Humans
We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.
- Health & Medicine
This itch-triggering protein also sends signals to stop scratching
The TRPV4 protein’s dual nature, found in studies with mice, may complicate the hunt for human itch treatments
- Health & Medicine
Meds like Ozempic could ease arthritis
A study in mice and people with osteoarthritis suggests semaglutide can bulk up cartilage between bones, though bigger trials are needed to confirm.
- Science & Society
Project Hail Mary made us wonder how to survive a trip to interstellar space
We can take some clues from hibernation and cryogenics, but humans aren't yet built for that kind of deep sleep.
- Chemistry
Machine learning streamlines the complexities of making better proteins
The framework predicts how proteins will function with several interacting mutations and finds combinations that work well together.
- Health & Medicine
Home HPV tests won’t replace the ob-gyn
Breast exams, birth control and family planning are just some of the reasons not to skip your annual ob-gyn appointment.
- Artificial Intelligence
Real-world medical questions stump AI chatbots
Subtle shifts in how users described symptoms to AI chatbots led to dramatically different, sometimes dangerous medical advice.
- Health & Medicine
A simple shift in schedule could make cancer immunotherapy work better
A lung cancer trial bolsters a long-held idea that treatment timing matters, showing a simple shift could help immunotherapy work better and extend lives.
- Health & Medicine
This baby sling turns sunlight into treatment for newborn jaundice
A student created a low-cost baby carrier that filters sunlight to safely treat jaundice where electricity and equipment are scarce.
- Health & Medicine
Antibiotics can treat appendicitis for many patients, no surgery needed
After 10 years, just over half the people in a trial of antibiotics for appendicitis have not needed an appendectomy.
- Health & Medicine
Tell Me Where It Hurts sets the record straight on pain — and how to treat it
A new book by pain researcher Rachel Zoffness demystifies how pain is made and how it can be treated.
- Archaeology
AI helps archaeologists solve a Roman gaming mystery
Researchers used AI-driven virtual players to test more than 100 rule sets, matching gameplay to wear patterns on a Roman limestone board.
- Health & Medicine
Daily cups of caffeinated coffee or mugs of tea may lower dementia risk
A long-term observational study found a link between the amount of tea and caffeinated coffee people drank and the risk of dementia.
