Science & Technology

The first health impact study of coal train pollution centers on the San Francisco Bay Area, with scientists finding communities near passing coal trains suffer worse health outcomes.

Contrary to previous assumptions, nerve cells in the human neocortex are wired differently than in mice. The study found that human neurons communicate in one direction, while in mice, signals tend to flow in loops. This increases the efficiency and ca…

The energy density of supercapacitors — battery-like devices that can charge in seconds or a few minutes — can be improved by increasing the ‘messiness’ of their internal structure. Researchers used experimental and computer modelling techniques to s…

Scientists have discovered that the magnetic nanobubbles known as skyrmions can be moved by electrical currents, attaining record speeds up to 900 m/s. Anticipated as future bits in computer memory, these nanobubbles offer enhanced avenues for informat…

Land subsidence is overlooked as a hazard in cities, according to new research. Scientists used satellite data that accurately and consistently maps land movement across China.

Scientists have developed artificial heterostructures made of freestanding 2D and 3D membranes that have an energy density up to 19 times higher than commercially available capacitors.

Researchers have uncovered a mechanism in the brain that allows cocaine and morphine to take over natural reward processing systems.

The annual influenza vaccine has become less effective on average over time. One reason may be reduced vaccine efficacy in people with obesity than those with a healthier body mass index (BMI), while the number of people with high BMI grows. Findings s…

The 2010 Gulf of Mexico Deepwater Horizon oil spill, the largest accidental spill in history, released almost 100 million gallons of oil, causing significant pollution. A decade later, its long-term effects remain unclear. A study investigating the imp…

Animal and plant populations have been extensively studied, which has helped to understand ecosystem processes and evolutionary adaptations. However, this has not been the case with microbial populations due to the impossibility of isolating, culturing…

Twin studies have proven invaluable for teasing out the effects of both genetics and the environment on human biology. Researchers studied pairs of twins to look at how the interplay of genetics and environment affect cognitive processing — the way th…

A geo-environmental scientist from Japan has composed a string quartet using sonified climate data. The 6-minute-long composition — entitled ‘String Quartet No. 1 ‘Polar Energy Budget’– is based on over 30 years of satellite-collected climate data fr…

Superior decision-making in sports such as soccer could come down to the process of inhibiting a motor response, according to a new study.

A sensitive perception of the environment is crucial for guiding our behavior. However, an overly sensitive response of the brain’s neural circuits to stimuli can lead to neurodevelopmental disorders such as epilepsy. Researchers now report how neurona…

In posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), intrusive thoughts, changes in mood, and other symptoms after exposure to trauma can greatly impact a person’s quality of life. About 6 percent of people who experience trauma develop the disorder, but scientist…

Most cancer patients do not benefit from early targeted therapies. Scientists now describe a new computational pipeline to systematically predict patient response to cancer drugs at single-cell resolution.

The origin of life continues to remain a matter of debate. The ribonucleic acid (RNA) world hypothesis proposes that ‘ribozymes’ which store genetic information and possess catalytic functions may have supported the activities of early life forms. Now,…

Companies can’t simply walk away from old oil and gas wells. They have to be capped in a way that protects the environment and prevents leaks. A new approach to today’s solution could be better for the environment and cheaper, too.

Monitoring and treating a case of multiple sclerosis requires reliable and long-term data on how the disease is progressing in the person in question. Fitness trackers and smartphones can supply this data, as a research team has now shown.

Researchers are targeting the next generation of soft actuators and robots with an elastomer-based ink for 3D printing objects with locally changing mechanical properties, eliminating the need for cumbersome mechanical joints.