A research team funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has developed a versatile machine learning model that could one day greatly expand what medical scans can tell us about disease. Scientists used their tool, named Merlin, to assess 3D abdominal computed tomography (CT) scans, accomplishing tasks as simple as identifying anatomical features to as complex as predicting disease onset years in advance. Despite being developed as a general-purpose CT model, Merlin surpassed a gauntlet of similar automated tools in tasks they were specifically built to handle.   The team trained their model on a unique set of patient CT scans ...

A new study has uncovered how an exceptionally scarce protein can orchestrate the assembly of large‑scale gene-silencing structures inside cells, and what happens when that process breaks down.  The findings, published today in Molecular Cell, identify a self-clustering mechanism in the Polycomb protein CBX2 that is essential for initiating the formation of gene-repressive condensates and guiding stem cells toward their proper fates.   Polycomb complexes are essential for establishing and maintaining cell identity, yet the physical principles behind their repression have remained elusive. The challenge is that some of these molecules are typically present ...

A research team led by Profs. ZHU Min, LU Jing, and ZHU You'an from the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology (IVPP) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences published two back-to-back cover stories in the journal Nature on March 4, reporting new discoveries about the origin of bony fishes. The team has unearthed the oldest known fossils of bony fishes, revealing the morphology and key anatomical features—including jaws, teeth, and braincases—of two primitive bony fish species. Phylogenetic analyses place both taxa within the previously little-known bony fish stem group, representing ...

Tsukuba, Japan—Large-capacity rechargeable batteries capable of sustaining repeated charge-discharge cycles are expected to become core technologies for electric vehicles and other elements of an electrified society. However, current systems often rely on costly metals such as lithium and platinum, creating an urgent demand for more cost-effective alternative materials. Magnesium-air rechargeable batteries, which consist of a carbon-based cathode, a magnesium-metal anode, and a magnesium chloride-containing electrolyte, utilize atmospheric oxygen as the active material at the cathode. This design enables the construction of high‑capacity batteries at low cost. Although the theoretical ...

Tsukuba, Japan—Data science deepens understanding of natural and social phenomena and informs decision‑making through analysis of diverse data types using mathematical and computational methods. Since the 2010s, data have become increasingly accessible not only in science, engineering, and medicine, but also in fields such as the social sciences, humanities, sports, and the arts. This results in rapid growth in societal demand for data‑science‑related knowledge and skills. However, effective instructional methods for data science remain underexplored. In this exploratory case study, the research team quantitatively assessed the educational ...

Tsukuba, Japan—Extended esports play can lead to mental fatigue, resulting in slower and less precise decision-making (diminished executive control) and a variety of physiological responses indicative of impaired sensorimotor or cognitive function. In such cases, many players reach for caffeinated or sugary drinks, but overconsumption raises health concerns such as elevated risks of obesity and diabetes. Sparkling water offers a healthier alternative, as it contains no sugar or caffeine, yet produces a similar sensation in the throat that may engage brainstem-to-prefrontal pathways linked to executive control. In a randomized crossover study, 14 young adults ...

Tsukuba, Japan—Debris supplied by rockfall and related slope processes is a key factor controlling the frequency and magnitude of debris flows. However, estimating the amount of debris supplied over several decades has been technically challenging. In this study, the research team focused on abandoned mountain roads and successfully estimated decadal-scale debris supply by measuring deposits accumulated on these road surfaces using UAV-LiDAR technology. The team conducted a high-resolution topographic survey along a closed section ...

The American Institute of Biological Sciences (AIBS) and the Southeastern Universities Research Association (SURA) are pleased to announce that Olivia Asher has been selected for the 2026 AIBS & SURA Public Policy Fellowship. This professional development opportunity provides young scientists with valuable first-hand experience in science policy. Olivia Asher is a Ph.D. candidate in bioinformatics at the University of Georgia (UGA), where she uses genomic sequencing and computational analysis to understand the interactions between arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, ...

Highlights: Dyslipidemia, an imbalance of lipids, often precedes cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death worldwide. The gut microbiota may help regulate lipids in the blood, but the details aren’t clear. Using metagenomic sequencing, a new study reports a gut microbiome signature associated with dyslipidemia. The work suggests potential future roles for microbiome-informed risk stratification or preventive strategies in heart health.  Washington, D.C.—Before the onset of cardiovascular ...

Plant growth is supported by millions of tiny soil microbes competing and cooperating with each other as they perform important roles at the plant root, including improving access to nutrients and protecting against pathogens. As a byproduct of their metabolism, soil microbes can also produce nitrous oxide, or N2O, a potent greenhouse gas that has mostly been studied for its impact on the climate. While some N2O occurs naturally, its production can spike due to fertilizer application and other factors.  While it has long been believed that nitrous oxide doesn’t meaningfully interact with living organisms, a new paper by two MIT researchers shows that it ...

The  College of Engineering and Computer Science at Florida Atlantic University has received an in-kind grant for a United States Air Force T-1A Jayhawk Mixed Reality (MR) and 3D Motion flight simulator valued at approximately $4.5 million. Awarded by the U.S. Air Force Office of Scientific Research to FAU’s Center for Connected Autonomy and Artificial Intelligence (CA-AI), this acquisition marks a key expansion of the university’s research infrastructure in artificial intelligence, autonomy and aerospace systems. The simulator will be made available to the broader FAU research ...

Biological tactile perception is closely intertwined with morphological structures. Complex biological structures such as human fingers, cat paws, and elephant trunks endow organisms with rich environmental interaction capabilities. However, existing vision-based tactile sensors in robotics are mostly limited to simple planar geometries, and biomorphic design remains underexplored. Traditional tactile sensors suffer from insufficient shape adaptability and limited precision in capturing intricate contact details. Developing vision-based tactile sensors with biomorphic forms through ...

A new study from Hiroshima University showed that, among university students just entering the workforce, those with optimism about the future better manage 'reality shock' through formation of an career-related identity.  ‘Reality shock’ is a widely recognized psychological phenomenon in which new graduates become distressed upon entering the workplace and finding that the reality of working life doesn’t match their expectations. This can lead to disappointment, confusion, depression, and anxiety, and can lower employment ...

PULLMAN, Wash. – Washington State University researchers have developed a 3D-printed model of the left side of the heart that contracts and beats, offering the chance for surgeons and medical students to rehearse important heart surgeries on a model that acts like the real thing. The WSU researchers, in fact, did a valve repair on their heart model, using ultrasound imaging and customized sensors attached to the model to show a successful repair. They report on their work in the journal, Advanced Materials Technologies. “It’s very useful for doctors and surgeons to practice when the heart is still beating, ...

People and animals create lots of waste that is usually sent to landfills, incinerated or stored in engineered ponds such as manure lagoons. Now, researchers publishing in ACS’ Environmental Science & Technology Letters report a potential removal method using insects, specifically black soldier fly larvae. In experiments, the larvae ate spoiled food, sewage sludge or livestock manure, and removed most human-pathogenic viruses. The researchers say this demonstrates a step toward simple, environmentally friendly waste management. "Viruses ...

Miami (March 4, 2026) – Medication nonadherence among people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a result of affordability and lack of knowledge about medications, among other factors, and leads to increased exacerbations and faster lung function decline, according to two new studies. The studies are published in the January 2026 issue of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases: Journal of the COPD Foundation, a peer-reviewed, open access journal. COPD, which includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis, affects more than 30 million Americans and is the fourth leading cause of death worldwide. It can be caused by genetics and irritants ...

Periodontitis, a chronic inflammatory disease of the gums, affects hundreds of millions of people worldwide and is increasingly linked to systemic disorders beyond the oral cavity. Epidemiological studies have long suggested an association between periodontitis and osteoporosis, particularly in postmenopausal women, yet the biological mechanisms connecting these conditions have remained unclear. Growing evidence indicates that microbial communities play a central role in regulating immune responses and metabolism across distant organs, raising the possibility that oral microbes ...

Mitochondria, also known as the powerhouses of the cell, are essential for cell survival, repair, and adaptation. Not only do they generate most of the energy needed during a cell’s life, but they also regulate cell death, calcium balance, and responses to stress. When mitochondria fail, which is a common feature of neurodegenerative diseases and many inflammatory and metabolic disorders, cells lose their ability to meet energy demands and maintain internal stability. To tackle such problems, researchers are currently exploring therapies that aim to directly ...

Capitalising on greater climate change, nature and sustainability education in the national curriculum will need a detailed programme of support to make the changes a reality, according to a new report published today (Wednesday, 4 March).  The report, produced following discussions with more than 40 professional bodies and teaching organisations, sets out ten priority areas for improving climate education following the government's Curriculum and Assessment Review.  The experts argue that while the curriculum review is a welcome step, real change will require coordinated support across the whole education system. It also urges ...

A global, interdisciplinary team of researchers led by Ludmil Alexandrov, PhD, professor of cellular and molecular medicine and bioengineering at the University of California San Diego, has been selected to receive a Cancer Grand Challenges award of up to $25 million over approximately five years to reveal the underlying mechanisms of mutational signatures, unique patterns of DNA damage caused by environmental exposures or natural cellular processes. By understanding the underlying causes of these signatures, Team CAUSE, which brings together experts from the U.S., the Netherlands ...

A new study suggests that decades of reported gains in crop yields from plant breeding may be significantly overstated, challenging a common method used worldwide to measure genetic progress. The international research team includes five University of Nebraska-Lincoln scientists. Researchers examined long-term trends in wheat improvement, finding that the standard, decades-old approach — growing older and newer wheat varieties side by side and comparing their yields — cannot clearly separate two different types of breeding gains: increases in inherent yield potential and ongoing “maintenance breeding” that keeps varieties adapted ...

Cerebral palsy is a condition usually caused by brain damage before or during birth, resulting in impaired posture and movement. Early symptoms are typically subtle, which may delay diagnosis until more obvious signs appear as the child grows. Recent animal studies show that stem cell therapy may help restore neurological function when initiated in the acute or subacute phase, typically within a few weeks after birth. While some clinical research suggests possible benefits even in later stages, confirmatory clinical trials have not yet been published. Now, a Japanese ...

Crystals have repeatedly been found at archaeological sites alongside Homo remains. Evidence shows hominins have been collecting these stones for as long as 780,000 years. Yet, we know that our ancestors did not use them as weapons, tools, or even jewelry. So why did they collect them at all? Now, in a new Frontiers in Psychology study, scientists in Spain investigated which characteristics of crystals may have made them so fascinating to our ancestors. They designed experiments with chimpanzees – one of the two great ape species most closely related to modern humans – to identify the physical properties ...

CLEVELAND, Ohio (March 4, 2026)—Despite the increased incidence of endometrial cancer in younger women, there is limited research regarding the safety of local, low-dose vaginal estrogen therapy (ET) for survivors. A new study suggests that this form of estrogen is not only effective in relieving numerous menopause symptoms but also does not seem to increase a woman’s risk of cancer recurrence. Study results are published online today in Menopause, the journal of The Menopause Society. Until recently, all forms of hormone therapy, including ...

High blood pressure, or hypertension, affects more than one billion people worldwide and is a leading cause of heart disease and stroke. For decades, researchers have observed that premenopausal women are less likely to develop high blood pressure than men or postmenopausal women. Researchers have known for years that estrogen is the deciding factor, but exactly how it offers this protection has remained unclear.   New research from the University of Waterloo helps answer ...