Science & Technology
Viruses could reshuffle the carbon cycle in a warming world
The roles microbes play in ecosystems are changing with global warming. Microbes are also affected by infection by viruses, but scientists know relatively little about how these viral infections could change how microbes react to warming. In this study…
Scientists develop gene silencing DNA enzyme that can target a single molecule
Researchers have developed a DNA enzyme — or DNAzyme — that can distinguish between two RNA strands inside a cell and cut the disease-associated strand while leaving the healthy strand intact. This breakthrough ‘gene silencing’ technology could revol…
Cleanup of inactive Gulf of Mexico wells estimated at $30 billion
A new article examines the cost to plug 14,000 wells that are inactive, have not produced for five years and are unlikely to be reactivated in the Gulf of Mexico region, which is the epicenter of U.S. offshore oil and gas operations.
Atmospheric research provides clear evidence of human-caused climate change signal associated with CO2 increases
New research provides clear evidence of a human ‘fingerprint’ on climate change and shows that specific signals from human activities have altered the temperature structure of Earth’s atmosphere.
Researchers discover a cause of rapid ice melting in Greenland
While conducting a study of Petermann Glacier in northwest Greenland, researchers uncovered a previously unseen way in which the ice and ocean interact. The glaciologists said their findings could mean that the climate community has been vastly underes…
Galactic bubbles are more complex than imagined
Astronomers have revealed new evidence about the properties of the giant bubbles of high-energy gas that extend far above and below the Milky Way galaxy’s center.
Pollen production could impact climate change by helping clouds form
For millions of people with seasonal allergies, springtime means runny noses, excessive sneezes and itchy eyes. And, as with many things, climate change appears to be making allergy season even worse. Researchers have now shown that common allergen-pro…
Plastic can drift far away from its starting point as it sinks into the sea
Discarded or drifting in the ocean, plastic debris can accumulate on the water’s surface, forming floating islands of garbage. Although it’s harder to spot, researchers suspect a significant amount also sinks. In a new study in ACS’ Environmental Scien…
Scintillating science: Researchers improve materials for radiation detection and imaging technology
A team of researchers has improved a new generation of organic-inorganic hybrid materials that can improve image quality in X-ray machines, CT scans and other radiation detection and imaging technologies.
Webb looks for Fomalhaut’s asteroid belt and finds much more
Astronomers used NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope to image the warm dust around a nearby young star, Fomalhaut, in order to study the first asteroid belt ever seen outside of our solar system in infrared light. But to their surprise, the dusty structu…
Smallest shifting fastest: Bird species body size predicts rate of change in a warming world
Birds across the Americas are getting smaller and longer-winged as the world warms, and the smallest-bodied species are changing the fastest.
A cocktail party of 3D-printed robot heads
Imagine a cocktail party full of 3D-printed, humanoid robots listening and talking to each other. That seemingly sci-fi scene is the goal of an augmented listening laboratory. With precise control over the simulated subjects, the researchers can adjust…
First observational evidence of beaufort gyre stabilization, which could be precursor to huge freshwater release
A new study provides the first observational evidence of the stabilization of the anti-cyclonic Beaufort Gyre, which is the dominant circulation of the Canada Basin and the largest freshwater reservoir in the Arctic Ocean.
Uniformity of prey can yield spider-eat-spider world
A limited menu of prey may weave a tangled food web by emboldening wolf spiders of multiple species to dine on each other and even cannibalize their own, says a new study.
T cells can activate themselves to fight tumors
Scientists find an auto-signaling mechanism driving the T cell anti-tumor response; findings may inspire new cancer therapeutics and biomarkers.
Large genetic changes that contribute to dementia risk identified
Scientists have identified new genetic risk factors for two types of non-Alzheimer’s dementia. These findings detail how researchers identified large-scale DNA changes, known as structural variants, by analyzing thousands of DNA samples. The team disco…
New probe aids novel findings on cell functions
New research shows the use of a new cellular probe helped discover new findings about certain cellular processes.