Researchers are developing a futuristic alternative to LASIK that reshapes the eye without lasers or incisions. Using mild electrical pulses and platinum contact lenses, they temporarily soften the cornea so it can be molded into a new shape. Early tests on rabbit eyes successfully corrected nearsightedness in about a minute while preserving the eye’s structure.…

Most Americans know what a real expert’s credentials look like: relevant degree, years of experience, and respect from peers. The problem, according to a study recently published in Scientific Reports, is that none of it matters as much once we find out their politics. That’s the central finding of the research led by Mertcan Güngör,…

[…] Egg consumption was categorized by frequency, ranging from never/rarely to ≥5 times per week. The analytic sample included 39,498 participants (mean follow-up: 15.3 y), among whom 2858 developed Alzheimer’s disease. […] Results Egg consumption was inversely associated with Alzheimer’s disease risk. Compared with never/rarely consuming eggs, HRs (95% CIs) after adjusting for demographic, lifestyle,…

Source: Researchers Induce Smells With Ultrasound, No Chemical Cartridges Required

[…] universities are very good at teaching students how to analyze. They are less explicit about teaching them how to recognize excellence. That distinction matters. Students today are trained to interrogate institutions, examine structures of power, and, at their best, to read texts with care and sophistication. But the complementary task—identifying lives worth studying and…

Source: Cancer-causing chemical found to be leaking from gas cookers | New Scientist

From stubbing your toe to dealing with the occasional headache or sore back, to experience pain is to be human. And for minor aches and pains, the occasional over-the-counter medication is usually enough. But what happens if the pain we’re dealing with isn’t a one-off? What happens when that pain becomes chronic? According to 2023…

Trying to persuade people to abandon deeply held views often backfires, leaving groups entrenched and unable to move forward. A new study by researchers at the University of Bath in the UK proposes a strategy that is both surprising and more effective: encourage neutrality. The researchers, led by Professor Kit Yates from the Department of…

When people try to focus on a faint sound, many instinctively shut their eyes. The common belief is that removing visual distractions allows the brain to concentrate more fully on hearing, boosting sensitivity. However, this approach does not always work, especially in environments filled with background noise.A study published in JASA, on behalf of the…

[…] the free versions of all five of the most commonly used AI models will consistently recommend meal plans so low in calories and essential nutrients that following them could literally stunt their growth. Worse, for these teens, two independent registered dietitians, who reviewed the researchers’ reported results for Gizmodo, both agreed. “Adolescence is one…

Online shopping continues to grow globally, with total e-commerce sales estimated at $6 trillion by 2024 and consumers in Western Europe making nearly 19 online purchases per year. In this rapidly expanding landscape, online retailers are increasingly investing in interactive and contextual product images to capture customer attention. But do these visual strategies actually work?…

[…] a 20-year study of 2832 people aged 65 and older suggests specific exercises may offer benefits. The participants were randomly assigned to one of three intervention groups or to a control group. One group engaged in speed training, using a computer-based task called Double Decision, which briefly displays a car and a road sign…

We don’t experience the world through neat, separate senses—everything blends together. Smell, touch, sound, sight, and balance constantly influence one another, shaping how food tastes, objects feel, and even how heavy our bodies seem. Scientists now believe humans may have more than 20 distinct senses working at once. Everyday illusions and experiences reveal just how…

A growing body of research continues to show that older workers are generally more productive than younger employees. Annie Coleman, founder of consultancy RealiseLongevity, analyzed the data and highlighted a 2025 study finding peak performance occurs between the ages of 55-60. Writing in the Stanford Center on Longevity blog, she cited research examining 16 cognitive…

A natural chemical in dark chocolate may play a role in slowing certain signs of biological aging. Researchers at King’s College London have identified theobromine, a plant compound found in cocoa, as a possible contributor to this effect. The study, published on December 10 in Aging, analyzed how much theobromine was present in participants’ blood and compared…

During covid-19, most of us became accustomed to conducting all sorts of business via video call, as well as struggling with the unavoidable technical problems associated with such digital interactions. New research, however, reveals that in certain situations, glitches can be more harmful than one might think. Researchers found that audiovisual glitches during face-to-face video…

[…] On Wednesday, Cosmo Pharmaceuticals announced the results of its two phase III trials testing out the topical drug clascoterone for AGA. Compared to placebo, people on clascoterone gained back significantly more hair—with one trial showing a roughly 500% improvement in hair restoration. The results will pave the way for a potential FDA approval next…

A new study suggests that briefly changing the way people see their own bodies can make it easier to recall autobiographical memories, including some from early childhood. Published in Scientific Reports, part of the Nature journal group, the research is the first to show that adults can access early memories more effectively after temporarily viewing…

Why do some people endorse claims that can easily be disproved? It’s one thing to believe false information, but another to actively stick with something that’s obviously wrong. Our new research, published in the Journal of Social Psychology, suggests that some people consider it a “win” to lean in to known falsehoods. We are social psychologists who study…