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Researchers may have solved decades-old mystery behind benzodiazepine side effects

A research team led by Virginia Commonwealth University and Columbia University has gained novel insights into a protein suspected to be involved in benzodiazepine-related inflammation. (Getty Images)

Benzodiazepines like Valium and Xanax are often prescribed to treat anxiety, insomnia and seizures. While these drugs can be effective as a short-term treatment, researchers are trying to better understand the impact of benzodiazepines after extended use.

Some experts believe long-term use of the medication may influence inflammation levels in our bodies, as previous research has shown that benzodiazepines may increase the risk of developing or worsening inflammatory conditions, like lung inflammation and inflammatory bowel disease...

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New model can generate audio and music tracks from diverse data inputs

In recent years, computer scientists have created various highly performing machine learning tools to generate texts, images, videos, songs and other content. Most of these computational models are designed to create content based on text-based instructions provided by users.

Researchers at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology recently introduced AudioX, a model that can generate high quality audio and music tracks using texts, video footage, images, music and audio recordings as inputs. Their model, introduced in a paper published on the arXiv preprint server, relies on a diffusion transformer, an advanced machine learning algorithm that leverages the so-called transformer architecture to generate content by progressively de-noising the input data it receives.

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A slowly spinning universe could solve the Hubble tension

The universe could be spinning
The Whirlpool Galaxy, M51, is a spiral galaxy located 31 million light-years away. Credit: NASA

A new study in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society by researchers including István Szapudi of the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Institute for Astronomy suggests the universe may rotate—just extremely slowly. The finding could help solve one of astronomy’s biggest puzzles.

“To paraphrase the Greek philosopher Heraclitus of Ephesus, who famously said ‘panta rhei’ (everything moves), we thought that perhaps panta kykloutai—everything turns,” said Szapudi.

Current models say the universe expands evenly in all directions, with no sign of rotation. This idea fits most of what astronomers observe...

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Neuron groups in mice spinal cord found responsible for encoding different types of pain

Study unveils groups of neurons in the mouse spinal cord that encode different types of pain
Capturing ensembles encoding mechanical and heat pain in the spinal dorsal horn. Credit: Zhang et al. (Nature Neuroscience, 2025).

Humans and other animal species can experience many types of pain throughout the course of their lives, varying in intensity, unpleasantness, and origin. Several past neuroscience studies have explored the neural underpinnings of pain, yet the processes supporting the ability to distinguish different types of physical pain are not fully understood.

In most vertebrates, painful sensations are known to arise from the nervous system, which includes the brain, an intricate network of nerves and the spinal cord...

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