Humans
We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.
- Health & Medicine
Cancer uses mitochondria to reprogram neighboring cells
Cancer cells transfer mitochondria through nanotubes to healthy neighboring cells, turning them into tumor-supporting accomplices, a new study shows.
- Health & Medicine
More young U.S. adults report trouble with memory and focus
From 2013 to 2023, the prevalence of self-reported difficulties with memory, concentration and decision-making nearly doubled among young adults.
- Health & Medicine
Pasteurization destroys H5N1 bird flu in milk
Tests show pasteurized dairy with H5N1 remnants did not cause illness in mice, supporting safety of milk during outbreaks.
- Health & Medicine
In a first, Huntington’s disease is slowed by an experimental treatment
An experimental gene therapy slowed Huntington’s by up to 75 percent in a small clinical trial. While not a cure, it may give patients longer lives.
- Anthropology
An ancient Chinese skull might change how we see our human roots
Digital reconstruction of a partially crushed skull suggests new insight into Homo sapiens’ evolutionary relationship to Denisovans and Neandertals.
- Psychology
Striking moments make previous memories stronger
Emotional events help solidify memories. The findings may one day help students study or trauma survivors recover.
- Microbes
Staph bacteria are bad at letting go
Calcium, a mineral involved in wound healing, can strengthen the attachment between microbe and skin and make infections hard to shake.
- Health & Medicine
With little proof, Trump links Tylenol to autism and touts a treatment
The FDA plans to add a warning to Tylenol’s label and OK use of a drug for autism. Researchers say there’s little data to support either move.
- Neuroscience
Lung cancer plugs into the mouse brain
Exploring the relationship between cancer cells and nerve cells, which can signal tumors to grow, could unearth ways to slow disease.
- Humans
Staying on the keto diet long term could carry health risks
Months on a high-fat keto diet put mice at risk for cardiovascular disease and impaired insulin secretion.
- Animals
Bats live with some viruses. But others can do them in
Bats can carry some deadly human pathogens without signs of illness. A new survey shows that other viruses can still be bad for bats.
- Health & Medicine
A handheld ‘bone printer’ shows promise in animal tests
Demonstrated in rabbits, the 3-D printer might someday print bone grafts directly onto fractures, complete with antibiotics to ease healing.
