Wheat infected with Fusarium Head Blight: a growing problem in Europe. Credit: University of Bath A new study led by the University of Bath in the UK has found that harmful fungal toxins are increasing in Europe’s wheat crops, with almost half of the crops affected. Wheat, the most commonly grown crop globally, is facing … Read more
Scientists at Columbia University’s Zuckerman Institute and two partner institutions have identified previously unknown starting points in the neurobiological pathways related to pleasurable, sexual, and rewarding social touch in mouse studies. They were able to identify a full pathway that starts in the skin’s neurons responding to gentle stroking and ends in the pleasure centers … Read more
Illustration of the Cold Operable Lunar Deployable Arm (COLDArm), which will significantly improve the utility of robotic arms for lunar landers. Credit: NASA, JPL-Caltech Future planetary missions could explore in extremely cold temperatures that stymie existing spacecraft, thanks to a project under development at JPL. When NASA returns to the Moon with Artemis, the agency … Read more
New research suggests that green tea extract can cause liver damage in a small subset of the population. According to a recent study, although taking high-dose green tea extract for an extended period may offer some protection against cancer, cardiovascular disease, obesity, and type 2 diabetes, it may also cause liver damage in a small … Read more
Adult and young of the ichthyosaur species Shonisaurus popularis chase ammonoid prey 230 million years ago, in what is now Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park, Nevada, U.S.A. Credit: Gabriel Ugueto For many years, researchers have been studying a state park in Nevada, but despite their efforts, the reason for the high number of ichthyosaur deaths in the … Read more
Asteroid Itokawa. Credit: Curtin University Curtin University-led research into the durability and age of an ancient asteroid made of rocky rubble and dust, revealed significant findings that could contribute to potentially saving the planet if one ever hurtled toward Earth. The international team studied three tiny dust particles collected from the surface of an ancient … Read more
Underwater split shot of the seaweed garden on the island of Nusa Penida, Bali, Indonesia. Credit: Dudarev Mikhail A University of Queensland-led study has shown that expanding global seaweed farming could go a long way to addressing the planet’s food security, biodiversity loss, and climate change challenges. PhD Candidate Scott Spillias, from UQ’s School of Earth and … Read more
The new detector is made of 32 niobium nitride superconducting nanowires on a silicon chip, which enables high count rates with high precision. Credit: Ryan Lannom, JPL-Caltech/NASA Researchers use a superconducting nanowire design for fast and precise photon counting. Researchers have developed a new detector that can precisely measure single photons at very high rates. … Read more
Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine. It is often prescribed to manage severe pain, but it also has a high potential for addiction and overdose. Long-term use of fentanyl can lead to physical dependence, tolerance, and withdrawal symptoms. A mouse and cell study has yielded … Read more
The researchers believe that their findings could lead to new ways for improving the health of older adults. A new study in fruit flies, led by researchers at University College London (UCL), has found that experiences during early life can have a long-term impact on the activity of genes and potentially affect lifespan. The study, … Read more