Feature Stories
Updates every hour. Last Updated: 31-Mar-2026 14:15 ET (31-Mar-2026 18:15 GMT/UTC)
15-Dec-2025
Can AI strengthen democracy and improve collective decision-making?
Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences
Ariel Procaccia is the Alfred and Rebecca Lin Professor of Computer Science at the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS). His work combines mathematics, computer science, and AI to develop fairer, more representative methods of collective decision-making.
15-Dec-2025
SFU’s WearTech Labs celebrates grand opening at Surrey campus
Simon Fraser University
WearTech Labs, one of SFU’s Core Facilities, today celebrated its grand opening with an event at SFU’s Surrey campus. The event marks the launch of the final lab within the facility, which offers a range of cutting-edge research and development (R&D) services for wearable technologies (wearables). WearTech Labs provides industry and research partners with access to world-leading facilities and expertise to drive innovation and real impact.
12-Dec-2025
Abdominal obesity and muscle loss increase the risk of death by 83% after age 50
Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo
A study of more than 5,000 people over 12 years showed that simple measures to assess the two conditions can facilitate the diagnosis of sarcopenic obesity without complex tests, such as MRI and CT scans. This finding expands access to treatment for older adults.
- Journal
- Aging Clinical and Experimental Research
- Funder
- Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo
12-Dec-2025
Eight sessions of non-invasive brain stimulation improve postural response in people with Parkinson’s disease
Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo
A study conducted at São Paulo State University indicates that the non-invasive technique provides lasting benefits by reducing the risk of falls. The study involved 22 volunteers with Parkinson's. disease
- Journal
- Gait & Posture
- Funder
- Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo
12-Dec-2025
Arctic plunge to bring sub-zero temps and snow; take extra care to stay heart healthy
American Heart Association
A significant Arctic blast expected to hit the U.S. starting later this week will bring the coldest air of the season, dangerous wind, heavy snow - and the risk of heart issues - to those living in communities from the Great Plains to the Great Lakes. The exertion of shoveling snow in extreme cold can be deadly.
12-Dec-2025
Mathematics for social change: small area estimation in action
Kyushu University
In statistics, data collection is a difficult process that demands thoughtful consideration. Securing a sufficient sample size can be challenging, or even impossible, regardless of the method employed. Small area estimation is a promising statistical technique that not only focuses on the target data but also incorporates data from related areas to improve mathematical accuracy. We spoke with Masayo Hirose, a researcher specializing in small area estimation, who shared the unique appeal of this field, the future direction of her work, and the message she hopes to convey to students.
12-Dec-2025
Animal experiments: Figures, myths, alternatives
BfR Federal Institute for Risk Assessment
A myth has been circulating among pet owners for decades: free-roaming dogs and cats are caught by dubious criminal animal catchers – and then abused in laboratories for animal testing. “But there is a clear ban on this: animals like these may not be used for animal testing,” explains biologist and neuroscientist Dr Philipp Schwedhelm from the German Centre for the Protection of Laboratory Animals (Bf3R) at the BfR. In the German-language BfR science podcast ‘Risiko’, Schwedhelm explains the recently published figures from the laboratory animal statistics for 2024, which he oversees and talks about myths surrounding animal testing and the search for alternatives.
12-Dec-2025
Estonian scientists are cracking the code of the sugars that protect newborns
Estonian Research Council
Human breast milk contains a molecular secret that science has spent decades trying to replicate. These human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) account for just one per cent of breast milk, yet they train an infant’s immune system, block infections and shape gut health in ways that formula still cannot match, writes TalTech’s news portal Trialoog.
12-Dec-2025
Listening to Kamilaroi Women: Report findings highlight risk of losing art of cooking with native grasses
Griffith University
Project helps restore Kamilaroi women’s knowledge of native grass growing and breaking in Moree.