Category archives: Technology

The Naked Brain

The Naked Brain

MaterialsNeuroscience

By Sergio Laínez

The human brain is arguably the most fascinating organ found in nature. Its complexity has been known since Santiago Ramón y Cajal pioneering work showed the central nervous system (CNS) was a contiguous neuronal network where neuron is the basic unit as opposed to the view of the brain being a single continuous network (reticulum) […]

MI weekly selection #105

MI weekly selection #105

ScienceTechnologyWeekly Selection

By César Tomé

Joint oscillation of Jupiter, sun might detect gravitational waves The joint oscillation of the sun and Jupiter might hold the key to detecting gravitational waves. Oscillations from Jupiter in 2011 were detected in frequencies that matched the sun’s. Researcher Ibrahim Semiz suggests that the oscillations might have been caused by gravitational waves, and other researchers […]

The use of natural fluorescent proteins for studying life

The use of natural fluorescent proteins for studying life

BiochemistryBiologyMaterialsMolecular biologyNeuroscience

By Jaime de Juan Sanz

Some jellyfish species are beautifully fluorescent in the dark ocean, emitting light from different parts of their bodies in a process that is thought to help them to warn off predators. The molecular biology behind this process of glowing is possible thanks to one of the most famous proteins in molecular biology, the green fluorescent […]

MI weekly selection #103

MI weekly selection #103

Humanities & Social SciencesScienceTechnologyWeekly Selection

By César Tomé

Hummingbird flight similar to that of insects Scientists recorded a hummingbird as it hovered then created a 3D model to assess the airflow patterns created by the flapping of its wings. While other birds use the downstroke of their wings to fly, hummingbirds use upstrokes and downstrokes to create small vortices that merge into one […]

MI weekly selection #102

MI weekly selection #102

Humanities & Social SciencesScienceTechnologyWeekly Selection

By César Tomé

Massive mountain range in Antarctica covered by protective ice The Gamburtsev Mountains in Antarctica are 100 million years old but look much younger due to lack of erosion because its massive expanse is entirely encased in ice. Scientists used airborne imaging technology to survey the range’s massive peaks and also found a network of subglacial […]

MI weekly selection #101

MI weekly selection #101

Humanities & Social SciencesScienceTechnologyWeekly Selection

By César Tomé

Massive storms on Uranus baffle scientists Astronomers have detected a wave of powerful storms touching down on the planet Uranus, surprising scientists who previously observed much more placid weather. Some of the storms are so bright that even amateurs can observe them using less advanced equipment. National Geographic The puzzle over organic matter on Mars […]

At the edge of the cliff: no new antibiotics for multidrug-resistant bacteria

At the edge of the cliff: no new antibiotics for multidrug-resistant bacteria

BiomedicineHealthPharmacy

By Pablo Ortiz

The Ebola outbreak has brought the fear of a viral pandemic to the headlines once more, as it happened before with the avian or swine flu. Although viruses-caused infections catch most of attention on the media, the greatest risk to human health comes from other microorganisms, the antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Contrary to viral outbreaks, the threat […]

MI weekly selection #99

MI weekly selection #99

Humanities & Social SciencesScienceTechnologyWeekly Selection

By César Tomé

Earth’s water may be more ancient than previously estimated Scientists have come across evidence suggesting that Earth’s water may have been around for much longer than previously thought. The latest findings show that water may have been present in the inner solar system at least 135 million years earlier than previous estimates and that it […]