Researchers

2026 estimates for wolves on island highest since late 1970s but moose population declining dramaticallyWolves on a remote island in Lake Superior appear to be thriving, but they’re making deep dents in the moose population that they rely on as a leading food source, according to a report released Monday.Isle Royale is a 134,000-acre (54,200-hectare) national park in far western Lake Superior between Grand Marais, Minnesota, and Thunder Bay, Canada. The island is a natural laboratory, offering scientists a rare opportunity to observe wolves and moose largely free from human influence. Continue reading...

• Stanford University neuroscientists discovered a blood-based biomarker (phosphorylated tau-217) that reliably predicts Alzheimer's disease development one to two decades before cognitive decline appears, according to research published April 20. • The biomarker was identified through analysis of blood samples from 2,500 cognitively healthy individuals followed for 15 years, with positive predictive value exceeding 92% in early-stage detection. • The finding could enable preventative therapies targeting amyloid and tau proteins before neurodegeneration becomes irreversible, potentially transforming Alzheimer's treatment approaches.

The school’s $100m project to examine its slave ownership in Antigua is mired with controversy as academics allege obstructionChristopher Newman remembers seeing campus police officers as he walked into a human resources office at Harvard University, but he didn’t imagine that they were there for him.It was July 2024, and Newman had just turned in the results of a two-month-long internship with the Harvard University Archives: an annotated bibliography for the landmark 2022 Harvard and the Legacy of Slavery Initiative report, which detailed the university’s ties to slavery across three centuries. He completed his project on Friday, 26 July, and on Monday, he said he received an email that HR wanted to meet with him. Continue reading...

Participants reported enjoying the human connection regardless of whether they thought the topic was dullThe human aversion to dull experiences was nailed by the author Paulo Coelho when he declared: “I can stand defeats, pain, anger. But I can’t stand boredom.”But the natural desire to avoid boring conversations comes at a cost, according to researchers, who found that people enjoyed chatting about tedious topics far more than they expected. Continue reading...

• Climate scientists have discovered that nitrous oxide, a key greenhouse gas, has a shorter atmospheric lifetime than previously modeled, decreasing more rapidly than expected. • This unexpected finding is significantly altering climate projections and forcing researchers to recalibrate their long-term climate models and predictions. • The discovery underscores the importance of continuous monitoring and reassessment of greenhouse gas behavior in the atmosphere, with implications for future climate policy and environmental planning.

• The MajesTEC-3 clinical trial led by UAB researchers demonstrates that a new two-drug immunotherapy regimen can lead to long-lasting remission for multiple myeloma patients. • Over 83 percent of patients enrolled in the trial remain alive and progression-free three years after therapy, supporting approval of this potentially curative treatment. • The findings represent a significant advance for multiple myeloma, a blood cancer with limited treatment options historically.

• Caltech scientists led by Manuel Endres unveiled a theoretical design for neutral-atom quantum computers that slashes required hardware by roughly 100 times, potentially making scalable machines feasible within years. • The breakthrough uses laser-trapped atoms movable across arrays, enabling long-distance connections unlike fixed-qubit systems; Endres noted, 'It’s actually very surprising how well this works,' calling it 'ultra-efficient error correction.' • Last year, the team assembled a record 6,100 atomic qubits, published in Nature, advancing beyond nearest-neighbor limitations in other platforms.

‘There is no doubt that the cells and tissues of the oral cavity, the mouth and the lungs are altered by inhalation from e-cigarettes,’ academic saysGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastVaping is likely to cause lung and oral cancer, researchers have found, as they urged regulators to act now rather than wait decades for a definitive level of risk.Cancer researchers led by UNSW in Sydney analysed reviews of evidence from animal studies, human case reports and laboratory research published between 2017 and 2025, in one of the most detailed assessments to date of whether nicotine e-cigarettes could cause cancer. Continue reading...

• Stanford University researchers led by Claire Bedbrook and Ravi Nath published findings in Science on March 12, 2026, showing that midlife behaviors like movement and sleep in killifish predict lifespan. • The study, from Anne Brunet and Karl Deisseroth's labs, revealed animals maintain stable behaviors for long periods before rapid transitions into new stages. • This behavioral perspective on aging stages emerged from continuous monitoring, offering insights into predicting longevity without genetic analysis.

• Columbia University announced on March 26, 2026, that three faculty members were selected as AAAS Fellows for distinguished scientific contributions and service. • Recognition by the American Association for the Advancement of Science honors excellence across research disciplines. • Fellows represent Columbia's leadership in advancing peer-reviewed scientific discoveries.

• Congress rejected Trump administration's $18 billion NIH budget cut proposal, providing stability for 2026 grantees at institutions like University of Wisconsin-Madison. • Delays in grant reviews and dispersal have stalled projects, hiring, and caused anxiety, with NIH months behind schedule as of March 26, 2026. • Vice Chancellor Dorota Brzezinska noted core funding protection but ongoing uncertainty impacts lab operations and future awards before September 30 deadline.

Australian counterterrorism experts observe December shooting came amid years of messaging from terror group urging followers to act ‘on their own initiative’Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe Bondi beach terror attack occurred amid an international spike of anti-western plots in December last year that appeared to be “inspired or instigated” by Islamic State, a new report has found, with many of them targeting holiday events such as Christmas markets.In research published by the West Point Combating Terrorism Center in its publication Sentinel on Thursday, Australian counterterrorism experts Andrew Zammit and Levi West examined Islamic State’s strategic shifts and jihadi tactics in Australia prior to the alleged antisemitic terrorist attack. Continue reading...

• Scientists have discovered a molecular mechanism that explains the effectiveness of exercise in reversing age-related muscle deterioration. • The finding provides new insight into the cellular processes through which physical activity combats muscle aging at the molecular level. • This breakthrough could lead to targeted therapies mimicking exercise benefits for individuals unable to maintain regular physical activity.

• American Geophysical Union (AGU) hosts a virtual Biogeosciences Early Career Open House on March 24, 2026, from 12:00-1:00 PM ET. • Event targets early-career scientists in biogeosciences, a key area of Earth and climate studies. • Provides networking and opportunities in U.S.-based research community focused on interdisciplinary environmental science.

• DOE's SLAC National Accelerator Lab and collaborators created a generative AI model that rebuilds molecular structures from fragmentation patterns during explosions. • The breakthrough enhances analysis of molecular dynamics using accelerator data, advancing chemistry and materials science research. • Published within the last 8 hours, it promises novel insights into molecular behaviors under extreme conditions.

Study highlights the movements in people’s gait that give away most about their emotional stateA long face is not the only sign that someone is down in the dumps. How people walk is revealing too, particularly the swing of the arms and legs, researchers say.Scientists asked volunteers to guess people’s emotions from video clips of them walking and found that bigger swings portrayed more aggression while smaller swings implied fear and sadness. Continue reading...

• Houston Methodist scientists identified TDP43 protein as a critical regulator of DNA mismatch repair, connecting it to ALS, frontotemporal dementia, and cancer risks. • Lead investigator Muralidhar L. Hegde, Ph.D., stated 'DNA repair is one of the most fundamental processes in biology' and TDP43's role has major implications for these diseases. • The peer-reviewed study, published in Nucleic Acids Research on March 15, 2026, was funded by NIH's NINDS and National Institute on Aging.

• New York University Abu Dhabi team discovered clues of subsurface water on Mars in Gale Crater using NASA's Curiosity rover data, indicating habitability lasted longer than previously thought. • Ancient sand dunes hardened into rock billions of years ago after interacting with groundwater, confirmed by comparing Martian formations to UAE desert analogs. • Led by Dimitra Atri, the study published in Journal of Geophysical Research - Planets highlights underground sites as prime locations for past life evidence.

Scientists at Texas A&M University created the most challenging AI test to date, involving over 50 collaborators, to evaluate advanced language models on complex reasoning tasks. Initial results showed even top AI systems struggling significantly, highlighting gaps in current capabilities despite acing simpler benchmarks. The benchmark, detailed in a peer-reviewed paper, pushes boundaries in AI safety and robustness research. Future iterations will incorporate multimodal challenges to further stress-test emerging models.