The world, in perspective.

This week's cartoon from Twisteddoodles

WASHINGTON (AP) — A plan to give people in the United States easier access to unproven peptide drugs favored by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was opposed by most Food and Drug Administration scientific staff members, who had limited input in drafting the policy, according to six people familiar with its development.

Their leading hypothesis is that the young cetaceans are dying from a bacterial infection, but experts are still trying to figure out why this year's mortality rates are so high. Adults have also been washing up dead, possibly because of a toxic algal bloom

Scientists have uncovered a hidden defense mechanism in aging muscles that sacrifices strength to protect cells from damage. In mice, partially restoring a crucial molecule reversed signs of muscle wasting and prevented premature death, raising hopes for new treatments for age-related muscle decline.

Researchers were inspired by Lycurgus Cup, a chalice from the fourth century C.E. that appears opaque green under reflected light but wine red when lit directly. "To me, it’s magic," the lead researcher says

Scientists have developed a new technology that could make electric vehicle batteries smaller, lighter, and longer-lasting, potentially allowing cars to travel farther on a single charge. By borrowing precision manufacturing techniques from computer chip production, they found a way to prevent damaging lithium buildup that has held back next-generation batte

Researchers have discovered a surprising hidden ability in Europe's familiar black-and-yellow fire salamanders: they glow green and cyan under ultraviolet light. The mysterious fluorescence comes mainly from glands in their skin and their toxic secretions, which can continue glowing for more than 24 hours after being released.

Scientists have uncovered a long-lost volcanic system in Iran that dates back roughly 100 million years, revealing a hidden chapter in Earth's tectonic history. The discovery sheds new light on the disappearance of an ancient ocean and the powerful geological forces that reshaped the Middle East.

A major new study reveals that autistic children’s brains process faces differently, and those differences may begin earlier than scientists previously thought. Researchers found that brain signals associated with recognizing faces become more specialized as neurotypical children grow older, but show much less change in autistic children. The discovery could

A new Lancet report finds the number of heat-related deaths has been growing since the 2015 Paris Agreement, despite real gains from the climate pact.

Scientists at McGill University have discovered a surprising new ability of immune cells that could change how we understand long-term immunity. Researchers found that T cells can actually sense how stiff their surrounding tissues are, using these physical signals to help determine whether they develop into long-lasting memory cells that protect against futu

<p>The results resolve major problems in math, physics and computer science. But like other recent AI-generated &ldquo;slop drops,&rdquo; the releases are already controversial</p>

At The Hindu Semiconductor Summit, V.K. Saraswat, A. Sivathanu Pillai and Deleep Nair warn that imported chips leave network-centric weapons vulnerable, and that waiting until 2030-35 for advanced nodes would be too late

Scientists have created one of the largest and most detailed simulations of the early universe ever made, offering an extraordinary new glimpse into the cosmos shortly after the Big Bang. Called Lumina, the groundbreaking simulation recreates the universe’s first 2 billion years, showing how dark matter, gas, and radiation interacted to give rise to the earl

Scientists have discovered that spiders may sleep in ways surprisingly similar to humans, complete with distinct sleep stages and a dream-like REM state. Researchers at the University of Bonn studied the Australian jumping spider Portia fimbriata, a remarkably clever hunter known for its sophisticated strategies. By recording the spiders over several days an

Why do some people stay mentally sharp even when their brains show signs of Alzheimer’s disease? Scientists in the Netherlands may have uncovered an important clue hidden in a rare group of immature brain cells. Researchers discovered that these cells remain present even in people over 80, but their behavior differs dramatically between those who develop dem

Scientists have identified a hidden cause of inflammatory bowel disease: antibodies that disable the immune system’s natural ability to control inflammation, potentially explaining severe illness in thousands of patients. The breakthrough also solves a 30-year genetic mystery and could pave the way for more precise diagnoses and targeted treatments.

The new research, which has not yet been peer-reviewed but was accepted for publication, suggests that climate change is responsible for two-thirds of the deaths

Scientists have discovered a giant new fungus in China that grows up to 20 inches tall and weighs nearly five pounds, making it the largest known of its kind. Dubbed “D-rex,” its evolutionary lineage appears to have emerged shortly after the dinosaurs went extinct, raising intriguing questions about how that ancient catastrophe may have shaped its evolution.

Our photographer joined scientists and technicians on a voyage to recover Ireland’s M5 weather buoy and carry out marine research

Scientists have discovered a way to operate multiple silicon qubits simultaneously with remarkable accuracy, overcoming a major challenge in scaling up quantum computers. Their new technique maintained accuracy of approximately 99.9% even when all five qubits were running at once, opening the door to larger and more powerful quantum processors.

Missing blood pressure medication could mean losing much of its protection against heart attacks and strokes, according to an analysis of more than 91,000 people. Patients who consistently took their medication experienced an 11% reduction in major cardiovascular events, while those who missed too many doses saw little or no measurable benefit.

These elusive and reactive particles have been challenging to hold on to and even more challenging to study, but a new method paves the way for tests on the differences between matter and antimatter.

Scientists have discovered how pancreatic cancer cells continually reshape their genetic makeup to become more aggressive, spread, and evade treatment. In laboratory experiments, blocking a key gene reversed some of these dangerous changes, revealing a potential new way to fight the deadly disease.

A superconducting material studied for 40 years has turned out to be far more complex than scientists believed. Advanced 3D imaging revealed a hidden patchwork of crystal structures, with unusually wide boundaries that may weaken superconductivity. The discovery challenges decades of scientific assumptions and could explain why some superconductors outperfor

Eight researchers from KLE Technological University, Hubballi, have been featured in the 2026 single-year rankings of the world’s top 2% scientists, while five have been recognised for their career-long scientific impact

Scientists have proposed a way to detect “mirror life,” a hypothetical form of life that could pose serious risks to humans, animals, and ecosystems if artificially created. Using special fluorescent molecules and a type of polarized light also used in 3D movie technology, researchers believe they could distinguish ordinary organisms from their mirror-image

Scientists have discovered that switching off a protein called Mitch makes human cells burn more fat and prevents new fat cells from developing. The breakthrough builds on experiments in mice that showed remarkable resistance to obesity and improved muscular endurance, raising hopes for a new approach to weight-loss treatment.

<p>They weren&rsquo;t afraid of no ghost</p>

The standard model of particle physics works really well, but it can't explain why the universe exists. Something is missing, and this trapped particle might hold a clue to the answer

Researchers have uncovered a surprising reason dental implant infections often resist antibiotics: the implants themselves can contribute to the problem. Bacteria corrode titanium implants, releasing microscopic particles that hijack immune cells, trigger destructive inflammation, and accelerate jawbone loss.

MIT engineers have built a paper-thin swimming robot powered by living muscle cells that respond to flashes of light, allowing it to swim and steer through water. The breakthrough could pave the way for tiny, self-healing biological robots capable of exploring fragile environments that ordinary machines cannot safely navigate.

A seven-year study found that people with Parkinson’s disease who were more physically active experienced slower declines in memory, thinking, and movement abilities. Those exercising more than eight hours per week showed almost no average cognitive decline, suggesting that staying active may offer important benefits as the disease progresses.

A tiny region deep within the brain has surprised scientists by revealing a remarkably sophisticated communication system. Previously thought to broadcast the same chemical signal throughout the brain, this region actually sends targeted messages that help control learning, attention, and behavior, according to new research in mice.

The signatories say they have endorsed the statement in their individual capacities, and that their views are personal and do not represent their institutions

<p>People succumbed to heat at highest rates in Malta, Italy and Hungary, with health issues, loneliness and poverty exacerbating toll</p><p>Heat killed a record 50,000 people in European cities this summer, new <a href="https://www.imperial.ac.uk/grantham/publications/all-publications/heat-related-urban-mortality-attributable-to-human-induced-climate-change

Forty years after the Chornobyl disaster, tiny radioactive particles still linger in the soil, carrying a dangerous legacy. Using powerful X-rays, scientists discovered that some of these particles have remained surprisingly stable, trapping radioactive substances inside instead of releasing them into the environment.

Cambridge researchers have created a groundbreaking $10 optical sensor that delivers the precision of laboratory equipment in a device small enough for wearable technology. It identified foods, plastics, and medicines with 100% accuracy in tests and demonstrated the ability to monitor blood glucose, alcohol, and other health markers without invasive procedur

Researchers have uncovered a hidden immune defense capable of attacking small cell lung cancer, an extremely aggressive disease that often escapes conventional treatments. The specialized immune cells can recognize and destroy cancer cells even when tumors have disguised themselves from the immune system.

The continent saw more than 50,000 deaths across 850 cities, with climate change causing most of them, studies find.

<img style="float: right" src="https://i.ds.at/SdFwsg/rs:fill:150:0/plain/lido-images/2026/10/22/59beed91-3cb1-4a47-a39c-6db4b06fa144.jpg">Zwei Hobby-Käferkundler stießen online auf ein auffälliges Tier aus Griechenland, hielten vor Ort Nachschau und tauften die fünf Zentimeter große Spezies Lucanus apollon

Scientists have uncovered a strange pattern in urban bird behavior: Across five European countries and 37 species, birds consistently fled sooner when approached by women than men. Researchers have no clear explanation for the difference, raising intriguing questions about how birds recognize and respond to humans.

Scientists have captured virus-like particles assembling themselves step by step, revealing how a surprisingly simple process of trial and error produces complex structures with remarkable precision. The discovery uncovers a crucial molecular turning point that speeds up assembly and could lead to new ways to disrupt viruses and develop vaccines.

Honeybees are aggressively pushing wild pollinators away from flowers, with scientists documenting how they chase off rivals and dominate valuable food sources. New research warns that rising temperatures and increasing honeybee populations could intensify this competition, threatening wild bees and other important pollinators.

Scientists have discovered why common marmosets have unusually small, smooth brains despite starting development much like other primates. The secret lies in subtle changes to brain-building cells that slow neuron production, revealing new clues about how the large, folded human brain evolved.

A programme to support women scientists in the Arab world has selected two female researchers in the UAE for grants. The L’Oreal-Unesco For Women in Science Middle East Programme has awarded Dr Marieh Al Handawi, of New York University Abu Dhabi , and Jawaher Al Hammadi, of Khalifa University, for its 2026 iteration. They are among half a dozen female resear

When they're rolling, some snakes belonging to the Pseudorabdion genus can reach top speeds of 3.8 to 8.3 miles per hour, according to a new study

Chrisland University VC, Prof. Arulogun, has warned newly inducted medical laboratory scientists against costly errors, urging accuracy and integrity. Read More: https://punchng.com/vc-warns-laboratory-scientists-against-costly-errors/

Scientists have uncovered an unexpected danger lurking inside cells: too much RNA can damage the structures responsible for producing energy. A new study found that excess RNA, including the normally essential messenger RNA (mRNA), can directly disrupt mitochondria without relying on the immune system. The discovery could help explain how viral infections an

Scientists have turned blood cells from an 80-year-old into neural stem cells with a molecular age of less than 20, effectively reversing more than 60 years of cellular aging in the laboratory. The discovery offers a new way to investigate how cells become younger and could help researchers better understand age-related diseases such as Alzheimer's.

Deep inside a high-altitude Chinese cave, scientists discovered a ghostly, eyeless freshwater snail that has evolved to live entirely in darkness, marking the first recorded discovery of its kind in China. Named after a faceless mythical creature, the rare species may already be in danger, with researchers finding only three living adults.

A study by DZNE finds that healthy eating is associated with slower biological aging—and that there is more than one way to eat healthily. The researchers examined ten dietary patterns considered healthy, including the Mediterranean, Nordic, and a plant-based diet, as well as the DASH diet, which is designed to help lower blood pressure. The findings are pub

<p>The Major Research Instrumentation program offers grants of up to $4 million to scientists buying or developing research equipment</p>

Scientists have uncovered a surprising reason why statins, the widely prescribed cholesterol-lowering drugs that help prevent heart attacks and strokes, can sometimes cause muscle pain, weakness, and even severe muscle damage. Using advanced imaging technology, researchers discovered that statins can attach to a crucial protein in muscle cells and force open

Scientists have identified the “fattest” belemnite ever discovered, a bizarre, barrel-shaped squid relative that lived in Wyoming’s ancient seas 160 million years ago. The exceptionally rare fossils reveal a creature unlike anything previously known, potentially a predator of smaller squid-like animals and a surprising survivor of a supposedly vanished famil

Scientists have discovered a natural compound that targets dangerous C. difficile bacteria without wiping out the gut's beneficial microbes. Successful early tests suggest it could lead to a gentler, more effective treatment for stubborn intestinal infections that frequently return.

On challenging expeditions, researchers have collected deep-sea bacteria that naturally produce hydrogen, exploring and documenting an ancient ecosystem that may soon be altered forever

Scientists have found a promising way to protect the brain from Alzheimer’s-related damage by blocking immune cells that contribute to the destruction of neurons. In mice, the treatment preserved roughly 40% more tissue in memory centers and improved memory, even without removing harmful tau protein buildup.

A surprising clinical trial suggests that taking vitamin C daily could improve survival in people with precancerous blood disorders and early-stage blood cancers. Patients receiving the supplement had fewer adverse events and showed a promising survival advantage, raising hopes that a common vitamin could help protect against leukemia-related complications.