Requests for blood from unvaccinated donors is harming patients
A hospital in the United States has faced challenges after patients requesting blood transfusions specifically from donors unvaccinated against COVID-19 caused delays in treatment, leading to serious health risks. At Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, 15 patients or their caregivers requested directed blood donations from unvaccinated donors between January 2024 and December 2025. These requests, driven by concerns not supported by scientific evidence, resulted in treatment postponements, including one case where a patient’s dangerously low hemoglobin level posed a life-threatening risk. Directed blood donations, where blood is given by a chosen individual rather than sourced from anonymous volunteer donors, are operationally more complex and carry higher infection risks compared to routine blood supply. While such donations are permitted under strict conditions in countries like the UK and Australia, the US allows the practice more broadly but discourages it. The vaccination status of anonymous donors is not recorded or disclosed, making these requests difficult to fulfill and causing delays that can jeopardize patient safety. The resurgence of directed donations linked to COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy echoes patterns seen during the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the 1980s and 1990s. Despite extensive research confirming the safety and efficacy of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines, misinformation and conspiracy theories have fueled fears about vaccine side effects, including unfounded claims about fertility and other health issues. Experts emphasize that the blood supply is highly regulated and screened, and there is no evidence that blood from unvaccinated donors is safer or more effective for transfusions. This situation highlights the broader public health challenge posed by vaccine misinformation and its impact on medical practices. Delays in transfusions caused by unfounded demands for unvaccinated blood not only strain healthcare resources but also endanger patients who rely on timely and safe blood products. Medical professionals continue to advocate for reliance on scientifically validated protocols to ensure patient safety and maintain the integrity of the blood supply.
Monkeys walk around a virtual world using only their thoughts
Researchers at KU Leuven in Belgium have successfully enabled rhesus macaque monkeys to navigate virtual environments using only their thoughts through a brain-computer interface (BCI). Each monkey was implanted with three arrays of electrodes targeting the primary motor cortex as well as the dorsal and ventral premotor cortices. These implants allowed the animals to control a virtual sphere and animated avatars from both first- and third-person perspectives, effectively moving through complex virtual landscapes and buildings without any physical movement. The study marks a significant advancement in BCI technology by accessing higher-level brain regions involved in planning and abstract movement, rather than relying solely on signals related to direct physical motion. This approach contrasts with many previous human BCI trials, where users had to imagine simple physical actions such as finger movements to control cursors, often resulting in slow and unintuitive control. The researchers believe that tapping into these premotor areas provides a more natural and intuitive interface, potentially reducing the learning curve for users. The implications of this research are particularly promising for people with paralysis, who could one day use similar BCIs to explore virtual worlds or operate electric wheelchairs more fluidly and intuitively. However, translating these findings to humans will require further work to precisely identify corresponding brain regions, which are less well mapped in people compared to monkeys. Researchers remain optimistic that once these areas are located, human trials could follow, offering improved quality of life and greater independence for individuals with severe motor impairments. Experts in the field highlight the flexibility of this BCI system, noting that it allows control across different viewpoints and contexts, akin to how gamers use a single controller for various games. This adaptability suggests the interface taps into abstract representations of movement, enhancing its potential utility across multiple applications beyond virtual navigation, including more versatile prosthetics and assistive technologies.
This 31-foot “terror croc” ate dinosaurs. Now it’s back
A life-size, scientifically accurate replica of Deinosuchus schwimmeri, a massive prehistoric crocodilian that lived over 75 million years ago, is now on display at the Tellus Science Museum in Cartersville, Georgia. Measuring more than 30 feet long, this apex predator once roamed the southeastern United States and was known for preying on dinosaurs, earning it the nickname "terror croc." The exhibit marks the first fully mounted skeleton of this species, created through a two-year collaboration between Dr. David Schwimmer, a geology professor at Columbus State University, and Triebold Paleontology Inc. Deinosuchus schwimmeri lived during the Late Cretaceous period, approximately 83 to 76 million years ago, and was one of the largest crocodilian species to have ever existed. Its immense size and predatory behavior placed it at the top of the food chain, capable of hunting large dinosaurs such as Appalachiosaurus. The species was officially named in 2020 to honor Dr. Schwimmer’s decades of research, which significantly advanced scientific understanding of this prehistoric giant. The Tellus Science Museum’s new display offers visitors a rare opportunity to see this prehistoric creature up close, providing a tangible connection to the region’s ancient ecosystem. Museum educators emphasize the exhibit’s value for students and the public in illustrating the scale and diversity of life during the Cretaceous period. As the only museum worldwide to feature a cast of Deinosuchus schwimmeri, Tellus enhances its role as a center for paleontological education and regional natural history. This exhibit not only highlights the evolutionary history of crocodilians but also deepens appreciation for the complex ecosystems that existed alongside dinosaurs. By bringing Deinosuchus back to life in such detail, the museum fosters greater public engagement with paleontology and underscores the importance of ongoing research in uncovering Earth’s prehistoric past.
The surprising reason you’re so productive one day and not the next
A study from the University of Toronto Scarborough reveals that daily fluctuations in mental sharpness significantly impact productivity, with sharper thinking on a given day equating to nearly 40 extra minutes of effective work. Researchers tracked university students over 12 weeks, finding that when individuals felt more mentally alert, they set higher goals and were more likely to follow through, whether on academic tasks or everyday activities. Conversely, days marked by lower mental clarity corresponded with reduced goal completion and increased difficulty in performing even simple tasks. The research, published in Science Advances, focused on within-person changes rather than comparing different individuals, providing a nuanced understanding of how mental sharpness varies daily and influences outcomes. Participants completed daily cognitive tests measuring speed and accuracy, alongside self-reports on goals, mood, sleep, and workload. This comprehensive approach allowed the team to link mental sharpness directly to real-world productivity rather than relying on broad averages or personality traits. Mental sharpness, defined as the clarity, focus, and efficiency of thinking, enables quicker decision-making and better concentration. The study found that even individuals with strong traits like grit or self-control experienced fluctuations in productivity tied to their mental state. Importantly, pushing too hard for extended periods can reverse these benefits, suggesting the need for balance in managing cognitive resources. These findings highlight the importance of recognizing and accommodating natural variations in mental sharpness to optimize daily performance. Understanding that productivity ebbs and flows with cognitive clarity can inform strategies for goal-setting, workload management, and self-care, particularly in demanding environments such as academia and the workplace.
'I'm not being listened to' - new health plan launched as women say they are still ignored
A new health plan aimed at addressing longstanding issues in women’s healthcare has been launched amid ongoing concerns that women’s symptoms and pain are still not being taken seriously. Zoe Trafford, a Liverpool hairdresser who has suffered from severe endometriosis since her teens, exemplifies these challenges. Despite undergoing major surgery that involved removing her womb and part of her bowel, she continues to experience complications and feels trapped in a cycle of referrals without clear solutions. Her story highlights the persistent struggles many women face within the NHS system, even after the 2022 women’s health strategy promised significant improvements. The updated strategy, introduced by the Labour government, seeks to tackle what Health Secretary Wes Streeting described as an “endemic problem” of dismissing women’s health concerns. Streeting acknowledged the existence of a “culture of medical misogyny” and unconscious bias within the NHS, which has led to women feeling like “second class citizens” when their pain is minimized or their symptoms are labeled as overreactions. He emphasized the need for faster reductions in NHS waiting lists and better responsiveness to women’s healthcare needs to reverse the trend of worsening outcomes. Zoe’s experience underscores the broader issue of systemic failures in women’s health services, where patients often face long waits and fragmented care. After her surgery, she now has to manage complex complications, including self-catheterization, and has been forced to give up her profession due to debilitating pain. Her ongoing difficulties navigating between specialists and general practitioners reflect the gaps in coordinated care that the new plan aims to address. The health plan’s launch comes amid growing public and political pressure to improve how the NHS listens to and treats women. While the 2022 strategy set ambitious goals to “radically improve” engagement with women and girls, the updated approach acknowledges that much work remains to be done. The government’s renewed focus on combating sexism and bias in healthcare signals a commitment to transforming women’s health services, but the experiences of patients like Zoe highlight the urgent need for tangible change.
Sperm whales’ communication closely parallels human language, study finds
Researchers have found that sperm whales’ vocal communications closely resemble human language in complexity and structure. The study reveals that sperm whales use a form of “alphabet” within their codas—series of short clicks—that function similarly to vowels in human speech. These clicks vary in length and tone, allowing the whales to differentiate sounds in patterns comparable to languages such as Mandarin, Latin, and Slovenian. The findings suggest that sperm whale communication has evolved independently but parallels human phonetics and phonology more closely than any other known animal communication system. The research was conducted by Project CETI (Cetacean Translation Initiative), which studies sperm whales off the coast of Dominica. Using advanced technology, including artificial intelligence, scientists have been able to analyze the whales’ vocalizations in unprecedented detail. This has led to discoveries such as the whales’ ability to pass information across generations, indicating a rich cultural and communicative life. The project recently released footage of a sperm whale giving birth, highlighting the social complexity of these marine mammals. Sperm whales produce codas by clicking their heads together near the ocean surface, where they engage in social “chit-chat.” These vocalizations are highly complex, with nuanced variations that mirror human speech patterns. Despite the evolutionary distance—humans and sperm whales last shared a common ancestor over 90 million years ago—the parallels in communication systems are striking. The study underscores the importance of understanding non-human languages and challenges assumptions about human uniqueness in linguistic capabilities. Studying sperm whales is challenging due to their deep dives and brief surfacing intervals, but advances in technology have made it possible to observe and decode their communication. The research not only expands knowledge of sperm whale behavior but also offers insights into the evolution of language and cognition across species, highlighting the potential for sophisticated communication beyond humans.
Hidden treasures: Spanish archaeologists discover trove of ancient shipwrecks in Bay of Gibraltar
Spanish archaeologists have uncovered a significant collection of ancient shipwrecks in the Bay of Gibraltar, revealing more than 30 vessels dating from the fifth century BC to the Second World War. The discovery, part of a three-year project led by the University of Cádiz and the University of Granada, has identified 151 archaeological sites, including 134 shipwrecks. Among the documented wrecks are Phoenician, Roman, medieval, and early modern ships, as well as remnants of a 1930s airplane, highlighting the bay’s long history as a strategic maritime crossroads. The oldest wreck is a Punic-era ship from the fifth century BC, while other finds include 23 Roman ships, two late Roman vessels, four medieval ships, and 24 from the early modern period. The diversity of the wrecks reflects the bay’s role as a vital passageway between Europe and Africa, where ships from numerous nations—including Dutch, Venetian, Spanish, and British—navigated for trade, exploration, and military purposes. Among the notable discoveries is an 18th-century Spanish gunboat, illustrating the area’s military significance over centuries. Project Herakles, led by archaeology professor Felipe Cerezo Andreo, emphasizes the bay’s importance as a maritime bottleneck through which countless ships have passed. The concentration and variety of shipwrecks in this area are rare in the Mediterranean, offering valuable insights into the region’s complex history of commerce, conflict, and cultural exchange. The team is particularly interested in three medieval vessels that may provide new information about seafaring during the late Islamic period in southern Spain. This trove of underwater archaeological sites not only enriches understanding of historical navigation and naval warfare but also underscores the Bay of Gibraltar’s enduring strategic and cultural significance. Continued exploration and documentation are expected to shed further light on the maritime heritage of this pivotal gateway between the Mediterranean and the Atlantic.
Don't feel like exercising? Maybe it's the wrong time of day for you
A recent study highlights the importance of aligning exercise routines with an individual’s natural internal body clock to maximize health benefits. Researchers found that people who exercised according to their chronotype—morning larks in the morning and night owls in the evening—experienced greater improvements in cardiovascular health, metabolic markers, and sleep quality. The study involved 134 participants in their 40s and 50s from Pakistan, all with at least one heart risk factor, who completed supervised treadmill walking sessions five times a week for three months. Participants were divided based on their chronotype, with some exercising at times that matched their natural alertness patterns and others at opposite times. While all showed fitness improvements, those who synchronized exercise timing with their body clocks saw more significant reductions in blood pressure and better aerobic capacity. Researchers suggest that the internal body clock, which regulates sleep-wake cycles, hormone levels, and energy, plays a crucial role in exercise performance and adherence. The findings challenge the conventional “one-size-fits-all” approach to workout scheduling and highlight the risks of "social jetlag," a mismatch between biological rhythms and social obligations, which is linked to increased heart disease risk. The study’s implications extend to fitness industry practices, where flexibility in gym hours is becoming more common to accommodate varying chronotypes. Experts emphasize the importance of consistency and realistic goal-setting in maintaining an exercise habit, noting a growing trend toward strength training across all age groups. This research underscores the potential for personalized exercise timing to enhance health outcomes, particularly for individuals at higher risk of cardiovascular conditions.
New species of glass frog identified in Ecuador
Researchers in Ecuador have identified a new species of glass frog, naming it after Neisi Dajomes, the first Ecuadorian woman to win an Olympic gold medal in weightlifting. The discovery was made by undergraduate student Mylena Masache during the COVID-19 pandemic while analyzing museum specimens from previous expeditions to the El Quimi Nature Reserve in southern Ecuador. This new frog species is distinguished by its continuous green back and yellow fingers, and it is estimated to have evolved around 4.5 million years ago, setting it apart from about 160 other known glass frog species. The discovery highlights the unique biodiversity of the El Quimi Nature Reserve, a mountainous region in southern Ecuador. Santiago Ron, a professor of evolutionary biology at the Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador and an experienced frog researcher, helped confirm the species’ distinctiveness. Finding new glass frog species is relatively rare, making this identification particularly significant. The naming of the frog after Dajomes also reflects a connection to Ecuador’s cultural heritage, as she is an Afro-Ecuadorian athlete from the Amazon region, inspiring the researchers. Despite the excitement surrounding the discovery, the habitat of the Dajomes glass frog faces threats from mining activities in the area. Santiago Ron emphasized that the presence of this unique species underscores the ecological importance of the region and the need for conservation efforts. The identification of the new frog species not only enriches scientific understanding of amphibian diversity but also draws attention to the environmental challenges confronting Ecuador’s natural reserves.
In the brain, objects seen and imagined follow the same neural path
New research reveals that the brain uses the same neurons and neural code to process both seen and imagined objects. Scientists recorded activity from over 700 individual neurons in epilepsy patients who had electrodes implanted for medical reasons. The study found that when participants either viewed or imagined objects, the same neural pathways were activated, demonstrating a shared mechanism for perception and imagination. This discovery, published in the journal Science, provides direct neural evidence that visual perception and mental imagery are closely linked at the cellular level. Experts note that this insight advances understanding of how the brain constructs mental images, allowing people to visualize objects not currently in view or to combine familiar elements into novel forms, such as imagining a unicorn. The findings also shed light on the brain’s ability to augment incomplete visual information by mentally filling in unseen parts of objects. Beyond deepening scientific knowledge of brain function, the research has practical implications. It may aid the development of computer models that simulate human vision and vision disorders, potentially improving prosthetic devices designed to restore sight. Moreover, understanding the neural basis of imagination could inform strategies for cognitive training and rehabilitation, including interventions aimed at reducing dementia risk through mental exercise. The study leveraged a unique opportunity to monitor single-neuron activity in human brains, a method rarely possible outside clinical contexts. By bridging the gap between perception and imagination at the neural level, this work opens new avenues for exploring how the brain integrates sensory input with internal representations, ultimately enriching both neuroscience research and clinical applications.