ScienceDaily

Sparkling water is often seen as a simple, healthy drink—but could it also help with weight loss? New research suggests it may slightly boost how the body processes blood sugar and energy. However, the effect is very small, meaning it’s no substitute for diet and exercise.

Researchers have found a way to make cancer-killing immune cells more powerful and precise. By adding specific signaling components, they boosted the cells’ readiness to attack tumors. Surprisingly, briefly suppressing the cells with a drug before use made them even more effective later. The approach could help create safer, stronger next-gen cancer treatments.

A hormone called FGF21 can reverse obesity in mice by activating a newly identified brain circuit tied to metabolism. Surprisingly, it works in the hindbrain—the same region targeted by GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy—but through a completely different mechanism. Instead of suppressing appetite, FGF21 ramps up the body’s energy burning. This insight could pave the way for more targeted weight…

Scientists have discovered that a protein linked to cell death is secretly driving the aging of blood stem cells in a completely different way. Instead of killing the cells, it damages their mitochondria, sapping their energy and weakening the immune system over time. When this protein was turned off, stem cells remained stronger and more balanced, even under stress. The findings point to a new s…

A rogue set of “zombie” immune cells may be driving aging and fatty liver disease by flooding tissues with inflammation. Researchers found these cells accumulate with age and high cholesterol—and can make up most of the liver’s immune cells in older mice. When scientists removed them, liver damage was dramatically reversed, even without diet changes.

The ozone layer has been on track to recover thanks to the Montreal Protocol—but a loophole may be holding it back. Chemicals still permitted for industrial use are leaking into the atmosphere at higher rates than expected. Scientists now estimate this could delay ozone recovery by up to seven years. Closing this gap could speed up healing and reduce harmful UV exposure worldwide.

Researchers have discovered lithium hidden in pyrite within ancient shale rocks—an unexpected find that could reshape how we source this critical battery material. It raises the possibility of extracting lithium from existing waste, reducing the need for new mining.

New research suggests that aiming for a lower blood pressure target may deliver bigger heart health benefits than previously thought. Using large datasets and simulation models, scientists found that keeping systolic blood pressure below 120 mm Hg could reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, and heart failure more than higher targets.

A surprising discovery from high-altitude animals like yaks and Tibetan antelopes could reshape how we treat nerve damage in humans. Scientists found that a genetic mutation helping these animals survive low-oxygen environments also protects and repairs the myelin sheath—the vital coating around nerve fibers that’s damaged in diseases like multiple sclerosis (MS) and cerebral paralysis.

A surprising new clinical trial has revealed that metformin—a cheap, century-old drug widely used for type 2 diabetes—may help people with type 1 diabetes in an unexpected way. While researchers initially hoped it would reduce insulin resistance, they instead found it allows patients to use about 12% less insulin while maintaining stable blood sugar levels.

A long-running dinosaur mystery may finally be solved: Nanotyrannus, once dismissed as just a teenage T. rex, appears to have been its own distinct species after all. Scientists analyzed a tiny throat bone from the original fossil and discovered growth patterns showing the animal was already mature, not a juvenile giant-in-the-making. This smaller predator—about half the size of a full-grown T. r…

A massive, nearly 20-year study tracking over 650,000 Americans with irritable bowel syndrome is raising new questions about the long-term safety of common treatments. Researchers found that some widely used medications—including antidepressants and certain antidiarrheal drugs—were linked to a small but noticeable increase in the risk of death over time.

Scientists have discovered that methane in the open ocean is produced by microbes under nutrient-poor conditions, solving a long-standing mystery. As warming oceans reduce nutrient mixing, these methane-producing microbes may thrive. This could lead to increased methane emissions from the sea. The result is a potential feedback loop that could intensify climate change.

A massive Swedish study shows that AI can spot people at higher risk of melanoma using routine health data. Advanced models significantly outperformed basic methods, identifying high-risk groups with striking accuracy. Some individuals flagged by the system had up to a 33% chance of developing melanoma within five years. This approach could pave the way for smarter, more targeted screening.

Feeling mentally “on” isn’t just in your head—it can significantly boost what you accomplish. Researchers found that sharper thinking on a given day leads people to set bigger goals and actually follow through. That edge can equal up to 40 extra minutes of productivity. But push too hard for too long, and the effect reverses.