Oxygen shifts linked to animal evolution during Cambrian explosion The rise and fall of atmospheric oxygen levels during the Cambrian explosion have been linked to the evolutionary changes in animal biodiversity at the time. Researchers looked at changes in organic carbon and sulfur during that period to get an idea of the oxygen fluctuations in […]
Bright gamma-ray flashes found around pulsars Extremely bright gamma-ray flashes known as Cherenkov emissions have been detected circling around pulsars, created when charged particles moving in a sense faster than light travel through the pulsar’s surrounding quantum vacuum. “This is a very exciting new prediction because it could provide answers to basic questions such as […]
Universe is expanding faster than once thought The universe’s expansion rate is faster than previously believed. Researchers used the Hubble Space Telescope and observations by the Araucaria Project to determine that the universe is expanding roughly 10% faster than earlier estimates. Space.com Exploring the neuropeptide behind stress-eating weight gain Stress eating may result in greater […]
Researchers create computers in human cells The human body’s similarity to a computer inspired researchers at ETH Zurich to use CRISPR gene editing to build dual-core processors in human cells. The development could lead to the creation of biocomputers to diagnose and treat diseases. New Atlas Brain cells linked to sleep co-opted by general anesthesia […]
Massive Mars dust storm could offer clues to planet’s dryness The ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter’s observations of the massive dust storm that enveloped Mars last year may help researchers learn more about what happened to the planet’s water. Understanding how such atmospheric events form could provide clues about the history of water on Mars, says […]
Galaxy collisions can sometimes eject supermassive black holes Researchers are on the lookout for supermassive black holes that ended up off-center or got kicked out of their galaxies completely when galaxies merged. The European Space Agency’s launch of its Laser Interferometer Space Antenna in about 15 years could help identify displaced black holes and help […]
How neural network guides autonomous car’s turns An autonomous car was trained to negotiate high-speed turns without losing control. A neural network based on more than 200,000 motion samples of driving on various surfaces at high speeds was used in the self-driving system. New Scientist Cassini dive helps shed light on Saturn’s ring moons The […]
Sun bears communicate via facial mimicry Sun bears communicate by mimicking each other’s facial expressions, a practice long thought to occur only in species with complex social systems. “Other primates and dogs are known to mimic each other, but only great apes and humans were previously known to show such complexity in their facial mimicry,” […]
Hormonal birth control failure might be due to genetic mutation The reason hormonal birth control methods aren’t 100% effective, even in compliant patients, may be due to a genetic mutation in some women. Researchers say about 5% of women are genetically predisposed to produce an enzyme that lessens the effectiveness of hormonal birth control. Wired […]
Photo captures merging shock waves made by jets Merging shock waves created by the supersonic speeds of two Air Force jets can be seen for the first time in photos taken by NASA. A plane flying over the two T-38 planes snapped the photos using air-to-air schlieren photographic technology. Live Science Optical laser probe can […]