Science & Technology
Common dry-cleaning chemical linked to triple the risk of liver scarring
A chemical commonly used in dry cleaning and found in some household products may be an overlooked threat to liver health. Researchers found that people with detectable levels of tetrachloroethylene (PCE) in their blood were three times more likely to …
Scientists say love follows hidden mathematical rules
Could math help explain why some relationships survive life’s inevitable stresses while others slowly fall apart? Researchers have spent decades developing mathematical models that treat romantic feelings as changing systems, revealing patterns in attr…
A War of 1812 soldier buried his own arm. His real story is even stranger
A rediscovered memoir reveals that celebrated War of 1812 veteran Shadrack Byfield was far more rebellious and troubled than history has portrayed, battling chronic pain, poverty, authorities, and even rivals at his local chapel. The soldier who buried…
Cialis linked to higher glaucoma risk in large study
A large study of nearly 74,000 men suggests that long-term use of tadalafil, best known as Cialis, may be linked to a higher risk of glaucoma and other eye pressure problems. Men prescribed the drug for urinary symptoms caused by an enlarged prostate w…
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 …
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 info…
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 c…
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 sphere…
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…