Scientists have proposed an innovative approach to control mosquito populations and combat malaria: adding a drug to human blood that is toxic to insects, so that when mosquitoes feed on this blood, it marks their last meal. The drug in question is nitisinone, and a proof-of-concept study led by a team from the Liverpool School […]
Drug For Rare Disease Turns Human Blood Into Mosquito Poison Read More »
Picture an automated delivery vehicle racing to complete a grocery drop-off as you rush to meet friends for a long-anticipated dinner. You both reach a busy intersection simultaneously. Do you pause to let it navigate the turn, or do you expect it to yield, even if traffic rules suggest it should go first? Navigating a
People in Japan Respect Robots and AI More Than Those in the West Societies Read More »
Last summer, mining startup KoBold made headlines with its discovery of one of the largest copper deposits in over a decade in Zambia. Earth AI uncovers overlooked mineral deposits in Australia, showcasing AI’s growing role in modern mineral exploration Now, another startup, Earth AI, has exclusively revealed to TechCrunch its own significant find—promising deposits of
Earth AI’s Algorithms Discovered Critical Minerals in Overlooked Locations Read More »
Screwing in a lightbulb may seem simple, but for robots, it’s a complex task. Researchers at Northeastern University have tackled this challenge by developing a robot that combines flexibility and sensitivity to handle the bulb while generating enough torque to secure it. Jeffrey Lipton, an assistant professor of mechanical and industrial engineering at Northeastern, explains
Engineers Develop a Strong Yet Flexible Robot that Can Screw in a Lightbulb Read More »
“Memorability” describes how likely a stimulus—such as an object, face, or sound—is to stay in memory after someone encounters it. Recent psychological studies have explored whether some stimuli naturally stand out in memory, making them easier to recall than similar ones. Researchers at the University of Chicago recently explored the memorability of voices, with their
Study Finds Some Voices Are Naturally More Memorable Read More »
A full night’s sleep strengthens memory by reinforcing newly learned information. This process is crucial for animals as well, as recalling the location of food sources is vital for survival. Researchers study this function of sleep in the lab by training mice and rats with different memory tasks to explore their environment. In spatial learning
Sleep Boosts Memory: Study Finds Neural Reorganization During Rest Read More »
Depression affects 280 million people globally and is twice as prevalent in women as in men, a trend that emerges during adolescence. While researchers have linked the kynurenine pathway to depression in adults, this study is the first to examine its role in adolescents based on biological sex. The study, “Sex-Specific Alterations of the Kynurenine
Brain Pathway May Explain Higher Depression Rates in Teen Girls Read More »
Researchers reported on Tuesday that chewing gum releases hundreds of tiny plastic particles directly into the mouth, while also highlighting the environmental pollution caused by the rubber-based treat. This small study comes amid growing evidence of microplastics—tiny plastic fragments—being found across the planet, from mountain peaks to ocean depths, and even in the air we
Researchers Find that Chewing Gum Releases Microplastics Into the Mouth Read More »
Many people fear injection needles, especially the large ones required for long-term medications. These drugs often need high doses delivered through thick needles because they contain polymers that form medication depots under the skin. The polymer content can range from 23% to 98% of the injection’s weight, making the process even more daunting. To make
Innovative Drug Delivery System Stores Doses as Crystals Beneath the Skin Read More »
A recent study in Antiquity reveals that an ancient South American civilization intentionally spiked a beer-like drink with psychoactive drugs to strengthen social bonds and expand its influence. This discovery provides some of the clearest archaeological evidence of ancient societies using hallucinogens for both recreation and social cohesion. The Wari civilization, which thrived in the
Ancient Empire Brewed Psychedelic Beer to Build Alliances Read More »