effective and longer-lasting. Yet, despite a decades-long safety record, questions about potential long-term effects continue to arise in scientific and public settings.

To address this, researchers searched scientific databases to identify randomized controlled trials and observational studies published up to 27 November 2025 that assessed health outcomes after exposure to aluminum adjuvants included in vaccines.

They found 59 eligible studies that investigated a range of outcomes including autism, asthma, headache, muscle pain (myalgia), and skin reactions (nodules and granulomas) at the injection site. Studies of investigational vaccines were excluded, as their findings are not directly applicable to existing immunization programs.

The studies were of varying quality, but the researchers were able to assess their risk of bias and certainty of evidence using established tools.

High quality evidence from randomized controlled trials and large observational studies consistently showed no association between aluminum-adjuvanted vaccines and health outcomes, including autism, type 1 diabetes, asthma, and myalgia.
The most consistently documented reactions were persistent nodules or granulomas at the injection site, but they were uncommon, local, and self-limited.

Aluminium adjuvants in vaccines and potential health effects: systematic review, The BMJ (2026). DOI: 10.1136/bmj-2025-088921

The 'nostalgia effect': Scientists produce less disruptive work as they age
As scientists age, their work shifts from producing disruptive innovations to creating novel combinations of existing ideas, with a tendency to cite older research. This "nostalgia effect" is transmitted through academic hierarchies, influencing younger researchers and shaping the direction of entire fields and nations. Countries with younger research communities generate more disruptive science, highlighting the importance of balancing continuity with the influx of new ideas.

Haochuan Cui et al, Aging and the narrowing of scientific innovation, Science (2026). DOI: 10.1126/science.ady8732

Anaesthetized people can process words

A deep brain structure called the hippocampus can learn and process language even when a person is under general anaesthesia. A probe that can record the activity of individual neurons in real time detected the region responding to the speech in a podcast and learning how to differentiate different tones. That doesn’t mean anaesthetized people are ‘secretly awake’ — just that this one structure, the hippocampus, computes and integrates information even under anaesthesia.

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-026-10448-0?utm_source=Live+...

Plants survived the dinosaur-killing asteroid by duplicating genomes, study suggests

When an asteroid as big as Mount Everest struck Earth 66 million years ago, it wiped out all non-avian dinosaurs and roughly a third of life on the planet. But many plants survived the devastation. In a new study published in Cell, researchers reveal that the accidental duplications of genomes—a natural phenomenon—might have helped many flowering plants survive some of the most extreme environmental upheavals in Earth's history.

This strategy could help plants adapt to the rapid climate changes unfolding today.

Whole-genome duplication is often seen as an evolutionary dead end in stable environments. But in harsh situations, it can provide unexpected advantages.

Most organisms carry two sets of chromosomes, one from each parent. But in flowering plants, many species carry additional sets as a result of random whole-genome duplication. For example, most cultivated bananas have three sets of chromosomes while wheat plants can have as many as six, a condition known as polyploidy.
Whole-genome duplication occurs relatively frequently in plants, and it can be costly. Larger genomes require more nutrients to maintain, increase the risk of acquiring harmful mutations, and affect fertility. For these reasons, only a small fraction of duplicated genomes are retained and passed down through generations in the wild.

On the other hand, genome duplications can increase genetic variations, and genes can evolve new functions. These changes may help organisms better tolerate stress such as heat or drought.

Part 1

To understand why some duplicated genomes  persist, researchers analyzed the genomes of 470 species of flowering plants, constructing one of the largest datasets of its kind. They looked for blocks of genes that appear in almost identical pairs—a marker of past whole-genome duplication events. Then, they compared the data with information from 44 plant fossils to estimate when these duplications occurred.

Their analysis revealed a striking pattern. The researchers found that the genes that persist over time tend to originate from whole-genome duplications during major periods of environmental upheaval.

These include the asteroid-triggered mass extinction 66 million years ago, several periods of global cooling when ecosystems collapsed, and the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM) about 56 million years ago—a period of rapid global warming.

The findings help explain a long-standing puzzle of why polyploidy is common, but only a few persevere in plant genomes over millions of years.
Under these extreme conditions, polyploid plants might have gained an edge. Traits that are normally disadvantageous, such as maintaining a larger and more complex genome, can become beneficial, say the researchers.

The Rise of Polyploids During Environmental Upheaval, Cell (2026). DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2026.04.008. www.cell.com/cell/fulltext/S0092-8674(26)00397-1

Part 2