πŸ”¬ Science

April 13th, 2026

Today's top 5 stories, curated by Daily Direct.

ScienceDaily

Stanford scientists discover β€œnatural Ozempic” without side effects

Stanford researchers have identified a natural peptide called BRP that replicates the appetite-suppressing power of GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic, but without the nausea and muscle loss that plague many users. The molecule, uncovered through AI-assisted research, works by targeting the brain's appetite-control center directly. If results translate to humans, BRP could represent a significant leap forward in weight loss treatment.

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Phys.org

Embryo fossil found in South Africa is world's oldest proof that mammal ancestors laid eggs

Researchers have identified the world's oldest embryo fossil, revealing that the ancient therapsids β€” the group that eventually gave rise to mammals β€” reproduced by laying eggs. The discovery, dating back up to 280 million years, offers the first direct physical evidence of reproductive strategy in humanity's earliest ancestors. It reshapes our understanding of how the lineage that produced modern mammals first entered the world.

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Phys.org

Of gray whales that enter San Francisco Bay, nearly 18% die there, scientists find

A new study from the Marine Mammal Center and California Academy of Sciences reveals a grim toll on gray whales venturing into San Francisco Bay, with nearly 18% of those entering the waterway dying there. Climate-driven disruptions to their Arctic feeding grounds appear to be pushing the whales into unfamiliar and hazardous territory during migration. The busy, heavily trafficked Bay is proving fatal for animals already under pressure from a changing ocean.

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ScienceDaily

Black hole wakes after 100 million years and erupts like a cosmic volcano

A supermassive black hole in galaxy J1007+3540 has reawakened after roughly 100 million years of dormancy, unleashing powerful jets of energy into surrounding space. Radio imaging reveals those jets colliding with the dense pressure of a neighboring galaxy cluster, producing a twisted, turbulent structure nearly a million light-years across. The event offers astronomers a rare live look at how black hole activity shapes β€” and disrupts β€” the large-scale environment around it.

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Phys.org

How does spider venom damage human cells? Researchers uncover the killer mechanism of recluse spider toxin

Researchers have identified the precise mechanism by which brown recluse spider venom destroys human cells, a question that has puzzled scientists for decades. The toxin targets cell membranes in a way that triggers rapid tissue death, explaining the severe wounds these bites are known to cause. Understanding this process opens the door to more effective treatments for envenomation victims.

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