For The Better

Scientists have discovered a long-predicted magnetic state of matter called an antiferromagnetic excitonic insulator — broadly speaking, a novel type of magnet. Understanding the connections between electrons’ ‘spin’ and charge in such materials could…

Using deep learning and supercomputers, researchers have been able to identify and map 1.2 billion ice wedge polygons in the Arctic permafrost based on satellite imagery. The data helps establish a baseline from which to detect changes to the region. T…

Researchers report on the development of a low-cost, portable, non-invasive device that uses light and saliva to test COVID-19 patients in less than 30 minutes. The results have shown that the device can detect very low concentrations of SARS-CoV-2 wit…

Using electricity, a new method offers the possibility of recycling carbon dioxide while also performing a notoriously difficult reaction, producing compounds potentially useful for drug development.

One in three young people say their mental health and wellbeing improved during COVID-19 lockdown measures, with potential contributing factors including feeling less lonely, avoiding bullying and getting more sleep and exercise, according to researche…

Engineers are working to develop a new, economically viable and safe source of low carbon electricity through nuclear fusion.

It has long been known that oscillatory neural activity is a key factor for attentional selection in the mammalian brain. Scientists have now investigated how this works. They found that coupling lower frequencies of oscillations with higher ones allow…

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is associated with an increased focus on one’s internal experiences along with a reduction in responsiveness to external social surroundings. Now, a new study investigates the dynamics of brain connectivity between brain …

A new study reveals that living through the COVID-19 pandemic may trigger brain inflammation that contributes to fatigue, concentration difficulties, and depression.

Scientists think they may have uncovered a whole new approach to fighting antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which, if successful, would help address a health crisis responsible for more deaths every year than either AIDS or malaria. A team of researchers …

A new study has found that hippocampal neurons in rats accurately map the position of a moving object even while the rat is stationary. The results challenge the idea that the hippocampus, a region of the brain involved in learning and memory, only enc…

Researchers found that higher levels of dietary fiber are associated with a reduced risk of developing dementia. In a large-scale study, over 3500 Japanese adults completed a dietary survey and were then followed up for two decades. Adults who consumed…

Researchers have developed a patented hybrid device — part living organism, part bio battery, capable of producing stored energy by increasing energy flow under light conditions where natural photosynthesis is normally inhibited.

Using wildlife cameras, scientists have provided new insights through a large-scale assessment of the occurrence and distribution of the Annamite striped rabbit and two Annamite dark muntjacs in six sites in Viet Nam and Laos. The team identified facto…

Insect populations are plummeting worldwide, with major consequences for our ecosystems and without us quite knowing why. A new AI method is set to help monitor and catalog insect biodiversity, which until now has been quite challenging.

In its early days, the Milky Way was like a giant smoothie, as if galaxies consisting of billions of stars, and an enormous amount of gas had been thrown together into a gigantic blender. But a new study picks apart this mixture by analyzing individual…

Researchers have engineered bacteria with internal nutrient reserves that can be accessed when needed to survive extreme environmental conditions. The findings pave the way for more robust biotechnologies based on engineered microbes.

Contrary to popular belief, China’s massive emigration from rural areas to cities has been shown to have a positive effect on China’s carbon stocks. Urbanization can even play a role in attaining climate neutrality. This is the conclusion of researcher…

Little has been known to date about how the immune system’s natural killer (NK) cells detect which cells have been infected with SARS-CoV-2. Scientists now show that NK cells respond to a certain peptide on the surface of infected cells. The study is a…

Researchers have made an important new discovery about how a particular molecule could improve lung function for people with asthma and food allergies.