Science & Technology
NASA’s Webb stuns with new high-definition look at exploded star
Like a shiny, round ornament ready to be placed in the perfect spot on a holiday tree, supernova remnant Cassiopeia A (Cas A) gleams in a new image.
Protein study could one day advance Parkinson’s, breast cancer care
New research could one day lead to therapies that prevent or treat diseases and infections tied to a protein that’s found in all human cells. A study describes how the protein ubiquitin is modified during a bacterial infection. The study details the st…
Caregiving can be stressful, but it could also lower risk of depression
Becoming a caregiver to an aging parent or spouse can be stressful, but a new study is questioning the idea that family caregiving is also a risk factor for depression.
New AI-powered algorithm could better assess people’s risk of common heart condition
Early detection of atrial fibrillation can reduce the risk of stroke and heart failure, but screening people for the condition has been historically challenging.
New technique for photon detection
Researchers have developed a new technique to detect photons — elementary particles that span from visible light to radio frequencies and are instrumental in carrying cellular communication. The advancement could lead to more precise and efficient tec…
Hallmark quantum behavior in bouncing droplets
In a study that could help fill some holes in quantum theory, the team recreated a ‘quantum bomb tester’ in a classical droplet test.
Smoking causes brain shrinkage, study finds
Smoking shrinks the brain and effectively causes premature brain aging, according to a new study. Quitting smoking prevents further loss of brain tissue but doesn’t restore the brain to its original size.
Mammogram rates increase when patients schedule themselves
By making mammograms easy to schedule through personal online patient portals, researchers saw a significant increase in screenings for breast cancer.
14-inch spacecraft delivers new details about ‘hot Jupiters’
The Colorado Ultraviolet Transit Experiment (CUTE) spacecraft is about the size of a cereal box. It has also recorded incredibly detailed measurements of the atmospheres of planets hundreds of light-years from Earth.
Zapping manure with special electrode promises an efficient method to produce fertilizers, other chemicals
An interdisciplinary team has developed a new technique that could help farmers extract useful nutrients such as ammonia and potassium from livestock manure to efficiently make fertilizer and other useful chemical products. While the strategy still nee…
Archaeologists unearth one of earliest known frame saddles
Recovered from looters, a new archaeological discovery from a cave in western Mongolia could change the story of the evolving relationship between humans and horses around the world.
Spinning up control: Propeller shape helps direct nanoparticles
Self-propelled nanoparticles could potentially advance drug delivery and lab-on-a-chip systems — but they are prone to go rogue with random, directionless movements. Now, an international team of researchers has developed an approach to rein in the sy…
The silent killer gets louder as high blood pressure risks trend upward
Researchers have found an increased need for urgent dialysis and a rising mortality rate in people hospitalized for dangerously high blood pressure. Younger people needed more dialysis and leaner patients had a higher risk of dying in the hospital. The…
Liquid biopsy predicts immunotherapy response and toxicity in patients with advanced lung cancer
By monitoring changes in circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) among 30 patients treated with immunotherapies for metastatic non-small cell lung cancers, researchers were able to determine molecular response — the clearance of tumor genetic material in the bl…
Artificial intelligence systems excel at imitation, but not innovation
Artificial intelligence (AI) systems are often depicted as sentient agents poised to overshadow the human mind. But AI lacks the crucial human ability of innovation, researchers have found.
Whale-SETI: Groundbreaking encounter with humpback whales reveals potential for nonhuman intelligence communication
A team of scientists had a close encounter with a non-human (aquatic) intelligence. The Whale-SETI team has been studying humpback whale communication systems in an effort to develop intelligence filters for the search for extraterrestrial intelligence…
Heavy metals in our food are most dangerous for kids
Two new studies provide information on the correlation between exposure to heavy metals in food and the risk of cancers and other serious health risks.
Daily singing workout keeps songbird males attractive
It has long been a mystery why songbirds spend so much time and energy on singing. Now a new study shows that songbirds need to sing every day to keep their vocal muscles in shape. Females can hear if a male has skipped his singing workout for only a f…
Is age linked to the picture of the perfect partner?
How do women picture the partner of their dreams? And how does this vary between women based on their age? A team of researchers has investigated the complex relationships between age and preferences for a partner in a large, international sample of si…