MI weekly selection #197
Astronomers spy most distant galaxy cluster ever observed
A young galaxy cluster 11.1 billion light-years from Earth is the most distant ever observed, astronomers say. Multiple space telescopes were used to spot CL J1001+0220, where nine of its 11 galaxies are furiously giving birth to stars.
Dawn images, data locate ice volcano on Ceres
Images and other data collected by NASA’s Dawn spacecraft have revealed a huge ice volcano on the dwarf planet Ceres. The cryovolcano, named Ahuna Mons, is believed to be a somewhat new structure on Ceres, just a few hundred million years old, and is roughly half the size of Mount Everest.
Bacterium linked to premature labor, stillbirth in mice
A typically benign bacterium found in the vagina during pregnancy can produce balloons of protein that can travel into the uterus and cause premature labor and stillbirth in mice.
New drug may slow progress of Alzheimer’s
A new medication is showing promise in clearing amyloid plaques from the brains of patients with early Alzheimer’s disease, slowing the progression of mental function problems. The success of the drug aducanumab in a small clinical trial suggests that removing amyloid plaques from the brain could prevent or even reverse Alzheimer’s if treatment is started early.
Temporary paralysis linked to Zika in 7 countries
Researchers have seen a steep increase in cases of temporary paralysis associated with the Zika virus in seven countries. The findings, published in The New England Journal of Medicine, suggest that Zika infection may trigger Guillain-Barre syndrome, a form of temporary paralysis, in some patients.