ScienceDaily
Scientists just found a faster, cleaner way to extract lithium for EV batteries
Researchers at Columbia Engineering have developed a temperature-sensitive solvent that pulls lithium directly from underground brines in a fraction of the time required by traditional evaporation ponds. The process eliminates the water-intensive infrastructure that has long made lithium mining an environmental liability for the clean energy transition. Crucially, it also unlocks low-grade lithium deposits previously considered too poor to tap, potentially expanding the global supply base significantly.
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Wegovy linked to rare “eye stroke” that can cause sudden blindness
Researchers analyzing millions of FDA adverse event reports have found that Wegovy may significantly raise the risk of non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy — a rare "eye stroke" capable of causing sudden, irreversible vision loss. The risk signal was nearly five times stronger for Wegovy than for Ozempic, a finding that puzzles scientists given that both drugs share the same active ingredient, semaglutide. The disparity suggests dosage or patient population differences may be driving the effect, and experts say the findings warrant urgent further investigation.
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Scientists warn popular vitamin D supplement may have a “previously unknown” downside
New research suggests that vitamin D2 supplements — among the most widely used on the market — may actually suppress the body's levels of vitamin D3, the more potent and biologically active form of the vitamin. The study found D3 is not only more effective at raising overall vitamin D status but may also play a distinct role in bolstering immune defenses against viral and bacterial threats. The findings are pushing scientists to question whether D2 has any place in standard supplementation protocols.
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Sea level rise is speeding up and scientists now know exactly why
Rising seas are accelerating faster than ever, and scientists have finally closed the books on what's causing it. Thermal expansion of warming ocean water leads the charge, with melting glaciers and polar ice sheets adding an ever-growing share. Crucially, researchers also resolved a long-standing gap in sea level measurements, giving climate models a more precise — and sobering — foundation for future projections.
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