Latest Science News
Stem cell therapy restores function after stroke in mice and reveals neuronal “GPS”
Researchers at Sanford Burnham Prebys and Duke‑NUS showed that human stem‑cell‑derived neurons transplanted into mice after stroke matured, integrated into brain circuits, and restored function. By 3D‑reconstructing cells and using genetic barcoding plus gene‑expression profiling, they found each neuron subtype carries a molecular “code” that guides its axons to specific brain and spinal regions, informing future targeted cell therapies for stroke and other neurological diseases.
Quantum sensor built from proteins can act as a qubit inside living cells
A University of Chicago team has converted proteins—the building blocks of cells—into **biological qubits** with coherence properties comparable to superconducting qubits used in quantum computers. These quantum sensors, named a top‑10 Physics World breakthrough of 2025, could eventually map forces and biomolecular changes inside living cells and tissues, with applications from understanding cancer progression to designing new quantum technologies.
New AI genomics platform aims to transform drug discovery for kidney and cardiorenal disease
Variant Bio has launched **Inference**, an AI‑driven genomics platform that integrates large‑scale genetic datasets to identify novel therapeutic targets for kidney and cardiorenal disorders. By prioritizing targets with strong human genetic evidence, the platform is designed to increase success rates and reduce time and cost in drug development for conditions that affect hundreds of millions worldwide.
AI “co‑scientist” and Genesis Mission to accelerate U.S. scientific discovery
Google DeepMind is partnering with the U.S. Department of Energy on **Genesis**, a national initiative to use advanced AI and computing across the 17 DOE national laboratories to speed breakthroughs in energy, materials, earth science, and national security. DeepMind’s AI “co‑scientist” has already proposed repurposed drugs for liver fibrosis and predicted antimicrobial resistance mechanisms later validated experimentally, illustrating how AI could compress hypothesis generation from years to days.
Physicists push ultra‑sensitive detectors to probe dark matter and dark energy
Scientists at Texas A&M University are developing next‑generation semiconductor detectors with cryogenic quantum sensors to detect extremely rare interactions that could reveal the nature of dark matter. Building on decades of work in experiments such as SuperCDMS and the new TESSERACT detector, these instruments aim to observe events that might occur only once per year or even once per decade, addressing the 95% of the universe made of dark matter and dark energy.
Ancient poison‑laced arrows and virus–plant interactions highlighted in new Science Advances papers
Recent work reported in *Science Advances* includes chemical evidence that prehistoric hunters laced their arrows with plant‑derived poisons, shedding light on early complex hunting technologies. Another study shows arboviruses can manipulate rice’s volatile emissions, protecting insect vectors from natural enemies and revealing a sophisticated three‑way interaction among plants, viruses, and insects with implications for crop protection.
AI reshapes cell biology but remains constrained by data quality, experts argue
A perspective from the American Society for Cell Biology outlines how AI, from protein structure prediction to image analysis, is transforming experimental design and data interpretation in cell biology. The authors stress that while AI is a paradigm‑shifting, statistical, data‑driven tool, its power is limited by biases and gaps in biological datasets, so human‑driven conceptual advances will remain essential alongside computational methods.
Ganges Delta blanketed by dense winter fog observed from space
NASA’s Earth Observatory images show extensive fog and low cloud cover over the Indo‑Gangetic Plain, spanning Pakistan, northern India, and Bangladesh, during early January. The persistent fog, associated with stagnant air and temperature inversions, has major implications for transportation safety, air quality, and regional climate studies in one of the world’s most densely populated agricultural regions.
Ozone layer recovery and PFAS destruction highlight recent environmental science advances
A 2025 synthesis of key studies reports statistically robust evidence that the Antarctic ozone layer is healing, confirming that the Montreal Protocol’s phase‑out of ozone‑depleting substances is working. The same overview highlights a simple, solvent‑free method to break down PFAS “forever chemicals,” illustrating emerging strategies to tackle long‑lived pollutants in the environment.
From ancient proteins to immune “peacekeeper” cells: foundational discoveries still shaping 2026 science
Scientists have reconstructed protein sequences from a 21.8‑million‑year‑old rhinoceros tooth, the oldest skeletal proteome yet, extending the reach of paleogenomics far beyond ancient DNA. The 2025 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine honored the discovery of regulatory T cells, immune “peacekeepers” whose study continues to drive research into autoimmune disease therapies and immune modulation.