Science & Technology
Near-universal T cell immunity towards a broad range of bacteria
Typically T cells of the immune system respond to a specific feature (antigen) of a microbe, thereby generating protective immunity. Scientists have discovered an exception to this rule. Namely, a group of divergent bacterial pathogens, including pneum…
Researchers find rhythmic brain activity helps to maintain temporary memories
New research shows that rhythmic brain activity is key to temporarily maintaining important information in memory. Researchers found brain rhythms — or patterns of neuronal activity — organize the bursts of activity in the brain that maintain short-t…
Ocean ecosystem: Mixotrophic microorganisms play key role
Researchers have identified a previously unknown group of bacteria, called UBA868, as key players in the energy cycle of the deep ocean. They are significantly involved in the biogeochemical cycle in the marine layer between 200 and 1000 meters.
Astrophysicists reveal the nature of dark matter through the study of crinkles in spacetime
Astrophysicists have provided the most direct evidence yet that Dark Matter does not constitute ultramassive particles as is commonly thought but instead comprises particles so light that they travel through space like waves. Their work resolves an out…
Mysterious underwater acoustic world of British ponds revealed in new study
The previously hidden and diverse underwater acoustic world in British ponds has been uncovered by a team of researchers.
CO2 recycling: What is the role of the electrolyte?
The greenhouse gas carbon dioxide can be converted into useful hydrocarbons by electrolysis. The design of the electrolysis cell is crucial in this process. The so-called zero-gap cell is particularly suitable for industrial processes. But there are st…
Jellyfish-like robots could one day clean up the world’s oceans
Roboticists have developed a jellyfish-inspired underwater robot with which they hope one day to collect waste from the bottom of the ocean. The almost noise-free prototype can trap objects underneath its body without physical contact, thereby enabling…
Antimicrobial use in agriculture can breed bacteria resistant to first-line human defenses
A new study has shown that overuse of antimicrobials in livestock production can drive the evolution of bacteria more resistant to the first line of the human immune response. Bacteria that had evolved resistance to colistin, an antimicrobial widely us…
Horses living in groups are better at following human indications than horses living in individual paddocks
A new study shows that horses living in big enclosures and in groups of at least three horses are better at following directional indications from humans than horses kept in individual paddocks. The results also indicate that familiarity to the human p…
Scientists demonstrate unprecedented sensitivity in measuring time delay between two photons
A team of researchers has demonstrated the ultimate sensitivity allowed by quantum physics in measuring the time delay between two photons. This breakthrough has significant implications for a range of applications, including more feasible imaging of n…
Is there a common path to the psychedelic experience?
A study takes a closer look at the neurobiology of psychedelic experiences caused by nitrous oxide, ketamine and LSD.
First ‘gene silencing’ drug for Alzheimer’s disease shows promise
A new trial has found a new genetic therapy for Alzheimer’s disease that is able to safely and successfully lower levels of the harmful tau protein known to cause the disease.
Progress in alternative battery technology
It is not easy to make batteries cheap, efficient, durable, safe and environmentally friendly at the same time. Researchers have now succeeded in uniting all of these characteristics in zinc metal batteries.
Pet rabbits need freedom to exercise, study finds
Pet rabbits have higher levels of the stress hormone — corticosterone — and show activity rebound when kept in small hutches with restricted exercise, new research has found.
Luring the virus into a trap
Viruses like influenza A and Ebola invade human cells in a number of steps. Research teams investigated the final stages of viral penetration using electron tomography and computer simulations. So-called fusion pores, through which the viral genome is …
Computational ‘short cuts’ offer fast answers to complex supply chain problems
Supply chain networks can be incredibly complex, with multiple manufacturing and distribution points — and the location of each node in those networks has a significant effect on everything from profitability to product cost to environmental impact. N…
Asteroid’s comet-like tail Is not made of dust, solar observatories reveal
We have known for a while that asteroid 3200 Phaethon acts like a comet. It brightens and forms a tail when it’s near the Sun, and it is the source of the annual Geminid meteor shower, even though comets are responsible for most meteor showers. Scienti…
Walking a leashed dog associated with risk of traumatic brain injury among adults
Finger fracture, traumatic brain injury, and shoulder sprain or strain were the three most common injuries related to leash-dependent dog walking among adults treated in U.S. emergency rooms from 2001 to 2020. Researchers have found that traumatic brai…
Creating a tsunami early warning system using artificial intelligence
Researchers develop an early warning system that combines acoustic technology with AI to immediately classify earthquakes and determine potential tsunami risk. They propose using underwater microphones, called hydrophones, to measure the acoustic radia…