Science

Rare blue proteins from cold-adapted microbes can serve as prototypes to design molecular on-off switches for cells.

Scientists at UC Davis discovered a small genetic difference that could explain why humans are more prone to certain cancers than our primate cousins. The change affects a protein used by immune cells to kill tumors—except in humans, it’s vulnerable to being shut down by an enzyme that tumors release. This flaw may be one reason treatments like CAR-T don’t work as well on solid tumors. The surprising twist? That mutation might have helped our brains grow larger over time. Now, researchers are exploring ways to block the enzyme and give our immune system its power back.

Just one month after the treatment, the majority of patients gained some hearing. Six months later, all 10 showed considerable hearing improvement, with the average volume of perceptible sound improving from 106 decibels (very loud) to 52 (much fainter). What’s more, the patients did not report any adverse side effects within the first 12 months post-treatment.

Jared Towers, executive director of Bay Cetology, a research nonprofit based in Alert Bay, British Columbia, was on a boat in waters at the northeastern end of Vancouver Island, British Columbia, when a transient orca offered a freshly-killed harbor seal pup. “I did not have my phone out when T046C2 came over and dropped the seal,” Towers wrote in an email, “But I had time to get it when she left it there sinking before circling around to pick it up again.” He took a photo, showing the orca’s still-open, toothy mouth after just releasing the seal.

Jared Towers, executive director of Bay Cetology, a research nonprofit based in Alert Bay, British Columbia, was on a boat in waters at the northeastern end of Vancouver Island, British Columbia, when a transient orca offered a freshly-killed harbor seal pup. “I did not have my phone out when T046C2 came over and dropped the seal,” Towers wrote in an email, “But I had time to get it when she left it there sinking before circling around to pick it up again.” He took a photo, showing the orca’s still-open, toothy mouth after just releasing the seal.

Eight American researchers have arrived at a university in southern France, as the country pushes to offer "science asylum" to US academics hit by federal research spending cuts under Donald Trump.

National Public Radio coverage: https://www.npr.org/2025/06/27/1254874800/sleep-brain-rest-nap

A mix of iron, chlorine, and lithium is conductive, stores lithium, and self-heals.

The output of computer-vision research is overwhelmingly aimed towards monitoring humans. The potential ethical implications need more scrutiny.

Found out about this website from today's Geology Hub uploaded on YThttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v75f530yFOY This crystal doubles images, meaning that if you look through it that anything on the other side whether that be text, a person, or a photo of a volcano will appear to be doubled. But, why does this unusual optical property occur when utilizing a crystal of calcite? The answer is a fascinating phenomenon known as birefringence, which this video will explain through the expertise and analysis of a geologist. ::: This is the about-page of which text continues past the posted image on the left side: https://www.mindat.org/a/aboutmindat Here is the link to the discussion groups page pictured: https://www.mindat.org/discuss.php

In a surprising twist during an air quality study in Oklahoma, researchers detected MCCPs an industrial pollutant never before measured in the Western Hemisphere's atmosphere. The team suspects these toxic compounds are entering the air through biosolid fertilizers derived from sewage sludge. While these pollutants are not yet regulated like their SCCP cousins, their similarity to dangerous "forever chemicals" and unexpected presence raise red flags about how chemical substitutions and waste disposal may be silently contaminating rural air.