Science & Technology
Toxic metal particles can be present in cannabis vapes even before the first use, study finds
Though vapes have been heralded as a ‘safer’ way to consume either nicotine or cannabis, they present their own suite of risks that are being revealed through increasing regulation. Now, scientists have discovered that nano-sized toxic metal particles …
Bendable energy storage materials by cool science
Imaging being able to wear clothes that charge your gadgets just by wearing them. New research has brought us a step closer to achieving this reality.
There are large accumulations of plastics in the ocean, even outside so-called garbage patch
When plastic ends up in the ocean, it gradually weathers and disintegrates into small particles. If marine animals ingest these particles, their health can be severely affected. Large accumulations of plastic can therefore disrupt the biological balanc…
A protein found in human sweat may protect against Lyme disease
Human sweat contains a protein that may protect against Lyme disease. About one-third of the population carries a genetic variant of this protein that is associated with Lyme disease in genome-wide association studies.
Fairy circles: Plant water stress causes Namibia’s gaps in grass
Namibia’s legendary fairy circles are mysterious, circular, bald patches in the dry grasslands on the edge of the Namib Desert. Their formation has been researched for decades and has recently been the subject of much debate. With extensive fieldwork, …
Biomarkers of the middle-aged brain predict cognitive health in old age
The middle-aged brain could provide a window into future cognitive health. A team reviewed evidence from human and animal studies suggesting that middle age — commonly considered as the period between 40 and 60 or 65 years of age — marks a shift in b…