Latest scientific discoveries and research news
New ONS data reveals heat-related deaths in England and Wales are increasingly matching cold-weather fatalities, a stark shift from historical trends. Experts warn this convergence, driven by climate change, signals a growing public health crisis.
Archaeologists in the Czech Republic have unearthed a 6,500-year-old ritualistic structure, predating Stonehenge by approximately 1,000 years. This circular enclosure, featuring 12 entrances aligned with solar and lunar cycles, offers profound insights into early European farming communities' astronomical understanding and spiritual practices.
A new study reveals that heat therapy, used to treat a fatal fungal infection in green and golden bell frogs, significantly reduces their sperm concentration by nearly half. While frogs recover from the infection, the long-term reproductive impact remains a concern.
ZooTampa is pioneering veterinary acupuncture, successfully treating a manatee, duck, and chick for conditions ranging from nerve injuries to leg weakness. This complementary therapy aims to enhance healing and comfort.
A 20-year follow-up study of the Diabetes Prevention Program indicates that metformin, a common type 2 diabetes drug, might halve the risk of developing dementia. While not conclusive, the findings are significant given the drug's widespread use.
New research in fruit flies suggests motor neurons, long thought to be passive messengers, actively participate in coordinating complex movements by sending signals back to the brain. This finding challenges traditional neuroscience and could have implications for robotics.
A novel approach using targeted electrical stimulation in the brain has shown promise in alleviating severe chronic pain. By mapping individual pain signals, researchers achieved significant relief for two out of three participants in a small case study.
A pioneering trial injected a patient's own mitochondria into her eyes to combat blindness caused by optic nerve damage. While the procedure proved safe with no inflammation, it yielded only temporary, limited improvements in light response and no significant vision restoration.
A new study reveals Greenland's accelerating meltwater is creating an "atmospheric bridge" that intensifies European heatwaves by altering the jet stream. This phenomenon, not fully captured by current climate models, suggests future heat extremes may be more severe than predicted.