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July 11, 2025—Gut bacteria could clear out forever chemicals, new bioplastics inspired by worm slime, and why we're nowhere near sci-fi-worthy artificial intelligence. —Andrea Gawrylewski, Chief Newsletter Editor | | Alexander Skarsgård in the Apple TV+ series Murderbot. Album/Alamy Stock Photo | | Bacteria common in the human gut can soak up forever chemicals (PFAS). Scientists tested several gut bacteria in the lab and found that these bacteria sopped up anywhere from 25 to 74 percent of the PFAS chemicals they were exposed to within 24 hours. The researchers then exposed mice to PFAS and found that those with more of the chemical-sopping bacteria excreted more of the toxins. These findings haven't been confirmed in humans, but the team thinks that upping the amount of these bacteria through the use of probiotic supplements might help humans get rid of PFAS from their guts and maybe even from other places in the body like their blood. Why this matters: PFAS (short for perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances) lurk in nonstick pans, rain jackets and even drinking water. Many scientists have been scrambling for ways to remove them from our surroundings before they reach the body. The chemicals can take hundreds of years to break down in the environment and are increasingly being detected in human blood and bodily tissues—where, research suggests, they can lead to several cancers and other disorders.
What the experts say: "I think this research provides us a little glimmer of hope that it's not all doom and gloom" when it comes to the PFAS problem, says study co-author Kiran Patil, a molecular biologist at the University of Cambridge. "Maybe our bacteria—that have been our companions for thousands of years—may already be helping us do something about it." —Nora Bradford, news intern | | To trap their prey, velvet worms launch a slimy goo from their bodies that hardens into a glasslike solid within seconds. Scientists know that proteins in the ooze cause the fibers to harden, but physically isolating the proteins is tricky. The slime is super sensitive to touch; standard lab techniques such as pipetting could trigger a phase shift. A group of scientists sequenced the RNA of slime proteins from three different velvet worm species and used an AI-assisted program to predict protein shapes. All three worm species had one horseshoe-shaped protein in common, which scientists believe latches onto other slime proteins to form the powerful fibers. Why this is interesting: When the researchers added water to the glass-like solid, it would morph back into its liquid state; and when they rubbed the liquid between fingers it would re-stiffen back up. This phase-shifting ooze could inspire a new generation of bioplastics that break down quickly and can be reformed into new shapes.
What the experts say: These horseshoe proteins are a significant find, says Yendry Corrales Ureña, a researcher at Costa Rica's National Laboratory of Nanotechnology who studies velvet worm slime but wasn't involved in the study. She adds, however, that these proteins don't account for important properties of the slime such as its toughness or elasticity. "They are just one piece of the larger puzzle."—Andrea Tamayo, newsletter writer | | | | |
- If you've been reading Today in Science this week, you'll ace this week's science quiz. Also check out today's Spellements, and remember, if you spot any words missing from the puzzle, email them to games@sciam.com. This week, several readers sent in epicycle, which is a small circle whose center moves along the circumference of a larger circle. Well spotted!
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| | Every Friday in summer we'll recommend a great, freshly-published science read (and sometimes TV series). Tell us what you're reading (or watching), or if you try any of our recommendations! | | The Murderbot Diaries By Martha Wells. Tor, 2017-2025.
 The season finale of Murderbot airs today on Apple TV+, concluding the buzzworthy adaptation of the beloved science-fiction novellas. But I couldn't help but wonder: would the titular Murderbot enjoy the TV show Murderbot? Murderbot in Martha Wells's books (a cyborg security unit assigned to scientists on a dangerous planet) is a connoisseur of soap operas and saccharine romantic subplots, which the TV version smartly highlights. Apple TV+ surprised me with a thoughtful and creative adaptation of the books, diving deep into the group dynamics of the planetary research team—the TV writers even created, and solved, some messy throuple drama surprisingly well. In the books, Wells creates a believable and lovable cyborg with her creative exploration of neuroscience—"mixing brains and computer circuitry is not only science fiction," there's real science behind it, writes mind and brain editor Allison Parshall. Of course, the book is better than the show (aren't they usually?), but the TV adaptation of this internal-dialogue-heavy novella does Murderbot justice (or at least as much justice as can be expected within the Corporation Rim space sector). The online magazine Reactor published a brand new Murderbot story early today, so viewers can check it out right after the finale airs. —Brianne Kane | | If you want a quick weekend read, definitely check out the first book in The Murderbot Diaries series: All Systems Red. It's short, fast-paced and thought-provoking. Let me know your favorite science-fiction reads, and we'll consider including them in our year-end book round-up. | | —Andrea Gawrylewski, Chief Newsletter Editor
With contributions by Andrea Tamayo | | | | |
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