Using data from NASA's Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope, scientists measured the most accurate amount of starlight in the universe and determined the extragalactic background light (EBL), also known as cosmic fog. The EBL is a fossil radiation field created by ancient starlight that continues to travel through the universe.
Physicists create graphene mini-labs to study fast-moving electrons and their relativistic behavior. The experiments mimic the dynamics of cosmic rays, despite traveling at a fraction of the speed of light.
Researchers from Los Alamos National Laboratory have devised a method to use cosmic rays to gather detailed information from inside damaged reactor cores. The technique, known as muon scattering, showed superiority over traditional transmission methods for capturing high-resolution image data.
Scientists have discovered an enormous amount of water vapour, enough to fill Earth's oceans over 2000 times, in a gas and dust cloud collapsing into a new Sun-like star. Water was previously detected outside our Solar System as ice coated onto tiny dust grains near active star formation sites.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that manta rays are more likely to gather together under new or full moons and when wind speeds are lower. The researchers used a citizen science approach involving volunteer divers and tour operators to monitor manta ray behavior at Lady Elliott Island.
A team of astronomers has spotted a potentially most distant galaxy ever detected, which existed 500 million years after the Big Bang. The discovery opens up a window into the deepest, remotest epochs of cosmic history, providing insights into the universe's earliest objects and the Dark Ages.
Astronomers have detected a potentially most distant galaxy ever seen, offering a glimpse into the universe's earliest epochs. The galaxy, observed through gravitational lensing, has a redshift of 9.6 and is estimated to be less than 200 million years old.
The European Space Agency (ESA) funded a study to test the shielding properties of Moon and Mars regolith against cosmic radiation. The GSI facility in Germany analyzed how well the stone slabs protect against radiation and produced neutrons when radiated.
A new independent analysis published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences has confirmed the presence of magnetic particles at sites challenged by a group led by Todd A Surovell. The study's findings support the climate-altering cosmic impact theory, but the researchers did not declare it as proof.
The Wildlife Conservation Society and partners are calling on governments to take urgent action to save shark and ray species from over-fishing for international trade. Currently, only a handful of species are listed under CITES, but numerous others qualify for protection.
Researchers successfully probed the effects of light on matter at the atomic scale by mixing x-ray and optical light waves. This technique allows them to directly measure how light manipulates chemical bonds in materials, enabling new insights into light-matter interactions.
Astronomers collected evidence indicating that the progenitor system of a Type 1a supernova contains a red giant star. The discovery provides an explanation for why these events vary slightly from galaxy to galaxy, refining the accuracy of cosmic measurements.
UCI astrophysicists analyze NASA data suggesting gamma rays could be evidence of dark matter particles annihilating each other. The observation is consistent with leading theories for dark matter and its presumed presence at galactic centers.
NASA scientist Maxim Markevitch is investigating a novel technique to build low-cost X-ray mirrors using plastic tape rolled like Scotch tape. The goal is to capture high-energy photons and study cosmic rays, which could reveal more about the birth and evolution of the cosmos.
A new ACS video series provides an overview of the chemistry behind sunscreens, explaining how they protect against UV rays. The video also offers pointers on shopping for effective sunscreen products, highlighting the importance of SPF numbers in choosing the right product.
Researchers searched for 'knots' in space using WMAP data, finding no signs of cosmic textures. The study places limits on theories producing textures, ruling out most models at 95% confidence.
Fermi detects the highest-energy gamma rays ever associated with a solar flare, surpassing visible light by two billion times. The discovery showcases Fermi's capabilities as a solar observatory, providing insights into solar outbursts and charged particles acceleration.
Scientists have developed a method to analyze noisy X-ray data, revealing details of molecular structure previously discarded due to low signal quality. This breakthrough could lead to more accurate models and improved understanding in biology, medical diagnostics, nanotechnology and other fields.
Avi Loeb's new calculations suggest the ideal time to observe cosmic perturbations was 500 million years after the Big Bang, when the first stars and galaxies began to form. This era offers a window into the early universe before information is lost to the formation of gravitationally bound objects.
Researchers aim to understand how much space dust reaches the Earth's surface, estimating it could be as high as 300 tonnes per day. The project will also explore cosmic dust's interaction with clouds causing ozone depletion and its potential impact on climate models.
A groundbreaking study on manta ray migration patterns reveals feeding habitats and threats to the world's largest ray. The research found that manta rays spend most of their time in coastal areas with abundant zooplankton and fish eggs, but only 11.5% of locations occurred within marine protected areas.
Researchers have employed powerful X-rays to determine molecular arrangements in organic materials used in printed electronics, leading to the discovery of molecular alignment as a key factor in material performance. The technique could lead to cheaper and more efficient electronic devices.
The IceCube Neutrino Observatory has provided significant new insights into the production of cosmic rays, contradicting 15 years of predictions. The study found no neutrinos from gamma-ray bursts, forcing a re-evaluation of theories on high-energy cosmic ray production.
The IceCube Neutrino Observatory has found no neutrinos emitted from gamma ray bursts, contradicting 15 years of predictions and challenging one of the two leading theories for high-energy cosmic rays. The result opens a new window on cosmic ray production and the interior processes of GRBs.
The IceCube Collaboration found no evidence of ultra-high-energy cosmic rays originating from gamma-ray bursts, challenging the long-held theory. Instead, the team suggests that active galactic nuclei may be responsible for accelerating these particles.
A study published in Cancer found that frequent dental x-rays are linked to an increased risk of developing meningioma, the most commonly diagnosed primary brain tumor in the US. Patients who received bitewing exams or panorex exams on a yearly or more frequent basis were at higher risk of developing meningioma.
Research finds frequent dental X-rays in childhood and young adulthood may increase risk of developing meningioma. Patients who had yearly or more frequent bitewing exams were 1.4-1.9 times more likely to develop meningioma compared to controls.
Astronomers have detected a cosmic effect that could provide insight into the forces behind the universe's formation, including dark energy and dark matter. The kSZ effect was seen in the movement of distant galaxy clusters, with velocities measured up to 600 kilometers per second.
Space scientists have quantified galactic cosmic ray bombardment on the moon's surface, causing chemical changes in water ice and regolith. This radiation process creates complex organic molecules and darkens lunar soil, providing insight into the geologic history of the moon.
Researchers used X-rays to decipher how certain natural antibiotics defy chemical rules, unlocking a mechanism that could enable scientists to synthesize many important chemicals currently found only in nature. The discovery has broad implications, as the six-membered ring is a common structural feature found in hundreds of drug molecu...
Researchers found ultrasound images to have 100% diagnostic correlation with X-rays for detecting developmental dislocation of the hip. The study showed ultrasound to be a reliable alternative imaging method for DDH screening in young children.
Researchers have developed a way to create stronger and more efficient continuous wave T-rays, which can detect biological phenomena such as increased blood flow around tumorous growths. The new technology could lead to innovations similar to the 'tricorder' scanner used in Star Trek, enabling faster and more convenient medical scanning.
The Fermi team has discovered hundreds of new energy sources in the high-energy sky, including active galaxies and pulsars. These discoveries will allow astronomers to compare the behavior of different sources across a wider span of gamma-ray energies for the first time.
Astronomers will use a new telescope called X-Calibur to study the polarization of X-rays, providing information about cosmic sources that is not available elsewhere. The instrument will be sensitive to hard X-rays and will be flown at an altitude of 40 kilometers, allowing it to focus on celestial objects with high accuracy.
Scientists use NASA's Fermi Gamma-Ray Space Telescope to detect high-energy gamma rays from the remnant of Tycho's supernova. This detection supports the notion that supernova remnants can accelerate cosmic rays, providing clues to their origins.
A new study from the University of Gothenburg found that dental X-rays can predict who is at risk of fractures. The research used data from a long-running Prospective Population Study of Women in Gothenburg and showed that people with sparse bone structure in their jaw are more likely to experience fractures, particularly as they age.
The study reveals that Cygnus X has formed a 'cocoon' of trapped cosmic rays, which were accelerated by the intense stellar winds and shockwaves. This finding provides a unique glimpse into the early life of cosmic rays, long before they diffuse into the galaxy.
RUB researchers have solved the puzzle of the solar wind's temperature and energy equipartition by incorporating particle collisions into their model. This new approach explains experimental data significantly better than previous calculations, with implications for other dilute cosmic plasmas.
Astrophysicists with VERITAS detect pulsed gamma rays above one hundred thousand million electron volts, defying current pulsar models. The finding is causing researchers to consider new theories about gamma-ray production.
Researchers have discovered gamma rays with unprecedented energies from the Crab Pulsar in the Crab Nebula, contradicting existing theories. The findings suggest a different mechanism for producing these high-energy particles, which could be detected by the VERITAS observatory.
A new study suggests that short-hard interstellar radiation events could have a significant impact on life on Earth, depleting the ozone layer and allowing deadly ultraviolet radiation to penetrate. The rate of these events is estimated to be about once per 100 million years, with potential effects on extinctions in the fossil record.
Researchers detected high-energy gamma rays from the Crab Pulsar system, which cannot be explained by current models. The observations exceed 100 billion electron volts, shedding new light on pulsars and their behavior.
Researchers used the $20 million VERITAS telescope to discover pulsed gamma rays exceeding energies of 100 billion electron volts, a surprise given previous detection limits were at 25 billion eV. The findings indicate a need for new ideas about pulsars and their gamma-ray production.
Researchers at the University of Strathclyde have created the brightest gamma ray beam ever made, more than a thousand billion times brighter than the sun. This breakthrough could lead to new medical imaging and radiotherapy techniques, as well as improved monitoring of nuclear waste.
A NASA team will attempt to send a balloon with an instrument payload to measure gamma rays from the Crab Pulsar, 6,500 light years away. The mission aims to study the polarization of gamma rays, which can provide clues about the source's mechanism.
Researchers developed semiconductor materials that detect gamma rays, identifying plutonium and uranium. The method uses dimensional reduction to create heavy elements with immobilized electrons, making them suitable for detection.
Two studies reveal that the star was torn apart by intense tides as it approached the black hole, creating an unprecedented outburst of energy. The outburst produced X-rays and radio emissions that pointed straight at Earth, offering insights into relativistic beaming.
Astronomers detect cosmic dust from a supernovae using Herschel Space Observatory, confirming the theory that these explosions create dust. The study reveals a large amount of cold dust formed during the explosion, which could explain the origin of dust in galaxies.
Integral's observations show that quantum 'graininess' must be at much smaller scales than previously predicted, contradicting Einstein's General Theory of Relativity. The results limit the size of these grains to 10^-48 m or smaller, ruling out some string theories and quantum loop gravity theories.
Researchers at Ohio State University have discovered a potential new radiation treatment that uses heavy metals and low-energy electrons to target cancer tumors. The method, called Resonant Nano-Plasma Theranostics (RNPT), has the potential to reduce radiation exposure to healthy tissue.
Scientists find that honeysuckle extract improves UV-blocking ability of wool fabrics, providing significant potential as a natural UV-blocking agent for clothing. The extract remains effective after exposure to sunlight and laundering, offering an eco-friendly alternative to traditional sunblocks.
A gamma-ray burst, GRB 090429B, has been identified as a potential candidate for the most distant object in the universe at an estimated distance of 13.14 billion light years. The burst was detected by NASA's Swift satellite and is believed to be extremely likely, with a 99.3% chance, to be the most distant cosmic explosion.
A study found that cosmic radiation accelerates atherosclerosis development in mice, worsening existing lesions. This discovery could inform treatment and prevention strategies for long-duration space missions.
A pattern of X-ray 'stripes' in the Tycho supernova remnant supports a theory on how magnetic fields amplify near expanding shock waves, accelerating particles to extreme energies. The discovery may provide direct evidence for the production of cosmic rays.
A new study from the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery found that depression can exacerbate knee arthritis symptoms beyond what is evident on X-rays. Patients with mild to moderate knee arthritis are especially affected by depression.
Astronomers using data from NASA's Swift satellite have found a largely unseen population of black-hole-powered galaxies, accounting for at least one-fifth of all active galaxies. The discoveries were made by analyzing X-ray emissions and finding that these heavily shrouded black holes are extremely faint and difficult to detect.
Researchers at Eindhoven University of Technology have developed an affordable alternative to the expensive X-FEL, which can perform similar molecular process research on a tabletop. The 'poor man's X-FEL' uses electrons instead of X-rays and requires less energy, making it a more feasible option for researchers.
The NSF/NASA scientific balloon campaign launched a Cosmic Ray Energetics And Mass (CREAM VI) experiment to investigate high-energy cosmic-ray particles reaching Earth. The experiment will provide insights into the interaction of Earth's Van Allen radiation belts with its upper atmosphere.
University of Washington engineering students have developed a device that uses the sun's rays to detect bacterial and viral contaminants in drinking water. The device, called Solar Disinfection of Water (SODIS), was designed to monitor water disinfection using the sun's rays and has won $40,000 prize from Rockefeller Foundation.
Researchers from 38 institutions collaborate to study neutrinos in the Daya Bay project. The team aims to understand how neutrinos transition between types and shed light on the universe's matter-antimatter imbalance.