Lead Story
Seven new diamond frog species discovered hiding in Madagascar's forests
Scientists described seven new species of Madagascar's elusive diamond frogs (genus Rhombophryne), bringing the known total to 27, in findings published in Vertebrate Zoology and covered August 28, 2026. The decade-long project used "museomics" — sequencing DNA from both freshly collected frogs and century-old museum specimens — to finally distinguish species that look almost identical but are genetically and acoustically distinct, resolving a puzzle that had stumped researchers since the project began in 2014. The newly clarified diversity could help target conservation efforts as the frogs' forest habitats disappear.
Read more →Lead Story
Seven new diamond frog species discovered hiding in Madagascar's forests
Scientists described seven new species of Madagascar's elusive diamond frogs (genus Rhombophryne), bringing the known total to 27, in findings published in Vertebrate Zoology and covered August 28, 2026. The decade-long project used "museomics" — sequencing DNA from both freshly collected frogs and century-old museum specimens — to finally distinguish species that look almost identical but are genetically and acoustically distinct, resolving a puzzle that had stumped researchers since the project began in 2014. The newly clarified diversity could help target conservation efforts as the frogs' forest habitats disappear.
New sunlight-powered photocathode sets record for turning CO2 into ethanol
Researchers at Charles University in Prague announced on August 29, 2026 a new photocathode, combining surface-engineered MXene with cuprous oxide, that converts carbon dioxide into pure ethanol using sunlight at a record solar-to-ethanol conversion efficiency of 2.74%. The copper-based layer maximizes light absorption while the conductive MXene framework keeps the material active over many hours of operation, and the design's key advance is that it yields only a single product rather than a mix of byproducts. The work, published in Advanced Energy Materials, points toward a practical way to turn a greenhouse gas into a useful fuel using only sunlight.
Read more →New sunlight-powered photocathode sets record for turning CO2 into ethanol
Researchers at Charles University in Prague announced on August 29, 2026 a new photocathode, combining surface-engineered MXene with cuprous oxide, that converts carbon dioxide into pure ethanol using sunlight at a record solar-to-ethanol conversion efficiency of 2.74%. The copper-based layer maximizes light absorption while the conductive MXene framework keeps the material active over many hours of operation, and the design's key advance is that it yields only a single product rather than a mix of byproducts. The work, published in Advanced Energy Materials, points toward a practical way to turn a greenhouse gas into a useful fuel using only sunlight.
Common supplements match antibiotics for treating severe gum disease
A year-long clinical study found that a daily combination of omega-3 fatty acids and low-dose aspirin worked as well as antibiotics for treating severe periodontitis, with about 58% of patients in each group reaching the treatment goal, according to findings reported in the Journal of Periodontology and covered August 29, 2026. One group took three grams of omega-3 plus daily aspirin for six months, while the comparison group took the antibiotics metronidazole and amoxicillin for two weeks. Researchers, including teams from Harvard and several Brazilian universities, say the results could reduce reliance on antibiotics for some patients, an important step as antibiotic resistance grows as a global health concern.
Read more →Common supplements match antibiotics for treating severe gum disease
A year-long clinical study found that a daily combination of omega-3 fatty acids and low-dose aspirin worked as well as antibiotics for treating severe periodontitis, with about 58% of patients in each group reaching the treatment goal, according to findings reported in the Journal of Periodontology and covered August 29, 2026. One group took three grams of omega-3 plus daily aspirin for six months, while the comparison group took the antibiotics metronidazole and amoxicillin for two weeks. Researchers, including teams from Harvard and several Brazilian universities, say the results could reduce reliance on antibiotics for some patients, an important step as antibiotic resistance grows as a global health concern.
Engineered spirulina now produces active vitamin B12 at levels comparable to beef
Researchers led by Dr. Asaf Tzachor of Reichman University reported on August 29, 2026 that by carefully controlling the light used to cultivate spirulina, they produced a carbon-neutral biomass containing 1.64 micrograms of biologically active vitamin B12 per 100 grams — comparable to the 0.7-1.5 micrograms found in beef — with more than 98% of the vitamin in a form the human body can actually use. Conventional spirulina mainly contains an inactive B12 analogue, so this is the first time bioavailable B12 has been reported in the algae. Published in Discover Food, the breakthrough offers a sustainable, plant-based source of a micronutrient that more than a billion people worldwide lack.
Read more →Engineered spirulina now produces active vitamin B12 at levels comparable to beef
Researchers led by Dr. Asaf Tzachor of Reichman University reported on August 29, 2026 that by carefully controlling the light used to cultivate spirulina, they produced a carbon-neutral biomass containing 1.64 micrograms of biologically active vitamin B12 per 100 grams — comparable to the 0.7-1.5 micrograms found in beef — with more than 98% of the vitamin in a form the human body can actually use. Conventional spirulina mainly contains an inactive B12 analogue, so this is the first time bioavailable B12 has been reported in the algae. Published in Discover Food, the breakthrough offers a sustainable, plant-based source of a micronutrient that more than a billion people worldwide lack.
IBM and University of Chicago verify a quantum computation beyond classical simulation
IBM and University of Chicago researchers reported a quantum computing demonstration that meets both key tests of quantum advantage: performing a calculation beyond the practical reach of leading classical simulation methods while also proving the result was trustworthy, with the milestone covered by ScienceDaily on August 29, 2026. Using 70 error-corrected logical qubits, the system completed the task in about 15 minutes. The team's paper, "Sampling hard circuits with verifiably high fidelity," introduces a structured alternative to random circuit sampling that keeps the same computational hardness while allowing errors to be detected during the run, enabling one of the largest verified logical quantum computations to date.
Read more →IBM and University of Chicago verify a quantum computation beyond classical simulation
IBM and University of Chicago researchers reported a quantum computing demonstration that meets both key tests of quantum advantage: performing a calculation beyond the practical reach of leading classical simulation methods while also proving the result was trustworthy, with the milestone covered by ScienceDaily on August 29, 2026. Using 70 error-corrected logical qubits, the system completed the task in about 15 minutes. The team's paper, "Sampling hard circuits with verifiably high fidelity," introduces a structured alternative to random circuit sampling that keeps the same computational hardness while allowing errors to be detected during the run, enabling one of the largest verified logical quantum computations to date.