Science & Technology
Millions take calcium and vitamin D for stronger bones. A major review finds little benefit
For years, calcium and vitamin D supplements have been promoted as a simple way for older adults to protect their bones and prevent falls. But a massive review of nearly 154,000 people found that calcium, vitamin D, or a combination of both provided li…
This popular brain supplement was linked to shorter lifespans in men
A large-scale study suggests that men with higher levels of the amino acid tyrosine may have shorter lifespans, potentially losing close to a year of life expectancy. The finding is especially intriguing because tyrosine is commonly associated with bra…
NASA spots giant ocean swell that could signal El Niño’s return
NASA satellites have detected a vast pulse of warm water reaching the coast of South America, signaling that El Niño is likely developing. The warm water is being carried eastward by massive ocean waves known as Kelvin waves, which also cause sea level…
This strange material can become strong or fall apart in seconds
Scientists have found that staple-shaped particles can tangle together to create a material that is both strong and flexible. Unlike conventional materials, these particles can be locked into a sturdy structure or rapidly unraveled using vibrations. Th…
New GLP-1 diabetes pill delivers major weight loss and blood sugar control
A new oral GLP-1 medication helped people with type 2 diabetes dramatically improve blood sugar control and lose weight in a major clinical trial. The results suggest that highly effective diabetes treatments may soon become available in a much more co…
Scientists turned red lettuce green and something surprising happened
Researchers used genome editing to block the production of red pigments in lettuce, causing other beneficial plant compounds to build up instead. The lettuce continued to grow normally, pointing toward a new way to create crops with customized nutritio…
Oxford physicists just made Schrödinger’s cat even stranger
Oxford physicists have created an entirely new type of Schrödinger’s cat-like quantum state using components that are themselves highly quantum in nature. The advance could open new possibilities for more resilient quantum computers and deeper insights…
Beneath our feet lies a fungal superhighway stretching 68 quadrillion miles
Beneath our feet lies a vast hidden fungal superhighway that helps sustain much of life on Earth—and scientists have now mapped it for the first time. Researchers estimate that these underground networks stretch an astonishing 110 quadrillion kilometer…
The secret behind smoother, better-tasting protein shakes
A new whey protein manufacturing technique could make protein shakes taste better and feel smoother in the mouth. Researchers traced unwanted bitterness to concentrated minerals and found a way to remove them without sacrificing the improved texture.