Science News

The source of knuckle cracking sounds is much debated—but new mathematical models may reconcile two opposing views. Christopher Intagliata reports. --

(Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University) A new perspective bridges two approaches to understanding quantum gravity.

A team of U.S. and German scientists has used a system of large magnetic "trim" coils designed and delivered by the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) to achieve high performance...

A few amphibian species in Panama are recovering from near-extinction, after apparently evolving resistance to the deadly chytrid fungus

Researchers have a possible explanation for why iron can sometimes worsen malaria infection. By studying mice and samples from malaria patients, the researchers found that extra iron interferes with ferroportin, a protei...

A drug that reverses the effects of a cellular stress response restores learning and memory in mice with concussions. Now researchers can see the atomic-scale details of how the drug interacts with its protein target.

Scientists have determined the molecular target and mechanism of the antibacterial drug fidaxomicin (trade name Dificid). Fidaxomicin was approved in 2011 for treatment of the CDC 'urgent threat' bacterial pathogen Clost...

A team of scientists has established a 'knock in' pig model of Huntington's disease (HD), an inherited neurodegenerative disease, anticipated to be useful for testing treatments.

Researchers have developed a new RNA therapy, delivered through the nose, to treat mice infected with West Nile Virus. The innovative approach reduced the virus in the brain, allowing the immune system to destroy the vir...

Researchers have characterized the physical mechanism that enables a widespread bacterial pathogen to adhere to the tissues of its human host.

Scientists have developed a process for creating ultrathin, self-assembling sheets of synthetic materials that can function like designer flypaper in selectively binding with viruses, bacteria, and other pathogens. The n...

An enzyme that flips lipids from the outer to the inner layer of the cell membrane launches the process that permits cells to engulf external substances.

Biological tissues have complex mechanical properties -- soft-yet-strong, tough-yet-flexible -- that are difficult to reproduce using synthetic materials. Researchers have now managed to produce a biocompatible synthetic...

What happens when you X-ray a chocolate rabbit? How complex is the wafer and chocolate composite of a Kit Kat? And why does the inside of a Ferrero Rocher resemble moon rock?

The reliability and accuracy of a nine-member expert panel was measured in determining the likelihood of abuse in more than 2,000 cases. The results of the study found nearly perfect reliability and accuracy of the panel...

Scientists have synthesized the first contrast agent to observe and measure elastin, the protein that gives strength to blood vessel walls, and flexibility to skin. The dye could be useful to better understand the role o...

A novel invention holds promise for a faster and cheaper way to diagnose diseases with high accuracy. They have developed a tiny microfluidic chip that could effectively detect minute amounts of biomolecules without the ...

With the promise of inexpensive procedures luring patients to travel abroad for plastic surgery, medical tourism has become an expanding, multi-billion-dollar industry. But while the initial procedure may be cheap, it ca...

We may be watching a supermassive black hole rip a star limb from limb. As it swallows bits of the star, it will release enough energy to stay bright for months

Many news reports describing this warrior-pharaoh hypothesis aren't telling you the whole story.

Scientists have devised a fascinating and beautiful way to create watery sculptures within other liquids.

Leah Weiss believes that when we pay attention to how we do our work--our thoughts and feelings about what we do and why we do it--we can tap into a much deeper reservoir of courage, creativity, meaning, and resilience. ...