Astronomers used Hubble Space Telescope to repeat a century-old test of general relativity by measuring the deflection of light from a background star. The result provides a solid estimate of the white dwarf's mass and yields insights into theories of its structure and composition.
Scientists have successfully observed a white dwarf star using the bending of distant starlight by gravity, allowing them to determine its mass for the first time. This observation demonstrates a way to measure the masses of objects that cannot be easily measured by other means.
Researchers have found that red light has no significant effect on the activity of slow-flying, light-shy bats. In contrast, white and green light substantially reduce their activity levels, making red light a potential solution to mitigate habitat loss.
A team of citizen scientists using a new tool discovered a previously unknown brown dwarf, about 100 light years away from the Sun. The object was confirmed via an infrared telescope and published in the Astrophysical Journal Letters.
Astronomers have discovered a moon orbiting the third largest dwarf planet in our solar system using NASA's Hubble Space Telescope. The discovery provides key insights into how moons formed in the young solar system.
A study identified a genetic rearrangement of red blood cell glycophorin receptors that confers a 40% reduced risk from severe malaria. The hybrid GYPB-A Dantu gene is found in some people from East Africa, but not in West African populations.
A mock randomized control trial across three countries found that eating red Smarties had no effect on participants' levels of happiness. This study debunks the common assumption that red is associated with feelings of happiness and demonstrates how complex scientific concepts can be made engaging through hands-on learning.
A team of researchers discovered that SIMP J013656.5+093347 is a planetary mass object, rather than a brown dwarf, due to its mass being at the boundary between brown dwarf-like and planet-like properties. This finding offers new insights into the atmospheres of gas giant exoplanets.
Astronomers have discovered a super-Earth orbiting a quiet red dwarf star, LHS 1140, in the habitable zone where liquid water can exist. The exoplanet's large size and dense iron core suggest it may have retained an atmosphere long after its star calmed down.
Astronomers have revealed extraordinary details about 2014 UZ224, also known as DeeDee, using ALMA. The icy body is roughly 635 kilometers across and has enough mass to be spherical, but lacks official dwarf planet status.
Researchers at Imperial College London found that malaria parasites change the properties of red blood cells to facilitate entry, making them more susceptible to infection. This discovery suggests that naturally flexible cells may be easier for parasites to invade, prompting further investigation into host-directed therapies.
A new RIT study confirms the coexistence of satellite galaxies and dark matter, shedding light on a long-standing debate. The research supports the current cosmological paradigm by showing that the vast polar structure of dwarf galaxies is an unstable feature that formed later in the galaxy's evolution.
Astronomers identify sun-like star associated with a Type Ia supernova, sparking investigation into its potential role in the white dwarf's demise. Further studies are needed to confirm if this star is indeed the culprit behind a white dwarf's fiery explosion.
Scientists have identified a brown dwarf with a composition of over 99.99% hydrogen and helium, making it the most massive known to date. The discovery sheds light on the possibility of an undiscovered population of extremely pure brown dwarfs in our galaxy's ancient past.
Researchers at the University of Bristol have developed a technique to manufacture immortalized red blood cells, which can be cultured indefinitely and differentiated into mature red blood cells. This breakthrough could potentially provide a safe source of transfusions for people with rare blood types and areas with inadequate blood su...
A Scripps-led study has identified patterns to predict red tides in coastal areas, offering opportunities for an early-warning system. The research used empirical dynamic modeling and a 30-year archive of field data to identify mechanisms causing red tides.
Astronomers have found evidence for a star orbiting a black hole at an unprecedented distance, about twice an hour. The close-in binary system, located 14,800 light years from Earth, provides valuable insights into the behavior of black holes and their companion stars.
A terahertz wave study in Beijing found that high PM2.5 concentrations were related to larger absorption at selected frequencies, and the information gained by EM was effective in relieving haze pollution. The study also identified differences in sulfate types during red alert periods compared to normal conditions.
Astronomers have confirmed the existence of seven small planets orbiting TRAPPIST-1, with sizes similar to Earth and temperatures comparable to those of Venus, Earth, and Mars. The inner six planets are likely rocky in composition and potentially harbor liquid water.
A UCLA-led team of scientists has discovered a white dwarf star with an atmosphere rich in carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, and hydrogen, the components of water. The study suggests that the planetary system associated with the white dwarf contains materials necessary for life.
New NASA research suggests that young red dwarf stars can make planets uninhabitable through frequent stellar eruptions, potentially erasing the water supply and preventing life from developing. This challenges traditional definitions of habitable zones.
Researchers have identified an exotic binary star system as the first white dwarf pulsar ever discovered in the universe. The star, AR Scorpii, is a rapidly spinning, burnt-out stellar remnant that emits powerful beams of radiation and particles.
Scientists propose that viscous relaxation on Ceres caused older cryovolcanoes to flatten over millions of years, making them indistinguishable from the planet's surface. This process may explain why Ahuna Mons stands alone as the only prominent ice volcano on the dwarf planet.
Research by University of Bristol scientists found that traffic noise hinders animals' response to warning signals, making them more vulnerable to predators. The study suggests that man-made noise can have a broader impact on information transfer between and within species.
Scientists have discovered incredibly rapid gas flares from a white dwarf binary star system for the first time. The unusual activity was observed at radio wavelengths in SS Cyg, one of the brightest variable stars in the constellation of Cygnus.
A team of researchers has localized the source of a Fast Radio Burst (FRB) to an older dwarf galaxy over 3 billion light years away. The galaxy is believed to harbor a supermassive black hole and may be connected to other energetic events such as supernovae and gamma-ray bursts.
A recent review of clinical trials from Purdue University suggests that consuming more than half a serving per day of red meat does not worsen blood pressure and blood cholesterol levels. The research provides new insights into the relationship between red meat consumption and cardiovascular disease risk factors.
A recent study published by the American Chemical Society found that red cabbage microgreens can help lower LDL, or 'bad', cholesterol and liver triglyceride levels in mice on high-fat diets. The microgreens contained more polyphenols and glucosinolates than mature red cabbage, making them a promising source of health benefits.
Researchers observed L2 Puppis, a star similar to the Sun 5 billion years ago, to understand its evolution and potential impact on planets. A planet orbiting the giant star may offer clues about Earth's ultimate fate.
A new UMD-led study proposes that Pluto's 'icy heart', Sputnik Planitia, formed early in the dwarf planet's history due to its unique climate and spin axis. The model suggests that the ice cap's location is inevitable consequence of evolutionary processes.
Astronomers have found an extremely faint dwarf satellite galaxy, Virgo I, located 280,000 light years from the Sun. The discovery suggests hundreds of yet-undetected dwarf satellites in the halo of the Milky Way.
Astronomers have discovered a large population of distant dwarf galaxies that could reveal details about star formation in the early universe. These galaxies are 10 to 100 times fainter than previously observed galaxies, but produce more than half of the ultraviolet light during this era.
A subsurface ocean of water ice may lie beneath Pluto's heart-shaped region, aligning almost exactly opposite its moon Charon. The existence of this ocean solves a longstanding puzzle and provides an explanation for the planet's gravitational tug-of-war with its moon.
A DNA study has found that red squirrels on Brownsea Island are infected with the same species of bacteria responsible for human leprosy infections. The bacteria, Mycobacterium leprae, shares close similarities with a strain discovered in medieval Europe and is similar to a strain found in armadillos.
Red squirrels in Britain and Ireland are found to be infected with leprosy bacteria, M. leprae and M. lepromatosis. This discovery raises concerns for conservation efforts as the disease can be transmitted among red squirrels, highlighting the need for better management.
A new study using remote sensing data finds that over 200 bird species in six rapidly developing regions are at risk of extinction, despite not being included on the IUCN Red List. The analysis reveals accelerated risks of extinction for 210 species and threatened status for 189 species due to habitat loss.
Researchers found that people living at high altitudes with chronic mountain sickness produce significantly more red blood cells than those without the condition. This is due to an overproduction of the SENP1 enzyme, which boosts levels of other proteins promoting cell division and survival.
A team of OU researchers collaborated with citizen scientists to discover a rare circumstellar disk, the oldest of its kind, around a red dwarf star. The discovery provides insights into why M dwarf disks appear so rare and may hold clues about the possibility of extrasolar planets.
A team of citizen scientists and professional astronomers have discovered an unusual exoplanet hunting ground, finding the oldest known circumstellar disk orbiting a young star. The discovery, led by Steven Silverberg, reveals a red dwarf star with a warm disk that has sustained its disk for an exceptionally long time.
The AABB has issued updated guidelines for red blood cell storage time and transfusion use, citing analysis of over 5,000 patients across 13 randomized clinical trials. The new recommendations suggest that stored blood is as safe as fresh blood for stable hospitalized patients.
Proxima Centauri, a small red dwarf star, has a regular cycle of starspots similar to our Sun. The study suggests that this cycle may impact the potential habitability of its planet, Proxima b.
Astrophysicists propose that inspiraling white dwarfs could produce a type of explosion that matches Type Ia supernovae. The model suggests that resonance in the binary orbit of the stars causes rapid jumps in energy that can lead to detonation.
Theoretical modeling work resolves debates on dwarf galaxy formation by accurately predicting their properties. The new simulation brings theoretical predictions into better agreement with observations of dwarf galaxies surrounding the Milky Way.
Eating red meat increases significant risks for diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and certain cancers. The production of red meat also creates an environmental burden with impacts on greenhouse gas emissions and water use.
Studies reveal new insights into Ceres' surface features, including craters, cryovolcanos, and water ice exposure. The findings suggest recent geological activity and propose possible explanations for the formation of Ahuna Mons and water ice on the dwarf planet's surface.
Astronomers have found a potentially habitable exoplanet, Proxima b, orbiting the red dwarf star Proxima Centauri, just 11 days from its parent star. The planet's mass is at least 1.3 times that of Earth and orbits within the star's habitable zone.
A new study by University of Illinois expert Ravi Mehta found that the color red can elicit noncompliant behavior, also known as a rebellious streak, in individuals who are high on the sensation-seeking scale. This effect is due to the arousal caused by exposure to the color red, which leads to reactance and increases noncompliance.
Researchers from USF College of Marine Science and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission expect no major red tide blooms along Florida's west coast this year. Nutrient levels in the Gulf of Mexico favor non-toxic algae, suppressing red tide bloom development.
According to new theoretical work, life on Earth is actually premature from a cosmic perspective. The chances of life growing much higher in the distant future due to star lifetimes were found to be 1000 times higher than now. Scientists recommend studying nearby red dwarf stars and their planets for signs of habitability.
Researchers from Boston University found that Jupiter's Great Red Spot is responsible for heating the planet's upper atmosphere to unusually high temperatures. The team used infrared observations to map temperature anomalies across the planet, revealing that the Great Red Spot's heat distribution matches the observed values.
Astronomers using NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope discover a new type of exotic binary star system where a rapidly spinning white dwarf powers electrons to almost the speed of light, causing radiation blasts that lash the companion red dwarf star, resulting in dramatic pulses every 1.97 minutes.
Astronomers have discovered a unique white dwarf binary system, AR Scorpii, exhibiting powerful radio pulses that are unlike anything seen before from a white dwarf. The system's rapidly spinning white dwarf accelerates electrons, releasing radiation in a lighthouse-like beam that affects its cool red dwarf companion.
Researchers at the University of Warwick have discovered a new type of exotic binary star that produces powerful beams of particles and radiation, affecting its nearby companion star. The star, AR Scorpii, has a white dwarf with intense magnetic fields that accelerate electrons in the atmosphere of the red dwarf to close to the speed o...
Researchers found liver is the major site for elimination and recycling of red blood cells, contradicting previous belief that spleen plays a key role. The study identified bone-marrow-derived immune cells as the main recycling cells, which accumulate in the liver and recycle iron.
A new study found a strong association between red meat intake and increased risk of end-stage renal disease (ESRD), with soy and legumes appearing slightly protective. Substituting one serving of red meat with other protein sources can significantly reduce the risk of ESRD by up to 62%.
Researchers found that red hair-associated MC1R gene variants increase genetic mutations in melanoma skin cancer by an average of 42% more than the general population. This highlights the need for everyone to be cautious about sun exposure, regardless of their hair color.
A large Canadian study found associations between blood donor characteristics and recipient survival in red blood cell transfusions. Recipients of female donor red blood cells were eight percent more likely to die than those receiving male donor blood, while younger donors (17-20 years) also had increased mortality risks.
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.