232 articles from FRIDAY 28.5.2021

Exoskeleton therapy improves mobility, cognition and brain connectivity in people with MS

A team of multiple sclerosis (MS) experts led a pilot randomized controlled trial of robotic-exoskeleton assisted exercise rehabilitation (REAER) effects on mobility, cognition, and brain connectivity in people with substantial MS-related disability. Their results showed that REAER is likely an effective intervention, and is a promising therapy for improving the lives of those with MS.

Image: Hubble captures a captivating spiral

This image shows the spiral galaxy NGC 5037, in the constellation of Virgo. First documented by William Herschel in 1785, the galaxy lies about 150 million light-years away from Earth. Despite this distance, we can see the delicate structures of gas and dust within the galaxy in extraordinary detail. This detail is possible using Hubble's Wide Field Camera 3 (WFC3), whose combined exposures...

NASA Selects Proposals to Conduct Fluid Physics Flow Boiling Experiments on the International Space Station

May 28, 2021 NASA Physical Sciences Research Program has selected two flight proposals to conduct experiments on the International Space Station (ISS) using a new flow boiling module for the Flow Boiling and Condensation Experiment (FBCE) in support of in-space cryogenic propellant tank transfer research. Research from the selected proposals will develop fundamental understanding of...

Academic who helped change No 10 Covid policy in first wave warns of easing risk

Exclusive: Prof Sir Tim Gowers says ‘things will get bad very quickly’ after June if variant spread underestimatedGowers’ herd immunity document sent to Dominic CummingsSee all our coronavirus coverageThe Cambridge professor whose argument against a herd immunity strategy helped trigger England’s first lockdown has voiced concerns about the risks of easing restrictions next month.Prof Sir...

Open, expressive family life may reduce social deprivation effects among adopted children

An environment in which family members support one another and express their feelings can reduce the effects of social deprivation on cognitive ability and development among adopted children, suggests a small study. In contrast, rule-driven households where family members are in conflict may increase an adopted child's chances for cognitive, behavioral and emotional difficulties.

Scientists develop transparent electrode that boosts solar cell efficiency

Developing new ultrathin metal electrodes has allowed researchers to create semitransparent perovskite solar cells that are highly efficient and can be coupled with traditional silicon cells to greatly boost the performance of both devices, said an international team of scientists. The research represents a step toward developing completely transparent solar cells.

Reef-building corals and the microscopic algae within their cells evolve together

The microscopic algae that live inside and provide nutrients to their reef-building coral hosts may be evolving in tandem with the corals they inhabit. A new study by biologists reveals that genetic differences within a species of these microalgal symbionts correspond to the coral species they inhabit, a discovery that could have implications for the conservation of these endangered corals.

DNA-based material with tunable properties

While DNA is often idealized as the 'molecule of life', it is also a highly sophisticated polymer that can be used for next-generation materials. Now scientists have started to harness these properties to craft 'topologically tunable' DNA-based complex fluids and soft materials with potential applications in drug delivery and tissue regeneration.