Science Daily

Scientists found a surprising problem with sugar-free diets

A surprising new study suggests that completely eliminating sugar may backfire. Mice on a sucrose-free low-fat diet showed worse blood sugar control, increased inflammation, disrupted gut bacteria, and signs of fatty liver compared with mice that consumed some sucrose. Researchers say the results highlight the importance of a balanced diet and a healthy gut microbiome rather than focusing solely on cutting out sugar.

science  Jun 14, 2026

Science Daily

People taking GLP-1 weight loss drugs like Ozempic started moving less

People taking popular weight-loss drugs such as Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound may be losing pounds, but they could also be moving less. Researchers analyzing Fitbit data found that daily step counts and exercise levels dropped after people started these medications, despite successful weight loss. Because the drugs can reduce muscle mass along with fat, the decline in physical activity raises concerns about preserving strength and long-term health.

science  Jun 14, 2026

Science Daily

Scientists discover parrots may actually use names

Parrots may be doing more than just repeating words—they may actually use names. By analyzing hundreds of recordings from pet parrots, researchers found evidence that many birds use specific names to identify particular people, animals, and even individual companions. Some parrots appeared to refer to someone who wasn’t present, while others used names in creative ways, such as saying their own name to grab attention.

science  Jun 14, 2026

Science Daily

Yellowstone wolves may not have reshaped the national park after all

One of the most celebrated claims about Yellowstone’s wolves is facing a major challenge. Scientists say the study behind the famous trophic cascade story relied on flawed methods that overstated the ecological impact of wolf recovery. Their reanalysis found no evidence for a dramatic, park-wide surge in willow growth. Instead, the effects appear smaller and vary from place to place.

science  Jun 14, 2026

Science Daily

Why middle age is becoming a breaking point in the U.S.

A new international study finds that middle-aged Americans are lonelier, more depressed, and experiencing worse memory and health than earlier generations. Researchers say growing financial strain, weaker social supports, and chronic stress may explain why the U.S. is falling behind other wealthy nations.

science  Jun 14, 2026

Science Daily

Ancient Denisovan DNA still shapes human immunity today

Ancient encounters between humans and the mysterious Denisovans are still shaping people today. By analyzing genomes from populations across the Pacific, researchers uncovered evidence that the ancestors of Near Oceanians interbred with at least three different Denisovan groups, leaving behind genetic variants that remain active in modern humans.

science  Jun 14, 2026

Science Daily

Your brain can keep improving into your 90s, study finds

A three-year study of nearly 4,000 adults ranging from age 19 to 94 found that brain health can improve at any age, challenging the common belief that mental sharpness must decline as we get older. Participants spent just a few minutes a day on brain-training activities, and researchers found measurable gains across multiple aspects of brain health, including thinking clarity, emotional well-being, and sense of purpose.

science  Jun 13, 2026

Science Daily

Lucy’s hunter revealed: Giant crocodile terrorized early human ancestors

A newly identified crocodile species nicknamed “Lucy’s hunter” prowled Ethiopia’s rivers when Lucy’s species walked the Earth more than 3 million years ago. The giant predator was likely the most dangerous animal in the ecosystem and may have regularly hunted early human relatives.

science  Jun 13, 2026

Science Daily

Alien planet spins revealed a hidden clue to how worlds form

Using the Keck Observatory, astronomers measured the spins of dozens of giant planets and brown dwarfs orbiting distant stars. They found that giant planets can spin faster than much more massive brown dwarfs, challenging simple assumptions about mass and rotation. The results suggest that magnetic fields and formation processes play a major role in determining how fast worlds end up spinning.

science  Jun 13, 2026

Science Daily

Learning a musical instrument in your 70s could help protect memory

Learning a musical instrument later in life may help keep the brain younger for longer. In a four-year study, older adults who continued practicing maintained their memory performance and showed less age-related brain shrinkage than those who quit. The benefits were especially noticeable in brain regions tied to memory and learning.

science  Jun 13, 2026

The Guardian Science

Jeff Bezos’s Blue Origin says it will fly again this year after explosion. Nasa needs it to

The company’s response to the launchpad blast has become a key test for Artemis IIIAs Blue Origin tells it, the most spectacular launchpad explosion in recent memory, which destroyed its pioneering New Glenn space rocket last month and severely damaged almost everything around it, was merely a blip.“We will fly again before the end of this year. Gradatim Ferociter,” Dave Limp, the company’s chief executive, posted on X on 1 June, using the Latin form of its motto, “Step by step, ferociously”. Co

science  Jun 13, 2026

Science Daily

Why grandparents matter more than ever for children's mental health

A child psychologist says grandparents are more important than ever as youth mental health challenges continue to rise. He argues that children need supportive relationships, meaningful conversations, and a sense of purpose—not just pressure to achieve. Grandparents can help by listening, encouraging, and creating positive experiences that strengthen emotional resilience.

science  Jun 13, 2026

The Guardian Science

The hill I will die on: I really don’t like ‘like’ – or other imprecise and redundant speech | Louis de Bernières

Junk speak, like junk food, encourages verbal littering. It has to be one of the worst things about life in BritainI live in the Norfolk countryside, and what irritates me most about living here is the deluge of litter that gets thrown out of car windows in the lane outside my house. It is always from junk food outlets, so the question arises as to which way round things are: does junk food turn you into an antisocial moron, or is it that only antisocial morons eat junk food? Could it be an unfo

science  Jun 13, 2026

Science Daily

A hidden gene finally explains this rare neurological disorder

Scientists have uncovered a surprising new genetic cause of a rare movement disorder after analyzing nearly 3,000 patients with conditions affecting coordination and muscle control. The team identified mutations in a gene called CD99L2, previously linked only to the immune system, and showed that it plays an essential role in keeping nerve-cell communication running smoothly.

science  Jun 13, 2026

Science Daily

Dark energy survives major challenge as universe keeps accelerating

A bold claim that the universe’s accelerating expansion was an illusion has been put to the test—and failed. Researchers found that the study behind the controversy made key mistakes when analyzing supernova data. After revisiting the evidence, astronomers concluded that cosmic acceleration remains as strong as ever.

science  Jun 13, 2026

Science Daily

New fentanyl vaccine blocks deadly overdoses before they start

A new experimental vaccine developed by Scripps Research could offer a powerful new way to prevent fentanyl overdoses by stopping the drug before it reaches the brain. Rather than targeting only fentanyl itself, the vaccine trains the immune system to recognize a broad range of fentanyl-related designer drugs, including some of the most dangerous variants.

science  Jun 13, 2026

The Guardian Science

The SpaceX IPO made Musk a trillionaire. The old rules of capitalism no longer apply | Robert Reich

The economic principles taught in school aren’t as relevant as hype, connections and total, arbitrary controlElon Musk is now the world’s first trillionaire, after his SpaceX exploration and satellite company went public on the Nasdaq today.With shares priced at $135 each, Musk’s aerospace and satellite maker soared to an overall market valuation of approximately $1.77tn – which raised Musk’s net worth (which had already hovered at the astronomical $813bn) into the $1tn stratosphere. Continue re

science  Jun 12, 2026

NASA News

NASA to Cover 34th SpaceX Resupply Mission Space Station Departure

NASA and its international partners are set to receive scientific research samples and hardware as a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft is scheduled to depart the International Space Station on Tuesday, June 16, for its return to Earth. Watch NASA’s live undocking coverage beginning at 11:45 a.m. EDT on NASA+, Amazon Prime, and the agency’s YouTube channel. […]

science  Jun 12, 2026

NASA News

Black Eye Galaxy

This March 20, 2026, image of Messier 64, or the Black Eye Galaxy, is a composite view from NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope and James Webb Space Telescope. It shows Messier 64 captured at near- and mid-infrared wavelengths by Webb, while Hubble’s image shows the galaxy in ultraviolet, visible, and near-infrared light. Messier 64 is characterized […]

science  Jun 12, 2026

Science Daily

Alaska’s glaciers have a startling response to rising temperatures

Alaska’s glaciers are proving to be highly sensitive to warming temperatures. Using radar satellites to monitor more than 3,000 glaciers, researchers found that every 1°C (1.8°F) increase in average summer temperature extends glacier melting by about three weeks. The study also revealed that intense heat waves can strip away up to 28% more protective snow cover, exposing ice much earlier than normal and accelerating ice loss.

science  Jun 12, 2026