Science & Technology

Agricultural water scarcity is expected to increase in more than 80% of the world’s croplands by 2050, according to a new study.

In a study that followed hundreds of mice over their lifespans, calorie restriction combined with time-restricted eating boosted longevity.

Whether it’s making rash decisions or feeling grumpy, hunger can make us think and act differently — ‘hangry,’ even. But little is known about how hunger signals in the gut communicate with the brain to change behavior. Now, scientists are using worms…

Researchers have uncovered how signals from a group of neurons in the brain’s frontal lobe simultaneously give humans the flexibility to learn new tasks — and the focus to develop highly specific skills.

Researchers have been able to study the surface of a copper-zinc catalyst when carbon dioxide is reduced to methanol. A better knowledge of the catalytic process and the possibility of finding even more efficient materials opens the door for a green tr…

A team has mapped a huge, actively circulating groundwater system in deep sediments in West Antarctica. They say such systems, probably common in Antarctica, may have as-yet unknown implications for how the frozen continent reacts to, or possibly even …

The world’s smallest marine mammal — the critically endangered vaquita porpoise, which lives only in Mexico’s Sea of Cortez — is believed to have only 10 living members, if that, of the species. The vaquita is widely thought to be on the verge of ext…

Researchers reveal a mechanism by which oxybenzone, a common sunscreen component, damages corals. The surprising findings could help guide the development and marketing of effective, coral-safe sunscreens.

In a prospective study of young, lean adults, PET/CT imaging revealed that higher levels of active brown adipose tissue (also known as ‘brown fat’) are more prevalent in individuals who exhibit very early indications of metabolic disorders. The study s…

Bicycle sharing is an attractive zero-carbon transportation option for a world that is being increasingly disrupted by climate change. But bikes need to be restored at bike ports every now and then. Calculating the optimal way to restore bicycles is ti…

The human body consists of trillions of cells that constantly communicate with each other. A central role in this communication process is played by receptor proteins on the cell surface. Since they often serve as drug targets, they have been the subje…

It’s not unheard of to find a surviving star at the scene of a titanic supernova explosion, which would be expected to obliterate everything around it, but new research has provided a long-awaited clue to a specific type of stellar death. In some super…

Scientists have used machine learning algorithms to predict how long a lithium-ion battery will last.

Soil on the moon contains active compounds that can convert carbon dioxide into oxygen and fuels, scientists report. They are now exploring whether lunar resources can be used to facilitate human exploration on the moon or beyond.

Researchers have shown it is possible to perform artificial intelligence using tiny nanomagnets that interact like neurons in the brain.

Urine can reveal a lot about a person’s health. But physicians don’t currently have a convenient or fast way of tracking the concentration of important compounds in their patients’ urine. Now, researchers have designed a flexible sensor that fits in a …

Researchers have developed a soft robotic sleeve controlled with a microfluidic chip that reduces cost, weight, and power consumption for treatment of lymphedema. The prototype is more portable than previous devices, and the underlying mechanisms can e…

Staggering declines in bird populations are taking place around the world. So concludes a study from scientists at multiple institutions. Loss and degradation of natural habitats and direct overexploitation of many species are cited as the key threats …

Researchers have used liquid crystals to create a flat magic window — a transparent device that produces a hidden image when light shines on it. The process for creating transparent liquid crystal magic windows can produce any desired image. The proce…

A new study has found a promising new treatment for patients with behavioral variant fronto-temporal dementia, the second most common form of dementia in the under 60s — resulting in a stabilizing of what would normally be escalating behavioral issues…