The mysteries of the astronaut biome
How might space travel change the human microbiome, which is linked to so many ailments? Enlarge (credit: Aurich Lawson | Getty Images) Space poses some massive dangers for humans, from black holes to the heat death of t.....»»
Plate tectonics not required for the emergence of life, argues study
Scientists have taken a journey back in time to unlock the mysteries of Earth's early history, using tiny mineral crystals called zircons to study plate tectonics billions of years ago. The research sheds light on the conditions that existed in early.....»»
Searching for new particle: Discovering axions could help answer one of the most puzzling questions in physics
One of the most high-profile mysteries in physics today is what scientists refer to as the "Strong CP Problem." Stemming from the puzzling phenomenon that neutrons do not interact with electric fields despite being made up of quarks—smaller, fundam.....»»
An electron microscopy study unravels the mysteries of actin filament polarity
Actin filaments—protein structures critical to living movement from single cells to animals—have long been known to have polarity associated with their physical characteristics, with growing "barbed" and shrinking "pointed" ends. The ends of the.....»»
Researchers discover chemical evidence for pair-instability supernova from a very massive first star
The first stars illuminated the universe during the Cosmic Dawn and put an end to the cosmic "dark ages" that followed the Big Bang. However, the distribution of their mass is one of the great unsolved mysteries of the cosmos......»»
South Africa"s Lee Berger, palaeontology action hero
Donning Indiana Jones hats and astronaut-like suits, Lee Berger is something of a paleontology action hero......»»
Boeing"s astronaut capsule faces more launch delays after latest problems
Boeing's astronaut capsule faces more launch delays after the discovery of problems that should have been caught earlier, officials said......»»
How the humble neutron can help solve some of the universe"s deepest mysteries
Scientists are unleashing the power of neutrons to improve understanding of everyday materials and tackle fundamental questions in physics......»»
Scientists develop probe that could unlock the mysteries of a vital cellular messenger and lead to new drug discoveries
A study by Loughborough University and the University of Oxford has led to the development of a small molecule probe that could deepen our understanding of a crucial cellular messenger and lead to the development of new therapeutic drugs......»»
Unveiling the RNA-guided mechanisms driving cell fate
The early stages of embryonic development contain many of life's mysteries. Unlocking these mysteries can help us better understand early development and birth defects, and help develop new regenerative medicine treatments......»»
Space station welcomes 2 Saudi visitors, including kingdom"s 1st female astronaut
The International Space Station rolled out the welcome mat Monday for two Saudi visitors, including the kingdom's first female astronaut......»»
Space station welcomes two Saudi visitors, including kingdom"s first female astronaut
The International Space Station rolled out the welcome mat Monday for two Saudi visitors, including the kingdom's first female astronaut......»»
We’re effectively alone in the Universe, and that’s OK
Solitude is not a curse—it urges us to explore the mysteries of our galaxy and beyond. Enlarge (credit: Suchart Kuathan/Getty Images) Silence. Complete, unnerving silence. Despite decades of searches for any form of li.....»»
Timing is everything: New insights into floral development unveil nature"s perfect clock
The intricate process of flower development has long fascinated scientists seeking to unravel the mysteries behind nature's precision timing. In a study published in the journal The Plant Cell, a research team led by Nara Institute of Science and Tec.....»»
Unraveling the mysteries of p62-bodies and the cellular recycling pathway
Our body functioning is delicately balanced between the synthesis and breakdown of various cellular components. When these cellular components grow old or get damaged, they are digested by a process called autophagy—literally, "self-eating." This p.....»»
Uncovering the mysteries of alfalfa seed dormancy through multispectral imaging analysis
Alfalfa (Medicago sativa), commonly called the "King of Grass," is a legume grown in many parts of the world as a source of animal fodder. It is prized in the forage industry for its high protein content and biomass yield. Recently, alfalfa protein h.....»»
Revealing how an embryo"s cells sync up
Scientists have known that when a mouse embryo is developing, the cells that will become its spine and muscles switch specific genes on and off repeatedly, in a synchronous fashion. However, there are deep mysteries about how these cells synchronize......»»
How to watch Friday’s historic spacewalk at the ISS
The event at the ISS involves U.S. astronaut Steve Bowen and his UAE counterpart Sultan Alneyadi, who will become the first Arab to do a spacewalk......»»
Tetris’ creators reveal the game’s greatest unsolved mysteries
From random number generators to the origin of "the Tetris song." Video directed by Lisandro Perez-Rey, edited by Shandor Garrison. Click here for transcript. Despite creating one of the most recognizable video games of all time, Te.....»»
Mysteries of the poisonous amphibians
How do frogs and other amphibians survive their own noxious weapons? Enlarge / A Granular Poison Frog (Oophaga granulifera) sits on the edge of a leaf. (credit: Paul Osborne via Getty Images) From the brightly colored p.....»»
Astronomers solve the 60-year mystery of quasars, the most powerful objects in the universe
Scientists have unlocked one of the biggest mysteries of quasars—the brightest, most powerful objects in the universe—by discovering that they are ignited by galaxies colliding......»»