302 articles from TUESDAY 7.7.2020
Criminal charges reveal the identity of the “invisible god” hacker
A notorious hacker who made an estimated $1.5 million by stealing information from more than 300 companies and governments in 44 countries has been identified as a 37-year-old man from Kazakhstan.
Known as Fxmsp, the hacker became famous in 2019 when he advertised access and source code for leading cybersecurity companies, amid claims that he could make a customer “the invisible god of...
NASA's InSight flexes its arm while its 'mole' hits pause
NASA's InSight lander has been using its robotic arm to help the heat probe known as the "mole" burrow into Mars. The mission is providing the first look at the Red Planet's deep interior to reveal details about the formation of Mars and, ultimately, all rocky planets, including Earth.
Building NASA's Psyche: design done, now full speed ahead on hardware
Psyche, the NASA mission to explore a metal-rock asteroid of the same name, recently passed a crucial milestone that brings it closer to its August 2022 launch date. Now the mission is moving from planning and designing to high-gear manufacturing of the spacecraft hardware that will fly to its target in the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter.
Bad E. coli we know, but good E. coli?
Typically, there aren't a lot of positive thoughts when E. coli, generally found in animal and human intestines, is mentioned. It's been blamed for closing beaches and swimming pools and shuttering restaurants because of contamination in salad bars, meats or other food items.
Scientists offer roadmap for studying link between climate and armed conflict
Climate change—from rising temperatures and more severe heavy rain, to drought—is increasing risks for economies, human security, and conflict globally. Scientists at the University of Miami (UM) Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science are leading an effort to better assess the climate-conflict link to help societies manage the complex risks of increased violence from a changing...
Study reveals science behind traditional mezcal-making technique
Artisanal makers of mezcal have a tried and true way to tell when the drink has been distilled to the right alcohol level. They squirt some into a small container and look for little bubbles, known as pearls. If the alcohol content is too high or too low, the bubbles burst quickly. But if they linger for 30 seconds or so, the alcohol level is perfect and the mezcal is ready to drink.
Custom nanoparticle regresses tumors when exposed to light
A unique nanoparticle to deliver a localized cancer treatment inhibits tumor growth in mice, according to a team of Penn State researchers.
Scientists offer roadmap for studying link between climate and armed conflict
- ScienceDaily
- 20/7/7 22:01
Climate change -- from rising temperatures and more severe heavy rain, to drought -- is increasing risks for economies, human security, and conflict globally. Scientists are leading an effort to better assess the climate-conflict link to help societies manage the complex risks of increased violence from a changing climate.
Future Texas hurricanes: Fast like Ike or slow like Harvey?
- ScienceDaily
- 20/7/7 22:01
Climate change will intensify winds that steer hurricanes north over Texas in the final 25 years of this century, increasing the odds for fast-moving storms like 2008's Ike compared to slow-movers like 2017's Harvey, according to new research.
Boron nitride destroys PFAS 'forever' chemicals PFOA, GenX
- ScienceDaily
- 20/7/7 22:01
Chemical engineers have discovered a photocatalyst that can destroy 99% of the 'forever' chemical PFOA in laboratory tests on polluted water. Researchers showed the boron nitride catalyst also destroys GenX, a PFOA replacement that's also an environmental problem.
Science behind traditional mezcal-making technique
- ScienceDaily
- 20/7/7 22:01
Researchers reveal for the first time why bubbles are a good gauge of alcohol content in mezcal, a traditional Mexican spirit.
Neurons show distinct styles as they interact with the same muscle partner
- ScienceDaily
- 20/7/7 22:01
A study shows a newfound diversity in how cells talk to the muscle they innervate, revealing that the subclasses of neurons have distinct propensities for change, or 'plasticity'.
Custom nanoparticle regresses tumors when exposed to light
- ScienceDaily
- 20/7/7 22:01
A unique nanoparticle to deliver a localized cancer treatment inhibits tumor growth in mice, according to researchers.
Famous 'Jurassic Park' dinosaur is less lizard, more bird
From movies to museum exhibits, the dinosaur Dilophosaurus is no stranger to pop culture. Many probably remember it best from the movie "Jurassic Park," where it's depicted as a venom-spitting beast with a rattling frill around its neck and two paddle-like crests on its head.
Boron nitride destroys 'forever' chemicals PFOA, GenX
Rice University chemical engineers found an efficient catalyst for destroying PFAS "forever" chemicals where they least expected.
Heat will stay stuck on extra high for July in most of US
The heat is on. And for most of America it'll stay on through the rest of the month and maybe longer, meteorologists say.
Early childhood education centers can boost parents' engagement at home
COVID-19 has temporarily shuttered many early childhood education centers across the country, shifting full-time child care and teaching responsibilities largely to parents.
How to tackle climate change, food security and land degradation
How can some of world's biggest problems—climate change, food security and land degradation—be tackled simultaneously?
Aggressive seaweed smothers one of world's most remote reefs
Researchers say a recently discovered species of seaweed is killing large patches of coral on once-pristine reefs and is rapidly spreading across one of the most remote and protected ocean environments on earth.
Aggressive seaweed smothers one of world's most remote reefs
Researchers say a recently discovered species of seaweed is killing large patches of coral on once-pristine reefs and is rapidly spreading across one of the most remote and protected ocean environments on...
Shock-dissipating fractal cubes could forge high-tech armor
Tiny, 3-D printed cubes of plastic, with intricate fractal voids built into them, have proven to be effective at dissipating shockwaves, potentially leading to new types of lightweight armor and structural materials effective against explosions and impacts.
Scientists observe catalyst during Fischer-Tropsch synthesis for the first time
Suitable catalysts are of great importance for efficient power-to-X applications—but the molecular processes occurring during their use have not yet been fully understood. Using X-rays from a synchrotron particle accelerator, scientists of the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) have now been able to observe for the first time a catalyst during the Fischer-Tropsch reaction that facilitates...
Forbidden herbs? The effects of cannabis were a controversial topic 250 years ago
Should cannabis be legalized for medicinal purposes or will it remain an illegal drug? This has been discussed in many countries for years—and has been a point of contention for much longer than expected: Already in Mexico in the 18th century, priest and scientist José Antonio Alzate y Ramírez campaigned for the healing effects of the controversial plant—against the position of the Spanish...
Bear captured on camera as it interrupts BBQ, is shot with tranquilizer and becomes dozy
Driving to her friend's house for a barbecue, Johanna Dalton mentioned to her partner that she hadn't seen a bear since moving to the Crowsnest Pass three years...
'It Will Consume Your Life': 4 Families Take On Rare Diseases
Monica Coenraads had a terrible feeling something was wrong with her 14-month-old baby, Chelsea. She had not learned to walk. She had one word, duck, and then lost it.During a family vacation to Barbados more than 20 years ago, Chelsea cried the whole time. She bit her parents so hard they bled. She was only happy in the hotel room with the shades drawn."I got home and said: 'That's...