The secret to human intelligence? It might be in our gut
A new study shows that changes in the gut microbiome can directly influence how the brain works, revealing a powerful connection between microbes and brain activity. Humans have the largest…
How Earth endured a planet-wide inferno: The secret water vault under our feet
Around 4.6 billion years ago, Earth looked nothing like the calm, blue world we see today. Repeated and powerful impacts from space kept the planet’s surface and interior in a…
A simple turn reveals a 1,500-year-old secret on Roman glass
In the quiet glow of a museum gallery, Hallie Meredith noticed something unexpected about ancient Roman glass that had gone unnoticed for generations. In February 2023, the Washington State University…
Laser satellites expose a secret Antarctic carbon burst
A team of scientists has found that the Southern Ocean emits far more carbon dioxide (CO2) during the lightless Antarctic winter than researchers once believed. According to their new study,…
A hidden blood molecule may hold the secret to healthy aging and long life
Aging affects every part of the body, inside and out. The wrinkles and gray hair that appear on the surface often mirror similar changes happening deep within our organs. This…
Your pumpkin might be hiding a toxic secret
Researchers in Japan have revealed how some gourds draw pollutants into their fruits. The secret lies in a protein that carries contaminants through the plant sap. By manipulating this protein’s…
Gold flakes expose the secret forces binding our world together
When dust clings to a surface or a gecko walks across a ceiling, it happens thanks to what scientists call “nature’s invisible glue.” Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology in…
The Moon’s south pole hides a 4-billion-year-old secret
When astronauts touch down near the moon’s south pole in the coming years as part of NASA’s Artemis program, they may discover a remarkable archive of clues about how the…
Biochar’s secret power could change clean water forever
We’ve all heard the story: biochar cleans water by adsorbing pollutants — trapping them like a sponge. Or, in fancier setups, it acts as a catalyst to help oxidants like…
Scientists uncover exercise’s secret hunger-busting molecule
Researchers at Baylor College ofMedicine, Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute (Duncan NRI) at Texas Children’s Hospital, Stanford University School of Medicine and collaborating institutions provide new insights into…