Researchers estimate that without intervention, plastic pollution is on track to double by 2050. But in a new study, they report that this all can be avoided. Global leaders have the ability to nearly put an end to plastic pollution by 2050 through a

A pioneering new study links satellite and brain imaging data to identify how environmental factors can affect mental health, cognition, and brain development in young people. The research appears in the journal Nature Mental Health. The study repres

A meteorite contains evidence of liquid water on Mars 742 million years ago, researchers report. An asteroid struck Mars 11 million years ago and sent pieces of the red planet hurtling through space. One of these chunks of Mars eventually crashed int

Engineers have developed a snake-like robot with the ability to grow in length and slither into the most inaccessible places. The new robot is called RoBoa. RoBoa was created in the Autonomous Systems Lab at ETH Zurich. It moves flexibly and efficien

Poinsettias are a holiday season staple and there are a few things you can do as a consumer to make your purchase last to the New Year. Andrew King, Texas A&M AgriLife Research ornamental specialist and assistant professor in the Texas A&M horticultu

David Ortega has answers for you about what to expect at the grocery store this holiday season. Ortega is a food economist and the chair in food economics and policy in the agricultural, food, and resource economics department at Michigan State Unive

Researchers have identified the binding site of low-dose ketamine. The research provides critical insight into how the medication, often described as a wonder drug, alleviates symptoms of major depression in as little as a few hours with effects last

Using complexity economics and chaos theory, J. Doyne Farmer leverages big data to forecast everything from the stock market to roulette. What if we could predict the economy the way we predict the weather? What if governments could run simulations t

To better understand why some cancer patients struggle to fight off infections, researchers have created tiny lab-grown models of human immune systems. These miniature models—known as human immune organoids—mimic the real-life environment where immun

Researchers have proposed a way to grow food without using light. The agriculture industry relies on photosynthesis to grow food to feed the world. However, the process is slow and requires a lot of resources, making it inefficient to meet the world’

Turtle genomes fold in a unique way, researchers have discovered. In their long strings of nucleotides, DNA molecules hold massive troves of genetic data providing instructions for how living organisms should function—the blueprint of life. How the b

Contrary to popular belief, children aren’t better at learning new skills than adults, according to new research. It’s widely believed that children learn new motor skills faster than adults, whether it’s mastering slopes or skateparks, learning new

Engineers have invented a high-yield atmospheric water capture device for arid regions. The idea of turning the air around us into drinking water is a marvel on its own. And grabbing a sustainable amount of it from low-humidity environments has long

High color complexity in social media images proves more eye-catching and increases user engagement, according to new research. Marketers are increasingly focused on creating social media content to capture user attention and drive engagement with co

In a new study, researchers have been cultivating “good viruses” from feces. The goal is to replace fecal capsules now being used in so-called fecal transplants. Their new technique has shown potential in studies with mice and the hope is that it wil

In a cell-based study, researchers have forced glioblastoma cells to display immune system targets. The new strategy could potentially make them visible to immune cells and newly vulnerable to immunotherapies. Even treated with the most advanced ther

Just as a chameleon changes colors to mask itself from predators, new AI-powered technology is protecting people’s photos from facial recognition. The innovative model creates invisible digital masks for personal photos to thwart unwanted online faci

New research suggests residents who weren’t born in the United States may be an important overlooked source of potential soldiers and sailors. The nation’s all-volunteer military depends on a constant influx of recruits, yet the US armed services hav

A new study shows that kidney and nerve tissue cells learn and make memories in ways similar to neurons. It’s common knowledge that our brains—and, specifically, our brain cells—store memories. But a team of scientists has discovered that cells from

A new artificial “nose” can sniff out damaged fruit and spoiled meat. Although smell has historically played an important role in the fight against diseases such as the plague and tuberculosis, the human nose is generally not sensitive enough to be u

Brain injuries, access to firearms, and a culture of selflessness intersect to put the lives of our nation’s heroes at risk, says Jayna Moceri-Brooks. A troubling report from the Pentagon earlier this year revealed that suicide is the leading cause o

Deaf male mosquitoes don’t mate, researchers report. Mosquito mating occurs for a few seconds in midair. And all it takes to woo a male is the sound of a female’s wingbeats. Imagine researchers’ surprise when a single change completely killed the mos

Small reductions to meat production in wealthier countries may help fight climate change, a new analysis concludes. Scientists and environmental activists have consistently called for drastic reductions in meat production as a way to reduce emissions

A new study highlights how harsh and warm parenting during early, middle, and late childhood affected brain development during adolescence and how these changes predicted later mental health. Researchers used a new statistical method to identify whet

Energy drinks are growing in popularity as an alternative pick-me-up to coffee, but are they safe for your heart? Not when consumed frequently or in large quantities, says cardiac electrophysiologist Mehmet Aktas of University of Rochester Medicine.

New research offers hope for delaying Alzheimer’s disease progression by years after initial diagnosis. Alzheimer’s disease is a leading cause of death among those aged 65 or older. As the most common form of dementia, Alzheimer’s accounts for an est

Political scientists have answers for you about why people do and don’t exercise their right to vote—and the implications of that choice for democracy. It’s election season, when candidate lawn signs sprout in yards and political messaging seeps into

A new paper examines how certain strains of bacteria, and specifically the genetic diversity of acetic acid bacteria, influence the smell and flavor of sourdough bread and even how it is processed by the body. While previous research has focused more

According to a new study, short-term exposure to high ambient temperatures may significantly increase the risk of stroke among people aged 18 to 64 years, especially women. The study, which analyzed the health records of over one million individuals

In this podcast episode, experts offer up tips and tools you can use to help spot misinformation. With the increase of misinformation and disinformation on the internet and social media, our brains struggle to process what we’re seeing and whether an