Killer whales have begun preying on sea otters in western Alaska, leading to a decline in sea otter populations and an increase in sea urchin numbers. This chain of events is linked to the collapse of seals and sea lions, which are the killer whales' usual prey.
Researchers gather to explore progress and challenges in implementing the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty's verification regime, covering seismic, infrasound, hydroacoustic, and radionuclear data. The goal is to detect even tiny nuclear events, making it as difficult as possible for them to slip through.
Researchers have exposed the precise interactions between antibiotics and bacterial ribosomes, revealing a 'lock-and-key' system that sheds light on antibiotic effectiveness and resistance. The study highlights the importance of targeting RNA in cells and provides potential strategies for designing new, less toxic drugs.
The Katzman Automatic Imaging Telescope (KAIT) is a fully robotic telescope that can track a given area of the sky for hours and detect objects 10,000 times fainter than other telescopes. KAIT will enable astronomers to conduct nightly studies of changing celestial objects remotely.
Researchers at UC Santa Cruz found seismic evidence suggesting a partially molten layer in the lower mantle, which could fundamentally change our understanding of the core-mantle boundary. The suspected layer, between 5-40 kilometers thick, may conduct electricity more readily than solid rock and influence the planet's magnetic field.
A recent study using pocket gophers found that individuals with low genetic variation accepted skin grafts from each other, while those with higher genetic diversity rejected them. This suggests that cheetahs and other genetically impoverished species may be more vulnerable to disease outbreaks.