Evolution of human intelligence linked to mental illness vulnerability

Researchers have traced genetic variants in the human genome to reveal that advances in cognitive abilities around 500,000 years ago were soon followed by mutations increasing susceptibility to psychiatric disorders. This suggests a trade-off in brain evolution. The study, published in Cerebral Cortex, analyzed 33,000 genetic variants to build an evolutionary timeline of brain-related traits.

Plant-based serum boosts hair growth in weeks

A new topical serum containing plant extracts and growth proteins has shown promising results in increasing hair density and thickness within 56 days. Developed by researchers in Taiwan, the treatment outperformed a placebo in a small clinical trial involving 60 adults. While encouraging, experts call for larger studies to confirm its efficacy.

Nobel prize in chemistry awarded for metal-organic frameworks

The 2025 Nobel prize in chemistry has been awarded to Susumu Kitagawa, Richard Robson, and Omar Yaghi for pioneering metal-organic frameworks, porous materials capable of storing and releasing gases like carbon dioxide. These structures, which self-assemble from metal ions and organic molecules, have vast potential for applications such as capturing pollutants and harvesting water from air. The committee praised their work for creating materials that can hold enormous volumes of substances in tiny spaces.

Researchers create 10-atom-thick memory chips for devices

9 Mwezi wa kumi, 2025 Imeripotiwa na AI

Scientists have developed a working memory chip just 10 atoms thick, integrated with conventional chips to potentially boost storage in smartphones and other electronics. The prototype, made from 2D materials, addresses limits in current chip stacking. While promising, experts note it is far from commercial readiness.

Red Sea dried out and reflooded in catastrophic event 6.2 million years ago

Scientists at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology have confirmed that the Red Sea completely dried up about 6.2 million years ago, turning into a barren salt desert. A sudden flood from the Indian Ocean then refilled the basin in less than 100,000 years, carving deep channels and restoring marine life. This event, detailed through seismic imaging and other evidence, highlights the Red Sea's dramatic geological history.

Birds worldwide share evolved warning cry against parasites

An international team of researchers has discovered that birds across four continents produce nearly identical whining vocalizations to warn against brood parasites. This learned response builds on an innate sound, marking the first known example of such a hybrid vocalization in animals. The findings, published October 3 in Nature Ecology and Evolution, highlight how natural selection shapes cooperative communication.

Gaia mission reveals causes of tumbling asteroids

Scientists using data from the European Space Agency's Gaia mission have explained why some asteroids tumble chaotically while others spin steadily, linking it to collision frequency. The findings, presented at the EPSC-DPS2025 Joint Meeting in Helsinki, show a gap in rotation speeds that divides asteroid populations and indicates most are loose rubble piles. This could improve strategies for deflecting hazardous asteroids.

Study suggests moon's largest crater formed from northern impact

A new analysis indicates that the moon's South Pole-Aitken basin, its oldest and largest crater, likely formed from an asteroid impact originating from the north rather than the south. This finding challenges previous assumptions about the moon's early history. The discovery could enhance the value of NASA's upcoming Artemis III mission to the basin's rim.

New ichthyosaur species named Sword Dragon with lethal snout

11 Mwezi wa kumi, 2025 Imeripotiwa na AI

A beautifully preserved skeleton of a new ichthyosaur species, dubbed the Sword Dragon, has been identified from a fossil found on the UK's Jurassic Coast. The marine reptile, about 3 meters long, featured enormous eyes and a sword-like snout for hunting in dim conditions. It lived during the Early Jurassic period, around 193 to 184 million years ago.

EeroQ traps single electrons on liquid helium for qubits

A startup called EeroQ has published research demonstrating how to trap individual electrons floating on liquid helium, proposing it as a foundation for scalable quantum computing qubits. The technique leverages old physics to create isolated electron spins with potentially excellent coherence. Experts suggest this could enable rapid scaling using standard manufacturing processes.

Physicists narrow down strong nuclear force critical point

Researchers have made progress in identifying a critical point where the strong nuclear force weakens, allowing quarks and gluons to form a hot plasma. By analyzing collisions at a New York particle accelerator, scientists have narrowed the possible location of this point on a phase diagram. This finding could reveal insights into the early universe and neutron stars.

Trio awarded 2025 Nobel Prize in Physics for quantum tunneling work

The 2025 Nobel Prize in Physics has been awarded to John Clarke, Michel Devoret, and John Martinis for their pioneering research on quantum tunneling in superconducting circuits. Their 1985 experiments demonstrated how quantum effects apply to complex systems, laying the foundation for modern quantum computers. Clarke expressed surprise at the recognition, noting the unexpected impact of their discovery.