Studying the next interstellar interloper with Webb
One of the most exciting findings in planetary science in recent years is the discovery of interstellar objects passing through our solar system. So far, astronomers have confirmed only two of these interlopers from other star systems—1I/'Oumuamua.....»»
An affordable tracking microscope to democratize microorganism research
Studying the complex motility patterns of cells and microorganisms is key to understanding their behaviors and biomechanics. However, many conventional microscopes are constrained by fixed lenses and the lack of ability to track organisms over extend.....»»
Research team finds evidence of hydration on the asteroid Psyche
Using data from NASA's James Webb Space Telescope, a Southwest Research Institute-led team has confirmed hydroxyl molecules on the surface of the metallic asteroid Psyche. The presence of hydrated minerals suggests a complex history for Psyche, impor.....»»
New technology offers a better look at tardigrade fossils embedded in amber
A trio of evolutionary biologists at Harvard University's Museum of Comparative Zoology has learned more about the evolutionary history of tardigrades by studying two fossils embedded in amber. In their study, published in Communications Biology, Mar.....»»
Studying the skin of the great white shark could help reduce drag in aircraft
High-ridged dentricles reduce drag at low speeds; alternating ridges do so at high speeds. Enlarge / Great white sharks can reduce drag at different swimming speeds thanks to high and low ridged dentricles in its skin. (credit: T.....»»
Research team uses tunable laser to develop straightforward broadband spectroscopy method with Hz-level precision
Since the first demonstration of the laser in the 1960s, laser spectroscopy has become an essential tool for studying the detailed structures and dynamics of atoms and molecules. Advances in laser technology have further enhanced its capabilities. Th.....»»
Webb captures new image of gassy baby stars
NASA's James Webb Space Telescope has captured a phenomenon for the very first time. The bright red streaks at top left of this June 20, 2024, image are aligned protostar outflows—jets of gas from newborn stars that all slant in the same direction......»»
James Webb Telescope captures gorgeous galaxy with a hungry monster at its heart
A new image from the James Webb Space Telescope shows off a nearby galaxy called Messier 106......»»
Researchers discover new material for optically-controlled magnetic memory
Researchers at the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering (PME) have made unexpected progress toward developing a new optical memory that can quickly and energy-efficiently store and access computational data. While studying a.....»»
New book explores emergence of touch-based language in DeafBlind communities
As deaf individuals lost their sight in the DeafBlind community that Asst. Prof. Terra Edwards was studying, she discovered that an entirely new language had emerged—one that doesn't try to negotiate with a seeing world, but is rooted in a tactile.....»»
Engineers develop general, high-speed technology to model, understand catalytic reactions
Researchers have been studying the industrial production of ammonia for a century. But they've struggled to find ways to improve the low-yield, low-efficiency process......»»
Researchers identify useful emission lines in the sun"s outer atmosphere
When studying the solar spectrum, researchers often search for specific emission lines: prominent wavelengths emitted by ions as their electrons transition from higher to lower energy levels. Emission spectra of two iron ions, Fe IX and Fe X, are par.....»»
Cosmic microwave background experiments could probe connection between cosmic inflation, particle physics
Various large-scale astrophysical research projects are set to take place over the next decade, several of which are so-called cosmic microwave background (CMB) experiments. These are large-scale scientific efforts aimed at detecting and studying CMB.....»»
Astronomers use AI to find elusive stars "gobbling up" planets
Astronomers have recently found hundreds of "polluted" white dwarf stars in our home galaxy, the Milky Way. These are white dwarfs caught actively consuming planets in their orbit. They are a valuable resource for studying the interiors of these dist.....»»
A new study shows how the sun could permanently capture rogue planets
Interest in interstellar objects (ISOs) was ignited in 2017 when 'Oumuamua flew through our solar system and made a flyby of Earth. Roughly two years later, another ISO passed through our solar system—the interstellar comet 2I/Borisov......»»
Webb confirms: Big, bright galaxies formed shortly after the Big Bang
Structure of galaxy rules out early, bright objects were supermassive black holes. Enlarge / Some of the galaxies in the JADES images. (credit: NASA, ESA, CSA, M. Zamani) One of the things that the James Webb Space Teles.....»»
DART mission sheds new light on target binary asteroid system
In studying data collected from NASA's DART (Double Asteroid Redirection Test) mission, which in 2022 sent a spacecraft to intentionally collide with the asteroid moonlet Dimorphos, the mission's science team has discovered new information on the ori.....»»
Mucus-based bioink could be used to print and grow lung tissue
Lung diseases kill millions of people around the world each year. Treatment options are limited, and animal models for studying these illnesses and experimental medications are inadequate. Now, writing in ACS Applied Bio Materials, researchers descri.....»»
A blue miracle in the Eifel: How sapphires formed in volcanoes
Researchers at Heidelberg University are studying the formation of this characteristically blue-colored crystal in volcanic melts.....»»
Webb directly images giant exoplanet that isn’t where it should be
Six times bigger than Jupiter, the planet is the oldest and coldest yet imaged. Enlarge / Image of Epsilon Indi A at two wavelengths, with the position of its host star indicated by an asterisk. (credit: T. Müller (MPIA/HdA), E......»»
James Webb takes rare direct image of a nearby super-Jupiter
The James Webb Space Telescope has directly imaged a gas giant beyond our solar system, and it's one of the coldest exoplanets observed so far......»»