Science & Technology
Acidity of Antarctic waters could double by century’s end, threatening biodiversity
Without drastically reducing global emissions, the Antarctic Ocean could become too acidic for hundreds of species living there, many already endangered by rising temperatures and sea ice loss.
Largest diversity study of ‘magic mushrooms’ investigates the evolution of psychoactive psilocybin production
The genomic analysis of 52 Psilocybe specimens includes 39 species that have never been sequenced. Psilocybe arose much earlier than previously thought — about 65 million years ago — and the authors found that psilocybin was first synthesized in mush…
Plant warfare: The crucial function of Nrc proteins in tomato defense mechanisms
New research delves into the intricate defense mechanisms of tomatoes against the notorious bacterial pathogen, Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato (Pst). It’s a classic tale of nature’s arms race: as pathogens evolve to outsmart plant defenses, plants cou…
Different pain types in multiple sclerosis can cause difficulty staying active
Chronic pain can present in multiple forms for multiple sclerosis patients. Some forms make it harder to stay active than others.
How black silicon, a prized material used in solar cells, gets its dark, rough edge
Researchers have developed a new theoretical model explaining one way to make black silicon. The new etching model precisely explains how fluorine gas breaks certain bonds in the silicon more often than others, depending on the orientation of the bond …
Green wheels, bright skies: Analysis unveils the connection between electric vehicles and photovoltaics
People who own electric vehicles (EVs) are more likely to go a step further and add solar panels to their home, according to an analysis of a behavioral study. Conversely, the impact of owning solar panels also has a bearing on whether a homeowner buys…
‘Blob-like’ home of farthest-known fast radio burst is collection of seven galaxies
In summer 2022, astronomers detected the most powerful and most distant fast radio burst (FRB) ever observed. Now, astronomers have pinpointed the extraordinary object’s birthplace — and it’s rather curious, indeed. Using images from NASA’s Hubble Spa…
Hospitalizations for scooter injuries nearly tripled in the US between 2016 and 2020, UCLA-led research finds
Scooter injuries nearly tripled across the U.S. from 2016 to 2020, with a concurrent increase in severe injuries requiring orthopedic and plastic surgery over the same period. Costs to treat those injuries rose five-fold, highlighting the financial str…
With only the pawprints, researchers study elusive bobcat
With DNA recovered from animal tracks, scientists revealed information about the ancestry and microbial community of bobcats without having to sample the animal directly.
Understanding the neuroendocrine basis for social anxiety-like behavior in male mice
Researchers have discovered that estrogen receptor (ER), expressed in the lateral septum of the limbic system, plays a crucial role in suppressing anxiety-like behavior exhibited by male mice in social situations. They also discovered that the distribu…