In this ‘Behind the Paper’ blog post, author Paul Jans van Rensburg – a postdoctoral at Stellenbosch University – discusses his article “Pollinator diversity and host specificity in threatened Encephalartos…
Category: Life
Genetic Pathways Link Cannabis Use to Psychosis Risk
Summary: New research provides a breakthrough in understanding the biological mechanisms linking Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD) and psychosis. By conducting a large-scale genetic meta-analysis, researchers identified over 500 genetic loci…
Hantavirus questions grow in the wake of a cruise ship outbreak
As public health officials around the world monitor dozens of former passengers and crewmembers of the MV Hondius for signs of hantavirus infection, scientists are hoping to learn more about…
Territorial conflict may explain male primates’ large size
It’s a game of monkey mean, monkey grew. Territorial tension may be behind the size of male primates. In many primate species, males have evolved to be bigger than their…
Map of Brain Histamine System Links Molecule to ADHD and Depression
Summary: Researchers developed the first multiscale map of the brain’s histamine system, spanning from genetics to behavior. While histamine is famously linked to allergies, this study highlights its critical, often-overlooked…
First Real-Time Brain-Controlled Hearing Device
Summary: Researchers provided the first direct evidence that brain-controlled technology can help listeners isolate a single voice in a crowded environment. The study demonstrates a system that acts as a…
Reducing Visceral Fat Protects the Brain for Decades
Summary: A new longitudinal study reveals that the accumulation of visceral fat, the “hidden” fat stored deep within the abdominal cavity, is a primary driver of brain atrophy and cognitive…
If wings came before flight, what were they for?
Lily Burton is the Spring 2026 science writing intern at Science News. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Molecular and Cell Biology and Anthropology from UC Berkeley. She also has…
