Research announcements from universities, hospitals and scientific institutions. Explore the stories, people and discoveries behind the headlines.
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A collaborative study by Washington State University and the University of Calgary found that cannabis use triggers a consistent increase in appetite as a cognitive effect, independent of sex, age, weight, or recent eating. Published in PNAS, the findings suggest cannabis-driven appetite mechanisms could be studied for therapeutic use in conditions involving appetite loss.
Read the releaseFlorida Atlantic University scientists studying stranded pygmy sperm whales along Florida's coast discovered novel bacterial species in their digestive and respiratory systems. Some of the bacteria are entirely new to science and may play roles in the health conditions that lead these whales to strand more frequently than other large marine mammals.
Read the releaseResearchers developed DEGU, a computational framework that attaches calibrated uncertainty estimates to predictions from deep neural networks used in genomics. By flagging predictions the model is less confident about, DEGU could help scientists prioritize experiments and avoid being misled by overconfident AI outputs.
Read the releaseTheoretical physicists at Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden, have developed a framework for quantum computing systems built around 'giant superatoms' - collective quantum states formed by groups of atoms behaving as single units. The theory describes how these systems could protect quantum information and enable new modes of quantum control.
Read the releaseResearchers at Jeonbuk National University reviewed and demonstrated metal oxide electrode systems that detect microplastics electrochemically in water samples. The approach offers significant advantages over conventional spectroscopy in speed, cost, and potential for real-time monitoring in aquatic environments.
Read the releaseResearchers at the Universite de Montreal examined cannabis use four to five years after Canadian legalization, focusing on identifying characteristics of adults at low risk of dependence. The study found that infrequent use, absence of anxiety or depression, and social stability distinguished low-risk users from those with problematic patterns.
Read the releaseTwo University of Michigan Engineering professors - Xiwen Gong and Cindy Chestek - received the Sony Women in Technology Award with Nature, a $250,000 prize supporting research in wearable health sensing and brain-computer interfaces. Their work addresses fundamental challenges in materials durability and signal quality for next-generation medical devices.
Read the releaseWashington University School of Medicine researchers showed that blood-based biomarker models can predict the onset of Alzheimer's symptoms within a margin of three to four years. Published in Nature Medicine, the approach uses combinations of plasma proteins measurable in a single blood draw, advancing toward accessible early-detection tools.
Read the releaseAmsterdam UMC researchers tracked brain changes across first and second pregnancies using MRI and found that each pregnancy produces distinct neurological adaptations. The study, published in Nature Communications, shows the second pregnancy is not simply a repeat of the first neurologically - it creates its own unique pattern of brain remodeling.
Read the releaseMass General Brigham researchers demonstrated that ultra-low field MRI technology can produce breast images of sufficient quality for diagnostic evaluation. The technology costs significantly less than standard MRI systems and requires no special shielding, potentially expanding access to breast imaging in under-resourced settings.
Read the releaseEngineers at EPFL's Laboratory of Nanoscience for Energy Technology built a hexagonal silicon nanopillar device that generates continuous electricity as water evaporates across its charged surfaces. The hydrovoltaic effect it exploits could enable passive energy harvesting in environments where solar and wind power are impractical.
Read the releaseA new analysis combining field data and molecular evidence confirms that Hierodula tenuidentata, the giant Asian mantis, has established self-sustaining populations in southern Europe - meeting the formal criteria for invasive species status. The findings raise concerns for native mantid populations and insect biodiversity.
Read the releaseA study led by Spain's Institute for Neurosciences found that dynorphin neurons regulate when and how much oxytocin is released in the mouse brain. The mechanism, published in a peer-reviewed journal, adds a new layer to understanding how the brain modulates social bonding and stress responses.
Read the releaseAn interview-based study at the University of Eastern Finland examined how researchers experience patient and public involvement in academic research. It found that while engagement is increasingly mandated by funders, researchers face genuine dilemmas about sharing decision-making power with non-expert participants.
Read the releaseScientists at Nagoya University identified two gut bacteria that work together to break down the colon's mucus layer, leaving stool dry and immobile. The discovery, published in Gut Microbes, reframes chronic constipation as a microbiome-mediated condition and opens potential probiotic treatment paths.
Read the releaseA DGIST research team found that the atomic-scale interaction patterns between copper and titanium in CO2 reduction catalysts determine whether solar energy converts carbon dioxide into methane, ethylene, or other products - a discovery that could improve the precision of solar fuel production.
Read the releaseA multinational study following 6,527 pregnant women found that COVID-19 vaccination - especially with a booster - reduced preeclampsia odds by 33% and cut risks of preterm birth, maternal morbidity, and perinatal death. The protective effect appeared independent of COVID-19 infection status.
Read the releaseA Danish register-based study tracking 876,805 women for a median of 14 years finds that menopausal hormone therapy is not associated with increased all-cause mortality or death from heart disease, stroke, or cancer after accounting for age, income, underlying conditions, and other influential factors.
Read the releaseAn analysis of NHS workforce data published in The BMJ finds that every one of England's 42 integrated care boards falls below safe GP staffing levels - with a national average of one full-time equivalent doctor per 2,220 patients against a recommended maximum of 1,000, and some regions exceeding 2,700 patients per GP.
Read the releaseAn analysis of 3.4 million adults who received autumn 2022 COVID-19 boosters in England finds the vaccines halved the 350-day risk of hospitalization (3.78 vs 6.81 per 1,000) and death (0.29 vs 0.61 per 1,000) compared to unboosted adults, with protection strongest in the first 70 days.
Read the releaseA study using Danish breast screening records from 2010 to 2019 finds that women with stage IV breast cancer detected through mammography have a 60% chance of surviving ten years after diagnosis - compared to under 20% for those whose cancer was found through symptoms rather than screening.
Read the releaseThe American College of Cardiology has named Plicy Perez-Kersey, MD, as the inaugural recipient of the Thad and Gerry Waites Rural Cardiovascular Research Fellowship - a $70,000 award targeting cardiovascular disparities in rural and underserved communities.
Read the releaseUniversity of Oklahoma chemists developed layered perovskite materials that exploit their organic components - rather than the inorganic lattice that most previous work focused on - to achieve a five-fold increase in light emission efficiency with fast decay times suited to high-energy radiation detection.
Read the releaseA University of Chicago analysis of national Medicaid data finds that 13.4% of young adults with complex medical conditions lose coverage at age 19, when eligibility rules shift from child to adult classification - with cumulative disenrollment reaching 37.9% by age 21 and state-level rates varying by a factor of 14.
Read the releaseBiomass torrefaction - a mild heating process at 200 to 300 degrees Celsius in low-oxygen conditions - can convert crop residues and wood waste into high-performance carbon materials suitable for battery electrodes, water treatment adsorbents, and biomedical imaging agents, according to a comprehensive new review.
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