Science 40
A primordial world of minerals litters Atacama desert
The Copernicus Sentinel-2 mission takes us over part of Chile's Atacama Desert, which is bound on the west by the Pacific and on the east by the Andes. The Atacama is considered one of the driest places on Earth - there are some parts of the desert where rainfall has never been recorded.
How drones can monitor explosive volcanoes
Due to high risk for researchers, the imaging of active volcanoes has so far been a great challenge in volcanology. Scientists used a drone for a series of repeated survey flights with optical and thermal imaging cameras at the Santa Maria volcano in Guatemala. A regular and systematic survey of dangerous volcanoes with drones seems to be close.
A “Replication Crisis?” No, It’s Academic Demagoguery
What’s the deal with the “replication crisis” in social science?
New double-contrast technique picks up small tumors on MRI
Early detection of tumors is extremely important in treating cancer. A new technique offers a significant advance in using magnetic resonance imaging to pick out even very small tumors from normal tissue.
‘Significant Advance’ In Detecting Small, Early-Stage Tumors On MRIs
Researchers celebrate creation of a new technique to pinpoint cancer.
Our planet’s heart is watery
The core might contain Earth’s biggest reservoir as a result of hydrogen moving into the early planet’s centre.
HTV supply ship successfully berthed at space station
The last of Japan’s current series of HTV cargo freighters arrived at the International Space Station Monday with a fresh set of lithium-ion batteries, ready for installation on the research lab’s solar power truss after the scheduled docking of a two-man crew on a SpaceX Dragon spaceship later this week.
Astronomers Just Found an Extremely Rare 'Ring of Fire' Galaxy in The Early Universe
In the early days of the Universe, 10.8 billion years ago, astronomers have just found a galaxy wearing the battlescars of a cosmic brawl. It's not a blob or disc of stars, like most galaxies, but a giant doughnut - with a huge hole punched right t
A nice day for a quantum walk
Scientists at Osaka University initiated a quantum random walk by shining lasers on a row of trapped ions. They showed that the observed locations of vibrations spreading out over time matched the predictions of quantum mechanics. This work may help elucidate unresolved questions in quantum chemistry and biology.
Worth their salt: Skoltech and MIPT researchers report first case of hexagonal NaCl
Skoltech and MIPT scientists have predicted and then experimentally confirmed the existence of exotic hexagonal thin films of NaCl on a diamond surface. These films may be useful as gate dielectrics for field effect transistors in electric vehicles and telecommunication equipment.
New double-contrast technique picks up small tumors on MRI
Early detection of tumors is extremely important in treating cancer. A new technique developed by researchers at UC Davis offers a significant advance in using magnetic resonance imaging to pick out even very small tumors from normal tissue.
There is no escaping from climate change, even in the deep sea
Even though the deeper layers of the ocean are warming at a slower pace than the surface, animals living in the deep ocean are more exposed to climate warming and will face increasing challenges to maintain their preferred thermal habitats in the future.
Astronomers see 'cosmic ring of fire,' 11 billion years ago
Astronomers have captured an image of a super-rare type of galaxy -- described as a 'cosmic ring of fire' -- as it existed 11 billion years ago.
'Atmospheric river' 2000km long wallops Western Australia, heads east
The phenomenon has brought winds up to 185km/h at an altitude of 1500m, and rain to the normally parched Pilbara.
SARS-CoV-2 is uniquely adapted to infect humans
The novel coronavirus pandemic has sparked much debate on its origin, with some suggesting it may have been laboratory-grown. Previous studies, however, mentioned that it is zoonotic in nature, which means that the virus jumped from wild animals and found its way to humans.
Big 'atmospheric river' wallops Western Australia, heads east
The once-in-a-decade storm event battering and soaking large areas Western Australia sourced much of its moisture from a so-called "atmospheric river" that continues to head eastwards.
Green blooms: Patches of Antarctica’s snow is turning green with algae due to global warming
When the algae bloom in a large area simultaneously, it turns the snow bright green and it can be spotted from space.
Visionary Science Takes More Than Just Technical Skills
The ability to come up with truly revolutionary ideas is crucial—and extremely rare
Seagrasses will benefit from global change
Researchers show that seagrasses will benefit from increases in the temperature and CO2 in the oceans because their capacity to acquire nitrogen will be enhanced, not limiting their growth.
Study decodes the complex autotetraploid cultivated alfalfa genome
Improvement of cultivated alfalfa (Medicago sativa), a perennial herbaceous legume and one of the most important forage crops, might be accelerated if agronomically beneficial mutations could be easily ...
Does MRI have an environmental impact?
Researchers from Tokyo Metropolitan University have surveyed the amount of gadolinium found in river water in Tokyo. Gadolinium is contained in contrast agents given to patients undergoing medical magnetic ...
How drones can monitor explosive volcanoes
Due to the difficult accessibility and the high risk of collapse or explosion, the imaging of active volcanoes has so far been a great challenge in volcanology. Researchers around Edgar Zorn from the ...
Could theorized Planet 9 be a primordial black hole? Researchers propose method to find out
There are eight classical planets in our solar system, from speedy Mercury to distant Neptune. There are also numerous dwarf planets, such as Pluto and Ceres. While we continue to find more dwarf planets, ...
A model that estimates tactile properties of surfaces by analyzing images
The ability to estimate the physical properties of objects is of key importance for robots, as it allows them to interact more effectively with their surrounding environment. In recent years, many robotics ...
China's Water Forests Bring an Artificial Order to Nature
And offer tranquility among "living fossils."
Worth their salt: Researchers report first case of hexagonal NaCl
Skoltech and MIPT scientists have predicted and then experimentally confirmed the existence of exotic hexagonal thin films of NaCl on a diamond surface. These films may be useful as gate dielectrics for ...
'Bat Woman' scientist warns about fresh pandemic caused by viruses evolving
China-based Shi Zhengli said a study found that coronaviruses and bats may have co-evolved over time and experience selection pressure from each other resulting in a new threat
Galactic ring of fire gives scientist clues about the early universe
Australian astronomers have found evidence of a colossal collision in the infancy of the universe which sheds new light on how galaxies form.
New double-contrast technique picks up small tumors on MRI
Early detection of tumors is extremely important in treating cancer. A new technique developed by researchers at the University of California, Davis offers a significant advance in using magnetic resonance ...
Super-rare galaxy dubbed 'cosmic ring of fire' captured in incredible snap
Astronomers using NASA's Hubble Space Telescope have spotted a galaxy that is 11 billion light-years from the Solar System and makes stars 50 times the rate of the Milky Way.
Galactic ring of fire gives scientist clues about the early universe
Australian astronomers have found evidence of a colossal collision in the infancy of the universe which sheds new light on how galaxies form.
Study: Color of Exoplanets Reveals Whether They Are Habitable
Reflected light from a planet's surface plays a significant role on overall climate
New Research Could Call Into Question Origin of Mars
Scientists to determine if, like the Earth, Mars suffered a huge impact event as it formed
Astronomers See “Sparkles” Around The Milky Way’s Supermassive Black Hole
Astronomers are aware the supermassive black hole at the center of the Milky Way occasionally flares due to clouds of material suddenly being absorbed. The
Digital device serves up a taste of virtual food
We're used to measuring our digital devices by how fast they are, how clear the sound is, how crisp the display is, how large the storage capacity is.
Scientists discover giant fiery doughnut-shaped galaxy
(CNN) — A team of scientists has discovered a galaxy that looks like a “cosmic ring of fire” and could help us understand more about how galactic...
Mayors conserve water
The Okanagan Basin Water Board's Okanagan WaterWise program has released a video of Okanagan mayors to show how they conserve water in their yards as part of the annual Make Water Work campaign.
Virgin Orbit's first launch demo flight ends abruptly after rocket release
Virgin Orbit's first demo flight ended abruptly when the rocket's mission 'terminated' soon into its flight.
Virgin Orbit fails on first rocket launch attempt, 'next big test ASAP' for Richard Branson’s spaceflight firm
Richard Branson’s Virgin Orbit failed on its first rocket launch attempt, which took place out of the Mojave Spaceport in Southern California.
Newly identified gene may have contributed to rapid evolution of COVID-19
An international team of researchers has identified a previously uncharacterized gene within the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) genome that may be important in understanding the origins and evolution of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).