351 articles from THURSDAY 25.6.2020
NASA's Disk Detective Project Relaunches with 150,000 Stars
Disk Detective is back! Disk Detective is the NASA citizen science project that previously discovered “Peter Pan” disks (the longest-lived disks that form planets), as well discovered the youngest nearby disk around a brown dwarf (a ball of gas too small to be considered a star). The project is relaunching with a new batch of 150,000 stars to analyze and looking to the public for help....
Boeing renews its public pitch to replace Canada's CF-18 fleet
One of the companies bidding to sell Canada a new fleet of fighter jets made a public pitch today highlighting its long-standing, cross-country economic relationships and history of delivering high-paying aerospace...
Airborne chemicals could become less hazardous, thanks to a missing math formula
- ScienceDaily
- 20/6/25 22:48
Researchers have figured out a way to calculate surface viscosity just by looking at a stretched droplet as it starts to break.
Unorthodox desalination method could transform global water management
- ScienceDaily
- 20/6/25 22:48
Over the past year, researchers have been refining their unconventional desalination approach for hypersaline brines -- temperature swing solvent extraction (TSSE) -- that shows great promise for widespread use. The team now reports that their method has enabled them to attain energy-efficient zero-liquid discharge of ultrahigh salinity brines -- the first demonstration of TSSE for ZLD...
Spacewatch: China launches last BeiDou satellite to rival GPS
Third iteration hoisted into space offers alternative to US, EU and Russian navigation systemsChina launched the final satellite of its BeiDou navigation satellite system (BDS) from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Sichuan province at 9.43am local time (0243 BST) on 23 June 2020.Developed by the China Academy of Space Technology, the satellite is the 30th in the constellation, and was...
Critical new allergy pathway
- ScienceDaily
- 20/6/25 22:22
Researchers have identified the sequence of molecular events by which tiny, tick-like creatures called house dust mites trigger asthma and allergic rhinitis.
Common food additive causes adverse health effects in mice
- ScienceDaily
- 20/6/25 22:22
A common food additive, recently banned in France but allowed in the US and many other countries, was found to significantly alter gut microbiota in mice, causing inflammation in the colon and changes in protein expression in the liver, according to new research.
COVID-19 costs primary care billions
- ScienceDaily
- 20/6/25 22:22
On average, a full-time primary care physician in the U.S. will lose more than $65,000 in revenue in 2020. Overall, the U.S. primary care sector will lose nearly $15 billion. Losses stem from drastic reductions in office visits and fees for services during COVID-19 shutdowns from March to May. Losses threaten practice viability, reducing further an already insufficient number of primary care...
Microbiome of anticancer compound-producing marine invertebrate
- ScienceDaily
- 20/6/25 22:22
Could the cure for melanoma - the most dangerous type of skin cancer -- be a compound derived from a marine invertebrate that lives at the bottom of the ocean? A group of scientists think so, and are looking to the microbiome of an Antarctic ascidian called Synoicum adareanum to better understand the possibilities for development of a melanoma-specific drug.
X-rays size up protein structure at the 'heart' of COVID-19 virus
- ScienceDaily
- 20/6/25 22:22
Researchers have performed the first room temperature X-ray measurements on the SARS-CoV-2 main protease -- the enzyme that enables the virus to reproduce. It marks an important first step in the ultimate goal of building a comprehensive 3D model of the enzymatic protein that will be used to advance supercomputing simulations aimed at finding drug inhibitors to block the virus's replication...
Scientists devise new 'bar code' method to identify critical cell types in the brain
- ScienceDaily
- 20/6/25 22:22
A discovery could pave the way for future studies aimed at developing solutions to ALS and other vexing neuromuscular diseases.
Global pollution estimates reveal surprises, opportunity
- ScienceDaily
- 20/6/25 22:22
Using recent satellite observations, ground monitoring and computational modeling, researchers have released a survey of global pollution rates. There are a couple of surprises, for worse, but also, for better.
Global pollution estimates reveal surprises, opportunity
It is not unusual to come across headlines about pollution or global warming and find that they reach different conclusions depending upon the data source.
MicroCT reveals detailed head morphology of arthropod, Leanchoilia illecebrosa
An international collaboration between researchers at Harvard University and Yunnan University in China uses microCT to study and restudy arthropod fossils from the early Cambrian in the Chengjiang biota in the Yunnan Province of China. Their latest study shows with unprecedented clarity the head morphology of the species Leanchoilia illecebrosa and demonstrates the presence of a labrum thus...
X-rays size up protein structure at the 'heart' of COVID-19 virus
A team of researchers at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge and Argonne national laboratories has performed the first room-temperature X-ray measurements on the SARS-CoV-2 main protease—the enzyme that enables the virus to reproduce.
700-km Brazil 'megaflash' sets lightning record: UN
The UN's weather agency announced Thursday the longest lightning bolt on record—a single flash in Brazil on October 31, 2018 that cut the sky across more than 700 kilometers.
First completely remote at-sea science expedition in Australia's coral sea marine park
Scientists working remotely with Schmidt Ocean Institute, one of the only at-sea science expeditions to continue operating during the global pandemic, have completed afirst look at deep waters in the Coral Sea never before seen.
Selling something? Tap into consumer arrogance
Deny it you might, but even modest consumers brag about their purchases every once in a while. But can marketers leverage our tendency to brag about our buys to market products or services more successfully?
Confrontation may reduce white prejudices, study finds
Confronting a white person who makes a racist or sexist statement can make them reflect on their words and avoid making biased statements about race or gender in the future, Rutgers researchers find.
Universal right to health could inspire people, organizations to make real change
Acknowledging health as a universal human right could galvanize people and organizations to make major improvements in health worldwide, according to new research from faculty at Binghamton University, State University of New York.
'Quantitative easing' program let households spend more during the last recession. Could it work again?
A new study shows that the central bank tool known as quantitative easing helped consumers substantially during the last big economic downturn—a finding with clear relevance for today's pandemic-hit economy.
Researchers develop method for producing precision diffraction gratings
Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed a method for the production of wavy surfaces with nanometer precision. In the future this method could be used, for instance, to make optical components for data transmission on the internet even more efficient and compact.
Researchers discover new boron-lanthanide nanostructure
The discovery of carbon nanostructures like two-dimensional graphene and soccer ball-shaped buckyballs helped to launch a nanotechnology revolution. In recent years, researchers from Brown University and elsewhere have shown that boron, carbon's neighbor on the periodic table, can make interesting nanostructures too, including two-dimensional borophene and a buckyball-like hollow cage structure...
Mountain meadow restoration can bring birds back
In a new study led by scientists at Point Blue Conservation Science and in collaboration with The Institute for Bird Populations, authors evaluated the successes of mountain meadow restorations by analyzing eight years of bird data collected by field biologists. The authors concluded that, when "pond and plug" and similar techniques were followed, the number of birds of many species increased over...
Mountain meadow restoration can bring birds back
- ScienceDaily
- 20/6/25 20:49
Ecologists evaluated the successes of mountain meadow restorations by analyzing eight years of bird data collected by field biologists. The authors concluded that, when ''pond and plug'' and similar techniques were followed, the number of birds of many species increased over time as habitat conditions improved.
Why are plants green?
- ScienceDaily
- 20/6/25 20:49
When sunlight shining on a leaf changes rapidly, plants must protect themselves from the ensuing sudden surges of solar energy. To cope with these changes, photosynthetic organisms have developed numerous tactics. Scientists have been unable, however, to identify the underlying design principle. A physicist has now constructed a model that reproduces a general feature of photosynthetic light...
These muscle cells are guideposts to help regenerative flatworms grow back their eyes
- ScienceDaily
- 20/6/25 20:48
If anything happens to the eyes of the tiny, freshwater-dwelling planarian Schmidtea mediterranea, they can grow them back within just a few days. New research provides insight about how the worms accomplish this feat: researchers have identified a new type of cell that likely serves as a guidepost to help route axons from the eyes to the brain as the worms complete the difficult task of regrowing...
Mystery of solar cycle illuminated
- ScienceDaily
- 20/6/25 20:48
The sun's convection zone plays a key role in the generation and evolution of the Sun's magnetic field. Analyzing data sets spanning more than 20 years, researchers have obtained the most comprehensive picture of the north-south flow of plasma in the convection zone ever. The flow goes around the convection zone in each hemisphere in about 22 years.
Super-Earths discovered orbiting nearby red dwarf
- ScienceDaily
- 20/6/25 20:48
The nearest exoplanets to us provide the best opportunities for study, including searching for evidence of life outside the Solar System. Astronomers have now detected a system of super-Earth planets orbiting the nearby star Gliese 887, the brightest red dwarf star in the sky. The newly discovered super-Earths lie close to the red dwarf's habitable zone, where water can exist in liquid form.
Children of academics exhibit more stress
- ScienceDaily
- 20/6/25 20:48
If the parents have a degree, their children also believe that they have to get one. This can put them under pressure.
Sled dogs are closely related to 9,500-year-old 'ancient dog'
- ScienceDaily
- 20/6/25 20:48
Sled dogs are much older and have adapted to Arctic conditions much earlier than previously thought. Researchers show that ancestors of modern sled dogs have worked and lived with humans for over 9,500 years.
MicroCT reveals detailed head morphology of arthropod, Leanchoilia illecebrosa
- ScienceDaily
- 20/6/25 20:48
Researchers used microCT to study and re-study arthropod fossils from the early Cambrian in the Chengjiang biota in the Yunnan Province of China. Their latest study shows with unprecedented clarity the head morphology of the species Leanchoilia illecebrosa and demonstrates the presence of a labrum thus supporting the hypothesis that megacheirans are distant relatives of modern chelicerates (e.g....
'Where are my keys?' and other memory-based choices probed in the brain
- ScienceDaily
- 20/6/25 20:07
Researchers visualize how memories are selectively retrieved in the brain.
Chemists achieve breakthrough in the synthesis of graphene nanoribbons
- ScienceDaily
- 20/6/25 20:07
Graphene Nanoribbons might soon be much easier to produce. An international research team has succeeded in producing this versatile material for the first time directly on the surface of semiconductors. Until now, this was only possible on metal surfaces.
Tracking the spread of mosquito insecticide resistance across Africa
- ScienceDaily
- 20/6/25 20:07
In a step toward better control of the mosquitoes that transmit malaria, researchers have mapped the patterns of insecticide resistance in Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes across Africa. The new study found that resistance to five mainstream insecticides increased dramatically between 2005 and 2017.
New automotive radar spots hazards around corners
- ScienceDaily
- 20/6/25 20:07
Using radar commonly deployed to track speeders and fastballs, researchers have developed an automated system that will allow cars to peer around corners and spot oncoming traffic and pedestrians. The system, easily integrated into today's vehicles, uses Doppler radar to bounce radio waves off surfaces such as buildings and parked automobiles.
Helping consumers in a crisis
- ScienceDaily
- 20/6/25 20:07
A new study shows that the central bank tool known as quantitative easing helped consumers substantially during the last big economic downturn -- a finding with clear relevance for today's pandemic-hit economy.
Monster black hole found in the early universe
- ScienceDaily
- 20/6/25 20:07
Astronomers have discovered the second-most distant quasar ever found. It is the first quasar to receive an indigenous Hawaiian name, Poniua'ena. Data show the supermassive black hole powering Poniua'ena is surprisingly massive, challenging current theories of how supermassive black holes formed and grew in the young universe.
Selling something? Tap into consumer arrogance
- ScienceDaily
- 20/6/25 20:07
In today's world of consumption, likes and shares, a new study shows that that leveraging consumer arrogance might be marketers' most effective strategy for promoting their brands and products.
New study looks at post-COVID-19 emerging disease in children
- ScienceDaily
- 20/6/25 20:07
In recent weeks, a multisystem hyperinflammatory condition has emerged in children in association with prior exposure or infection to SARS-CoV-2. A new case series examines the spectrum of imaging findings in children with the post-COVID-19 inflammatory condition known in the US as Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C).
Hubble watches the 'flapping' of cosmic bat shadow in the Serpens Nebula
- ScienceDaily
- 20/6/25 20:07
The young star HBC 672 is known by its nickname of Bat Shadow because of its wing-like shadow feature. The NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope has now observed a curious ''flapping'' motion in the shadow of the star's disc for the first time. The star resides in a stellar nursery called the Serpens Nebula, about 1300 light-years away.
New boron-lanthanide nanostructure
- ScienceDaily
- 20/6/25 20:07
A newly discovered nanocluster has a geometry that ''has not been observed in chemistry heretofore,'' the researchers say.
Mainframe 2020: A catalyst for transformation
When it comes to supporting DevOps initiatives, mainframe technology—introduced in the early 1950s—isn’t likely to be the first to come to mind.
This content was produced by Insights, the custom content arm of MIT Technology Review. It was not written by MIT Technology Review’s editorial staff.
Yet combining the processing power of mainframe computing with one of today’s leading...
Super-Earths discovered orbiting nearby red dwarf
The nearest exoplanets to us provide the best opportunities for detailed study, including searching for evidence of life outside the solar system. In research led by the University of Göttingen, the RedDots team of astronomers has detected a system of super-Earth planets orbiting the nearby star Gliese 887, the brightest red dwarf star in the sky. Super-Earths are planets which have a mass higher...
Motions in the sun reveal inner workings of sunspot cycle
The sun's magnetic activity follows an 11-year cycle. Over the course of a solar cycle, the sun's magnetic activity comes and goes. During solar maximum, large sunspots and active regions appear on the sun's surface. Spectacular loops of hot plasma stretch throughout the sun's atmosphere and eruptions of particles and radiation shoot into interplanetary space. During solar minimum, the sun calms...