How did the Butterfly Nebula get its wings? It"s complicated
Planetary nebulae form when red giant stars expel their outermost layers as they run out of helium fuel—becoming hot, dense white dwarf stars that are roughly the size of Earth. The material that was shed, enriched in carbon, forms dazzling pattern.....»»
The physics of how gentoo penguins can swim speedily underwater
A variable called the "angle of thrust" explains why finned wings generate so much thrust. Enlarge / Gentoo penguins are the world's fastest swimming birds, thanks to the unique shape and structure of their wings. (credit: Priya.....»»
How we test video game consoles
With the gaming hardware landscape more complicated than ever, our approach to video game console reviews has modernized. Here's how we test gaming devices......»»
Similar to humans, elephants also vary what they eat for dinner every night
Elephants eat plants. That's common knowledge to biologists and animal-loving schoolchildren alike. Yet figuring out exactly what kind of plants the iconic herbivores eat is more complicated......»»
Stunning nebula 15,000 light-years away imaged by VLT Survey Telescope
A gorgeous new image of a distant nebula has been captured by the European Southern Observatory (ESO)'s VLT Survey Telescope......»»
The science of BBQ: A "complicated circus of chemicals"
Cooking the perfect brisket is a lot like conducting a science experiment. And Dr. Jeremiah Gassensmith should know—he's both a chemist and backyard barbecue chef......»»
Reusable rockets could fly back to their launch sites with wings
Reusable launch vehicles have been a boon for the commercial space industry. By recovering and refurbishing the first stages of rockets, launch providers have dramatically reduced the cost of sending payloads and even crew to space. Beyond first-stag.....»»
Cuttlefish camouflage gets complicated
They receive constant feedback about their skin pattern and adjust camouflage accordingly. Enlarge / This cuttlefish can change its skin pattern to blend in with different background environments. (credit: Stephan Junek, Max Plan.....»»
Clever fly offers lessons on advanced predator adaptations
The saffron robber fly (Laphria saffrana) is an extremely fast bee-colored hunter that has to determine, while perched, which insects it wants to chase and eat. This is complicated by the fact that its eyes have poor resolution, especially at distanc.....»»
Report: Hyundai finally adding wireless CarPlay support to more cars starting this year
Hyundai’s complicated relationship with CarPlay might soon get a little bit easier to understand. A new report this week suggests that Hyundai plans to add support for wireless CarPlay and Android Auto to its cars that are also equipped with integ.....»»
"Smiling cat" Sh2-284 nebula captured in new image
This cloud of orange and red, part of the Sh2-284 nebula, is shown here in spectacular detail using data from the VLT Survey Telescope, hosted by the European Southern Observatory (ESO). This nebula is teeming with young stars, as gas and dust within.....»»
James Webb detects important molecule in the stunning Orion nebula
The molecule, called methyl cation, is important for the development of the complex carbon-based molecules on which life depends......»»
Zoos and universities must work together to safeguard wildlife and improve conservation, say researchers
The word "zoo" is complicated and can have different meanings to different people. For some, a zoo is an organization committed to animal well-being and wildlife conservation that offers its visitors a fun and educational experience. To others, it is.....»»
This innovation in RAM is great news for your PC
Non-binary memory is making memory purchasing more complicated, but perhaps a little bit cheaper. Here's everything you need to know about these new RAM sticks......»»
Monarchs" white spots shown to aid migration
If you've ever wondered how the monarch butterfly got its spots, University of Georgia researchers may have just found the answer......»»
Penguin propulsion: The physics behind the world"s fastest swimming birds
Penguins aren't just cute: they're also speedy. Gentoo penguins are the fastest swimming birds in the world, and that ability comes from their unique and sophisticated wings......»»
Level 3 presents a complicated, "mushy middle" in automated driving
Can motorists read a book while using Mercedes-Benz's new Level 3 automated driving system? Text friends? Watch TV? Level 3 brings many questions and legal risks, experts say......»»
Every version of The Flash movie that didn’t happen
With The Flash finally in theaters, we look back at the complicated history behind bringing the beloved DC character to the big screen......»»
New butterfly species named after Smithsonian"s retired museum specialist
When introducing a new species to science, taxonomists always get to choose its scientific name. And while there are some general rules to naming, there's also relative freedom......»»
Tempest in a teacup: Physicists make breakthrough in creating turbulence
Turbulence is all around us. It's in the swirl of coffee and milk in a latte, unfurling along the wings of airplanes and the sides of cars, churning the blood in your heart after the valve snaps closed. Yet we still don't fully grasp all of its rules.....»»
How the Paragon Board works in Diablo 4
After level 50, things will get complicated. Don't get stun-locked by this massive system and let us show you exactly how the Paragon Board works in Diablo 4......»»