Large MRI analysis uncovers brain-region thinning tied to depression

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a psychiatric condition characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, a loss of interest in everyday activities, altered sleeping and/or eating patterns, low energy, and difficulty concentrating on tasks. While it is one of the most widespread mental health disorders worldwide, its unique neural and brain-related signatures have not yet been fully uncovered.

Recent studies have been trying to uncover differences in the structure of the brain associated with specific mental health disorders. This has mainly been done by analyzing brain scans collected from psychiatric patients using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), a medical imaging technique that collects detailed images of specific organs using strong magnetic fields and radio waves.

Researchers recently performed a large-scale analysis of MRI scans collected from individuals diagnosed with depression and from people with no known mental health disorders. The results of their analysis, published in Nature Mental Health, unveiled differences in the structure of specific brain regions associated with depression, which appear to vary based on age, treatment stage, and medication use.

The researchers analyzed MRI brain scans collected from 5,736 patients with MDD and 6,538 individuals with no known psychiatric conditions. These scans were collected by 64 independent research groups worldwide as part of two international research projects.

The analyses show significantly lower cortical thickness in patients with MDD in multiple brain regions, including the inferior parietal, lateral occipital, superior parietal, medial and lateral orbitofrontal, anterior and posterior cingulate, and precentral gyri, with cortical surface area showing no significant differences.

The team found that people with depression exhibited thinner cortical layers across various brain regions, but no significant differences in these regions' surface area. These observed differences appeared to be more pronounced in adult patients who were having an acute depressive episode. In contrast, adolescents with depression did not present any significant differences in brain structure compared with adolescents with no mental health disorders.

The researchers also observed slightly more prominent cortical thinning in the brains of patients who were taking antidepressant medications, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). Nonetheless, the effects of antidepressant use on people's brain structure appeared to be subtle and modest in size.

Chao-Gan Yan et al, Vertex-wise cortical abnormalities in major depressive disorder from 64 cohorts from the DIRECT and ENIGMA MDD consortia, Nature Mental Health (2026). DOI: 10.1038/s44220-026-00667-9.

Giant exoplanet may hold a magnetic grip on its host star

Within their planetary systems, stars are continuously shaping their orbiting planets through gravity, radiation and magnetic forces. So far, this relationship has appeared to be a one-way street.
But through new research published in Science, an international research team has found compelling evidence that the dynamic can run in reverse: A giant exoplanet orbiting very close to its star appears to be leaving a measurable magnetic imprint on the star itself.
The ways in which stars influence their planets are varied and powerful. Gravitationally, a star can distort a planet's orbit over time, stretching it or locking its rotation into step with its orbit. Radiatively, the intense light and high-energy particles streaming from a star can erode a planet's atmosphere, gradually stripping away lighter gases.

Magnetically, the star's field pervades the surrounding space, interacting with any magnetic field the planet itself possesses. In most cases, the star so thoroughly dominates these interactions that any influence the planet might exert in return is negligible.

For their study, the team focused on a red dwarf star called GJ 436, located about 30 light-years from Earth and roughly half the mass of our sun. It is orbited by a single known planet: a world around the size of Neptune and four times the mass of Earth. The exoplanet also completes a full orbit every 2.6 days, placing it extraordinarily close to its host star.

The researchers analyzed 18 years of high-resolution spectroscopic observations of the star, tracking specific emission signatures from hydrogen and calcium in its outer atmospheric layer. Since these signatures are sensitive to the star's magnetic environment, they are an especially useful indicator of activity.
Remarkably, the team found periodic fluctuations in these signals that matched the planet's orbital period—suggesting the planet was somehow triggering a rhythmic response in the star. This signal wasn't always present, however. During periods of high stellar activity, it was drowned out, and during very quiet periods, there was too little background activity for the planet's influence to enhance. But at intermediate activity levels, a clear periodic pattern emerged.

To explain this unusual pattern, the team modeled a physical connection between the magnetic field lines of the planet and star, which funnel energy into the star's outer atmosphere. Accounting for the star's rotation and the planet's tilted, eccentric orbit, this model was able to reproduce the observations and placed the planet's magnetic field strength as comparable to Jupiter's.
The findings present the possibility of an entirely new type of relationship between exoplanets and their host stars.

D. Revilla et al, Constraining an exoplanet's magnetic field using star-planet interactions, Science (2026). DOI: 10.1126/science.adv3075

Coastal and estuarine carbon removal technique may backfire when pushed too far

The ocean already absorbs around a quarter of human-generated carbon dioxide emissions, making it one of Earth's most important natural carbon sinks. Ocean alkalinity enhancement seeks to increase this capacity by raising the alkalinity of seawater, allowing it to take up additional carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

Scientists investigating a proposed way to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere using seawater have found that adding too much alkalinity to neutralize acids can trigger chemical reactions that undermine the process.
The study, published in Frontiers in Marine Science, examined a form of marine carbon dioxide removal known as ocean alkalinity enhancement. The approach aims to increase the ocean's capacity to absorb carbon dioxide by adding alkaline substances that shift seawater chemistry and encourage more carbon dioxide to move from the atmosphere into the ocean.

Using dissolved calcium carbonate (the main mineral found in limestone and seashells), the researchers found that there are clear limits to how much alkalinity can be added before the chemistry becomes unstable. At high doses, calcium carbonate rapidly forms solid mineral particles, effectively undoing some of the intended carbon storage benefits. The findings help define practical boundaries for the technique and highlight the importance of tailoring it to local conditions.
However, there is a catch. If conditions become too favorable for minerals to form, dissolved calcium carbonate can begin to crystallize and precipitate back out of the water. This removes some of the added alkalinity before it has had time to draw down atmospheric carbon dioxide and, in extreme cases, could even release carbon dioxide back into the atmosphere.

To investigate where these limits lie, the researchers tested three different alkalinity additions under a range of temperatures and carbon dioxide conditions. They also explored how mixing treated seawater with natural river water affected stability.

The lowest dose remained stable for more than a month, while the highest dose consistently caused calcium carbonate precipitation within a day. An intermediate level showed mixed behavior, with the timing of precipitation strongly influenced by temperature and the precise chemical conditions of the water.

The results revealed a threshold effect: Below certain levels, the enhanced seawater remained chemically stable, but above them the risk of precipitation increased sharply. Although the highest additions led to rapid mineral formation, the researchers did not observe a worst-case "runaway" scenario in which more alkalinity was lost than had originally been added.

The team also found that mixing treated seawater with natural estuarine water improved stability

Amanda B. Melendez-Perez et al, Stability assessment of calcium carbonate dissolution as a marine carbon dioxide removal mechanism, Frontiers in Marine Science (2026). DOI: 10.3389/fmars.2026.1796693

Decline in plankton across Northeast Atlantic sends stark warning for ocean health
Long-term analyses of 23 data sets across the Northeast Atlantic show widespread declines and community changes in phytoplankton and zooplankton, with no pelagic region achieving Good Environmental Status. Shelf habitats exhibit the poorest condition. Changes correlate with warming, nutrient shifts, acidification, and altered mixing, indicating impaired food webs and carbon cycling and underscoring the need for emission cuts, nutrient control, and sustained plankton monitoring.

Abigail McQuatters-Gollop et al, Integrating plankton indicators to assess the state of pelagic habitats in the Northeast Atlantic, Ecological Indicators (2026). DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolind.2026.115005

Childbirth is not uniquely difficult to humans

The tight fit of a baby's head through a mother's birth canal, which causes great difficulty in childbirth, is not unique to humans, as previously understood. Instead, some small-bodied primate babies have heads almost twice as large as their mothers' pelvic space, a new study led by UCL researchers has found.

Birth canal–neonate head mismatch occurs widely among small-bodied primates, not only humans, challenging the notion of a uniquely human obstetrical dilemma. Expanded 3D comparative analysis across 29 species shows especially tight fits in American monkeys, with some neonate heads nearly twice maternal pelvic space. Several taxa exhibit pelvic adaptations, such as delayed or absent pelvic bone fusion, that facilitate parturition.

The findings, published in Nature Ecology & Evolution, challenge the theory of an exclusively human "obstetrical dilemma"—the idea that our large heads and narrow pelvises, adapted for upright walking, have made childbirth uniquely difficult for our species.
Researchers have revisited the evidence and found that although constricted birth is not experienced by other apes, it is common among many small-bodied primates, particularly American monkeys like bushbabies and squirrel monkeys. For example, the heads of newborn squirrel monkeys can be almost twice the size of the mother's pelvic space.
Much of the data that informed earlier studies was flawed. It had been collected in a human-centric way that failed to consider the anatomy of other species.
In the past, the measurement for the newborns' heads was from the forehead to the back of the skull. This assumed that all babies are born crown-first, as most humans are. But species like the gelada monkey, with their pronounced snouts, are often birthed face-first.
Using advanced 3D modeling techniques and greatly expanding the number of species studied—from eight to 29—the research team found that tight fits at birth were especially common among proportionally smaller species.
The researchers found that some of the small-bodied primates that experience a constrained fit during childbirth have developed clever adaptations to make the process less difficult. The pelvic bones of female rhesus macaques fuse together later than in males, during their reproductive years, and in bushbabies they never fuse, allowing the pelvis to expand during birth to accommodate the neonatal head.

Nicole Torres-Tamayo, Comparative primate analysis shows that humans are not unique in having a tight cephalopelvic fit at birth, Nature Ecology & Evolution (2026). DOI: 10.1038/s41559-026-03102-5. www.nature.com/articles/s41559-026-03102-5

Scientists uncover how ovarian cancer resists chemotherapy—and how to reverse it
Ovarian cancer cells acquire cisplatin and carboplatin resistance by stabilizing microtubules via elevated TPPP3, altering the tubulin “code” beyond DNA repair mechanisms. High TPPP3 correlates with poorer survival, while TPPP3 loss restores cisplatin sensitivity in models, suggesting TPPP3 as a therapeutic target and potential biomarker for platinum resistance and treatment optimization.

Sachi Horibata et al, Cisplatin resistance in an ovarian cancer model is mediated by microtubule dynamics regulator TPPP3 in synergy with tubulin code rewiring, Cell Reports (2026). DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2026.117414

Scratching that bug bite might feel good at first but science explains why it's a bad idea
Scratching itch-inducing skin lesions amplifies inflammation by mechanically triggering pain fibers that release substance P, which activates mast cells via a non-allergen pathway, increasing swelling and itch. Mouse “cone” experiments show preventing scratching markedly reduces inflammatory cells and edema. Although scratching can modestly reduce skin bacteria, the net effect is detrimental, and topical anti-itch therapies are recommended to break the itch-scratch cycle.

A lot of things can cause itchiness, sometimes serious diseases. Whatever the cause, doctors have long warned that scratching too much can damage the skin. Now researchers better understand why even a mildly annoying itch could put you on an itch-and-scratch cycle if you give in.
They also gained insight into why a good scratch at least at first brings a sigh of relief. After all, not just people and other mammals scratch, even fish do. The commonality suggests there must be some evolutionary reason and the mouse experiment hints at a little germ protection—but still not a reason to scratch.

Evidence matches people's everyday experiences that scratching really can make things worse.

Ignore a mosquito bite and the itch is "gone in five or 10 minutes for most people. But if you start scratching it, it's your friend for a week, getting itchier and more inflamed.
To understand what was happening in the skin, researchers took a deeper look at mast cells, among the immune system's first responders. When called into action, they release compounds that can help fight germs or toxins—or, through a compound called histamine, trigger itchy allergic reactions.

Scientists have long known that allergens can activate mast cells. But other signals can summon mast cells, too, including pain. And when we scratch, we tend to scratch until it starts to hurt.
Pain-sensing nerve cells release a chemical messenger called substance P. In findings published last year, the same team reported that substance P can activate mast cells through a different molecular pathway than allergens do—a double whammy that explains why scratching further inflames itchy rashes or bites.
If we experience pain like touching a hot stove, we'll learn not to do that again. Yet relief from a good scratch, in evolutionary terms, is positive feedback. Why?

One long-held theory is that it may help creatures slough off parasites like fleas or mites.

"Ultimately, scratching is deleterious," the researchers stressed. "You should avoid scratching, although it's "easier said than done."
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What fights an itch depends on its cause and there's a need for better treatments. For now, antihistamines and certain other drugs for hives can tamp down some itchiness triggered by mast cells. Drug companies are experimenting with other approaches called MRGPRX2 blockers that target the pathway the team linked to scratching.
For the summer itchiness of bug bites, poison ivy and other types of contact dermatitis, dermatologists recommend anti-itch balms such as hydrocortisone cream, calamine lotion or oatmeal baths.

Another trick : Menthol-containing creams can temporarily fool the skin into sensing cold instead of itch, just long enough that "if you don't scratch, then you break that itch-scratch cycle" . "It's like a cheat code."
- Dematologists!

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The brain's physical shape guides its internal wiring
A new study by researchers has shed light on the factors shaping the intricate wiring of our brains. The research, published in the journal Cell, reveals that the brain's complex wiring diagram, known as the cortical connectome, does not form at random. Instead, a new mathematical model shows that connections preferentially form between locations that support natural, shape-driven "resonant patterns."
Just as the physical shape of a bell or a drum determines its vibrations and the music that it produces, the physical geometry of the brain constrains the patterns of neural activity it can support.
By testing their mathematical formula against publicly available datasets, the research team showed that this geometric rule holds true across various species, from mice to humans.

This demonstrates that the physical shape of the brain has served as a blueprint in guiding its internal wiring for at least 90 million years of mammalian evolution.
The researchers also showed that the formula successfully predicts both how the brain is wired—its "topology"—and where the wires physically go—its "topography"—important properties that previous theories have failed to predict.
Their new model suggests the brain wires itself in an energy-efficient way to support these resonant patterns, strongly favouring low-frequency patterns, resembling a deep, low hum rather than a high-pitched chirp. These broad, brain-wide patterns require far less energy to sustain.
The fact that a single mathematical formula can accurately predict brain networks in both a tiny mouse and a human reveals just how powerful physical geometry is in shaping brain connectivity.

Francis Normand et al, Geometric constraints on the architecture of mammalian cortical connectomes, Cell (2026). DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2026.05.048

Rising summer heat linked to higher youth suicide rates, especially ages 15 to 24

From India to the U.S. and across Europe, millions are enduring an intense heat wave as temperatures soar to an unbearable range. Summers over the past few years have been extremely hot in these regions because of the combined effects of climate change and persistent weather patterns that amplify these sweltering conditions.
As temperatures climb, so do the risks of a range of mental health disorders, including suicide.

Heat exposure doesn't affect everyone equally. It hits harder on people who work outdoors, people facing housing instability in neighborhoods with fewer resources, and those without air conditioning. Young people are also particularly vulnerable.

Children and adolescents have a higher surface-area-to-mass ratio and sweat less efficiently than adults, causing their bodies to absorb heat more quickly and making it harder to cool down. Studies also suggest that young adults adapt to prolonged summer heat less effectively than older adults.
A recent study found that higher summer temperatures were strongly associated with increased suicide rates among youth, with the connection appearing specifically in summer. During those months, every 1°C (1.8°F) rise in average monthly temperature was associated with a 2.68% increase in the suicide rate. The summer heat effect was strongest among older teens and young adults ages 15 to 24.
Across the full year, for every 1°C rise in average monthly temperature, youth suicide rates increased by 0.75%, about the same as what was seen in the general population. That pattern changed considerably when the team looked at each season individually.

The link between heat and suicide turned out to be statistically significant only in summer (July–September), when rates jumped 2.68% for every 1°C increase, more than 3.5 times higher than the average for the rest of the year.

They also found that heat had a stronger effect on females, raising their rate by 5.20% per 1°C compared with 2.37% for males. They observed the summer effect across most regions of the country, though it weakened, moving from east to west.
As temperatures rise because of global warming and climate patterns such as El Niño, protecting the mental health of young people will require not only better science but also structural interventions.

Pranav Jayaraman et al, Deadly Heat: The Association Between Ambient Temperature and Suicide in Young People in the United States, American Journal of Psychiatry (2026). DOI: 10.1176/appi.ajp.20250096

PFAS in most medicines can be replaced with alternatives
Analysis of 139 PFAS-containing active ingredients shows that 87% of human and 65% of veterinary medicines have PFAS-free alternatives, and alternatives are in development for most remaining human drugs. PFAS structures are not required for pharmacological action but drive environmental persistence and TFA formation. Findings support preferential prescription and development of PFAS-free medicines.
Certain medicines contain per- and polyfluorinated alkyl compounds, known as PFAS, which are causing increasing environmental harm because of their long-lasting effects. A study published in Sustainable Chemistry and Pharmacy shows that many PFAS-based active ingredients used in medicines can be replaced by alternative active ingredients. Based on the report's findings, doctors will in the future be able to give preference to prescribing PFAS-free medicines, where this is appropriate from a therapeutic point of view.
Researchers have shown that, for 87% of the identified human medicines and 65% of the veterinary medicines containing PFAS structures, active ingredients without PFAS properties already exist for the same applications.

The study examined 111 active pharmaceutical ingredients for human medicines and 28 for veterinary medicines that are classified as PFAS according to the definition of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Furthermore, the researchers were able to demonstrate that PFAS-free alternatives are already in development for almost all the remaining human medicines.

"The fact that PFAS-free alternatives already exist for almost all indications is a clear indication that, from a pharmacological point of view, per- or polyfluorination is not strictly necessary.
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The report also provides fundamental insights for pharmaceutical research: In the case of the active pharmaceutical ingredients examined, which have a known mechanism of action, the PFAS content is not responsible for the intended medical effect. Per- and polyfluorination are used in pharmacology to improve the stability and distribution of active ingredients within the body.

However, it is precisely these properties that mean these substances are difficult or impossible to break down in nature and, once excreted by humans, place a burden on ecosystems. There, they may accumulate in living organisms and break down into problematic, persistent transformation products such as trifluoroacetic acid (TFA). TFA does not degrade in the environment, is carried by the water cycle and is considered toxic to reproduction. According to the expert report, more than 80% of the PFAS active ingredients examined have the potential to break down into TFA.
There is no immediate risk to patients from medicines containing PFAS, as these are thoroughly tested for potential risks to human health before they are authorized.
Doctors can use these new findings to prioritize prescribing PFAS-free medicines—particularly when starting new patients on treatment—provided this is appropriate from a therapeutic point of view.

Johanna Greinke et al, Per- and polyfluorinated active pharmaceutical ingredients: Overview and alternatives, Sustainable Chemistry and Pharmacy (2026). DOI: 10.1016/j.scp.2026.102416

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Improving growth outcomes for children living with dwarfism

Achondroplasia occurs in 1 out of every 26,000 to 40,000 children and is caused by genetic changes that affect bone growth, proportionality, and differences in the shape of the spine and limbs. Children with the condition often have disproportionately short stature and may experience health challenges involving the spine, legs, ears, nose and throat.

New findings from a trial conducted at Children's Hospital Coloradodemonstrate significantly increased growth rates in children with achondroplasia, the most common form of dwarfism.
The children who received oral therapy experienced a statistically significant increase in height—an observed improvement of 2.10 centimeters per year compared with those who received the placebo. Furthermore, proportionality improved among children ages 3 to less than 8 years, an age range in which changes in body proportions are most evident.
A phase 3 randomized, placebo-controlled trial of the oral FGFR1–3 inhibitor infigratinib in 114 children with achondroplasia showed a statistically significant additional annual height gain of 2.10 cm versus placebo over 52 weeks, with improved body proportionality in children aged 3 to <8 years. Adverse events were mainly mild to moderate, with no treatment-related serious events or deaths; long-term effects remain under investigation.

Ravi Savarirayan et al, Phase 3 Trial of Oral Infigratinib in Children with Achondroplasia, New England Journal of Medicine (2026). DOI: 10.1056/nejmoa2604565

Chain reaction in cells may be driving low energy in ME/CFS patients

Researchers have identified a key immune cell dysfunction in people with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS), offering new clues about the condition.
The study addressed a critical question: Are the mitochondrial deficits reported by other researchers a downstream consequence of the ion-channel and calcium abnormalities previously identified?
Researchers used advanced live-cell imaging to observe TRPM3-dependent calcium movement into mitochondria in real time.

The paper "Deficient TRPM3-linked mitochondrial Ca2+ influx in natural killer cells associated with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome" has been published in BMC Immunology.

Symptoms included profound, persistent exhaustion; post-exertional malaise; pain; cognitive difficulties; dizziness; temperature instability; and sensory sensitivity, which could severely restrict day-to-day functioning, education, employment and social participation.
The researchers found a significant TRPM3-calcium pathway dysfunction in ME/CFS, resulting in impaired calcium entry into mitochondria, a region of the cell responsible for energy production.
It explains how reduced calcium entry into mitochondria may impair immune cell function and energy production, effectively triggering a chain reaction in the body.

Chandi Tabeth Magawa et al, Deficient TRPM3-linked mitochondrial Ca²⁺ influx in natural killer cells associated with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome, BMC Immunology (2026). DOI: 10.1186/s12865-026-00849-1

Growing evidence shows sugar substitutes disrupt gut health and metabolism

Since the first introduction of saccharin, an array of artificial and other non-nutritive (i.e., low-calorie or calorie-free) sweeteners have become ubiquitous in the food supply. However, a growing body of research suggests that these compounds are not inert in the body and may be disrupting metabolism.
A new review and meta-analysis by researchers, published in Current Atherosclerosis Reports, pulls together the best available evidence on how non-nutritive sweeteners affect health. Across 21 randomized clinical trials in adults, researchers observed that artificial and other low-calorie sweeteners, compared with noncaloric controls such as water or placebo, raised fasting insulin and HbA1c, a marker of long-term blood sugar control, and showed a trend toward worsening insulin sensitivity.

Non-nutritive sweeteners, compared with noncaloric controls, increase fasting insulin and HbA1c and tend to worsen insulin sensitivity, indicating adverse metabolic effects. Evidence suggests they alter gut microbiome composition and function and are associated with higher cardiometabolic disease risk in observational data. Heterogeneity among sweeteners and labelling gaps limit precise risk assessment.

One explanation based on the current evidence, the researchers say, involves the gut microbiome. Non-nutritive sweeteners generally pass through the gut and come into direct contact with these microbes. In one trial they reviewed that used detailed microbiome profiling along with experiments transferring microbes from humans to mice, certain low-calorie sweeteners were shown to alter both the composition and the function of the gut microbiota.
In addition to randomized trials, the researchers reviewed large observational studies, which generally found that consuming non-nutritive sweeteners is linked to a higher risk of developing cardiometabolic diseases. The team notes that these studies have limitations, as people already at risk for these conditions may be more likely to choose these products. Different sweeteners may also have different health effects, so grouping them together may obscure the full picture. Taken together with the clinical trial findings, however, the researchers say the overall body of evidence raises concern.

Meng Wang et al, Artificial and Other Non-Nutritive Sweeteners, the Microbiome, and Cardiometabolic Health, Current Atherosclerosis Reports (2026). DOI: 10.1007/s11883-026-01429-9

Food noise: Why thoughts about eating aren't always something to be feared
Food noise denotes persistent, intrusive food-related thoughts arising from diverse mechanisms, including hunger signals, cravings, cue reactivity, emotion-driven eating, and perceived loss of control. It becomes problematic when it impairs functioning or promotes overeating or binge eating. GLP‑1 agonists can dampen multiple appetite processes and reduce food noise, but complete silencing of appetite is neither realistic nor desirable. Management focuses on distinguishing hunger from cravings, minimizing external cues, addressing emotional drivers, engaging in physical activity, and seeking professional support when distress or dysfunction occurs.

original article.

Chaos-courting pigeons break all the rules
Pigeons live at “the edge of chaos” to maintain their legendary flexibility and adaptability, suggests new research. Scientists presented common pigeons (Columba livia) with five colourful buttons, and pecking any sequence of five resulted in a tasty reward. Despite cutting down the number of sequences they used, the birds never fully gave up on trying new versions, and their favourites fell in and out of favour. The findings run counter to ‘Thorndike’s Law of Effect’ — proposed by psychologist Edward Thorndike in 1905 — that rewarded behaviours become more frequent and less variable.

https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2027-47688-001

How a giant planet survived its star's death, then migrated inward

When astronomers discovered a giant planet orbiting a dead star in 2020, they wondered how it survived its star's violent demise. Now, observations from NASA's James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) may finally explain the planet's unlikely escape from destruction.
In a new study, an international team of scientists analyzed the planet's atmosphere for the first time. Using measurements of the planet's atmosphere, mass and temperature, the researchers reconstructed the planet's journey. They found the planet (called WD1856b) originally orbited its star from a safe distance. But billions of years after the star died, the planet migrated toward its dead companion.

The findings give an unprecedented glimpse into the distant future of planetary systems—including our own.
The findings have bearing on the long-term fate of our solar system.
In roughly 5 billion years, our sun will die, and we don't know precisely what will happen to the planets at that time. The fact that planets can survive into that final stage of the stellar life cycle really widens the range of possibilities for where and when habitable planets might exist in the universe.

Ryan MacDonald, Aerosols and hydrocarbons in the atmosphere of a white dwarf planet, Nature (2026). DOI: 10.1038/s41586-026-10514-7. www.nature.com/articles/s41586-026-10514-7

Algae may have launched coral reefs by hijacking coral cells, genetic experiments suggest

The reefs scattered throughout the tropics arose only after algae took up full-time residence in coral cells, supplying corals with abundant food and enabling them to build extensive shallow-water communities. But with warming oceans, algae are often abandoning coral—causing what's known as bleaching—and turning reefs that were once teeming with life into ghost towns.
Based on genetic manipulations of the lab-grown corals and related anemones, which also incorporate algae into their cells, the researchers are challenging the assumption that coral long ago absorbed algae into specialized compartments inside their cells called symbiosomes.
Symbiosomes resemble mitochondria, the powerhouses of the cell, and chloroplasts, which harbor the photosynthetic machinery in plants. Both are thought to have been independent organisms that were long ago incorporated into cells and are now essential cellular components in all animals, plants and fungi.
Part 1

The researchers theorised that instead that algae parasitized coral, having found a way to live unscathed inside a type of lysosome, the cellular organelles that normally digest food and invading organisms. In doing so, the algae learned how to absorb carbon from the host cell and release the products of photosynthesis—primarily glucose—to feed the coral. That's a win-win for both algae and coral, and for other animals that harbour symbiotic algae.

In a paper published in the journal Cell, the researchers report experiments that support this idea that symbiosomes form by fusing with lysosomes, and that algae have somehow evolved to resist the active digestive enzymes in the lysosome.

Parasites basically trick cells to do what they want. That's what they think is happening here. The algae are hijacking the nutrient centers of the cells and acting like food that just never gets digested because they can fix carbon and make glucose from photosynthesis. They think about it as an everlasting gobstopper.

They noted that the difference is not always clear between a parasite, which exploits its host without the host benefiting, and a symbiont, which lives mutualistically with its host. The coral-algae relationship could be a new type of symbiosis that involves parasitizing a cellular organelle.

It's good for the coral, it's good for the algae, so it's symbiosis. But they think it's basically repurposing the entire cell and taking over that nutrient center.

In genetic experiments they identified at least 200 proteins located on the symbiosome in which algae live.
One of the proteins transports bicarbonate, which is converted to carbon dioxide in the symbiosome, potentially explaining how the alga gets the carbon dioxide it needs to convert sunlight into sugars, despite being isolated inside a cell inside the stomach of the coral.

Co-option of lysosomal machinery shapes the evolution of the intracellular photosymbiosis supporting coral reefs, Cell (2026). DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2026.06.015. www.cell.com/cell/fulltext/S0092-8674(26)00701-4

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Orbit overload could devastate astronomy if 1.7 million proposed satellites brighten night sky
Mass deployment of satellite constellations could severely impair ground-based optical astronomy through bright trails and a several-fold increase in night-sky background. Simulations indicate up to 1.7 million proposed satellites would cause drastic data loss, whereas limiting the total to ≤100,000 objects fainter than magnitude 7 keeps impacts comparable to other technical losses.

Olivier R. Hainaut, Large or bright satellite constellations: Effects on observations, including on the background sky brightness, arXiv (2026). DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2604.09427

Martian dust storms may generate atmospheric electrical conditions that could impact future missions
Global dust storms on Mars can structure the lower atmosphere into regions where charge separation persists and electric fields approach breakdown thresholds. These conditions create localized, altitude-dependent environments favorable for electrostatic discharges. Such electrified dust may affect spacecraft systems, dust–surface interactions, and near-surface chemistry relevant to habitability.

Chali Idosa Uga et al, Turbulence-coupled Electrodynamics of the Martian Year 34 Global Dust Storm on Mars, The Planetary Science Journal (2026). DOI: 10.3847/psj/ae69db

A holoparasitic plant replaces its own genes with host DNA to survive

All living organisms are known to inherit genes, DNA sequences that contain instructions for producing specific proteins and performing biological functions, from their parents. In some cases, however, genes can also shift between different species via a process known as horizontal gene transfer (HGT).

HGT essentially entails the movement of genetic material between different living organisms that are unrelated and of different species. So far, this phenomenon has primarily been observed in microbes and bacteria.

Researchers  recently observed HGT in Lophophytum, a holoparasitic plant that is incapable of photosynthesis and obtains water, nutrients and energy from host plants.

Their paper, published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B, shows not only that this plant can acquire genes from a host plant, but also that acquired genes are sometimes expressed, replacing the plant's original genes.

The researchers particularly focused on the mitochondrial genome, which is particularly prone to HGT. Most of the foreign DNA remains nonfunctional in the recipient plant and is eventually lost. This is expected because being expressed and becoming functional in the recipient plant is highly unlikely, given the barriers to foreign gene expression and evolutionarily unlikely, given the requirement for cytonuclear compatibility between mitochondrial and nuclear genes.

While studying the transfer of genes from a host plant to the holoparasite the researchers made an unexpected discovery. Specifically, they found that this plant carried massive amounts of mitochondrial DNA (i.e., DNA stored in the mitochondria (i.e., membrane-bound organelles found in almost all cells with a nucleus)) that was acquired from a host plant.

This host-acquired material included several genes that became functional and had replaced native genes.

The team's analyses revealed that the holoparasites they studied had successfully replaced many of their own mitochondrial genes with functional copies acquired from host plants. These genes appeared to become functional without the need for the host plant's nuclear regulatory processes, relying solely on the holoparasitic plants' own cellular mechanisms.

This study offers one of the most striking examples of HGT in plants, while also providing a possible explanation for why genes acquired by a holoparasite can sometimes become functional.

Maria Emilia Roulet et al, A structural solution to functional HGT: gene chimaerism bypasses mitochondrial expression barriers in parasitic plants, Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences (2026). DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2025.2955.

Human red blood cells form without central 'hub' seen in mouse models, upending understanding of our physiology

Medicine scientists have discovered that one of the body's most fundamental biological processes—how red blood cells are made—works differently in humans than previously thought, according to a new study published in Nature Genetics. The findings overturn decades of assumptions based largely on animal research.
In the study, researchers used advanced spatial mapping tools to directly observe microscopic environments, known as erythroblastic islands (EBIs), inside intact tissues. EBIs have long been understood to act as "nurseries" where red blood cells mature. But until now, scientists lacked a clear picture of what these structures look like in humans.

For decades, our understanding of these structures has come almost entirely from mouse studies. Most experiments relied on isolating cells and studying them in flat, two-dimensional systems, which disrupt their native organization.

To overcome those limitations, the team used spatial transcriptomics, a technology that maps gene activity within whole tissue. This allowed them to preserve the natural structure of EBIs while comparing mouse and human samples directly.
They found that in mice, the conventional model still applies: EBIs form around a macrophage (a kind of specialized white blood cell) marked by the protein C1q, which sits at the center of clusters of developing red blood cells and helps clean up cellular debris.

But in humans, investigators found there was no organizing center. Instead, red blood cells form clusters independently, sticking to each other via a molecule called ICAM4.
The most surprising finding is that the structure of these niches is species-specific.
In humans, the erythroid cells cluster on their own without needing a central macrophage. That overturns a long-standing assumption that human blood formation mirrors what we see in mice.
The discovery represents a fundamental shift in understanding how the body produces its most abundant cell type.

Xu Han et al, Spatial transcriptomic analyses highlight distinct erythroid niches in mice and humans, Nature Genetics (2026). DOI: 10.1038/s41588-026-02671-2

We can't air-condition our way out of a hotter future, say experts

As temperatures rise around the world, air conditioning is saving lives. But a growing reliance on it is also placing unprecedented pressure on electricity grids, increasing greenhouse gas emissions and making cities even hotter.

A global review argues that keeping buildings cool without relying solely on air conditioning will be critical for adapting to climate change.

Published in Nature Reviews Clean Technology, the review examines the latest advances in passive cooling technologies, from emerging materials for radiative, evaporative and combined radiative/evaporative cooling to sophisticated solar control systems and personalized intelligent ventilation technologies that can help buildings shed heat without consuming electricity.
Air conditioning is vital during extreme heat but its rapid global expansion increases electricity demand, emissions, and urban heat. The review identifies passive cooling (shading, reflective and radiative/evaporative materials, smart ventilation) as essential first-line infrastructure, potentially cutting cooling demand by up to 80% in hot climates, enhancing grid resilience, public health, and climate adaptation, especially for vulnerable populations.

Matthaios Santamouris et al, Passive cooling for the built environment, Nature Reviews Clean Technology (2026). DOI: 10.1038/s44359-026-00177-y

The broader a fungus's diet, the better it kills insects and helps plants
Metarhizium robertsii strains with broader metabolic capacity (use of diverse sugars, amino and organic acids) show higher insect virulence and more efficient plant-root colonization. Two strategies emerged: slow-killing, highly sporulating “sleepers” and fast-germinating, toxin-using “creepers” that spread via hyphae. Metabolic breadth underlies both insect pathogenicity and plant mutualism, informing selection of strains for distinct agricultural
objectives.

Huiyu Sheng et al, Metabolic breadth links insect pathogenicity and plant association in Metarhizium robertsii, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2026). DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2608694123

Extreme heat is rising—and so is the risk to your heart

American Heart Association is warning that soaring temperatures don't just make people uncomfortable—they can put serious strain on the heart and increase the risk of life-threatening complications.

Heat forces the heart to work harder. When your body is trying to cool down, your heart rate increases and your blood vessels expand. For people with heart disease, and even those who are otherwise healthy, that added strain can become dangerous quickly.
When temperatures climb, the body sweats to cool itself, which can lead to fluid loss and dehydration. At the same time, the heart must pump more blood to regulate body temperature. Together, these changes can put significant stress on the cardiovascular system.

Extreme heat is the leading weather-related cause of death in the U.S. and is associated with rising cardiovascular mortality, projected to more than double in coming decades. Heat increases heart rate, vasodilation, dehydration, and cardiovascular strain, elevating risk for people with and without heart disease. Prevention focuses on avoiding peak heat, maintaining hydration, cooling breaks, and early recognition of heat exhaustion and heat stroke symptoms.
How to protect yourself in extreme heat
The American Heart Association recommends taking simple but important steps to stay safe:

Avoid peak heat hours: Limit outdoor activity between noon and 3 p.m., when temperatures are typically at their highest.
Dress smart: Choose lightweight, light-colored clothing and wear a hat and sunglasses. Use sunscreen to protect your skin.
Stay hydrated: Drink water before, during and after time outdoors. Avoid alcohol and caffeinated drinks, which can contribute to dehydration.
Take breaks: Rest in the shade or a cool indoor space to give your body time to recover.
Know the warning signs because recognizing symptoms early can save your life.

Heat exhaustion symptoms may include:
Headache
Cool, pale, clammy skin
Fast but weak pulse
Dizziness or fainting
Weakness or muscle cramps
Nausea or vomiting
If you experience any of these symptoms, slow down any physical activity and move to a cooler place. Cool down immediately by dousing yourself with cold water and rehydrating. You may need to seek medical attention.
Heat stroke is a medical emergency. Call 9-1-1 immediately if you notice:

Body temperature above 103°F (39.4°C)
Hot, red, dry or damp skin
Rapid, strong pulse
Confusion, headache or loss of consciousness
Nausea
Stay active—but stay safe
Physical activity remains essential for heart health, even in the summer months. Try walking, swimming, biking, skating, building a backyard obstacle course or organizing a neighborhood soccer game. Even gardening, pushing a stroller or walking the dog counts. However, in the heat of summer, it may be best to shift exercise to early morning or evening hours, when it's cooler, or move workouts indoors to air-conditioned spaces such as gyms or community centers.

Source: Journal of the American Medical Association 

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Aphantasia challenges a centuries-old theory of abstract thought

Aphantasia, the inability to form mental images, poses a serious challenge to an influential theory of abstract thought in the history of philosophy. The study by researchers at the University of Tartu suggests that mental imagery may play a less central role in human thought than has long been assumed and that the mind is more flexible in how it represents the world than many theories allow.

Most of us, when asked to think about triangles, dogs or justice, spontaneously conjure up some kind of mental picture: a red triangle drawn on a blackboard, a scruffy terrier, a courtroom scene. The 18th-century Scottish philosopher David Hume believed this was not just a habit but a necessity. In his view, the mind cannot deal with pure abstractions directly and always needs a concrete mental image to work with first. To think about triangles in general, you must first picture a specific one. To think about justice, you must mentally replay some vivid scene of fairness or its violation.

But what about people who cannot form mental images at all? People with severe aphantasia draw a complete blank when asked to visualize a rainbow, picture a close friend's face or imagine their childhood bedroom. There is simply nothing there. Yet they can reason about rainbows, recognize their friends and reflect on their past. And they can engage with abstract concepts like geometry, morality and mathematics just as well as anyone else.

In a paper published in Neuropsychologia, researchers argue that aphantasia presents a direct challenge to Hume's theory and to imagistic models of cognition more broadly. "If abstract thought genuinely required mental imagery, people with aphantasia should struggle to think abstractly. They do not."

Aphantasia, the inability to form mental images, undermines theories that treat sensory imagery as necessary for abstract thought. Individuals with aphantasia can reason about concrete and abstract domains without visual, multimodal, voluntary, or unconscious imagery, indicating that language- and symbol-based or other non-imagistic formats can support abstraction.

Uku Tooming et al, Aphantasia as a challenge for Humean abstraction, Neuropsychologia (2026). DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2026.109465

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For The First Time, Some Scientists Say They've Built a Synthetic Cell From Scratch

Scientists from the University of Minnesota say they have created the first-ever synthetic cell built entirely from scratch, and seen it go through an entire 'life' cycle – including reproduction.
They replicated in chemistry what only used to be possible in biology: the complete set of behaviors of a cell. It proves that the most fundamental functions of life, like growth and replication, do not need a mysterious magical spark.
The project is called SpudCell, and it has a genome of just 90 kilobase pairs (kbp). For comparison, the human genome is about 3 million kpb, and biologists previously assumed that a living cell would require at least 113 kpb of genetic data to function properly.
The research, however, is yet to be formally published and has not been peer-reviewed.
According to Science magazine, SpudCell has met some hurdles in publication: apparently one reviewer at Cell, a prestigious science journal, said the project was not real biology.
That might be partially because SpudCell doesn't quite meet the requirements for real 'life': it can't replicate itself over many generations, and so it also can't evolve.
SpudCell doesn't look like much if you're grading it on the scale of natural biological systems: it's a very slow growth and replication cycle, and high-demand metabolism.
Each artificial SpudCell consists of a liposome – a sphere of fats that mimics the outer membrane of a real cell – wrapped around seven plasmids, small units of DNA (often found in bacteria) that are a bit different from the chromosomes you might be familiar with.

Together, these seven plasmids make up the SpudCell genome, all 90 kbp of it.
The 'cell' is also equipped with an in-built 'protein expression system', which translates the DNA's genetic instructions into action. That's what allows the 'cell' to turn the nutrients it absorbs from the surrounding liquid into useful materials, and enables cell division.
According to the researchers, the SpudCell system is capable of "selection, genome replication, growth, resource acquisition via feeding, and genetically encoded division."
Aside from probing the fundamental question of where the threshold for life really sits, future synthetic cell-like systems could potentially be designed to act like mini biological factories, pumping out organic materials such as drugs, biomaterials, chemicals, and other useful stuff.

Labs already use genetically modified bacteria and other microbes in this way, and it's also similar to how medical-grade insulin is produced.

A fully synthetic cell may allow for efficiencies and specificities that surpass existing biotechnologies.
Currently, SpudCells don't last more than a few generations. They can't actually produce their own protein expression system, nor can they regulate their metabolism, so they rely entirely on substances and components in the liquid medium in which they float.

The blobs also lack a cytoskeleton, the internal scaffolding that props up natural cells. This simplifies things, but it also means they can't shuttle materials around or clear waste.

But this work does provide a proof of concept that other scientists can build on – and that we'll keep a close eye on in the coming years.

The research has not yet been peer-reviewed, but a preprint is available on Biotic's website.

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Single Injection Reverses Osteoarthritis in Animals in Just 4 Weeks

The chronic loss of joint cartilage known as osteoarthritis causes pain and bone decay for hundreds of millions of people every day.

But a new treatment option just got a step closer to human trials – in the form of a simple, single shot.

Based on ongoing animal experiments, researchers have shown that injecting a carefully engineered, slow-release drug-delivery system into the damaged joint can coax the body's own cartilage and bone cells to carry out an effective repair job in just a few weeks.

After a single injection, the joints patched themselves up to a healthy state within four to eight weeks, according to the researchers.

Early tests on human cells in the lab, taken from patients undergoing joint replacements, have also shown positive signs that the therapy can help regenerate human tissue.
It's important to note that the results are still awaiting peer review

1 in 5 adults make health decisions based on what they see on social media despite widespread mistrust

Every few scrolls, another health expert appears on the screen. While some are genuinely qualified, others simply sound convincing enough to pass as one. With AI-generated content flooding feeds, avoiding such advice is becoming increasingly difficult. The way people access health advice has shifted, and for many, social media might be a primary source of information. We need to keep up with its impact because, unlike traditional health channels, these platforms often lack strong editorial checks, making it easier for misinformation to spread.
A recent study surveyed more than 7,000 adults to understand how people use social media for health information. Nearly 80% of users believe that health information on social media is false or misleading.

Yet despite this widespread mistrust, more than 1 in 5 users still report making health-related decisions based on what they see on these platforms. This tendency is more pronounced among adults older than 65. The health care interaction wasn't limited to consumption—about 85% of users said they posted or shared personal and general health information on social media.
The influencer economy is booming, now worth billions, and health care content is emerging as a fast-growing slice of it. The health care social media space alone is valued at about USD 1.27 billion in 2026, with projections climbing to nearly USD 3.8 billion by 2035. As a result, many creators have rushed into health content creation to ride this wave.
The rapid growth has also raised several concerns. There is no consistent screening of social media content by any regulatory body, so misleading information spreads quickly, and biased health advice, often shaped by hidden conflicts of interest, can be shared as genuine advice from a content creator to followers.
The consequences include real-life harm caused by self-diagnosis without proper guidance, or even unnecessary and unproven treatments.
Several surveys have found that adults are seeking health information online and on social media.
To bridge the gap between old data and current reality, the researchers analyzed data from the 2024 Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS), a nationally representative survey that enabled them to examine the habits of 7,278 people who were chosen to represent approximately 262 million adults
Part 1

The researchers didn't just ask whether people liked social media. They focused on four key behaviours among users: sharing health content, participating in online communities, making health decisions based on what they see, and their perceptions of distrust and misinformation. They also tracked how people with chronic conditions, like cancer, heart disease or mental health issues, used these platforms compared with people without such conditions.
About 88% of adults used social media, and most of them engaged with health content, with 70% taking part in online health communities. What stood out was the gap between belief and behaviour. Even though most users believed health information on social media was false or misleading, many still relied on it when making real health decisions.

People with long-term health conditions used social media at high rates (85.5%) but were less likely to share health information or join online groups. The data also revealed that those with higher education and higher household incomes were more likely to distrust health information on social media.
Social media is no longer a secondary medium; it now plays a major role in how adults get health information, and the findings make that clear. The researchers observed this among people with and without chronic conditions and called for better ways to ensure that health content is accurate and to push back against AI-amplified misinformation.

Aline F. Pedroso et al, Use of Social Media for Health Information Among US Adults, JAMA (2026). DOI: 10.1001/jama.2026.8682

Part 2

Rescue mission launches to save NASA telescope that's falling back to Earth

A three-armed spacecraft rocketed into orbit Friday, this week, to rescue a NASA telescope that's in danger of crashing back to Earth.
Northrop Grumman launched Katalyst Space Technologies' Link spacecraft from the Marshall Islands in the Pacific. The Pegasus rocket blasted off from the belly of a modified airplane, putting Link on course to reach and capture NASA's Swift Observatory in about a month.

Launched in 2004, Swift is sinking faster than ever because of recent solar storms. NASA is paying $30 million for Katalyst to capture the telescope and boost its orbit so it can continue tracking some of the biggest explosions in the universe, like gamma ray bursts and exploding stars.

If all goes well, Swift could be back scanning the cosmos by September. Observations are currently on hold to preserve the telescope's orbit as long as possible.

NASA's Hubble Space Telescope could be a candidate for a similar salvage operation in a few years. It's also slipping in altitude because of increased atmospheric drag caused by the sun's outbursts.

The 1.6-ton (1.4-metric ton) Swift currently is circling 224 miles (360 kilometers) above Earth. Katalyst aims to raise the telescope's altitude by 150 miles (240 kilometers), back to where it all began. Link's thrusters will fire to boost Swift slowly, so there's no heavy jostling.

Katalyst threw the mission together in just nine months. NASA insisted on a rush job because the telescope will be too low to recover by the fall. Without a boost, it's predicted to plunge to its demise in October.

Bad weather and technical issues caused a series of last-minute launch delays.

"This is a high-risk, high-reward mission," Katalyst Space CEO Ghonhee Lee said ahead of liftoff. "The biggest danger was always we don't launch anything and we let Swift burn up in the atmosphere. So we were always trying to avoid that risk, and our team has done that."

Source: NASA

Songs play a greater role than plumage color in limiting bird hybridization, study suggests

Across bird species, greater divergence in song strongly correlates with reduced hybridization, even in overlapping geographic ranges, indicating songs are primary prezygotic barriers. Male plumage coloration shows little association with hybridization, whereas divergent female plumage modestly reduces hybridization. These patterns clarify mechanisms of reproductive isolation in birds.

Vicente García-Navas et al, Song but not colour divergence constrains hybridization in birds, Biology Letters (2026). DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2026.0237.

You can dream while you're awake. The boundary between wakefulness and sleep is a lot blurrier than you'd think
Wake–sleep transitions show overlapping mental states: memories, sensory-related thoughts, deliberate reflections, and dream-like imagery all occur during wakefulness, N1, and N2 sleep. EEG-based analyses and machine learning identify consistent brain signatures for each state, indicating similar neural mechanisms can generate dream-like or reflective experiences regardless of vigilance level.

original article.

Many students listen to music to focus and stay motivated while they study—but it doesn't always help
Music’s impact on studying depends on task demands, music type, and individual differences. Many students report music enhances motivation, mood, and engagement, but lyrics and complex or loud music often disrupt language-heavy or challenging tasks. More motivated and confident students are likelier to study with music. Strategic, task-dependent use—often instrumental or as a delayed reward—is recommended.

original article.

“A society that loses science loses the future.”

Astronomers may have caught an early galaxy in the process of dying

Astronomers have spotted many "red and dead" galaxies in the early universe. These are massive systems that stopped forming stars surprisingly early in cosmic history. Now, they may have found evidence of one in the act of becoming dead: a massive galaxy being stripped of its star-forming gas just 1.4 billion years after the Big Bang. The clues behind why it lost its star-forming material are detailed in a paper posted to the arXiv preprint server on June 16.

SPT2349–56 is an emerging galaxy cluster, or "protocluster," containing about 30 star-forming galaxies within a region 100 kiloparsecs wide. Among its members, C26 is particularly interesting because of its unusual shape. It has a head and a tail like a comet. It also has a dense, bright region called the "knot," embedded within the tail. It was first detected in ALMA images.

In this new study, using observations from the Hubble Space Telescope and the James Webb Space Telescope, researchers studied this galaxy's head, tail and knot to estimate its mass and star-forming properties.
Part 1

Interestingly, the tail seems to house a younger stellar population, as it is detected in UV light. The stellar head has a mass of around 22 billion solar masses, and the tail, including the knot, has a mass of around 6 billion solar masses.

The specific star-formation rate of the head is lower than expected for a typical star-forming galaxy, whereas the tail and knot are consistent with expectations.

Calculating the amount of cold gas in the galaxy available for the formation of new stars, the team found that while tens of billions of solar masses of gas are present, more than half of it is not even inside the galaxy. This displaced gas has been pulled out into the long tail trailing behind it, and it appears diffuse and calm—not really dense and turbulent gas suitable for star formation.

There are two ways galaxies typically lose gas like this: tidal interaction or merger, where gravity from another galaxy pulls gas away, and ram-pressure stripping, which occurs when the galaxy plows through a hot, dense gas medium and that resistance physically strips gas off it.

The team rules out a merger because the only candidate for a merging companion—a bright knot embedded in the tail—is too low-mass to gravitationally rip away that much gas.

Instead, several clues point to ram-pressure stripping. The stripped gas moves smoothly and continuously, rather than as a torn-off fragment. It's calm and diffuse, and despite holding onto a massive gas supply, the galaxy's star formation remains surprisingly low—unlike the starburst expected from a merger. The tail also happens to point toward the center of the cluster, consistent with gas trailing behind a galaxy as it moves through hot intracluster gas.

"Together with the tail alignment and the independently detected hot ICM in SPT2349−56, these observations therefore favor ram-pressure stripping over tidal interaction as the main mechanism shaping C26," the team writes in the paper.

This kind of dramatic stripping is what creates "jellyfish galaxies" that flaunt tentacle-like tails of gas. But it's normally assumed this needs a mature, well-developed cluster with a hot, dense intracluster medium to work efficiently. SPT2349−56 is still a young cluster in the process of forming, very early in the universe's history.
Ram-pressure stripping effectively starves the galaxy of fuel. Without gas, star formation eventually shuts down in a process called "quenching." The team suggests that C26 may be caught mid-transformation, where a massive, still-star-forming galaxy has already lost most of its gas and is on its way to becoming a dead, non-star-forming galaxy.

"C26 may capture an intermediate stage between these two regimes, in which most of the cold-gas reservoir has already been removed by the external environment, while the stellar head is not yet fully quenched," they explain.

As a result, this connects to a broader puzzle in astronomy about why astronomers find quiet, mature-looking galaxies surprisingly early in cosmic history. Interestingly, other galaxies in this same cluster core also show signs of being gas-poor, suggesting this stripping process might be actively reshaping the whole protocluster, not just C26.

Dazhi Zhou et al, An extreme ram-pressure stripping event in a protocluster at redshift 4.3, arXiv (2026). DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2606.18229

Part 2

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Higher blood glucose levels linked to faster brain aging
The human brain is known to naturally change with age, shrinking in size and volume after people reach their 30s or 40s. In some cases, however, it can age faster than expected, which can increase the risk of early memory loss, cognitive decline and some brain-related disorders.
Faster brain aging has been linked to various neurological and psychiatric disorders, as well as some neurodegenerative diseases. The factors that influence the speed at which the brain ages, however, have not yet been clearly and comprehensively elucidated.

Researchers recently analyzed available neuroimaging, genomic and biological data to better understand the contribution of metabolic processes (i.e., the chemical reactions that transform food into energy) to brain aging. Their findings, published in Molecular Psychiatry, suggest that higher levels of glucose in the blood are associated with accelerated brain aging.
To explore the biological underpinnings of brain aging, the researchers analyzed data from the UK Biobank, a large biomedical database that contains health-related, genetic and imaging data collected from thousands of people living in the U.K. By analyzing these people's brain scans, they derived measurable brain features, such as the size of specific brain regions, tissue characteristics and structural changes.

Subsequently, they trained machine learning algorithms to predict the age of people based on the brain features they identified. They found that a specific statistical method, known as a least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression model, was best at predicting the age of people's brains, with an average error rate of 3.26 years.

Using the best-performing LASSO model, the researchers calculated a value called BAG for thousands of people included in the UK Biobank database. This is essentially a value indicating whether a person's predicted brain age is higher or lower than their actual age, and by how many years.
They then analyzed metabolomics data derived from the same people's blood samples. This allowed them to identify nine molecules in the blood that appeared to be significantly associated with BAG values.
Notably, glucose appeared to have the strongest association with BAG values. Specifically, higher blood glucose levels were linked to brains that showed more signs of aging in imaging scans and thus appeared older than their actual age.
Part 1

This study offers evidence suggesting that glucose in the blood may contribute to processes linked to accelerated brain aging. Interestingly, the researchers found that higher levels of blood glucose were also linked to an increased risk of developing seven different conditions known to affect brain function.

"Clinically, elevated plasma glucose was positively associated with seven brain disorders, including all-cause dementia, Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia, Parkinson's disease, stroke, depression, and anxiety, and negatively associated with cognitive performance, movement function, and mental health outcomes," wrote the authors.

"Higher glucose concentrations were also associated with reduced regional brain volumes across 80 cortical, subcortical, and cerebellar regions. These findings implicate glucose metabolism as a modifiable pathway in brain aging, with implications for early intervention strategies aimed at preserving brain health across the lifespan."

Zhirong Li et al, Metabolomic signatures of brain aging: A multimodal and genetic study, Molecular Psychiatry (2026). DOI: 10.1038/s41380-026-03703-3

Part 2

Why do humans reject cannabolism almost everywhere?

From ancient graves to stories of survival on the frontier, signs of human flesh-eating turn stomachs, even as they raise questions. Anthropologists have uncovered bones cut up with axes and chops—like a skull from England dating back 14,700 years that had the meat scraped off its jaws. Such finds confirm that our ancestors sometimes ate each other, but now every human culture views cannibalism as a final taboo. But if eating kin saved lives, why didn't it become routine?

Cannibalism didn't happen only from hunger—it turns up in myths, religious rites and war, too. In some cultures, consuming enemies (or ancestors) was believed to transfer power or honor. The Aztecs, for example, famously depicted sacrificial cannibalism in 16th-century codices. But even in those cases, it was rare and symbolic, not a dinner plan.

A new study by a Polish-Czech team offers a compelling answer, revealing a gruesome trade-off: a few extra calories now, but a potentially deadly epidemic later. While human meat provides calories—roughly "an average meal" by caloric content—their mathematical model confirms this only pays off under extreme scarcity, such as when the bodies of the dead are readily available. However, as soon as cannibalism spreads beyond a few survivors, the hidden costs rapidly overwhelm any gains.

The problem isn't just modest energy returns; it's disease. Humans share nearly identical biochemistry, making each human plate a vector for pathogens. The model demonstrates that the risk of catching a deadly pathogen climbs exponentially with the length of the cannibalism chain, a risk even cooking can't eliminate, especially for prions like those responsible for kuru in the Fore tribes of Papua New Guinea.

The new model isolates the purely nutritional trade-off: It doesn't include social or ritual gains (like terrorizing foes or gaining status). Without those extras, cannibalism only "pays" when people are almost starving. And because infectious parasites accumulate with every generation of cannibals, a killing spree of human flesh-eating rapidly becomes a population sink.

The scientists show that eating human flesh is like signing a death warrant for disease. They cite kuru as one case—but the same logic applies to any prion: Once an organism serving as food is very similar to the eater, even a tiny dose of misfolded protein can jump the species barrier. "Pathogens have an easier task because they end up in an organism with almost identical physiology," the team explains.

In their model, groups that let cannibalism run unchecked eventually collapse under runaway epidemics. 

The long-term practice of cannibalism can lead to population collapse by causing illnesses in those who eat other people. Every cannibal who eats another cannibal just compounds the risk—a phenomenon named cannibalism order.

Can cooking help? A bit, but not much. High heat might kill many bacteria and viruses, but not prions.

 The model finds that even if people always fully roast the flesh, the inevitable prions in nervous tissue still accumulate and eventually undo the benefit. So the basic story remains: Unless almost every human meal is a rare windfall (like a corpse after a disaster), the epidemic cost of cannibalism quickly outweighs its calories.

Part 1

So why do we all feel repulsed by cannibalism today? The study offers a surprising answer: What seems like an arbitrary moral rule may actually be nature's warning sign. In their words, cannibalism taboos may have "emerged not as arbitrary moral prohibitions, but as predictable cultural responses to epidemiological constraints." These cultural responses imply that disgust at eating people could be a form of collective immune defense.
"Taboo acts as an evolutionary safeguard." Groups that did not curb cannibalism, he notes, simply did not survive. Cultural rules that ban eating kin—even when you're starving—might have spread because they helped societies avoid ruinous outbreaks.

This view reframes the horror of cannibalism as a kind of early epidemiology lesson. A taboo that seems like cruelty (or superstition) might really be a survival tactic. It also helps explain why humans went to such lengths to prevent even a trace of cannibalism; the authors suggest almost any exposure could be catastrophic in the long run. And with new climate-driven famines on the horizon, these ancient lessons may become relevant again.

Michal Misiak et al, The cannibalistic trade-off: Why human cannibalism emerges and why taboos suppress it, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2026). DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2605120123

Part 2

Some dark personality traits may help the body handle stress more easily, finds new study
Better immunity to stress is a superpower most of us would like to possess. Surprisingly, people with certain dark personality traits do have better protection against stress than most people.
A recent study has found that people with the Dark Triad of personality traits—narcissism, psychopathy and Machiavellianism—respond to stress differently.
The research findings revealed a clear pattern. Students who scored higher in narcissism reported feeling less anxious under pressure and showed smaller increases in blood pressure, suggesting that their bodies were less reactive to stress. Those with higher levels of psychopathy also reported lower stress levels and experienced smaller increases in heart rate. Machiavellianism, on the other hand, showed no meaningful relationship with how people experienced or reacted to pressure.
The first trait, narcissism, centers on an exaggerated sense of self-importance. People high in narcissism often feel entitled to special treatment and have a strong desire for dominance and superiority over others. The second trait, psychopathy, combines emotional coldness with impulsivity.

People high in psychopathy are more likely to break rules, manipulate others for personal gain and engage in criminal behavior. The third trait, Machiavellianism, is all about calculated manipulation. People high in Machiavellianism use cunning social strategies to get what they want, even if it comes at the expense of others.

While these traits are considered to have negative social consequences, some research suggests they might also act as protective factors, helping people cope with and respond to stress in adaptive ways.

This idea comes from the reactivity hypothesis, which suggests that people who experience sharp increases in heart rate or blood pressure during stressful moments may be more likely to develop heart problems later in life.

Some studies have found that people with these personality traits show smaller physical reactions when stressed, which could point to greater resilience or even better heart health. However, the results have been inconsistent, with some studies showing these traits led to lower stress reactions and others showing higher ones.
Part 1

Instead of studying the Dark Triad as a single entity, the researchers decided to examine each trait and its stress outcomes individually. They recruited college students ages 18–26 without heart conditions to ensure the heart rate and blood pressure readings during the stress test were accurate. The students were also asked to avoid coffee and exercise before the test.

The study team first created a relaxing environment for the students as they completed the Short Dark Triad survey. They then spent 10 quiet minutes while a blood pressure cuff measured their baseline heart rate and blood pressure five times.

Next, they were given a mental math test, performing arithmetic under pressure while a researcher corrected them and asked them to start over every time they made a mistake. Throughout the task, their heart rate and blood pressure were continuously measured. After the math task, students reported how much stress and anxiety they actually felt.

The data indicated that people with psychopathy and narcissism stayed calmer both mentally and physically when they were under pressure.

People with high psychopathy scores found the task much less stressful to complete, and those with narcissism reported feeling significantly less anxious than others. Initially, Machiavellianism didn't seem to change how people reacted to the stress at all, but when all three traits were analyzed together in the same model, it revealed that people with this trait felt more anxious during the stress test.

These findings suggest narcissism and psychopathy might actually be linked to better heart health through a biological pathway in the body, which needs further exploration. The researchers suggest future studies should include a wider range of participants across different ages and health conditions to see if the protective shield effect still holds true.

Adam O'Riordan et al, Examining the association between the dark triad personality traits and cardiovascular reactivity to acute psychological stress, International Journal of Psychophysiology (2026). DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2026.113420

Part 2

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Bees reveal emotion-like reactions, from 'lip licking' to head shaking, in new videos

New research proving bumblebees exhibit emotion-like behaviors—previously thought to exist only in mammalian species—has implications for how scientists understand the consciousness of insects.
Bumblebees displayed distinct orofacial patterns after tasting different solutions: glossa protrusions following sugar, and head shaking plus mouth wiping after salty or bitter liquids. These behaviours indicate valence-like (liking vs disliking) responses, suggesting emotion-like internal states in insects and refining views of insect cognition and consciousness.
Facial expressions are an important window into the internal states of animals. There's always been a tension between thinking of insects as animals or some sort of mini-robots. This is another step toward showing there's an inner life to being a bee
The study of 18 colonies of bumblebees (Bombus terrestris) found the insects could show observable "liking and disliking" behaviours, as opposed to "wanting" actions or feeding reflexes.

Key findings include:
The bumblebees displayed distinctly different orofacial behaviors after consuming sweet liquids versus bitter and salty liquids.
Post-consumption glossa ("tongue") protrusions—akin to "licking their lips"—occurred after eating sugar solutions.
Aversive head shaking and mouth wiping occurred after tasting salty and bitter liquids.
This emotion-like behaviour has never been observed outside mammals.
We don't yet understand what the bees truly experience, but we can observe emotion-like behaviours.
In terms of how the brain is organized, there's no major difference between a bee and a fly—this means there's more to consider in terms of how we might treat or react to insects. By human standards, the bee brain is tiny—weighing less than a milligram—and yet our evidence suggests the remarkable bee brain can support a form of bee inner life.

Peng, Fei et al, Bumblebees' orofacial reactions to tastes provide evidence for affective evaluation, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2026). DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2529114123. doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2529114123

Uterine aging linked to poorer pregnancy outcomes after 49 despite donor eggs
Women ≥49 years using donor oocytes show reduced clinical pregnancy and live birth rates and increased miscarriage compared with women 35–40, despite similar endometrial thickness. A decline in trilaminar endometrial pattern with age supports an independent uterine aging effect. Donor eggs mitigate but do not fully offset reproductive aging, especially beyond 49 years.

Beatrice Crestani et al, Advanced maternal age independently affects live birth and increases miscarriage risk in donor oocyte cycles, Human Reproduction (2026).

Speaking another language could slow aging in the brain

People who speak more than one language seem to have younger brains, according to research presented at the Federation of European Neuroscience Societies (FENS) Forum 2026. Our brains are made up of billions of nerve cells that need to communicate with one another. As we age, connectivity in our brains tends to deteriorate and, as a result, our memory and the speed of our thinking also decline.
The new research found that the more languages people speak, the younger their brains appear. Learning an extra language at a younger age and becoming highly fluent in another language also seem to slow brain aging.

The researchers recently published a study showing that in countries where people typically speak more than one language, people seem to age more slowly. In the new study, the researchers carried out a detailed analysis of a group of people from the Basque region of Spain who spoke between one and four different languages, including combinations of Spanish, Basque, French and English.
Multilingual adults showed reduced brain age relative to chronological age, estimated via magnetoencephalography-based connectivity and an AI-derived brain aging clock. Speaking two, three, or four languages was associated with brains appearing ~6, ~7, and ~13 years younger, respectively. Earlier acquisition and higher proficiency further correlated with delayed brain aging, independent of age, sex, and education.

In simple terms, people who spoke more languages tended to have brains that looked younger than expected for their chronological age. The effect was not only related to the number of languages spoken. Higher language proficiency and earlier acquisition of a second language were also associated with more delayed brain aging.

This suggests that multilingual experience matters as a gradient: It is not simply about being bilingual or not, but about the depth and duration of language experience.

fens2026.abstractserver.com/pr … s/presentations/5474

Learning languages could net you a younger brain, study says

Thinking about taking a Spanish or French class? There's a hidden benefit to picking up another language—their brain might age more slowly, a new study says.
People who speak additional languages have brains that appear 6 to 13 years younger than those of people who speak only one language, researchers reported at the Federation of European Neuroscience Societies Forum in Barcelona, Spain.

In simple terms, people who spoke more languages tended to have brains that looked younger than expected for their chronological age
Multilingual individuals showed brain connectivity patterns corresponding to brains 6–13 years “younger” than monolinguals. Greater number of languages, higher proficiency, and earlier acquisition were each associated with more delayed brain aging. Benefits appeared across ages, suggesting cumulative, gradient effects of language learning on brain aging markers.

 Federation of European Neuroscience Societies Forum

Study reveals how the uterine microbiome may impact pregnancy success
Women with unsuccessful ART had a more diverse, less   Lactobacillus‑dominated endometrial microbiome and higher expression of endometrial receptivity genes than women who conceived. Butyrate produced by endometrial bacteria upregulated receptivity markers but also induced inflammation and impaired epithelial barrier function, indicating that microbiome–immune balance, not receptivity markers alone, is critical for implantation success.

Researchers have uncovered new evidence that the communities of bacteria living in the uterus may play an important role in determining whether pregnancy is successful following assisted reproductive technologies (ART) such as IVF. Among the key findings was one notable surprise, which suggests the biological signals that have long been used to govern the timing of embryo transfer may be misleading.

The study examined women with unexplained infertility who underwent ART and found that those who did not become pregnant had a different endometrial microbiome (the collection of microbes associated with the lining of the uterus) than women who achieved pregnancy. In particular, women with unsuccessful treatment outcomes had a more diverse microbiome, with fewer beneficial Lactobacillus bacteria and higher levels of other bacterial species.

Unexpectedly, the researchers also discovered that women who did not become pregnant showed higher levels of gene expression for several genes that are commonly used as markers of endometrial receptivity, which is the state in which the uterus is considered ready to receive an embryo. These markers are widely studied in fertility medicine and are sometimes used to help identify the optimal timing for embryo transfer, meaning the new result calls into question how effective this forecasting method is likely to be.
Lactobacillus‑dominated endometrial microbiome and higher expression of endometrial receptivity genes than women who conceived. Butyrate produced by endometrial bacteria upregulated receptivity markers but also induced inflammation and impaired epithelial barrier function, indicating that microbiome–immune balance, not receptivity markers alone, is critical for implantation success.

Researchers investigated butyrate, a molecule produced by certain bacteria found in the endometrium. Using lab models that mimic the conditions of embryo implantation, the researchers showed for the first time that butyrate can directly increase the expression of receptivity markers.

However, butyrate also promoted inflammation and weakened the barrier function of endometrial cells. These changes could thus interfere with successful implantation.
Together, the studies suggest that pregnancy success depends on a delicate balance between the immune environment of the uterus and the composition of its microbiome, and that timing the point of embryo transfer to maximize the chance of successful implantation is not as easy as might have been assumed.

F Giangrazi et al, Contribution of endometrial microbiome to inflammation-mediated infertility in women undergoing ART, Human Reproduction (2026). DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deaf252