Neutron stars in the universe, ultracold atomic gases in the laboratory, and the quark–gluon plasma created in collisions of atomic nuclei at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC): they may seem totally unrelated but, surprisingly enough, they have something in common. They are all a fluid-like state of matter made up of strongly interacting particles. Insights … Read more
On a remote tropical island in the Atlantic Ocean, a pair of marooned pirates have been discovered. While they lack eyepatches and cutlasses, the two new species of pirate spider certainly live up to their nautical name, which refers to their habit of violently taking over the webs of other spiders and killing the occupants. … Read more
Plant leaves come in many different shapes, sizes and complexities. Some leaves are large and smooth, while others are smaller and serrated. Some leaves grow in single pieces while others form multiple leaflets. These variations in leaf structure play a crucial role in how plants adapt—and survive—in different environments. “Plant morphology is diverse in nature,” … Read more
Researchers from Zhejiang University, China, led by Jiaxin Gao, have shed light on the remarkable ability of the human brain to untangle speech from echoes, a feat that continues to baffle engineering solutions. In their study published in PLOS Biology, they investigated how our brains effortlessly decipher direct speech amidst echoing reverberations, a common occurrence … Read more
At the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB) at Michigan State University, an international research team has achieved a significant milestone by creating five new isotopes, effectively bringing celestial phenomena closer to Earth. Reported in Physical Review Letters, these isotopes—thulium-182, thulium-183, ytterbium-186, ytterbium-187, and lutetium-190—mark the inaugural batch of new isotopes synthesized at FRIB, a … Read more
A groundbreaking archaeological study, led by Asier García-Escárzaga, a researcher at the Institute of Environmental Science and Technology (ICTA-UAB) and the Department of Prehistory of the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), sheds new light on the lives of the first Neolithic farmers and shepherds in Andalusia. Their findings reveal that these pioneering settlers established permanent … Read more
An international team of scientists has unveiled the ancient secrets hidden within the caves of Patagonia, reshaping our understanding of early human culture in South America. Published in the prestigious journal Science Advances, their study unveils cave art that surpasses any previously known in the region, dating back a staggering 8,200 years. Nestled within the … Read more
A trio of natural scientists hailing from Macquarie University, alongside an evolutionary specialist from the University of New South Wales, Australia, have unearthed intriguing revelations about imperfect mimicry in spiders and insects. Published in the esteemed journal Biology Letters, their study challenges previous assumptions, suggesting that adaptive processes, rather than constraints or chance, primarily shape … Read more
A collaborative team comprising philologists, chemists, environmental physicists, and engineers from various European institutions has unveiled a compelling revelation regarding the ancient wooden tablets of Easter Island. Published in the esteemed journal Scientific Reports, their groundbreaking study sheds new light on the enigmatic Rongorongo script, a previously undeciphered writing system believed to be indigenous to … Read more
A recent study led by astrobiologist Catherine Neish from the Western Institute for Earth and Space Exploration has dealt a blow to hopes of finding life in the outer solar system, particularly on Titan, Saturn’s largest moon. Neish’s team found that the subsurface ocean on Titan, though vast, is likely a non-habitable environment, dashing the … Read more
Green chemistry, also known as sustainable chemistry, is a rapidly growing field that focuses on designing chemical products and processes that minimize the use and generation of hazardous substances. It aims to reduce the environmental impact of chemical manufacturing and promote the efficient use of resources, ultimately leading to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly … Read more
Organic chemistry is the branch of chemistry that deals with the study of carbon-containing compounds. It is a vast and diverse field with applications ranging from pharmaceuticals and materials science to agriculture and environmental science. The study of organic chemistry dates back centuries, with significant advancements made in understanding the structure, properties, and reactions of … Read more
Cells lacking a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles are known as prokaryotic cells. These cells represent one of the two major categories of cells, the other being eukaryotic cells, which possess a nucleus and various membrane-bound organelles. Prokaryotic cells are found in two domains of life: Bacteria and Archaea. Despite their simplicity compared to eukaryotic cells, … Read more
The Oort Cloud is a fascinating and mysterious region of our solar system, situated far beyond the orbit of Neptune, extending to the fringes of the sun’s gravitational influence. It is a vast and diffuse cloud of icy objects, remnants from the early days of the solar system, which offers insights into the formation and … Read more
Scientists have combined laser 3D printing technology and an alternate soaking process to construct complex 3D structures that mimic bone microstructure. This is the first demonstration of this fabrication method, and it will lead to the development of 3D cell culture systems that can support bone grafts or create artificial bone marrow. Their research is … Read more
A new Northwestern Medicine study has found the immune system in the blood of Alzheimer’s patients is epigenetically altered. That means the patients’ behavior or environment has caused changes that affect the way their genes work. Many of these altered immune genes are the same ones that increase an individual’s risk for Alzheimer’s. Northwestern scientists … Read more
A groundbreaking discovery has emerged from an international collaboration of Earth scientists, evolutionary biologists, and paleontologists: the unearthing of an ancient frog carrying a belly full of eggs, marking the oldest find of its kind. Published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B, the team’s paper sheds light on the frog’s characteristics, its origin, its … Read more
Paleontology enthusiasts have unearthed one of the world’s richest and most diverse fossil sites from the Lower Ordovician period (around 470 million years ago). Located in Montagne Noire, in the Hérault department of France, this deposit of over 400 fossils is distinguished by an exceptionally well-preserved fauna. In addition to shelly components, it contains extremely … Read more
A Colorado State University experiment spanning more than two decades has found that removal of apex predators from an ecosystem can create lasting changes that are not reversed after they return—at least, not for a very long time. The study, published in Ecological Monographs, challenges the commonly held belief that the reintroduction of wolves to … Read more
An undergraduate University of Alberta paleontology student has discovered an Ornithomimus dinosaur with preserved tail feathers and soft tissue. The discovery is shedding light on the convergent evolution of these dinosaurs with ostriches and emus relating to thermoregulation and is also tightening the linkages between dinosaurs and modern birds. “We now know what the plumage … Read more