Myth, busted: Formation of Namibia’s fairy circles isn’t due to termites
Plants are "ecosystem engineers" that survive by forming optimal geometric patterns. Enlarge / Drone image of car driving through the NamibRand Nature Reserve, one of the fairy-circle regions in Namibia. (credit: Stephan Getzin).....»»
Could quantum fluctuations in the early universe enhance the creation of massive galaxy clusters?
Astrophysicists have been trying to understand the formation of cosmological objects and phenomena in the universe for decades. Past theoretical studies suggest that quantum fluctuations in the early universe, known as primordial quantum diffusion, c.....»»
Researchers develop new method for layered structure detection in open star clusters
Morphological study of open clusters can provide observational evidence for tracing the formation mechanism of star clusters and help to explore the evolution of star clusters......»»
The striking consistency of Mastercard’s logo
The MasterCard logo has been an icon of the financial services industry for more than 50 years thanks to its bold, recognizable graphics. You’d recognize it anywhere: Two circles—one red, one yellow—overlapping to create an inte.....»»
The striking consistency of MasterCard’s logo
The MasterCard logo has been an icon of the financial services industry for more than 50 years thanks to its bold, recognizable graphics. You’d recognize it anywhere: Two circles—one red, one yellow—overlapping to create an inte.....»»
A dual symbiosis supports cuticle formation in wood-feeding beetles
Beetles usually rely on the help of bacterial partners to survive. These symbioses can have different functions. Bacterial symbionts may help digest plant material, make the beetles more resistant to plant defenses, or provide supplemental nutrients.....»»
Crime blotter: No arrests yet in Washington Apple Store break-in
In the latest Apple Crime Blotter, Shawn Kemp is charged in an iPhone-related shooting, teenagers steal an iPad and a school bus, and an iPhone counterfeiting ring is busted in India.The Alderwood Apple Store The latest in an occasional AppleInsider.....»»
Astronomers Spy a Giant Runaway Black Hole"s Starry Wake
A candidate “rogue” supermassive black hole may weigh as much as 20 million suns and has sparked a trail of star formation that is 200,000 light-years long.....»»
An extra gene increases inhibitory signaling in the brain of the Down syndrome mouse
An extra copy of a gene that controls synapse formation in the cortex causes excessive inhibitory signaling and may contribute to Down syndrome, according to a new study publishing April 20th in the open access journal PLOS Biology by Bing Ye of the.....»»
Quantifying climate conditions for the formation of coals and evaporites
Coals were originally formed from plants that require plenty of water or precipitation. Thus, regions with coal were wet and warm. In contrast, evaporites were formed in arid and hot regions where evaporation is strong. Therefore, coals and evaporite.....»»
Molecular module coordinates plant cell wall formation and adaptive growth
The plant cell walls represent the cellular basis for plant architecture and constitute the major component of plant biomass. Formation of multiple agronomic traits, e.g., plant height and mechanical force, largely depends upon orderly deposition of.....»»
Scientists develop algorithm for measuring wind via water vapor
Wind speed and direction provide clues for forecasting weather patterns. In fact, wind influences cloud formation by bringing water vapor together. Atmospheric scientists have now found a novel way of measuring wind—by developing an algorithm that.....»»
Chemical reactions on the early Earth may have formed its ocean
Conditions that favor water may be common in the formation of rocky planets. Enlarge (credit: NASA/NOAA/GSFC/Suomi NPP/VIIRS/Norman Kuring) Water has made the Earth the planet that it is—a planet known for its blue oce.....»»
Webb shows areas of new star formation and galactic evolution
On Oct. 11, 2022, NASA's James Webb Space Telescope spent over 20 hours observing the long-studied Hubble Ultra Deep Field for the first time. The general observer program (GO 1963) focused on analyzing the field in wavelengths between approximately.....»»
Robo-bus fleet aims to carry 10,000 passengers per week
A fleet of full-size autonomous buses will soon be carrying passengers along a route with single-lane roads, a 50-mph highway, stoplights, and traffic circles......»»
Researchers capture first atomic-scale images depicting early stages of particle accelerator film formation
New research from a team of scientists at the Cornell University Center for Bright Beams has made significant strides in developing new techniques to guide the growth of materials used in next-generation particle accelerators......»»
Was plate tectonics occurring when life first formed on Earth?
Earth is a dynamic and constantly changing planet. From the formation of mountains and oceans to the eruption of volcanoes, the surface of our planet is in a constant state of flux. At the heart of these changes lies the powerful force of plate tecto.....»»
Aboriginal art and knowledge unlock mystery of fairy circles
Fairy circles—barren patches which make polka-dot patterns in dry and desert areas—were first described by scientists in Namibia in the 1970s, sparking global debate about the phenomenon......»»
Molecular precursors to life discovered in the Perseus Cloud
Susan Iglesias-Groth, of the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC) and Martina Marín-Dobrincicof the Polytechnic University of Cartagena have discovered the presence of numerous prebiotic molecules in the star formation region IC348 of the Per.....»»
"Cold stream" of molecular gas outside a galaxy observed, confirming theories of star formation
An international team of space scientists has observed a "cold stream" of molecular gas outside of a galaxy, confirming theories of star formation within galaxies. In their study, published in the journal Science, the group used the array of radio te.....»»
Smart AirTag leads cops to dumb thief wearing victim"s socks
Police tracked a suspected luggage thief with an AirTag that the owner wisely stashed in his luggage, and busted the bandit wearing the owner's clothes.AirTag on a bagIn yet another incident where AirTags reunited an owner with their suitcase, Jameel.....»»