DNA is not a straight stick; its shape changes with the chemicals around it. Scientists have long known that normal salt can tighten DNA, making it shorter by shielding charges or pulling strands together. Recently, a different group of salts called ionic liquids has been shown to do the oppos
Learning an instrument does more than help you play songs. Research shows it sharpens how the brain handles sights and sounds together. Musicians often spot mismatches between what they hear and see faster than non-musicians. This isn’t just about music—it affects how they read emotions and process
Out in the Mediterranean’s murky waters lives a creature most people never notice. Smaller than a thumbnail, this shrimp-like bug—Idotea balthica—quietly holds more genes than humans do. Researchers only noticed because its genetic mix was too complex to ignore. Even now, one-third of those genes mi
Long before smartphones and museums, early humans crafted art directly into stone walls. But something puzzles researchers: How did they do it? And what can their techniques tell us about their minds? A new study tested different ways of carving limestone, a common material in prehistoric times. Th
A busy night in Alabama’s sky is coming up. Two big events will share the evening stage. First, NASA is preparing to launch a major space mission. The Artemis II rocket is set to blast off from Florida at 5:24 p. m. CDT. Weather experts say there’s an 80% chance the launch will go smoothly. Clear sk
Raccoons trash pandas are more than just pests rummaging through bins. Scientists at the University of British Columbia tested 20 captive raccoons with a clear box full of obstacles like latches and dials hiding a marshmallow prize. The team noticed something unexpected the raccoons didn’t just grab
Scientists at two major universities just got $15. 8 million to study how Latino adults' brains change as they age. The money comes from the government’s top health research group. Two professors, one from each school, will lead the project. They want to follow about 1, 800 Latino adults for 12 year
Scientists found a protein in farmed tilapia that acts like an infection alarm. Called IRF5, it helps fish cells recognize threats like viruses and bacteria. When attackers show up, IRF5 gets more active in the fish’s head kidney—a place where immune cells are stored. This isn’t just some minor reac
A growing number of seniors choose to stay in their own homes, but the help they receive is shrinking. To keep care quality high and ease pressure on nursing facilities, new ideas are needed. One idea is to let older adults give each other advice when living at home. Researchers asked 263 seniors i
A special kind of crystal, made from both organic and inorganic parts, can change how it interacts with light when squeezed. Scientists usually expect that squeezing such materials will weaken their ability to produce a second‑harmonic signal, a process where incoming light doubles its frequency. Th
