A team of scientists from the San Raffaele-Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy (SR-Tiget) in Milan, Italy, has identified a unique window shortly after birth in which circulating blood stem cells can be effectively targeted with gene therapy directly in the body. The study, published in Nature, opens new avenues for treating some genetic blood disorders without the need for stem cell transplantation or chemotherapy.  SR-Tiget is internationally recognized as a leading center for lentiviral vector–based ...

Nature categorizes particles into two fundamental types: fermions and bosons. While matter-building particles such as quarks and electrons belong to the fermion family, bosons typically serve as force carriers—examples include photons, which mediate electromagnetic interactions, and gluons, which govern nuclear forces. When two fermions are exchanged, the quantum wave function picks up a minus sign, i.e., mathematically speaking, a phase of pi. This is totally different for bosons: Their phase upon exchange is zero. This quantum statistical property has drastic consequences for the behaviour of ...

Astronomers from the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research (ICRAR), in collaboration with international teams, have made a startling discovery about a new type of cosmic phenomenon. The object, known as ASKAP J1832-0911, emits pulses of radio waves and X-rays for two minutes every 44 minutes. This is the first time objects like these, called long-period transients (LPTs), have been detected in X-rays. Astronomers hope it may provide insights into the sources of similar mysterious signals ...

A new study in Nature describes both the mechanism and the material conditions necessary for superfluorescence at room temperature. The work could serve as a blueprint for designing materials that allow exotic quantum states – such as superconductivity, superfluidity or superfluorescence – at high temperatures, paving the way for applications such as quantum computers that don’t require extremely low temperatures to operate. The international team that did the work was led by North ...

Lithium metal batteries (LMBs), with its unparalleled theoretical energy density (up to 950 Wh kg⁻¹), have long been hailed as the future of energy storage. However, persistent challenges—such as dendrite formation, unstable interfaces, and safety concerns—have hindered their commercialization. Researchers from Zhengzhou University present a roadmap to overcome these obstacles, offering transformative solutions for the next generation of LMBs.   The team published their work in Materials and Solidification on April 15, 2025.   Key Innovations and ...

A paper describing the circular economy as a vital enabler for the sustainable use of resources to achieve the UN agenda for SDGs was published in the journal Circular Economy on 14 April 2025 (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cec.2025.100140). In this article, Khajuria and co-authors focused on reuse, recycling, and resource optimization, which assist businesses, governments, and communities in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).   They published their study on 14 April 2025, in Circular ...

A new study shows how using drones with advanced cameras, ones that detect both heat and light, can help scientists better measure how field-grown wheat plants cope with climate change. By flying these drones over hundreds of wheat varieties, researchers could estimate key traits like how efficiently the plants breathe through their leaves, how leafy they are, and how much chlorophyll they have. They then matched these traits to specific genes in the wheat, identifying genetic markers linked to better performance under normal and dry conditions. ...

Scientists have discovered a range of ‘biomarkers’ that could help to improve detection and treatment of gastrointestinal diseases (GIDs) such as gastric cancer (GC), colorectal cancer (CRC), and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Researchers found that certain gut bacteria and metabolites are linked to each disease - suggesting that these biomarkers could help in early, less invasive diagnosis of GIDs, with some markers indicating risk across multiple diseases. They used advanced machine learning and AI-based ...

Mechanoluminescence (ML) is a type of luminescence that occurs when a material emits light in response to an external mechanical stimulus, such as scratching, pressing, or stretching. Unlike electroluminescence (EL) or photoluminescence (PL), ML does not require an electric energy or light excitation; instead, it directly converts mechanical energy into optical emission. Then, devices fabricated from ML materials are inherently passive. This characteristic represents an intelligent and energy-efficient light-emission mode. However, most current ML research mainly focuses on the study of single-matrix materials, whose stress-induced ...

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) continue to dominate global mortality statistics, with immune dysregulation emerging as a central feature in their pathogenesis. This review by Gareev et al. focuses on immune-derived microRNAs (immuno-miRs) as pivotal modulators of immune responses in cardiovascular settings, highlighting their roles in pathophysiology, diagnostic potential, and therapeutic promise.   Introduction The authors introduce CVDs as a global health crisis, exacerbated by the interplay between immune dysregulation and cardiovascular remodeling. Immune cells like macrophages and T cells, ...

Fusobacterium nucleatum, a bacterium linked to colorectal cancer, possesses a specific gene called fadA that serves as an early diagnostic biomarker. The CRISPR/Cas12a system has demonstrated marked potential for nucleic acid detection due to its satisfactory selectivity and trans-cleavage ability. However, most CRISPR/Cas-based sensors suffer from problems such as probe entanglement or local aggregation, reducing the Cas enzyme efficiency. “Electrochemiluminescence (ECL) has emerged as a sensitive method for detecting small molecules, nucleic acids, and proteins, due to its superior ...

Breast cancer remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality globally, underscoring the critical need for early detection to improve survival rates and reduce treatment invasiveness. This review synthesizes advancements in imaging technologies that enhance early diagnosis, focusing on their clinical applications, limitations, and future potential. Introduction Breast cancer accounts for 25% of cancer cases in women, with survival rates significantly higher in developed nations due to advanced screening programs. Traditional methods like clinical exams and mammography have been cornerstone tools, yet emerging technologies now complement these approaches, particularly ...

Recent advancements in flexible bioelectronics have demonstrated remarkable progress in achieving seamless integration at bio-tissue-electronic interfaces. However, persistent challenges such as foreign body response (FBR) due to mechanical mismatch and signal instability under dynamic physiological conditions remain critical barriers. "By synergizing bioinspired chemical modifications with microstructural topology, we developed a self-healing bioadhesive interface that eliminates reliance on external stimuli, overcoming the physiological ...

Numbers have a funny way about them. Young math students are taught various strategies to make problem-solving easier. Comparing fractions? Find a common denominator or convert to decimals. The strategies get more complex when doing the kind of math used to describe the activities of DNA, RNA, or protein sequences. In science, when you make a model, its parameters determine its predictions. But what do you do when different sets of parameters result in the same predictions? Call one half 2/4 or 3/6—either way, the result’s the same. In physics, such parameter sets are called gauge freedoms. They play a key role in how we understand electromagnetism and quantum mechanics. Surprisingly, ...

Carnegie Mellon University Africa announced today that the African Engineering and Technology Network (Afretec) has signed its ninth university partner, Universidade Agostinho Neto. The network, launched in 2022, provides a vehicle for technology-focused universities in Africa to engage in deep collaboration to drive digital growth, create technology development and job growth, and shape policy change. Afretec Network members span the entire continent and include Carnegie Mellon University Africa (Rwanda), Al Akhawayn University (Morocco), the American University in Cairo (Egypt), Université Cheikh Anta Diop (Senegal), University ...

New York, NY — (May 28, 2025) —Being exposed to lingering fine particulate matter (PM2.5) from wildfire smoke can have health effects up to three months afterwards, well beyond the couple of days that previous studies have identified, and the exposure can occur even after the fires have ended. These findings were reported in a new study in Epidemiology published on Wednesday, May 28, by researchers at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. This medium-term exposure to PM2.5 from ...

A survey of Oman's marine waters has revealed over 100 species of ribbon worms (Nemertea), marking the first systematic study of these marine predators in Arabian waters. The research, conducted by scientists from the University of Oregon, Moscow State University, and the University of Florida, significantly expands our knowledge of marine biodiversity in the region. Using a combination of morphological studies and DNA barcoding the researchers identified 107 ribbon worm species, 98% of which are undescribed. The research team found that 93% of the discovered species appear unique to Arabian waters. The study effectively doubles the number of genetically characterized ribbon ...

It's tempting to think that, with our fancy electric lights and indoor bedrooms, humanity has evolved beyond the natural influence of sunlight when it comes to our sleep routines.  But new research from the University of Michigan shows that our circadian rhythms are still wild at heart, tracking the seasonal changes in daylight. "Humans really are seasonal, even though we might not want to admit that in our modern context," said study author Ruby Kim, U-M postdoctoral assistant professor of mathematics. "Day ...

Research Highlights: An analysis of data from a national health survey conducted before the pandemic found that pizza, soup and chicken are some of the main sources of sodium (salt) intake for people in all racial and ethnic groups. The study also showed clear differences among adults based on race and ethnicity. Asian American adults were more likely to add salt in cooking than white adults, Black adults and Mexican American adults. However, Asian Americans were the least likely group to add salt to their food at the table. In addition, Black adults reported the highest rates of attempting to reduce salt ...

Chemists at UCL and the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology have demonstrated how RNA (ribonucleic acid) might have replicated itself on early Earth – a key process in the origin of life. Scientists believe that, in the earliest life forms, genetic material would have been carried and replicated by strands of RNA, before DNA and proteins later emerged and took over. Yet getting strands of RNA to replicate in the lab in a simple way – i.e., that plausibly could have occurred at the outset of life – has proved challenging. RNA strands zip up into a double helix that blocks their replication. Like velcro, these are ...

The combination of Rapamycin and Trametinib extends the lifespan of mice by around 30% and works better than either of the drugs alone. The therapy reduces chronic inflammation and delays cancer development New mechanisms: The combination influences gene expression differently than the individual drugs, without additional side effects. The researchers were able to show that Trametinib alone extends the lifespan of mice by 5-10%, while Rapamycin alone increases lifespan by 15-20%. Together, the drugs have a combinatorial effect that extends the life of the mice by around 30%. The ...

Close to five million smuggled seahorses worth an estimated CAD$29 million were seized by authorities over a 10-year span, according to a new study that warns the scale of the trade is far larger than current data suggest. Published today in Conservation Biology, the study analyzed online seizure records from 2010 to 2021 and found smuggling incidents in 62 countries, with dried seahorses, widely used in traditional medicine, most commonly intercepted at airports in passenger baggage or shipped in sea cargo. “The nearly 300 seizures we analyzed were based only on online records and voluntary disclosures ...

Good indoor air quality is a basic prerequisite for human health and is crucial for the ability to concentrate at work, or while studying. A nationwide study by Graz University of Technology (TU Graz) has now shown that most Austrian schools do not comply with national and European guidelines on ventilation. In the past school year, the guideline value for the daily average CO2 concentration of 1000 ppm was exceeded in 75 per cent of the classrooms examined. In winter, the rate even rose to 88 per cent. In individual cases, the average ...

Many parents know that infants love to be sung to; however, there is limited prior research to show the long-term effects on parental singing. In a new study, researchers explored whether using a music enrichment intervention program to encourage parents to sing more frequently to their babies could improve the health of both infants and caregivers (as with skin-to-contact). This research was featured in a new Child Development article with authors from Yale University (United States), the University of Amsterdam (the Netherlands), the University of Auckland (New Zealand), McGill University (Canada), Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell (United States) ...

Plants mastered the art of harvesting sunlight billions of years ago, using elegant rings of pigments in their leaves. Now, researchers from Osaka Metropolitan University have taken a major step toward mimicking that leafy architecture with human-made molecules that self-assemble into stacked rings where charge and energy can circulate freely — just like in photosynthesis. Their design paves the way for new approaches to light capture, energy transport and next-generation electronics. In photosynthetic organisms, pigment molecules form ...