https://www.sciencedaily.com/news/top/ Top science stories featured on ScienceDaily's home page. en-us Wed, 02 Sep 2026 02:05:10 EDT Wed, 02 Sep 2026 02:05:10 EDT 60 https://www.sciencedaily.com/images/scidaily-logo-rss.png https://www.sciencedaily.com/news/top/ For more science news, visit ScienceDaily. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/09/260901070550.htm Following nearly 10,000 older women for 10 years, researchers found that tea drinking was associated with slightly higher hip bone density. Moderate coffee consumption did not appear harmful, but drinking more than five cups a day was linked to lower bone density. The findings suggest tea may offer a small bone-health boost, while excessive coffee could carry some drawbacks. Wed, 02 Sep 2026 02:04:39 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/09/260901070550.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/09/260901070523.htm NASA-funded studies suggest Earth’s climate has been influenced by both the Sun’s travels through dense regions of the Milky Way and the violent superflares of its youth. Those events may help explain ancient ice ages as well as how early Earth stayed warm enough for liquid water when the Sun was much dimmer. Wed, 02 Sep 2026 00:25:48 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/09/260901070523.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/09/260901070516.htm Snake embryos begin life curled into a distinctive right-handed spiral, and scientists may finally know why. Their bodies grow faster than their guts, creating a tether that forces the lengthening embryo to buckle and twist inside the egg. Researchers reached the conclusion after studying more than 900 embryos and using CT scans to reveal the hidden anatomy behind the coils. Tue, 01 Sep 2026 08:38:16 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/09/260901070516.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/09/260901010721.htm Mindfulness, gratitude, and optimism training may improve blood pressure, inflammation, and other heart-health measures within just eight to 12 weeks. The strongest programs paired daily practice with regular reinforcement, suggesting that improving psychological well-being could become another tool for protecting cardiovascular health. Tue, 01 Sep 2026 08:58:41 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/09/260901010721.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/09/260901010705.htm NASA and SpaceX have delayed Crew-13 after finding an oxidizer leak in the Dragon spacecraft’s propulsion system during prelaunch preparations. Engineers are investigating the problem before the four-person crew can begin its journey to the International Space Station. Tue, 01 Sep 2026 01:33:37 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/09/260901010705.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/09/260901010702.htm NASA has brought two of Swift’s telescopes back online after technical problems derailed a commercial mission intended to rescue the aging observatory by raising its orbit. With atmospheric drag pulling the spacecraft downward faster than expected, scientists may have only another month or two before Swift falls below a critical operating altitude. Tue, 01 Sep 2026 01:43:54 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/09/260901010702.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260831035213.htm NASA’s Roman Space Telescope has launched on a million mile journey to L2, where it will scan huge portions of the cosmos for clues about dark matter, dark energy, and distant worlds. With survey speeds roughly 1,000 times faster than Hubble and a torrent of 1.4 terabytes of data per day, Roman could uncover cosmic surprises astronomers have never seen before. Mon, 31 Aug 2026 05:23:21 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260831035213.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260831015210.htm A vast plume rising from deep inside Earth may be responsible for mysterious movements along the East African Rift. The discovery reveals how forces deep in the mantle are working alongside shallower geological forces as the continent slowly pulls apart. Tue, 01 Sep 2026 06:41:10 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260831015210.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260831015147.htm A search for one mysterious particle unexpectedly revealed evidence for two different structures that may belong to the bizarre family of exotic subatomic particles known as XYZ states. The findings could help physicists uncover new ways that quarks and gluons combine to create matter. Wed, 02 Sep 2026 01:28:30 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260831015147.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260831015141.htm Scientists discovered that human microglia, immune cells that help shape developing brain circuits, can take four to eight years to mature instead of just weeks as they do in mice. The unusually slow process may help explain how the human brain develops its remarkable complexity and cognitive abilities. Mon, 31 Aug 2026 23:54:40 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260831015141.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260830000019.htm Two widely used zero-calorie sweeteners, sucralose and stevia, may have effects that linger far longer than the sweet taste itself. In mice, researchers found that both sweeteners altered the gut microbiome, reduced beneficial compounds produced by gut bacteria, and changed the activity of genes involved in metabolism and inflammation. Some of those changes were also detected in later generations that had never consumed the sweeteners themselves. Mon, 31 Aug 2026 10:04:01 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260830000019.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260830000016.htm Adults aged 40 and older performed about 12% faster on a test of executive function after using a HEPA air purifier at home for one month. The findings suggest that cleaner indoor air could offer a simple way to help protect the brain from the effects of traffic-related pollution. Sun, 30 Aug 2026 09:33:54 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260830000016.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260829235958.htm A long-standing picture of brain evolution as newer, rational layers stacked on top of an ancient “lizard brain” may be deeply misleading. Researchers found that evolution instead appears to balance two competing styles of brain wiring, expanding one while shrinking the other depending on what an animal needs to survive. Mon, 31 Aug 2026 08:53:45 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260829235958.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260829235953.htm A study of people over 90 found that dementia risk remains strongly shaped by sex, race and genetics, with women and black participants facing notably higher risks. Intriguingly, some people stayed cognitively healthy despite carrying major risk factors, potentially offering clues to how the brain can resist dementia deep into old age. Tue, 01 Sep 2026 08:09:42 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260829235953.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260829235942.htm Wild monkeys in West Africa can climb vertical tree trunks using foot flexibility scientists did not realize they possessed. The discovery challenges a key assumption about what the last common ancestor of humans and chimpanzees looked like and how it moved. Mon, 31 Aug 2026 08:38:26 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260829235942.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260829035328.htm Hundreds of previously overlooked seismic events have been detected beneath Antarctica, including 245 near the marine edge of the Thwaites Glacier. Many appear to be glacial earthquakes caused when huge icebergs break off, capsize, and collide with the glacier. The surge in activity coincided with a period when Thwaites was flowing faster toward the ocean, hinting that changing ocean conditions may be destabilizing the ice. Sun, 30 Aug 2026 09:07:17 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260829035328.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260829035228.htm People with chronic insomnia who used melatonin long term had a roughly 90% higher risk of developing heart failure over five years, according to a large preliminary study. The findings do not prove melatonin causes heart problems, but they raise new questions about the safety of taking the popular sleep supplement for extended periods. Sat, 29 Aug 2026 06:52:20 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260829035228.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260829035227.htm Researchers have produced a form of Spirulina containing biologically active vitamin B12 at levels comparable to beef. By carefully controlling the light used to grow the algae, they overcame a major problem with conventional Spirulina, which mainly contains a form of B12 the human body cannot use. The carbon-neutral system could provide a more sustainable source of the essential vitamin. Sun, 30 Aug 2026 01:17:05 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260829035227.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260829035225.htm Physicists have mathematically captured a bizarre “spacetime crystal” that can either dissolve or collapse into a microscopic black hole after only a tiny change in energy. Their breakthrough came from an unusual trick involving infinitely many dimensions, potentially giving researchers a new tool for studying primordial and microscopic black holes. Sun, 30 Aug 2026 11:05:09 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260829035225.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260829035223.htm Diamond was thought to be incapable of producing electricity through mechanical deformation, but ultrathin flexible diamond membranes have now shown a strong and repeatable piezoelectric effect. The unexpected discovery could open the door to diamond-powered sensors, tiny energy systems, and self-powered medical implants. Mon, 31 Aug 2026 00:13:53 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260829035223.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260829035221.htm Ancient footprints in Kenya reveal that eight Paranthropus boisei may have traveled together 1.4 million years ago, with some individuals reaching surprisingly large, human-like body sizes. The tracks offer a rare glimpse of their social behavior and suggest these extinct human relatives may have lived in more complex groups than previously thought. Sun, 30 Aug 2026 11:17:06 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260829035221.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260829035214.htm Researchers have discovered that Western Australia’s iron-rich rocks can naturally generate hydrogen and that the process may be boosted to produce much larger amounts. If it can be scaled up, the vast formations beneath the Pilbara could become a major new source of low-emission energy for Australia and potentially the world. Sat, 29 Aug 2026 06:05:43 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260829035214.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260828082350.htm The Juan de Fuca plate beneath northern Oregon appears to be shallower than previously estimated, potentially making shaking from a future Cascadia megathrust earthquake significantly stronger. Scientists also found a deep basin beneath Tillamook that could trap seismic waves and intensify the shaking even further. Sun, 30 Aug 2026 00:12:10 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260828082350.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260828082348.htm Weapons buried with ancient Egyptian princesses may have been more than ceremonial decorations. Researchers studying royal mummies from Dahshur found bone changes consistent with years of archery and other strenuous weapon use. Several women also showed evidence of healed injuries, suggesting surprisingly active lifestyles that may have included hunting or military training. Sun, 30 Aug 2026 05:30:18 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260828082348.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260828082347.htm Scientists have discovered seven new species of Madagascar’s elusive diamond frogs, using DNA from modern and century-old museum specimens to solve a long-running biological puzzle. The findings reveal surprising hidden diversity and could help protect these little-known amphibians as their forest habitats disappear. Sun, 30 Aug 2026 06:28:59 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260828082347.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260828082345.htm Rocky planets may have been able to start forming just 100 million years after the Big Bang, thanks to enormous early supernovae that scattered planet-building elements across space. Simulations found enough solid material and water around a young star to suggest that Earth-like worlds could have appeared far earlier than previously believed. Mon, 31 Aug 2026 01:00:01 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260828082345.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260828082341.htm Dogs and humans may have more in common when it comes to aging than scientists realized. Researchers with the Dog Aging Project found that patterns of small molecules in dogs’ blood were linked to longer or shorter lifespans in remarkably similar ways to those seen in people. These metabolic “fingerprints” could offer clues about the biological processes that drive aging, including metabolism, inflammation, and cellular stress. Sat, 29 Aug 2026 08:47:55 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260828082341.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260828082336.htm Mars has a hidden temperature divide, with its southern interior potentially hundreds of degrees hotter than the north and partially molten. The discovery could help explain several long-standing Martian mysteries, including unusual magnetism, seismic behavior, and clues to the planet’s ancient water history. Sun, 30 Aug 2026 08:27:59 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260828082336.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260828082333.htm NASA’s Roman Space Telescope will combine Hubble-like detail with a field of view 100 times larger, giving astronomers a sweeping new way to explore the cosmos. Its observations could uncover hidden planets, map billions of cosmic objects, and help scientists unravel the mysteries of dark matter and dark energy. Fri, 28 Aug 2026 09:54:53 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260828082333.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260828082330.htm CAR T-cell therapy dramatically reduced disease activity in six people with severe rheumatoid arthritis that had resisted other treatments, with three achieving medication-free remission. The treatment may work by clearing out harmful immune cells and effectively rebooting part of the immune system, although much larger studies are still needed. Sat, 29 Aug 2026 21:28:13 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260828082330.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260828082325.htm A major new analysis challenges recent claims that the universe's expansion is slowing, finding that the evidence for cosmic acceleration remains strong. The findings preserve the leading role of dark energy, while leaving scientists with the enduring mystery of what this strange cosmic force actually is. Sat, 29 Aug 2026 07:41:30 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260828082325.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260828005427.htm Scientists have identified a protein that acts like a brake on the nervous system’s ability to repair damaged connections. Blocking AHR helped injured nerve fibers regrow and improved movement and sensation in mice with nerve or spinal cord injuries. The discovery could eventually point toward new treatments designed to shift neurons from simply surviving an injury to actively rebuilding themselves. Fri, 28 Aug 2026 22:59:06 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260828005427.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260828005226.htm Quantum mechanics and Einstein’s theory of gravity explain almost everything we see in nature, yet physicists still do not know how to unite them. A new theoretical framework suggests that some experiments that appear to show gravity behaving quantum mechanically may have a much more ordinary explanation. Researchers found that scenarios involving a supposed “superposition of gravity” can sometimes be described equally well as quantum particles moving through classical spacetime. Sat, 29 Aug 2026 22:58:40 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260828005226.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260828005224.htm Scientists have created light-activated drugs that helped blind mice perceive light again and restored visually guided behavior without gene therapy, implants, or specialized lighting. Even more intriguingly, two of the most promising compounds worked when administered as eye drops, pointing toward a potentially simple new approach to restoring vision. Fri, 28 Aug 2026 10:21:46 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260828005224.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260828005222.htm Scientists have uncovered hidden complexity inside two ultrathin superconductors that seemed much simpler than they really are. Niobium diselenide and tantalum disulfide appeared to have a single superconducting state, but highly sensitive measurements revealed that each actually contains two strongly interacting states working so closely together that they masquerade as one. Mon, 31 Aug 2026 09:29:42 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260828005222.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260828005220.htm Researchers have discovered a way to turn notoriously difficult-to-recycle PVC plastic into a key ingredient used in high-performance lubricants such as engine oil. The technique could give mountains of plastic waste a valuable second life while making lubricant production more sustainable. Sat, 29 Aug 2026 08:24:41 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260828005220.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260828005218.htm Frequent micro-awakenings during sleep were linked to higher genetic risk for Alzheimer’s in healthy middle-aged adults who had no symptoms. The discovery raises the possibility that subtle changes during sleep could offer an early warning signal years before memory problems appear. Fri, 28 Aug 2026 23:45:37 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260828005218.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260828005216.htm Every one of 212 plant-based meat alternatives and drinks tested in the UK contained at least one naturally occurring fungal toxin, though concentrations remained below recommended EU guideline levels. Researchers say the bigger question is whether regularly eating large amounts of these foods could lead to potentially concerning cumulative exposure over time. Fri, 28 Aug 2026 05:01:51 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260828005216.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260827010517.htm Scientists tracking thousands of animals found that our physical presence can reshape where wildlife moves and lives, sometimes as strongly as roads, cities, and other human development. Because different species reacted in very different ways, conservation efforts may need to become much more targeted. Fri, 28 Aug 2026 01:22:04 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260827010517.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260827010516.htm Ancient teeth and human DNA are revealing a surprising history of insect eating. Modern humans in northern Eurasia appear to have eaten insects only occasionally, while Neanderthals may have consumed them much more regularly. Populations near the tropics also retained genes that make insect exoskeletons easier to digest. Thu, 27 Aug 2026 08:18:38 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260827010516.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260827010514.htm Astronomers have captured their clearest image yet of Betelgeuse’s long-suspected companion, potentially ending a search that lasted about 100 years. The surprisingly massive hidden star could help explain Betelgeuse’s changing brightness and may influence its future supernova. Thu, 27 Aug 2026 08:43:27 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260827010514.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260827010510.htm Scientists have cracked a long-standing chemistry problem, creating nanocrystals from tough metal nitrides that were previously extremely difficult to produce at this scale. The breakthrough could turn familiar materials used in LEDs, implants, and superconductors into building blocks for flexible electronics, printable devices, and other technologies. Sun, 30 Aug 2026 07:45:32 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260827010510.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260827010504.htm Researchers used AI to search through more than 100 million possible settings for 3D-printing a high-performance NASA alloy. After only 40 experiments, the system identified six successful configurations, including one that worked at a record-low 500 watts. That could allow GRCop-42, currently difficult and expensive to print, to be made with much more widely available equipment. Thu, 27 Aug 2026 09:08:01 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260827010504.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260827010501.htm More than 1,000 volunteers buried cotton underwear across Switzerland to help scientists measure how active different soils are. The faster the fabric disappeared, the more biological activity was taking place underground. Gardens showed the fastest decomposition, while lawns had the least, revealing how strongly land management can shape soil life. Fri, 28 Aug 2026 00:23:16 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260827010501.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260827010459.htm Beneath the rocky slopes of Mount Timpanogos lies far more ice than anyone walking across the surface might suspect. Researchers used gravity measurements to map the buried glacier in 3D and found it is about 83% ice, with enough frozen water to fill 600 Olympic swimming pools. Their findings suggest rock glaciers form as falling debris buries persistent snow and preserves it for thousands of years. Similar formations around the world may collectively store tens of gigatons of hidden water. Thu, 27 Aug 2026 23:48:29 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260827010459.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260827010457.htm Today’s mysterious gravitational-wave background may preserve clues about how the Universe’s first supermassive black holes formed. Descendants of hypothetical Dark Stars could be responsible for a major portion of the signal, offering a surprising new way to investigate cosmic dawn and dark matter. Thu, 27 Aug 2026 06:26:04 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260827010457.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260827010455.htm Ancient fossils suggest insects conquered land through a long amphibious phase rather than making an abrupt jump from water to dry ground. A newly identified 324-million-year-old species still carried paddle-like abdominal limbs, revealing an evolutionary bridge between aquatic ancestors and modern six-legged insects. Thu, 27 Aug 2026 03:22:34 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260827010455.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260826060617.htm Scientists created smart nanoparticles that can both illuminate hidden glioblastoma cells during surgery and destroy microscopic cancer left behind afterward. In mice, the treatment prevented recurrence and led to 100% survival at 60 days, though it has not yet been tested in humans. Thu, 27 Aug 2026 01:52:48 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260826060617.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260826055508.htm Moderate calorie restriction lowered an immune protein called C3 that appears to help drive chronic inflammation as the body ages. Blocking the same protein reduced age related inflammation in mice, raising the possibility that future treatments could mimic some benefits of calorie restriction without severe dieting. Wed, 26 Aug 2026 09:00:53 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260826055508.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260826055506.htm Some chimpanzees in West Africa repeatedly throw rocks at particular trees, creating piles of stones that can remain in use for more than a decade. Researchers think this unusual behavior may be cultural and could serve as a form of communication, territorial signaling, or something more symbolic. Camera traps and audio recordings are now being used to reveal who throws the stones and how nearby chimpanzees respond. Fri, 28 Aug 2026 09:07:11 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260826055506.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260826055503.htm A Manhattan-sized ice island has broken away from Greenland’s Petermann Glacier after years of growing fractures weakened its floating ice tongue. Scientists expect two more huge sections could soon detach, potentially removing about 22 percent of the remaining ice tongue. Wed, 26 Aug 2026 08:39:11 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260826055503.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260826055500.htm DNA from a nearly 190-year-old museum specimen has helped scientists confirm a distinct Himalayan pangolin species hiding in plain sight in Nepal and northern India. The discovery could give conservationists a powerful new way to trace illegally traded pangolin scales back to the species and regions being targeted by poachers. Wed, 26 Aug 2026 08:46:59 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260826055500.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260826055454.htm Scientists have found a surprising way to potentially switch on an unusual form of magnetism in ruthenium dioxide, a material that normally appears nonmagnetic. When the material was made into an ultrathin film only a few atomic layers thick and placed under strain, its electrons developed patterns consistent with altermagnetism, a recently proposed magnetic state with promising uses in advanced electronics. Thu, 27 Aug 2026 05:23:20 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260826055454.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260826055450.htm NASA has successfully tested a system that allows satellites to navigate without GPS by using other spacecraft and debris as landmarks in orbit. In just three days, FALCON also improved the known orbits of more than 200 space objects completely autonomously. Wed, 26 Aug 2026 19:27:35 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260826055450.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260826055448.htm NASA’s Roman Space Telescope is now enclosed inside its Falcon Heavy fairing and nearly ready for launch. Its mission could uncover thousands of exoplanets while helping scientists investigate dark matter, dark energy, and the accelerating expansion of the universe. Wed, 26 Aug 2026 06:29:17 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260826055448.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260826055445.htm A magnetar with an astonishingly powerful magnetic field may have revealed a quantum effect predicted by Werner Heisenberg nearly 90 years ago. Its light shows signs that supposedly empty space is altering how the light travels, potentially providing the first evidence of vacuum birefringence. Wed, 26 Aug 2026 23:52:13 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260826055445.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260826055442.htm Researchers discovered a brain-based “brake” that can shut down chronic nerve pain in mice by calming an overactive pain circuit. Targeting this system more precisely could one day lead to powerful pain relief without affecting opioid receptors throughout the entire body. Thu, 27 Aug 2026 00:46:20 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260826055442.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260824065605.htm Common medications may reshape the gut microbiome long after the last dose is taken. In a study of more than 2,500 people, researchers found lasting microbial changes linked not only to antibiotics, but also to antidepressants, beta-blockers, acid-reducing drugs, and benzodiazepines. Some effects were still detectable years later, suggesting past medication use may strongly influence the gut bacteria people carry today. Mon, 24 Aug 2026 09:14:50 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260824065605.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260824065601.htm Scientists have created a highly efficient catalyst that breaks down stubborn lignin from plant waste into useful chemicals under relatively mild conditions. By revealing exactly how the catalyst works at the atomic level, the discovery could help turn forestry and agricultural waste into renewable building blocks for fuels, plastics, and other materials. Tue, 25 Aug 2026 06:09:15 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260824065601.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260824065549.htm Three forgotten Assyrian kings may have been hiding in plain sight for more than 2,700 years. By piecing together clues from tablets, inscriptions, and an ancient statue, researchers argue that these rulers were omitted from the famous Assyrian King List. Tue, 25 Aug 2026 21:20:06 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260824065549.htm