Science
Scientific discoveries and research
The US just approved a giant space mirror to test 'sunlight on demand.' Low Earth orbit is getting weird
A giant mirror to create "sunlight on demand" was just approved by the United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC), despite opposition from astronomer...
Study reports the first detection of a sugar in interstellar space
Sugars are key biomolecules in living organisms, as they form the backbone of DNA and RNA and play a fundamental role in metabolic processes. In theories of the...
Uncovering the evidence for child abuse and neglect in archaeological remains
A team of researchers from the University of Aberdeen has developed a new framework for identifying the often-subtle signs of child abuse and neglect in antiqui...
Solving a 30-year-old puzzle about a mysterious superconducting material
A material made from yttrium, barium and copper oxide (better known as YBCO) has intrigued scientists since its discovery in 1987, largely because it retains it...
Major earthquakes can affect Southeast Asia sea-level projections
Earth scientists at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) have published an international study showing that major earthquakes in Southeas...
Biosensor detects nanoplastics in water within minutes
The growing presence of nanoplastics in the environment has highlighted the need for simpler detection methods, leading researchers at Science Tokyo to develop...
2.5 million stem cells reveal first genome-scale guide to gene function
A team led by bioengineers at the University of California San Diego has developed a genome-scale reference map that details how individual genes control the fu...
3,400-year-old gold diadems and mouth-pieces from Cyprus blend the art of Egypt, Greece and the Near East
Buried in the rubble outside an ancient city, archaeologists have discovered golden diadems and mouthpieces stamped with sun-crowned bulls and running ibexes. T...
Random by design: Flickering genes may spend energy to achieve precision
Inside the cell nucleus, genes must be turned on and off with precision to regulate biological processes. The first models of gene regulation were developed in...
Scientists' credibility depends on audience and perceived motives
A new study from Virginia Tech found that scientists' credibility often hinges on their perceived motivations. "Our study finds that perceptions of scientists'...
As super El Niño draws global attention, the Indian Ocean may hold the key to Mediterranean climate extremes
As scientists around the world closely monitor the possible development of a powerful "Super El Niño," a new study suggests that another tropical ocean deserves...
Medieval plague survivors left us graffiti, court records and a lesson for COVID
Memories of pandemics are often contentious. They can be disputed, uncomfortable and politically charged. As the COVID-19 pandemic begins to feel more distant,...