Scientists with NASA's Dawn mission have identified permanently shadowed regions on the dwarf planet Ceres, which are likely cold enough to trap water ice for a billion years. The regions, occupying about 695 square miles of the northern hemisphere, may be colder than those on Mercury or the moon.
A new study found that people with high sensation-seeking personalities are more likely to engage in prank behavior when encountering the color red. This contradicts previous research suggesting that red leads to compliant behavior. The findings have implications for health campaigns, such as anti-smoking and safe sex initiatives.
Researchers have found evidence of water clouds in WISE 0855, a nearby brown dwarf that is the coldest known object outside of our solar system. The team used spectroscopic observations to study its composition and chemistry, revealing a spectrum dominated by water vapor and clouds.
Researchers discovered a non-cancerous facial tumor in the fossilized jaw of Telmatosaurus transsylvanicus, a primitive duck-billed dinosaur, providing evidence that dinosaurs were prone to tumors. The discovery sheds new light on ancient diseases and tumours in extinct species.
Scientists have discovered a dark moon orbiting Makemake, one of the largest and brightest known Kuiper Belt Objects. The discovery provides insights into the origin and evolution of our solar system, suggesting that giant collisions are a near-universal fixture in the histories of these distant worlds.
A new study finds that the spleen filters blood cells by imposing a 'physical fitness test' through its narrow passages, which defines the shape and size of red blood cells. This discovery has implications for understanding diseases affecting blood cell shape, such as malaria, and developing novel drug targets.
A new computer model demonstrates how the tiny slits in the spleen prevent old, diseased or misshapen red blood cells from re-entering the bloodstream. The study provides a better understanding of how the spleen's function affects diseases that impact red blood cell shape and structure.
Researchers have discovered a super-fast rotating, ultra-cool brown-dwarf star, measuring its rotational period with bursts of radio waves detected by the Arecibo telescope. This groundbreaking detection reveals new insights into the internal dynamics and magnetic field generation in these objects.
Scientists at the University of Delaware discovered a 23-million-year-old brown dwarf that can emit powerful flashes of light, stronger than the sun's. The ultracool brown dwarf, 2MASS 0335+23, has lots of flares as hot as or hotter than full-fledged stars.
A study analyzing oxygen isotopes in fossil teeth from red deer near the Adriatic Sea found seasonal migration patterns, which may have influenced Paleolithic hunter-gatherers. The researchers suggest that the migration patterns of red deer and mountain goats in the region may have impacted human mobility strategies.
New computer simulations from Georgia Tech investigate the possibility that red giant stars were dimmed after collisions with a gaseous accretion disk at the galactic center. The simulations suggest that these collisions could have caused significant damage to the red giant stars, stripping away mass and lowering their kinetic energy.
The study found that only four genes are necessary to reprogram skin cells into producing red blood cells, offering a potential solution for blood transfusions and anaemia treatment. This breakthrough could lead to personalized red blood cells for patients with rare blood types.
Researchers found a gene called CYP2J19 that converts yellow carotenoids into red ones in the skin and feathers of red birds. The study suggests that for a bird to grow red feathers, it needs not just the redness gene but also a special form of the gene involved in feather growth.
Researchers have identified the genes responsible for producing the red pigment in bird species, linking it to detoxification processes and suggesting a link between mate quality and genetic fitness. The discovery provides new insights into the evolution and ecology of red coloration in birds.
Scientists have identified a cytochrome P450 enzyme that allows some bird species to convert yellow pigments into red colors, enhancing color vision and possibly signaling individual quality. The discovery fills a gap in understanding the genetics of red coloration in birds, with implications for future research on evolution and ecology.
A team of astronomers discovered a brown dwarf born as a full-fledged star, stripped to its current mass through stellar cannibalism. The brown dwarf was detected in a binary system with a tight orbit around a white dwarf, where the white dwarf's gravity removes about 90% of the companion's mass.
Climate change causes red knot birds to shrink and develop shorter beaks, limiting access to high-quality food sources. This can lead to reduced survival rates among birds born in warm Arctic years, according to a 33-year study.
Dennis Reuter and his team are selected as finalists for the Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medal for their contributions to the New Horizons mission to Pluto. The LEISA instrument provided groundbreaking data on Pluto's surface composition, expanding scientists' understanding of the outer solar system.
Three exoplanets, similar to Earth and Venus, orbit an ultracool dwarf star just 40 light years from Earth. The planets may have regions with temperatures suitable for liquid water and life.
An international team of astronomers has discovered three Earth-sized planets orbiting a nearby ultracool dwarf star, TRAPPIST-1. The planets are located within the star's habitable zone and may have conditions suitable for life.
A team of astronomers has discovered three planets with sizes similar to Earth's orbiting the ultracool dwarf star TRAPPIST-1, which may possess habitable regions. The planets' orbits are extremely close to their host star, receiving four times and twice less radiation than Earth.
Astronomers discover a small, dark moon orbiting Makemake, the second brightest icy dwarf planet in the Kuiper Belt. The moon's diameter is estimated to be 100 miles across and its orbit completes around Makemake in 12 days or longer.
Researchers have developed a non-invasive method for receptor activation using red light, which can penetrate deep tissues and activate signal pathways involved in cell division. The approach has potential for treating diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer, Parkinson, and diabetes.
Recent studies on red raspberries suggest the fruit's potential in reducing cardiovascular disease risk, maintaining normal blood glucose levels and liver function, while also exhibiting anti-inflammatory effects related to bone health. The research was presented at the 2016 Experimental Biology conference.
University of South Florida researchers discovered a determining factor in red tide occurrences: coastal ocean circulation on the West Florida Continental Shelf. The Gulf of Mexico Loop Current's position determines the likelihood and severity of red tides.
Researchers discovered a white dwarf star with an atmosphere dominated by oxygen, a finding that could rewrite the textbook wisdom of single stellar evolution. The discovery provides critical evidence for some types of supernovae and may be linked to interactions with a nearby companion or massive carbon pulses.
Five studies on New Horizons' flyby of Pluto uncover a wide variety of geological features, including tectonics, glacial flow, and cryovolcanoes. The dwarf planet's interaction with the solar wind and icy surfaces also provides insights into its space environment.
Scientists have created the first 3D 'map' of a critical protein used by Plasmodium vivax to infect human red blood cells. This discovery could lead to a vaccine targeting both the most prevalent and deadly malaria parasites. Understanding how the parasite enters red blood cells is essential for developing strategies to prevent malaria.
Research from the University of Leicester found high levels of trimethylamine N-oxide in acute heart failure patients, a metabolite produced by gut bacteria breaking down L-carnitine from red meat. The study suggests a possible link between red meat consumption and increased risk of heart disease.
Red raspberries contain essential nutrients like vitamin C and fiber, which may help reduce the risk of metabolically-based chronic diseases. The polyphenolic components in red raspberries have been shown to reduce oxidative stress and inflammation, making them a promising food for heart health and brain function.
Research provides new insights into Group A Streptococcus by demonstrating its toxin, Streptolysin S, targets a specific protein on red blood cells, leading to hemolysis. Chemical inhibition of this protein reduces the toxin's activity and alters the pathology of GAS in skin infections.
A team of scientists has found that compact dwarf galaxies, like the green pea galaxy J0925+1403, could explain cosmic reionization by ejecting ionizing photons into the intergalactic medium. This discovery opens a new avenue for understanding the early universe's 14 billion-year history.
A new study found that the Loop Current plays a crucial role in sustaining Florida red tide blooms. The researchers discovered that when the Loop Current is in a northern position, it allows a bloom to continue under favorable conditions, but a southern position prevents it from being sustained.
A new method of galactoseismology has confirmed the existence of a dark-matter dominated dwarf galaxy and may help locate satellite galaxies. The method uses waves in the galactic disk to map the interior structure and mass of galaxies, offering a fresh perspective on understanding dark matter.
Astronomers at the University of New South Wales have discovered three potentially habitable planets around a nearby red dwarf star called Wolf 1061. The middle planet, Wolf 1061c, is located within the Goldilocks zone and may be able to support liquid water and life.
Astronomers have discovered a planetary system with an enormous planet sandwiched between a Sun-like star and a dwarf star. The planet's massive eccentric orbit indicates gravitational influence from the dwarf star, leading to Kozai oscillations that cause it to 'dance' between the two stars.
Researchers identified the orbital partner parasitized by a blue straggler, a star that appears younger and brighter than expected. The study expands our understanding of binary star systems, bringing 25% of all stars into the fold of stellar evolution.
The red clover genome provides a valuable tool for improving the beneficial traits of this important forage crop, including its ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen and provide protein-rich livestock feed. The genome assembly will pave the way towards genomics-assisted breeding methods for forage legumes.
Astronomer Evan Kirby measures high concentration of dark matter in small dwarf galaxy Triangulum II, potentially making it a leading candidate for direct detection. The galaxy's unique characteristics and minimal background noise make it an ideal location to search for gamma-ray signals from colliding dark matter particles.
A new study suggests that vast quantities of radiation from superflaring Red Dwarf stars like Kepler-438 can strip away an atmosphere and make a planet uninhabitable. The energy released by each superflare is equivalent to 100 billion megatons of TNT, posing a significant threat to life on Earth-like planets.
Researchers at University of Cincinnati discovered that a high-fat diet causes dysfunction in red blood cells, which can lead to the development of cardiovascular disease. The study found that red blood cells play a key role in fueling adipose tissue inflammation and promoting atherosclerosis.
The discovery of GJ 1132b, a rocky planet orbiting a red dwarf star, has sparked excitement among astronomers. With temperatures potentially conducive to hosting an atmosphere, this planet is close enough (39 light-years away) to be studied in detail with the Hubble Space Telescope and future observatories.
Researchers capture first image of a debris ring orbiting a white dwarf star, revealing a spiral-like structure and 'inside-out' structure. The ring system is formed by the star's gravity tearing apart asteroids, emitting a dark red glow from gas produced by collisions.
A team of astronomers used data from the VLT to study the remains of an asteroid around a stellar remnant -- a white dwarf. They discovered an orbiting disc of gaseous material and found that it is lopsided and has not yet become circular.
A new class of oral medications, HIF-PHIs, stimulates red blood cell production by mimicking a low-oxygen state. Promising results were achieved in phase 2 clinical trials, showing improved hemoglobin levels and reduced anemia in kidney disease patients.
A gene editing technique has been developed to increase the yield of laboratory-produced red blood cells, which could significantly reduce their cost. The technique targets a specific gene, SH2B3, and uses CRISPR gene editing to permanently shut it off in human embryonic stem cell lines.
The discovery of over 250 dwarf galaxies at z=6-8 provides strong evidence that faint dwarf galaxies were responsible for cosmic reionization. The team's analysis determined that the smallest and most abundant galaxies in the study were vital to the process.
Astronomers have spotted a large, rocky object disintegrating in its death spiral around a distant white dwarf star, confirming a long-standing theory behind the source of white dwarf 'pollution' by metals. The system shows signs of surrounding debris disk and at least one compact, rocky object.
A two-year randomized controlled trial found that moderate wine consumption, especially red wine, can modestly decrease cardio-metabolic risk and improve sugar control. The study also found that slow alcohol-metabolizers who drank red wine achieved an improvement in blood sugar control.
Patients with well-controlled type 2 diabetes who drank red wine daily for two years showed improved cardiac health and cholesterol management. The study suggests that moderate alcohol intake may have specific benefits for lipid variables, but the authors caution against potential risks.
USF researchers received over $1.2 million in federal grants from NOAA to develop new technologies for predicting and identifying red tide. The research aims to improve forecasting capabilities, mitigate the effects of harmful algal blooms, and protect public health and marine life in the Gulf of Mexico.
Astronomers discovered large discs of dust around two young red dwarf stars near our solar system, hinting at potential new planetary systems forming. The discovery challenges current theories on planet formation and suggests a longer lifespan for such discs.
Researchers used the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) to locate compact regions within the nearby dwarf irregular galaxy Wolf--Lundmark--Melotte that can emulate larger galaxies' star-forming environments. These discoveries shed light on how dense star clusters can form in low-density, gas-poor galaxies.
Astronomers discovered 'irregular heartbeats' in a dying star, caused by massive outbursts that break its regular pulse and heat up its surface. The phenomenon may reveal new physics behind stellar pulsations and could be triggered by resonance.
The causes of stellar explosions known as Type Ia supernovae have been debated for decades. Recent studies suggest that either one or two white dwarfs can trigger these events, shedding light on the evolution of galaxies and dark energy. Understanding this phenomenon will inform our study of the universe's expansion.
A newly discovered dwarf galaxy is radiating high-energy gamma rays, potentially pointing to the presence of dark matter. The detection was made using publicly available data from NASA's Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope and has sparked excitement in the scientific community.
Scientists using Dark Energy Survey find eight faint celestial objects orbiting Milky Way, which could indicate more galaxies hiding nearby. These discoveries suggest our cosmic neighborhood is more densely populated than previously thought, with implications for understanding dark matter and galaxy formation.
Researchers discovered that brown dwarf stars, which are difficult to detect and classify, host powerful auroras similar to Earth's display. The study used radio and optical telescopes to observe a brown dwarf 20 light years away, providing evidence that these stars act like supersized planets.
Researchers used camera traps to monitor the behavior of dwarf porcupines in the Lower Urubamba Region of Peru, revealing that they are unable to leap across canopy gaps. The study also showed that these small mammals have a strong affinity for natural canopy bridges, which provided them with access to resources on both sides.
Researchers discover a giant cloud of hydrogen gas being burnt off from the atmosphere of GJ 436b, an exoplanet orbiting a warm red dwarf star. The cloud forms a comet-like tail as ultraviolet light pushes hydrogen into spiral motion, with 1000 metric tonnes being lost every second.