Science & Technology
Burst of accumulated zinc shows how the mineral boosts immune function, suggesting ways to improve health
Zinc’s immune-boosting properties are well-established, but scientists haven’t known exactly how it works. Scientists now reveal two ways the mineral supports immunity and suggest how it could be used to improve health. Using mice, the team discovered …
Scientists develop environmentally safe, frost-resistant coatings
Engineers have developed a longer-lasting alternative to conventional deicers.
Polynesian Island yields ‘treasure trove’ of fungal biodiversity
Researchers have provided a detailed description of the stunning array of fungi that make their home on the Polynesian island of Mo’orea. The collection includes more than 200 species of macrofungi — that is, fungi producing visible, fruiting bodies -…
Scientists can predict carbon transfer in the ocean based on deep-diving tiny organisms
Biologists find that the health and size of ocean bacteria that eat the carbon-carrying particles can affect the speed with which they sink toward the deep ocean. They then developed a predictive model for oceanic carbon transfer.
‘We’re more alike than we might think’
A study published in advance of World Autism Day suggests we need a more evidence-based approach to neurodiversity.
Easy test can see if breeding bulls have the right stuff
Forget sending bull semen out for complicated laboratory tests to learn whether the agricultural animal is virile. Scientists have developed a faster, easier microfluidics method.
MARATHON measures mirror nuclei
Scientists are holding up a ‘mirror’ to protons and neutrons to learn more about the particles that build our visible universe. The MARATHON experiment has accessed new details about these particles’ structures by comparing the so-called mirror nuclei,…
People born in the 80s not likely to marry their first cohabiting partner
Compared to people born in the 70s, who are almost equally likely to marry or separate from their first cohabiting partners, 80s children are significantly more likely to separate from the first partner they live with, according to researchers.
German and Austrian deer thus far spared SARS-CoV-2 infections, unlike in North America
In North America, SARS-CoV-2 has spread from humans to white-tailed deer. The deer are now considered SARS-CoV-2 reservoirs and may even spill virus back to humans. Scientists have now shown that in Germany and Austria this has not happened as all deer…
How giant viruses mature: New evidence from the medusavirus sheds light
Medusavirus, a giant virus, is more closely related to eukaryotic cells than other giant viruses are. In an exciting new study, scientists have used electron microscopy and time-course analysis to discover four different types of medusavirus particles …
Graphene gets enhanced by flashing
Scientists who developed the flash Joule heating process to make graphene have found a way to produce doped graphene to customize it for applications.
Quantum ‘shock absorbers’ allow perovskite to exhibit superfluorescence at room temperature
Semiconducting perovskites that exhibit superfluorescence at room temperature do so due to built-in thermal ‘shock absorbers’ which protect dipoles within the material from thermal interference.
Technology has the potential to change the patient-provider relationship
As personal health records (AKA patient portals) allowing patients to see test results, medications and other health information gain in popularity, scientists studied cancer patients’ and doctors’ differing perceptions of this tool. Patients cited pot…