Science & Technology
Land use linked to water quality and quantity
Researchers recently published a study that focuses on the Sudbury-Assabet and Concord watershed in eastern Massachusetts, and which links hydrological changes, including floods, drought and runoff, to changing patterns of land use.
Brain-belly connection: Gut health may influence likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s
A new study pinpoints 10 bacterial groups associated with Alzheimer’s disease, provides new insights into the relationship between gut makeup and dementia.
Singing humpback whales respond to wind noise, but not boats
A new study has found humpback whales sing louder when the wind is noisy, but don’t have the same reaction to boat engines.
Metal-filtering sponge removes lead from water
Engineers have developed a new sponge that can remove metals — including toxic heavy metals like lead and critical metals like cobalt — from contaminated water, leaving safe, drinkable water behind. In proof-of-concept experiments, the researchers te…
Understanding the speed of brain communication
Called the human connectome, this structural system of neural pathways develops as people age. A new study shows transmission speed among brain regions increases into early adulthood. Learning more about neuron transmission may improve the understandin…
Researchers find new approach to explore earliest universe dynamics with gravitational waves
Researchers have discovered a new generic production mechanism of gravitational waves generated by a phenomenon known as oscillons.
Great Basin: History of water supply in one of the driest regions in the USA
An international team has reconstructed the evolution of groundwater in the Great Basin, USA — one of the driest regions on Earth — up to 350,000 years into the past with unprecedented accuracy. The results shed new light on the effects of climate ch…
Hidden supermassive black holes brought to life by galaxies on collision course
Astronomers have found that supermassive black holes obscured by dust are more likely to grow and release tremendous amounts of energy when they are inside galaxies that are expected to collide with a neighbouring galaxy.
Global warming puts whales in the Southern Ocean on a diet
In the autumn, when right whales swim towards the coasts of South Africa, they ought to be fat and stuffed full. But in recent years, they have become thinner because their food is disappearing with the melting sea ice.
Bacteria killing material could tackle hospital superbugs
Researchers have used a common disinfectant and antiseptic to create a new antimicrobial coating material that effectively kills bacteria and viruses, including MRSA and SARS-COV-2.
Culprit behind destruction of New York’s first dinosaur museum revealed
A new paper rewrites the history of the darkest, most bizarre event in the history of palaeontology.
Our thoughts alter our tactile perception
If we sincerely believe that our index finger is five times bigger than it really is, our sense of touch improves. Researchers demonstrated that this is the case in an experiment in which the participants were put under professional hypnosis. When the …
Celestial monsters at the origin of globular clusters
Globular clusters are the most massive and oldest star clusters in the Universe. They can contain up to 1 million of them. The chemical composition of these stars, born at the same time, shows anomalies that are not found in any other population of sta…
Better than humans: Artificial intelligence in intensive care units
With the help of extensive data from intensive care units of various hospitals, an artificial intelligence was developed that provides suggestions for the treatment of people who require intensive care due to sepsis. Analyses show that artificial intel…
Better than humans: Artificial intelligence in intensive care units
With the help of extensive data from intensive care units of various hospitals, an artificial intelligence was developed that provides suggestions for the treatment of people who require intensive care due to sepsis. Analyses show that artificial intel…
Hidden views of vast stellar nurseries
Astronomers have created a vast infrared atlas of five nearby stellar nurseries by piecing together more than one million images. These large mosaics reveal young stars in the making, embedded in thick clouds of dust. Thanks to these observations, astr…
Traditional medicine plant could combat drug-resistant malaria
Much of what is now considered modern medicine originated as folk remedies or traditional, Indigenous practices. These customs are still alive today, and they could help address a variety of conditions. Now, researchers have identified compounds in the…
Bacteria: Radioactive elements replace essential rare earth metals
Bacteria can use certain radioactive elements to sustain their metabolism.
New research could help breed for less ‘spooky’ horses
Researchers are working to identify genes that influence horses’ tendency to react to perceived danger.