The recent discovery made by Curiosity, the rover on Mars, has left scientists astounded. As the rover rolled over a seemingly ordinary rock on the surface of Mars, it inadvertently cracked it open, exposing a mesmerizing sight – yellow crystals of elemental sulfur, also known as brimstone. While sulfates are not uncommon on Mars, the
In a groundbreaking medical development, a 60-year-old German man has potentially become the seventh person in the world to be cured of HIV after undergoing a stem cell transplant. This risky and painful procedure is typically reserved for individuals who have both HIV and aggressive leukaemia, making it a treatment option for only a small
Recent research has found that shorter sleep and later bedtimes in children are linked to harmful functional changes in parts of the brain crucial for coping with stress and controlling negative emotions. Furthermore, children from families with low economic resources are particularly vulnerable to these negative effects. As neuroscientists committed to reducing socioeconomic disparities in
Recent research coming out of China has shed light on a concerning trend – a rapid decline in sperm quality across the globe. Epidemiologist Yingxin Li and his team at Sun Yat-sen University conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of 50 previous studies, covering a total of 71,337 men. Their findings suggest a strong link
For the past 23 years, the International Space Station (ISS) has served as a vital research center and home for astronauts from around the world. However, its days are now numbered, with NASA recently announcing a plan to pay SpaceX up to $843 million to help decommission the ISS. This move marks a significant shift
The main treatment for Parkinson’s disease, L-DOPA, is effective in replacing the dopamine deficit in the brains of patients. However, prolonged use of this medication can lead to the development of dyskinesia, a condition characterized by uncontrollable movements such as twitching, swaying, and head bobbing. This side effect can significantly limit the long-term benefits of
Greenhouse gases are a major contributor to global warming, with varying levels of impact based on their global warming potential (GWP). Methane, for example, has a GWP 28 times greater than carbon dioxide over a 100-year period. Perfluorocarbons (PFCs), on the other hand, have GWPs thousands of times higher than CO2, making them significant contributors
As the frequency and intensity of hurricanes continue to increase due to climate change, it is crucial for leaders and government officials to have access to valuable data that can help improve community resilience and reduce loss of life during these natural disasters. A team of researchers from the University of Virginia has developed the
In a groundbreaking collaboration between computer science and materials science researchers at the Department of Energy’s SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory and Stanford University, a new AI-based method has been developed to revolutionize the search for new materials. This innovative approach, detailed in a recent publication in npj Computational Materials, promises to streamline the process of
Oil spills in our oceans have devastating consequences on marine life and the environment as a whole. It has been widely believed that when oil rises to the surface, it forms a slick that can be cleaned up. However, recent research from the University of Illinois Chicago has revealed a new, alarming pattern. The study
Social media platforms have become powerful tools for political parties to reach their target audiences, especially during elections. However, a recent study published in the journal PNAS Nexus sheds light on how social media algorithms can influence the distribution and effectiveness of political ads. The research conducted by the Politecnico di Milano, LMU—Ludwig Maximilians Universität
Enzymes play a crucial role in various biological processes by catalyzing chemical reactions. One enzyme of particular interest is Acetyl-CoA Synthase, which is responsible for capturing carbon from the atmosphere. Scientists from King’s College London, in collaboration with Imperial College London, have made significant progress in recreating the active site of this enzyme. This breakthrough
At CERN, the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) is a complex machine that requires a careful reset every year to ensure accurate data collection. Engineers and physicists at CERN take several weeks to calibrate the collider and its experiments to smash protons at the highest energy levels ever reached. This process is crucial for studying the
In a recent study published by the University of St Andrews, scientists have discovered that organic compounds could potentially replace expensive metal photocatalysts. These organic compounds, originally developed for OLEDs, have shown promising results in various benchmark reactions. Metal photocatalysts, such as ruthenium and iridium, are scarce, costly, and toxic. This poses a significant issue,
A group of Australian engineers from RMIT University have developed a groundbreaking new tool for testing seabed soil in offshore wind farm projects. This device, based on a modified speargun, offers a cost-effective alternative to traditional methods of soil testing, such as winching or dropping probes from a support vessel. This is particularly useful for