Today's Science News
October 4, 2024
Flies’ Taste for Tumor-Fighting Compounds May Aid Drug Discovery - Fruit flies with gut tumors showed an increased preference for a bitter antitumor compound compared to healthy flies, suggesting a self-medication strategy.‘Cheeky’ discovery allows scientists to estimate your risk of dying using cells found in the mouth - CheekAge, a novel epigenetic clock, predicts mortality risk using easily collected cheek cell samples.
Sols 4323-4324: Surfin’ Our Way out of the Channel - Earth planning date: Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024 As a member of the group tasked with organizing our campaign to investigate the Gediz Vallis channel and deposit (informally known as the Channel Surfers), I was a little sad this morning to see that our drive had successfully taken us out of the channel, back onto the […]
Is Earth’s unique plate tectonics the reason life formed here? - Many geologists believe Earth's unique plate tectonics created conditions to form life on this planet.
October 3, 2024
What’s the Best Material for a Lunar Tower? - Physical infrastructure on the Moon will be critical to any long-term human presence there as both America and China gear up for a sustained human lunar presence.What Does a Trip to Mars Do to the Brain? - It’s not long before a conversation about space travel is likely to turn to the impact on the human body.
Coral reef destruction a threat to human rights - A rights-based approach can enhance coral reef protection and promote climate justice for communities.
Rare brightening comet seen passing Earth from Hawaii - Scientists estimate the last time Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS visited our solar system was 80,000 years ago.
'Ghost Ship of the Pacific,' which fought on both sides in WWII, discovered near San Francisco - The newfound wreck could help maritime archaeologists better understand how 20th-century warships were designed.
Human cases of H5N1 confirmed in California amid rapid dairy spread - The CDC confirmed two new bird flu cases, brining the human tally to 17.
About the Office of the General Counsel - The Office of the General Counsel provides functional leadership regarding legal services and issues related to all aspects of NASA activities for Center
James Webb Space Telescope finds supernova 'Hope' that could finally resolve major astronomy debate - The James Webb Space Telescope has observed a distant cosmic explosion that erupted in the early universe called "supernova Hope" that could help resolve lingering "Hubble trouble."
Contracts and Acquisition Integrity Law - The Contracts and Acquisition Integrity Law Practice Group is responsible for providing Agency-wide legal advice and counsel regarding the statutes,
Strange “biotwang” ID’d as Bryde’s whale call - Multi-species machine-learning model can unlock insights into new whale species.
Researchers integrate fast OCT system into neurosurgical microscope - Researchers integrated a fast optical coherence tomography system into neurosurgical microscopes for brain surgery.
Culturally Inclusive Planetary Engagement in Colorado - In August 2024, the NASA Science Activation program’s Planetary Resources and Content Heroes (ReaCH) project held a Culturally Inclusive Planetary Engagement workshop at the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics in Boulder, Colorado for the planetary science community.
NASA Establishes New Class of Astrophysics Missions, Selects Studies - Two proposals for missions to observe X-ray and far-infrared wavelengths of light from space were selected by NASA for additional review, the agency announced Thursday.
Medieval gold coin unearthed in ruined fortress in Bulgaria may depict Byzantine emperor - Archaeologists think the coin dates to the first years of the region's rule by the Ottoman Empire.
Meghan Daley: Shaping the Future of NASA’s Robotic Simulations - During National Disability Employment Awareness Month, we celebrate the thousands of employees living with disabilities who contribute to NASA’s mission.
Commercial and Intellectual Property Law - The Commercial and Intellectual Property Law Practice Group is responsible for providing Agency-wide legal advice for negotiating, drafting, and interpreting
When is the next solar eclipse? - It'll be about six months before skywatchers are treated to another solar eclipse — during which only part of the sun will be obscured from view.
Legal Internship & Externship Opportunities - The Office of the General Counsel provides various opportunities throughout the academic year for law students to serve as interns and externs at NASA
In Floods like Hurricane Helene’s, Toxic Chemicals Are a Silent and Growing Threat - People living near industrial facilities often have few details about the chemicals inside, which poses major risks when floods occur
Astronauts Rubio and Berrios Speak During Hispanic Heritage Month - NASA astronauts Frank Rubio, center, and Marcos Berrios, right, share a laugh with staff during a White House Hispanic Heritage Month event on Sept. 30, 2024.
How to watch ULA's 2nd-ever Vulcan Centaur rocket launch on Oct. 4 - United Launch Alliance is set to launch the second test flight of its Vulcan Centaur rocket on Friday morning (Oct. 4), and you can watch the action live online.
Harris' Focus on Maternal Health Care Gains Support Among Black Women - Polls show an increased number of Black women voters back Kamala Harris.
Most accurate ultrasound test could detect 96% of women with ovarian cancer - A study recommends the IOTA ADNEX ultrasound test to replace the UK's current ovarian cancer screening method.
Lagniappe for October 2024 - Explore the Lagniappe for October 2024 issue, highlighting an update for the historic ASTRA project at NASA Stennis, and more!
Catastrophe might have created the first ant farms - When an asteroid slammed into Earth 66 million years ago, it caused a mass extinction.
Ants learned to farm fungi during a mass extinction - Ants learned to work with fungi back in a world where only fungi could thrive.
Curiosity Mars rover's wheels are more battered than ever — but they still work - The latest photo of Curiosity's wheels shows new — but not debilitating — damage.
Could a New Sungrazer Comet Put on a Show at the End of October? - A new sungrazing comet with potential may grace our skies in late October.
Popular gut probiotic completely craps out in randomized controlled trial - If you're familiar with the history of Activia, you may not be surprised.
'Ring of fire' solar eclipse blazes over Easter Island in incredible new image - On Oct. 2, a partial "ring of fire" solar eclipse was visible from the remote island of Rapa Nui, also known as Easter Island, where around 1,000 stone moai statues stand.
Gravitational Lens Confirms the Hubble Tension - Astronomers want new ways to measure distance in the Universe, working to calculate its rate of expansion.
Can you see Earth's new 'mini-moon' with the naked eye? - On Sunday, Sept. 29, Earth captured a new "mini-moon" called 2024 PT5.
Medieval walrus ivory may reveal trade between Norse and Indigenous Americans hundreds of years before Columbus, study finds - The Thule Inuit people and Norse both hunted walrus in the High Arctic in the 13th century, according to a new study.
New NASA images reveal giant hole in Curiosity rover's wheel after 12 years of 'abuse' on Mars - Images captured by Curiosity's onboard cameras show several large tears in the tire of one of the rover's wheels.
Hurricane Helene Survivors Face a Second Disaster—Insurance Woes - Only 2 percent of households in parts of Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina that were flooded by Hurricane Helene can get insurance payments
ULA hasn’t given up on developing a long-lived cryogenic space tug - On Friday's launch, United Launch Alliance will test the limits of its Centaur upper stage.
Introducing the PIPETBOY GENIUS serological pipet controller with repeat dispense capability - PIPETBOY GENIUS is the intelligent choice for precise and consistent serological pipetting.
We're one step closer to finding out why Siberia is riddled with exploding craters - A new physical model suggests meltwater from thawing permafrost on Russia's Yamal Peninsula can unlock methane sources at depth, triggering explosions that open enormous craters at the surface.
SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket grounded for the 3rd time in 3 months following 'off-nominal' crash-landing in the ocean - The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the uncontrolled reentry of part of a Falcon 9 rocket that delivered passengers to the International Space Station in a capsule that will return stranded astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams to Earth next year.
Scientists develop novel method for strengthening PVC products - Researchers have developed a way to make one type of plastic material more durable and less likely to shed dangerous microplastics.
BepiColombo spacecraft's flyby of Mercury begins unraveling the planet's magnetic mystery - The secrets of Mercury's strange magnetic bubble are gradually being unlocked by the BepiColombo spacecraft as it makes its rapid flybys of the world.
Biggest solar flare since 2017 erupts from sun and Earth is in the firing line (video) - On Oct. 3, the sun released the most powerful solar flare this solar cycle, a colossal X9.05 eruption — and it's heading for Earth.
Where Did All the Thalidomide Pills Distributed in the U.S. Go? - FDA medical examiner Frances Oldham Kelsey saved American lives by refusing to approve thalidomide.
Tropical Storms Produce Radiation More Often Than Expected - A spy plane designed to measure gamma ray bursts detected them frequently and discovered some new forms.
Green subsidies may have hidden costs, experts warn - Government subsidies for business practices and processes should be approached with caution, even when they seem to be environmentally friendly, writes a group of scientists and economists.
Turning brain cells on using the power of light - Researchers have developed a noninvasive way of using bioluminescent optogenetics to activate parts of the brain.
Ant agriculture began 66 million years ago in the aftermath of the asteroid that doomed the dinosaurs - According to a new study, colonies of ants began farming fungi when an asteroid struck Earth 66 million years ago.
The true global impact of species-loss caused by humans is far greater than expected - The extinction of hundreds of bird species caused by humans over the last 130,000 years has led to substantial reductions in avian functional diversity -- a measure of the range of different roles and functions that birds undertake within the environment -- and resulted in the loss of approximately 3 billion years of unique evolutionary history, according to a new study.
In photos: Annular solar eclipse 2024 delights with stunning 'ring of fire' display - On Oct. 2, an annular solar eclipse turned the sun into an impressive "ring of fire."
First moonwalker Neil Armstrong's speech notes posted online by Purdue - Neil Armstrong is perhaps best known for saying 12 words on July 20, 1969: "That's one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind."
Airdropping Vaccines to Eliminate Canine Rabies in Texas – The Decades of Research Behind its Success - Rabies is a fatal disease for both animals and people.
DAILY DOSE: Harvard Students Expose Privacy Risks of Face Recognition; Brain-Computer-Interface Trial Shows Promise for Paralysis Patients. - Harvard students showcased risks of facial recognition technology, while advances in gut microbiome supplements and brain interfaces improve health treatments and outcomes.
NASA is working on a plan to replace its space station, but time is running out - "Initially, Congress almost treated the program as a joke."
How to Save the World from Apocalyptic Asteroids - Sooner or later a doomsday asteroid will wipe out most life on Earth—unless, that is, we prevent threatening space rocks from hitting us in the first place
How 36 Trillion Cells Work to Keep Us Alive - Cells act as both building blocks and biological robots.
Exoplanet found around our closest lone star - An exoplanet has been discovered orbiting the nearest single star to Earth (apart from the Sun), only 6 light-years away.
Wastewater bacteria can breakdown plastic for food - Comamonadacae is a family of bacteria often found growing on plastics in water.
Widespread ice deposits on the moon - Deposits of ice in lunar dust and rock (regolith) are more extensive than previously thought, according to a new analysis of data from NASA's LRO (Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter) mission.
Stem cell transplants close macular holes in monkeys - Human stem cell transplants successfully repaired macular holes in a monkey model, researchers report.
Top 'safety risk' for the ISS is a leak that has been ongoing for 5 years, NASA audit finds - The ISS has been dealing with a leak in its Russian segment since 2019.
The Chonky Superstar of Fat Bear Week Is Missing, and the Competition Won't Be the Same Without Him - While other bears battled over fish in a prime spot, Otis would sit off to the side and wait for the fish to come to him.
Save 20% on Celestron binoculars in this limited time Amazon deal - Save $60 and get the Celestron TrailSeeker 8x42 binoculars for $239.95 at Amazon — but you'll have to be quick as we've seen the deal expire briefly this week already.
Why Mount Everest Is the World’s Tallest Mountain - A model suggests a massive uplift caused by a phenomenon called “river piracy” partly explains Everest’s impressive height
Hard Nuclear Weapons Choices Await Harris or Trump as President - Whoever wins the 2024 presidential election will face heightened nuclear geopolitics, deadlines on nuclear deals with Russia and Iran and decisions on a $2-trillion weapons-modernization effort
Explainer: How cells use chemistry to make the electricity of life - Charged particles, or ions, constantly move in and out of cells.
Preterm births are on the rise, with ongoing racial and economic gaps - Preterm births rose over 10% in a decade, revealing significant racial and socioeconomic disparities.
Explainer: Anatomy of a heartbeat - Here’s how the heart pumps blood to each and every cell of the body.
Zap, zap, zap! Our bodies are electric - Electricity powers key functions in the brain, heart and bone.
Earth from space: Deep tidal channels cut between 'pirate hotspot' islands in the Bahamas - This 2015 photo from the International Space Station showcases the deep tidal channels that cut through a line of cays in the Bahamas.
One of the best Celestron telescopes now $2,399 in latest Adorama price drop - Save $400 on one of the best telescopes — Celestron Advanced VX 8-inch EdgeHD is now 14% off at Adorama in this price drop before Amazon Prime Day.
The asteroid that killed the dinosaurs was not alone - A second asteroid hit Earth around the same time causing a "catastrophic" event.
Breaking the chain of intergenerational violence - New research links adverse childhood experiences to increased elder abuse risk, emphasizing mental health's role.
Algal Allies Help Sleuth Out Ancient Earthquakes - In 1667, an apocalyptic earthquake almost destroyed Dubrovnik, one of the most beautiful medieval cities in the Mediterranean.
Advances in endovascular therapy for stroke patients - Endovascular therapy significantly improves outcomes for acute ischemic stroke patients with large vessel occlusion.
Cleveland Clinic researchers discover new bacterium that causes gut immunodeficiency - Researchers at Cleveland Clinic discovered a gut bacterium that weakens immunity, linking it to diseases.
Dogs Engage in Scent-sational Science to Sniff out Staphylococcus Bacteria - Researchers take the guesswork out of infection detection by training dogs to recognize the scent of bacterial biofilm biomarkers.
Researchers identify best way to say “wanna go to the park?” - Saying “who’s a good boy?” in a singsong voice has been the demand of dog trainers for years – but now scientists have explored why it is so effective.
Drug targeting works in mice (and science fiction) - Scientists have developed a way to transport a drug to a specific part of the body, then be excreted out.
Jets From Supermassive Black Holes Create New Stars Along Their Trajectory - Since the 1970s, astronomers have observed that supermassive black holes (SMBHs) reside at the centers of most massive galaxies.
October 2, 2024
What Linguistic Analysis from the 2024 Debates Reveals about Harris, Trump, Walz and Vance - Linguist and sociophonetician Nicole Holliday analyzes the language used by candidates in the recent presidential and vice presidential debatesZymo Research & BluMaiden Biosciences Announce Partnership to Provide Clinical Trial Analytics and Reporting Services to the Pharmaceutical Sector - This partnership is poised to revolutionize clinical insights and decision-making for the pharma industry with the aim of enhancing therapeutic efficacy and commercial lifespan.
Largest Brain Map Ever Reveals Fruit Fly’s Neurons in Exquisite Detail - Wiring diagram lays out connections between nearly 140,000 neurons and reveals new types of nerve cell
Iron nuggets held the key to the origin of these stone formations - Small iron-rich nodules decorating the world-famous Pinnacles in Western Australia have finally allowed researchers to date the formation of these striking landforms to about 100,000 years ago.
NASA Turns Off One of Voyager 2's Science Instruments - The two Voyager spacecraft have been speeding through space since 1977, powered by decaying chunks of plutonium that produce less and less energy every year.
Despite stricter regulations, Europe has issues with tattoo ink ingredients - "Clients and artists have a right to know what's in the inks they are using.”
Hurricanes Helene’s Floods Swamped a Hospital, Highlighting Climate Threats to Health Care - Hurricane Helene forced dozens of medical facilities across the southern U.S. to evacuate patients, underscoring the human costs of climate change
How Ancient People Used the Power of the Wind and Sun - Some forms of renewable energy we think of as modern were used thousands of years ago.
Fall 2024 Environmental Monitor Available Now - https://www.fondriest.com/news/fall-2024-environmental-monitor-available-now.htm
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As temperatures rise, researchers identify mechanisms behind plant response to warming - Plants widen microscopic pores on their leaves in response to heat.
Hurricanes Kill People for Years after the Initial Disaster - The average tropical cyclone in the U.S. ultimately causes about 7,000 to 11,000 excess deaths, new research finds
Fly brain breakthrough 'huge leap' to unlock human mind - A new map showing 50 million neural connections is a 'huge leap' to understanding our own brains.
Fingers Crossed! How Your Superstitions May Benefit You - Superstitions may seem irrational, but research suggests they have benefits.
The first map of the fruit fly brain will help human mental health - An international team of scientists and citizen scientists has just completed a herculean task: creating a complete map – called a connectome – of the entire fruit fly brain.
Bottlenose dolphins do smile during play - Humans use smiles and laughter to communicate playfulness.
Bernard's Star Has a Planet (Again)! - The red dwarf Barnard's Star is the closest single star to the Sun, only six light-years away.
Chemist challenges traditional views on crystal growth - Remember that old high school chemistry experiment where salt crystals precipitate out of a saltwater solution—or maybe the one where rock candy crystals form from sugar water?
When Data Is Missing, Scientists Guess. Then Guess Again. - Across the social and biological sciences, statisticians use a technique that leverages randomness to deal with the unknown.
The conditions which might have sparked life on Earth - Scientists believe they are beginning to understand the conditions which sparked life on Earth by demonstrating in the lab a massive multiplication of DNA in just minutes.
Reconstructing the World Where Homo Sapiens and Neanderthals First Got Together - Researchers may have pinpointed the location where Homo Sapiens and Neanderthals first interbred.
Power-Thirsty AI Turns to Mothballed Nuclear Plants. Is That Safe? - As Microsoft strikes a deal to restart a reactor at Three Mile Island to power AI, nuclear specialists weigh in on the unprecedented process
Developing novel chiral capsule tools for advanced optical technologies - Chirality is an essential property in biology; the molecular building blocks of some of the most important biological structures, including DNA and proteins, are chiral.
NASA's TESS spots record-breaking stellar triplets - Professional and amateur astronomers teamed up with artificial intelligence to find an unmatched stellar trio called TIC 290061484, thanks to cosmic 'strobe lights' captured by NASA's TESS (Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite).
Neuroscience breakthrough: Entire brain of adult fruit fly mapped - Scientists have made an enormous step toward understanding the human brain by building a neuron-by-neuron and synapse-by-synapse roadmap -- scientifically speaking, a 'connectome' -- through the brain of an adult fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster).
Bottlenose dolphins 'smile' at each other while playing - Dolphins are extremely playful, but little is known about how they -- and other marine mammals -- communicate during playtime.
Most tropical lightning storms are radioactive - Researchers have known for several decades that thunderstorms can act as miniature particle accelerators that produce antimatter, gamma rays and other nuclear phenomena.
Scientists create flies that stop when exposed to red light - Ever wish you could stop that fruit fly on your kitchen counter in its tracks?
Hurricanes linked to higher death rates for 15 years after storms pass - U.S. tropical cyclones, including hurricanes, indirectly cause thousands of deaths for nearly 15 years after a storm.
Scientists decode key mutation in many cancers - Inside every cell, inside every nucleus, your continued existence depends on an incredibly complicated dance.
How Did Two Bowhead Whales That Were 60 Miles Apart Sync Their Diving? - Researchers suspect the marine mammals may have been communicating across the vast distance
Revealed: Elephants and Gorillas Hang Out in Hidden Playgrounds - In a dense Republic of Congo rainforest, scientists have mapped a network of strangely open clearings where wild beasts go to eat and hang out
How the 2024 Election Will Affect IVF and Abortion Access - The presidential candidates have vastly divergent records on and plans for protecting access to reproductive health care, including abortion and IVF
Why Cheeses Such as Mozzarella and Cheddar Melt Differently Than Ricotta - Food science can explain why mozzarella melts like a dream while feta and ricotta don’t
AI simulation gives people a glimpse of their potential future self - 'Future You' is a generative AI tool that enables users to have a simulated conversation with a potential version of their future selves.
A leap in behavioral modelling: Scientists replicate animal movements with unprecedented accuracy - Scientists have developed a new method to simulate the complex movements of animals with exceptional accuracy.
Do coyotes have puppy dog eyes? New study reveals wild canines share dog's famous expression - A new study challenges the hypothesis that 'puppy dog eyes' evolved exclusively in dogs as a result of domestication.
Reducing daily sitting may prevent back pain - A new study showed that reducing daily sitting prevented back pain from worsening over six months.
Google Is a Monopoly. Should You Use Another Search Engine? - Alternatives to Google Search include Bing, DuckDuckGo, Brave Search and Ecosia
Suzetrigine Is Part of a New Class of Pain Medications That Could Offer Relief for Chronic Pain - A new class of drugs treats pain at the periphery.
Turtle hatchlings with tiny backpacks reveal what goes on under the sand - Baby green sea turtles are the latest in a long list of animals given their very own backpacks to help scientists study their behaviour.
Planning a drug's route in the body with synthetic chemistry - Researchers at the RIKEN Cluster for Pioneering Research (CPR) have developed technology that can alter, within the body, the recognized identity of proteins.
Inclusive policies key to expanding women’s tech access - Systemic barriers and poor support structures are stifling the progress of women in STEM.
The primates most at risk of extinction - A large-scale study of primate populations around the world has revealed which of our closest cousins are most at risk of extinction.
An Earth-like Planet Around a Dead Sun Provides Some Reassurance About the Future of Earth - In about five billion years, our Sun will exit its main sequence phase and transition to its red giant phase.
October 1, 2024
We Don’t See Many Planets in Old Triple Star Systems - Why is it important to search for exoplanets in triple star systems and how many can we find there?Independent Voters Decide Elections, But Undecided Voters Least Likely To Vote - Get-out-the-vote campaigns matter, which is why U.S. political parties encourage those in their tribe to vote by mail long before any controversies can change their mind.
Shorter Course Of Post-Mastectomy Radiation With Breast Reconstruction Is Safe And Effective - A multi-institutional study has found that a shorter course of post-mastectomy radiation, combined with breast reconstruction can time from 25 to 16 treatment sessions while remaining safe and effective.Breast cancer is the second most frequently diagnosed cancer for American women and nearly 40% have mastectomies.
Lab owner pleads guilty to faking COVID test results during pandemic - Ill-gotten millions bought a Bentley, Lamborghini, Tesla X, and crypto, among other things.
The Bird Photo of the Year - This award-winning shot offers a candid look at the cagey turkey vulture.
How ready are we for the next big tropical storm? - Hurricanes John and Helene have made international headlines this week for the destruction wrought on Mexico and the southeastern US.
Toxic chemicals from Ohio train derailment lingered in buildings for months - New study offers lessons on how to better protect communities from disasters.
Pickleball Physics Explained, from Balls and Paddles to Shots - “Professor Pickleball” reveals the science behind the U.S.’s fastest-growing sport
Airborne plastic chemical levels shock researchers - A new study documents how Southern Californians are chronically being exposed to toxic airborne chemicals called plasticizers, including one that's been banned from children's items and beauty products.
Research in 4 continents links outdoor air pollution to differences in children's brains - A research team systematically analyzed 40 empirical studies, the majority of which had found that outdoor air pollution is associated with differences in children's brains.
Cracking the Genetic Code on Facial Features - Researchers are still unsure how genes create shared facial features.
Project 2025 Would Leave Hurricane Helene Survivors with Little Disaster Aid - The conservative Project 2025 playbook for a possible Trump presidency calls for cutting aid for disasters such as Hurricane Helene
To build a giant sheep, man spends 10 years smuggling, cloning, and inseminating - He takes his hobbies seriously.
Seeing double: Designing drugs that target 'twin' cancer proteins - Some proteins in the human body are easy to block with a drug; they have an obvious spot in their structure where a drug can fit, like a key in a lock.
Science fiction health technology a step closer - It’s not the famous Star Trek tricorder but it’s close: researchers have developed a hand-held scanner that can generate highly detailed 3D images of body parts in almost real time.
Ocean camouflage expert helps design extreme weather fabric - Engineers inspired by marine creatures have made a fabric that adjusts to your body heat and keeps you at a temperature of your choosing.
These Animals Have the Best and Worst Sense of Taste - Varying from tasting superpowers to almost a complete lack of flavor sense, these animals run the gamut.
Sports Celebrate Physical Variation—Until It Challenges Social Norms - Human anatomy is delightfully varied, but female athletes are heavily criticized for not conforming to socially accepted bodily norms
Emulate, Inc. Unveils the Chip-R1™ Rigid Chip with a Minimally Drug-Absorbing Profile to Improve Biological Modeling for ADME and Toxicology Applications - Constructed using low-drug-absorbing plastics, Chip-R1 builds upon the core microfluidic design of Organ-Chips, offering researchers greater precision in predicting human drug responses.