Body mass index gets smack down: AMA calls out harms and “racist exclusion”
The massive medical group says it has some value, but called for a better standard. Enlarge (credit: Getty | Thierry Monasse) Body mass index has for decades been used as a shorthand for assessing body fat and weight-rel.....»»
Study suggests gun-free zones do not attract mass shootings
Gun-free zones have often been blamed for making schools, malls and other public areas more attractive to shooters; however, there have been no quantitative studies examining those claims. Now, in a first of its kind study published in The Lancet Reg.....»»
Gravitational wave observatories could detect primordial black holes speeding through the solar system
Cosmologists have long hypothesized that the conditions of the early universe could have caused the formation of black holes not long after the Big Bang. These "primordial black holes" have a much wider mass range than those that formed in the later.....»»
Double-peaked supernovae offer clues to pre-supernova outbursts
New research helps in understanding the evolution and final stages of massive stars, the role of binary interactions, and the mechanisms behind mass loss, which ultimately affect the properties of the resulting supernova and its remnant. This work al.....»»
Webb discovers six new "rogue worlds" that provide clues to star formation
Rogue planets, or free-floating planetary-mass objects (FFPMOs), are planet-sized objects that either formed in interstellar space or were part of a planetary system before gravitational perturbations kicked them out......»»
Researchers identify genes for low glycemic index and high protein in rice
A team of researchers at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) has identified genes and markers responsible for low glycemic index (GI) and high protein content in rice, using genetics and artificial intelligence classification methods......»»
California legislature passes controversial “kill switch” AI safety bill
Governor will balance worries about "over-regulation" with calls from AI luminaries. Enlarge / California governor Gavin Newsom will likely soon face a decision on whether to sign SB-1047. (credit: Ray Chavez/The Mercury News via.....»»
Uncovering the secret communication of marmoset monkeys: They have names
A new study from Hebrew University reveals that marmoset monkeys use specific calls, known as "phee-calls," to name each other, a behavior previously known to exist only in humans, dolphins, and elephants. This discovery highlights the complexity of.....»»
Ancient gene gives spiders their narrow waist, research reveals
An ancient gene is crucial for the development of the distinctive waist that divides the spider body plan in two, according to a study published August 29 in the open-access journal PLOS Biology by Emily Setton from the University of Wisconsin-Madiso.....»»
This tiny backyard bug does the fastest backflips on Earth
Move over, Sonic. There's a new spin-jumping champion in town—the globular springtail (Dicyrtomina minuta). This diminutive hexapod backflips into the air, spinning to over 60 times its body height in the blink of an eye, and a new study features t.....»»
The best webcams for Teams, Zoom, streaming, low light, and more
The webcam on your laptop isn't great, but one of these higher-quality webcams is sure to enhance your Zoom calls and fit your other webcam needs and budget......»»
"Silent" mutations found to have repercussions beyond their own gene
Genetic disorders—like cystic fibrosis and Huntington's disease—are considered incurable, with gene mutations occurring in essentially every cell of the body. Gene mutations occur when one nucleotide in a codon is switched. In non-synonymous muta.....»»
Using high resolution mass spectrometry to study fuel chemistry
U.S. Naval Research Laboratory researcher Mark Romanczyk, Ph.D., developed new analytical methods to rapidly analyze fuels and complex petroleum products by using high-resolution mass spectrometry......»»
Red flag laws may reduce the growing burden of firearm homicides
A recent study from researchers at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health has found that Florida's red flag gun law, which was enacted in response to the 2018 Parkland mass shooting, was associated with an 11% reduction in firearm homici.....»»
There’s more good news about the upcoming M4 MacBook Pros
Apple has reportedly begun mass production of new-generation MacBook Pros, giving us yet more reason to expect a launch before the end of the year......»»
Political skills crucial for leaders navigating through organizational change
In today's fast-paced business environment, organizational change is inevitable, yet around 60% of these changes fail. Leaders can play a crucial role in navigating these transitions, but achieving success calls for more than just traditional leaders.....»»
SpaceX calls off today’s launch of Polaris Dawn
SpaceX has again called off the launch of the highly anticipated Polaris Dawn mission, but this time it has not set a new launch date......»»
SpaceX calls off Wednesday’s launch of Polaris Dawn
SpaceX has again called off the launch of the highly anticipated Polaris Dawn mission but this time it has not set a new launch date......»»
A world mired in conflict calls for international tribunals that play multiple roles
The International Court of Justice in The Hague has been busier than ever in recent years: it has been asked to render judgments and issue advisory opinions on conflicts in Gaza, Ukraine and Myanmar, among others, and it settles border disputes all o.....»»
Dark matter could have helped make supermassive black holes in the early universe
It takes a long time for supermassive black holes, like the one at the center of our Milky Way galaxy, to form. Typically, the birth of a black hole requires a giant star with the mass of at least 50 of our suns to burn out—a process that can take.....»»
New Lexus brand "taste" will come from sweeping rework of body rigidity
Lexus says it has found the missing piece in its quest to match the long-lauded driving dynamics of Germany's big premium players — better body rigidity. To deliver a better signature, Toyota's top-shelf marque is reworking ride and handling across.....»»