The idea came from a common frustration trying to tap a smartphone screen with long nails. Modern touchscreen technology works by sensing changes in an electric field when a conductive surface (like a fingertip) touches it. Nonconductive materials, like nails, don’t make that change, so the device doesn’t respond.
To solve this, the researchers experimented with dozens of formulas to find one that helps nails carry just enough electrical charge without being harmful or visibly cloudy.
After testing more than 50 different additives mixed into clear nail polish bases, the team found a promising combination of taurine (a safe organic compound found in many foods) and ethanolamine (a simple organic molecule).
This formula was enough to let a touchscreen register contact from nails coated with the polish. “Our final, clear polish could be put over any manicure or even bare nails,” said one of the researchers, explaining that the approach could benefit users with calluses or other fingertip challenges too.
Unlike previous attempts that used conductive metals or carbon materials which can be dangerous if inhaled during manufacturing and can make the polish dark or heavy the new formula stays clear and safer for everyday use.
The researchers believe the polish works through a chemical interaction that allows tiny charged particles (protons) to move when the screen’s electrical field is present, helping the device detect the touch.
Although the early results are promising, the polish isn’t yet ready for commercial sale. Even the best mixtures only last a few hours on nails because ethanolamine evaporates quickly, and researchers are still searching for a fully nontoxic ingredient that works as well.
The team says they are continuing their work and have even submitted a provisional patent for this approach.
A new clear nail polish could let people use their fingernails on touchscreens by helping them carry a tiny electrical charge.
In the study, researchers exposed human brain blood vessel cells to erythritol in amounts similar to what people might consume in everyday products. What they found was concerning.
The sweetener seemed to affect how the blood vessels in the brain work. Specifically, erythritol makes the cells produce less nitric oxide, a molecule that helps blood vessels relax and remain flexible.
It also increased the production of endothelin-1, which causes blood vessels to tighten. This combination could make blood vessels more prone to constriction, a condition that can increase the risk of serious issues like strokes.
The study also showed that erythritol could affect the body’s ability to dissolve blood clots naturally. The cells exposed to erythritol produced less t-PA, a natural compound that helps break down clots. Additionally, the erythritol exposure led to higher levels of free radicals, which are harmful molecules that can damage cells and tissues, potentially contributing to other health problems like heart disease.
While this research was conducted on cells in a lab, the results align with previous studies that suggest higher levels of erythritol in the bloodstream are linked to a higher risk of cardiovascular events, like heart attacks and strokes.
Because of these findings, the researchers are urging people to be more mindful of their erythritol intake. Many sugar-free and low-calorie products, which are often marketed as healthy alternatives, could contain higher amounts of this sweetener.
For those who regularly consume such products, it may be a good idea to check labels more carefully and consider limiting erythritol intake until more research can fully understand its long-term effects.
While erythritol has been popular as a sugar substitute, the new research highlights the importance of being cautious about its possible impact on health.
A common sugar substitute may quietly impair brain vessels and raise stroke risk.
The 18-year-old contestant, Kamolwan Chanago, who is competing for the Miss Thailand title, was responding to the judges when the accident occurred. She was not allowed to stop and restart her answer as per the rules.
Quickly reacting to the mishap, Kamolwan turned away from the camera to discreetly reposition her dental prosthetics before returning to the judges to continue her presentation.
A spokesperson for Miss Grand Thailand, the pageant she was competing in, confirmed that the incident was an accident and expressed pride in how Kamolwan handled the situation.
The spokesperson said, “It was an unfortunate accident when her dental prosthetics fell out while she was speaking. We are proud of how she maintained her composure. This incident will not affect the ongoing competition, which will proceed as planned.”
The winner of the Miss Grand Thailand title is set to be announced on March 28, 2026. The winner will go on to represent Thailand at the Miss Grand International competition in India in October 2026.
Upon realizing what had happened, the contestant turned around to reposition her dental prosthetics and then went on to present herself to the judges.
A team of researchers from Baylor College of Medicine and international collaborators found that metformin targets a small protein in the ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH), a part of the brain that helps regulate energy and blood sugar levels.
The protein, called Rap1, is crucial for metformin’s action. When metformin suppresses Rap1 activity, it causes special nerve cells in the VMH to become more active, helping to lower blood sugar.
To test this, the research team used lab mice engineered to lack Rap1 in their VMH. These mice did not respond to metformin, showing that Rap1’s presence is necessary for the drug to function properly. The findings suggest that metformin works not only by acting on the liver and gut but also through direct action in the brain.
Further experiments were conducted where metformin was delivered directly into the brains of diabetic mice. Even though the doses were much smaller than the oral doses typically used, the mice still showed significant reductions in blood sugar. This experiment confirms that the drug’s effects are not limited to peripheral organs but also directly involve the brain’s regulation of blood sugar.
The research also showed that metformin activates SF1 neurons in the VMH, which are essential for blood sugar control. Without Rap1, these neurons did not respond to the drug, further reinforcing the idea that this brain pathway is critical to metformin’s function.
This discovery is a game-changer in diabetes research. It not only alters our understanding of how metformin works but also opens the door to developing new treatments that target brain pathways for better blood sugar control. The study also raises questions about the drug’s potential impact on brain aging and overall brain health, offering exciting possibilities for future research.
With this new insight, scientists are now exploring how metformin’s action in the brain could lead to more effective treatments for diabetes and other related health conditions.
Metformin’s long-hidden brain pathway may redefine how diabetes is treated.
Fighters from across Africa, including Nigeria, Algeria, Uganda, Tanzania, DRC, Gabon, and more, have arrived in Rwanda, with many experiencing the country for the first time. Their reactions have been overwhelmingly positive, with many praising Kigali as a welcoming, well-organized, and beautiful destination for training and competition.
In an exclusive interview with IGIHE, Lamrani Abderrazeek, the Algerian cruiserweight, shared his excitement about his first visit to Rwanda. Having passed through Dubai before arriving in Kigali.
“This is my first time in Rwanda, and I really like it. The people here are nice. Everything is easy. Everything is straight. The weather is amazing. It’s the best place to visit. It’s the best place to do your camp, and it’s the best place to fight.”
Abderrazeek’s words reflect the sentiments of many international athletes who have praised Rwanda’s clean environment, modern gyms, and friendly atmosphere.
Lamrani Abderrazeek shared his excitement about his first visit to Rwanda.
Nene Joy Ojo, the Nigerian female boxer making waves on the card, also called on her fellow Nigerians and supporters to show up in force:
“If you’re here, come support your girl. Get your ticket from KCC Roundabout on the 28th of this month.”
Ojo’s message highlights the growing visibility of women’s boxing at Kigali Fight Night, which will feature several high-profile female matchups.
Nene Joy Ojo highlighted the growing visibility of women’s boxing at Kigali Fight Night.
The excitement is shared by matchmaker Khaled, who hails from both Uganda and Dubai. He sees Kigali Fight Night as a landmark moment for African boxing.
“I’m excited to be in Rwanda simply because it’s a beautiful country, first of all, and yeah, it is a fresh market for boxing, especially pro boxing… Silverback says it is redefining African boxing. So we’re doing a great job, like putting fighters together and stuff like that.”
He added that the matchmaking for the event is strong, with international fighters on the card, and urged fans, “Definitely everybody has to come and watch.”
One fighter expressed pure confidence ahead of the main card:
“Fight night is on the 28th of this month. I’m ready. I’m ready to conquer. My opponent will have to be ready for me.”
Matchmaker Khaled, from Uganda and Dubai, sees Kigali Fight Night as a pivotal moment for African boxing.
Returning as the official ring announcer and MC, Rocky Try shared her pride in the event’s growth:
“Honestly, I was also the ring speaker last year, and being there is just electric. You can see the fighters’ real sportsmanship, their talent, and their hunger. This time, it’s going to be even bigger.”
Rocky emphasized the cultural significance of bringing professional boxing to Rwanda, especially with strong female participation both in the ring and behind the scenes:
“My pride for the Kigali Fight Night is the fact that we’re bringing the boxing culture to Rwanda… We have female athletes, we have male athletes, we have the young ones… Having something so new in Rwanda is exciting.”
To women still hesitant about boxing, she offered powerful encouragement:
“Do you know what? Let me speak to you. I started boxing at a time in my life when I had a lot of anger. But as I trained, it wasn’t about the anger anymore; it became about discipline. So, just do it. It’s like free therapy, you just pay a little more than a therapist.”
Kigali Fight Night 2026 promises to be a major milestone in Rwanda’s boxing culture, shining a spotlight on the continent’s rising boxing talent and highlighting Rwanda’s growing significance as a host for major sporting events.
Returning as the official ring announcer and MC, Rocky Try expressed her pride in Kigali Fight Night’s growth.
This discovery changes scientists’ understanding of how sudden climate shifts occurred near the end of the last Ice Age.
The study focuses on an unusual spike in platinum levels found deep within ice cores taken from Greenland’s massive ice sheet.
For years, this platinum anomaly puzzled researchers because platinum is often associated with extraterrestrial debris, leading many to believe a meteorite or comet strike triggered abrupt cooling at the end of the Bølling‑Allerød warm period, a climatic event known as the Younger Dryas.
However, an international team led by Professor James U. L. Baldini and colleagues from university earth sciences departments have now demonstrated that the platinum signal does not match space dust signatures and instead more closely resembles material from volcanic eruptions on Earth.
Importantly, the platinum spike appears to have occurred decades after the onset of cooling, which strongly suggests that the cooling was not caused by an impact event.
Instead, researchers propose that volcanic activity, possibly from large eruptive events, may have sent aerosols and particles into the atmosphere, affecting Earth’s climate and contributing significantly to the temperature drop known as the Younger Dryas.
This volcanic explanation fits both the chemical evidence in the ice cores and the timing of climate changes.
In explaining the new finding, scientists emphasize that while platinum anomalies remain striking signals in ice core records, they should no longer be automatically linked to extraterrestrial impacts.
The mistake of assuming space rocks were responsible has shaped climate debates for decades, and this research offers a more grounded and testable explanation.
Professor Baldini and his team argue that their work helps refine scientists’ tools for reading Earth’s climate history: rather than relying on dramatic cosmic scenarios, researchers can now consider Earth’s own volcanic system as a powerful driver of abrupt climate change during the last Ice Age.
Volcanic Eruptions, not Meteorite impacts, explained Ancient climate shift in Greenland.
This discovery, led by scientists at the University of Cologne, focuses on the role of caspase‑8, a protein involved in programmed cell death, and how its absence contributes to cancer progression.
SCLC is known for its aggressive nature, and while patients often respond to chemotherapy initially, the cancer typically relapses quickly, showing resistance to further treatment.
For years, the mechanism behind this rapid recurrence has remained unclear. The research team, led by Professor Dr. Silvia von Karstedt, used a genetically engineered mouse model lacking caspase‑8 to mimic human cancer behavior and gain deeper insights into the disease.
Their findings revealed that without caspase‑8, cancer cells die in a necrotic, inflammatory manner known as necroptosis. This form of cell death creates a hostile environment within the lungs, even before full tumors develop.
As Dr. von Karstedt explained, “The absence of caspase‑8 leads to a type of inflammatory cell death called necroptosis that creates a hostile, inflamed environment even before tumors fully form.”
What was most surprising is that this inflammation actually promotes cancer growth. Instead of preventing tumor development, the inflammation weakens the immune system’s ability to fight the cancer, making it easier for cancer cells to survive and spread.
Furthermore, the inflammation pushes cancer cells into a more immature, neuron‑like state, enhancing their ability to metastasize and fueling the recurrence of the disease.
The study also demonstrated that this process of pre‑tumoral necroptosis contributes to a cancer-promoting environment, conditioning the immune system in a way that aids the cancer’s spread.
Dr. von Karstedt emphasized, “We were also intrigued to find that pre‑tumoral necroptosis can in fact promote cancer by conditioning the immune system.”
Although these findings have not yet been confirmed in all human SCLC patients, they represent a crucial step in understanding SCLC biology.
By identifying the role of caspase‑8 loss and inflammation, the study opens up potential pathways for improving treatments and early detection, offering hope for better outcomes in the future.
New insights into why small cell lung cancer keeps coming back.
The researchers found the remains of at least 16 species, including birds and frogs.
Among the most significant discoveries was a newly identified parrot species, Strigops insulaborealis, believed to be an ancestor of the flightless kākāpō, though this ancient bird may have had the ability to fly.
Other findings include extinct ancestors of the takahē and a pigeon species closely related to the Australian bronzewing.
The fossils were embedded in two distinct layers of volcanic ash, dated to 1.55 million years ago and 1 million years ago, which helped the researchers establish a precise timeline for the remains.
These layers acted as natural time markers, giving scientists a clear snapshot of life during this ancient period.
The discovery challenges previous assumptions about New Zealand’s wildlife. Prior fossil records were either from millions of years ago or from the time after humans arrived.
The new findings fill a crucial gap in understanding the environmental forces shaping wildlife long before humans arrived. According to Associate Professor Trevor Worthy, the fossils represent a “missing volume” in the natural history of New Zealand.
The team also pointed out that climate shifts and volcanic eruptions may have caused significant extinctions before humans, with as many as 33-50% of species disappearing in the million years before human settlement.
Dr. Paul Scofield from Canterbury Museum emphasized that these natural events played a pivotal role in the extinction of species, adding that this discovery “proves that dramatic climate changes and volcanic activity were already reshaping wildlife”, long before human impact.
Scientists open a million-year-old time capsule beneath New Zealand.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said that while messages have been exchanged through third‑party countries, there have been no direct talks or negotiations between Tehran and Washington.
“Messages being conveyed through our friendly countries and us responding by stating our positions or issuing the necessary warnings is not called negotiation or dialogue,” he explained.
In contrast, speaking at an event in Washington, President Trump said Iranian leaders “are negotiating, by the way, and they want to make a deal so badly,” and suggested they are reluctant to admit it publicly “because they will be killed by their own people… and afraid they’ll be killed by us.”
The U.S. proposal is reported to include about a 15‑point plan that aims to end hostilities, reopen critical shipping routes like the Strait of Hormuz, and limit Iran’s ballistic missile capabilities though the White House has not disclosed precise details. Iran has also reportedly told mediators that any ceasefire must include conditions involving Lebanon.
The conflicting comments come as the war continues to have a severe global impact. Fuel shortages have driven up prices around the world, and markets briefly rallied at hopes of a ceasefire before those hopes eased.
United Nations leaders and other international actors are urging a diplomatic end to the conflict, underscoring the urgent need for de‑escalation after nearly four weeks of intense fighting.
Iran says it is reviewing a US ceasefire plan but no talks; Trump says Tehran leaders want a deal.
Although the organizers of ‘FUEGO Fest’ have confirmed that NLE Choppa will participate in the event in Kigali, the exact date and location have not yet been revealed.
NLE Choppa, 23, was born in Memphis in 2002 and started his music career in 2018. He is a father of two children.
NLE Choppa has gained popularity with hits such as ‘Walk Em Down,’ ‘Shotta Flow,’ ‘Final Warning,’ ‘Beat Box: First Day Out,’ and several other tracks.
He has released two albums up to date including;Top Shotta in 2020 and Cottonwood2 in 2023. In addition to these albums, he has one EP and seven mixtapes.
In 2020, NLE Choppa celebrated the birth of his first child. In March 2022, he shared the heartbreaking news that he and his then-girlfriend Marissa Da’Nae lost their unborn child. However, in August 2023, they welcomed their second child.
At the end of last year, NLE Choppa announced that he was in a relationship with artist Erica Ravén.
Rapper NLE Choppa is expected in Kigali.In addition to his music career, NLE Choppa is also a father of two children.In December 2025, the rapper proposed to his new girlfriend, who is also an artist, Erica Ravén.
