Science Daily

1. Alzheimer’s may start shrinking two brain regions years before memory loss

   Johns Hopkins scientists have uncovered hidden warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease that may appear up to a decade before memory loss begins. Brain scans revealed that two regions involved in memory and emotion start shrinking before the hippocampus, the area doctors typically examine for signs of Alzheimer’s. These early changes are linked to abnormal tau protein buildup and could provide a powerful new way to identify people at risk.

2. Scientists find a simple daily routine linked to less pain and depression

   A simple change to your daily routine could make a surprising difference in how you feel, both physically and mentally. University of Missouri researchers found that older adults who followed consistent daily schedules reported less physical pain and fewer symptoms of depression, even when they struggled with insomnia. Keeping regular times for sleeping, eating, and other activities may help regulate the body's internal clock, which influences mood, sleep, and overall health.

3. Euclid discovers ancient cosmic beacons from the dawn of time, shining like a trillion suns

   ESA’s Euclid space telescope has discovered 31 ancient quasars, including two record-breaking objects that shone with the brightness of a trillion Suns when the Universe was just 670 million years old. Powered by supermassive black holes, these extraordinary cosmic beacons reveal a time when the first galaxies were still taking shape.

4. Dinosaurs may have been eating seaweed 100 million years ago

   Dinosaurs may have been snacking on seaweed and other ocean foods more than 100 million years ago, according to surprising new evidence hidden in their fossilized teeth. Researchers discovered chemical signatures suggesting that coastal dinosaurs and other prehistoric animals relied partly on nutrients originating in the sea. The findings reveal that marine resources traveled through ancient food chains, supplementing the diets of everything from plant-eating dinosaurs to predators.

5. Physicists use laser light to unlock a crystal's hidden electrical powers

   Scientists have discovered how to use flashes of laser light to organize tiny electrical regions inside a crystal, solving a decades-old mystery about how the material behaves. The laser-induced alignment lasts just a trillionth of a second, but the breakthrough could open the door to new ways of processing and storing information.