Astronaut sleep study reveals how spaceflight alters rest patterns

Astronauts face unique challenges during space missions, and their sleep patterns are no exception. A recent study conducted by researchers at Harvard College, Harvard Medical School, and NASA Ames Research Center sheds new light on how spaceflight reshapes astronauts’ sleep…

Sleep problems surprisingly common in adults with ADHD, study finds

A large study of adults with ADHD found that 60% of these individuals reported some type of sleep disorder. Specifically, 36% reported having problems falling asleep (delayed sleep onset), 31% reported insomnia, and 29% reported restless legs syndrome/periodic limb movement…

Let’s learn about radiocarbon dating

Say you’re an archaeologist, and you’re studying an ancient skeleton, pair of pants or piece of poop. You want to know just how old that object is, so you can see where it fits into history. But how can you…

How brain activity connects teens’ digital habits to anxiety symptoms

New research published in Affective Science sheds light on how preferences for digital communication over face-to-face interaction are connected to social anxiety in adolescents. Using a novel neurophysiological marker called delta-beta coupling, the study shows that teenagers who rely heavily…

Robotic hand helps pianists overcome “ceiling effect”

Fast and complex multi-finger movements generated by the hand exoskeleton. Credit: Shinichi Furuya Fast and complex multi-finger movements generated by the hand exoskeleton. Credit: Shinichi Furuya When it comes to fine-tuned motor skills like playing the piano, practice, they say,…

Sleeping pills stop the brain’s system for cleaning out waste

Our bodies rely on their lymphatic system to drain excessive fluids and remove waste from tissues, feeding those back into the blood stream. It’s a complex yet efficient cleaning mechanism that works in every organ except the brain. “When cells…

Life is thriving in the subsurface depths of Earth

From the flamboyant blossoms and birds of rainforests to the living rainbows of coral reefs, Earth’s surface is teeming with life. But some of its most diverse and fascinating biomes are thriving in the darkness below. We used to think…

Peeing is contagious among chimps

When ya gotta go, ya gotta go, and if it sometimes seems like the urge to pee seems more pressing when others nearby are letting loose—well, there’s now a bit of science to back that up. It turns out that…

Elon Musk complains about China’s ban on X

Elon Musk has objected to a lack of reciprocity in the US-China tech relationship, a rare criticism from the billionaire on issues sensitive to Beijing after US president-elect Donald Trump prepared to offer a reprieve to TikTok on a ban…

After chaotic weekend, TikTok remains in limbo

TikTok disappeared for a portion of the weekend, following a Supreme Court decision that upheld a 2024 federal law requiring the app to cease operations in the US unless it was sold by its Chinese owner, ByteDance. TikTok is gradually…

Scientists Say: Regolith

Regolith (noun, “RAY-go-lith”) Regolith is the layer of loose rocks and dust on the surface of moons, asteroids and rocky planets — including Earth. This blanket of fine material comes from forces that break down or transform rock. On Earth,…

What is CTE?

Chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE, is a degenerative brain disease linked to repetitive head trauma. Here’s how it affects the brain and who is most at risk.