News Briefs 08-05-2026

Scientists at Keele University have created the first detailed map of the genetic “switches” that control reproduction in disease-carrying insects such as Anopheles gambiae, the mosquito species most responsible for malaria transmission, paving the way for more effective methods of genetically controlling these insects.

Unusual patches of black Amazonian soil rich in nutrients known as “dark earth,” which rapidly accelerates plant growth, remain one of the region’s greatest mysteries.

A huge 11,000-carat ruby has been discovered in Myanmar, state media reported Friday, one of the largest ever found in the country renowned for its precious gemstones.

Researchers at Umeå University have turned a protein from soil bacteria into a potential new weapon against colorectal cancer. Their study published in Cell Death Discovery shows how an engineered bacterial protein can trigger a unique form of cancer cell death.

New research suggests time could hold the key to resolving mysteries of gravity, quantum mechanics, and other phenomena in modern physics.

Recent twin study suggests genetics may play a major role in IQ, education, and long-term socioeconomic success.