Featured News – Science & research news

Surprising ‘fight or flight’ discovery in sleepwalkers paves way to new understanding of phenomenon

June 24, 2021

By Colm Gorey, Frontiers science writer Image: New Africa/Shutterstock.com New research published in the open access journal Frontiers investigating the biological mysteries [...]

A dog’s life: James A Serpell and his investigation into the origin story of mankind’s best friend

June 24, 2021

By Colm Gorey, Frontiers science writer/Prof James Serpell, University of Pennsylvania Prof James A Serpell, University of Pennsylvania. Image: University of Pennsylvania Two [...]

Twin study is first to reveal common genetic risk factors for PTSD and migraine

June 22, 2021

By Conn Hastings, science writer Image credit: sruilk/Shutterstock.com While scientists have known that PTSD and migraine often co-occur, no one had studied this link before [...]

Surprising spider hair discovery may inspire stronger adhesives

June 18, 2021

By K.E.D. Coan, science writer Cupiennius salei wandering spider. Image credit: Kevin Wells Photography / Shutterstock.com A recent study by the open access publisher [...]

Glyphosate pesticides persist for years in wild plants and cause flower infertility

June 16, 2021

Glycophosphate persists within wild plants for at least two years, reducing fertility: Frontiers in Plant Science [...]

Aquaponics treatment system inspired by sewage plants grows tastier crops and keeps fish healthy

June 14, 2021

Novel fish waste treatment system breaks down fish sludge and turns it into fertilizer: Frontiers in Plant Science [...]

Molecular changes in white blood cells can help us diagnose ‘the bends’ earlier in divers

June 10, 2021

First study to show gene expression changes in divers with 'the bends' show role of genes for inflammation and immunity: Frontiers in Physiology [...]

Breakthrough study shows defining traits are forged the moment we’re born

June 10, 2021

Functional brain connectivity networks with behavioral relevance are already present in young infants, finds new study in Frontiers in Psychiatry. [...]

Dr Tal Gordon: ‘During one of my dives, an animal I collected ejected its digestive system at me’

June 7, 2021

By Mischa Dijkstra, Frontiers science writer / Tal Gordon, George S Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel-Aviv University, Israel Tal Gordon during one of her research dives. [...]

Young Arabic speakers offered kid-friendly route into scientific discovery

May 31, 2021

Arabic speakers worldwide can now access a library of kid-friendly scientific articles thanks to a newly launched educational resource. [...]

Beer byproduct mixed with manure proves an excellent organic pesticide

May 31, 2021

By Tayyibah Aziz, science writer A productive lettuce yield following the researchers’ new biodisinfestation method. Image: Maite Gandariasbeitia et al A new study [...]

Beached whale carcasses answer mysteries of elusive species

May 25, 2021

Stable isotope analysis shows that beaked whales exhibit ocean-wide site fidelity, finds new study in Frontiers in Conservation Science [...]

‘We need more research which examines racism and racialization on health and wellbeing of black women’

May 21, 2021

By Colm Gorey, Frontiers science writer/Dr Jenny Douglas, The Open University Dr Jenny Douglas, The Open University. Image: Jenny Douglas To mark the launch of the new [...]

First-of-its-kind flower smells like dead insects to imprison ‘coffin flies’

May 21, 2021

The first known case of a flower mimicking dead arthropods to attract pollinators: Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution [...]

How dancing honey bees could help us save pollinators

May 20, 2021

By Suzanna Burgelman/Dr Margaret Couvillon, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Dr Margaret Couvillon. Image: Margaret Couvillon Pollinators are under threat [...]

‘Data is life!’: Meet a researcher shining a spotlight on racial inequality in academia

May 20, 2021

Image: Hyejin Kang/Shutterstock.com To mark the launch of the new research topic entitled Dismantling racial inequalities in higher education, Prof Marcia Wilson of The Open [...]

No one knew if lymph vessel cells bear cilia. Turns out, they’re indispensable for health

May 14, 2021

Lymphatic primary cilia involved in growth of lymph vessels and inflammation, suggesting possible medical applications: Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology [...]

Stimulating environments boost the brain – Now scientists have identified many of the genes responsible

May 13, 2021

Growing up in stimulating environments causes epigenetic changes to genomic regions important for cognitive mental health: Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience [...]

Coral reef restorations can be optimized to reduce flood risk

May 11, 2021

New practices for reef restoration can protect coasts floods: Frontiers in Marine Science [...]

80% of all SARS-CoV-2 proteins can now be produced in the lab

May 10, 2021

Most SARS-CoV-2 proteins can now be produced in the lab with these open science protocols: Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences [...]

Head to toe: Study reveals brain activity behind missed penalty kicks

May 7, 2021

What's the neuroscience behind missing a penalty kick due to overthinking? Frontiers in Computer Science [...]

An animal able to regenerate all of its organs even when it is dissected into three parts

May 5, 2021

By Tel Aviv University photography & media unit Polycarpa mytiligera. Credit: Tel Aviv University An extraordinary discovery in the Gulf of Eilat: Researchers from Tel [...]

Majority of bird species in Americas could survive climate change, shows study

May 5, 2021

By Robert Hanley / Durham University communications team The Arenal Volcano seen from the Monteverde Cloud Forest. Monteverde-Arenal is one of 21 Important Bird and [...]

Agricultural pesticides cause widespread harm to soil health and threaten biodiversity

May 4, 2021

Comprehensive review shows that pesticides cause damage soil health and biodiversity: Frontiers in Environmental Science [...]

The secret life of bee signals can communicate colony health

May 4, 2021

Recording the electrostatic energy of honeybee hives: Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience [...]

Oceans’ microscopic plants capture carbon via biophysical pathways

May 3, 2021

Diatoms capture carbon dioxide from sea water through biophysical means: Frontiers in Plant Science [...]

‘Fingerprint’ in blood markers may reveal heart attack in chest pain patients

April 23, 2021

By Conn Hastings, science writer Image: New Africa / Shutterstock When a patient with chest pain arrives at hospital, time is of the essence. Doctors must quickly rule heart [...]

Research finds high-tech shoe actually reduces race times for elite athletes

April 22, 2021

Shoe technology has measurably improved performance of elite long-distance runners: Frontiers in Sports and Active Living [...]

Researchers’ VR walking simulator feels surprisingly close to the real thing

April 21, 2021

By Colm Gorey, Frontiers science writer Image: wavebreakmedia/Shutterstock.com Researchers in Japan have developed a virtual reality platform that mimics the sensation of [...]

NASA NeMO-Net video game helps researchers understand global coral reef health

April 21, 2021

Citizen scientists can play video game to help research on coral reefs: Frontiers in Marine Science [...]

New study on virus survival time on surfaces

April 21, 2021

Person wearing blue cleaning gloves spraying a surface with antibacterial spray.

Survival of coronavirus particles on surfaces depends on material: Frontiers in Materials [...]

Gut’s immune response in Covid-19 may not provide efficient protection of other organs

April 20, 2021

Gut-imprinted T cells don't contribute to immunity against SARS-CoV-2: Frontiers in Immunology [...]

A robotic cat can teach us how real animals move

April 19, 2021

Robots can replace animals to teach us more about biology: Frontiers in Neurorobotics [...]

‘Golden needle in the haystack’: Potential Paralympians face more challenges in being talent spotted

April 16, 2021

By Colm Gorey, Frontiers science writer/Dr Nima Dehghansai, York University and Paralympic Innovation Dr Nima Dehghansai. Image: Dr Nima Dehghansai Potential Paralympian [...]

Virtual humans equal to real ones in helping people practice leadership skills

April 16, 2021

Virtual humans can train people in leadership: Frontiers in Virtual Reality [...]

97% of Earth’s land area may no longer be ecologically intact

April 15, 2021

Only between 2% and 3% of the Earth’s terrestrial surface can be considered ecologically intact, according to a new study published in Frontiers in Forests and Global Change [...]

Researchers identify five double star systems potentially suitable for life

April 15, 2021

Habitable Zones, potentially suitable for life, can exist in systems with twin stars and giant planets: Frontiers in Astronomy and Space Sciences [...]

Crop rotations with beans and peas offer more sustainable and nutritious food production

April 13, 2021

Crop rotations with beans and peas offer more sustainable and nutritious food production, finds new study in Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems [...]

Earth’s crust mineralogy drives hotspots for intraterrestrial life

April 9, 2021

Earth’s crust mineralogy drives hotspots for intraterrestrial life, finds new study in Frontiers in Microbiology [...]

Gut bacteria ‘talk’ to horse’s cells to improve their athletic performance

April 8, 2021

Metabolic crosstalk between gut bacteria and mitochondria during exercise of horses: Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences [...]

New Lyme disease test distinguishes between early and late-stage disease

April 7, 2021

Novel sensitive test for Lyme disease: Frontiers in Microbiology [...]

From ghosts to evil genies: How the world experiences terrifying sleep paralysis very differently

March 29, 2021

By Colm Gorey, Frontiers science writer/Dr Baland Jalal, Harvard University and University of Cambridge Dr Baland Jalal. Image: Dr Bamo Jalal Dr Baland Jalal has spent years [...]

What did the brains of the first land vertebrates look like?

March 26, 2021

By Mischa Dijkstra, Frontiers science writer / Dr Alice M Clement, Flinders University Dr Alice Clement. Image: Flinders University What did the brain of the early [...]

Deforestation, forest conversion and palm oil plantations linked to disease outbreaks

March 24, 2021

Deforestation, forest conversion and palm oil plantations linked to disease outbreaks, finds new study in Frontiers in Veterinary Science [...]

Having a single personal doctor may sometimes lead to unnecessary tests

March 22, 2021

Having a single personal doctor may promote overtesting for prostate cancer: Frontiers in Medicine [...]

Tragedy of the Commons: The potential role of individualism in the spread of Covid-19

March 19, 2021

By Dr Yossi Maaravi, Adelson School of Entrepreneurship at IDC, Herzliya John David Photography / Shutterstock.com Dr Yossi Maaravi of the Adelson School of Entrepreneurship [...]

Dolphins adapt to survive invasive coastal constructions

March 18, 2021

Marine ecosystems are endangered by an increasing number of coastal development projects. A new study shows for the first time that bottlenose dolphins may adapt to [...]

Astronauts in crewed Mars missions could misread vital emotional cues

March 17, 2021

By Tania Fitzgeorge-Balfour, Frontiers science writer Long-exposure photo of the centrifuge used to simulate microgravity in the research subjects. Image: DLR Spending an [...]

3 bacterial strains discovered on space station may help grow plants on Mars

March 15, 2021

By Colm Gorey, Frontiers science writer Interior view from the International Space Station cupola. Image: NASA Swab samples of 8 surfaces aboard the International Space [...]

Could coloring our steaks blue help reduce the world’s insatiable demand for meat?

March 11, 2021

By Prof Charles Spence, University of Oxford Image: SciePro/Shutterstock Blue has become an increasingly popular color in drinks and confectionary. Now, Prof Charles Spence [...]