Latest Articles
DNA's Alphabet Grows: Scientists Add Four New Genetic Letters
Researchers have created and tested expanded genetic alphabets that add synthetic nucleotides to the four natural DNA bases, enabling new forms of information storage, molecular function and biotechnology. The advance changes how we think about heredity, evolution and the possibilities of engineered life while raising technical, ethical and safety questions.
Turning Tiny Defects into a 5.5x Heat Transfer Breakthrough
Materials scientists have found ways to flip microscopic 'defects' from liabilities into engineered features, producing reported heat-transfer gains of 5.5 times in tailored structures. The discovery points to rapidly deployable strategies for cooling electronics, improving heat exchangers, and boosting energy-system efficiency.
Greenland Shark: The 400-Year Shark with Ageless Eyes
The Greenland shark can live for centuries, and recent research into its slow metabolism, eye anatomy, and aging markers is reshaping how scientists think about longevity in the deep sea. This feature explores the methods used to estimate its age, the biology behind its slow aging, and what the species can teach us about life at the margins of time.
8-Year Study Upends Beliefs About Kids' Screen Time
A long-term study tracking children over eight years found that the relationship between screen time and developmental outcomes is far more nuanced than simple alarms suggest. Context, content, and social factors shape whether screens help, harm, or are neutral.
Adult Brain Repair: Neuroplasticity Outpaces Expectations
Decades of research now show the adult human brain is far more capable of repair and reorganization than previously believed. This feature explains the biological mechanisms, new tools revealing repair in action, clinical implications for stroke, TBI and neurodegeneration, and practical ways to strengthen recovery.
Hidden Brain Shift at 50: What Scientists Just Discovered
Researchers have identified a subtle but broad reorganization of brain structure and connectivity that commonly begins around age 50. The finding reframes midlife as a pivotal window for brain health and practical action.