Science News: Breakthroughs in Health, Quantum Physics, and Climate Technology
Today's science headlines span groundbreaking developments in weight management therapeutics, quantum physics, climate monitoring, and battery technology.
New weight loss pill beats oral Ozempic in major trial
A new once-daily weight loss pill called orforglipron has demonstrated superior weight loss and blood sugar improvements compared to oral semaglutide in a major clinical trial, potentially offering a more accessible and convenient alternative to injectable GLP-1 drugs. Read more: New weight loss pill beats oral Ozempic in major trial
Schrödinger's anthill: Quantum entanglement found in a crystal large enough to hold
Researchers have observed clear quantum entanglement signatures in a centimeter-sized crystal, demonstrating that macroscopic objects can exhibit deep quantum behavior with potential applications in quantum sensing and the study of exotic materials. Read more: Schrödinger's anthill: Quantum entanglement found in a crystal large enough to hold
A robot swarm is on a mission to map Greenland's perilous ice sheets
Researchers are using a coordinated swarm of autonomous robots to chart the critical boundary between Greenland's glaciers and the ocean, aiming to fill data gaps that currently limit climate tipping point predictions. Read more: A robot swarm is on a mission to map Greenland's perilous ice sheets
Salt batteries are about to shake up EVs and grid storage
Sodium-ion batteries, which use salt instead of lithium, are emerging as a potentially cheaper and more sustainable alternative for electric vehicles and large-scale energy storage applications. Read more: Salt batteries are about to shake up EVs and grid storage
Many U.S. teens underestimate fentanyl's deadly risk
A study published in Science News found that a majority of 8th-graders and roughly a third of 10th- and 12th-graders do not perceive significant risk in using fentanyl even once or twice, highlighting potential gaps in drug education and awareness efforts targeting adolescents. Read more: Many U.S. teens underestimate fentanyl's deadly risk
The strange metals forcing us to rethink how electricity really works
Physicists have been investigating strange metals for four decades, and recent findings are prompting a fundamental rethink of how electricity flows through these materials. Read more: The strange metals forcing us to rethink how electricity really works