Science Daily

Your gut microbiome may be more contagious than scientists thought

Scientists have found evidence that some gut bacterial populations can spread rapidly between people and across continents, suggesting the microbiome may be more transmissible than previously thought. The research also revealed hidden bacterial groups associated with aging, colorectal cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, and type 2 diabetes.

science  1d ago

The Guardian Science

Hawking by Graham Farmelo review – the dark side of genius

A biography of the physicist recognises his achievements, but also reveals the selfish narcissist underneathWhen I wrote an unadoring review of Stephen Hawking’s final book, a collection of essays published posthumously in 2018, New Scientist suppressed some of my criticisms on the grounds that it was “too early” to voice anything other than praise for the physicist who died, aged 76, that March. It was apparently still too early in 2021, when no British publisher would touch Charles Seife’s exp

science  1d ago

Science Daily

An important step towards detecting fractons in quantum spin liquids

A more realistic quantum model has revealed evidence that strange, nearly immobile quasiparticles called fractons could exist in solid materials. Their inability to move freely could make them promising building blocks for unusually robust quantum information storage.

science  1d ago

Science Daily

Cancer cases could surge 67% worldwide by 2050

Cancer is becoming an even larger global health threat, with nearly 21 million people diagnosed and 9.8 million dying from the disease in 2024. New estimates suggest about 1 in 5 people worldwide will develop cancer during their lifetime, while cases could climb by 67% to 34 million by 2050 simply because populations are growing and aging.

science  1d ago

The Guardian Science

Starwatch: Waning crescent moon gets close to brilliant beacon of Jupiter

The moon will pass less than a degree north of the giant planet and will be on its other side the next morningThose already out and about at 5am this week will be rewarded with a beautiful waning crescent moon approaching Jupiter, while Mars watches on from a little further away.The chart shows the view looking east from London at 5am on Tuesday. The waning moon will be easily visible with about 10% of its visible surface illuminated. The brilliant beacon of Jupiter will be close by. The two are

science  1d ago

NASA News

APOD: 2026 September 7 – The Pelican Nebula in Gas, Dust, and Stars

APOD Science APOD APOD: 2026 September 7 – The… Today’s APOD Archive Submissions Index Search Calendar RSS Education About Discuss   APOD Astronomy Picture of the Day Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer. The Pelican […]

science  1d ago

NASA News

A Bright Spot at Mount Michael

With austral winter nearing its end, clouds cleared for a satellite view of volcanic activity in the remote South Atlantic.

science  1d ago

The Guardian Science

The great silence: why haven’t we found any aliens yet? – podcast

Given the size and age of the universe, it should be full of species with technology far more advanced than our own. So where are they?By Adam Kirsch. Read by James Sobol KellyRead the text version hereSupport the Guardian today: theguardian.com/longreadpodAdapted from We Want to Believe: How Aliens Went Mainstream and Why It Matters, published by Columbia Global Reports on 25 August. To support the Guardian, order your copy from guardianbookshop.com. P&P may apply Continue reading...

science  1d ago

Science Daily

MIT scientists develop injectable “mini livers” that work inside the body

MIT engineers have developed injectable “mini livers” designed to help support people whose failing livers can no longer perform essential jobs. Instead of replacing the damaged organ, the approach injects liver cells together with tiny hydrogel spheres and supportive cells, creating a pocket of functioning tissue that can connect to the bloodstream.

science  1d ago

Science Daily

Scientists find a way to slash computer memory energy use by orders of magnitude

Scientists have devised a new way to switch magnetic computer memory while using far less energy than today's leading technologies. By mathematically optimizing the pulses used to flip digital bits, the method could reduce energy consumption by several orders of magnitude. Simulations suggest it may bring future memory devices surprisingly close to the fundamental physical limit for processing information. The same idea could eventually work with electrical currents or ultrafast lasers.

science  1d ago

Science Daily

Antarctica gained a record 695 billion tons of ice. Scientists found the surprising reason

East Antarctica gained an astonishing 695 billion tons of ice between 2021 and 2023, temporarily slowing Antarctica’s long-term decline. Researchers found that warming thousands of miles away in the tropical ocean altered atmospheric circulation and funneled moisture toward the continent, triggering exceptionally heavy snowfall.

science  1d ago

Science Daily

Popular brain supplement linked to shorter lifespan in men

A large study involving more than 270,000 people has linked higher blood levels of the amino acid tyrosine to a shorter lifespan in men. Using both observational data and genetic analysis, researchers found that elevated tyrosine could potentially reduce male life expectancy by nearly a year, while no significant effect appeared in women. Tyrosine is found naturally in protein-rich foods and is also sold as a supplement for boosting focus and mental performance, making the finding especially int

science  1d ago

Science Daily

Scientists find breast cancer cells hiding behind protective “shields”

Researchers have mapped breast tumors in striking detail and uncovered hidden pockets of dormant cancer cells that may help explain why cancer can return after treatment. Unlike rapidly dividing cells, these quiet cells can essentially hibernate, allowing them to evade chemotherapy and reactivate later. The team found that they are often surrounded by immune cells and connective tissue cells that may act like a protective shield.

science  1d ago

Science Daily

This lifestyle program improved cognition 55% more than basic health advice

Older adults at risk of dementia improved their memory and thinking after following lifestyle programs combining exercise, healthy eating, cognitive training, and social engagement. Those who received regular coaching and structured support improved substantially more than participants given general health advice.

science  1d ago

Science Daily

Scientists discover a hidden problem with this popular sugar substitute

Sorbitol, a sugar alcohol commonly used in sugar-free candy, gum, and other low-calorie foods, may not be as harmless as it seems. Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis found that the body can convert sorbitol into a form of fructose in the liver, potentially triggering some of the same harmful metabolic effects linked to fructose.

science  1d ago

Science Daily

Indonesia’s most dangerous fires are burning underground

Indonesia’s dangerous peat fires are surging early in the 2026 fire season as a strengthening El Niño and severe drought dry out wetlands that can burn underground for months. These slow smoldering fires are especially destructive because they release far more fine particles and several pollutants than typical tropical forest fires, while thick smoke can make them difficult for satellites to detect.

science  2d ago

Science Daily

AI can now control fusion plasma faster than humans can react

Princeton researchers have tested an AI system that can monitor and control fusion plasma in milliseconds, reacting far faster than a human operator. In one experiment, it predicted a damaging instability about 200 milliseconds before it appeared and adjusted the plasma to stop it from forming.

science  2d ago

Science Daily

Scientists find a weak spot in one of the deadliest brain cancers

Researchers may have found a new way to weaken glioblastoma’s defenses against treatment. Blocking a protein called SET prevented tumors from forming in preclinical models, while targeting related proteins made cancer cells more vulnerable to radiation. The strategy works by restoring activity of PP2A, an enzyme that glioblastoma cells appear to suppress. Human testing will be needed to determine whether the approach is safe and effective.

science  2d ago

The Guardian Science

Introducing Black Box: The Chatbots – podcast

From the Guardian Investigates team: Across the world, hundreds of people have come to believe they have made extraordinary scientific discoveries with AI chatbots such as ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini. Others say their AI has ‘awakened’ or is leading them to a higher spiritual realm. The Guardian journalist Michael Safi begins investigating a phenomenon labelled ‘AI psychosis’, travelling to the US to meet two people who have been on weird journeys with their chatbots Continue reading...

science  2d ago

Science Daily

A mysterious signal around Earth could be dark matter

Scientists used Earth’s magnetic field and atmosphere as a planet-sized detector to search for some of the lightest proposed forms of dark matter. The approach dramatically improved limits on ultralight axions and uncovered several intriguing dark photon signals that still need to be explained.

science  2d ago