Science News
The neutrino painter
Symmetry Magazine - 15 Sep 2020 16:57
In this stop-motion video, Symmetry writer Zack Savitsky imagines an artist whose supplies have taken on some of the properties of neutrinos. Particle physics is driven by surprise. Researchers in the 1960s studying tiny...
Study shows difficulty in finding evidence of life on Mars
EurekAlert! - 15 Sep 2020 06:00
(Cornell University) While scientists are eager to study the red planet's soils for signs of life, researchers must ponder a considerable new challenge: Acidic fluids - which once flowed on the Martian surface - may have...
Fish, seaweed inspire slippery surfaces for ships
Phys.org - 15 Sep 2020 17:00
Long-distance cargo ships lose a significant amount of energy due to fluid friction. Looking to the drag reduction mechanisms employed by aquatic life can provide inspiration on how to improve efficiency.
Theoretically, two layers are better than one for solar-cell efficiency
Phys.org - 15 Sep 2020 22:50
Solar cells have come a long way, but inexpensive, thin film solar cells are still far behind more expensive, crystalline solar cells in efficiency. Now, a team of researchers suggests that using two thin films of differ...
Slimy ships could slip through water more efficiently to save energy
New Scientist - 15 Sep 2020 18:00
Inspired by seaweed, physicists are exploring how mucus can reduce drag on ship hulls and help vessels cut through water more efficiently to save energy and fuel
Countries around the world want a Space Force -- but why?
Live Science - 15 Sep 2020 13:38
Countries around the world are following the U.S. in creating their own version of the Space Force.
Reward and Punishment Take Similar Paths in the Mouse Brain
Neuroscience News - 15 Sep 2020 22:36
Researchers found specific neurons in the striosome that help mice learn to avoid negative experiences.
New Dopamine Sensors Could Help Unlock the Mysteries of Brain Chemistry
Neuroscience News - 15 Sep 2020 20:57
A newly developed wider spectrum for the dLight1 sensor allows for multiplex imaging of neurotransmitters. The new sensor will help researchers detect and monitor different information processing activities in the brain.
Risk Gene for Alzheimer's Has Early Effects on the Brain
Neuroscience News - 15 Sep 2020 19:27
Young adults with the Alzheimer's associated ApoE gene had differences in brain activity when presented with memory tasks.
A CRISPR Baby Future? New Report Outlines Path to Human Germline Editing
Singularity Hub - 15 Sep 2020 16:00
What will it take for CRISPR babies to become medically acceptable? Earlier this month, an international commission of scientists released a highly anticipated report detailing the steps needed to turn a gene-editing fia...
Prometheus Fuels licenses energy-saving ORNL ethanol-to-jet-fuel process
EurekAlert! - 15 Sep 2020 06:00
(DOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory) Prometheus Fuels has licensed an ethanol-to-jet-fuel conversion process developed by researchers at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The ORNL technology will e...
Substance Use Disorders Linked to COVID-19 Susceptibility
Neuroscience News - 15 Sep 2020 00:21
People with a history of substance use disorder are more susceptible to COVID-19 infection and have an increased risk of experiencing worse outcomes, a new study reports.
Key Role of Immune Cells in Brain Infection Identified
Neuroscience News - 15 Sep 2020 22:11
Study identifies a specific type of immune cell that induces inflammation in herpes simplex virus (HSV) encephalitis.
People React Better to Both Negative and Positive Events With More Sleep
Neuroscience News - 15 Sep 2020 20:36
Shorter sleep duration causes people to react more emotionally to stressful events and find less joy in positive events the next day. Following a good night of rest, people's reaction to positive and negative events impr...
Covid-19 news: Testing shortages reported in England's virus hotspots
New Scientist - 15 Sep 2020 19:59
The latest coronavirus news updated every day including coronavirus cases, the latest news, features and interviews from New Scientist and essential information about the covid-19 pandemic
Human white blood cells use molecular paddles to swim
Phys.org - 15 Sep 2020 19:14
Human white blood cells, known as leukocytes, swim using a newly described mechanism called molecular paddling, researchers report in the September 15th issue of Biophysical Journal. This microswimming mechanism could ex...
Hurricane Sally expected to bring 'historic flooding' to the Gulf Coast
Live Science - 15 Sep 2020 18:38
"Extreme life-threatening" flash flooding is likely through Wednesday along the central Gulf Coast.
Scientists develop a technique to dynamically curve a photon jet
Phys.org - 15 Sep 2020 18:28
Scientists at Tomsk Polytechnic University jointly with international colleagues have found a simple technique to dynamically curve a photonic jet, turning it into a photonic hook. The method was published in Optics Lett...
Lost humpback whale abandoned by friends in croc-infested river in Australia
Live Science - 15 Sep 2020 17:11
The whale swam nearly 20 miles upriver before scientists caught up to it.
The microbiome: How gut bacteria regulate our health
New Scientist - 15 Sep 2020 17:00
Our video series Science with Sam explains how the community of microorganisms inside our bodies can keep us healthy or make us ill
'Massive failure': The world has missed all its biodiversity targets
New Scientist - 15 Sep 2020 16:15
The world hasn't fully met any of the 20 biodiversity targets set by global governments a decade ago, leading conservationists to condemn nature protection efforts as a "massive failure"
Reviewing the quantum anomalous Hall effect
Phys.org - 15 Sep 2020 16:00
A collaboration across three FLEET nodes has reviewed the fundamental theories underpinning the quantum anomalous Hall effect (QAHE).