The Lucy Fossil’s Extraordinary Journey to Becoming an Icon of Human Evolution
The 3.2-million-year-old human ancestor known as Lucy rose to fame through an incredible combination of circumstances.....»»
Nanofibrils study successfully measures strength of spider web "super fibers"
How small is "small?" Spider silk nanofibrils are just a few molecular layers thick, equivalent to approximately one ten-thousandth the diameter of a human hair. They're invisible to the naked eye and cannot be seen under an ordinary microscope......»»
New study explores adoption of robotic weeding to fight superweeds
Most corn and soybean fields in the U.S. are planted with herbicide-resistant crop varieties. However, the evolution of superweeds that have developed resistance to common herbicides is jeopardizing current weed management strategies. Agricultural ro.....»»
This ancient tadpole fossil is the oldest ever discovered
Scientists have discovered the oldest-known fossil of a giant tadpole that wriggled around over 160 million years ago......»»
Prolonged brain development of marmosets could serve as model for human evolution
The development of primate brains is shaped by various inputs. However, these inputs differ between independent breeders, such as great apes, and cooperative breeders, such as the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) and humans. In these species, gro.....»»
Bones from shipwreck suggest right- or left-handedness could affect how clavicle chemistry changes with age
A new study of human skeletal remains from the wreck of the 16th century English warship "Mary Rose" suggests that whether a person is right- versus left-handed may influence how their clavicle bone chemistry changes as they age. Dr. Sheona Shankland.....»»
Changing climate could increase mobility of toxic metals in soils, experimental study shows
The changes scientists expect in the climate could cause toxic metals naturally occurring in soils to become more mobile, destabilize ecosystems and increasingly enter the human food chain via agriculture. Such scenarios are particularly likely to oc.....»»
Compact in-incubator imaging device allows real-time remote monitoring of cell growth
Unlike most cells in the human body, stem cells have the unique ability to divide indefinitely. This property makes them especially appealing to scientists exploring ways to extend human lifespans or develop new methods for repairing damaged tissues......»»
A new genetic web tool can help restore climate-resilient marine ecosystems
In the face of increased human pressures and climate change, a team of Australian scientists led by Dr. Georgina Wood at Flinders University has launched a new online tool to assist marine managers and restoration experts to bolster the resilience of.....»»
Climate change driving "record threats to health": report
Climate change poses a growing threat to human health in a variety of record-breaking ways, a major report said Wednesday, the experts warning that "wasted time has been paid in lives"......»»
How harmful are microplastics to human health?
Microplastics have been found throughout the human body -- including inside lungs, blood and brains -- and while it is not yet clear how harmful they are to our health, some researchers are sounding the alarm......»»
Follow Mars rover’s 18-mile trip in NASA’s animated route map
NASA has shared a fascinating animation featuring the journey taken by the Perseverance rover on Mars since its arrival there more than four years ago......»»
Experts call for trillions of dollars spent on fossil fuels to be redirected
New global findings in the 8th annual indicator report of The Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change reveal that people in every country face record-breaking threats to health and survival from the rapidly changing climate, with 10 of 15 indic.....»»
“Impact printing” is a cement-free alternative to 3D-printed structures
Impact printing uses a high-velocity jet of material, fusing it into a structure. Recently, construction company ICON announced that it is close to completing the world’s larges.....»»
Beehive fences prove effective against elephant raids in Kenya
A groundbreaking, nine-year study has revealed that elephants approaching small-scale farms in Kenya avoid beehive fences housing live honey bees up to 86% of the time during peak crop seasons, helping to reduce human-elephant conflict for local farm.....»»
Open database of plastic products highlights substantial knowledge gaps
Plastics contain a vast number of chemicals, some of which greatly impact the environment and human health. However, information on the presence of individual substances in plastic products is oftentimes not publicly available......»»
Modeling study addresses future algal blooms and human impact
What does the future hold for our lakes globally—clear waters or widespread algal blooms? A new study is the first to model and project algal blooms on a global scale under different socio-economic and climate scenarios. Conducted by the UK Centre.....»»
Apple’s new video gives the M4 Mac mini a human-like personality
Apple launched the M4 Mac mini today. There’s an event-style video introduction that goes in-depth on the new device, but Apple has also released a separate, shorter marketing video. In the new video, the M4 Mac mini gets a human-like personality......»»
Gold bugs: New fossil arthropod preserved in fool"s gold
A team of researchers led by Associate Professor Luke Parry, Department of Earth Sciences, University of Oxford, have unveiled a spectacular new 450-million-year-old fossil arthropod (the group that contains spiders, centipedes, and insects). Besides.....»»
From fish to clean water, the ocean matters—how to quantify the benefits
Nature protection, conservation and restoration is "not a trivial matter but key to human survival," according to scientists quoted in a 2005 UN report. To demonstrate this, they developed the concept of "ecosystem services"—the benefits that peopl.....»»
For some reason, NASA is treating Orion’s heat shield problems as a secret
“I’m not going to share right now. When it comes out, it’ll all come out together.” For those who follow NASA's human spaceflight program, a burning question for the last.....»»