## Simple Therapies Prove More Effective Than Medications for Knee Osteoarthritis

Groundbreaking research involving nearly 10,000 patients has revealed that straightforward, non-pharmaceutical treatments — including knee braces, hydrotherapy, and regular exercise — can deliver significant relief for those suffering from knee osteoarthritis. Beyond their effectiveness, these approaches carry none of the serious health risks associated with conventional pain medications, potentially transforming how healthcare providers approach arthritis management.

## What the Research Involved

Published in the peer-reviewed open-access journal *PLOS One*, this comprehensive meta-analysis examined data drawn from 139 clinical trials. Researchers systematically compared 12 distinct non-drug treatment options, ranging from laser therapy and electrical stimulation to knee braces, insoles, kinesiology tape, water-based therapies, physical exercise, and ultrasound.

Using a network meta-analysis framework, the team was able to consolidate findings across all studies and generate reliable rankings for each treatment's overall effectiveness.

## Why This Research Matters

Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is one of the most common and debilitating conditions affecting older adults worldwide. Characterized by persistent joint pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility, it significantly impacts quality of life. While anti-inflammatory medications are widely prescribed, they come with considerable risks — including gastrointestinal complications and cardiovascular side effects — making safer alternatives highly desirable.

## Top-Performing Non-Drug Therapies

### Knee Braces

Among all treatments evaluated, knee braces emerged as the top performer. They demonstrated strong results across multiple outcome measures, including pain reduction, improved joint function, and decreased stiffness. Their combination of effectiveness and accessibility makes them a particularly compelling option for patients and clinicians alike.

### Hydrotherapy

Water-based therapy ranked as especially powerful for pain relief. Performing exercises in warm water reduces joint stress while promoting mobility and muscle strengthening — a combination that proves particularly beneficial for arthritis sufferers who may struggle with land-based exercise.

### Exercise

Regular physical exercise delivered consistent and well-rounded benefits, improving both pain levels and overall physical function. Its low cost and broad accessibility position it as one of the most practical first-line interventions available.

## How Advanced Treatments Compare

Some higher-technology options, such as high-intensity laser therapy and shock wave therapy, produced moderate improvements. However, ultrasound therapy consistently ranked at the bottom of the effectiveness scale, suggesting that expensive or technologically advanced interventions do not necessarily translate to better patient outcomes.

## Limitations and Future Directions

The researchers acknowledged certain limitations within the analysis. Variations in study design, smaller sample sizes in some trials, and differences in treatment duration could influence the precision of the rankings. Despite these considerations, the overarching conclusion remains robust: physical therapy-based approaches offer meaningful, clinically relevant benefits without the dangers linked to anti-inflammatory drugs.

Future studies are encouraged to investigate whether combining multiple therapies could produce even greater improvements and to assess the cost-effectiveness of these interventions within real-world healthcare settings.

## Expert Takeaway

The study's authors were direct in their conclusions: knee braces, hydrotherapy, and exercise represent the most effective non-drug therapies currently available for knee osteoarthritis. They reduce pain and enhance mobility without exposing patients to gastrointestinal or cardiovascular risks commonly associated with pharmaceutical options.

As the researchers put it, their findings could reshape clinical guidelines, shifting focus toward safer, lower-cost, and highly accessible interventions — ultimately benefiting millions of arthritis patients around the world.

New research on nearly 10,000 patients shows knee braces, hydrotherapy, and exercise outperform medications for knee osteoarthritis relief.

Best Non-Drug Treatments for Knee Osteoarthritis Pain

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Non-Drug Treatments Outperform Medications for Knee Arthritis Relief

## NASA Counts Down to Its Most Ambitious Crewed Mission in Decades

For the first time since the 1970s, human beings are preparing to travel to the moon. NASA's Artemis II mission is now just days away from liftoff, marking a defining moment in the history of space exploration and reigniting humanity's connection to lunar travel.

### A Launch That Could Reshape Space History

As early as Wednesday, the Artemis II crew is scheduled to blast off aboard NASA's Space Launch System rocket, beginning a journey that will take them around the moon and safely back to Earth. The mission represents the first time astronauts have ventured anywhere near the lunar surface since the Apollo program concluded more than fifty years ago.

### Why Artemis II Matters

While Artemis II will not land on the moon, its significance cannot be overstated. The mission is designed to test deep-space systems and validate the Orion spacecraft's performance with a live crew aboard — a critical step before NASA attempts an actual lunar landing with the follow-up Artemis III mission.

The four-person crew will travel farther from Earth than any human beings have journeyed since the Apollo era, pushing the boundaries of crewed spaceflight and paving the way for a sustained human presence beyond our planet.

### A New Era of Lunar Exploration

Artemis II is widely regarded as the cornerstone of NASA's broader Artemis program, which aims to return Americans to the lunar surface and eventually establish long-term exploration infrastructure. The mission also holds symbolic weight, representing a generational leap forward for space agencies, commercial partners, and the global scientific community alike.

With launch day approaching rapidly, anticipation continues to build around what promises to be one of the most watched and celebrated space events in modern history.

NASA's Artemis II is days from launch, sending a crew around the moon for the first time since the 1970s. Here's what you need to know about this historic missi

NASA Artemis II Moon Launch Just Days Away in 2026

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Artemis II Moon Mission Just Days Away as NASA Prepares for Historic Launch

## When Dinosaurs Stood on Two Legs

Long before the age of modern giants, certain dinosaurs were pulling off a remarkable physical feat — rising up on their hind legs to tower over their surroundings. New research reveals that some smaller sauropods were surprisingly well-equipped for this upright posture, using it to access food, intimidate predators, and potentially attract mates. But there was a catch: the bigger they got, the harder it became.

A study published in the journal *Palaeontology*, led by an international team of researchers from Brazil, Germany, and Argentina, sheds new light on this extraordinary behavior — and explains why body size was ultimately the limiting factor.

## Two Species That Could Rise Above the Rest

Approximately 66 million years ago, during the Late Cretaceous period, two South American sauropods demonstrated a rare ability among their kind. The Brazilian *Uberabatitan ribeiroi* and the Argentine *Neuquensaurus australis* — both roughly comparable in size to modern elephants — were capable of standing upright on their hind legs for extended periods of time.

Though considered small by sauropod standards, these were still formidable creatures. Adult *Uberabatitan* individuals may have stretched up to 26 meters in length, earning the species the title of the largest dinosaur ever discovered in Brazil. Despite their impressive scale, the research suggests that prolonged bipedal standing was primarily a behavior observed in younger, lighter individuals.

Standing tall on two legs offered these plant-eating giants significant survival advantages. By rearing up, they could browse vegetation far beyond the reach of competing herbivores. The posture may also have served as a visual threat display against predators, making the animal appear considerably larger. Researchers also suggest it could have played a role in mating behaviors, from physical mounting to elaborate courtship displays.

## Engineering Science Meets Paleontology

To investigate how these ancient animals handled the physical demands of bipedal posture, researchers turned to a technique borrowed from structural engineering — finite element analysis (FEA). This computational method is commonly used to assess how materials and structures respond to physical forces, such as the stress calculations performed when designing a bridge.

The team digitally reconstructed femur bones from seven different sauropod species, drawing on fossil specimens held in museum collections across the globe. Each species was chosen to represent a diverse range of evolutionary lineages, body sizes, and skeletal characteristics.

### Simulating Stress From Two Angles

The simulations examined stress on the femur from two distinct perspectives. The first — an extrinsic scenario — modeled the downward force of gravity and the dinosaur's own body weight pressing on the femur while the animal stood on two legs. The second — an intrinsic scenario — calculated the force generated by the animal's own muscles acting on the same bone.

"Using this technique, we performed two simulations," explained Julian Silva Júnior, postdoctoral researcher at São Paulo State University (FEIS-UNESP) and the study's lead author. "One dealt with the extrinsic scenario — gravity and the animal's weight on the femur. In the other, we analyzed the intrinsic scenario — the force that the muscles would exert on the femur."

By combining both results, the team was able to estimate the total mechanical stress each species would have experienced when standing upright.

## South American Species Had a Structural Advantage

The findings revealed that *Uberabatitan* and *Neuquensaurus* registered the lowest stress levels in their femur bones across all species studied. Their skeletal architecture — featuring more robust femurs capable of distributing force more effectively — gave them a distinct physical edge when it came to sustaining an upright stance.

Larger sauropods, despite possessing enormous muscles and massive femurs of their own, simply couldn't overcome the mechanical disadvantage of their extraordinary body weight. The stress placed on their leg bones during bipedal posture would have been substantially greater, making prolonged upright standing impractical.

"They had more robust femurs and could dissipate stress better," said Silva Júnior. "The bigger ones had very large muscles and even giant femurs, but not enough to support their weight. That doesn't mean they couldn't stand up, but they probably chose the best time to do so — because it must have been an uncomfortable position."

Importantly, adult *Uberabatitan* individuals — unlike the juvenile specimen analyzed in the study — would likely have faced the same biomechanical challenges as other large sauropods, suggesting this ability diminished significantly with age and growth.

## Acknowledging the Limits of the Model

The researchers were transparent about the boundaries of their analysis. The simulations did not account for cartilage, which would have cushioned joint stress in living animals, nor did they factor in the stabilizing role of the tail — which may have functioned as a third support point in a tripod-like stance during bipedal posture.

Because no direct cartilage evidence was preserved in any of the fossil specimens, the team applied consistent assumptions across all species. "The tool we use is very efficient for comparisons, even if the answer isn't exact for each one," Silva Júnior noted. "By comparing representatives from different lineages, we can get a fairly accurate picture of how these animals behaved millions of years ago."

## A Behavior That Faded With Growth

What emerges from this research is a nuanced portrait of dinosaur behavior shaped by the realities of biology and physics. For young, lighter sauropods, rearing up on two legs was a genuinely useful and relatively comfortable strategy. As these animals matured and their mass increased, the same posture became a calculated, energy-costly decision rather than a routine behavior.

What was once an agile and effective tactic in youth gradually transformed into an occasional, strategic act in adulthood — a vivid reminder that even in the age of giants, size always came with trade-offs.

New research reveals how smaller sauropods like Uberabatitan could stand upright on two legs, and why increasing body size eventually made this posture unsustai

How Sauropod Dinosaurs Stood on Two Legs — and Why Size Stop

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How Young Dinosaurs Could Stand Tall — And Why Size Eventually Stopped Them

## Scientists Just Rewrote the History of Man's Best Friend

For decades, researchers accepted a well-established scientific consensus: domestic dogs have walked alongside humans for approximately 10,000 years. That figure, supported by archaeological evidence and fossil records, became the gold standard in the study of animal domestication. Now, a landmark genetic study is challenging everything we thought we knew.

## What the New Research Reveals

A newly published genetic analysis has uncovered compelling evidence that dogs were domesticated nearly 5,000 years earlier than previously documented. This means our canine companions may have been living alongside humans for as many as 15,000 years — a revelation that fundamentally reshapes our understanding of the human-dog relationship.

The study, which drew on advanced genomic sequencing techniques, was able to trace genetic lineages far deeper into prehistoric time than traditional fossil-based methods allowed. By analyzing ancient DNA, researchers identified markers that point to a much earlier divergence between wolves and domestic dogs.

## Why This Discovery Matters

### Redefining Domestication Science

This finding carries enormous implications not just for the study of dogs, but for the broader field of animal domestication. Understanding when and how early humans first formed bonds with wolves — the ancestors of modern dogs — offers a rare window into prehistoric human behavior, social structure, and survival strategies.

### The Limits of Physical Evidence

For years, scientists were constrained by the physical fossil record, which could only confirm what bones and artifacts could reveal. Genetic research has increasingly proven capable of filling those gaps, reaching further back in time with greater precision than any excavation site could provide.

## A New Chapter in Human-Animal History

The relationship between humans and dogs is often described as the oldest and most enduring partnership in the animal kingdom. This latest research suggests that bond is even more ancient — and perhaps even more deeply woven into the fabric of human evolution — than science has ever been able to prove before.

As genetic tools continue to advance, researchers expect further revelations about the origins of domesticated animals, potentially rewriting other chapters of natural history in the process.

A groundbreaking genetic study reveals dogs were domesticated nearly 5,000 years earlier than scientists previously proved, pushing the timeline back 15,000 yea

New Study Proves Dogs Existed 5,000 Years Earlier Than Thoug

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Groundbreaking Genetic Study Pushes Dog Domestication Back Nearly 5,000 Years

## NASA's Artemis II Spacesuit Lab Opens Its Doors

With the Artemis II mission on the horizon, NASA astronauts are making final preparations for humanity's most ambitious return to the Moon in more than five decades. At the heart of these preparations is a specialized facility at Johnson Space Center — the Orion Crew Survival Systems Lab — where cutting-edge spacesuits are being engineered to keep the crew safe throughout their historic journey.

### The Engineer Behind the Suits

Leading the spacesuit development effort is NASA engineer Dustin Gohmert, who has spent years overseeing the design and testing of the Artemis II crew suits. His team's work is focused on ensuring astronaut safety across a range of demanding scenarios, from the intense forces experienced during launch and re-entry to unexpected emergency situations that could arise during the mission.

### What Makes These Suits Special

While the new suits share some design DNA with earlier generations, Gohmert notes that the physical demands placed on astronauts during this mission will push the boundaries of what has previously been attempted. The pressure conditions the crew will endure, combined with the extended duration they may need to remain suited up, represent what he describes as "unprecedented" challenges compared to past missions.

The iconic orange Orion suits are built not just for the immediate demands of Artemis II but with a longer-term vision in mind. NASA has designed them to serve as a foundation for future deep-space travel, including eventual crewed missions to Mars.

### Looking Beyond the Moon

The Artemis program marks a pivotal turning point in space exploration, bridging the gap between lunar missions and the dream of interplanetary travel. As engineers continue to refine every detail of the crew survival systems, these suits stand as a symbol of how far human spaceflight technology has come — and how far it is prepared to go.

Discover how NASA engineers are preparing next-gen spacesuits for the Artemis II lunar flyby mission, designed for both Moon and future Mars travel.

Inside NASA's Artemis II Spacesuit Lab Before Moon Mission

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A Closer Look Inside NASA's Spacesuit Lab as Artemis II Prepares for Liftoff

## Moon First, Mars Next: Why NASA's Artemis Mission Is More Important Than Ever

NASA is preparing to launch one of its most ambitious human spaceflight missions in decades. The Artemis II mission will carry four astronauts on a journey around the Moon — a bold step that sets the stage for a lunar landing, a permanent Moon base, and ultimately, a crewed mission to Mars.

The Artemis programme has consumed years of development, engaged thousands of skilled professionals, and accumulated an estimated price tag of $93 billion. For some, the question is obvious: why go back?

---

## Haven't We Already Done This?

More than half a century ago, NASA's Apollo programme accomplished the extraordinary — landing humans on the Moon for the first time and returning a total of six successful missions to the lunar surface. It seemed like the Moon had been thoroughly explored and filed away in history books.

But the Moon is anything but a finished chapter. Scientists and space agencies around the world are increasingly recognising it as a place of enormous strategic and scientific value.

---

## The Moon Is Richer Than It Looks

At first glance, the lunar surface appears little more than a barren, dust-covered rock. In reality, it harbours a wealth of valuable resources.

"The Moon contains many of the same elements found here on Earth," explains Professor Sara Russell, a planetary scientist at the Natural History Museum. "Rare earth elements, which are extremely scarce on our planet, may exist in concentrations on the Moon that could make extraction viable."

Beyond rare earth materials, the Moon holds significant deposits of metals such as iron and titanium, along with helium — an element with wide-ranging applications in superconductors and medical technology.

### Water: The Moon's Most Valuable Resource

Perhaps the most surprising — and most critical — resource on the Moon is water. Locked within certain minerals and concentrated in ice form near the lunar poles, water exists in far greater quantities than previously understood.

Permanently shadowed craters near the poles act as natural cold traps, allowing ice to accumulate over billions of years. This water is not just a curiosity — it is a lifeline.

For any sustained human presence on the Moon, water is indispensable. It provides drinking water, can be split into hydrogen and oxygen to supply breathable air for astronauts, and can even be converted into rocket fuel — making it a potential launching pad for deeper space exploration.

---

## A New Space Race: The US vs. China

The original Apollo missions were fuelled by Cold War rivalry with the Soviet Union. Today, a new geopolitical competition is shaping space exploration — this time with China.

China's space programme has advanced rapidly, successfully deploying robots and rovers to the lunar surface. The country has publicly stated its intention to land astronauts on the Moon by 2030.

While national prestige remains a factor, the real prize is far more tangible: access to the Moon's most resource-rich territories. Both the United States and China are targeting the same prime lunar real estate — particularly the poles, where water ice and other resources are most abundant.

### Legal Grey Areas in Space

The United Nations Outer Space Treaty of 1967 prohibits any nation from claiming ownership of the Moon. However, the rules surrounding resource extraction are considerably murkier.

"You cannot legally own a piece of the Moon, but you can operate on it without interference," says Dr Helen Sharman, the first British person to travel to space. "The critical goal right now is to establish your presence. You may not own the land, but you can use it — and once you're there, you can hold that position indefinitely."

---

## The Moon as a Stepping Stone to Mars

NASA's long-term vision extends well beyond the Moon. The agency has set its sights on sending humans to Mars by the 2030s — an extraordinarily ambitious goal that demands solving some of the most complex engineering and biological challenges in the history of spaceflight.

The Moon provides the ideal environment to test those solutions.

"Establishing a sustained human presence on the Moon is significantly safer, more affordable, and more practical than attempting the same on Mars," says Libby Jackson, head of space at the Science Museum. "It serves as the perfect proving ground for learning how to live and work on another world."

### Testing Critical Technologies Close to Home

A Moon base would allow NASA to refine the systems astronauts will depend on for survival: life support technology, power generation, habitat construction capable of withstanding extreme temperatures, and shielding from harmful space radiation.

"If these technologies fail for the first time on Mars, the consequences could be catastrophic," Jackson warns. "Testing them on the Moon — where rescue and resupply missions remain feasible — dramatically reduces that risk."

---

## Science That Could Rewrite History

Beyond exploration and geopolitics, the scientific potential of returning to the Moon is enormous. The lunar rock samples retrieved during the Apollo missions fundamentally changed our understanding of how the Moon — and Earth — were formed.

"Those rocks revealed that the Moon was born from a cataclysmic collision, where a Mars-sized object struck the early Earth and the debris coalesced to form the Moon," says Professor Russell. "That discovery came directly from studying Apollo samples."

New samples, retrieved from different regions of the Moon using modern analytical techniques, could unlock further secrets about the formation of the solar system and the origins of life itself.

---

## The Bigger Picture

NASA's return to the Moon is not simply a repeat of past achievements. It represents a calculated, forward-looking strategy — securing vital resources, establishing geopolitical presence, developing life-sustaining technology, and advancing human knowledge.

The Moon is not the destination. It is the doorway.

NASA's Artemis mission is about far more than nostalgia. Discover why returning to the Moon is key to reaching Mars and winning the new space race.

NASA Artemis Mission: Why the Moon Matters More Than Ever

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Moon First, Mars Next: Why NASA's Artemis Mission Is More Important Than Ever

## Drivers Across South-East England Called Upon to Join Vital Insect Survey

A major citizen science initiative is urging motorists throughout south-east England to play an active role in monitoring the health of the nation's flying insect populations — simply by counting the bugs that land on their number plates.

### What Is the Bugs Matter Survey?

Launched by conservation charities Kent Wildlife Trust and Buglife, the **Bugs Matter** survey invites members of the public to record the number of insect splats found on their vehicle number plates following each journey. The campaign runs from this Wednesday through to 30 September, and participation requires nothing more than a car, a keen eye, and a willingness to contribute to vital ecological research.

The method may sound unconventional, but the data it generates is proving to be deeply significant. According to Kent Wildlife Trust, results gathered between 2021 and 2025 have already revealed a **staggering 59% decline** in flying insect numbers — a finding that has alarmed conservationists and scientists alike.

## Why Kent, Surrey, and Sussex Matter Most

Andrew Whitehouse, Head of Operations at Buglife, has specifically urged residents of Kent, Surrey, and Sussex to get involved. These three counties collectively form one of the most insect-diverse regions in the entire United Kingdom, making the data gathered here particularly valuable for understanding broader national trends.

"I strongly encourage people living in this region to take part," Whitehouse said, emphasising that the area's rich biodiversity makes it an especially important monitoring zone.

## The Survey Expands to France

In an exciting development, the Bugs Matter survey has now crossed international borders. Rosie Bleet, Ecological Evidence and Citizen Science Lead at Kent Wildlife Trust, confirmed that the project has been extended to France — a move that feels particularly fitting given Kent's historic role as the gateway between Britain and the European continent.

"The expansion of Bugs Matter is hugely exciting," Bleet said. "Extending our survey season and location means a better range of data, which will provide further insights into the plight of our insects."

This cross-channel collaboration is expected to deliver a richer, more comprehensive dataset that could reshape how scientists and policymakers understand insect population trends across northern Europe.

## Why Flying Insects Are So Critical to Life on Earth

The urgency behind this survey stems from the irreplaceable role insects play within our planet's ecosystems. Whitehouse outlined the breadth of their contributions, which include:

- **Pollinating crops** that feed billions of people worldwide
- **Controlling pest populations** naturally, reducing the need for chemical intervention
- **Decomposing organic waste** and recycling essential nutrients back into the soil
- **Supporting entire food chains**, providing sustenance for birds, small mammals, fish, and countless other wildlife species

"Without insects, the planet's ecological systems would collapse," Whitehouse warned — a stark reminder of just how much depends on creatures we so often overlook.

## How to Get Involved

Participating in the Bugs Matter survey is straightforward. After completing any journey, drivers are asked to count and record the number of insect marks on their front number plate. This simple action, repeated across thousands of vehicles, builds a powerful collective picture of insect activity across the region.

With flying insect populations already showing dramatic declines, every data point matters. This is citizen science at its most accessible — and most necessary.

Kent Wildlife Trust and Buglife urge south-east England drivers to count insect splats on number plates as data reveals a 59% drop in flying insects since 2021.

Bugs Matter Survey Tracks Flying Insect Decline in the UK

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South-East England Drivers Recruited to Help Track Alarming Decline in Flying Insects

## Iconic Landmarks Dim Their Lights for Earth Hour

Some of the world's most recognizable structures plunged into darkness on Saturday evening as cities across the globe united to observe Earth Hour. Among the most notable participants were France's beloved Eiffel Tower in Paris and the architectural masterpiece of Barcelona's Sagrada Família Basilica, both of which went dark at precisely 20:30 local time.

## What Is Earth Hour?

Earth Hour is an annual global event organized by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), designed to raise awareness about environmental issues and inspire action in the fight against climate change. The concept is straightforward yet powerful — individuals, communities, and institutions are encouraged to switch off their lights for a full 60 minutes.

### A Tradition Born in Sydney

The event traces its roots back to Sydney, Australia, where it was first held in 2007. What began as a local initiative has since grown into one of the most widely recognized environmental movements on the planet, with participation spanning hundreds of countries and thousands of cities each year.

## Why Earth Hour Still Matters

Beyond the symbolic gesture of turning off the lights, Earth Hour serves as a powerful reminder of the collective responsibility humans share in protecting the natural world. When landmark structures — the kind that typically shine brightly as symbols of human achievement — go dark, it sends a compelling message about the urgent need for environmental consciousness.

The participation of globally iconic sites amplifies that message, drawing international media attention and encouraging millions of people to reflect on their own energy consumption habits.

The Eiffel Tower and Sagrada Família were among global landmarks that switched off their lights for Earth Hour, the annual WWF environmental awareness event.

Famous Landmarks Go Dark for Earth Hour 2025

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World's Most Famous Landmarks Go Dark to Celebrate Earth Hour

## A Breakthrough Discovery in Fat Biology

Researchers have identified a previously overlooked biological system that plays a critical role in activating brown fat's ability to burn calories and generate heat. At the center of this discovery is a protein called SLIT3, which orchestrates the construction of the internal networks that brown fat needs to function properly. The findings, published in *Nature Communications*, could open an entirely new front in the battle against obesity — one focused on ramping up energy expenditure rather than simply cutting calorie intake.

## Brown Fat vs. White Fat: What's the Difference?

The human body contains two primary types of fat tissue, and they behave very differently. White fat, which makes up the bulk of the body's fat stores, accumulates excess energy and is closely associated with obesity and metabolic disease when it builds up in large quantities.

Brown fat, on the other hand, is far less abundant but plays a unique and valuable role. Rather than storing energy, brown fat burns it. When the body is exposed to cold temperatures, brown fat activates a process called thermogenesis — rapidly consuming glucose and lipids to produce heat instead of storing them.

"During thermogenesis, all of that chemical energy is dissipated as heat instead of being stored in the body as white fat," explained Farnaz Shamsi, assistant professor of molecular pathobiology at NYU College of Dentistry and the study's senior author. "By rapidly taking up and using fuel sources from our bodies and the food that we eat, brown fat acts like a metabolic sink that draws in nutrients and prevents them from being stored."

## Why Brown Fat Needs the Right Infrastructure

For brown fat to carry out thermogenesis effectively, it depends on two essential internal networks: blood vessels and nerves. Blood vessels supply the oxygen and nutrients required for heat generation and help distribute that warmth throughout the body. Nerves serve as communication lines, relaying signals from the brain that tell brown fat when to activate in response to cold.

While previous research has largely concentrated on the heat-producing mechanisms inside individual fat cells, scientists have paid far less attention to how these critical support structures actually form. The new study directly addresses that gap.

## SLIT3: A Protein With Two Jobs

Earlier work from Shamsi's laboratory used single-cell RNA sequencing to flag SLIT3 as a protein secreted by brown fat cells. In this latest research, scientists discovered that an enzyme called BMP1 slices SLIT3 into two distinct fragments after it is produced — and each fragment carries out a separate but equally important function.

One fragment stimulates the growth of blood vessels within brown fat tissue, while the other promotes the expansion of nerve networks. Together, they build the structural foundation that allows brown fat to perform at full capacity.

"It works as a split signal, which is an elegant evolutionary design in which two components of a single factor independently regulate distinct processes that must be tightly coordinated in space and time," Shamsi noted.

### The Role of the PLXNA1 Receptor

The research team also pinpointed a receptor known as PLXNA1, which binds to one of the SLIT3 fragments and helps govern nerve development inside brown fat. In mouse experiments, animals that had either SLIT3 or the PLXNA1 receptor removed became significantly more sensitive to cold and struggled to regulate their body temperature. Examination of their brown fat revealed underdeveloped nerve structures and insufficient blood vessel networks — confirming the vital role these components play.

## Human Implications: A Link to Obesity and Insulin Resistance

To assess whether this mechanism operates in humans as well, the research team analyzed fat tissue samples from more than 1,500 individuals, including people living with obesity. They examined the gene responsible for producing SLIT3, which prior studies had already connected to obesity and insulin resistance.

The results indicated that SLIT3 activity may influence fat tissue health, inflammation levels, and insulin sensitivity in people with obesity — a finding the researchers described as particularly compelling.

"That really got our attention, as it suggests that this pathway could be relevant in human obesity and metabolic health," said Shamsi.

## A New Strategy for Treating Obesity

The vast majority of weight loss treatments currently available — including the widely used class of GLP-1 medications — work by suppressing appetite and reducing overall food consumption. Targeting brown fat offers a fundamentally different approach: instead of eating less, the body would simply burn more.

The newly identified roles of SLIT3, its two fragments, and the PLXNA1 receptor present several promising candidates for future therapeutic development. By enhancing the biological infrastructure of brown fat, scientists may eventually be able to boost the body's natural capacity to consume excess energy.

"Our research shows that just having brown fat isn't enough — you need the right infrastructure within the tissue for heat production," Shamsi emphasized.

## Looking Ahead

This research adds an important new dimension to our understanding of metabolic health and fat biology. Rather than viewing brown fat simply as a collection of heat-producing cells, scientists must now consider the elaborate internal architecture that makes those cells effective. As researchers continue to decode the molecular signals governing this system, the path toward more targeted and effective obesity treatments becomes increasingly clear.

Scientists discover the SLIT3 protein builds blood vessels and nerves in brown fat, boosting calorie burning — a potential new target for obesity treatment.

SLIT3 Protein Activates Brown Fat to Burn Calories

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The Hidden Protein That Transforms Brown Fat Into Your Body's Own Calorie Furnace

Researchers have uncovered a new way to generate exotic oscillation states in tiny magnetic structures—using only minimal energy. By exciting magnetic waves, they triggered a delicate motion that produced a rich spectrum of signals never seen before in this system. The finding challenges existing assumptions and could help connect different types of technologies, from conventional electronics to quantum devices. It’s a small effect with potentially huge implications.

Researchers at the Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR) have identified previously unseen oscillation patterns known as Floquet states inside extremely small magnetic vortices. In contrast to earlier studies that relied on powerful laser pulses to generate these states, the Dresden team found that gentle stimulation using magnetic waves is enough. This discovery not only challenges existing ideas in fundamental physics but may also serve as a kind of universal connector linking electronics, spintronics, and quantum technologies. The findings were published in Science .

Magnetic vortices form in ultrathin disks made of materials like nickel-iron, often just micrometers or even nanometers in size. Inside these structures, tiny magnetic moments, which behave like miniature compass needles, align in circular patterns. When disturbed, waves ripple through the system in a way similar to a stadium crowd performing a coordinated "wave." Each magnetic moment tilts slightly and passes its motion to the next, creating a chain reaction. These collective wave-like excitations are known as magnons.

"These magnons can transmit information through a magnet without the need for charge transport," explains project leader Dr. Helmut Schulthei&szlig; from the Institute of Ion Beam Physics and Materials Research at HZDR. "This capability makes them highly attractive for research into next-generation computing technologies."

Unexpected Frequency Combs in Tiny Magnetic Disks

The researchers had been experimenting with especially small magnetic disks, shrinking them from several micrometers down to just a few hundred nanometers. Their goal was to explore how disk size might influence neuromorphic computing, a brain-inspired approach to processing information. However, during data analysis, they noticed something unusual. Instead of a single resonance signal, some disks produced a series of closely spaced lines, forming what is known as a frequency comb.

"At first we assumed it was a measurement artifact or some kind of interference," recalls Schulthei&szlig;. "But when we repeated the experiment, the effect reappeared. That is when it became clear we were looking at something genuinely new."

Rotating Vortex Core Drives New Oscillation States

The explanation traces back to work by the French mathematician Gaston Floquet, who showed in the 19th century that systems exposed to periodic forces can develop entirely new oscillation states. Typically, creating these Floquet states has required large energy inputs, often delivered by intense laser pulses.

In this case, the researchers found that magnetic vortices can naturally produce Floquet states when magnons are sufficiently energized. The magnons transfer some of their energy to the vortex core, causing it to move in a tiny circular path around its center. Even this small motion is enough to rhythmically alter the magnetic state.

In experiments, this appears as a frequency comb. Instead of one sharp signal, multiple evenly spaced lines emerge, similar to how a pure tone can split into harmonics. "We were stunned that such a minute core motion was enough to transform the familiar magnon spectrum into a whole array of new states," says Schulthei&szlig;.

Ultra-Low Energy Breakthrough With Big Potential

One of the most striking aspects of the discovery is how little energy it requires. While previous methods depended on high-powered lasers, this effect can be triggered with microwatts of power, far less than what a smartphone uses in standby mode.

This efficiency opens up new possibilities. Frequency combs generated in this way could help synchronize very different systems, connecting ultrafast terahertz signals with conventional electronics or even quantum devices. "We call it the universal adapter," Schulthei&szlig; explains. "Just as a USB adapter allows devices with different connectors to work together, Floquet magnons could bridge frequencies that would otherwise remain incompatible."

Toward Future Computing and Quantum Integration

The team plans to investigate whether the same mechanism can be applied to other magnetic structures. The discovery could play an important role in developing future computing systems by enabling communication between magnon-based signals, electronic circuits, and quantum components.

"On the one hand, our discovery opens new avenues for addressing fundamental questions in magnetism," Schulthei&szlig; emphasizes. "On the other hand, it could eventually serve as a valuable tool to interconnect the realms of electronics, spintronics, and quantum information technology."

All measurements of the magnetic vortices and analysis of data from multiple instruments were carried out using the Labmule program developed at HZDR, which is available as a lab automation tool.

Materials provided by Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf . Note: Content may be edited for style and length.

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Researchers have uncovered a new way to generate exotic oscillation states in tiny magnetic structures—using only minimal energy. By exciting magnetic waves, th

Scientists discover bizarre new states inside tiny magnetic 

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Scientists discover bizarre new states inside tiny magnetic whirlpools

## NASA Eyes April 2026 for Historic Crewed Moon Mission

For the first time in more than half a century, human beings could soon be journeying around the Moon. NASA has set its sights on an early April 2026 launch for Artemis II — a roughly 10-day crewed mission that will send four astronauts deeper into space than any humans have ever traveled before.

The mission marks a pivotal step toward eventually landing astronauts on the lunar surface, something that hasn't happened since the final Apollo missions of the early 1970s.

## Available Launch Windows for Artemis II

NASA has identified several potential launch dates in April 2026, including April 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 30. The agency had originally hoped to launch before the end of 2024, but a series of technical setbacks pushed that timeline back considerably.

An attempted February launch was abandoned after hydrogen fuel was found leaking from a connection between the launch tower and the rocket during a pre-flight wet dress rehearsal. A March window was subsequently ruled out following the discovery of a separate helium leak.

Beyond fixing technical problems, mission planners must also align launches with the Moon's orbital position. This creates a roughly one-week window at the beginning of each month during which a launch is feasible, followed by approximately three weeks with no viable opportunities.

## Meet the Artemis II Crew

Artemis II will carry four crew members into space:

- **Reid Wiseman** — NASA Mission Commander
- **Victor Glover** — Pilot
- **Christina Koch** — NASA Mission Specialist
- **Jeremy Hansen** — Mission Specialist, Canadian Space Agency

This crew will make history as the first humans to ride aboard NASA's massive Space Launch System (SLS) rocket paired with the Orion space capsule on a crewed flight.

## What Will the Crew Actually Do?

Once the spacecraft reaches orbit, the astronauts will put Orion through its paces. Early activities will include manually piloting the capsule in Earth orbit to practice critical maneuvers such as steering and spacecraft alignment — skills that will be essential for future lunar landing missions.

The crew will then venture thousands of kilometers beyond the Moon to conduct thorough evaluations of Orion's life-support systems, propulsion capabilities, power supply, and navigation accuracy.

In addition to technical testing, the crew members will serve as medical research subjects, transmitting health data and imagery from deep space back to scientists on Earth. They will live and work in a compact cabin under weightless conditions, exposed to radiation levels higher than those on the International Space Station — though still within safe limits.

The mission concludes with a fiery re-entry through Earth's atmosphere and a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean off the west coast of the United States.

## Is Anyone Landing on the Moon This Time?

Not yet. Artemis II is a critical preparatory mission, not a lunar landing. The actual crewed Moon landing is planned for **Artemis IV in 2028**, targeting the Moon's south pole.

Before that, **Artemis III** — currently scheduled for 2027 — will serve as a dress rehearsal, testing Orion's ability to rendezvous and dock with lunar landers and evaluating next-generation spacesuits if they are ready in time.

NASA has selected two commercial partners to develop lunar landers for the program: **SpaceX's Starship** and a vehicle built by **Blue Origin**, the aerospace company founded by Jeff Bezos. The agency will determine which lander flies which mission closer to launch.

## The Long-Term Vision: A Permanent Human Presence on the Moon

Artemis IV won't be the end of the story. NASA envisions a fifth mission — **Artemis V** — later in 2028, aimed at building the infrastructure for sustained human habitation on the Moon. Plans include the development of a lunar base, surface habitat modules, and robotic rovers.

While NASA has paused work on its proposed Gateway orbital station, the broader goal remains: establishing a permanent human foothold on the Moon that grows over time.

International partners are central to this vision. European astronauts are slated to join later Artemis missions, and Japan has secured seats on future flights. Additional nations are expected to contribute as the program expands.

## Why Return to the Moon Now?

The last humans to walk on the Moon were the crew of **Apollo 17**, who landed in December 1972. In total, 24 astronauts have traveled to the Moon, 12 of whom walked on its surface. Of those 24, only five remain alive today.

The original Moon race of the 1960s was driven largely by Cold War competition — the United States sought to assert technological and geopolitical superiority over the Soviet Union. Once that objective was achieved, political will and funding dried up.

Artemis is different in its ambitions. Rather than a one-time achievement, it is designed around long-term exploration, cutting-edge technology, and deep commercial partnerships. The goal is not simply to revisit the Moon, but to stay.

**China** is also pursuing its own lunar ambitions, with plans to land astronauts near the Moon's south pole by **2030**, adding a new dimension of international competition to the modern space race.

With multiple nations and private companies now invested in the Moon's future, the next era of lunar exploration promises to be broader, more sustained, and more consequential than anything that came before it.

NASA targets April 2026 for Artemis II, the first crewed Moon mission in 50 years. Learn about the crew, mission goals, and the road to a lunar landing.

NASA Artemis II Moon Mission: Launch Date and Crew Guide

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NASA's Artemis II Moon Mission: Launch Dates, Crew, and What to Expect

## Osprey Pair Reunites Without Drama at Dorset Nest

After a turbulent breeding season that featured an unexpected romantic rival, a celebrated pair of ospreys has made a smooth and drama-free return to their nest in Dorset. Wildlife enthusiasts and conservationists alike are breathing a collective sigh of relief as the birds settle back in for another season.

### A Peaceful Homecoming This Time Around

Female osprey CJ7 was the first to touch down, captured on a nest webcam landing at approximately 18:30 GMT on Wednesday at the walled garden near Wareham, Dorset. Her partner, male 022, followed the next morning, arriving at 06:40 on Thursday. The calm reunion stands in sharp contrast to the events of twelve months prior.

Last spring, 022 returned ahead of CJ7 and was briefly joined at the nest by female 1H1, a bird that typically occupies Rutland Water during the warmer months. The uninvited guest spent several days with 022 before CJ7 arrived back from her winter migration to West Africa and wasted no time driving the intruder away.

## Historic Breeding Pair With a Remarkable Track Record

CJ7 and 022 hold a distinguished place in British wildlife history. Together, they became the first ospreys to successfully breed on England's south coast in 180 years, establishing their nest at Careys Secret Garden in 2022. The pair has since proven to be prolific parents, raising four chicks in 2024 and another four during the 2025 season.

The conservation charity overseeing the breeding initiative described the pair's timely return as "brilliant news," expressing optimism for another productive nesting season ahead.

### Last Year's Love Triangle Had a Happy Ending

While the 2025 love triangle caused a brief stir, it ultimately had a positive outcome for osprey conservation in the region. Following her brief dalliance with 022, female 1H1 paired up with male 374, and the two went on to become the second breeding osprey couple in southern England since 1847. They successfully hatched two chicks in early June of that year.

## Hopes for a Third Breeding Pair in 2025

Conservationists are now setting their sights even higher. The charity has installed ten nest platforms across Poole Harbour in hopes of attracting a third breeding pair to the area this year. The organisation is also optimistic that the second pair — 1H1 and 374 — will return to resume their own nesting activity.

Many of the ospreys monitored in southern England are fitted with identification rings but do not carry GPS trackers. These birds typically make their way back from annual migrations to western Africa from late March onward.

### A Vision Decades in the Making

The osprey's growing presence in southern England is the result of a long-term reintroduction programme that began in Poole Harbour in 2017. The initiative was launched with the ambitious goal of establishing a self-sustaining breeding population in a region where the species had been absent for generations. With multiple nesting pairs now returning season after season, that vision is steadily becoming a reality.

Osprey pair CJ7 and 022 return to their Dorset nest without drama, avoiding a repeat of last year's love triangle that made wildlife headlines.