MI weekly selection #199
Acoustic holograms can move objects with 3D sound shapes
Acoustic holograms of blocks of 3D-printed plastic can create 3D sound shapes that can move objects without touching them
Circadian rhythm gene linked to breast cancer spread
A gene related to circadian rhythm has been linked to the spread of an aggressive form of breast cancer in mice, suggesting that sleep problems could hasten the disease’s progression. “The fact that inherited variations in this gene seem to be associated with progression of cancer raises the possibility that disruptions to normal circadian rhythms might have an effect [on metastasis],” said Kent Hunter, an author of the study.
Ice loss in Greenland may be greater than believed
Greenland may be losing ice more quickly than previously thought. Researchers say earlier estimates may have been based on incorrect assumptions and that the ice loss may be off by about 20 billion tons, or about 18.1 billion metric tons, a year.
Astronomers discover exoplanet orbits 2 suns, not 1
An exoplanet previously thought to orbit a single sun in fact orbits two. Astronomers used the Hubble Space Telescope to observe OGLE-2007-BLG-349, and using gravitational microlensing, they confirmed the two-sun scenario.
Muscle tissue does not retain memory of past exercise
There is no such thing as muscle memory. Researchers asked volunteers to exercise one leg four times a week for three months, then gave them a nine-month break, and they found no difference in the muscles between the trained leg and the untrained leg after that time.