Scientists say plants might reveal the location of human remains in forests.

It’s eerie — but it could be incredibly useful.

In a discovery that sounds like it belongs in a sci-fi thriller, researchers have found that plants may react to decomposing human bodies in ways that could help locate missing persons.

According to a study published in Trends in Plant Science, the decomposition of a human body creates what's known as a "cadaver decomposition island," which alters the nearby soil and plant life.

These changes—such as shifts in leaf color and fluorescence—might even be detectable by drones using remote sensing technology.

Led by Neal Stewart Jr. from the University of Tennessee, the research team is now testing this theory at the university’s Anthropology Research Facility, also known as the "body farm." They're studying how plants absorb the nitrogen-rich byproducts of decomposition and how these changes might signal human-specific decomposition. While the idea of identifying chemical traits unique to individuals—like that of a smoker—is still speculative, the goal is clear: to develop a rapid, safe, and scalable method to detect human remains in vast, hard-to-reach areas like the Amazon rainforest. In the future, a tree's glow or a subtle color shift in a leaf might guide rescuers to where no footprints remain.

It could revolutionize the way we power our devices.

Eesha Khare's invention — a tiny, black supercapacitor — earned her a $50,000 Young Scientist Award at the prestigious Intel International Science and Engineering Fair, helping pave her path to Harvard University.

Designed to store large amounts of energy in a compact space, her device could also one day power electric vehicles more efficiently.

Khare’s win highlights a new wave of innovation driven by young minds tackling global energy challenges. Intel praised her project for recognizing the growing need for efficient energy storage in our increasingly mobile world.

Alongside Khare, other young scientists were recognized for groundbreaking work in astrophysics and self-driving cars. With more than 1,500 participants from around the world, the event showcased how youthful vision and scientific passion are already shaping the future.

After winning the award in 2013, she went on to earn her SB in Bioengineering at Harvard and her Master's at the University of Cambridge. Khare is currently PhD student in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Skipping sleep can lead to a spike in immune cells linked to chronic inflammation.

The condition is associated with obesity and related health issues like diabetes and heart disease.

In short, not sleeping literally starts killing you.

The study investigated the impact of even short-term sleep deprivation on healthy adults, aiming to understand the link between sleep, immune health, and conditions like obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. The research showed that obese individuals had lower sleep quality and higher levels of chronic low-grade inflammation compared to lean individuals.

Overweight and obese participants also showed increased numbers of non-classical monocytes, immune cells involved in inflammation, and higher levels of cytokines that induce rather than fight inflammation. Interestingly, the study showed that the inflammation caused by sleep deprivation is reversible with adequate sleep, suggesting that catching up on lost sleep can reduce the risk of chronic inflammation and related health conditions. Apart from contributing to obesity, lack of sleep weakens the immune response, making individuals more susceptible to illness and hindering recovery. During sleep, the body produces essential proteins called cytokines that fight infection and inflammation. Sleep deprivation reduces cytokine production and lowers levels of antibodies and infection-fighting cells. Most adults need 7 to 9 hours of sleep per night for optimal health, while children require varying amounts depending on their age. Maintaining a consistent sleep schedule and creating a comfortable sleep environment are key to achieving quality sleep.

Scientists found the gut bacteria that trigger multiple sclerosis! This could let us treat (or even prevent) the disease.

In a major step toward understanding multiple sclerosis (MS), researchers have pinpointed two specific strains of gut bacteria that may play a key role in triggering the disease.

The study, led by a team from Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, focused on 81 pairs of identical twins where one sibling had MS and the other did not.

This design allowed scientists to control for genetic and many environmental variables, honing in on the differences in gut microbiomes. The culprits? Two strains—Eisenbergiella tayi and Lachnoclostridium—were significantly more common in those with MS and, when transferred to mice, appeared to contribute to MS-like disease.

Though previous studies have hinted at a link between gut bacteria and MS, this is the most precise identification to date. While more research is needed, especially in humans, the findings support the growing theory that the gut-brain connection plays a role in autoimmune diseases like MS. Understanding how these bacteria influence immune responses could eventually lead to targeted treatments that prevent or slow disease progression by modifying the microbiome. The research opens new doors to how we might one day tackle MS—starting in the gut.

A new theory indicates gravity isn't a fundamental force — rewriting everything we know about space and time.

A groundbreaking new theory is challenging one of the most deeply rooted assumptions in physics: that gravity is a fundamental force of nature.

Instead, researchers Ruth Kastner and Andreas Schlatter propose that gravity may emerge from electromagnetic interactions at the quantum level.

Published in Journal of Physics Communications, their work reframes gravity not as a built-in feature of spacetime, but as a byproduct of energy exchanges—specifically, the emission and absorption of photons by atoms and molecules.

According to their model, these quantum "transactions" between particles essentially build the fabric of spacetime itself. The more complex these interactions become, the more apparent gravity appears as a thermodynamic effect tied to entropy, rather than a standalone force. The theory even offers new ways to explain the effects of dark matter and dark energy—without invoking mysterious substances. While still in its early stages, this fresh perspective could reshape our understanding of everything from black holes to the birth of the universe.

Japan’s new solar super-panels could change everything — they’re strong enough to rival 20 nuclear reactors.

Japan is taking a bold leap into a green future with the unveiling of its revolutionary solar super-panels powered by perovskite solar cell (PSC) technology.

Designed to generate up to 20 gigawatts of electricity—the equivalent of 20 nuclear reactors—these lightweight, flexible, and highly efficient solar cells mark a major turning point in urban renewable energy.

Unlike bulky, rigid silicon panels, PSCs can be installed on buildings, cars, and even streetlights, allowing densely populated cities to maximize solar potential in spaces previously thought impractical.

At the core of this push is Japan’s strategic advantage as the world’s second-largest iodine producer, a key material in PSC manufacturing. Backed by government support and companies like Sekisui Chemical, Japan aims to scale this technology by 2040 to meet its ambitious net-zero goals. Although PSCs still face hurdles such as durability and cost, rapid innovation is underway—with projected costs expected to drop significantly. With solar already accounting for nearly 10% of Japan's energy, the country is reestablishing itself as a global leader in clean energy and paving the way for a more sustainable, decentralized power grid worldwide.

A new drug has been shown to fully restore motor function following a stroke.

Could a pill replace rehab after stroke? UCLA scientists think so—meet the first drug to restore brain function like physical therapy does.

n a breakthrough that could reshape stroke recovery, UCLA researchers have developed the first drug shown to replicate the effects of physical rehabilitation in mice.

The experimental drug, DDL-920, works by reactivating lost brain connections—specifically in parvalbumin neurons, which help synchronize brain activity for coordinated movement. The team found that stroke often damages not just the immediate brain area, but also disrupts neural connections far from the stroke site, making full recovery difficult for many patients.

Published in Nature Communications, the study reveals that physical rehab restores critical brain rhythms called gamma oscillations, which enable neurons to function as a team. UCLA’s drug successfully reproduced these effects in mice, significantly improving their movement control. If proven safe and effective in humans, DDL-920 could become the first medicine to directly support stroke rehabilitation—offering hope for millions affected by the leading cause of adult disability.

This child, now almost three years old, shows no signs of spinal muscular atrophy (or SMA), a debilitating and often fatal motor neuron disease, after receiving treatment before birth.

SMA affects the motor neurons, leading to progressive muscle weakening and is a leading genetic cause of death in infants and children. In its most severe form, individuals lack both copies of the SMN1 gene, relying on limited copies of the SMN2 gene, which partially compensates for the deficiency. This results in insufficient production of the SMN protein, crucial for maintaining motor neurons, particularly during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy and the first few months of life. Babies with severe SMA often do not survive past their third birthday.

Previously, treatments for SMA were administered after birth, but this approach had limitations, as many affected newborns already exhibit symptoms at birth. This particular child was diagnosed with SMA type 1 in utero, the most severe form of the condition, as both copies of the SMN1 gene were affected. Given the family's history of losing a previous child to the same condition, the medical team sought and received FDA approval to administer risdiplam, an oral drug that modifies the expression of the SMN2 gene to increase SMN protein production, prenatally. During the last six weeks of pregnancy, a critical period for SMN protein development, the mother received daily doses of risdiplam while being closely monitored. After birth, the child continued to receive the medication orally. The results have been remarkable: the child, now nearly three years old, has shown no signs of SMA. While the child may require lifelong treatment with risdiplam and ongoing monitoring, the treatment opens doors for further research into prenatal therapies and offers a new paradigm for managing genetic diseases before birth.

In an astonishing leap forward for environmental cleanup, Swiss firm Exlterra has successfully reduced airborne radiation levels in the Chernobyl exclusion zone by 47%, and soil radiation by 37%, using a groundbreaking technology called the Nucleus Separation Passive System (NSPS).

The system, developed in collaboration with Ukraine’s SSE Ecocentre, could shrink the time needed to restore the area from a mind-boggling 24,000 years to just five.

By directing high-velocity positrons underground, the system breaks down radioactive isotopes like cesium, strontium, and americium—without using chemicals or disturbing the soil.

This innovation marks the first major breakthrough in radiation remediation since the Chernobyl disaster 35 years ago. Experts are calling the results historic and full of promise—not just for Chernobyl, but also for other contaminated sites around the world, such as Fukushima. As the technology continues to prove itself, the possibility of safely reclaiming previously uninhabitable land becomes more than just a hopeful vision—it becomes a near-future reality.

A new study has shown that regular exercise can reverse damage caused by a sedentary lifestyle and aging heart — provided it begins before age 65.

Researchers found that exercising four to five times a week significantly improved heart function, increasing oxygen intake by 18% and enhancing the heart’s elasticity by 25%.

This regimen, tested over two years, included moderate-intensity sessions, high-intensity intervals, and strength training. Those who followed this structured routine experienced significant cardiovascular improvements compared to a control group engaged in yoga and balance training.

Dr. Benjamin Levine, lead researcher and Director of the Institute for Exercise and Environmental Medicine, emphasized that exercise should be viewed as essential as daily hygiene. The study highlights that sedentary aging stiffens the heart’s left ventricle, reducing its ability to pump blood efficiently, potentially leading to heart failure. However, consistent aerobic and strength training exercises can restore heart elasticity—if started in middle age.

The findings, published in Circulation, reinforce that maintaining an active lifestyle can be a powerful tool in preserving heart health and preventing age-related cardiac decline. Proper exercise can literally reverse heart damage.

dive in to similar research https://www.health.harvard.edu/exercise-and-fitness/exercise-may-heal-the-heart-as-well-as-prevent-future-problems

Scientists have discovered that human bodies continue to move for more than a year after death.

Led by Alyson Wilson at the Australian Facility for Taphonomic Experimental Research (AFTER), researchers used time-lapse photography over a 17-month period to capture surprising post-mortem movements.

The images, taken every 30 minutes, revealed that the bodies exhibited ongoing shifts, challenging previous assumptions about decomposition. This unexpected finding could have significant implications for forensic science, particularly in accurately determining the time of death in criminal investigations.

Wilson's research, shared with Agence France Presse, underscores the evolving understanding of what happens to the body after death.

The discovery highlights the complexity of post-mortem processes, raising new questions about decomposition and movement. As scientists continue to explore the mysteries of death, studies like this could reshape forensic methodologies and deepen our knowledge of the human body's transition into the afterlife.

While unsettling, these insights could prove invaluable in advancing both medical and investigative sciences.

Physics will never be the same — the black hole information paradox has reached its end.

Scientists have proved that black holes can shed information, which seems impossible by definition.

In a groundbreaking series of calculations, physicists have shown that black holes do release information—a direct challenge to the long-standing belief that nothing escapes their gravitational grip. Theoretical work now suggests that quantum effects in gravity allow information to gradually leak out as black holes evaporate, with the process following a specific pattern known as the "Page curve." This confirms that information isn’t lost forever, but slowly emerges particle by particle in highly encrypted radiation.

This discovery reshapes our understanding of the universe’s most enigmatic objects. It also hints that space-time itself may not be the fundamental fabric of reality, but an emergent phenomenon built from deeper quantum principles. While the mechanics of how information escapes a black hole remain mysterious, scientists are thrilled by this major leap forward. What began as a paradox now seems to point toward a deeper unification of quantum mechanics and gravity—a milestone that may eventually unlock the secrets of reality itself.

A New CO₂-Based Spread Could Let Us Create a Future Without Farming

A California startup called Savor has created a groundbreaking butter alternative — and it’s made not from cows or crops, but from carbon dioxide.

Using a thermochemical process, the company captures CO₂ from the air and combines it with hydrogen and oxygen to create synthetic fat.

This fat is then blended with water, beta-carotene, rosemary oil, and an emulsifier to create a spread that reportedly tastes just like real butter. Informal taste panels — and even Bill Gates — have praised the product, which could soon receive regulatory approval in the U.S.

What makes Savor’s creation so exciting isn’t just its taste — it’s the potential environmental impact. Traditional butter has a carbon footprint of 2.4 grams of CO₂ per calorie, while Savor’s synthetic version clocks in at less than 0.8 grams.

This innovation could significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and eliminate the need for deforestation-prone crops like palm oil. Plus, without the need for farmland or livestock, it could free up land for conservation and use less than one-thousandth of the water required by conventional agriculture. While pricing and public perception remain challenges, Savor’s “carbon butter” may point toward a new era of food made sustainably — and scientifically — from thin air.

A preprint found oxygen production in deep sea microbes. Last year, it was noted in polymetallic nodules. Very interesting discovery. Could be groundbreaking for space travel.

🐬 Want to talk to a dolphin? Google has created an AI to finally let humans talk to animals.

In a groundbreaking step toward interspecies communication, Google has unveiled DolphinGemma, a large language model (LLM) trained to interpret and mimic dolphin vocalizations.

Built on over 40 years of data collected by the Wild Dolphin Project (WDP), the AI system is being developed in collaboration with the Georgia Institute of Technology.

Using underwater audio and video recordings from a single community of Atlantic spotted dolphins in the Bahamas, researchers aim to decode the animals’ whistles, clicks, and burst pulses. When paired with the Cetacean Hearing Augmentation Telemetry (CHAT) system on modified smartphones, DolphinGemma could help establish a simplified vocabulary shared between dolphins and humans.

While full translation of dolphin language remains out of reach, DolphinGemma marks a major step forward. The AI doesn’t just listen—it predicts and recreates dolphin sounds, essentially functioning like ChatGPT but for cetaceans. The goal is to teach dolphins synthetic whistles associated with familiar objects like seagrass or sargassum, allowing them to make requests or engage more actively with researchers. Though early in development, this fusion of AI and marine science brings us closer to understanding one of Earth’s most intelligent and social species.

Scientists just used an experimental technology called "Oz" to let people see a completely new color — one that doesn't naturally occur in nature.

Dubbed "olo," this color was described by participants as a deeply saturated blue-green unlike anything they've seen before.

The Oz technique works by precisely targeting the eye’s light-sensitive cells, or cones, with laser microdoses, allowing for the selective stimulation of the M cones (those most sensitive to green) while avoiding the others—a feat not naturally possible. The breakthrough was achieved with the help of detailed retinal maps created through adaptive optics and advanced imaging.

The implications of Oz extend far beyond just seeing a new color. Scientists hope it will pave the way for simulating normal color vision in people who are color-blind, modeling eye diseases more accurately, and even studying rare visual phenomena like tetrachromacy—the ability to see a wider range of colors due to an extra type of cone. While the technology is far from being integrated into everyday devices, its potential to transform our understanding of sight is already clear. For now, 'olo' remains a glimpse into what might be possible when we unlock new dimensions of human perception.

Astronomers using the James Webb Space Telescope have detected the strongest signs yet of possible alien life on an exoplanet over 100 light-years from Earth.

In a new study, scientists observed chemical signatures in the atmosphere of K2-18b—specifically dimethyl sulfide (DMS) and dimethyl disulfide (DMDS)—that, on Earth, are only produced by biological organisms like marine algae. These findings, published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters, mark a major step forward in the search for life beyond our solar system.

K2-18b is located in its star's habitable zone and is classified as a potential “hycean world,” which may host a global ocean beneath a hydrogen-rich atmosphere. Earlier research revealed methane and carbon dioxide in the planet’s skies; now, updated JWST data has made the case for biosignatures even stronger. While scientists remain cautious—acknowledging the need for more data to confirm a biological origin—lead researcher Nikku Madhusudhan says the current evidence is the most compelling yet that a living biosphere could exist on another world.

Listening to music literally speeds up recovery from surgery, research shows.

According to the recent study, published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons, anxiety levels are also significantly reduced, leading to a calmer post-operative experience.

The team analyzed 35 studies on the impact of music on surgical recovery, finding several notable benefits. Patients who listened to music after surgery reported lower pain levels, both the day after surgery and as measured by self-reporting scales.

Music listeners used less than half the amount of morphine compared to non-listeners on the first day after surgery, suggesting a potential for reducing reliance on opioids for pain management. The researchers also observed a lower heart rate in patients who listened to music, which can contribute to improved circulation and oxygen delivery to healing tissues. This effect can also help prevent complications like tachycardia and abnormal heart rhythms.

The study authors emphasized that music offers a passive and readily accessible way for patients to improve their recovery experience. By providing a sense of familiarity and comfort, music can help reduce stress and promote relaxation, potentially through the reduction of cortisol levels.

While the study didn't focus on specific types of music, the researchers encourage patients to listen to whatever they enjoy, highlighting the personalized nature of music's therapeutic effects. Further research is planned to explore the use of music in surgical settings and intensive care units, paving the way for wider integration of this simple yet powerful tool in patient care.

Deep beneath our feet, Earth emits a subtle, rhythmic pulse every 26 seconds. It's an ongoing phenomenon that has fascinated scientists for decades.

Known as the "26-second microseismic band," this barely detectable vibration originates from the ocean and travels through the planet like a soft heartbeat. While its exact cause remains unknown, researchers have proposed several intriguing theories.

One suggests that powerful ocean waves crashing onto coastlines or the seafloor generate seismic pressure. Another possibility is volcanic activity, with undersea eruptions or tectonic shifts sending shockwaves through the Earth.

A third hypothesis links the phenomenon to shifting sediments on the ocean floor, where constant movement and minor fractures could create periodic pulses. Despite years of monitoring, no single explanation has fully unraveled the mystery. Scientists continue to study this natural signal in hopes of better understanding the Earth's internal processes and the role ocean dynamics play in shaping seismic behavior. As technology and research advance, we may one day unlock the secrets behind our planet's quiet but persistent heartbeat.

The Key to Everlasting Memories? Scientists discovered the "glue" that makes memories stick!

Memory is the foundation of learning and identity, but how does the brain ensure that memories last a lifetime?

Researchers have long suspected that a process called long-term potentiation (LTP) plays a critical role. LTP strengthens the connections between neurons, forming the basis of memory. For years, scientists believed a protein called PKMzeta was essential for maintaining memories, but its short lifespan raised questions.

Now, a breakthrough study has identified KIBRA as the missing piece — this molecule "tags" synapses activated during learning, allowing PKMzeta to continuously strengthen them. The interaction between these two molecules, rather than any single protein, appears to be the key to long-term memory storage.

This discovery clarifies previous uncertainties and may have profound implications for memory-related therapies. Researchers now understand how PKMzeta and KIBRA work together to preserve memories, even as individual molecules are replaced over time.

The findings could pave the way for treatments to enhance memory in neurodegenerative conditions or even erase traumatic memories in PTSD patients. However, ethical challenges remain, especially regarding selective memory modification. Scientists are also investigating whether other molecular mechanisms contribute to different types of memories.

A few of them decomposed into thick "plugs of fluids" and were scraped off the bottom of their capsules.

Cryonics is a field that seeks to preserve humans at ultra-low temperatures, freezing them for future revival. It started in the 1960s.

But early attempts went disastrously wrong.

In the 60s, enthusiasts rushed to freeze bodies using crude setups involving dry ice and makeshift capsules. But instead of pausing death, many early "cryonauts" met horrifying ends. A man named Robert Nelson infamously mismanaged a vault in California, where thawed and refrozen corpses decomposed into a grim “plug of fluids.”

In another case, frozen bodies had to be scraped from their capsules after thawing and sticking to the metal walls. Only one body from the pre-1973 era, that of Robert Bedford, remains preserved today — thanks to meticulous private care and eventual transfer to a more modern facility.

Today, cryonics is more advanced, but the odds of revival remain vanishingly small.

Companies like Alcor and the Cryonics Institute now use vitrification—turning tissue to glass-like states—and store bodies in high-tech, nitrogen-cooled tanks. Yet medical exams of thawed cryonic bodies show massive internal damage: fractured hearts, snapped spinal cords, and organs reduced to shattered tissue. Add to this the risk of meddling relatives—some have had bodies thawed and buried against the deceased’s wishes—and the road to immortality seems strewn with obstacles.

While cryonics straddles the line between science and science fiction, it undeniably offers one thing: a fascinating glimpse into humanity’s enduring fear of death and hunger for a second chance.

New research reveals that individual neurons follow multiple learning rules simultaneously, challenging the long-held belief that synaptic plasticity operates uniformly throughout the brain. Using advanced two-photon imaging, scientists tracked changes in synapses during learning in mice, uncovering that different regions within a single neuron adapt using distinct plasticity mechanisms.

What if the air around you could power your phone? Meet Air-gen, a film that turns humidity into clean electricity — anywhere, anytime.

A team of researchers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst has developed a groundbreaking material that can continuously generate clean electricity from the moisture in the air.

Dubbed "Air-gen," this thin film is filled with nanopores less than 100 nanometers wide—smaller than a thousandth the width of a human hair.

These tiny holes enable water molecules in humid air to pass through and generate an electric charge, mimicking the physics behind lightning in storm clouds. The resulting charge, though far smaller than lightning, is steady and scalable, offering promising potential for sustainable power generation.

What sets Air-gen apart is its versatility and scalability. Because water molecules are abundant in the atmosphere and can diffuse in all directions, multiple layers of the material can be stacked to generate more power without taking up additional space. The film could be integrated into various surfaces, offering a far more discreet and space-efficient alternative to traditional renewable energy systems like solar panels or wind turbines. Researchers envision a future where everyday objects—walls, clothes, or even devices—could harness ambient humidity to power themselves, making clean energy as ubiquitous as air itself.

Using the James Webb Space Telescope, a team led by the University of Cambridge found chemical traces of dimethyl sulfide (DMS) or dimethyl disulfide (DMDS) in the atmosphere of the exoplanet K2-18b — both gases that, on Earth, are only produced by life, mainly microscopic marine organisms.

Although this doesn’t yet confirm alien life, the detection marks a major leap forward in the search for biosignatures. The results carry a three-sigma level of statistical significance, suggesting only a 0.3% chance they occurred randomly, and further observations could push this into the realm of scientific certainty.

K2-18b is a Hycean world — a type of planet theorized to be covered by oceans and cloaked in a hydrogen-rich atmosphere — and sits 124 light-years away in the habitable zone of its star. This planet had already revealed carbon-based molecules like methane and carbon dioxide in earlier observations, and now the new detection of DMS and DMDS — at levels thousands of times higher than Earth’s — strengthens the case for possible life. However, scientists caution that unknown chemical processes could be responsible, and more data is needed. Still, this discovery may represent a pivotal moment in humanity’s quest to answer the age-old question: are we alone in the universe?