Researchers at University College Cork, led by Professor Yvonne Nolan, have uncovered the specific metabolic processes that explain how exercise helps offset the harmful behavioral effects of eating a Western-style cafeteria diet. Published on October 21 in the peer-reviewed journal Brain Medicine, the study shows that voluntary running can reduce depression-like behaviors triggered by diets…
It may sound unbelievable, but crystals made of rotating particles are real. A group of physicists from Aachen, Düsseldorf, Mainz, and Wayne State University (Detroit, USA) has explored these unusual materials and their remarkable behavior. These crystals can easily split into separate fragments, form unusual grain boundaries, and display controllable structural defects. In a study…
An idea once dismissed as science fiction — cooling Earth by scattering sunlight-reflecting particles into the upper atmosphere — is now being taken seriously by researchers. This proposed technique, called stratospheric aerosol injection (SAI), aims to offset global warming by mimicking the cooling effect of volcanic eruptions. Hundreds of scientific models have explored how it…
Many women going through menopause report experiencing what they describe as “brain fog,” a mix of forgetfulness, reduced focus, and mental fatigue. These symptoms are thought to stem in part from hormonal fluctuations that occur during this transition. To better understand the connection, researchers conducted a review of existing studies examining how menopause affects brain…
When arranged in just the right ways, two-dimensional materials can display unusual and valuable quantum effects such as superconductivity and exotic types of magnetism. Understanding why these effects arise, and how to control them, remains one of the biggest challenges for physicists and engineers. A new study published in Nature Physics has uncovered a previously…
For decades, doctors have depended on indicators such as body mass index (BMI) and waist-to-hip ratio to gauge a person’s risk for chronic disease. But researchers are now turning their attention to a different, often-overlooked measurement: neck circumference. While a thick neck may suggest physical power, like that of athletes in contact sports, research indicates…
The rapid loss of sea ice in the Arctic Ocean is often seen as an environmental catastrophe. Yet researchers have found that the same melting process could help sustain life in unexpected ways. As the ice retreats, it creates conditions that encourage the growth of algae, the foundation of the Arctic’s marine food web. Algae…
A tight work deadline, a clogged toilet, or a disagreement with a loved one can make an ordinary day feel overwhelming. When several of these small frustrations build up, stress can quickly escalate. But according to new research that includes scientists from Penn State, simply feeling more in control might help make those everyday challenges…
Rebecca MorelleScience Editor and Alison FrancisSenior Science Journalist Tony Jolliffe/ BBC News From a very young age, Eileen Collins wanted to be an astronaut She’s the astronaut who smashed through the glass ceiling. And kept on going. Eileen Collins made history as the first woman to pilot and command a spacecraft – but despite her…
An international team of scientists has analyzed brain scans from around 30,000 participants and found striking connections between the frequent consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) and measurable differences in brain structure. These differences could be part of a feedback loop that promotes overeating and food addiction. “Our findings suggest that higher consumption of ultra-processed foods…
