Science & Technology
Predicting Alzheimer’s dementia in oldest of the old
A new study indicates that severity of amyloid deposition in the brain — not just age — may be key to determining who will benefit from new therapies that delay the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.
Strong connections found between vaccine hesitancy and support for vaccinating pets
Study findings raise the stakes for public health efforts to improve attitudes about vaccination rates across the board.
Reindeer sleep while chewing their cud
Researchers report that the more time reindeer spend ruminating, the less time they spend in non-rapid eye movement (non-REM) sleep. EEG recordings revealed that reindeer’s brainwaves during rumination resemble the brain waves present during non-REM sl…
Hubble sights a galaxy with ‘forbidden’ light
A whirling image features a bright spiral galaxy known as MCG-01-24-014, which is located about 275 million light-years from Earth. In addition to being a well-defined spiral galaxy, MCG-01-24-014 has an extremely energetic core known as an active gala…
Where you live matters: A first-of-its-kind study illustrates how racism is interrelated with poor health
Researchers have leveraged a complex web of data to test a hypothesis: That structural racism is associated with resources and structures at the neighborhood level that are closely associated with poor health. What they found in an analysis of highly l…
Researchers study a million galaxies to find out how the universe began
Researchers have analyzed more than one million galaxies to explore primordial fluctuations that seeded the formation of the structure of the entire universe.
New material allows for better hydrogen-based batteries and fuel cells
Researchers have developed a solid electrolyte for transporting hydride ions at room temperature. This breakthrough means that the full advantages of hydrogen-based solid-state batteries and fuel cells can be had without the need for constant hydration…
Brain cell discovery sparks hope for fertility treatments
Researchers have demonstrated how a specific type of neuron in the brain affects the release of hormones that control ovarian function in females. These findings could help researchers understand and treat reproductive disorders in both animals and hum…
Stinky, bitter, and painful: A novel insect repellent attacks multiple sensory pathways
Researchers found that a Transient Receptor Potential (TRP) A1 stimulant, 2-methylthiazoline (2MT), act as a potent insect repellent in Drosophila. 2MT induces aversive behaviors via olfactory, gustatory, and nociceptive sensory pathways. 2MT acts on T…
Big impacts from small changes in cell
Tiny things matter — for instance, one amino acid can completely alter the architecture of the cell. Researchers have now investigated the structure and mechanics of the main component of the cytoskeleton of the cell: a protein known as actin. Actin i…
Light color is less important for the internal clock than originally thought
Light in the evening is thought to be bad for sleep. However, does the color of the light play a role? Researchers compared the influence of different light colors on the human body. The researchers’ findings contradict the results of a previous study …
Polymers that can kill bacteria
Scientists have created a new family of polymers capable of killing bacteria without inducing antibiotic resistance — a major step in the fight against superbugs like E. coli and MRSA.
How jellyfish regenerate functional tentacles in days
At about the size of a pinkie nail, the jellyfish species Cladonema can regenerate an amputated tentacle in two to three days — but how? Regenerating functional tissue across species, including salamanders and insects, relies on the ability to form a …