Science Daily

The human brain evolved to protect body fat during scarcity, treating a higher weight as normal and triggering hunger and lower energy use after weight loss. Medications like Wegovy and Mounjaro can reduce appetite signals, though their effects may diminish when treatment stops.

Scientists discovered a new beetle genus named Luffy, inspired by the stretchy protagonist of the manga/anime One Piece. The beetles have elongated mandibles, antennae, and mouthparts resembling Luffy's elastic body abilities.

Dark matter particles may interact through a hidden force that causes them to cluster, but this force also reduces their effective mass as the Universe expands. This unexpected effect weakens dark matter's gravitational influence, slowing the growth of cosmic structures instead of accelerating it.

TRF2, a protein previously believed to protect chromosome ends, is now found to be crucial for maintaining muscle stem cells' ability to repair injuries by preserving their identity and regulating their repair cycles. Without TRF2, damaged muscle can transform into fat and scar tissue.

Mathematicians have proven that no electoral system can perfectly balance local representation, proportional national results, and a fixed-size parliament when multiple parties compete. A new voting method may reduce these trade-offs and create fairer outcomes.

NASA’s Curiosity rover has discovered a Martian valley covered in polygon-shaped fractures resembling a honeycomb pattern. The fractures, each a few inches wide, extend across the landscape and wrap around a 20-foot-tall butte.

Primordial black holes may pass through white dwarf stars, triggering Type Ia supernova explosions. These events could explain chemical patterns observed in supernova remnants, nearby explosions, and stars across the Milky Way.

Researchers discovered that two chemical signals in clonal raider ants influence their behavior between caring for larvae and foraging, suggesting that ant parenting evolved from brain systems originally controlling hunger. Similar signals in mammals indicate a shared evolutionary mechanism across species.

Taking a daily multivitamin may help older adults preserve strength and stamina for everyday activities. After three years, users reported better functional health compared to those taking a placebo, though the findings are preliminary and require peer review.

A study of 26,400 giant sequoias found that trees in areas treated with prescribed burns were nearly four times more likely to survive extreme wildfires, with controlled fires preventing about 1,900 tree deaths and potentially saving thousands more if widely applied.

Scientists have identified a possible tipping point in Alzheimer’s-related brain changes that determines dementia onset. The brain’s immune cells’ response to plaques and tau may be key, offering a new target for treatments to enhance cognitive resilience.

Mild pregnancy inflammation caused brain overactivity, sensory sensitivity, repetitive behaviors, and increased seizure risk in mouse offspring. A single dose of rapamycin reversed nearly all these autism-like symptoms within two hours, though benefits were temporary, suggesting adult brain circuits may be more adaptable than previously believed.

Scientists found that SuperAgers, who have exceptional memories, do not have distinct genetic factors compared to typical older adults. Their memory retention may be due to unknown protective elements related to the brain, body, lifestyle, and environment.

A single dose of psilocybin caused measurable changes in brain activity and potential structural changes lasting up to a month. Participants with increased flexible brain activity reported greater personal insights and improved well-being, suggesting psychedelic experiences may disrupt rigid thinking patterns.

Scientists have developed a programmable optical chip capable of slowing light on demand, enabling better control over optical signals in circuits. The technology could enhance light-based computing by providing delays, synchronization, and buffering, potentially reducing energy use, cost, and complexity in AI servers and data centers.

A new American Heart Association review suggests that up to 400 milligrams of caffeine daily, roughly three to five cups of coffee, is generally safe and may reduce risks of heart disease, stroke, and Type 2 diabetes. However, highly concentrated energy drinks and caffeine shots can increase blood pressure and cause irregular heart rhythms.

A new AI-powered blood test called CardiOmicScore, developed by the University of Hong Kong, predicts heart disease up to 15 years in advance by analyzing proteins and metabolites. It assesses risk for six cardiovascular diseases, including heart attack, stroke, heart failure, and atrial fibrillation, and differs from genetic risk scores by reflecting current health, lifestyle, and environmental factors.

Scientists found that compounds in coffee activate NR4A1, a receptor that protects cells from stress, inflammation, and damage. Protective effects disappeared when the receptor was removed, and plant-based compounds like caffeic acid were more active than caffeine in triggering these benefits.

Scientists discovered fossils in Queensland indicating a new marsupial order that may have existed in Australia for 35 million years, challenging the notion that all Australian marsupials originated from a single ancestral lineage.

Scientists identified a rare CO chondrite asteroid from a distant solar system region as the likely cause of the dinosaur extinction 66 million years ago. The asteroid's unusual chemistry suggests that planet-cooling dust and debris, rather than sulfur, contributed to the mass extinction.