Science News
Gene Drives Survived a Proposed UN Ban in 2018--What's Next?
Singularity Hub - 2 Jan 2019 17:00
In September 2018, a lab-based study published in Nature Biotechnology confirmed what many had long believed possible. The experiment involved cages of a few hundred mosquitoes, free to fly around and reproduce--but with...
Crashing tidal waves may lurk beneath the surface of icy moons
New Scientist - 2 Jan 2019 17:00
Enceladus and Europa both have liquid oceans under their shells of ice, and they may be full of tidal waves bouncing energy between their cores and surfaces
Scientists Find the 'Missing' Dark Matter from the Early Universe
Live Science - 2 Jan 2019 13:50Why Are People Religious? A Cognitive Perspective
Neuroscience News - 2 Jan 2019 23:54
Researchers investigate both the cognitive and neurobiological basis of why so people have religious beliefs.
Hearing Loss Associated with Increased Risk of Depression in Older Adults
Neuroscience News - 2 Jan 2019 23:44
Researchers report age related hearing loss can increase the risk of older adults experiencing symptoms of depression. The study reports those with mild hearing loss were twice as likely to be depressed, and those with s...
Hyperactive Immune System Implicated in Aging Brain Disorders
Neuroscience News - 2 Jan 2019 23:39
According to a new study, the immune system may play a critical role in damage associated with neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease and ALS. The study reports altering Cdk5 results in the death of dopa...
Higher Levels of Nicotine May Help Smokers Quit
Neuroscience News - 2 Jan 2019 23:35
Researchers report allowing smokers to dictate their nicotine intake while trying to quit makes them more likely to succeed. Results suggest most smokers who use nicotine replacement medications can tolerate doses that a...
Ultima Thule is a snowman-shaped rock covered in weird ice
New Scientist - 2 Jan 2019 21:50
The New Horizons spacecraft just flew past a distant rock called MU69 or Ultima Thule that looks like a snowman - and it may have exotic ices on its surface
Genes That Drive Male-Female Brain Differences and Timing of Puberty
Neuroscience News - 2 Jan 2019 20:55
A new study reveals a group of genes that induces differences in brain development of males and females, and triggers the initiation of sexual maturation.
Green light implant relieves urinary incontinence in rats
New Scientist - 2 Jan 2019 20:00
A device that modulates nerve signals by shining green light on them has been found to restore bladder control in rats that urinate too often
Surrogacy should be a relationship, not a transaction
New Scientist - 2 Jan 2019 20:00
UK surrogates are speaking out against a move to pay women a fee for carrying someone else's child, says Natalie Smith
A New Year vow for our leaders? Start taking climate change seriously
New Scientist - 2 Jan 2019 20:00
Never has there been a more important time for politicians to move beyond paying lip service to the fight against global warming, says Owen Gaffney
Starlight and Pink Poo: Studying Penguins from Space
Physics Buzz - 2 Jan 2019 18:53
December is behind us, but there's still a lot icy-cold winter left in our part of the world. That means we're surrounded by snowmen, sleds, and cute little images of penguins and polar bears. This season I'm seeing thos...
Queen's Brian May Releases 'New Horizons' Single to Celebrate Epic Flyby
Live Science - 2 Jan 2019 18:23Ultima Thule Looks Like a Bowling Pin in Space in New Horizons Flyby Photo
Live Science - 2 Jan 2019 18:17Innovative magnets for new energy-recovery accelerator
Phys.org - 2 Jan 2019 16:00
When it comes to particle accelerators, magnets are one key to success. Powerful magnetic fields keep particle beams "on track" as they're ramped up to higher energy, crashed into collisions for physics experiments, or d...
Rare Flying Reptile with Mouthful of Fangs Trolled Jurassic Skies
Live Science - 2 Jan 2019 15:37Quantum chemistry on quantum computers
Phys.org - 2 Jan 2019 15:00
Quantum computing and quantum information processing technology have attracted attention in recently emerging fields. Among many important and fundamental issues in science, solving the Schroedinger equation (SE) of atom...
Is eating cheese as bad for animals and the planet as eating meat?
New Scientist - 2 Jan 2019 15:00
Bravo for having given up eating meat! But in the ninth of our 12 Days of Culture, might we suggest giving up cheese and going back to chicken - for ethical reasons?
Ultrathin digital camera inspired by Xenos peckii eyes
Phys.org - 2 Jan 2019 14:40
The visual system of Xenos peckii, an endoparasite of paper wasps, demonstrates distinct benefits for high sensitivity and high resolution, differing from the compound eyes of most insects. Inspired by their unique featu...
Machine learning speeds up atomistic simulations of water and ice
Phys.org - 2 Jan 2019 14:19
Why is water densest at around 4 degrees Celsius? Why does ice float? Why does heavy water have a different melting point compared to normal water? Why do snowflakes have a six-fold symmetry? A collaborative study of res...
Black-haired monkeys in Costa Rica are suddenly turning blonde
New Scientist - 2 Jan 2019 14:00
The howler monkeys of Costa Rica normally have black coats, but over the last 20 years some have turned yellow - a change too fast to be explained by evolution