Osaka, Japan — Why do glass and other amorphous materials deform more easily in some regions than in others? A research team from The University of Osaka, the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Okayama University, and the University of Tokyo has uncovered the answer. By applying a mathematical method known as persistent homology, the team demonstrated that these soft regions are governed by hidden hierarchical structures, where ordered and disordered atomic arrangements coexist. Crystalline solids, such as salt or ice, have atoms neatly arranged in repeating ...

A study published today in Nature Communications describes how lymphatic endothelial cells assist in generating robust immune memory, offering new insights into how the immune system functions. Specifically, the researchers found there is a particular genetic program within the lymphatic endothelial cells that enables storage and archival of portions of an immunization or pathogen (antigens) for future use. The research is among the first to outline that there’s a genetic “transcriptional” program within lymphatic endothelial cells that impact the immune response and could be manipulated. The study was led ...

In Indonesia, cattle are not just cattle. The large island-nation houses a variety of different breeds, locally preferred for their unique set of physical attributes and strongly linked to culture and ceremonies. There is even a distinct species of domesticated bovine here, namely the Bali cattle, a domesticated version of the wild banteng (see Box 1). Little is known about the history of cattle in this archipelago, which is positioned at a crossroad between major historical trading empires and cultures, notably India and China. Local ...

A new study, led by experts at the University of Nottingham, has found that the production of meat-based pet foods has a much greater impact on the environment in comparison to plant-based alternatives. The study, led by Rebecca Brociek from the School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, and published in Frontiers in Nutrition - Nutrition and Sustainable Diets, showed that plant-based diets for pets had the lowest impact across all measures of environmental impact. This included the land needed ...

Earth scientists often face huge challenges when researching the earth’s history: many significant events occurred such a long time ago that there is little direct evidence available. Consequently, researchers often have to rely on indirect clues or on computer models. The team led by ETH Professor Jordon Hemingway, however, has now discovered a unique natural witness to this period: tiny egg-shaped iron oxide stones that can be used to directly measure the carbon reserves in the primordial ocean.  Viewed ...

Earth was not always the blue-green world we know today: the early Earth's oxygen levels were about a million times lower than we now experience. There were no forests and no animals. For ancient organisms, oxygen was toxic. What did life look like at that time then? A recent study led by Fatima Li-Hau (graduate student at ELSI at the time of the research) along with the supervisor Associate Professor Shawn McGlynn  (at the time of research) of the Earth-Life Science Institute (ELSI) at Institute of Science Tokyo, Japan, explores this question by examining iron-rich hot springs that mimic the chemistry of Earth's ancient oceans around the time ...

Tunas, billfishes, and some sharks, such as white sharks and shortfin mako sharks, have an ability known as regional endothermy, which allows them to maintain body temperatures higher than the ambient water. This ability has been regarded as an adaptation to cold environments. However, its role in warm-water species such as shortfin mako sharks, bigeye tuna, and swordfish has been unclear.   In this study, we attached data loggers to shortfin mako sharks caught off southeastern Taiwan to record water temperature, body temperature, and swimming depth (Fig. 1). During repeated deep dives, ...

The Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) has captured the motion of spirals of dust around a young star and shown that the winding motion of the spiral pattern is conducive to planet formation. This provides new evidence for planet formation around this young star. The results could have implications for other young stars as well. Observations have revealed a spiral pattern in the disk of gas and dust around the young star IM Lup located 515 light-years away in the direction of the constellation Lupus. Spiral patterns are thought to be one of the signs that a new planet will form soon, but ...

Imagine the benefits if the entire internet got a game-changing upgrade to speed and security. This is the promise of the quantum internet - an advanced system that uses single photons (particles of light) to operate. Researchers at Tohoku University developed a new photonic router that can direct single and (quantum) entangled photons with unprecedented levels of efficiency. This advancement in quantum optics brings us closer to quantum networks and next-generation photonic quantum technologies becoming an everyday reality. The findings were published in Advanced Quantum Technologies on September 2, 2025. Photons are the backbone ...

Researchers found that while HPP promotes the formation of anthocyanin–catechin complexes, it simultaneously reduces their thermal and light stability by decreasing the proportion of dominant conformations. Anthocyanins are natural pigments abundant in fruits, vegetables, tea, and wine, prized for their vivid colors and health benefits including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cardioprotective properties. Yet their poor stability under heat and light has long hindered food applications. Copigmentation—complex formation between anthocyanins and polyphenols such as catechins—enhances both stability ...

In a major advance for infectious disease treatment, researchers from Monash University and The Alfred have developed a bespoke phage therapy product that uses bacterial viruses, known as ‘bacteriophages’, to combat a highly problematic, antimicrobial resistant bacteria. The treatment, named Entelli-02, is a five-phage cocktail designed specifically to target Enterobacter cloacae complex (ECC), a group of bacteria responsible for severe, often difficult-to-treat infections. The study, published in Nature Microbiology, was led by Professor Jeremy J. Barr from the Monash ...

As the world’s oceans warm, tropical fish species are moving into cooler waters and exploring new habitats beyond their traditional ranges. Researchers have discovered a new way to track their migration patterns by combining environmental DNA with visual surveys. “Climate change has already caused more than 12,000 species to shift their homes across land, freshwater and the sea,” says the University of Adelaide’s Dr Chloe Hayes, who has published a study on the new approach. “In ...

INSEAD, The Business School for the World, today announced the launch of its new Master in Finance (MIF), an innovative pre-experience degree for recent graduates and young professionals. Designed to meet the growing demand for finance professionals who combine technical mastery with cross-cultural agility, global business acumen, and leadership skills, the INSEAD MIF reflects both market demand and INSEAD’s DNA in leadership education. This pre-experience programme aims to shape the financial leaders of tomorrow. Shaping Leaders for a Transforming Financial World Building on the success of INSEAD’s Master in Management ...

Changes in vision are often a common sign of aging. If you sit in a dimly lit restaurant with anyone over the age of 60, you’ll likely hear the person say, “Hold on — let me pull out my cell phone. I need more light to read the menu!” But what if we could reverse age-related visual decline? In a new study, UC Irvine researchers explore a possible therapy for addressing “aging” in the eye and for preventing diseases such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD). “We show the potential for reversing age-related vision loss,” says Dorota Skowronska-Krawczyk, PhD, an associate ...

AURORA, Colo. (Sept. 24, 2025) – In a groundbreaking new study published in Nature Communications, researchers from the Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome (Crnic Institute) at the University of Colorado Anschutz discovered important differences in the physiological changes observed in over 300 individuals with Down syndrome across the lifespan.   The study is part of the ongoing Human Trisome Project, a large, detailed cohort study of people with Down syndrome, including deep annotation ...

The Grazing Challenge Pastures feed the world. But grazing animals? They can disturb the soil, speed up carbon loss, and weaken long-term fertility—especially in vulnerable karst soils. With climate change intensifying, scientists are racing to find ways to keep carbon in the ground, not in the air. Enter: biochar. Think of it as “soil probiotics”—a charcoal-like substance made from organic waste that supercharges soil life and locks away carbon for decades, even centuries. The Biochar Breakthrough In a series of clever lab experiments using tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) and simulated grazing, the team ...

When:            Wednesday, September 24, 2025                         7:00 p.m. US Eastern Time—Reception                         7:30 p.m. US Eastern Time—Announcement What:             The Wilkes Center for Climate Science & Policy at the ...

Geelong, Australia — A team of researchers has discovered that adding biochar to potting mix can significantly improve basil growth while also advancing sustainable farming practices. Using Internet of Things (IoT) technology to track plant health in real time, the study highlights how small changes in growth media can benefit both agriculture and the environment. The research, published in Biochar, tested six different growth media for basil cultivation over 30 days in “smart growth cabinets.” These controlled chambers allowed ...

A new study has revealed how tiny microbes in rivers and wetlands across China help clean up excess nitrogen pollution, offering fresh insights into the health of freshwater ecosystems and the global nitrogen cycle. Nitrogen is essential for life, but too much of it—often from fertilizer use, fossil fuel burning, and agriculture—ends up in rivers and lakes. This overload can trigger harmful algal blooms, oxygen loss, fish die-offs, and long-term damage to ecosystems. Scientists have long known that microbes play a critical ...

Women who don’t turn up for their first breast screening appointment face a 40% higher long term risk of dying from breast cancer, mainly due to delayed detection, finds a study published by The BMJ today. The researchers say targeting these women offers a critical opportunity to reduce breast cancer deaths at the population level. Mammograms can detect breast cancer early, often before a lump can be felt, which improves the chances of successful treatment and survival.  Although a later stage breast cancer diagnosis is more frequent among women who did not attend their latest ...

Women who miss their first mammogram run a higher risk of being diagnosed with advanced breast cancer and dying from the disease. This is shown in a new study from Karolinska Institutet published in the scientific journal BMJ. Since the early 1990s, women in Sweden have been offered regular mammograms, which has contributed to a decrease in breast cancer mortality. Despite this, a significant proportion choose not to attend their first examination. The researchers behind the new study wanted to investigate the long-term consequences of this. The study is based on data from the Swedish mammography ...

Globally, the number of new cancer cases has more than doubled since 1990 to 18.5 million in 2023; whilst the number of cancer deaths increased 74% to 10.4 million (both excluding non-melanoma skin cancers)—with the majority of people affected living in low- and middle-income countries. Over 40% of cancer deaths globally are linked to 44 modifiable risk factors including tobacco use, an unhealthy diet, and high blood sugar—presenting an opportunity for prevention. The number of new cancer cases worldwide ...

Editage China today announced the launch of a pioneering academic solution that combines human expertise with ethical AI to address the evolving needs of researchers in China. The new offering goes beyond traditional editing services to deliver a unique blend of human expertise, advanced AI tools, and hybrid solutions. This approach offers researchers a responsible, future-ready solution to navigate both opportunities and blind spots of AI in publishing. Editage China today announced the launch of a pioneering academic solution that combines human expertise with ethical AI to address the evolving needs of researchers in China. The ...

Menopause linked to distinct differences in multiple sclerosis presentation and comorbidities, new study shows (Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, 25 September 2025) New research presented today at the 41st Congress of the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS 2025) reveals that menopause may significantly influence how multiple sclerosis (MS) first presents in women, as well as the types of associated health conditions they experience.1 These novel findings could pave the ...

Ultra-processed foods linked to heightened disease activity in early multiple sclerosis, new study finds (Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, 25 September 2025) Higher intake of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) may exacerbate disease activity in early multiple sclerosis (MS), according to new research presented at the 41st Congress of the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS 2025).1 Researchers found that increased UPF consumption was linked to more frequent relapses and greater MRI-detected lesion activity, highlighting the potential role of diet as a complementary strategy in disease management. The study, led by Dr Gloria Dalla Costa, analysed ...