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

Multiple man-made 'forever chemicals' found in 98.5% of people tested
PFAS, a group of persistent man-made chemicals, were detected in 98.8% of over 10,500 blood samples, with most individuals carrying multiple types. The most common combination included five PFAS, such as PFOS and PFOA, found in 26.1% of samples. These findings underscore widespread, combined PFAS exposure and highlight the need for mixture-based risk assessment.
One of the PFAS most commonly detected in this new study (in 97.9% of samples) was perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (linear PFOA), which is already recognized as being linked to adverse health conditions—including potential impacts on the immune system, liver, and thyroid—prompting action, internationally, for its restriction.

Laura M. Labay et al, PFAS co-positivities identified in more than 10,000 serum/plasma samples, Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene (2026). DOI: 10.1080/15459624.2025.2601605

This everyday plant protein may be quietly reshaping blood pressure risk in ways doctors cannot ignore
Higher intake of legumes (up to 170 g/day) and soy foods (60–80 g/day) is associated with a 16–19% lower risk of developing high blood pressure, with risk reduction plateauing beyond these amounts. The evidence suggests a probable causal relationship, potentially due to the potassium, magnesium, fiber, and isoflavones in these foods. Variability in study methods and definitions limits certainty, but findings support dietary recommendations to increase legume and soy consumption for blood pressure management.
And the optimal daily amount may be around 170 g of legumes, which include peas, lentils, chickpeas and beans, and 60 to 80 g of soy foods, examples of which include tofu, soy milk, edamame, tempeh, and miso, the findings indicate.

Legume and soy consumption and the risk of hypertension: a systematic review and dose–response meta-analysis of prospective studies, BMJ Nutrition Prevention & Health (2026). DOI: 10.1136/bmjnph-2025-001449

Nearly 3,000 peer-reviewed medical papers have fake citations, AI-assisted audit finds
An AI-assisted audit of 2.5 million biomedical papers identified 4,046 fake citations across 2,810 papers, with the rate of fake references increasing over 12-fold since 2023, particularly after mid-2024. Most affected papers had not received publisher action. Recommendations include mandatory reference verification, enhanced metadata, systematic tracking, and retroactive screening to maintain research integrity.
A new Columbia University School of Nursing AI-assisted audit reveals nearly 3,000 peer-reviewed medical papers have fake citations that do not exist in scientific databases. The results highlight an alarming trend in academic publishing as the use of AI grows.
The research letter, "Fabricated citations: an audit across 2·5 million biomedical papers," is published in The Lancet. (Research letters published in the Correspondence section include research findings and are externally peer-reviewed. Unlike Articles containing original data, research letters are shorter and the research they contain is usually preliminary, exploratory, or reporting on early findings.)

To conduct their analysis, the research team developed an automated verification system using AI that scanned 2.5 million papers published from January 1, 2023, to February 18, 2026, in PubMed Central's Open Access.

Among 97.1 million verified references, they identified 4,046 fake citations across 2,810 papers. The rate has grown more than 12-fold since 2023, with the sharpest increase beginning mid-2024, coinciding with the rise of AI writing tools.

This discovery directly impacts patients as medical professionals make treatment decisions based on clinical guidelines.
A medical professional or clinical guideline developer has no way of knowing that the evidence they are relying on does not exist. For example, one paper we reviewed had 18 out of 30 fake references. Some of those citations are already being cited by other papers and appear in systematic reviews that inform clinical care.
Based on their findings, the authors recommend publishers verify references with each paper submission. They also recommend that indexing services add metadata to records so that users can assess the accuracy of references.

Lastly, the research team urges major research integrity databases to establish a dedicated category for fake references to enable systematic tracking and accountability. They call on publishers to retroactively screen existing publications and issue corrections or retractions where fake references compromise a paper's conclusions. Notably, at the time of the audit, 98.4% of affected papers had not received any publisher action.

Maxim Topaz et al, Fabricated citations: an audit across 2·5 million biomedical papers, The Lancet (2026). DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(26)00603-3

Howard Bauchner et al, Fabricated references: a new threat to editorial integrity, The Lancet (2026). DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(26)00798-1

**

Omega-3 supplements may be linked to faster cognitive decline in seniors, study finds
Omega-3 supplementation in older adults was associated with a more rapid decline in cognitive function over five years compared to non-users, independent of APOE ε4 genetic risk. Brain imaging indicated this decline was linked to reduced cerebral glucose metabolism rather than typical Alzheimer's pathology. The findings suggest potential adverse effects of omega-3 on synaptic function in aging brains.

Zheng-Bin Liao et al, The association between omega-3 supplementation and cognitive decline in older adults, The Journal of Prevention of Alzheimer's Disease (2026). DOI: 10.1016/j.tjpad.2026.100569

Almost all plant-based meat alternatives contain mycotoxins, new research finds

New research into plant-based food and drinks has found a prevalence of mycotoxins—naturally occurring poisonous compounds produced by fungi—in hundreds of vegetarian and vegan products. A total of 212 plant-based meat alternatives (PMBAs) and plant-based beverages (PBBs) from UK shelves were tested—and all of them contained at least one of 19 mycotoxins, with multiple products containing more than one.
The study tested a broad spectrum of products readily available to UK consumers, such as burgers, vegetarian chicken pieces, vegan sausages, oat-, almond- and soy-based milks.

The study, "Mycotoxin contamination in plant-based beverages and meat alternatives: A survey of the UK market," is published in Food Control.

Mycotoxins are particularly prevalent in plant-based foods because the raw materials those foods are made from—such as grains, legumes and seeds—can be exposed to mold during cultivation and storage.

The research team found that mycotoxin levels in the UK foods that they tested were lower than the recommended EU guideline levels, reflecting the high quality standards of the UK food industry.

However, previous research studies have shown that even low levels, if consumed often, can build up exposure and lead to potential health concerns. So, while consuming these products in isolation is unlikely to pose issues, a diet solely based on plant-based foods could lead to a cumulative build-up of mycotoxins, potentially resulting in health problems if not managed properly.

Raquel Torrijos et al, Mycotoxin contamination in plant-based beverages and meat alternatives: A survey of the UK market, Food Control (2026). DOI: 10.1016/j.foodcont.2025.111910

Contagious yawning begins in the womb

Yawning is incredibly contagious, and more often than not, seeing someone yawn right in front of us makes us instinctively do the same. It is often tied to social and emotional connection and brain mirroring, where we automatically align and simulate the emotions and actions of the people around us. A recent study published in Current Biology has found that this behaviour begins even before birth.

Researchers recorded the facial expressions of pregnant women while an ultrasound machine captured real-time images of their fetuses' faces. By comparing the two recordings, the researchers observed that fetuses were more likely to yawn after their mothers yawned, with a delay of about 90 seconds.

Yawning in humans begins far earlier than most people realize. Fetuses start yawning in the womb at around 11 weeks of development. Since there is no air for the foetus to draw in, during a yawn, they slowly open their mouths, perform movements that resemble breathing in and out, and then gently close their mouths again. For a long time, scientists thought that foetal yawning was thought to be driven purely by internal biological processes, but there wasn't enough evidence to prove it either right or wrong.

In this study, the researchers wanted to see if fetuses in the womb would catch a yawn from their mothers. For this, they recruited 38 pregnant women who were between 28 and 32 weeks along, all with healthy, uncomplicated pregnancies.

The experiments involved the mothers watching three different types of video in a quiet room: a yawning video, a mouth-movement video, and a still-face video. While a video camera monitored the mother's face, the researchers used a 2D ultrasound machine to provide a real-time view of the foetus's nose and lips.

Three experts, who didn't know what the mother was watching, reviewed the collected footage and verified the yawns. The researchers used an AI tool called DeepLabCut to precisely track subtle lip and nose movements, then trained a neural network to see whether a mother's yawn mirrored the movement pattern of her foetus's.

The researchers found that foetal yawning increased significantly only when the mother yawned, not when she simply opened and closed her mouth or kept her face still. They called this phenomenon prenatal behavioural contagion. The foetal yawns were not random either; they typically appeared about 90 seconds after the mother yawned, which is similar to the response time seen in contagious yawning among adults.

These findings suggest that foetal yawning may be part of an early mother-baby connection, where a mother's behaviour can influence how the foetus responds. 

Giulia D'Adamo et al, Prenatal behavioral contagion through maternal yawning and fetal resonance, Current Biology (2026). DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2026.04.025

Meet the mosquito terminator—a spider that likes us and eats our enemies

Evarcha culicivora, a jumping spider species native to East Africa, preferentially preys on blood-fed mosquitoes, particularly those that have fed on humans. These spiders are attracted to human odors, such as worn socks, and can identify blood-carrying mosquitoes by sight or smell, indicating an innate prey preference. While not harmful to humans or effective for malaria eradication, they contribute to natural mosquito population control.

original article.

Hantavirus scare revives COVID-era conspiracy theories

An outbreak of the deadly hantavirus on a Dutch-flagged cruise ship is reviving conspiracy theories about vaccines, alleged depopulation campaigns and miracle cures that flourished during the COVID pandemic.

The recent hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship has triggered a resurgence of COVID-era conspiracy theories, including claims of intentional virus release, forced vaccination, and unproven cures such as ivermectin. There is no evidence linking hantavirus to COVID-19 vaccines or bioweapons, and no approved vaccines or cures exist for hantavirus. Misinformation is spreading rapidly online, fueled by political and financial motives.

The multilingual misinformation, which dominated online discourse and disrupted public health responses to the coronavirus, resurged even as the World Health Organization insisted that there remained minimal risk to the general public from passengers of the MV Hondius.
posts declared the outbreak a "plandemic"—borrowing from the title of a widely discredited pseudo-documentary from 2020 that pushed falsehoods about COVID.

A passenger is believed to have contracted the rare respiratory disease before boarding the ship in Argentina and infecting others on board.

Yet, expert analysis found widespread claims alleging a sinister plot to force vaccines on the masses, coerce people into lockdown, or sway America's November elections by justifying expanded use of mail-in ballots—a voting method that election deniers have insisted without evidence is rife with fraud.

The almost-immediate resurrection of COVID-19-era conspiracy theories is a reminder that misinformation doesn't simply disappear once the crisis that yielded them is over.
Posts pointed to past coverage of potential vaccines for hantavirus, COVID-era comments from billionaire Bill Gates and a fictional 1990s television show as evidence the hantavirus was intentionally released to reduce the population or make money for vaccine manufacturers.

Some further claimed the hantavirus was a side effect of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccines, misrepresenting a document that showed only that it was one of many "adverse events of special interest" subjected to monitoring, not something caused by the shot.
There are no approved vaccines or known cures for the hantavirus, which is usually spread from infected rodents and can cause respiratory and cardiac distress as well as hemorrhagic fever.

But online, anti-establishment physicians and some politicians immediately touted the anti-parasitic drug ivermectin and other medications as cures.
Some are saying that the virus is a "bioweapon" unleashed so pharmaceutical companies could profit off "poison" vaccines.
There is extreme misinformation about ivermectin. Outside of laboratory tests, ivermectin has not proven effective in treating infections.
Amid anxiety and confusion over the outbreak, "online influencers, social media groups, or AI-operated users, may seize the chance to make some money."
Remember, we have warned you!
Source: Expert warnings and news agencies

**

Why hantavirus is not the new COVID, according to experts
Hantavirus is an established pathogen primarily transmitted from rodents to humans, with human-to-human transmission being rare and requiring close contact. Unlike COVID-19, hantavirus outbreaks are limited by high lethality and rapid symptom onset, which restrict widespread transmission. No specific treatments or broadly effective vaccines exist for hantavirus, but its pandemic potential remains low compared to COVID-19.
The Andes hantavirus may be too rapidly fatal to spark a pandemic.
The Andes hantavirus is thought to have a mortality rate of around 40%.
COVID, on the other hand, "infects thousands of people and only later do deaths start to accumulate
"Everything happens much faster: One person transmits it, 10 people become infected, and they die if they do not receive proper treatment.
"That is why there is not as much chance of a hantavirus pandemic.
There are currently no treatments or vaccines specifically targeting hantavirus, so doctors treat the symptoms it causes, such as breathing problems.

"The faster people receive treatment, the better their prognosis

Hantavirus crisis: WHO recommendations
WHO recommends six-week quarantine and active monitoring for all high-risk contacts from the cruise ship outbreak, corresponding to the Andes virus's maximum incubation period. Countries are urged to strengthen contact tracing, surveillance, and transparent communication. No vaccine or treatment exists; early supportive care and strict infection control in healthcare settings are advised.
Why 42 days? That corresponded to the longest likely incubation period of Andes virus—the only hantavirus strain known to spread between humans—at the heart of the outbreak.
There is as of now no licensed treatment for hantavirus, which can have a fatality rate up to 50%.

But the WHO said "early supportive care and immediate referral to a facility with a complete ICU can improve survival".
Source: WHO

Invading cancer cells grip and rip their way into new tissues

Cancer cells invade new tissues by gripping and pulling apart protective barriers, rather than simply pushing through them. This process is mediated by integrin adhesion proteins, which transmit mechanical forces, causing tissue tension and eventual rupture. Cancer cells are already in a fluid-like state before invasion, and no stiff-to-fluid transition is required. Targeting these mechanical interactions may offer new therapeutic strategies.

Researchers have discovered that cancer cells do not simply push through surrounding tissues to spread, but instead actively grip onto protective tissue barriers and pull them apart, revealing a fundamentally new mechanism of cancer invasion that could open fresh avenues for therapeutic intervention.
Cancer cells can spread to distant tissues and organs, where they establish new tumors and ultimately lead to organ dysfunction and death. In ovarian cancer, clusters of tumor cells must break through a thin protective lining called the mesothelium, which covers the inner surface of the abdomen, in order to colonize new sites.

These tumor clusters are typically thought to forcibly push their way through such tissue barriers in a process termed "invasion."
Using laboratory-grown ovarian cancer cell clusters placed onto a mesothelial cell layer to mimic the invasion process, the research team discovered that instead of simply pushing through, both the interacting cancer cells and surrounding tissue behave in a manner akin to gripping with tiny claws, latching and pulling onto each other.

This intercellular behaviour is mediated by integrin adhesion proteins, which transmit mechanical forces through these connections.

Over time, this process causes the surrounding tissues interacting with the invading cancer cells to tighten and stretch, creating an opening that allows the invading cancer cells to spread and colonize new environments.
The prevalent explanation for cancer spread is that cancerous cells from tumors undergo a transition from stiff, solid-like forms to a more elastic, fluid-like state. This transformation allows cancer cells to push through tissues with ease. However, the new findings in this study change this understanding.

Using advanced three-dimensional cell tracking and artificial intelligence-based analysis, the team showed that instead of switching between stiff and fluid states, cancer cells are already in a fluid-like state even before invasion begins, and that no such transition is required.

Instead, the cancer cells interact and engage with the surrounding tissues by pulling at them, transmitting forces to these tissues, ultimately leading to tension build-up until the protective tissue gives way and tears apart.
These findings answer prevailing questions about the mechanisms by which cancer colonizes new organs.

Selwin K. Wu et al, Multiscale mechanisms driving tissue rupture by invading cells, Developmental Cell (2026). DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2026.01.016

Wine's leftovers could help wean chicken farms off antibiotics
Inclusion of 0.5% grape pomace in broiler chicken diets improved weight gain, feed efficiency, and gut health to levels comparable with antibiotic growth promoters, while reducing gut inflammation and harmful bacteria. Both raw and fermented grape pomace altered the gut microbiome favorably and increased butyrate production. Utilizing grape pomace as a feed additive could reduce reliance on antibiotics and repurpose a major agricultural byproduct.

Milan K. Sharma et al, Dietary grape pomace mitigates high-NSP-induced inflammation and production loss via microbiome-SCFA-immune mediated pathways, npj Biofilms and Microbiomes (2026). DOI: 10.1038/s41522-026-00996-8

The fog is alive: Droplets host bacteria that clear toxins from our air

Fog droplets host active bacterial communities, notably methylobacteria, which grow and metabolize pollutants such as formaldehyde, converting it to carbon dioxide. These microbial processes contribute to air purification, indicating fog acts as a transient aquatic habitat with significant ecological and atmospheric implications. Fog water may require purification before use as a drinking source due to microbial presence.

Thi Thuong Thuong Cao et al, Growth and formaldehyde degradation of photoheterotrophic Methylobacterium within radiation fogs, mBio (2026). DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00463-26