For The Better

The elephant proboscis (trunk) exhibits an extraordinary kinematic versatility as it can manipulate a single blade of grass but also carry loads up to 270 kilograms. Using motion-capture technologies developed for the movie industry, a team of scientis…

Scientists have discovered that extensive chains of volcanoes have been responsible for both emitting and then removing atmospheric carbon dioxide over geological time. This stabilized temperatures at Earth’s surface.

Scientists have harnessed the natural ability of wood to faintly glow to develop a new sustainable phosphorescent material that could potentially be used in a wide number of applications, from medical imaging and optical sensing to ‘glow in the dark’ d…

We are collectively failing to conserve the world’s biodiversity and to mobilize natural solutions to help curb global warming. A new study shows that managing a strategically placed 30% of land for conservation could safeguard 70% of all considered te…

Ocean deoxygenation during the Mesozoic Era was much more rapid than previous thought, with CO2 induced environmental warming creating ocean ‘dead zones’ over timescales of only tens of thousands of years. The research paints a new picture of severe oc…

A little understood species of shark, known for taking cookie cutter-shaped bites out of everything from white sharks and whales to the rubber coated sonar sensors on submarines and even underwater electrical cables, is the subject of a new study. Whil…

Amyloid plaques found in the retinas of eyes may be an indicator of similar plaques in the brain, a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease, and may provide a more visible biomarker for detecting disease risk.

In a finding that could help pave the way toward cleaner fuels and a more sustainable chemical industry, researchers have used machine learning to predict how the compositions of metal alloys and metal oxides affect their electronic structures.

A nationwide US study has shown that the rate of opioid-related cardiac arrests has steeply risen and is now on par with the rate of cardiac arrest from other causes. Opioid use disorder, which includes dependence and addiction, affects more than two m…

Magnesium rechargeable batteries show immense promise for a greener future because of their energy density, safety, and cost. But the lack of high-performance cathode materials has impeded their development. Now, a research team has developed liquid-su…

Researchers have developed a mathematical model that can predict the optimum exercise regime for building muscle.

Sjögren’s syndrome is an autoimmune disease that attacks the tear duct and salivary glands, leading to patients suffering unbearable dry eyes and mouth. To date, treatment options have been limited. But this may change thanks to a recently developed mo…

The miniaturization of microelectronic sensor technology, microelectronic robots or intravascular implants is progressing rapidly. However, it also poses major challenges for research. One of the biggest is the development of tiny but efficient energy …

A study found that as meltwater lakes on the surface of Greenland’s ice sheet rapidly drain, they create water blisters between the ice and the bedrock that scientists could use to understand the hydrological network below Greenland’s thick inland ice …

Diclofenac and other NSAIDs may limit the passage of narcolepsy medication and illicit party drug GHB to the brain, decreasing the potential for fatal overdose, researchers find.

Research suggests that introducing new airline routes reduces the discard rate of donated kidneys and increases the number of kidneys sent to transplant centers across the U.S.

Researchers have developed a new type of laminate that changes color as soon as the material is deformed. This way, the materials researchers can kill two birds with one stone: a lightweight composite material that inspects itself.

Experts have assessed the risks and potential benefits associated with deploying autonomous vehicles (AVs) on U.S. roads and predicts that the benefits will substantially outweigh potential harms — but only if the AVs are well regulated.

Researchers show that pecans can dramatically improve a person’s cholesterol levels.

Farmers using no-till production — in which soil never or rarely is plowed or disturbed — can reduce herbicide use and still maintain crop yields by implementing integrated weed-management methods, according to a new study.