Science & Technology
Researchers advance insights into cause of ripples on icicles
Experimental physicists growing icicles are closer to understanding why some form with ripples up and down their outsides, while others form with smooth, slick, even surfaces. By growing icicles from water samples with different contaminants like sodiu…
New quantum dots study uncovers implications for biological imaging
Researchers report the synthesis of semiconductor ‘giant’ core-shell quantum dots with record-breaking emissive lifetimes. In addition, the lifetimes can be tuned by making a simple alteration to the material’s internal structure.
New tool twice as accurate at predicting antibody resistance among US children with Kawasaki disease
A new tool could one day help clinicians better predict resistance to immunoglobulin therapy among children with Kawasaki disease in the United States. Compared to the Kobayashi score — the most widely used method in Japan for predicting resistance to…
Women with elevated breast cancer risk could see mortality benefit from estrogen-blocking drugs
While it has long been recognized that drugs that block the cancer-promoting activity of estrogen reduce risk of developing new breast cancers, a new computer modeling study has shown that these treatments could also reduce the risk of dying from the d…
Forest resilience linked with higher mortality risk in western US
A forest’s resilience, or ability to absorb environmental disturbances, has long been thought to be a boost for its odds of survival against the looming threat of climate change. But a new study suggests that for some Western U.S. forests, it’s quite t…
Bee study: Both habitat quality and biodiversity can impact bee health
Efforts to promote the future health of both wild bees and managed honeybee colonies need to consider specific habitat needs, such as the density of wildflowers. At the same time, improving other habitat measures — such as the amount of natural habita…
New instrument measures supercurrent flow, data has applications in quantum computing
An extreme-scale nanoscope is beginning to collect data about how pulses of light at trillions of cycles per second can control supercurrents in materials. The instrument could one day help optimize superconducting quantum bits, which are at the heart …
Finding better ways to measure cognitive change in people with intellectual disability
A new study finds the NIH Toolbox Cognition Battery is a promising option for measuring cognitive change in people with intellectual disability.
Guiding conservation with local touch
New science can benefit conservation, but a group of biologists emphasizes how species have adapted to local habitats is crucial to success.