Researchers propose that cosmic rays influenced the evolution of DNA-based life on Earth, promoting one form of molecular handedness over its mirror image. This idea suggests a connection between fundamental physics and the origin of life, with potential experiments to test their hypothesis.
SourceStanford University·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateMay 20, 2020
A new ground-based GCR Simulator developed by NASA enables the simultaneous study of mixed-field ions and their effects on human tissues. This breakthrough reduces animal testing costs and accelerates understanding of health risks faced by astronauts.
Researchers used chest X-rays to identify patients at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19. A unique scoring system evaluated lung patterns, predicting outcomes and guiding treatment for high-risk patients.
SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalRadiology·DateMay 14, 2020
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.
Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory have developed a new class of X-ray detectors based on layered perovskites, which are 100 times more sensitive than conventional detectors. The detector can detect X-rays over a broad energy range, making it suitable for various applications such as medical imaging and airport security.
SourceDOE/Argonne National Laboratory·JournalScience Advances·DateApr 23, 2020
Researchers at Tohoku University have developed a technique to visualize stiffness in soft tissues using x-rays, offering greater resolution than current methods like ultrasound and MRI. This allows for the identification of smaller and deeper tissue problems, such as lesions, which can be indicative of early-stage diseases.
SourceTohoku University·JournalApplied Physics Express·DateMar 31, 2020
Researchers confirm Lorentz Invariance holds true at record-breaking high-energy gamma rays, extending the range where relativity's constant speed of light is valid. The High Altitude Water Cherenkov Observatory detected gamma rays from distant galactic sources, providing powerful proof of Einstein's theory.
SourceDOE/Los Alamos National Laboratory·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMar 30, 2020
A new study refines radiocarbon dating to better understand Mediterranean history, including the tomb of Tutankhamen and a volcanic eruption on Santorini. Regional variations in cosmic radiation lead to small but critical periods of variation in radiocarbon levels.
SourceCornell University·JournalScience Advances·DateMar 18, 2020
A study found that reef manta rays in New Caledonia are diving much deeper than previously recorded, with maximum depths exceeding 672 meters, and most dives occurring at night.
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.
Researchers use a Physarum-based algorithm to visualize the cosmic web's filaments, connecting galaxies and diffuse hydrogen gas. The model replicates the distribution of dark matter on large scales, providing a new tool for understanding the universe's structure.
SourceUniversity of California - Santa Cruz·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateMar 10, 2020
Researchers have found the first direct correlation between dark matter and gamma rays in the universe. The study used gamma ray data from Fermi Large Area Telescope and mapped it with weak gravitational lensing, providing insights into the nature of dark matter and its potential connection to gamma ray emissions.
SourceAmerican Physical Society·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMar 10, 2020
Scientists using ALMA detected chemical signatures of acetonitrile and its rare isotopomer in Titan's stratosphere, indicating the presence of galactic cosmic rays. The findings suggest a universal process that could influence atmospheres on other solar system bodies.
SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·DateFeb 14, 2020
Researchers at Nara Institute of Science and Technology developed a new reaction system that detects X-rays at the highest sensitivity ever recorded using organic molecules. The system can detect even the faintest X-ray levels considered dangerous, making it safer for workers exposed to radiation.
SourceNara Institute of Science and Technology·JournalChemical Science·DateFeb 7, 2020
A new laser-based method combines X-rays and laser-induced fluorescence to observe and quantify atomizing spray phenomena, providing details on the sprayed liquid's form and distribution. The technique can detect smaller amounts of liquid than previously detected with x-rays and has the potential to study sprays in real-time.
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.
A new study reveals that recreational catches of sharks and rays have grown to account for 54,000 tonnes of the total 900,000 tonnes caught every year. Many species are already threatened due to commercial fishing and illegal activities.
SourceUniversity of British Columbia·JournalFrontiers in Marine Science·DateJan 27, 2020
A new study by Newcastle University scientists found that both UV and non-UV light from sunlight can damage the skin's cells, with visible and infrared rays causing greater harm at deeper levels. The research aims to improve sunscreen protection strategies against all three types of light.
SourceNewcastle University·JournalThe FASEB Journal·DateJan 23, 2020
An international team of scientists developed an optic system to visualize protein crystals in X-rays and determine their position. This improvement significantly reduces analysis time and preserves the integrity of biological molecules.
SourceImmanuel Kant Baltic Federal University·DateJan 20, 2020
Scientists have discovered evidence that the magnetic field forming around Earth was even stronger 4 billion years ago, generating a protective shield from harmful solar wind and cosmic rays. This finding has implications for understanding the future sustainability of Earth's magnetic shield and its potential for supporting life.
SourceUniversity of Rochester·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 20, 2020
Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)
Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.
Researchers have identified nine galactic sources of super-high-energy gamma rays with energies over 56 trillion electron volts, three of which emit gamma rays extending to 100 TeV and beyond. These discoveries help explain where high-energy particles originate and how they are accelerated.
SourceDOE/Los Alamos National Laboratory·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJan 14, 2020
New study reveals that simultaneous X-ray and gravitational wave observations of supermassive black hole collisions will provide unprecedented insights into cosmic events. The European Space Agency's Athena and LISA missions, set to launch in the 2030s, will enable astronomers to study these phenomena in detail.
SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalNature Astronomy·DateJan 14, 2020
Researchers discovered a correlation between the unresolved gamma-ray background and matter distribution in the distant universe, suggesting that dark matter could be a source of the faint cosmic glow. The study used data from the Dark Energy Survey and Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope to analyze the correlation.
SourceDOE/SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJan 13, 2020
Astronomers have identified overlapping bubbles of hydrogen gas ionized by the stars in early galaxies, providing direct evidence for the reionization of the universe. The earliest detected stars formed around 680 million years after the Big Bang and began to light up the cosmic dark ages.
SourceAssociation of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA)·DateJan 7, 2020
Astronomers have spotted a distant galaxy group, EGS77, driving the cosmic makeover of reionization. The trio of galaxies is seen in near-infrared light due to its distance and age, which dates back to 680 million years old.
Creality K1 Max 3D Printer
Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.
A study on pectoral fin rays of ancient fish species uncovers key structural changes enabling fins to give rise to limbs. The transformation is marked by the appearance of digits, reducing dermal fin rays and fin webs.
SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 30, 2019
Astronomers used ESO's VLT to observe gas halos around early galaxies, providing fuel for supermassive black holes. The study found 12 quasars surrounded by enormous gas reservoirs, sustaining both black hole growth and star formation.
Researchers studied manta ray 'Whoopi' who suffered significant propeller cuts in 2015 and found she healed by 50% in just 46 days. The study reveals a unique adaptive immune system likely behind the high healing capacity of sharks and rays.
SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalPLOS ONE·DateDec 19, 2019
The Goddard-IRAM Superconducting 2-Millimeter Observer (GISMO) instrument has mapped the inner Milky Way, revealing a feature resembling a cosmic 'candy cane' with two prominent radio filaments. The image showcases the galaxy's central zone, highlighting areas of star formation and high-speed electron spirals.
Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor
Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.
Researchers analyzed data from the Murchison Widefield Array radio telescope to set a new limit for the strength of neutral hydrogen's ultra-faint signature. The analysis may reveal critical information about the first stars and galaxies in the universe.
The detection of record-setting gamma-ray bursts by NASA's Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope and Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory has provided new insights into the mechanisms driving these events. The blasts produce an initial pulse of gamma rays, followed by afterglows that can be detected at longer wavelengths.
SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·JournalNature·DateNov 20, 2019
Scientists have detected gamma-rays from two gamma-ray bursts with ground-based telescopes, producing energies up to 100 billion times that of visible light. The observations provide insights into the gigantic explosions and their physical mechanisms.
SourceDeutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY·JournalNature·DateNov 20, 2019
A deep convolutional neural network-based software improved radiologist detection of malignant lung nodules by 70.3%, reducing false positives to 0.18 per X-ray. The study suggests machine learning methods can help overcome challenges in detecting lung lesions on chest X-rays.
SourceRadiological Society of North America·JournalRadiology·DateNov 12, 2019
Apple iPhone 17 Pro
Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.
A new cosmological simulation, TNG50, has revealed that the geometry of cosmic gas flows determines galaxies' structures. The study finds that galaxies form into disc-like shapes with rapid rotation, eventually becoming spiral galaxies through a process known as galactic fountains.
SourceRoyal Astronomical Society·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateNov 7, 2019
Researchers simulated the critical reheating period at the end of cosmic inflation, which may have bridged the gap between inflation and the Big Bang. The simulations suggest that quantum effects could have redistributed energy quickly, producing conditions necessary for the start of the Big Bang.
SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·DateOct 25, 2019
The AI system uses a huge database of x-ray images to identify collapsed lungs with 75% accuracy, outperforming medical specialists who diagnose fewer than 50%. Researchers plan to integrate the technology into a software system and apply it to other conditions, reducing treatment delays and improving patient outcomes.
Researchers have measured pressure at the edge of the solar system for the first time, finding it to be greater than expected. The pressure, caused by plasma, magnetic fields and particles like ions and cosmic rays, was calculated using observations of galactic cosmic rays from NASA's Voyager spacecraft.
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.
Researchers detected individual filaments of intergalactic gas in a newly forming cluster, providing insight into the Universe's evolution and galaxy formation. The analysis found that these filaments are arranged like long threads, extending over one million parsecs, and fueling star formation and super massive black hole growth.
SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateOct 3, 2019
Researchers at Kyoto University have developed a method to selectively amplify the effect of X-ray radiation on cancer cells. The technique uses specially designed silica nanoparticles loaded with gadolinium, which releases low-energy electrons when hit by precisely tuned X-rays, damaging cancer cell vital components and killing them.
SourceKyoto University·JournalScientific Reports·DateSep 30, 2019
A new AI system can accurately identify key findings in chest X-rays of pneumonia patients in just 10 seconds, significantly outperforming current clinical practice. This ultra-quick detection enables physicians to confirm a pneumonia diagnosis faster, allowing for timely treatment and reducing delays for severely ill patients.
The CREDO project combines data from various detectors, including smartphone cameras, to study the impact of cosmic radiation on health and potential relationships between earthquakes and cosmic ray flux. Researchers aim to verify hypotheses about these phenomena.
SourceThe Henryk Niewodniczanski Institute of Nuclear Physics Polish Academy of Sciences·DateSep 11, 2019
A TUM research team discovered iron-60 in Antarctic snow, ruling out cosmic radiation and nuclear sources. The isotope's presence suggests the solar system recently passed through an interstellar gas cloud.
SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateAug 20, 2019
Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach
Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.
A team of green chemists from the University of the Witwatersrand has developed a sustainable method to produce potential sunscreens using cashew nut shells. The new aromatic compounds show good UVA and UVB absorbance, protecting humans, livestock, and polymers from harmful sun rays.
SourceUniversity of the Witwatersrand·JournalEuropean Journal of Organic Chemistry·DateAug 15, 2019
Scientists analyze NASA's Fermi data to understand cosmic rays and the lunar environment. The research shows the Moon's gamma-ray glow varies by 20% over the Sun's 11-year activity cycle, with implications for future human missions.
Deshima, a Japanese-Dutch joint development, successfully obtained the first spectra and images of cosmic radio waves. The instrument achieves an ideal balance between frequency range and spectroscopic performance using innovative nanotechnology.
SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·JournalNature Astronomy·DateAug 5, 2019
A new study investigates the bioenergetics of sharks and rays, revealing how climate change affects their populations. The research suggests that these ocean giants will face compounding climate pressures, including warmer oceans and reduced prey availability.
SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalTrends in Ecology & Evolution·DateJul 31, 2019
The U.S. Department of Energy has approved the next phase of the $815M upgrade of the Advanced Photon Source, a premier national research facility that will enable scientists to see things at a scale they have never seen before with storage-ring X-rays. The upgrade positions the APS to be a global leader among the new generation of sto...
Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition
Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.
Researchers examine SKA-MPG telescope prototype for its ability to investigate cosmic background radiation with ultra precision. The study provides new insights into the origin of the Universe and explores potential applications in gravitational wave detection and dark energy research.
SourceBielefeld University·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateJul 24, 2019
A new AI tool, CXR-risk, analyzes chest X-ray images to predict health and mortality, providing independent information that surpasses radiologists' readings. The study found that CXR-risk identified people at high risk for future heart attack, lung cancer, or death with accuracy.
SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateJul 19, 2019
Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory have developed a novel method to overcome limitations of high-energy X-rays, enabling sharper imaging of complex materials. This breakthrough allows scientists to gain better information about material interfaces and control the behavior of new materials.
SourceDOE/Argonne National Laboratory·JournalPhysical Review A·DateJul 18, 2019
A tabletop sensor will detect cosmic events producing waves above 10 kHz, possibly related to dark matter. The Levitated Sensor Detector complements LIGO and Virgo observatories, observing smaller cosmic events that produce gravitational waves at higher frequencies.
A new study has developed a method to measure the cosmic expansion with greater precision, utilizing galaxy voids and accounting for distortions caused by dark energy and curvature. The results agree with the simplest model of a flat universe and tighten constraints on alternative theories.
SourceUniversity of Portsmouth·JournalPhysical Review D·DateJul 10, 2019
GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter
GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.
Researchers found over 1,000 entangled shark and ray individuals, with true numbers likely higher due to under-studied cases. Entanglement causes significant animal welfare concerns, despite being considered a lesser threat than commercial fishing.
SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalEndangered Species Research·DateJul 4, 2019
During the Earth's last geomagnetic reversal, high-energy particles from space increased cloud cover, leading to stronger winter monsoons in Siberia. This suggests that galactic cosmic rays can influence climate changes.
SourceKobe University·JournalScientific Reports·DateJul 3, 2019
The Tibet ASgamma experiment has discovered the highest energy gamma rays ever observed from an astrophysical source, exceeding 450 TeV. The most energetic gamma rays were produced by interaction between high-energy electrons and cosmic microwave background radiation.
SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJul 3, 2019
A new study using the Keck Cosmic Web Imager has provided the clearest evidence yet that filaments of cool gas spiral into young galaxies, explaining how they can make stars on fast timescales. The observations suggest a cold-flow model of galaxy formation, where cool gas flows directly into forming galaxies and is converted into stars.
SourceCalifornia Institute of Technology·JournalNature Astronomy·DateJul 1, 2019
The catalog includes 17 short and 169 long bursts, providing fresh insights into how gamma-ray bursts work. Astronomers can distinguish the two GRB classes by the duration of their lower-energy gamma rays, revealing clues to the physical mechanisms at play.
Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)
Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.
A new method allows researchers to map magnetic field orientations in space using ground-based telescopes, revolutionizing studies of star formation and cosmic rays. The 'Wisconsin technique' generates high-resolution maps comparable to those obtained with the Planck mission.
SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalNature Astronomy·DateJun 10, 2019
A team of researchers has discovered a massive radio-emitting plasma ridge in the gap between two merging galaxy clusters. This finding challenges existing theories on particle acceleration in intergalactic space and suggests an unknown mechanism at play.
SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateJun 6, 2019
Researchers suggest ancient supernovae induced proto-humans to walk on two legs, resulting in bipedalism and eventual human evolution. The study proposes that atmospheric ionization triggered an upsurge in cloud-to-ground lightning strikes, igniting forest fires and stimulating the transition from woodland to savanna.
SourceUniversity of Kansas·JournalThe Journal of Geology·DateMay 28, 2019
Astronomers discover that a violent neutron star collision near the solar system created 0.3% of Earth's heaviest elements, such as gold and platinum, 4.6 billion years ago. This cosmic event is believed to have occurred in our neighborhood, about 1000 light years from the cradle of Earth.
SourceColumbia University·JournalNature·DateMay 2, 2019
A new study reveals that charged particles can emit bright flashes of gamma rays by interacting with the quantum vacuum, challenging a long-held assumption about the nature of empty space. The researchers used high-powered lasers and strong magnetic fields to create conditions where Cherenkov emission could occur in vacuum.
SourceUniversity of Strathclyde·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateApr 25, 2019
Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars
Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.
A Duke University study suggests that giant devil rays may have an unknown birthing zone in nearby waters, which could be a good news for conservation efforts but requires action to limit fishing during birthing months.