Astronomers have discovered a massive transiting planet, TrES-3, with a 31-hour year, orbiting its parent star about 1,500 light-years away. The planet is twice the mass of Jupiter and one of the planets with the shortest known periods.
Researchers have found that the novel targeted therapy NPI-0052 effectively treats acute leukemia in animal models by preventing cancer cells from being purged of damaged proteins. This approach has shown greater efficacy than its predecessor bortezomib when combined with other agents.
Researchers completed laying a 52 km cable for the Monterey Accelerated Research System (MARS) observatory, providing power and data connectivity to deep-sea instruments. The MARS system will enable continuous monitoring of ocean conditions, allowing scientists to track changes over time.
A team of researchers led by Jennifer Hutchings will spend two weeks studying the relationship between ice movement, stress, and sea ice mass in the Beaufort Sea. The goal is to validate current sea ice models and reduce uncertainty in predicting arctic climate change.
A team of astronomers has assembled the most complete picture yet of a pair of asteroids orbiting each other, thanks to combined observations from professionals and amateurs. The asteroid 90 Antiope is depicted as two slightly egg-shaped rubble piles locked in orbit, with uncertainties remaining from previous studies.
Researchers from the University of Alaska Fairbanks have discovered a correlation between lightning and volcanic eruptions. The study, published in Science journal, used electromagnetic lightning detectors to capture electrical activity during Mount Augustine's 2006 eruption, providing new insights into volcanic behavior.
Cornell astronomers have confirmed that solar radiation and an asteroid's shape determine its rotation rate, a phenomenon known as the Yarkovsky-O'Keefe-Radzievskii-Paddack Effect. This effect can help explain the formation of binary asteroids by creating strong centrifugal forces.
Researchers at Yale University and the University of Leicester have discovered an ancient solar observatory at Chankillo, Peru, dating back to the 4th century B.C. The site features a line of 13 towers aligned with the sun's position throughout the year, making it the oldest complete solar observatory in the Americas.
The Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute will expand its research capability with a new Global Earth Observatory system, increasing the quality of scientific data across 20 large-scale research plots in 17 countries. The grant will enable the Center for Tropical Forest Science to compare climate change and forest carbon data.
The NARVAL observatory, installed at the Bernard Lyot Telescope, allows scientists to study magnetic fields of stars and their impact on planetary formation. SU Aurigae's complex magnetic 'web' was observed using NARVAL and ESPaDOnS, revealing new insights into stellar evolution.
A new study conducted by the University of Texas at Austin found that children's age and family dynamics play a significant role in shaping weekend leisure activity choices. The study reveals that children whose fathers have a higher education level are more likely to engage in active recreation, while those from single-parent househol...
The James Webb Space Telescope will enable fundamental breakthroughs in our understanding of the formation and evolution of galaxies, stars, and planetary systems. The telescope will complement and extend the discoveries of the Hubble Space Telescope with longer wavelength coverage and greatly improved sensitivity.
Astronomers found a trio of supermassive black holes in the Virgo constellation, 10.5 billion light-years away, with same redshift and distinct properties, raising questions about galaxy interactions and fundamental relationships between galaxies and black holes.
Researchers found that gas giants either form within the first 10 million years of a sun-like star's life or not at all. The study suggests that gas giant planets must form early in a star's history, offering insights into planet formation.
Astronomers have discovered an enormous halo of red giant stars surrounding the Andromeda galaxy, extending beyond its visible disk and indicating that it may be five times larger than previously believed. The discovery is based on observations of over 500,000 light-years of starry space using advanced telescopes.
George Smoot has been awarded the Daniel Chalonge Medal for his 15-year contribution to the International School of Astrophysics. The award recognizes his outstanding contributions to cosmology and astrophysics, as well as his support for the school's summer and fall programs.
The project, led by the University of Kentucky and the Kentucky Geological Survey, allows instruments to gather data on earthquakes' effects on bedrock and soil. The observatory will add new data to the existing network, helping geologists better define the earthquake hazard in the region.
Researchers will investigate how teacher understanding of professional development affects their teaching practices and student learning outcomes. The three-year project aims to understand the impact of professional development on student achievement, using data from 90 mathematics teachers.
A space sunshade, proposed by University of Arizona astronomer Roger Angel, could balance the heating effect of a doubling of atmospheric carbon dioxide. The constellation of small spacecraft would form a long, cylindrical cloud with about 10 percent of sunlight diverted away from Earth.
Researchers have taken deep pictures of two ancient galaxies, weighing them for the first time. The galaxies are estimated to be around 50-300 million years old, with masses similar to our Milky Way's, but were much lighter when they formed.
The University of Victoria-led NEPTUNE Canada observatory will receive a significant boost in funding, allowing for expansion of its scope and scientific impact. The additional $20 million will enable more comprehensive studies on ocean-climate interactions, fisheries, gas hydrate deposits, and seafloor ecology.
A solar flare can cause GPS signal degradation, affecting navigation systems like those used in planes and cars. Researchers discovered this effect when a graduate student accidentally detected the impact on a receiver at Arecibo Observatory.
A US-Australian research team has detected radio pulses from a magnetar star, XTE J1810-197, which is giving off extraordinary radio pulses. The finding links this rare type of star with the much more common 'radio pulsars', reordering our understanding of these neutron stars.
Research suggests that seismic shaking can temporarily increase groundwater permeability, which could be exploited to enhance oil extraction. This phenomenon is caused by the gravitational effects of the moon on the solid Earth, forcing water in and out of wells.
Researchers studied polar motion over three and a half months, finding small loops up to a cell phone size due to weather patterns and oceanic influences. The study demonstrates day-to-day changes in atmospheric pressure affect Earth's rotation for the first time.
The VENUS facility offers a unique window into the world under the sea, with a centralized data management system providing unrestricted access to long-term ocean observations. The observatory has already archived over 35 million measurements and dozens of gigabytes of acoustic and visual data.
Researchers at UT Southwestern identified a defect in the Ly108 gene as a cause of immune cells attacking healthy tissues, leading to systemic lupus erythematosus. The study's findings could lead to better diagnostic tests and therapies for human lupus.
A recent study by Baicker and Chandra found that a 20% increase in health insurance premiums would reduce the probability of employment by 2.4 percentage points, equivalent to approximately 3.5 million workers. As healthcare costs rise, workers may accept lower wages for costlier health insurance.
A study found that patients with advanced liver, gallbladder, and bile duct cancers who developed a skin rash while treated with lapatinib lived for an average of 10 months, compared to five months for those without the rash. The treatment was well-tolerated, with two patients experiencing partial responses to treatment.
Experts estimate that cost-effective retrofits could reduce energy use in China, India, and Brazil by at least 25%, while advanced technologies could reduce projected CO2 emission growth by 16%. Unlocking today's potential savings requires simple, highly cost-effective renovation projects to identify and eliminate energy waste.
Three tiny companions orbiting HD 69830 have been discovered by astronomers using the ESO's HARPS instrument. The newly found planets have minimum masses between 10 and 18 times the mass of Earth, with one located in the habitable zone.
Physicists verify Chandra Varma's microscopic theory of high-temperature superconductivity using neutron scattering experiments. The results suggest ways to fabricate room temperature superconductors and shed light on a major mystery in physics.
A team of researchers from Williams College will travel to Greece to study the solar eclipse, capturing observations of the Sun's corona and testing new electronic cameras. The expedition aims to provide valuable insights into the mechanism that heats the solar corona to millions of degrees.
A team of astronomers reports the discovery of two young brown dwarfs in mutual orbit, allowing for the direct measurement of their radii and masses. The findings provide valuable insights into the physical properties of brown dwarfs, shedding light on their size, mass, and evolutionary pathways.
Researchers studied the retreat of a massive Scandinavian Ice Sheet to gain insights into its dynamics and potential implications for Greenland and Antarctica. The study found that ice sheets in different parts of the world can react differently to global warming, with some growing larger while others rapidly disappear.
The RAVE survey has released its first dataset, containing information from 25,000 stars born when the Milky Way was in its infancy. The data will allow astronomers to test ideas of the galaxy's origins laid out by various cosmological theories.
Berkeley researchers have created a highly selective cell adhesion system using single-stranded synthetic DNA, enabling precise patterns of multiple cell types. The technique enables the attachment of different cell types to specific locations on a surface based on nucleotide sequences.
A team of NJIT solar physicists observed that the amount of light reflected by Earth has increased since 2000, despite less sunlight reaching the surface. The result is a paradoxical increase in global temperatures, which could be due to changes in cloud cover and altitude.
A comprehensive survey of physical activity in children reveals that about half of active kids participate in non-organized sports, such as biking or walking to a friend's house. The study also highlights demographic and social factors that influence physical activity levels in children.
Scientists confirm that dark matter dominates the total mass of our home galaxy, the Milky Way, through the Radial Velocity Experiment (RAVE) survey. The team aims to measure the speed, temperature, surface gravity and composition of up to a million stars passing near the sun.
Researchers discovered young super nebulae around giant star clusters, containing up to a million young stars, and emitting radiant power billions of times that of the sun. The discovery raises questions about why Milky Way no longer forms similar clusters after 10 billion years.
Researchers at Ohio State University have calculated the structure of CH5+, a molecule known as 'the scrambler,' which has hyperactive atoms and a unique spectrum. The team's work provides new insights into the molecule's properties and may help astronomers identify its presence in interstellar clouds.
A laboratory method has revealed new data on a mysterious 'floppy' molecule, helping explain its properties and overcoming a decades-old challenge in chemistry. The study combined experiments with theoretical predictions and enabled the analysis of cold, concentrated samples of the molecule.
The SAFOD project reveals a correlation between nonvolcanic tremors and microearthquakes, suggesting a possible causal relationship. The researchers also obtained seismic data during a magnitude 6.0 earthquake in 2004, indicating that damaged rock began forming mineral seals soon after the event.
Researchers discovered a link between GPS data and satellite images of the plasmasphere, allowing them to understand the ionosphere-thermosphere-magnetosphere as a coupled system. The study provides a new understanding of space storms and their impact on Earth's upper atmosphere.
The PULSE collaboration has achieved outstanding scientific results by studying pulsars to test fundamental laws and understand extreme conditions. They discovered the first known double pulsar, confirming Einstein's general theory of relativity.
The VENUS observatory will support two cable arrays in British Columbia waters, enabling scientists to study the oceans continuously and access data online. The project marks a new era of ocean exploration, driven by cutting-edge technology developed in BC.
The two Solar TErrestrial RElations Observatory (STEREO) spacecraft will explore coronal mass ejections' origin, evolution, and interplanetary consequences during their two-year mission. The STEREO mission aims to improve our understanding of space weather and its impact on Earth systems.
Two nearly identical spacecraft, STEREO (Solar TErrestrial RElations Observatory), were shipped to NASA Goddard Space Flight Center for pre-launch tests. The twin observatories will explore coronal mass ejections and their impact on space weather, obtaining unique 3-D images of the sun.
Researchers at Penn University School of Medicine have developed an ultrasound-based treatment that can disrupt the blood flow to tumors, reducing growth. This innovative approach targets newly formed vessels created by tumors and may lead to new cancer therapies.
Researchers discovered that alpha-synuclein, a disease-causing protein, has a protective effect against nerve damage in Parkinson's disease. This finding was made by studying mutant mice that were bred to have different levels of alpha-synuclein and cysteine-string-protein-alpha, a co-chaperone.
A geologist is proposing a new approach, called GeoTraverse, to select study sites for the NSF-funded EarthScope project. This approach aims to facilitate greater scientific collaboration and public engagement by selecting areas that can be connected into one or a few east-west transects.
The $400,000 award will fund a starshade-shaped 'New Worlds Observer' that blocks parent star light and captures planet images. Scientists can map planetary systems, detect biomarkers and study features like oceans and continents.
Case Western Reserve University astronomers have captured a deep, wide-field image of the Virgo Cluster, revealing a complex web of intracluster starlight. The faint starlight is made up of stars ripped out of galaxies as they collide, providing an 'archaeological record' of violent cluster galaxy lives.
A team of scientists led by Alan E.E. Rogers successfully detected deuterium using a radio telescope array, a significant breakthrough in understanding the universe's origins. The detection has implications for understanding dark matter and cosmic baryon density.
Drillers penetrate active fault zone to observe earthquakes up close, allowing scientists to study conditions under which earthquakes initiate and grow. The SAFOD project combines data from the borehole with thousands of seismic measurements to investigate plate tectonics and fundamental scientific questions.
Astronomers discover a young star with unprecedented amounts of warm dust near its orbit, where Earth-like planets are most likely to exist. The team believes this could be the result of a massive collision between planet-size objects, potentially forming conditions similar to our own solar system.
Researchers have developed a new model to predict the physics of stellar burning, particularly in stars like V4334 Sgr that undergo brief rebirths. The model predicts that V4334 Sgr will become much hotter and then slowly repeat the stellar rebirth cycle, returning to its current temperature in roughly two hundred years.
Scientists have found nanobacteria in terrestrial environments and four continents, suggesting they may play a role in global disease dispersal. The microbes are also thought to contribute to cloud formation and nucleation.
The National Science Board has awarded Cornell University a $70 million contract to manage the Arecibo Observatory until March 31, 2010. This renewal will enable further scientific research capabilities at the observatory, with plans to develop new instruments and expand user access.