Science News
Hungry? A Newly Discovered Neural Circuit May Be to Blame
Neuroscience News - 5 Jul 2018 22:09
Researchers have identified a subset of neurons in a region of the hypothalamus that play a critical role in regulating feeding and appetite in mice.
New Software Designed for Rapid and Automated Identification of Dendritic Spines
Neuroscience News - 5 Jul 2018 22:04
Researchers have developed a new machine learning algorithm that can autonomously and efficiently identify dendritic spines with 90% accuracy.
How Vibrations in Cars Make Drivers Sleepy
Neuroscience News - 5 Jul 2018 21:59
A new study reveals the natural vibrations of cars make people feel sleepier. After just 15 minutes of driving, concentration and alertness levels are reduced for those behind the wheel.
Brain Cell That Improves Learning Detected
Neuroscience News - 5 Jul 2018 20:52
A new study reveals OLM cell activity can affect memory encoding. The findings enhance understanding of how a single component in memory circuits can affect memory formation.
"Skinny Fat" in Older Adults May Predict Alzheimer's Risk
Neuroscience News - 5 Jul 2018 20:12
Researchers say the combination of low muscle mass and strength in the context of high fat mass, could be a predictor of cognitive function in older adults. Sarcopenic obesity could be used to predict risk factors for de...
Researchers upend conventional wisdom on thermal conductivity
Phys.org - 5 Jul 2018 20:00
Scientists have long known that diamond is the best material for conducting heat, but it has drawbacks: It is costly and is an electrical insulator; when paired with a semiconductor device, diamond expands at a different...
'Molecular movie' captures chemical reaction on atomic scale
Phys.org - 5 Jul 2018 20:00
Laser lights. Electron camera. Reaction.
Semiconductor quantum transistor opens the door for photon-based computing
Phys.org - 5 Jul 2018 20:00
Transistors are tiny switches that form the bedrock of modern computing; billions of them route electrical signals around inside a smartphone, for instance.
Implanting diamonds with flaws offers key technology for quantum communications
Phys.org - 5 Jul 2018 20:00
Diamonds are prized for their purity, but their flaws might hold the key to a new type of highly secure communications.
Training in Musical Improvisation May Teach Your Brain to Think Differently
Neuroscience News - 5 Jul 2018 19:53
Researchers say those who can improvise are better musicians than those who have limited improvisational experience. Additionally, the brains of those trained to improvise show different patters of electrical activity th...
Triple-Star Test Shows Einstein Was Right, Again
Scientific American - 5 Jul 2018 19:00
A natural stellar laboratory probes a prediction of general relativity to unprecedented precision --
Tiny mitochondria may be controlling genes in heart of our cells
New Scientist - 5 Jul 2018 18:20
The nucleus is the mighty genetic control room of a human cell - but new research suggests that mitochondria can pull the levers of power there too
Young kids are surprisingly bad at using memory to plan ahead
New Scientist - 5 Jul 2018 18:00
We used to think children as young as four could plan for the future. But now it seems kids develop the type of memory needed to do this later than we thought
What You Eat While Pregnant May Affect Your Baby's Gut
Neuroscience News - 5 Jul 2018 17:33
A new study reports a mother's diet during pregnancy may have an effect on the composition of her child's gut bacteria. The effect, researchers report, may vary by the method of delivery at birth.
Can trapped Thai boys be rescued by learning to scuba dive?
New Scientist - 5 Jul 2018 17:04
Rescuers are trying to help get out the twelve boys and their football coach stranded in a flooded cave system in Thailand before the waters rise more. What can they do?
How Do You Win An Argument? IBM's New AI Has a Formula
Singularity Hub - 5 Jul 2018 17:00
Anyone who's spent even a little time on the internet lately may feel like there's a little too much "debate"--much of which descends into ad hominem insults. At the same time, there's increasing concern around automatio...
How to fool infrared vision gear into thinking you are not there
The Economist - 5 Jul 2018 16:57
ANIMALS have made use of camouflage to hide from one another for almost as long as eyes have been around to spot them. Humans, being copycats, have made extensive use of camouflage tricks they have seen in nature by appl...
Tomorrow's squadron leaders will be accompanied by drones
The Economist - 5 Jul 2018 16:57
JULY 16th sees the opening of the Farnborough air show. Plane spotters attending the show, which by entente cordiale alternates annually with that in Paris, will be hoping for an appearance by one of the F-35 Lightning f...
Eight cups of coffee a day make you live longer? Don't bet on it
New Scientist - 5 Jul 2018 16:29
Drinking coffee has once more been linked to a lower risk of early death but there are good reasons this could turn out to be froth, says Naveed Sattar
Caffeine offers clues to ultra-transient positive charges' migration
Phys.org - 5 Jul 2018 16:04
Caffeine keeps physicists up at night. Particularly those concerned with the capacity of electrons to absorb energy. In a new study published in EPJ B, a Franco-Japanese team of physicists have used the caffeine molecule...
Out in physics
Symmetry Magazine - 5 Jul 2018 16:03
LGBT+ scientists offer advice for promoting inclusivity in a guide written for the physics and astronomy community. Traveling to an important research conference or collaboration meeting is the kind of experience that ca...
The Standard Model of Physics Is a Tyrant
Scientific American - 5 Jul 2018 16:00
Its apparent infallibility saps the vitality of the field. --