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Syphilis cases in expectant mothers have dramatically risen since the pandemic – here’s what’s driving the trend
A pregnant mother with untreated syphilis can pass it to the unborn fetus. Halfpoint Images/Moment via Getty Images – By Casey Pinto, Associate Professor of Public Health Sciences, Penn State Published: 2026 May 01 – Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection caused by …
Why the baby brain can learn two languages at the same time
How do babies learn language? Irene Zaccari, CC BY-NC-ND – By Naja Ferjan Ramírez, Research Scientist, University of Washington Published: 2016 Apr 15 – Any adult who has attempted to learn a foreign language can attest to how difficult and confusing it can be. …
Falling space debris poses an escalating risk as spacecraft get stronger and more heat resistant
Not all space debris burns up in the atmosphere before it makes it back to Earth. PaulFleet/iStock via Getty Images – By Matthew Ray, Professor of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Stout And by Reese Hufnagel, Research Assistant, Department of Chemistry and Physics, University of Wisconsin-Stout Published: …
Inside the giant ocean sinkhole where marine life gives way to an alien world
The 2016 survey of the Dragon Hole revealed its immense depth. Huanqiu View 6 Images – By Bronwyn Thompson 2025 Dec 28 – In the South China Sea, near the Paracel Islands, the aqua-colored waters of an expansive shallow reef platform suddenly gives way …
Big blue button lets service dogs control human companions’ devices
The Dogosophy Button can be operated with the push of a nose or a paw. The Open University – By Maryna Holovnova 2026 May 12 – Tens of thousands of people rely on service dogs every day. They assist people with visual impairments, mobility …
Sramcbled wrods: the real reason you can still read jumbled text
Andy Craddock/Unpslash – By Karen Stollznow, Research Fellow of Linguistics, Griffith Centre for Social and Cultural Research, Griffith University; University of Colorado Boulder Published: 2026 Apr 30 – You’ve probably seen it on social media before: a paragraph of scrambled text that looks like …
Can plants hear? Latest research offers new insights
DOERS/Shutterstock – By Stuart Thompson, Senior Lecturer in Plant Biochemistry, University of Westminster Published: 2026 May 11 – Researchers at MIT have suggested that rice seeds can hear the sound of rain, according to a new study. MIT calls it “the first direct evidence …
People with premenstrual dysphoric disorder have higher rates of suicidal thinking, planning and attempts
Premenstrual dysphoric disorder is a severe form of premenstrual syndrome. By Eliza Zhitnik, PhD Student in Health Policy and Management, UMass Amherst And by Jamie Hartmann-Boyce, Assistant Professor of Health Promotion and Policy, UMass Amherst Published: 2026 May 08 – People with premenstrual dysphoric …
Conspiracy theorists are building AI interfaces to the Epstein files – and presenting their views as data analysis
Redacted documents from the Jeffrey Epstein files can fuel conspiracy thinking. Brendan Smialowski via Getty Images – By Matthew N. Hannah, Associate Professor of Rhetoric, Politics and Culture, University of Wisconsin-Madison Published: 2026 May 08 – Jeffrey Epstein’s death on 2019 Aug 10, …
Google enters the screenless health tracker race with new Fitbit Air
The Fitbit Air is light as a feather, promises a week of battery life on a full charge, and is competitively priced. Google – View 4 Images – By Abhimanyu Ghoshal 2026 May 08 – Google’s just launched the Fitbit Air, a screenless wearable …
Lower East Side street named for ‘King of Comics’ Jack Kirby, a nod to one of the countless kids of immigrants who shaped the genre
The Thing is from the fictional Yancy Street in Manhattan’s Lower East Side, where creator Jack Kirby was raised. Richie S/flickr, CC BY – By Miriam Eve Mora, Managing Director of the Raoul Wallenberg Institute, University of Michigan Published: 2026 May 07 – …
Can peptide injections help people recover from injuries? Here’s what you need to know
Two widely hyped peptides for fitness are sometimes marketed together and nicknamed the ‘Wolverine stack.’ Tom Werner/DigitalVision via Getty Images – By Flynn McGuire, Resident in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Utah Published: 2026 May 07 – It’s tough to avoid the current …
Want to make earthquake-resistant buildings? Try butterfly wings
A viceroy butterfly showing off its surprisingly strong anisotropic wing structure. Depositphotos – By Malcolm Azania 2026 May 06 – When you hear about designers biomimicking butterflies, your first thought is probably about creating remote-controlled flying toys or small, artificial flying machines that could …
From ancient goddesses to modern peace activists − Mother’s Day celebrates women’s political power
Mothers are often honored and gifted flowers on Mother’s Day, but their broader influence in the political sphere is not celebrated enough. www.direct2florist.co.uk/ via Flickr, CC BY – By Marie-Claire Beaulieu, Associate Professor of Classical Studies, Tufts University Published: 2026 May 05 – …
How balcony solar can help renters and homeowners save money
Small-scale solar panels mounted on balconies can help more households use renewable energy. Jens Büttner/picture alliance via Getty Images – By Moncef Krarti, Professor of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder Published: 2026 May 04 – Somewhere between 5% and …
This mind-reading beanie could make keyboards obsolete
Sabi’s beanie is lined with tiny EEG-reading biosensors for brain imaging – and can turn your thoughts into typed text. Sabi – By Abhimanyu Ghoshal 2026 May 03 – Dictation tech for typing on your computer and mobile devices has gotten way better and …
Fiber’s structural integrity keeps plants strong – and its indigestibility keeps your digestive system healthy
Vegetables, fruits, beans, seeds and nuts are all fiber-rich foods. tbralnina/iStock via Getty Images Plus – By Julie Pollock, Associate Professor of Chemistry, University of Richmond Published: 2026 May 01 – If you’re over the age of 10, the World Health Organization recommends …
What’s in the price of a gallon of gas?
Gas prices were well over $4 a gallon on 2026 Apr 28, in Brooklyn, N.Y. Spencer Platt/Getty Images – By Robert I. Harris, Assistant Professor of Economics, Georgia Institute of Technology Published: 2026 May 01 – The U.S. Energy Information Administration expects nationwide retail …
This vacuum cleaner company is building a rocket-boosted car to go from 0-60 mph in under 1 second
These rocket boosters are said to produce 100 kN of thrust at a moment’s notice – Dreame. View 4 Images – By Abhimanyu Ghoshal 2026 Apr 30 – You might recognize Dreame as a fast-growing electronics brand from China that specializes in vacuum cleaners. …
Facial recognition data is a key to your identity – if stolen, you can’t just change the locks
When you’re out and about, your face isn’t just visible − it’s captured. John Keeble/Getty Images – By Jonathan S. Weissman, Principal Lecturer of Cybersecurity, Rochester Institute of Technology Published: 2026 Apr 28 – A woman strolls into a grocery store, thinking about …
Older Americans who vote live longer than those who don’t – new research
A study found that voting, like good nutrition and exercise, could extend your lifespan. Jeff Swensen/Getty Images – By Sara Konrath, Associate Professor of Philanthropic Studies, Indiana University And by Femida Handy, Professor of Social Policy, University of Pennsylvania Published: 2026 Apr 27 – …
Amazingly lifelike robofish is made for maintenance-free aquariums
The Soft-Bodied Bionic Arowana sells for about $5,000. FullDepth View 3 Images – By Ben Coxworth 2026 Apr 27 – An aquarium can really add a touch of class to a home or business, particularly if it’s got some fancy fish in it – …
Nanotextured coating material shreds viruses on contact
Samples of the antiviral material up close. Image courtesy of the researchers – By Abhimanyu Ghoshal 2026 Apr 26 – It doesn’t take much to pick up a viral infection in spaces we share with other people – whether it’s from tiny droplets in …
What the Declaration of Independence does – and doesn’t – say about God
A Croome & Brightly engraving shows John Nixon reading the Declaration of Independence after its passage in Philadelphia. From The New York Public Library via Wikimedia Commons – By Thomas Tweed, Professor Emeritus of American Studies and History, University of Notre Dame Published: 2026 …
Boom in cremation hides surprising truths about what Americans really want when they die
A striking 51.7% of Gen Z respondents ranked casket burial as their first choice, compared with just 27.1% of baby boomers. Ashley Cooper/The Image Bank via Getty Images – By Tanya D. Marsh, Professor of Law, Wake Forest University Published: 2026 Apr 24 – …
Asexual Reproduction – Dragons and Lizards
A Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis) sticks out his tongue at the Cincinnati Zoo. Photo by Mark Dumont CCA 2.0 – Article by A.I. 2026 Apr 24 – Asexual reproduction is a fascinating biological phenomenon where organisms produce offspring without genetic contribution from a …
Rotavirus cases in children are rising – but a highly effective vaccine has slashed hospitalizations from the virus by 80% in 2 decades
One of rotavirus infection’s main symptoms is diarrhea, which can lead to severe dehydration that needs to be treated in the hospital. hxyume/E+ via Getty Images – By Annette Regan, Adjunct Associate Professor of Epidemiology, University of California, Los Angeles Published: 2026 Apr 22 …
Placebo effect can work as well as real medicine – but your body may need permission to use it
From empty pills to homeopathy to sham surgery, placebos have powerful effects on the body. Irina Marwan/Moment via Getty Images – By Phil Starks, Associate Professor of Biology, Tufts University Published: 2026 Apr 21 – The first time the placebo effect really got …
Intimate partner homicide has clear warning signs – and is often preventable, research shows
Taking away access to firearms is one of the few effective interventions for reducing intimate partner homicide. Nastco/iStock via Getty Images Plus – By Kathryn Spearman, Assistant Professor of Nursing, Penn State Published: 2026 Apr 20 – Dr. Cerina Wanzer Fairfax was an accomplished …
Robot smashes human record in half-marathon – as another self-destructs
There was no stopping Lightning – nor the Honor team, which took the top three spots with its humanoid models. Xinhua via China Daily – View 6 Images – By Bronwyn Thompson 2026 Apr 19 – The era of us laughing at humanoids playing …
Cooler-size survival cube purifies saltwater as well as fresh
This reverse osmosis machine is said to be able to handle both freshwater and saltwater sources. Vital Lyfe – View 4 Images – By Abhimanyu Ghoshal 2026 Apr 17 – California-based startup Vital Lyfe says its first product, a portable battery-powered filtration system, can …
As renaissance fairs become big business, can they retain their counterculture roots?
King Richard’s Faire in Carver, Mass., was inaugurated in 1982 and is the longest-running renaissance fair in New England. Joseph Prezioso/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images – By Katrina Stack, Ph.D. Candidate in Human Geography, University of Tennessee And by Reagan Yessler, Adjunct Professor …
A giant cat has made itself at home inside Hong Kong’s airport
Even arriving bleary-eyed at midnight, there was no missing “Catzilla.” New Atlas – By Bronwyn Thompson 2026 Apr 15 – Passengers landing at Hong Kong International Airport this month will be greeted by a surprise friend waiting for them in the arrivals hall – …
Sub-1-oz survival straw is as simple as dunk and sip
Lifestraw’s lightest water filter to date, the Sip Essential is as simple as dunk and sip. Lifestraw – By C.C. Weiss 2026 Apr 15 – Lifestraw is at it again. The company has made some of the world’s lightest, slimmest wilderness survival filters for …
When a president is unfit for office, here’s what the Constitution says can happen
President Donald Trump mimics an Iranian protester being shot while holding a news conference in the White House on 2026 Apr 06. Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images – By Kirsten Matoy Carlson, Professor of Law and Adjunct Professor of Political Science, Wayne State …
Antibiotics can trigger bacteria to release bubbles of inflammation tinder, making it harder to treat infection
E. coli is mostly harmless and sometimes beneficial – but some strains can cause serious infection. Photo by Eric Erbe, Colorization by Christopher Pooley/USDA ARS – By Panteha Torabian, Ph.D. Candidate in Biomedical and Chemical Engineering, Rochester Institute of Technology Published: 2026 Apr 14 …
“Spin-flip” system pushes solar cell energy conversion efficiency past 100%
Photovoltaic panels could soon be capable of generating significantly more electricity, thanks to a new system that radically boosts the energy conversion efficiency of solar cells. Depositphotos – By Etiido Uko 2026 Apr 13 – Energy can never be created or destroyed. That’s basic …
Coffee in your walls? Breakthrough converts grounds to insulation
Usually tossed away, spent coffee grounds could soon find a second life as insulation. Depositphotos – By Michael Franco 2026 Apr 12 – Around the world, over two billion daily cups of coffee are consumed. That means there are a staggering amount of coffee grounds …
Energy storage breakthrough traps sunlight in a molecule
A depiction of solar energy being stored as a chemical bond in a molecule. Image generated using Google AI – By Chelsea Haney 2026 Apr 10 – Beyond the rather low efficiency of today’s solar panels in converting the power of the Sun into electricity, …
Psilocybin mushrooms are going mainstream, but scientific research and regulation lag behind
Psilocybin mushrooms contain numerous chemical compounds that researchers have not yet studied. Smitt/iStock via Getty Images Plus – By Hollis Karoly, Associate Professor of Psychiatry, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus And by Kent Hutchison, Professor of Psychiatry, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus …
Syphilis cases in expectant mothers have dramatically risen since the pandemic – here’s what’s driving the trend
A pregnant mother with untreated syphilis can pass it to the unborn fetus. Halfpoint Images/Moment via Getty Images – By Casey Pinto, Associate Professor of Public Health Sciences, Penn State Published: 2026 May 01 – Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection caused by …
Why the baby brain can learn two languages at the same time
How do babies learn language? Irene Zaccari, CC BY-NC-ND – By Naja Ferjan Ramírez, Research Scientist, University of Washington Published: 2016 Apr 15 – Any adult who has attempted to learn a foreign language can attest to how difficult and confusing it can be. …
Falling space debris poses an escalating risk as spacecraft get stronger and more heat resistant
Not all space debris burns up in the atmosphere before it makes it back to Earth. PaulFleet/iStock via Getty Images – By Matthew Ray, Professor of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Stout And by Reese Hufnagel, Research Assistant, Department of Chemistry and Physics, University of Wisconsin-Stout Published: …
Inside the giant ocean sinkhole where marine life gives way to an alien world
The 2016 survey of the Dragon Hole revealed its immense depth. Huanqiu View 6 Images – By Bronwyn Thompson 2025 Dec 28 – In the South China Sea, near the Paracel Islands, the aqua-colored waters of an expansive shallow reef platform suddenly gives way …
Big blue button lets service dogs control human companions’ devices
The Dogosophy Button can be operated with the push of a nose or a paw. The Open University – By Maryna Holovnova 2026 May 12 – Tens of thousands of people rely on service dogs every day. They assist people with visual impairments, mobility …
Sramcbled wrods: the real reason you can still read jumbled text
Andy Craddock/Unpslash – By Karen Stollznow, Research Fellow of Linguistics, Griffith Centre for Social and Cultural Research, Griffith University; University of Colorado Boulder Published: 2026 Apr 30 – You’ve probably seen it on social media before: a paragraph of scrambled text that looks like …
Can plants hear? Latest research offers new insights
DOERS/Shutterstock – By Stuart Thompson, Senior Lecturer in Plant Biochemistry, University of Westminster Published: 2026 May 11 – Researchers at MIT have suggested that rice seeds can hear the sound of rain, according to a new study. MIT calls it “the first direct evidence …
People with premenstrual dysphoric disorder have higher rates of suicidal thinking, planning and attempts
Premenstrual dysphoric disorder is a severe form of premenstrual syndrome. By Eliza Zhitnik, PhD Student in Health Policy and Management, UMass Amherst And by Jamie Hartmann-Boyce, Assistant Professor of Health Promotion and Policy, UMass Amherst Published: 2026 May 08 – People with premenstrual dysphoric …
Conspiracy theorists are building AI interfaces to the Epstein files – and presenting their views as data analysis
Redacted documents from the Jeffrey Epstein files can fuel conspiracy thinking. Brendan Smialowski via Getty Images – By Matthew N. Hannah, Associate Professor of Rhetoric, Politics and Culture, University of Wisconsin-Madison Published: 2026 May 08 – Jeffrey Epstein’s death on 2019 Aug 10, …
Google enters the screenless health tracker race with new Fitbit Air
The Fitbit Air is light as a feather, promises a week of battery life on a full charge, and is competitively priced. Google – View 4 Images – By Abhimanyu Ghoshal 2026 May 08 – Google’s just launched the Fitbit Air, a screenless wearable …