Fluid flow stimulates chemosynthesis in a "Greek salad" of hydrothermal microbes
Most visitors to Paliochori Beach on the Greek island Milos may not be aware of the bay's shallow-water hydrothermal community, a veritable Greek salad of microbes, that is within snorkeling distance from the shoreline......»»
Soil fungi may help explain the global gradient in forest diversity
A paper published in Nature Communications Biology contributes to the growing appreciation for the outsize role that microbes play in everything from human digestion to crop yields: Microbes in the soil—fungi in this case—appear to be influencing.....»»
Scientists sequence full genome of sea cucumber inhabiting hydrothermal vent
Hydrothermal vents are an unlikely environment for animals to flourish, characterized by rapid changes in temperature and a challenging chemistry: acidic pH, rich in sulfur and methane. Not to mention the high hydrostatic pressure and the darkness of.....»»
Iron snow ebb and flow may cause magnetic fields to come and go
Just as snow crystals form in the upper atmosphere, then fall to lower, warmer elevations and melt, scientists believe a phenomenon called iron snow happens in the molten iron cores of some planetary bodies. Cooling near the core-mantle boundary crea.....»»
DoJ"s Apple App Store probe is "firing on all cylinders"
The Department of Justice antitrust probe into Apple's App Store rules is still rolling on, with the examination into the digital storefront's dominance apparently in full flow and potentially getting closer to actually bringing a case against the iP.....»»
This low-profile mechanical keyboard surprised me in every way
The Lofree Flow completely changed how I feel about low-profile mechanical keyboards......»»
Scientists chart diversity, function and activity of global supraglacial DNA viruses
Supraglacial environments mainly consist of four main types of habitats for microbes and viruses, including snow, ice, meltwater and cryoconites (the granular sediment on glacier surfaces). A new paper published in Science Bulletin reveals that there.....»»
Otherworldly mini-Yellowstone found in the deep sea
We've known about deep ocean vents for a while, but it's still hard to find them. Enlarge / "Leading us like breadcrumbs..." A trail of squat lobsters helped researchers locate previously unknown hydrothermal vents. The hydrother.....»»
How the retailing contest between CBDs, shopping centers and online will reshape our cities
Retail activity has been a defining facet of cities since antiquity. The Greek Agora and Roman Forum may be viewed as the original CBDs—central business districts, or what urban planners call activity centers......»»
Watch sand defy gravity and flow uphill thanks to “negative friction”
Applying magnetic forces to single iron oxide-coated particles spurs strange collective motion. There's rarely time to write about every cool science-y story that comes our way. So this year, we're once again running a special Twe.....»»
Scientists engineer bacteria to make two valuable products from plant fiber
We often look to the smallest lifeforms for help solving the biggest problems: Microbes help make foods and beverages, cure diseases, treat waste and even clean up pollution. Yeast and bacteria can also convert plant sugars into biofuels and chemical.....»»
Shipwrecks teem with underwater life, from microbes to sharks
Humans have sailed the world's oceans for thousands of years, but they haven't all reached port. Researchers estimate that there are some three million shipwrecks worldwide, resting in shallow rivers and bays, coastal waters and the deep ocean. Many.....»»
Genetics of host plants determine what microorganisms they attract, finds study
Plants often develop communities with microorganisms in their roots, which influences plant health and development. Although the recruitment of these microbes is dictated by several factors, it is unclear whether the genetic variation in the host pla.....»»
Iceland volcano eruption calms as lava flow eases
An Icelandic volcano that erupted and spewed lava into the sky overnight near a power plant was less active Tuesday, after weeks of intense seismic activity southwest of Reykjavik......»»
Hydrothermal mercury: The natural story of a contaminant
An international team of researchers including scientists from the GEOMAR Helmholtz Center for Ocean Research Kiel has produced the first global estimate of mercury emissions from hydrothermal sources at mid-ocean ridges based on measurements......»»
A new strategy for making and manipulating higher-temperature superconductors
Superconductors have intrigued physicists for decades. But these materials, which allow the perfect, lossless flow of electrons, usually only exhibit this quantum-mechanical peculiarity at temperatures so low—a few degrees above absolute zero—as.....»»
From "liquid lace" to the "Drop Medusa," researchers compete for the best image of fluid flow
Each year at its annual meeting, the American Physical Society's Division of Fluid Dynamics sponsors a contest for the best images in a variety of categories, all related to the flow of fluids......»»
Discovery of a new Hall effect: Does it violate Onsager"s reciprocal theorem?
Researchers at the University of Tsukuba and NIMS have observed a novel Hall effect wherein the deflection direction of current varies according to the current flow direction. Onsager's reciprocal theorem, a fundamental theorem in materials science,.....»»
Slow motion in videos increases number of likes and promotes brand preference, finds study
Slow motion is a popular style tactic for short videos on social media. Marketing researcher Anika Stuppy of Tilburg University shows that slow motion increases the number of likes and views of videos and stimulates brands' preference, choice and wil.....»»
Discovery of magnetic liquid crystal: First direct observation of spin quadrupole moments in a spin-nematic phase
Liquid crystal is a state of matter that exhibits properties of both liquid and solid. It can flow like a liquid, while its constituent molecules are aligned as in a solid. Liquid crystal is widely used nowadays, for example, as a core element of LCD.....»»
The hidden impacts of climate change on a freshwater ecosystem
From melting glaciers to rising sea levels, from raging wildfires to devastating floods, society has grown increasingly aware of the increasingly frequent climate crises. But what about its subterranean flow? A research group led by Li Dongfeng at th.....»»