The nano-sized bubbles that healthy cells release to transfer genetic material could carry cancer treatments that target and kill tumor cells, researchers report. “What we’ve done is improve a therapeutic approach to delivering enzyme-producing genes

Offering people the choice between home tests or a colonoscopy doesn’t increase rates of colorectal cancer screening participation, research finds. The findings, published in JAMA Network Open, show the proportion of colonoscopies—the gold standard f

Mountain regions—especially those in the tropics—are hotspots of extraordinary and baffling biodiversity, according to new research. Life on Earth is amazingly diverse, and exhibits striking geographical global patterns in biodiversity. Although moun

A new tool can measure parent perceptions of how they engage with their children’s education, researchers report. The tool also offers school administrators a quick, economical, and efficient alternative to the often expensive and cumbersome measures

A new technique uses a novel combination of WiFi signals and accelerometer technology to track devices in near-real time, researchers report. The technique, which can measure speed and distance in indoor environments, could help improve navigation te

Restricting the sale of menthol cigarettes to tobacco specialty shops may reduce the number of retailers and increase the cost of smoking, a new study suggests. “Targeting the tobacco retail environment is rapidly emerging as the next frontier in tob

An algorithm that can predict whether a given blood test will come back “normal” could help cut needless medical tests, researchers report. Being thorough in medicine is a must—but doctors concerned about over-testing are raising a new question: Is i

Fluid volume and sweat sodium losses, rather than a rise in core body temperature, are the key contributors to post-race acute kidney injury, according to a new study of marathon runners. Legend states that after the Greek army defeated the invading

The boney armor that Komodo dragons have just beneath their scales helps protect the dominant predator from other Komodo dragons, researchers report. Tiny bones cover the dragons from head to tail, creating a “chain mail” that protects them, but rese

Researchers report that a new self-sterilizing polymer can kill a range of viruses and drug-resistant bacteria in just minutes—including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). “We were exploring a different approach for creating antimicr

Antibiotics change the composition and metabolism of gut bacteria in mice, and food can make things better or worse, according to new research. Antibiotics save countless lives each year from harmful bacterial infections—but the community of benefici

Teenagers who spend more than three hours a day on social media are more likely to report high levels of behaviors that may indicate mental health problems compared to adolescents who do not use social media at all, according to a new study. The stud

A new method allows researchers to detect multiple tones from a black hole ringing like a bell—something that most astrophysicists thought would not be possible for a decade or more. The finding confirms Einstein’s theory of general relativity and ma

The muscles in bats’ wings are much cooler than the muscles in their core, a new study finds—and this research could one day enhance our understanding of human muscle. Past research suggests that in most other creatures, including humans, muscles inv

A new robotic gripper can alter its grip depending on what it’s holding. Human hands have remarkable skills that allow manipulation of a range of objects. We can pick up an egg or a strawberry without smashing it. We can hammer a nail. One reason our

A survey of more than 1,000 American adults indicates more support for using specific genetic modification techniques called “gene drives” against insect pests if they’re limited in scope and aimed at non-native insects. The survey inquires about att

When it comes to backyard poultry farming, there are some basic do’s and don’ts for keeping both you and your animals safe. Backyard poultry farming is a likely source of an outbreak of Salmonella in the US, according to the Centers for Disease Contr

A new model shows how rubbing two objects together creates static electricity, the answer to a mystery that has confounded scientists for more than 2,500 years. The model that shows that rubbing two objects together produces static electricity, also

Fine motor skills—the ones used for eating, writing, and buttoning clothes—may offer a way to predict whether children with autism are at risk for long-term language disabilities. The study highlights the association between fine motor skills and the

What does the universe look like? How do astronauts sleep? What are the planets named after? In this video, Katie Mack, an assistant professor in the physics department, and Laura Bottomley, a professor of engineering—both of North Carolina State Uni

Employers’ small gestures of kindness can have big impacts on employees’ health and work performance, researchers report. The team specifically examined the effects of employers enhancing the lunches of bus drivers in China with fresh fruit and found

Azteca ants are better at limiting pathogenic microbes in their nurseries than humans, according to a new study. The research also found that the microbial make-up—or microbiome—of ant colonies varies from chamber to chamber, much like the microbiome

A new tool called “Panacea’s Cloud” could give first responders a way to communicate during a natural or human-made disaster when devices such as cell phones may not work. “In situations where there is no cell phone signal, you can take our device—pr

Shared electric scooters, or e-scooters, may be greener than most cars, but they can be less green than several other options, according to new research. “E-scooter companies tout themselves as having little or no carbon footprint, which is a bold st

Wearables might not offer enough motivation to get your daily steps, but a little competition might work. Researchers combined behavioral insights, gaming elements such as points and levels, and social elements like support, collaboration, or competi

A new flexible, color-changing smart skin that reacts to heat and sunlight gets its inspiration from chameleons. A chameleon can alter the color of its skin so it either blends into the background to hide or stands out to defend its territory and att

Rates of suicide attempts are lower in high schools where students have better connections to their peers and stronger relationships with adult staff, according to a new study. The study surveyed 10,291 students from 38 high schools to determine soci

Providing adolescents who want birth control the ability to get a long-acting reversible contraceptive on the same day as their clinic visit could lead to significant cost savings for insurance providers, say researchers. For the study in JAMA Networ

When researchers deciphered the genome of the Chardonnay grape, they uncovered a surprise: grapes inherit different numbers of genes from their mothers and fathers. As reported in Nature Plants, the researchers studied structural variants, or chromos

A new computer model can translate text describing physical movements directly into simple computer-generated animation, a first step toward someday generating movies directly from scripts. Scientists have made tremendous leaps in getting computers t